"It is certain that dragons laid waste the earth in ancient times and
some have been seen as large as mountains. But they come no longer, and
I believe that what has been taken for a dragon is not one at all, but
pirates or merchants who have carried off the fair Orberosia and
the best of the children of Alca in their ships. But if one of those
brigands attempts to rob me of my oxen, I will either by force or craft
find a way to prevent him from doing me any harm."

This remark of the neatherd increased Orberosia's apprehensions and
added to her solicitude for the husband whom she loved.




X. THE DRAGON OF ALCA (Continuation)

The days passed by and no maiden arose in the island to combat the
monster. And in the wooden monastery old Mael, seated on a bench in the
shade of an old fig-tree, accompanied by a pious monk called Regimental,
kept asking himself anxiously and sadly how it was that there was not in
Alca a single virgin fit to overthrow the monster.

He sighed and brother Regimental sighed too. At that moment old Mael
called young Samuel, who happened to pass through the garden, and said
to him:

"I have meditated anew, my son, on the means of destroying the dragon
who devours the flower of our youth, our flocks, and our harvests. In
this respect the story of the dragons of St. Riok and of St. Pol de Leon