CHAPTER IV.
The night before the day he had fixed for the adventure Gofaster went to the house of Hepsone, where he slept. Before retiring he sent for a pot of honey, which was brought him.
THE DRAGON MAKES FOR THE POT OF HONEY.
The next morning, with the honey and a large dish, he went from the hut of Hepsone in search of the herb called truth. It was soon obtained, for he who seeks truth earnestly can always find it. Gathering a quantity, he mixed it thoroughly with the honey; and then, still under the Phooka's direction, travelled to a spot at no great distance from the reservoir, where he placed the great dish on the ground, poured into it the contents of the jar, and retreated to a safe distance, where from a grove he could observe events. He had not long to wait. He heard a peculiar sound, which satisfied him that the great beast had scented the honey and would proceed in search of it. Standing behind a tree, he saw the animal emerge into an open space, and was struck with something like fear when he beheld its immense size. This was not unmixed with admiration. The body of the animal as it appeared approaching through the trees was covered with glittering scales, which flashed in the sunlight at every motion. It hurried eagerly to the honey, which it lapped up with its tongue, after the manner of the dog, until he had entirely cleaned the dish of its contents, swallowing at the same time the herb. He stood with what appeared to be an air of satisfaction for some time, glancing around, so that Gofaster was obliged to hide himself still more effectually behind the trunk, lest he might be seen.
After a while a noise as of some one beating the earth furiously caused the giant to peer cautiously from one side of his hiding-place. There he beheld the dragon making the most terrible contortions, beating the ground with his long and massive tail, and apparently suffering great agony. This continued for some time; then the motion of the beast became weaker, and finally, with a terrific roar, it lay over on its back and became perfectly motionless.
"It may not be dead," said Gofaster, "and I had better wait."
"Slander is dead!" said the voice of the Phooka. "Truth has killed him. You may advance without fear and cut off his head."
"Why should I do that?" said the giant.
"Simply as an evidence of your exploit; otherwise your friend Count Snarlitz might not be convinced. Beware of the Count."
"I have seen enough to make me do that already," replied Gofaster.
"Very good; but you must have friends at Court. There are two parties there; that of Count Snarlitz is a power just now, but he has a rival in Count Merit, and you must attach yourself to him."
"But why should I," inquired the giant, "a stranger here, meddle in Court politics? Is it not safer to stand between both and lean to neither, and thus get none of the tumble when the seesaw goes up or down?"
"Did you ever, as a boy, play at seesaw?" asked the Phooka.
"Yes, and generally stood in the centre and balanced myself."
"Then," said the Phooka, "you had all the tumbles and none of the rides. Make yourself friends with Count Merit."
"I see," replied the giant.
By this time they had reached the dead dragon, and with a few powerful strokes of his huge sword Gofaster severed the head from the body. Raising it with ease, through the immense strength conveyed by the jerkin, the giant proceeded towards the house of Hepsone. The weight he bore was enormous, but the shoes of endurance played their part well, and it seemed to him almost as light as a feather.
GOFASTER CARRIES THE DRAGON'S HEAD TO TOWN.
Before he had gone half a mile he came upon some boys gathering wild berries, which grew here and there upon the sides of the declivity. They looked at the head of the beast in wonder, and then scampered to the town with the news that the dragon had been slain.
By the time Gofaster reached his lodging-place he found it surrounded by groups of the townsfolk, who had come to verify the truth of the story told by the boys. Soon there came others and others; by night—that is, by the night of the giant, for he kept time by his watch, and not by the sun—the place was surrounded by a crowd, whose shouts rent the air, and who hailed Gofaster as the great benefactor of the state.
Presently a troop of soldiers having a small wagon came, and on the vehicle they brought Gofaster placed the head, and bidding adieu to Hepsone, the giant made his way with it through the crowds that accompanied and hovered around him until he entered the palace grounds, where the King and Court, having been apprised of the exploit, waited to receive the trophy and honor the victor.
There was but one exception to the general rejoicing and congratulations. Count Snarlitz stood on one side, moody and depressed. One gentleman advanced from the group and presented his hand to Gofaster.
"Count," said he, "let me introduce myself. I am Count Merit, and I congratulate you on the eminent service you have this day rendered the state."
"I like this man," said the giant to himself, as he took the proffered hand. Bowing to the King, he glanced timidly at the Princess Amber.
She said nothing, but the expression in her eyes and the color that came and went in her face made his heart throb with joy.
"Count," said the King, advancing, "for the service you have this day rendered we are not able to fully compensate you, but we shall create you Knight Grand Cross of the New Noble Order of the White Bear, which we have this day established, and call you to our Privy Council. If there be anything you desire, you have only to name it."
"With my thanks for your Majesty's gracious favor already bestowed, I have only to ask a private audience, that I may communicate to your Majesty a matter of importance."
"By all means," said the King. "Accompany me to my private cabinet. Daughter, we will excuse your attendance."
"If your Majesty please," interposed Gofaster, "there is no reason why her Royal Highness should not be present. They say a woman cannot keep a secret, but I have found them to be the most trusty confidantes."
"You must have a sister or a sweetheart," said the Princess Amber.
"Neither, your Royal Highness."
"Then," said the Princess, smiling, "you remember your mother."
"Now," said the King, as the three entered the cabinet, "I am ready to listen."
Gofaster then spoke of the insufficient means of light during the six months of night peculiar to the country, and spoke of his discovery of the gas springs.
"Yes," said the King, "we all know it; it is a great injury in rainy weather, when the stench is blown into the town, to the annoyance of our people as well as to ourself. Attempts have been made to fill these holes up, but everything thrown in is ejected with some force, or, if very heavy, disappears without making any marked change. If you could rid us of it you would confer the last of the three great favors of the state, and then—" With these words he glanced at Princess Amber, who blushed.
Gofaster now detailed his plan to the King, by which he hoped to conduct the gas—which was inflammable—safely into the royal palace and through the town for the purposes of illumination. The King was struck with the idea, but said it was impracticable on account of the expense. The taxes were already as high as the people could well bear, and the treasury was nearly empty.
"But," said Gofaster, "I have ample means, and I propose to do this at my own expense."
"You shall have our permission, and may make it a monopoly to your own advantage."
"That I do not desire," replied the giant. "It is enough if I can give more comfort to your people, and will aid in making your Majesty's reign still more notable."