o, no!" exclaimed the king, irritably; "it's Prince Marvel. Do get
to work as soon as possible."

"Prince Marvel--Prince Marvel," repeated the Dragon. "Why, there isn't
a prince in the whole world named Marvel! I'm pretty well posted on
the history of royal families, you know. I'm afraid he's Saint George
in disguise."

"Isn't your name Prince Marvel?" inquired the king, turning to the
boyish-looking stranger.

"It is," answered Marvel.

"Well, it's mighty strange I've never heard of you," persisted the
Dragon. "But tell me, please, how would you prefer to be killed?"

"Oh, I'm not going to be killed at all," replied the prince, laughing.

"Do you hear that, Terribus?" asked the Dragon, turning to the king;
"he says he isn't going to be killed."

"But I say he is!" cried Terribus. "I have decreed his death."

"But do you suppose I'm going to kill a man against his will?" inquired
the Dragon, in a reproachful voice; "and such a small man, too! Do you
take me for a common assassin--or a murderer?"

"Do you intend to obey my orders?" roared the king.

"No, I don't; and that's flat!" returned the Dragon, sharply. "It's
time for me to take my cough medicine; so if you've nothing more to say
I'll go back to my cave."

"Go, go, go!" shrieked the king, stamping his foot in passion. "You've
outlived your usefulness! You're a coward! You're a traitor! You're
a--a--a--"

"I'm a dragon and a gentleman!" answered the monster, proudly, as the
king paused for lack of a word; "and I believe I know what's proper for
dragons to do and what isn't. I've learned wisdom from my father, who
got into trouble with Saint George, and if I fought with this person
who calls himself Prince Marvel, I'd deserve to be a victim of your
Fool-Killer. Oh, I know my business, King Terribus; and if you knew
yours, you'd get rid of this pretended prince as soon as possible!"

With this speech he winked at Prince Marvel, turned soberly around and
crawled from the room. One of the keepers got too near and the
Dragon's breath set fire to his robe, the flames being with difficulty
extinguished; and the gold ball on the end of the Dragon's tail struck
a giant upon his shins and made him dance and howl in pain.

But, aside from these slight accidents, the monster managed to leave
the throne-room without undue confusion, and every one, including the
king, seemed glad to be rid of him.

10. Prince Marvel Wins His Fight

When th