Nearly a hundred other sheep were scattered about , not eating the grass , but some drinking coffee , lemonade , or sherbet , others eating ices , strawberries and cream , or sweetmeats , while others , again , were playing games . Many of them wore golden collars with jewels , flowers , and ribbons . Miranda stopped short in amazement at this unexpected sight , and was looking in all directions for the shepherd of this surprising flock , when the beautiful sheep came bounding toward her . `` Approach , lovely Princess , '' he cried ; `` have no fear of such gentle and peaceable animals as we are . '' `` What a marvel ! '' cried the Princess , starting back a little . `` Here is a sheep that can talk . '' `` Your monkey and your dog could talk , madam , '' said he ; `` are you more astonished at us than at them ? '' `` A fairy gave them the power to speak , '' replied Miranda . `` So I was used to them . '' `` Perhaps the same thing has happened to us , '' he said , smiling sheepishly . `` But , Princess , what can have led you here ? '' `` A thousand misfortunes , Sir Sheep , '' she answered . `` I am the unhappiest princess in the world , and I am seeking a shelter against my father 's anger . '' `` Come with me , madam , '' said the Sheep ; `` I offer you a hiding-place which you only will know of , and where you will be mistress of everything you see . '' `` I really can not follow you , '' said Miranda , `` for I am too tired to walk another step . '' The Sheep with the golden horns ordered that his chariot should be fetched , and a moment after appeared six goats , harnessed to a pumpkin , which was so big that two people could quite well sit in it , and was all lined with cushions of velvet and down . The Princess stepped into it , much amused at such a new kind of carriage , the King of the Sheep took his place beside her , and the goats ran away with them at full speed , and only stopped when they reached a cavern , the entrance to which was blocked by a great stone . This the King touched with his foot , and immediately it fell down , and he invited the Princess to enter without fear . Now , if she had not been so alarmed by everything that had happened , nothing could have induced her to go into this frightful cave , but she was so afraid of what might be behind her that she would have thrown herself even down a well at this moment .
So , without hesitation , she followed the Sheep , who went before her , down , down , down , until she thought they must come out at the other side of the world -- indeed , she was not sure that he was n't leading her XXXXX Fairyland .
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