Just then several men rode out of the wood. They shouted for joy.
"Oh, sir!" cried one, "we thought you were lost."
Then Hans learned to his great surprise that the hunter was a Prince. He was afraid that the great man would be angry with him. But the Prince smiled and spoke in praise of him.
A few days later a servant came from the Prince and took Hans to the palace.
"Hans," said the Prince, "I want you to leave your sheep to come to serve me. I know you are a boy whom I can trust."
Hans was very happy over his good fortune. "If my master can find another boy to take my place, then I will come to serve you."
So Hans went back and tended the sheep until his master found another boy. After that he served the Prince many years.