48 PRINCE. PRIGIO.

 

CHAPTER IX.:-
The Prince and the Firedrake.

T was dreadfully hot, even high up in the
air, where the prince hung invisible. Great
burning stones were tossed up by the vol-
cano, and nearly hit him several times.
Moreover, the steam and smoke, and the
flames which the Firedrake spouted like

foam from his nostrils, would have daunted
even the bravest man. The sides of the hill,.
too, were covered with the blackened ashes of
his victims, whom he had roasted when they,
came out to kill him. The garden-engine of
poor little Alphonso was lying in the valley, all
broken and useless. But the Firedrake, as
happy as a wild duck on a lonely lock, was
rolling and diving in the liquid flame, all
red-hot and full of frolic.

“Hi!” shouted the prince.

The Firedrake rose to the surface, his horns
as red as a red crescent-moon, only bigger, and
lashing the fire with his hoofs and his blazing
tail.

‘“Who’s there?” he said in a hoarse, angry
voice. “Just let me get at you!”