When the ravens had thus conversed they fled onward , but Trusty John had taken it all in , and was sad and depressed from that time forward ; for if he were silent to his master concerning what he had heard , he would involve him in misfortune ; but if he took him into his confidence , then he himself would forfeit his life . At last he said : `` I will stand by my master , though it should be my ruin . '' Now when they drew near the land it came to pass just as the ravens had predicted , and a splendid chestnut horse bounded forward . `` Capital ! '' said the King ; `` this animal shall carry me to my palace , '' and was about to mount , but Trusty John was too sharp for him , and , springing up quickly , seized the pistol out of the holster and shot the horse dead . Then the other servants of the King , who at no time looked favorably on Trusty John , cried out : `` What a sin to kill the beautiful beast that was to bear the King to his palace ! '' But the King spake : `` Silence ! let him alone ; he is ever my most trusty John . Who knows for what good end he may have done this thing ? '' So they went on their way and entered the palace , and there in the hall stood a cupboard in which lay the ready-made bridal shirt , looking for all the world as though it were made of gold and silver . The young King went toward it and was about to take hold of it , but Trusty John , pushing him aside , seized it with his gloved hands , threw it hastily into the fire , and let it burn The other servants commenced grumbling again , and said : `` See , he 's actually burning the King 's bridal shirt . '' But the young King spoke : `` Who knows for what good purpose he does it ? Let him alone , he is my most trusty John . '' Then the wedding was celebrated , the dance began , and the bride joined in , but Trusty John watched her countenance carefully . Of a sudden she grew deadly white , and fell to the ground as if she were dead . He at once sprang hastily toward her , lifted her up , and bore her to a room , where he laid her down , and kneeling beside her he drew three drops of blood from her right side , and spat them out . She soon breathed again and came to herself ; but the young King had watched the proceeding , and not knowing why Trusty John had acted as he did , he flew into a passion , and cried : `` Throw him into prison . '' On the following morning sentence was passed on Trusty John , and he was condemned to be hanged . As he stood on the gallows he said : `` Every one doomed to death has the right to speak once before he dies ; and I too have that privilege ? '' `` Yes , '' said the King , `` it shall be granted to you . ''
So Trusty John spoke : `` I am unjustly XXXXX , for I have always been faithful to you '' ; and he proceeded to relate how he had heard the ravens ' conversation on the sea , and how he had to do all he did in order to save his master .
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