fully to the leeward side of the cave in which the dragon dwelt, lest its keen scent should recognise them too soon. They arranged how each man should stand, some to the right and some to the left, and how the ropes arranged into snares should be set. The party, well armed with clubs and spears, set out, and while some of the men were arranging the rope snares, a small division of them boldly advanced to the front of the cave. Before these had arrived at the entrance the dragon smelt the odour of their presence and aroused itself, its roaring echoing within the cave like thunder: but our heroes were very brave, and they still went on in the hope of enticing their enemy outside. Soon the great lizard appeared, champing its jaws for prey. As it came out, darting forth its long prodigious tongue, the men ran a little distance and passed in between the snares; then they moved up a little hill. By this time the dreadful head was clear of the cave; then the enticing party ran up a second hill, and by this time the head of the beast was seen over the first hill but its feet were entering among the deadly snares. Quickly the dragon-killers passed to a third hill while their friends drew in behind; soon the whole body of the grim reptile was among the curves of the strong
