then they exchanged clothes, and the huntsman returned home; the prince, however, went further into the forest. after a time three waggons of gold and precious stones came to the king for his youngest son, which were sent by the three kings who had slain their enemies with the prince’s sword, and maintained their people with his bread, and who wished to show their gratitude for it. the old king then thought, "can my son have been innocent?" and said to his people, "would that he were still alive, how it grieves me that i have suffered him to be killed!" "he still lives," said the huntsman, "i could not find it in my heart to carry out your command," and told the king how it had happened. then a stone fell from the king’s heart, and he had it proclaimed in every country that his son might return and be taken into favour again.