o. Peronnik's heart
beat high at the thought that he had reached safely the second trial,
and he gazed quite calmly at the lion with the mane of vipers twisting
and twirling, who walked up and down in front of the grove.

The young man pulled up and removed his cap, for, idiot though he was,
he knew that when you have to do with people greater than yourself, a
cap is more useful in the hand than on the head. Then, after wishing all
kinds of good fortune to the lion and his family, he inquired if he was
on the right road to Kerglas.

'And what is your business at Kerglas?' asked the lion with a growl, and
showing his teeth.

'With all respect,' answered Peronnik, pretending to be very frightened,
'I am the servant of a lady who is a friend of the noble Rogear and
sends him some larks for a pasty.'

'Larks?' cried the lion, licking his long whiskers. 'Why, it must be a
century since I have had any! Have you a large quantity with you?'

'As many as this bag will hold,' replied Peronnik, opening, as he spoke,
the bag which he had filled with feathers and glue; and to prove what he
said, he turned his back on the lion and began to imitate the song of a
lark.

'Come,' exclaimed the lion, whose mouth watered, 'show me the birds! I
should like to see if they are fat enough for my master.'

'I would do it with pleasure,' answered the idiot, 'but if I once open
the bag they will all fly away.'

'Well, open it wide enough for me to look in,' said the lion, drawing a
little nearer.

[Illustration: How Peronnik tricked the Viper-maned Lion with a bag]

Now this was just what Peronnik had been hoping for, so he held the bag
while the lion opened it carefully and put his head right inside, so
that he might get a good mouthful of larks. But the mass of feathers and
glue stuck to him, and before he could pull his head out again Peronnik
had drawn tight the cord, and tied it in a knot that no man could untie.
Then, quickly gathering the flower that laughs, he rode off as fast as
the colt could take him.

* * * * *

The path soon led to the lake of the dragons, which he had to swim
across. The colt, who was accustomed to it, plunged into the water
without hesitation; but as soon as the dragons caught sight of Peronnik
they approached from all parts of the lake in order to devour him.

This time Peronnik did not trouble to take off his cap, but he threw the
beads he carried with him into the w