As it came nearer , he knew what it was , for skimming swiftly along the waters came a monster dragon with nine heads . Then the prince took counsel with his beasts , and as the dragon approached the shore the fox drew his brush through the water and blinded the dragon by scattering the salt water in his eyes , while the bear and the lion threw up more water with their paws , so that the monster was bewildered and could see nothing . Then the prince rushed forward with his sword and killed the dragon , and the beasts tore the body in pieces . Then the princess turned to the prince and thanked him for delivering her from the dragon , and she said to him : ` Step into this carriage with me , and we will drive back to my father 's palace . ' And she gave him a ring and half of her handkerchief . But on the way back the coachman and footman spoke to one another and said : ` Why should we drive this stranger back to the palace ? Let us kill him , and then we can say to the king that we slew the dragon and saved the princess , and one of us shall marry her . ' So they killed the prince , and left him dead on the roadside . And the faithful beasts came round the dead body and wept , and wondered what they should do . Then suddenly the wolf had an idea , and he started off into the wood , where he found an ox , which he straightway killed . Then he called the fox , and told him to mount guard over the dead ox , and if a bird came past and tried to peck at the flesh he was to catch it and bring it to the lion . Soon after a crow flew past , and began to peck at the dead ox . In a moment the fox had caught it and brought it to the lion . Then the lion said to the crow : ` We will not kill you if you will promise to fly to the town where there are three wells of healing and to bring back water from them in your beak to make this dead man alive . ' So the crow flew away , and she filled her beak at the well of healing , the well of strength , and the well of swiftness , and she flew back to the dead prince and dropped the water from her beak upon his lips , and he was healed , and could sit up and walk . Then he set out for the town , accompanied by his faithful beasts . And when they reached the king 's palace they found that preparations for a great feast were being made , for the princess was to marry the coachman . So the prince walked into the palace , and went straight up to the coachman and said : ` What token have you got that you killed the dragon and won the hand of the princess ? I have her token here -- this ring and half her handkerchief . ' And when the king saw these tokens he knew that the prince was speaking the truth .
XXXXX the coachman was bound in chains and thrown into prison , and the prince was married to the princess and rewarded with half the kingdom .
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