Thatwastheendofme，fromasocietypointofview。Rudenesstovisitorswastheunpardonablesin，andintwosecondsI
　　hadmymarchingorders，andwassullenlywendingmywaytotheSt。Elelenaofthenursery。AsIclimbedthestair，mythoughtsrevertedsomehowtoagamewehadbeenplayingthatverymorning。
　　ItwasthegoodoldgameofRafts，——agamethatwillbeplayedtillalltheoceansaredryandallthetreesintheworldarefelled——andafter。Andwewereallcrowdedtogetherontheprecariouslittleplatform，andSelinaoccupiedeverybitasmuchroomasIdid，andCharlotte’slegsdidn’tdangleoveranymorethanHarold’s。Thepitilesssunoverheadbeatonusallwithtropicimpartiality，andthehungrysharks，whosefinsscoredthelimitlessPacificstretchingoutoneveryside，wereimpelledbyanappetitethatmadenoexceptionsastosex。Whenwesharedtheultimatebiscuitandcirculatedthelastwater-keg，thegirlsgotanabsolutefourthapiece，andneithermorenorless;andtheonlypartialityshownwasentirelyinfavourofCharlotte，whowasallowedtoperceiveandtohailthesaviour-
　　sailonthehorizon。Andthiswasonlybecauseitwasherturntodoso，notbecauseshehappenedtobethisorthat。Surely，therulesoftheraftweretherulesoflife，andinwhat，then，didthesevisitor-ladies’grievanceconsist？
　　Puzzledandalittlesulky，Ipushedopenthedoorofthedesertednursery，wheretheraftthathadrockedbeneathsomanyhopesandfearsstilloccupiedtheocean-floor。Tothedulleye，thatmerelytarriesupontheoutsidesofthings，itmighthaveappearedunromanticandevenunraftlike，consistingonlyasitdidofaroundsponge-bathonabalddealtowel-horseplacedflatonthefloor。Eventomyselfmuchoftherecentraft-glamourseemedtohavedepartedasIhalf-mechanicallysteppedinsideandcurledmyselfupinitforasolitaryvoyage。OnceIwasin，however，theoldmagicandmysteryreturnedinfullflood，whenIdiscoveredthattheinequalitiesofthetowel-horsecausedthebathtorock，slightly，indeed，buteasilyandincessantly。
　　Afewminutesofthisdelightfulmotion，andonewasfairlylaunched。Sothosewomenbelowdidn’twantus？Well，therewereotherwomen，andotherplaces，thatdid。Andthiswasgoingtobenoscramblingraft-affair，butafull-bloodedvoyageoftheMan，equippedandpurposeful，insearchofwhatwashisrightfulown。
　　WhithershouldIshapemycourse，andwhatsortofvesselshouldIcharterforthevoyage？TheshippingofallEnglandwasminetopickfrom，andthefarcornersoftheglobeweremyrightfulinheritance。Afrigate，ofcourse，seemedthenaturalvehicleforaboyofspirittosetoutin。Andyettherewassomethingrather"uppish"incommandingafrigateattheveryfirstset-off，andlittlespreadwasleftfortheambition。Frigates，too，couldalwaysbeacquiredlaterbysheeradventure;andyourrealherogenerallysavedupasquare-riggedshipforthefinalachievementandtheraptreturn。No，itwasaschoonerthatI
　　wasaboardof——aschoonerwhosemastsrakeddevilishlyastheleapingseashissedalongherlowblackgunwale。Manyhairbrainedyouthsstartedoutonamerecutter;butIwasprudent，andbesidesIhadsomeinklingoftheseriousaffairsthatwereahead。
　　IhavesaidIwasalreadyonboard;and，indeed，onthisoccasionIwastoohungryforadventuretolingeroverwhatwouldhavebeenaspecialdelightataperiodofmoreleisure——thedanglingabouttheharbour，thechoosingyourcraft，selectingyourshipmates，stowingyourcargo，andfittingupyourprivatecabinwitheverythingyoumightwanttoputyourhandoninanyemergencywhatever。Icouldnotwaitforthat。Outbeyondsoundingsthebigseaswereracingwestwardandcallingme，albatrosseshoveredmotionless，expectantofacomrade，andathousandislandsheldeachofthemafreshadventure，storedup，hiddenaway，awaitingproduction，expresslysavedforme。Wewerehumming，close-hauled，downtheChannel，sprayintheeyesandtheshroudsthrillingmusically，inmuchlesstimethantheaveragemanwouldhavetakentotransferhisGladstonebagandhisrugsfromthetraintoashelteredplaceonthepromenade-
　　deckofthetamedailysteamer。
　　SolongaswewereinpilotageIstuckmanfullytothewheel。
　　Theundertakingwasmine，andwithitallitsresponsibilities，andtherewassometrickysteeringtobedoneaswespedbyheadlandandbay，erewebreastedthegreatseasoutsideandthelandfellawaybehindus。ButassoonastheAtlantichadopenedoutIbegantofeelthatitwouldberathernicetotaketeabymyselfinmyowncabin，anditthereforebecamenecessarytoinventacomradeortwo，totaketheirturnatthewheel。
　　Thiswaseasyenough。Afriendortwoofmyownage，fromamongtheboysIknew;afriendortwofromcharactersinthebooksI
　　knew;andafriendortwofromNo-man’s-land，whereeveryfellow’sabornsailor;andthecrewwascomplete。Iaddressedthemonthepoop，dividedthemintowatches，gaveinstructionsI
　　shouldbesummonedonthefirstsignofpirates，whales，orFrenchmen，andretiredbelowtoawell-earnedspellofrelaxation。
　　ThatwastherightsortofcabinthatIsteppedinto，shuttingthedoorbehindmewithaclick。Ofcourse，fire-armswerethefirstthingIlookedfor，andtheretheywere，sureenough，intheirracks，dozensof’em——double-barrelledguns，andrepeating-rifles，andlongpistols，andshinyplatedrevolvers。
　　Irangupthestewardandorderedtea，withscones，andjaminitsnativepots——noneofyourfinickingshallowglassdishes;
　　and，whenproperlystreakedwithjam，andblownoutwithtea，I
　　wentthroughthearmoury，clickedtheriflesandrevolvers，testedtheedgesofthecutlasseswithmythumb，andfilledthecartridge-beltschock-full。Everythingwasthere，andofthebestquality，justasifIhadspentawholefortnightknockingaboutPlymouthandorderingthings。Clearly，ifthiscruisecametogrief，itwouldnotbeforwantofequipment。
　　JustasIwasbeginningonthelockersandthedrawers，thewatchreportedicebergsonbothbows——and，whatwasmoretothepoint，coveysofPolarbearsontheicebergs。Igraspedarifleortwo，andhastenedondeck。Thespectaclewasindeedmagnificent——itgenerallyis，withicebergsonbothbows，andthesewereexceptionallyenormousicebergs。ButIhadn’tcometheretopaintAcademypictures，sothecaptain’sgigwasinthewaterandmannedalmosteretheboatswain’swhistlehadceasedsounding，andwewerepullinghardforthePolarbears——myselfandtheriflesinthestern-sheets。
