The prince was beginning to lose heart , when a man who had overheard his question turned round and said that he had better go and ask the emperor , as he was in search of some one to see after his flocks . ` Will you take care of my sheep ? ' said the emperor , when the young man knelt before him . ` Most willingly , your Majesty , ' answered the young man , and he listened obediently while the emperor told him what he was to do . ` Outside the city walls , ' went on the emperor , ` you will find a large lake , and by its banks lie the richest meadows in my kingdom . When you are leading out your flocks to pasture , they will all run straight to these meadows , and none that have gone there have ever been known to come back . Take heed , therefore , my son , not to suffer your sheep to go where they will , but drive them to any spot that you think best . ' With a low bow the prince thanked the emperor for his warning , and promised to do his best to keep the sheep safe . Then he left the palace and went to the market-place , where he bought two greyhounds , a hawk , and a set of pipes ; after that he took the sheep out to pasture . The instant the animals caught sight of the lake lying before them , they trotted off as fast as their legs would go to the green meadows lying round it . The prince did not try to stop them ; he only placed his hawk on the branch of a tree , laid his pipes on the grass , and bade the greyhounds sit still ; then , rolling up his sleeves and trousers , he waded into the water crying as he did so : ` Dragon ! dragon ! if you are not a coward , come out and fight with me ! ' And a voice answered from the depths of the lake : ' I am waiting for you , O prince ' ; and the next minute the dragon reared himself out of the water , huge and horrible to see . The prince sprang upon him and they grappled with each other and fought together till the sun was high , and it was noonday . Then the dragon gasped : ' O prince , let me dip my burning head once into the lake , and I will hurl you up to the top of the sky . ' But the prince answered , ` Oh , ho ! my good dragon , do not crow too soon ! If the emperor 's daughter were only here , and would kiss me on the forehead , I would throw you up higher still ! ' And suddenly the dragon 's hold loosened , and he fell back into the lake .
As soon as it was evening , the prince washed away all signs of the fight , took his hawk upon his shoulder , and his pipes under his arm , and with his greyhounds in front and his flock following after him he set out XXXXX the city .
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