"And so we stood at the door of the cave, and the Dragon, seeing us,
came forward with wide-opened jaws.

"The Princess clung to my arm with one hand, but with the other she cast
the jewel, while with all my desire I wished that my fairy powers might
not fail me now.

"Whether, however, it was that the fairies willed it so, or perchance
because she was a girl, the Princess's aim was not straight, and she
hit, not the Dragon, but a great boulder in the shadow of which he was
lurking; and then a truly remarkable thing occurred, for the boulder,
immediately it was struck by the jewel, tumbled forward, and falling
upon one beside it, imprisoned the Dragon between the two, where he has
remained to this day."

And Shin Shira pointed dramatically to the rocks, from which an extra
large puff of spray belched forth, with a groan and a cry which almost
convinced me that what he told me must be true.

"And what became of the Princess after that?" I inquired, being anxious
to hear the end of the story.

"Why," resumed Shin Shira, "we picked up the jewel and hurried away from
the spot, and presently came at the top of the cliffs to the Castle, the
ruins of which may still be seen up yonder--to where the King dwelt.

"I cannot tell you with what joy the Princess was received, nor with
what honour and favour I was rewarded by the King--and, indeed, by all
of the people--as the Princess's deliverer.