　　IhaverarelyenjoyedbettershootingthanIgotduringthatafternoon’strampovertheicebergs。PerhapsIwasinspeciallygoodform;perhapsthebears"rose"well。Anyhow，thebagwasaportentousone。Inlaterdays，onreadingofthegrowingscarcityofPolarbears，myconsciencehasprickedme;butthatafternoonIexperiencednocompunction。Nevertheless，whenthehugepileofskinshadbeenhoistedonboard，andastiffgroghadbeenservedouttothecrewofthecaptain’sgig，I
　　orderedtheschooner’sheadtobesetduesouth。Foricebergswereplayedout，forthemoment，anditwasgettingtobetimeforsomethingmoretropical。
　　Tropicalwasamildexpressionofwhatwastocome，aswasshortlyproved。Itwasaboutthreebellsinthenextday’sforenoonwatchwhenthelook-outmanfirstsightedthepiratebrigantine。Idislikedthelooksofherfromthefirst，and，afterpipingallhandstoquarters，hadthebrasscarronadeonthefore-deckcrammedwithgrapetothemuzzle。
　　Thisprovedawiseprecaution。Fortheflagitiouspiratecraft，havingcreptuptousunderthecoloursoftheSwissRepublic，astatewithwhichwewerejustthenonthebestpossibleterms，suddenlyshookouttheskull-and-cross-bonesathermasthead，andletflywithround-shotatclosequarters，knockingintopiecesseveralofmycrew，whocouldillbespared。Thesightoftheirdisconnectedlimbsarousedmyiretoitsutmostheight，andIletthemhavethecontentsofthebrasscarronade，withghastlyeffect。Nextmomentthehullsofthetwoshipsweregrindingtogether，thecoldsteelflashedfromitsscabbard，andthedeath-grapplehadbegun。
　　Inspiteofthedeadlyworkofmygrape-gorgedcarronade，ourfoestilloutnumberedus，Ireckoned，bythreetoone。Honourforbademyfixingitatalowerfigure——thiswastheminimumrateatwhichonedaredtodobusinesswithpirates。Theywerestarkveterans，too，everymanseamedwithancientsabre-cuts，whereasmycrewhadmanyofthemhardlyattainedthematuritywhichisthegiftoftenlongsummers——andthewholethingwassosuddenthatIhadnotimetoinventareinforcementofriperyears。Itwasnotsurprising，therefore，thatmydauntlessboarding-
　　party，axeinhandandcutlassbetweenteeth，foughttheirwaytothepirates’deckonlytoberepulsedagainandyetagain，andthatourplanksweresoonslipperywithourownungrudgedandinexhaustibleblood。Atthiscriticalpointintheconflict，thebo’sun，graspingmebythearm，drewmyattentiontoamagnificentBritishman-of-war，justhovetointheoffing，whilethesignalman，hisglassathiseye，reportedthatshewasinquiringwhetherwewantedanyassistanceorpreferredtogothroughwiththelittlejobourselves。
　　Thisveiledattempttoshareourlaurelswithus，courteouslyasitwasworded，putmeonmymettle。Wipingthebloodoutofmyeyes，Iorderedthesignalmantoreplyinstantly，withthehalf-
　　dozenorsoofflagsthathehadathisdisposal，thatmuchasweappreciatedthevalouroftheregularservice，andthedelicacyofspiritthatanimateditscommanders，stillthiswasanorthodoxcaseoftheyounggentleman-adventurerversustheunshavedpirate，andHerMajesty’sMarinehadnothingtodobuttoformtheusualadmiringandapplaudingbackground。Then，rallyingroundmetheremnantofmyfaithfulcrew，Iselectedafreshcutlass（Ihadwornoutthreealready）andplungedoncemoreintothepleasingcarnage。
　　Theresultwasnotlongdoubtful。Indeed，Icouldnotallowittobe，asIwasalreadygettingsomewhatboredwiththepiratebusiness，andwaswantingtogetontosomethingmoresouthernandsensuous。AllseriousresistancecametoanendassoonasI
　　hadreachedthequarter-deckandcutdownthepiratechief——afineblack-beardedfellowinhisway，buthardlyuptodateinhisparry-and-thrustbusiness。Thosewhomourcutlasseshadsparedweremarchedoutalongtheirownplank，intheapprovedoldfashion;andintimethescuppersrelievedthedecksofthebloodthatmadetraffictemporarilyimpossible。AndallthetimetheBritish-man-of-waradmiredandapplaudedintheoffing。
　　Assoonaswehadgotthroughwiththenecessarythroat-cuttingandswabbing-upallhandssettoworktodiscovertreasure;andsoonthedeckshonebravelywithingotsandMexicandollarsandchurchplate。Therewereropesofpearls，too，andbigstacksofnougat;andrubies，andgoldwatches，andTurkishDelightintubs。ButIleftthesetriflestomycrew，andcontinuedthesearchalone。ForbythistimeIhaddeterminedthatthereshouldbeaPrincessonboard，carriedofftobesoldincaptivitytotheboldbadMoors，andnowwithbeatingheartawaitingherrescuebyme，thePerseusofherdreams。
　　Icameuponheratlastinthebigstate-cabininthestern;andsheworeahollandpinaforeoverherPrincess-clothes，andshehadbrownwavyhair，hangingdownherback，justlike——well，nevermind，shehadbrownwavyhair。Whengentle-folkmeet，courtesiespass;andIwillnotwearyotherpeoplewithrelatingallthecomplimentsandcounter-complimentsthatweexchanged，allinthemostapprovedmanner。Occasionslikethis，whentongueswaggedsmoothlyandspeechflowedfree，werealwaysespeciallypleasingtome，whoamnaturallyinclinedtobetongue-tiedwithwomen。Butatlastceremonywasover，andwesatonthetableandswungourlegsandagreedtobefastfriends。AndIshowedhermylatestknife——one-bladed，horn-
　　handled，terrific，hungroundmyneckwithstring;andsheshowedmethechiefesttreasurestheshipcontained，hiddenawayinamostprivateandparticularlocker——amusicalboxwithaglasstopthatletyouseetheworks，andarailwaytrainwithreallinesandarealtunnel，andatiniron-cladthatfollowedamagnet，andwaseversomuchhandierinmanyrespectsthantherealfull-sizedthingthatstilllayandapplaudedintheoffing。
　　Therewashighfeastingthatnightinmycabin。Weinvitedthecaptainoftheman-of-war——onecouldhardlydoless，itseemedtome——andthePrincesstookoneendofthetableandItooktheother，andthecaptainwasverykindandnice，andtoldusfairy-
　　stories，andaskedusbothtocomeandstaywithhimnextChristmas，andpromisedweshouldhavesomehunting，onrealponies。WhenheleftIgavehimsomeingotsandthings，andsawhimintohisboat;andthenIwentroundtheshipandaddressedthecrewinseveralsetspeeches，whichmovedthemdeeply，andwithmyownhandsloadedupthecarronadewithgrape-shottillitranoveratthemouth。Thisdone，IretiredintothecabinwiththePrincess，andlockedthedoor。Andfirstwestartedthemusicalbox，takingturnstowinditup;andthenwemadetoffeeinthecabin-stove;andthenweranthetrainroundandroundtheroom，andthroughandthroughthetunnel;andlastlyweswamthetinironcladinthebath，withthesoap-dishforapirate。
