me up to the man on the bridge and now addressed him:

"Was it you that called me just now?"

"Yes, it was I," answered the man; "I have an earnest request to make to
you. Do you think you can grant it to me?"

"If it is in my power to do so I will," answered Hidesato, "but first
tell me who you are?"

"I am the Dragon King of the Lake, and my home is in these waters just
under this bridge."

"And what is it you have to ask of me?" said Hidesato.

"I want you to kill my mortal enemy the centipede, who lives on the
mountain beyond," and the Dragon King pointed to a high peak on the
opposite shore of the lake.

"I have lived now for many years in this lake and I have a large family
of children and grandchildren. For some time past we have lived in
terror, for a monster centipede has discovered our home, and night after
night it comes and carries off one of my family. I am powerless to save
them. If it goes on much longer like this, not only shall I lose all
my children, but I myself must fall a victim to the monster. I am,
therefore, very unhappy, and in my extremity I determined to ask the
help of a human being. For many days with this intention I have waited
on the bridge in the shape of the horrible serpent-dragon that you saw,
in the hope that some strong brave man would come along. But all who
came this way, as soon as they saw me were terrified and ran away as
fast as they could. You are the first man I have found able to look at
me without fear, so I knew at once that you were a man of great courage.
I beg you to have pity upon me. Will you not help me and kill my enemy
the centipede?"

Hidesato felt very sorry for the Dragon King on hearing his story, and
readily promised to do what he could to help him. The warrior asked
where the centipede lived, so that he might attack the creature at
once. The Dragon King replied that its home was on the mountain Mikami,
but that as it came every night at a certain hour to the palace of the
lake, it would be better to wait till then. So Hidesato was conducted to
the palace of the Dragon King, under the bridge. Strange to say, as he
followed his host downward the waters parted to let them pass, and his
clothes did not even feel damp as he passed through the flood. Never had
Hidesato seen anything so beautiful as this palace built of white marble
beneath the lake. He had often heard of the Sea King's Palace at the
bottom of the sea, where all the servants and retainers