But the prince spoke and said : ` Have patience for one minute . I would like before I die to blow three blasts on my hunting horn -- one in this room , one on the stairs , and one in the courtyard . ' So the robber consented , and the prince blew the horn . At the first blast , the fox , which was asleep in the cage in the courtyard , awoke , and knew that his master needed help . So he awoke the wolf by flicking him across the eyes with his brush . Then they awoke the lion , who sprang against the door of the cage with might and main , so that it fell in splinters on the ground , and the beasts were free . Rushing through the court to their master 's aid , the fox gnawed the cord in two that bound the prince 's thumbs behind his back , and the lion flung himself on the robber , and when he had killed him and torn him in pieces each of the beasts carried off a bone . Then the prince turned to the step-sister and said : ' I will not kill you , but I will leave you here to repent . ' And he fastened her with a chain to the wall , and put a great bowl in front of her and said , ' I will not see you again till you have filled this bowl with your tears . ' So saying , he called his beasts , and set out on his travels . When he had gone a little way he came to an inn . Everyone in the inn seemed so sad that he asked them what was the matter . ` Ah , ' replied they , ` to-day our king 's daughter is to die . She is to be handed over to a dreadful nine-headed dragon . ' Then the prince said : ` Why should she die ? I am very strong , I will save her . ' And he set out to the sea-shore , where the dragon was to meet the princess . And as he waited with his beasts round him a great procession came along , accompanying the unfortunate princess : and when the shore was reached all the people left her , and returned sadly to their houses . But the prince remained , and soon he saw a movement in the water a long way off . 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 XXXXX the monster was bewildered and could see nothing .
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