　　Nextmorningtheairwasrichwithspices，porpoisesrolledandgambolledroundthebows，andtheSouthSeaIslandslayfullinview（theyweretheREALSouthSeaIslands，ofcourse——notthebadlyfurnishedjourneymen-islandsthataretobeperceivedonthemap）。Asforthepiratebrigantineandtheman-of-war，I
　　don’treallyknowwhatbecameofthem。Theyhadplayedtheirpartverywell，forthetime，butIwasn’tgoingtobothertoaccountforthem，soIjustletthemevaporatequietly。Theislandsprovidedplentyoffreshoccupation。Forherewerelittlebaysofsilverysand，dottedwithland-crabs;grovesofpalm-treeswhereinmonkeysfriskedandpeltedeachotherwithcocoanuts;andcaves，andsitesforstockades，andhiddentreasuressignificantlyindicatedbyskulls，inriotousplenty;
　　whilebirdsandbeastsofeverycolourandalllatitudesmadepleasingnoiseswhichexcitedthesportinginstinct。
　　Theislandslayconvenientlyclosetogether，whichnecessitatedcarefulsteeringaswethreadedthedeviousandintricatechannelsthatseparatedthem。Ofcoursenooneelsecouldbetrustedatthewheel，soitisnotsurprisingthatforsometimeIquiteforgotthattherewassuchathingasaPrincessonboard。Thisistoomuchthemasculineway，wheneverthere’sanyrealbusinessdoing。However，Irememberedherassoonastheanchorwasdropped，andIwentbelowandconsoledher，andwehadbreakfasttogether，andshewasallowedto"pourout，"whichquitemadeupforeverything。Whenbreakfastwasoverweorderedoutthecaptain’sgig，androwedallabouttheislands，andpaddled，andexplored，andhuntedbisonsandbeetlesandbutterflies，andfoundeverythingwewanted。AndIgaveherpinkshellsandtortoisesandgreatmilkypearlsandlittlegreenlizards;andshegavemeguinea-pigs，andcoraltomakeintowaistcoat-buttons，andtamesea-otters，andarealpirate’spowder-horn。Itwasaprolificdayandalong-lastingone，andwearywerewewithallourhuntingandourgettingandourgathering，whenatlastweclamberedintothecaptain’sgigandrowedbacktoalatetea。
　　Thefollowingdaymyconscienceroseupandaccusedme。ThiswasnotwhatIhadcomeouttodo。Thesetriflingswithpearlsandparrakeets，thesealfrescoluncheonsoffyamsandbananas——
　　therewasno"makingofhistory"aboutthem，IresolvedthatwithoutfurtherdallyingIwouldturntoandcapturetheFrenchfrigate，accordingtotheoriginalprogramme。Soweuppedanchorwiththemorningtide，andsetallsailforSanSalvador。
　　OfcourseIhadnoideawhereSanSalvadorreallywas。Ihaven’tnow，forthatmatter。Butitseemedaright-soundingsortofnameforaplacethatwastohaveabaythatwastoholdaFrenchfrigatethatwastobecutout;so，asIsaid，wesailedforSanSalvador，andmadethebayabouteightbellsthatevening，andsawthetopmastsofthefrigateovertheheadlandthatshelteredher。AndforthwiththerewassummonedaCouncilofWar。
　　Itisaveryseriousmatter，aCouncilofWar。Wehadnotheldonehitherto，piratesandtruckofthatsortnotcallingforsuchsolemntreatment。Butinanaffairthatmightalmostbecalledinternational，itseemedwelltoproceedgravelyandbyregularsteps。Sowemetinmycabin——thePrincess，andthebo’sun，andaboyfromthereal-lifelot，andamanfromamongthebook-men，andafellowfromNo-man’s-land，andmyselfinthechair。
　　Thebo’sunhadtakenpartinsomanycuttings-outduringhispastcareerthatpracticallyhedidallthetalking，andwastheCouncilofWarhimself。Itwastobeanaffairofboats，heexplained。Aboat’s-crewwouldbetoldofftocutthecables，andtwoboats’-crewstoclimbstealthilyonboardandoverpowerthesleepingFrenchmen，andtwomoreboats’crewstohaulthedoomedvesseloutofthebay。Thismaderatherademandonmylimitedresourcesastocrews;butIwaspreparedtostretchapointinacaselikethis，andIspeedilybroughtmynumbersuptotherequisiteefficiency。
　　Thenightwasbothmoonlessandstar-less——Ihadarrangedallthat——whentheboatspushedofffromthesideofourvessel，andmadetheirwaytowardtheshipthat，unfortunatelyforitself，hadbeensingledoutbyFatetocarrymehomeintriumph。Iwasinexcellentspirits，and，indeed，asIsteppedovertheside，alawlessideacrossedmymind，ofdiscoveringanotherPrincessonboardthefrigate——aFrenchonethistime;Ihadheardthatthatsortwasrathernice。ButIabandonedthenotionatonce，recollectingthattheheroesofallhistoryhadalwaysbeennotedfortheirunswervingconstancy。
　　TheFrenchcaptainwassnuginbedwhenIclamberedinthroughhiscabinwindowandheldanakedcutlasstohisthroat。
　　Naturallyhewassurprisedandconsiderablyalarmed，tillI
　　dischargedoneofmysetspeechesathim，pointingoutthatmymenalreadyhadhiscrewunderhatchways，thathisvesselwaseventhenbeingtowedoutofharbour，andthat，onhisacceptingthesituationwithagoodgrace，hispersonandprivatepropertywouldbetreatedwithalltherespectduetotherepresentativeofagreatnationforwhichIentertainedfeelingsoftheprofoundestadmirationandregardandallthatsortofthing。Itwasabeautifulspeech。TheFrenchmanatoncepresentedmewithhisparole，intheusualway，and，inareplyofsomepowerandpathos，onlybeggedthatIwouldretireamomentwhileheputonhistrousers。ThisIgracefullyconsentedtodo，andtheincidentended。
　　Twoofmyboatsweresunkbythefirefromthefortsontheshore，andseveralbravefellowswereseverelywoundedinthehand-to-handstrugglewiththeFrenchcrewforthepossessionofthefrigate。Butthebo’sun’sadmirablestrategy，andmyownrecklessgallantryinsecuringtheFrenchcaptainattheoutset，hadthefortunateresultofkeepingdownthedeath-rate。
　　ItwasallforthesakeofthePrincessthatIhadarrangedsocomparativelytameavictory。Formyself，Iratherlikedafairamountofblood-letting，red-hotshot，andflyingsplinters。Butwhenyouhavegirlsabouttheplace，theyhavegottobeconsideredtoacertainextent。
　　Therewasanothersupper-partythatnight，inmycabin，assoonaswehadgotwellouttosea;andtheFrenchcaptain，whowastheguestoftheevening，wasinthegreatestpossibleform。Webecameswornfriends，andexchangedinvitationstocomeandstayateachother’shomes，andreallyitwasquitedifficulttoinducehimtotakehisleave。Butatlastheandhiscrewwerebundledintotheirboats;andafterIhadpressedsomepiratebullionuponthem——delicately，ofcourse，butinapleasantmannerthatadmittedofnodenial——thegallantfellowsquitebrokedown，andweparted，ourbosomsheavingwithafullsenseofeachother’smagnanimityandgood-fellowship。
