Дни грёз

           “I’vemarkedmyspotexactly,andHE’Ssuretogivemealltheassistanceinhispower,becauseheknowsit’shisonlychanceofbeingaskedtothebanquet!”

           St.Georgenowshortenedhisspear,bringingthebuttwellupunderhisarm;and,insteadofgallopingasbefore,trottedsmartlytowardsthedragon,whocrouchedathisapproach,flickinghistailtillitcrackedintheairlikeagreatcart-whip.TheSaintwheeledashenearedhisopponentandcircledwarilyroundhim,keepinghiseyeonthespareplace;whilethedragon,adoptingsimilartactics,pacedwithcautionroundthesamecircle,occasionallyfeintingwithhishead.Sothetwosparredforanopening,whilethespectatorsmaintainedabreathlesssilence.

           Thoughtheroundlastedforsomeminutes,theendwassoswiftthatalltheBoysawwasalightningmovementoftheSaint’sarm,andthenawhirlandaconfusionofspines,claws,tail,andflyingbitsofturf.Thedustclearedaway,thespectatorswhoopedandranincheering,andtheBoymadeoutthatthedragonwasdown,pinnedtotheearthbythespear,whileSt.Georgehaddismounted,andstoodastrideofhim.

           ItallseemedsogenuinethattheBoyraninbreathlessly,hopingthedearolddragonwasn’treallyhurt.Asheapproached,thedragonliftedonelargeeyelid,winkedsolemnly,andcollapsedagain.Hewasheldfasttoearthbytheneck,buttheSainthadhithiminthespareplaceagreedupon,anditdidn’tevenseemtotickle.

           “Bain’tyougoin’tocut’is’edorf,master?”askedoneoftheapplaudingcrowd.Hehadbackedthedragon,andnaturallyfeltatriflesore.