eatest and the worst. For this
reason it was called the Meester Stoorworm. Its length stretched half
around the world, its one eye was as red as fire, and its breath was
so poisonous that whatever it breathed upon was withered.

There was great fear and lamentation throughout the land because of
the worm, for every day it drew nearer to the shore, and every day the
danger from it grew greater. When it was first discovered it was so
far away that its back was no more than a low, long, black line upon
the horizon, but soon it was near enough for them to see the horns
upon its back, and its scales, and its one fierce eye, and its
nostrils that breathed out and in.

In their fear the people cried upon the King to save them from the
monster, but the King had no power to save them more than any other
man. His sword, Snickersnapper, was the brightest and sharpest and
most wonderful sword in all the world, but it would need a longer
sword than Snickersnapper to pierce through that great body to the
monster's heart. The King summoned his councillors,--all the wisest
men in the kingdom,--and they consulted and talked together, but none
of them could think of any plan to beat or drive the Stoorworm off, so
powerful it was.

Now there was in that country a sorcerer, and the King had no love for
him. Still, when all the wisemen and councillors could think of no
plan for destroying the Stoorworm, the King said, "Let us send for
this sorcerer, and have him brought before us, and hear what he has to
say; for 'twould seem there is no help in any of us for this evil that
has come upon us."

So the sorcerer was brought, and he stood up in the council and looked
from one to another. Last of all he looked at the King, and there his
eyes rested.

"There is one way, and only one," said he, "by which the land can be
saved from destruction. Let the King's only daughter, the Princess
Gemlovely, be given to the Stoorworm as a sacrifice, and he will be
satisfied and quit us."

No sooner had the sorcerer said this than a great tumult arose in the
council. The councillors were filled with horror, and cried aloud that
the sorcerer should be torn to pieces for speaking such words.

But the King arose and bade them be silent,--and he was as white as
death.

"Is this the only way to save my people?" he asked.

"It is the only way I know of," answered the sorcerer.

The King stood still and white for a time. "Then," said he, "if it is
the o