　　Thenextday，whichwasnearlyalltakenupwithshiftingourquartersintothenewfrigate，sohonourablyandeasilyacquired，wasaverypleasantone，aseveryonewhohasgoneupintheworldandmovedintoalargerhousewillreadilyunderstand。AtlastI
　　hadgrim，blackgunsallalongeachside，insteadofarottenbrasscarronade;atlastIhadasquare-riggedship，withrealyards，andaproperquarter-deck。Infact，nowthatIhadsoaredashighascouldbehopedinasinglevoyage，itseemedabouttimetogohomeandcutadashandshowoffabit。Theworstofthisocean-theatrewas，itheldnoproperaudience。Itwashard，ofcourse，torelinquishalltheadventuresthatstilllayuntouchedintheseSouthernseas。Whaling，forinstance，hadnotyetbeenenteredupon;thejoysofexploration，andstrangeinlandcitiesinnocentofthewhiteman，stillawaitedme;andthebookofwrecksandrescueswasnotyetevenopened。ButI
　　hadachievedafrigateandaPrincess，andthatwasnotsobadforabeginning，andmorethanenoughtoshowoffwithbeforethosedullunadventurousfolkwhocontinuedontheirmill-horseroundathome。
　　Thevoyagehomewasarecordone，sofarasmerespeedwasconcerned，andalladventureswerescornfullyleftbehind，aswerattledalong，forotheradventurerswhohadstilltheirlaurelstowin。HardlylaterthanthenoonofnextdaywedroppedanchorinPlymouthSound，andheardtheintoxicatingclamourofbells，theroarofartillery，andthehoarsecheersofanexcitedpopulacesurgingdowntothequays，thattolduswewerebeingappreciatedatsomethinglikeourtruemerits。TheLordMayorwaswaitingtheretoreceiveus，andwithhimseveralAdmiralsoftheFleet，aswewalkeddownthelaneofpushing，enthusiasticDevonians，thePrincessandI，andourwar-worn，weather-beaten，spoil-ladencrew。EverybodywasveryniceabouttheFrenchfrigate，andthepiratebooty，andthescarsstillfreshonouryounglimbs;yetIthinkwhatIlikedbestofallwas，thattheyallpronouncedthePrincesstobeaduck，andapeerless，brown-
　　haireddarling，andatruemateforahero，andoftherightPrincess-breed。
　　Theairwasthickwithinvitationsandwiththesmellofcivicbanquetsinaforwardstage;butIsternlywavedallfestivitiesaside。Thecoaches-and-fourIhadorderedimmediatelyonarrivingwereblockingthewholeoftheHighStreet;thechampingofbitsandthepawingofgravelsummonedustotakeourseatsandbeoff，towheretherealperformanceawaitedus，comparedwithwhichallthiswasbutaninterlude。IplacedthePrincessinthemosthighlygildedcoachofthelot，andmountedtomyplaceatherside;andtherestofthecrewscrambledonboardoftheothersasbesttheymight。Thewhipscrackedandthecrowdscatteredandcheeredaswebrokeintoagallopforhome。Thenoisybellsburstintoafarewellpeal——
　　Yes，thatwasundoubtedlytheusualbellforschool-roomtea。
　　Andhightimetoo，Ithought，asItumbledoutofthebath，whichwasbeginningtofeelveryhardtotheprojectingportionsofmyframe-work。AsItrotteddownstairs，hungriereventhanusual，farewellsfloatedupfromthefrontdoor，andIheardthedepartingvoicesofourangularelderlyvisitorsastheymadetheirwaydownthewalk。Manwasstillcatchingit，apparently——
　　Manwasgettingithot。AndmuchMancared！Theseaswerehis，andtheirislands;hehadhisfrigatesforthetaking，hispiratesandtheirhoardsforanunregardedcutlass-strokeortwo;
　　andtherewerePrincessesinplentywaitingforhimsomewhere——
　　Princessesoftherightsort。
　　THERELUCTANTDRAGON
　　Footprintsinthesnowhavebeenunfailingprovokersofsentimenteversincesnowwasfirstawhitewonderinthisdrab-colouredworldofours。Inapoetry-bookpresentedtooneofusbyanaunt，therewasapoembyoneWordsworthinwhichtheystoodoutstrongly——withapicturealltothemselves，too——butwedidn’tthinkveryhighlyeitherofthepoemorthesentiment。
　　Footprintsinthesand，now，werequiteanothermatter，andwegraspedCrusoe’sattitudeofmindmuchmoreeasilythanWordsworth’s。Excitementandmystery，curiosityandsuspense——
　　theseweretheonlysentimentsthattracks，whetherinsandorinsnow，wereabletoarouseinus。
　　Wehadawakenedearlythatwintermorning，puzzledatfirstbytheaddedlightthatfilledtheroom。Then，whenthetruthatlastfullydawnedonusandweknewthatsnow-ballingwasnolongerawistfuldream，butasolidcertaintywaitingforusoutside，itwasamerebrutefightforthenecessaryclothes，andthelacingofbootsseemedaclumsyinvention，andthebuttoningofcoatsanundulytediousformoffastening，withallthatsnowgoingtowasteatourverydoor。
　　Whendinner-timecamewehadtobedraggedinbythescruffofournecks。Theshortarmisticeover，thecombatwasresumed;butpresentlyCharlotteandI，alittlewearyofcontestsandofmissilesthatranshudderinglydowninsideone’sclothes，forsookthetrampledbattle-fieldofthelawnandwentexploringtheblankvirginspacesofthewhiteworldthatlaybeyond。Itstretchedawayunbrokenoneverysideofus，thismysterioussoftgarmentunderwhichourfamiliarworldhadsosuddenlyhiddenitself。Faintimprintsshowedwhereacasualbirdhadalighted，butofothertraffictherewasnexttonosign;whichmadethesestrangetracksallthemorepuzzling。
　　Wecameacrossthemfirstatthecorneroftheshrubbery，andporedoverthemlong，ourhandsonourknees。Experiencedtrappersthatweknewourselvestobe，itwasannoyingtobebroughtupsuddenlybyabeastwecouldnotatonceidentify。
　　"Don’tyouknow？"saidCharlotte，ratherscornfully。"Thoughtyouknewallthebeaststhateverwas。"
　　Thisputmeonmymettle，andIhastilyrattledoffastringofanimalnamesembracingboththearcticandthetropiczones，butwithoutmuchrealconfidence。
　　"No，"saidCharlotte，onconsideration;"theywon’tanyof’emquitedo。SeemslikesomethingLIZARDY。Didyousayaiguanodon？Mightbethat，p’raps。Butthat’snotBritish，andwewantarealBritishbeast。_I_thinkit’sadragon！"
　　"’Tisn’thalfbigenough，"Iobjected。
　　"Well，alldragonsmustbesmalltobeginwith，"saidCharlotte：
　　"likeeverythingelse。P’rapsthisisalittledragonwho’sgotlost。Alittledragonwouldberathernicetohave。Hemightscratchandspit，buthecouldn’tDOanythingreally。Let’strackhimdown！"
　　Sowesetoffintothewidesnow-cladworld，handinhand，ourheartsbigwithexpectation，——complacentlyconfidentthatbyafewsmudgytracesinthesnowwewereinafairwaytocaptureahalf-grownspecimenofafabulousbeast。
