"Now St. George, who was a military tribune, as he passed through the
town of Silena, learned that the king's daughter had just been given to
the fierce beast. He immediately mounted his horse, and, armed with
his lance, rushed to encounter the dragon, whom he reached just as the
monster was about to devour the royal virgin. And when St. George had
overthrown the dragon, the king's daughter fastened her girdle round the
beast's neck and he followed her like a dog led on a leash.

"That is an example for us of the power of virgins over dragons. The
history of St. Martha furnishes us with a still more certain proof. Do
you know the story, Samuel, my son?"

"Yes, father," answered Samuel.

And the blessed Mael went on:

"There was in a forest on the banks of the Rhone, between Arles and
Avignon, a dragon half quadruped and half fish, larger than an ox, with
sharp teeth like horns and huge-wings at his shoulders. He sank the
boats and devoured their passengers. Now St. Martha, at the entreaty of
the people, approached this dragon, whom she found devouring a man. She
put her girdle round his neck and led him easily into the town.

"These two examples lead me to think that we should have recourse to the
power of some virgin so as to conquer the dragon who scatters terror and
death through the island of Alca.

"For this reason, Samuel thy son, gird up thy loins and go, I pray thee,
with two of thy companions, into all the villages of this island, and