the speech of birds. The
magician was delighted to find that his search had been successful,
and at once set to work to interpret the secret signs engraved upon
the ring, but it took him seven weeks to make them out clearly. Then
he gave the youth the following instructions how to overcome the
Dragon of the North: 'You must have an iron horse cast, which must
have little wheels under each foot. You must also be armed with a
spear two fathoms long, which you will be able to wield by means of
the magic ring upon your left thumb. The spear must be as thick in the
middle as a large tree, and both its ends must be sharp. In the middle
of the spear you must have two strong chains ten fathoms in length. As
soon as the Dragon has made himself fast to the spear, which you must
thrust through his jaws, you must spring quickly from the iron horse
and fasten the ends of the chains firmly to the ground with iron
stakes, so that he cannot get away from them. After two or three days
the monster's strength will be so far exhausted that you will be able
to come near him. Then you can put Solomon's ring upon your left thumb
and give him the finishing stroke, but keep the ring on your third
finger until you have come close to him, so that the monster cannot
see you, else he might strike you dead with his long tail. But when
all is done, take care you do not lose the ring, and that no one takes
it from you by cunning.'

[Illustration: The Youth Secures the Dragon]

The young man thanked the magician for his directions, and promised,
should they succeed, to reward him. But the magician answered, 'I have
profited so much by the wisdom the ring has taught me that I desire no
other reward.' Then they parted, and the youth quickly flew home
through the air. After remaining in his own home for some weeks, he
heard people say that the terrible Dragon of the North was not far
off, and might shortly be expected in the country. The King announced
publicly that he would give his daughter in marriage, as well as a
large part of his kingdom, to whosoever should free the country from
the monster. The youth then went to the King and told him that he had
good hopes of subduing the Dragon, if the King would grant him all he
desired for the purpose. The King willingly agreed, and the iron
horse, the great spear, and the chains were all prepared as the youth
requested. When all was ready, it was found that the iron horse was so
heavy that a hundred men cou