　　Weranthemonsteracrossthepaddockandalongthehedgeofthenextfield，andthenhetooktotheroadlikeanytamecivilizedtax-payer。Herehistracksbecameblendedwithandlostamongmoreordinaryfootprints，butimaginationandafixedideawilldoagreatdeal，andweweresureweknewthedirectionadragonwouldnaturallytake。Thetraces，too，keptreappearingatintervals——atleastCharlottemaintainedtheydid，andasitwasHERdragonIleftthefollowingoftheslottoherandtrottedalongpeacefully，feelingthatitwasanexpeditionanyhowandsomethingwassuretocomeoutofit。
　　Charlottetookmeacrossanotherfieldortwo，andthroughacopse，andintoafreshroad;andIbegantofeelsureitwasonlyherconfoundedpridethatmadehergoonpretendingtoseedragon-tracksinsteadofowningshewasentirelyatfault，likeareasonableperson。Atlastshedraggedmeexcitedlythroughagapinahedgeofanobviouslyprivatecharacter;thewaste，openworldoffieldandhedge-rowdisappeared，andwefoundourselvesinagarden，well-kept，secluded，mostun-dragon-
　　hauntedinappearance。Onceinside，Iknewwherewewere。Thiswasthegardenofmyfriendthecircus-man，thoughIhadneverapproacheditbeforebyalawlessgap，fromthisunfamiliarside。
　　Andherewasthecircus-manhimself，placidlysmokingapipeashestrolledupanddownthewalks。IsteppeduptohimandaskedhimpolitelyifhehadlatelyseenaBeast。
　　"MayIinquire，"hesaid，withallcivility，"whatparticularsortofaBeastyoumayhappentobelookingfor？"
　　"It’saLIZARDYsortofBeast，"Iexplained。"Charlottesaysit’sadragon，butshedoesn’treallyknowmuchaboutbeasts。"
　　Thecircus-manlookedroundabouthimslowly。"Idon’tTHINK，"hesaid，"thatI’veseenadragoninthesepartsrecently。ButifIcomeacrossoneI’llknowitbelongstoyou，andI’llhavehimtakenroundtoyouatonce。"
　　"Thankyouverymuch，"saidCharlotte，"butdon’tTROUBLE
　　aboutit，please，’cosp’rapsitisn’tadragonafterall。OnlyIthoughtIsawhislittlefootprintsinthesnow，andwefollowed’emup，andtheyseemedtoleadrightinhere，butmaybeit’sallamistake，andthankyouallthesame。"
　　"Oh，notroubleatall，"saidthecircus-man，cheerfully。"I
　　shouldbeonlytoopleased。Butofcourse，asyousay，itMAY
　　beamistake。Andit’sgettingdark，andheseemstohavegotawayforthepresent，whateverheis。You’dbettercomeinandhavesometea。I’mquitealone，andwe’llmakearoaringfire，andI’vegotthebiggestBookofBeastsyoueversaw。It’sgoteverybeastintheworld，andallof’emcoloured;andwe’lltryandfindYOURbeastinit！"
　　Wewerealwaysreadyforteaatanytime，andespeciallywhencombinedwithbeasts。Therewasmarmalade，too，andapricot-jam，broughtinexpresslyforus;andafterwardsthebeast-bookwasspreadout，and，asthemanhadtrulysaid，itcontainedeverysortofbeastthathadeverbeenintheworld。
　　Thestrikingofsixo’clocksetthemoreprudentCharlottenudgingme，andwerecalledourselveswithaneffortfromBeast-
　　land，andreluctantlystooduptogo。
　　"Here，I’mcomingalongwithyou，"saidthecircus-man。"Iwantanotherpipe，andawalk’lldomegood。Youneedn’ttalktomeunlessyoulike。"
　　Ourspiritsrosetotheirwontedlevelagain。Thewayhadseemedsolong，theoutsideworldsodarkandeerie，afterthebrightwarmroomandthehighly-colouredbeast-book。ButawalkwitharealMan——why，thatwasatreatinitself！Wesetoffbriskly，theManinthemiddle。IlookedupathimandwonderedwhetherIshouldeverlivetosmokeabigpipewiththatcarelesssortofmajesty！ButCharlotte，whoseyoungmindwasnotsetontobaccoasapossiblegoal，madeherselfheardfromtheotherside。
　　"Now，then，"shesaid，"tellusastory，please，won’tyou？"
　　TheMansighedheavilyandlookedabouthim。"Iknewit，"hegroaned。"IKNEWIshouldhavetotellastory。Oh，whydidIleavemypleasantfireside？Well，IWILLtellyouastory。
　　Onlyletmethinkaminute。"
　　Sohethoughtaminute，andthenhetoldusthisstory。
　　Longago——mighthavebeenhundredsofyearsago——inacottagehalf-waybetweenthisvillageandyondershoulderoftheDownsupthere，ashepherdlivedwithhiswifeandtheirlittleson。
　　Nowtheshepherdspenthisdays——andatcertaintimesoftheyearhisnightstoo——uponthewideocean-bosomoftheDowns，withonlythesunandthestarsandthesheepforcompany，andthefriendlychatteringworldofmenandwomenfaroutofsightandhearing。Buthislittleson，whenhewasn’thelpinghisfather，andoftenwhenhewasaswell，spentmuchofhistimeburiedinbigvolumesthatheborrowedfromtheaffablegentryandinterestedparsonsofthecountryroundabout。Andhisparentswereveryfondofhim，andratherproudofhimtoo，thoughtheydidn’tletoninhishearing，sohewaslefttogohisownwayandreadasmuchasheliked;andinsteadoffrequentlygettingacuffonthesideofthehead，asmightverywellhavehappenedtohim，hewastreatedmoreorlessasanequalbyhisparents，whosensiblythoughtitaveryfairdivisionoflabourthattheyshouldsupplythepracticalknowledge，andhethebook-learning。
　　Theyknewthatbook-learningoftencameinusefulatapinch，inspiteofwhattheirneighbourssaid。WhattheBoychieflydabbledinwasnaturalhistoryandfairy-tales，andhejusttookthemastheycame，inasandwichysortofway，withoutmakinganydistinctions;andreallyhiscourseofreadingstrikesoneasrathersensible。
　　Oneeveningtheshepherd，whoforsomenightspasthadbeendisturbedandpreoccupied，andoffhisusualmentalbalance，camehomeallofatremble，and，sittingdownatthetablewherehiswifeandsonwerepeacefullyemployed，shewithherseam，heinfollowingouttheadventuresoftheGiantwithnoHeartinhisBody，exclaimedwithmuchagitation：
　　"It’sallupwithme，Maria！NevernomorecanIgouponthemthereDowns，wasiteverso！"
　　"Nowdon’tyoutakeonlikethat，"saidhiswife，whowasaVERYsensiblewoman："buttellusallaboutitfirst，whateveritisashasgivenyouthisshake-up，andthenmeandyouandthesonhere，betweenus，weoughttobeabletogettothebottomofit！"
　　"Itbegansomenightsago，"saidtheshepherd。"Youknowthatcaveupthere——Ineverlikedit，somehow，andthesheepneverlikeditneither，andwhensheepdon’tlikeathingthere’sgenerallysomereasonforit。Well，forsometimepastthere’sbeenfaintnoisescomingfromthatcave——noiseslikeheavysighings，withgruntsmixedupinthem;andsometimesasnoring，farawaydown——REALsnoring，yetsomehownotHONEST
　　snoring，likeyouandmeo’nights，youknow！"
　　"_I_know，"remarkedtheBoy，quietly。
