Atondido Stories
"Indeed!" the dragon roared. "Then you will have to shake
them down over my dead body!"
"I shall be glad to do that!" Vitazko said, springing at the
dragon and at the same time twisting around the ring on his
right hand and thinking of kind old St. Nedyelka.
The dragon grappled with him and for a moment almost
took him off his feet. Then Vitazko plunged the dragon into the
earth up to his ankles.
Just then there was the rustling of wings overhead and a
black raven cawed out:
"Which of you wants my help, you, oh Mightiest Dragon, or
you, Vitazko, the Victorious?"
"Help me!" the dragon roared.
"Then what will you give me?"
"As much gold as you want."
"Nay, raven," Vitazko shouted, "help me and I will give you
all the dragon's horses that are grazing over yonder in the mead-
ow."
"Very well, Vitazko," the raven croaked. "I'll help you. What
shall I do?"
"Cool me when I'm hot," Vitazko said, "when the dragon
breathes on me his fiery breath."
They grappled again and the dragon plunged Vitazko into
the ground up to his ankles. Twisting the ring on his right hand
and thinking of St. Nedyelka, Vitazko gripped the dragon
around the waist and plunged him into the earth up to his knees.
Then they paused for breath and the raven which had dipped its
wings in a fountain sat on Vitazko's head and shook down drops
of cool water on his heated face.
Then Vitazko twisted the ring on his left hand, thought of the
beautiful princess, and closed with the dragon again. This time
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