ed
the garden, so high that Vitazko could never have scaled it alone.
But it is as easy for a horse like Tatosh to take a high wall as it
is for a bird.

Inside the garden Vitazko dismounted and began to look for the tree
that bore the Golden Apples. Presently he met a beautiful young girl who
asked him what he was doing in the dragon's garden.

"I'm looking for the Golden Apples," he told her. "I want some of them
for my sick mother. Do you know where they are?"

"I do indeed know where they are," the girl said, "for it is my duty
to guard them. If I were to give you one the wicked dragon would
tear me to pieces. I am a royal princess but I am in the dragon's
power and must do as he says. Dear youth, take my advice and escape
while you can. If the dragon sees you he will kill you as he would a
fly."

But Vitazko was not to be dissuaded from his quest.

"Nay, sweet princess, I must get the apples."

"Well, then," she said, "I will help you all I can. Here is a precious
ring. Put it on a finger of your left hand. When you are sore pressed,
think of me and twist the ring and you will have the strength of a
hundred men. To conquer this horrible monster you will need the strength
of more than a hundred."

Vitazko put on the ring, thanked the princess, and marched boldly on. In
the center of the garden he found the tree that bore the Golden Apples.
Under it lay the dragon himself.

On sight of Vitazko he raised his head and bellowed out:

"Ho, you murderer of dragons, what do you want here?"

Nothing daunted, Vitazko replied:

"I am come to shake down some of the Golden Apples."

"Indeed!" the dragon roared. "Then you will have to shake them down over
my dead body!"

"I shall be glad to do that!" Vitazko said, springing at the dragon and
at the same time twisting around the ring on his right hand and thinking
of kind old St. Nedyelka.

The dragon grappled with him and for a moment almost took him off his
feet. Then Vitazko plunged the dragon into the earth up to his ankles.

Just then there was the rustling of wings overhead and a black raven
cawed out:

"Which of you wants my help, you, oh Mightiest Dragon, or you, Vitazko,
the Victorious?"

"Help me!" the dragon roared.

"Then what will you give me?"

"As much gold as you want."

"Nay, raven," Vitazko shouted, "help me and I will give you all the
dragon's horses that are grazing over yonder in the meadow."

"Very well, Vitazko," the raven croak