　　"OfcourseIwasterriblefrightened，"theshepherdwenton;"yetsomehowIcouldn’tkeepaway。Sothisveryevening，beforeIcomedown，Itookacastroundbythecave，quietly。Andthere——OLord！thereIsawhimatlast，asplainasIseeyou！"
　　"SawWHO？"saidhiswife，beginningtoshareinherhusband’snervousterror。
　　"WhyHIM，I’matellingyou！"saidtheshepherd。"Hewasstickinghalf-wayoutofthecave，andseemedtobeenjoyingofthecooloftheeveninginapoeticalsortofway。Hewasasbigasfourcart-horses，andallcoveredwithshinyscales——deep-bluescalesatthetopofhim，shadingofftoatendersorto’greenbelow。Ashebreathed，therewasthatsortofflickeroverhisnostrilsthatyouseeoverourchalkroadsonabakingwindlessdayinsummer。Hehadhischinonhispaws，andIshouldsayhewasmeditatingaboutthings。Oh，yes，apeaceablesorto’beastenough，andnotrampingorcarryingonordoinganythingbutwhatwasquiterightandproper。Iadmitallthat。Andyet，whatamItodo？SCALES，youknow，andclaws，andatailforcertain，thoughIdidn’tseethatendofhim——Iain’tUSEDto’em，andIdon’tHOLDwith’em，andthat’safact！"
　　TheBoy，whohadapparentlybeenabsorbedinhisbookduringhisfather’srecital，nowclosedthevolume，yawned，claspedhishandsbehindhishead，andsaidsleepily：
　　"It’sallright，father。Don’tyouworry。It’sonlyadragon。"
　　"Onlyadragon？"criedhisfather。"Whatdoyoumean，sittingthere，youandyourdragons？ONLYadragonindeed！AndwhatdoYOUknowaboutit？"
　　"’CositIS，and’cosIDOknow，"repliedtheBoy，quietly。
　　"Lookhere，father，youknowwe’veeachofusgotourline。
　　YOUknowaboutsheep，andweather，andthings;_I_knowaboutdragons。Ialwayssaid，youknow，thatthatcaveuptherewasadragon-cave。Ialwayssaiditmusthavebelongedtoadragonsometime，andoughttobelongtoadragonnow，ifrulescountforanything。Well，nowyoutellmeitHASgotadragon，andsoTHAT’Sallright。I’mnothalfasmuchsurprisedaswhenyoutoldmeitHADN’Tgotadragon。Rulesalwayscomerightifyouwaitquietly。Now，please，justleavethisalltome。AndI’llstrollupto-morrowmorning——no，inthemorningIcan’t，I’vegotawholeheapofthingstodo——well，perhapsintheevening，ifI’mquitefree，I’llgoupandhaveatalktohim，andyou’llfindit’llbeallright。Only，please，don’tyougoworryingroundtherewithoutme。Youdon’tunderstand’emabit，andthey’reverysensitive，youknow！"
　　"He’squiteright，father，"saidthesensiblemother。"Ashesays，dragonsishislineandnotours。He’swonderfulknowingaboutbook-beasts，aseveryoneallows。Andtotellthetruth，I’mnothalfhappyinmyownmind，thinkingofthatpooranimallyingaloneupthere，withoutabito’hotsupperoranyonetochangethenewswith;andmaybewe’llbeabletodosomethingforhim;andifheain’tquiterespectableourBoy’llfinditoutquickenough。He’sgotapleasantsorto’waywithhimthatmakeseverybodytellhimeverything。"
　　Nextday，afterhe’dhadhistea，theBoystrolledupthechalkytrackthatledtothesummitoftheDowns;andthere，sureenough，hefoundthedragon，stretchedlazilyontheswardinfrontofhiscave。Theviewfromthatpointwasamagnificentone。Totherightandleft，thebareandbillowyleaguesofDowns;infront，thevale，withitsclusteredhomesteads，itsthreadsofwhiteroadsrunningthroughorchardsandwell-
　　tilledacreage，and，faraway，ahintofgreyoldcitiesonthehorizon。Acoolbreezeplayedoverthesurfaceofthegrassandthesilvershoulderofalargemoonwasshowingabovedistantjunipers。Nowonderthedragonseemedinapeacefulandcontentedmood;indeed，astheBoyapproachedhecouldhearthebeastpurringwithahappyregularity。"Well，weliveandlearn！"hesaidtohimself。"Noneofmybooksevertoldmethatdragonspurred！"
　　"Hullo，dragon！"saidtheBoy，quietly，whenhehadgotuptohim。
　　Thedragon，onhearingtheapproachingfootsteps，madethebeginningofacourteousefforttorise。ButwhenhesawitwasaBoy，hesethiseyebrowsseverely。
　　"Nowdon’tyouhitme，"hesaid;"orbungstones，orsquirtwater，oranything。Iwon’thaveit，Itellyou！"
　　"Notgoin’tohityou，"saidtheBoywearily，droppingonthegrassbesidethebeast："anddon’t，forgoodness’sake，keeponsaying`Don’t;’Ihearsomuchofit，andit’smonotonous，andmakesmetired。I’vesimplylookedintoaskyouhowyouwereandallthatsortofthing;butifI’minthewayIcaneasilyclearout。I’velotsoffriends，andnoonecansayI’minthehabitofshovingmyselfinwhereI’mnotwanted！"
　　"No，no，don’tgooffinahuff，"saidthedragon，hastily;"factis，——I’mashappyuphereastheday’slong;neverwithoutanoccupation，dearfellow，neverwithoutanoccupation！Andyet，betweenourselves，itISatrifledullattimes。"
　　TheBoybitoffastalkofgrassandchewedit。"Goingtomakealongstayhere？"heasked，politely。
　　"Can’thardlysayatpresent，"repliedthedragon。"Itseemsaniceplaceenough——butI’veonlybeenhereashorttime，andonemustlookaboutandreflectandconsiderbeforesettlingdown。
　　It’sratheraseriousthing，settlingdown。Besides——nowI’mgoingtotellyousomething！You’dneverguessitifyoutriedeverso！——factis，I’msuchaconfoundedlylazybeggar！"
　　"Yousurpriseme，"saidtheBoy，civilly。
　　"It’sthesadtruth，"thedragonwenton，settlingdownbetweenhispawsandevidentlydelightedtohavefoundalisteneratlast："andIfancythat’sreallyhowIcametobehere。YouseealltheotherfellowsweresoactiveandEARNESTandallthatsortofthing——alwaysrampaging，andskirmishing，andscouringthedesertsands，andpacingthemarginofthesea，andchasingknightsallovertheplace，anddevouringdamsels，andgoingongenerally——whereasIlikedtogetmymealsregularandthentopropmybackagainstabitofrockandsnoozeabit，andwakeupandthinkofthingsgoingonandhowtheykeptgoingonjustthesame，youknow！SowhenithappenedIgotfairlycaught。"
　　"WhenWHAThappened，please？"askedtheBoy。
　　"That’sjustwhatIdon’tpreciselyknow，"saidthedragon。"I
　　supposetheearthsneezed，orshookitself，orthebottomdroppedoutofsomething。Anyhowtherewasashakeandaroarandageneralstramash，andIfoundmyselfmilesawayundergroundandwedgedinastightastight。Well，thankgoodness，mywantsarefew，andatanyrateIhadpeaceandquietnessandwasn’talwaysbeingaskedtocomealongandDOsomething。AndI’vegotsuchanactivemind——alwaysoccupied，Iassureyou！Buttimewenton，andtherewasacertainsamenessaboutthelife，andatlastIbegantothinkitwouldbefuntoworkmywayupstairsandseewhatyouotherfellowsweredoing。SoIscratchedandburrowed，andworkedthiswayandthatwayandatlastIcameoutthroughthiscavehere。AndIlikethecountry，andtheview，andthepeople——whatI’veseenof’em——andonthewholeIfeelinclinedtosettledownhere。"
