him, and standing still said, 'I'm very glad to see you again, my kind
benefactor. What are you thinking about all alone by yourself? If I
can help you in any way only say the word, for I would like to give
you a proof of my gratitude.'

Ferko at once recognised the wolf whose broken leg he had healed, and
told him what he had to do the following day if he wished to escape
with his life. 'But how in the world,' he added, 'am I to collect all
the wolves of the kingdom on to that hill over there?'

'If that's all you want done,' answered the wolf, 'you needn't worry
yourself. I'll undertake the task, and you'll hear from me again
before sunset to-morrow. Keep your spirits up.' And with these words
he trotted quickly away.

Then the youth rejoiced greatly, for now he felt that his life was
safe; but he grew very sad when he thought of the beautiful Princess,
and that he would never see her again if he left the country. He lay
down once more on the grass and soon fell fast asleep.

All the next day he spent wandering about the fields, and toward
evening the wolf came running to him in a great hurry and said, 'I
have collected together all the wolves in the kingdom, and they are
waiting for you in the wood. Go quickly to the King, and tell him to
go to the hill that he may see the wonder you have done with his own
eyes. Then return at once to me and get on my back, and I will help
you to drive all the wolves together.'

Then Ferko went straight to the palace and told the King that he was
ready to perform the third task if he would come to the hill and see
it done. Ferko himself returned to the fields, and mounting on the
wolf's back he rode to the wood close by.

Quick as lightning the wolf flew round the wood, and in a minute many
hundred wolves rose up before him, increasing in number every moment,
till they could be counted by thousands. He drove them all before him
on to the hill, where the King and his whole Court and Ferko's two
brothers were standing. Only the lovely Princess was not present, for
she was shut up in her tower weeping bitterly.

The wicked brothers stamped and foamed with rage when they saw the
failure of their wicked designs. But the King was overcome by a sudden
terror when he saw the enormous pack of wolves approaching nearer and
nearer, and calling out to Ferko he said, 'Enough, enough, we don't
want any more.'

[Illustration: Ferko Leads the Wolves On.]

But the wolf on whose back Ferk