As there was a soft breeze blowing , the bushes to which the head was tied moved gently , and the bells rang . When all was done to his liking he hastened quickly back to his master . ` Where are the sheep ? ' asked the herdsman as the young man ran panting up the steps . ` Oh ! do n't speak of them , ' answered he . ` It is only by a miracle that I am here myself . ' ` Tell me at once what has happened , ' said the herdsman sternly . The youth began to sob , and stammered out : ` I -- I hardly know how to tell you ! They -- they -- they were so -- so troublesome -- that I could not manage them at all . They -- ran about in -- in all directions , and I -- I -- ran after them and nearly died of fatigue . Then I heard a -- a noise , which I -- I thought was the wind . But -- but -- it was the sheep , which , be -- before my very eyes , were carried straight up -- up into the air . I stood watching them as if I was turned to stone , but there kept ringing in my ears the sound of the bells on the ram which led them . ' ` That is nothing but a lie from beginning to end , ' said the herdsman . ` No , it is as true as that there is a sun in heaven , ' answered the young man . ` Then give me a proof of it , ' cried his master . ` Well , come with me , ' said the youth . By this time it was evening and the dusk was falling . The young man brought the herdsman to the foot of the great rock , but it was so dark you could hardly see .
Still the sound of sheep bells rang softly from above , and the herdsman knew them to be those he had hung on the horns XXXXX his ram .
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