　　"What’syourmindalwaysoccupiedabout？"askedtheBoy。"That’swhatIwanttoknow。"
　　Thedragoncolouredslightlyandlookedaway。Presentlyhesaidbashfully：
　　"Didyouever——justforfun——trytomakeuppoetry——verses，youknow？"
　　"’CourseIhave，"saidtheBoy。"Heapsofit。Andsomeofit’squitegood，Ifeelsure，onlythere’snooneherecaresaboutit。
　　Mother’sverykindandallthat，whenIreadittoher，andso’sfatherforthatmatter。Butsomehowtheydon’tseemto——"
　　"Exactly，"criedthedragon;"myowncaseexactly。Theydon’tseemto，andyoucan’targuewith’emaboutit。Nowyou’vegotculture，youhave，Icouldtellitonyouatonce，andIshouldjustlikeyourcandidopinionaboutsomelittlethingsIthrewofflightly，whenIwasdownthere。I’mawfullypleasedtohavemetyou，andI’mhopingtheotherneighbourswillbeequallyagreeable。Therewasaveryniceoldgentlemanuphereonlylastnight，buthedidn’tseemtowanttointrude。"
　　"Thatwasmyfather，"saidtheboy，"andheISaniceoldgentleman，andI’llintroduceyousomedayifyoulike。"
　　"Can’tyoutwocomeuphereanddineorsomethingto-morrow？"
　　askedthedragoneagerly。"Only，ofcourse，ifyou’vegotnothingbettertodo，"headdedpolitely。
　　"Thanksawfully，"saidtheBoy，"butwedon’tgooutanywherewithoutmymother，and，totellyouthetruth，I’mafraidshemightn’tquiteapproveofyou。Youseethere’snogettingoverthehardfactthatyou’readragon，isthere？Andwhenyoutalkofsettlingdown，andtheneighbours，andsoon，Ican’thelpfeelingthatyoudon’tquiterealizeyourposition。You’reanenemyofthehumanrace，yousee！"
　　"Haven’tgotanenemyintheworld，"saidthedragon，cheerfully。
　　Toolazytomake’em，tobeginwith。AndifIDOreadotherfellowsmypoetry，I’malwaysreadytolistentotheirs！"
　　"Oh，dear！"criedtheboy，"Iwishyou’dtryandgraspthesituationproperly。Whentheotherpeoplefindyouout，they’llcomeafteryouwithspearsandswordsandallsortsofthings。
　　You’llhavetobeexterminated，accordingtotheirwayoflookingatit！You’reascourge，andapest，andabanefulmonster！"
　　"Notawordoftruthinit，"saidthedragon，wagginghisheadsolemnly。"Character’llbearthestrictestinvestigation。Andnow，there’salittlesonnet-thingIwasworkingonwhenyouappearedonthescene——"
　　"Oh，ifyouWON’Tbesensible，"criedtheBoy，gettingup，"I’mgoingoffhome。No，Ican’tstopforsonnets;mymother’ssittingup。I’lllookyouupto-morrow，sometimeorother，anddoforgoodness’saketryandrealizethatyou’reapestilentialscourge，oryou’llfindyourselfinamostawfulfix。Good-
　　night！"
　　TheBoyfounditaneasymattertosetthemindofhisparents’
　　ateaseabouthisnewfriend。Theyhadalwaysleftthatbranchtohim，andtheytookhiswordwithoutamurmur。Theshepherdwasformallyintroducedandmanycomplimentsandkindinquirieswereexchanged。Hiswife，however，thoughexpressingherwillingnesstodoanythingshecould——tomendthings，orsetthecavetorights，orcookalittlesomethingwhenthedragonhadbeenporingoversonnetsandforgottenhismeals，asmalethingsWILLdo，couldnotbebroughttorecognizehimformally。Thefactthathewasadragonand"theydidn’tknowwhohewas"seemedtocountforeverythingwithher。Shemadenoobjection，however，toherlittlesonspendinghiseveningswiththedragonquietly，solongashewashomebynineo’clock：andmanyapleasantnighttheyhad，sittingonthesward，whilethedragontoldstoriesofold，oldtimes，whendragonswerequiteplentifulandtheworldwasalivelierplacethanitisnow，andlifewasfullofthrillsandjumpsandsurprises。
　　WhattheBoyhadfeared，however，sooncametopass。Themostmodestandretiringdragonintheworld，ifhe’sasbigasfourcart-horsesandcoveredwithbluescales，cannotkeepaltogetheroutofthepublicview。AndsointhevillagetavernofnightsthefactthatareallivedragonsatbroodinginthecaveontheDownswasnaturallyasubjectfortalk。Thoughthevillagerswereextremelyfrightened，theywereratherproudaswell。Itwasadistinctiontohaveadragonofyourown，anditwasfelttobeafeatherinthecapofthevillage。Still，allwereagreedthatthissortofthingcouldn’tbeallowedtogoon。
　　Thedreadfulbeastmustbeexterminated，thecountry-sidemustbefreedfromthispest，thisterror，thisdestroyingscourge。Thefactthatnotevenahenroostwastheworseforthedragon’sarrivalwasn’tallowedtohaveanythingtodowithit。Hewasadragon，andhecouldn’tdenyit，andifhedidn’tchoosetobehaveassuchthatwashisownlookout。Butinspiteofmuchvalianttalknoherowasfoundwillingtotakeswordandspearandfreethesufferingvillageandwindeathlessfame;andeachnight’sheateddiscussionalwaysendedinnothing。
　　Meanwhilethedragon，ahappyBohemian，lolledontheturf，enjoyedthesunsets，toldantediluviananecdotestotheBoy，andpolishedhisoldverseswhilemeditatingonfreshones。
　　OnedaytheBoy，onwalkingintothevillage，foundeverythingwearingafestalappearancewhichwasnottobeaccountedforinthecalendar。Carpetsandgay-colouredstuffswerehungoutofthewindows，thechurch-bellsclamourednoisily，thelittlestreetwasflower-strewn，andthewholepopulationjostledeachotheralongeithersideofit，chattering，shoving，andorderingeachothertostandback。TheBoysawafriendofhisownageinthecrowdandhailedhim。
　　"What’sup？"hecried。"Isittheplayers，orbears，oracircus，orwhat？"
　　"It’sallright，"hisfriendhailedback。"He’sa-coming。"
　　"WHO’Sa-coming？"demandedtheBoy，thrustingintothethrong。
　　"Why，St。George，ofcourse，"repliedhisfriend。"He’sheardtellofourdragon，andhe’scomin’onpurposetoslaythedeadlybeast，andfreeusfromhishorridyoke。Omy！won’ttherebeajollyfight！"
　　Herewasnewsindeed！TheBoyfeltthatheoughttomakequitesureforhimself，andhewriggledhimselfinbetweenthelegsofhisgood-naturedelders，abusingthemallthetimefortheirunmannerlyhabitofshoving。Onceinthefrontrank，hebreathlesslyawaitedthearrival。
　　Presentlyfromthefar-awayendofthelinecamethesoundofcheering。Next，themeasuredtrampofagreatwar-horsemadehisheartbeatquicker，andthenhefoundhimselfcheeringwiththerest，as，amidstwelcomingshouts，shrillcriesofwomen，upliftingofbabiesandwavingofhandkerchiefs，St。
