The animal set two paws with red claws upon the edge of the pavement, looked at Mao, and left his hole with a hiss.
As he drew near Mao could see his scaly body unroll itself, coming out from under the stone like a great cable from the hold of a ship.
Although the lad was bold enough, yet his blood ran cold, and as he felt the fumes of the dragon’s breath he cried:
“Come, dead beggar, come quick to aid!
Here am I all helpless stayed.”
That very instant the shining shape he had summoned stood by his side.
“Fear nothing,” said he; “the wards of the Mother of God will always prevail against the monsters of the earth.”
So saying, Stevan stretched forth his hand, spoke some words of the language they talk in heaven, and instantly the dragon rolled over on his side, struck dead.
At sun-up next morning Mao went and woke all the people of the manor and took them to the stables; but at sight of the dead beast the boldest fell back ten paces.
“Have no fear,” the young man said to them; “the Virgin Mary has helped me. The monster that devoured the cattle and their keepers is now but lifeless clay. Go fetch cords and drag him hence to some deserted quarry.”