"'Why,' said the knight, 'surely I have some recollection of you; did you not serve under me in the wars?'
"'I did.'
"'Here are some golden crowns; truly this George is a fine fellow—something more must be done for him. Here, my good youth, to-night you shall lodge in my castle, and to-morrow my people shall see you safely home.'
"The knight turned to a page who was near him, and bade him dismount, and lend his horse to the gallant little hero who had saved the count's life. The boy readily obeyed, and George mounted the pony and rode on with the rest.
"Oh how proud and happy he felt at that moment!
"'Your name, good lad,' asked the knight, 'I have learnt is George—and a good name; you have the courage of your saintly name-sake, who, as the story goes, slew the dragon centuries ago.'
"The boy smiled.
"'Jesting apart, dear boy,' the knight went on, 'you have acquitted yourself better than many and many an older hand would have done.'
"'I have only done my duty,' said George.
"'Rightly spoken; if we all did that, this world of ours would be a better and a nobler place; your duty! Fairly put; but had you no fear?'