the Firedrake._

OF all the people who did not like Prigio, his own dear papa, King
Grognio, disliked him most. For the king knew he was not clever himself.
When he was in the counting-house, counting out his money, and when he
happened to say, "Sixteen shillings and fourteen and twopence are three
pounds, fifteen," it made him wild to hear Prigio whisper, "One pound,
ten and twopence,"--which, of course, it _is_. And the king was afraid
that Prigio would conspire, and get made king himself--which was the
last thing Prigio really wanted. He much preferred to idle about, and
know everything without seeming to take any trouble.

Well, the king thought and thought. How was he to get Prigio out of the
way, and make Enrico or Alphonso his successor? He read in books about
it; and all the books showed that, if a king sent his three sons to do
anything, it was always the youngest who did it, and got the crown. And
he wished he had the chance. Well, it arrived at last.

[Illustration: Page 15]

There was a very hot summer! It began to be hot in March.' All the
rivers were dried up. The grass did not grow. The corn did not grow. The
thermometers exploded with heat. The barometers stood at Set Fair. The
people were much distressed, and came and broke the palace win-dows--as
they usually do when things go wrong in Pantouflia.

The king consulted the learned men about the Court, who told him that
probably a FIREDRAKE was in the neighbourhood.

Now, the Firedrake is a beast, or bird, about the bigness of an
elephant. Its body is made of iron, and it is always red-hot. A more
terrible and cruel beast cannot be imagined; for, if you go near it, you
are at once broiled by the Firedrake.

But the king was not ill-pleased: "for," thought he, "of course my three
sons must go after the brute, the eldest first; and, as usual, it will
kill the first two, and be beaten by the youngest. It is a little hard
on Enrico, poor boy; but _anything_ to get rid of that Prigio!"

Then the king went to Prigio, and said that his country was in danger,
and that he was determined to leave the crown to whichever of them would
bring him the horns (for it has horns) and tail of the Firedrake.

"It is an awkward brute to tackle," the king said, "but you are the
oldest, my lad; go where glory waits you! Put on your armour, and be off
with you!"

[Illustration: Page 17]

This the king said, hoping that either the Firedrake would roast Prince
Prigio a