The little mouse had summoned every other mouse in the land to its help , and together they had collected all the grain in the kingdom . The King could not hide his amazement , but at the same time his wrath increased , and he was more ready than ever to believe the two brothers , who kept on repeating that Ferko was nothing more nor less than a wicked magician . Only the beautiful Princess rejoiced over Ferko 's success , and looked on him with friendly glances , which the youth returned . The more the cruel King gazed on the wonder before him , the more angry he became , for he could not , in the face of his promise , put the stranger to death . He turned once more to the two brothers and said , ` His diabolical magic has helped him again , but now what third task shall we set him to do ? No matter how impossible it is , he must do it or die . ' The eldest answered quickly , ` Let him drive all the wolves of the kingdom on to this hill before to-morrow night . If he does this he may go free ; if not he shall be hung as you have said . ' At these words the Princess burst into tears , and when the King saw this he ordered her to be shut up in a high tower and carefully guarded till the dangerous magician should either have left the kingdom or been hung on the nearest tree . Ferko wandered out into the fields again , and sat down on the stump of a tree wondering what he should do next . Suddenly a big wolf ran up to him , and standing still said , ` I 'm very glad to see you again , my kind benefactor . What are you thinking about all alone by yourself ? If I can help you in any way only say the word , for I would like to give you a proof of my gratitude . ' Ferko at once recognised the wolf whose broken leg he had healed , and told him what he had to do the following day if he wished to escape with his life . ` But how in the world , ' he added , ` am I to collect all the wolves of the kingdom on to that hill over there ? ' ` If that 's all you want done , ' answered the wolf , ` you need n't worry yourself . I 'll undertake the task , and you 'll hear from me again before sunset to-morrow . Keep your spirits up . ' And with these words he trotted quickly away . Then the youth rejoiced greatly , for now he felt that his life was safe ; but he grew very sad when he thought of the beautiful Princess , and that he would never see her again if he left the country .
He lay down once more XXXXX the grass and soon fell fast asleep .
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