` We have no choice , and must take your offer , ' said they . Then the dragon seized them in his claws , took them through the air over the army , and set them down on the earth a long way from it . He gave them a little whip , saying , ` Whip and slash with this , and as much money as you want will jump up before you . You can then live as great lords , keep horses , and drive about in carriages . But after seven years you are mine . ' Then he put a book before them , which he made all three of them sign . ' I will then give you a riddle , ' he said ; ` if you guess it , you shall be free and out of my power . ' The dragon then flew away , and they journeyed on with their little whip . They had as much money as they wanted , wore grand clothes , and made their way into the world . Wherever they went they lived in merrymaking and splendour , drove about with horses and carriages , ate and drank , but did nothing wrong . The time passed quickly away , and when the seven years were nearly ended two of them grew terribly anxious and frightened , but the third made light of it , saying , ` Do n't be afraid , brothers , I was n't born yesterday ; I will guess the riddle . ' They went into a field , sat down , and the two pulled long faces . An old woman passed by , and asked them why they were so sad . ` Alas ! what have you to do with it ? You can not help us . ' ` Who knows ? ' she answered . ` Only confide your trouble in me . ' Then they told her that they had become the servants of the Dragon for seven long years , and how he had given them money as plentifully as blackberries ; but as they had signed their names they were his , unless when the seven years had passed they could guess a riddle .
The old woman XXXXX , ` If you would help yourselves , one of you must go into the wood , and there he will come upon a tumble-down building of rocks which looks like a little house .
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