The old one, roused to anger by the injury done to his offspring, snarled ferociously at his enemies and, drawing himself to his full height, made a furious dash for Gazen.
Our rifles cracked again and again; the monster started as he felt the shots, and halted, glaring from one to another of us like a man irresolute. Purple streams were gushing from his head and sides; he attempted to fly, and ran towards the brink of the ledge; but ere he could gain sufficient impetus to launch himself into the air, he staggered and fell heavily to the ground, with his broken wings beneath him.
Gazen, quicker than her father, flew towards Miss Carmichael, and bent over her.
"Is she alive?" enquired Carmichael, in breathless and trembling accents.
"Yes, thank God," responded Gazen fervently; as he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.
There were tears of joy in his eyes, and I knew then what I had long suspected, that he loved her.
Suddenly a loud croak in the distance caused us to look up, and we beheld another dragon on the wing, coining rapidly towards us from a pass among the mountains. There was not a moment to be lost, and Gazen, taking Miss Carmichael in his arms, we all hurried on board the car, eager to escape from this revolting spot.