We will no more plague ourselves by carrying water
every day. I will bring the entire spring home at once, and so we shall
be freed from this burden.'

But the Draken called out: 'On no account, Herr Lazarus, else we shall
all die of thirst; rather will we carry the water ourselves in turns,
and you alone shall be exempt.'

Next it comes to be Lazarus's turn to bring the wood. Now the Draken,
when they fetched the wood, always took an entire tree on their
shoulder, and so carried it home. Because Lazarus could not imitate them
in this, he went to the forest, tied all the trees together with a thick
rope, and remained in the forest till evening. Again the Draken sent one
of them after him to see what had become of him, and when this one asked
what he was about, Lazarus answered: 'I will bring the entire forest
home at once, so that after that we may have rest.'

But the Draken called out: 'By no means, Herr Lazarus, else we shall all
die of cold; rather will we go ourselves to bring wood, and let you be
free.' And then the Draken tore up one tree, threw it over his shoulder,
and so carried it home.

When they had lived together some time, the Draken became weary of
Lazarus, and agreed among themselves to kill him; each Draken, in the
night while Lazarus slept, should strike him a blow with a hatchet. But
Lazarus heard of this scheme, and when the evening came, he took a
log of wood, covered it with his cloak, laid it in the place where he
usually slept, and then hid himself. In the night the Draken came, and
each one hit the log a blow with his hatchet, till it flew in pieces.

Then they believed their object was gained, and they lay down again.

Thereupon Lazarus took the log, threw it away, and laid himself down in
its stead. Towards dawn, he began to groan, and when the Draken heard
that, they asked what ailed him, to which he made answer: 'The gnats
have stung me horribly.' This terrified the Draken, for they believed
that Lazarus took their blows for gnat-stings, and they determined at
any price to get rid of him. Next morning, therefore, they asked him if
he had not wife or child, and said that if he would like to go and visit
them they would give him a bag of gold to take away with him. He agreed
willingly to this, but asked further that one of the Draken should go
with him to carry the bag of gold. They consented, and one was sent with
him.

When they had come to within a short; distance of Lazarus's house