body within it. When this was done he called out to the guards and
said that he had considered the matter but after all he could not
make up his mind to say what the king wished. The guards came
in, threw the hat and cloak, knapsack and stick all down the well
together, watched to see how they put out the light at the bottom
and came away, thinking that now there really was an end of the
shepherd. But he had hidden in a dark corner and was laughing to
himself all the time.

Quite early next morning came the Lord Chamberlain, carrying a
lamp and he nearly fell backwards with surprise when he saw the
shepherd alive and well. He brought him to the king, whose fury
was greater than ever, but who cried:

'Well, now you have been near a hundred deaths; will you say: "To
your good health"?'

But the shepherd only gave the same answer:

'I won't say it till the princess is my wife.'

'Perhaps after all you may do it for less,' said the king, who saw that
there was no chance of making away with the shepherd; and he
ordered the state coach to be got ready, then he made the shepherd
get in with him and sit beside him, and ordered the coachman to
drive to the silver wood. When they reached it he said: 'Do you see
this silver wood? Well, if you will say, "To your good health," I
will give it to you.'

The shepherd turned hot and cold by turns, but he still persisted: