“The deuce take your dreams”, roared the Dragon; “what did you dream this time?”
“I thought a queen came here, who asked you to tell her where she would find her gold keys, which she has lost.”
“Oh”, said the Dragon, “she’ll find them soon enough if she looks among the bushes where she lay that time she wots of. But do now let me have no more dreams, but sleep in peace.”
So they slept a while; but then the Princess was just as restless as ever, and at last she screamed out:
“Ah! ah!”
“You’ll never behave till I break your neck”, said the Dragon, who was now so wroth that sparks of fire flew out of his eyes. “What’s the matter now?”
“Oh, don’t be so angry”, said the Princess; “I can’t bear that; but I’ve had such a strange dream.”
“Bless me!” said the Dragon, “if I ever heard the like of these dreams—there’s no end to them. And pray, what did you dream now?”
“I thought the ferryman down at the ferry came and asked how long he was to stop there and carry folk over”, said the Princess.
“The dull fool!” said the Dragon; “he’d soon be free, if he chose. When any one comes who wants to go across, he has only to take and throw him into the river, and say, ‘Now, carry folk over yourself till someone sets you free.’ But now, pray let’s have an end of these dreams, else I’ll lead you a pretty dance.”