　　Georgepacedslowlyupthestreet。TheBoy’sheartstoodstillandhebreathedwithsobs，thebeautyandthegraceoftheheroweresofarbeyondanythinghehadyetseen。Hisflutedarmourwasinlaidwithgold，hisplumedhelmethungathissaddle-bow，andhisthickfairhairframedafacegraciousandgentlebeyondexpressiontillyoucaughtthesternnessinhiseyes。Hedrewreininfrontofthelittleinn，andthevillagerscrowdedroundwithgreetingsandthanksandvolublestatementsoftheirwrongsandgrievancesandoppressions。TheBoyheardthegravegentlevoiceoftheSaint，assuringthemthatallwouldbewellnow，andthathewouldstandbythemandseethemrightedandfreethemfromtheirfoe;thenhedismountedandpassedthroughthedoorwayandthecrowdpouredinafterhim。ButtheBoymadeoffupthehillasfastashecouldlayhislegstotheground。
　　"It’sallup，dragon！"heshoutedassoonashewaswithinsightofthebeast。"He’scoming！He’sherenow！You’llhavetopullyourselftogetherandDOsomethingatlast！"
　　Thedragonwaslickinghisscalesandrubbingthemwithabitofhouse-flanneltheBoy’smotherhadlenthim，tillheshonelikeagreatturquoise。
　　"Don’tbeVIOLENT，Boy，"hesaidwithoutlookinground。"Sitdownandgetyourbreath，andtryandrememberthatthenoungovernstheverb，andthenperhapsyou’llbegoodenoughtotellmeWHO’Scoming？"
　　"That’sright，takeitcoolly，"saidtheBoy。"Hopeyou’llbehalfascoolwhenI’vegotthroughwithmynews。It’sonlySt。
　　Georgewho’scoming，that’sall;herodeintothevillagehalf-
　　an-hourago。Ofcourseyoucanlickhim——agreatbigfellowlikeyou！ButIthoughtI’dwarnyou，’coshe’ssuretoberoundearly，andhe’sgotthelongest，wickedest-lookingspearyoueverdidsee！"AndtheBoygotupandbegantojumproundinsheerdelightattheprospectofthebattle。
　　"Odeary，dearyme，"moanedthedragon;"thisistooawful。I
　　won’tseehim，andthat’sflat。Idon’twanttoknowthefellowatall。I’msurehe’snotnice。Youmusttellhimtogoawayatonce，please。Sayhecanwriteifhelikes，butIcan’tgivehimaninterview。I’mnotseeinganybodyatpresent。"
　　"Nowdragon，dragon，"saidtheBoyimploringly，"don’tbeperverseandwrongheaded。You’veGOTtofighthimsometimeorother，youknow，’coshe’sSt。Georgeandyou’rethedragon。
　　Bettergetitover，andthenwecangoonwiththesonnets。Andyououghttoconsiderotherpeoplealittle，too。Ifit’sbeendulluphereforyou，thinkhowdullit’sbeenforme！"
　　"Mydearlittleman，"saidthedragonsolemnly，"justunderstand，onceforall，thatIcan’tfightandIwon’tfight。I’veneverfoughtinmylife，andI’mnotgoingtobeginnow，justtogiveyouaRomanholiday。InolddaysIalwayslettheotherfellows——theEARNESTfellows——doallthefighting，andnodoubtthat’swhyIhavethepleasureofbeingherenow。"
　　"Butifyoudon’tfighthe’llcutyourheadoff！"gaspedtheBoy，miserableattheprospectoflosingbothhisfightandhisfriend。
　　"Oh，Ithinknot，"saidthedragoninhislazyway。"You’llbeabletoarrangesomething。I’veeveryconfidenceinyou，you’resuchaMANAGER。Justrundown，there’sadearchap，andmakeitallright。Ileaveitentirelytoyou。"
　　TheBoymadehiswaybacktothevillageinastateofgreatdespondency。Firstofall，therewasn’tgoingtobeanyfight;
　　next，hisdearandhonouredfriendthedragonhadn’tshownupinquitesuchaheroiclightashewouldhaveliked;andlastly，whetherthedragonwasaheroatheartornot，itmadenodifference，forSt。Georgewouldmostundoubtedlycuthisheadoff。"Arrangethingsindeed！"hesaidbitterlytohimself。"Thedragontreatsthewholeaffairasifitwasaninvitationtoteaandcroquet。"
　　Thevillagerswerestragglinghomewardsashepassedupthestreet，alloftheminthehighestspirits，andgleefullydiscussingthesplendidfightthatwasinstore。TheBoypursuedhiswaytotheinn，andpassedintotheprincipalchamber，whereSt。Georgenowsatalone，musingoverthechancesofthefight，andthesadstoriesofrapineandofwrongthathadsolatelybeenpouredintohissympatheticears。
　　"MayIcomein，St。George？"saidtheBoypolitely，ashepausedatthedoor。"Iwanttotalktoyouaboutthislittlematterofthedragon，ifyou’renottiredofitbythistime。"
　　"Yes，comein，Boy，"saidtheSaintkindly。"Anothertaleofmiseryandwrong，Ifearme。Isitakindparent，then，ofwhomthetyranthasbereftyou？Orsometendersisterorbrother？
　　Well，itshallsoonbeavenged。"
　　"Nothingofthesort，"saidtheBoy。"There’samisunderstandingsomewhere，andIwanttoputitright。Thefactis，thisisaGOODdragon。"
　　"Exactly，"saidSt。George，smilingpleasantly，"Iquiteunderstand。AgoodDRAGON。Believeme，Idonotintheleastregretthatheisanadversaryworthyofmysteel，andnofeeblespecimenofhisnoxioustribe。"
　　"Buthe’sNOTanoxioustribe，"criedtheBoydistressedly。
　　"Ohdear，ohdear，howSTUPIDmenarewhentheygetanideaintotheirheads！Itellyouhe’saGOODdragon，andafriendofmine，andtellsmethemostbeautifulstoriesyoueverheard，allaboutoldtimesandwhenhewaslittle。Andhe’sbeensokindtomother，andmother’ddoanythingforhim。Andfatherlikeshimtoo，thoughfatherdoesn’tholdwithartandpoetrymuch，andalwaysfallsasleepwhenthedragonstartstalkingaboutSTYLE。Butthefactis，nobodycanhelplikinghimwhenoncetheyknowhim。He’ssoengagingandsotrustful，andassimpleasachild！"
　　"Sitdown，anddrawyourchairup，"saidSt。George。"Ilikeafellowwhosticksupforhisfriends，andI’msurethedragonhashisgoodpoints，ifhe’sgotafriendlikeyou。Butthat’snotthequestion。AllthiseveningI’vebeenlistening，withgriefandanguishunspeakable，totalesofmurder，theft，andwrong;
　　rathertoohighlycoloured，perhaps，notalwaysquiteconvincing，butforminginthemainamostseriousrollofcrime。Historyteachesusthatthegreatestrascalsoftenpossessallthedomesticvirtues;andIfearthatyourcultivatedfriend，inspiteofthequalitieswhichhavewon（andrightly）yourregard，hasgottobespeedilyexterminated。"
　　"Oh，you’vebeentakinginalltheyarnsthosefellowshavebeentellingyou，"saidtheBoyimpatiently。"Why，ourvillagersarethebiggeststory-tellersinallthecountryround。It’saknownfact。You’reastrangerintheseparts，orelseyou’dhavehearditalready。AlltheywantisaFIGHT。They’rethemostawfulbeggarsforgettingupfights——it’smeatanddrinktothem。
　　Dogs，bulls，dragons——anythingsolongasit’safight。Why，they’vegotapoorinnocentbadgerinthestablebehindhere，atthismoment。Theyweregoingtohavesomefunwithhimto-day，butthey’resavinghimupnowtillYOURlittleaffair’sover。