lly fight, St. George!" he said with a sigh. "Can't you
let it last a bit longer?"

"Well, I think I'd better not," replied the Saint. "The fact is, your
simple-minded old friend's getting conceited, now they've begun cheering
him, and he'll forget all about the arrangement and take to playing the
fool, and there's no telling where he would stop. I'll just finish him
off this round."

He swung himself into the saddle and took his spear from the Boy. "Now
don't you be afraid," he added kindly. "I've marked my spot exactly, and
he's sure to give me all the assistance in his power, because he knows
it's his only chance of being asked to the banquet!"

St. George now shortened his spear, bringing the butt well up under his
arm; and, instead of galloping as before, trotted smartly towards the
dragon, who crouched at his approach, flicking his tail till it cracked
in the air like a great cart-whip. The Saint wheeled as he neared his
opponent and circled warily round him, keeping his eye on the spare
place; while the dragon, adopting similar tactics, paced with caution
round the same circle, occasionally feinting with his head. So the two
sparred for an opening, while the spectators maintained a breathless
silence.

Though the round lasted for some minutes, the end was so swift that
all the Boy saw was a lightning movement of the Saint's arm, and then a
whirl and a confusion of spines, claws, tail, and flying bits of turf.
The dust cleared away, the spectators whooped and ran in cheering, and
the Boy made out that the dragon was down, pinned to the earth by the
spear, while St. George had dismounted, and stood astride of him.

It all seemed so genuine that the Boy ran in breathlessly, hoping the
dear old dragon wasn't really hurt. As he approached, the dragon lifted
one large eyelid, winked solemnly, and collapsed again. He was held
fast to earth by the neck, but the Saint had hit him in the spare place
agreed upon, and it didn't even seem to tickle.

"Bain't you goin' to cut 'is 'ed orf, master?" asked one of the
applauding crowd. He had backed the dragon, and naturally felt a trifle
sore.

"Well, not to-day, I think," replied St. George, pleasantly. "You see,
that can be done at any time. There's no hurry at all. I think we'll all
go down to the village first, and have some refreshment, and then I'll
give him a good talking-to, and you'll find he'll be a very different
dragon!"

At that magic word refreshment the w