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。