the Gray Men of the mountains, who had followed Prince Marvel and
Nerle through the rocky passes.

"Bring hither the Royal Dragon," cried the king, "and let him consume
these strangers before my very eyes!"

The men withdrew, and presently was heard a distant shouting, followed
by a low rumbling sound, with groans, snorts, roars and a hissing like
steam from the spout of a teakettle.

The noise and shouting drew nearer, while the people huddled together
like frightened sheep; and then suddenly the doors flew open and the
Royal Dragon advanced to the center of the room.

This creature was at once the pride and terror of the Kingdom of Spor.
It was more than thirty feet in length and covered everywhere with
large green scales set with diamonds, making the dragon, when it
moved, a very glittering spectacle. Its eyes were as big as
pie-plates, and its mouth--when wide opened--fully as large as a
bath-tub. Its tail was very long and ended in a golden ball, such as
you see on the top of flagstaffs. Its legs, which were as thick as
those of an elephant, had scales which were set with rubies and
emeralds. It had two monstrous, big ears and two horns of carved
ivory, and its teeth were also carved into various fantastic
shapes--such as castles, horses' heads, chinamen and griffins--so that
if any of them broke it would make an excellent umbrella handle.

The Royal Dragon of Spor came crawling into the throne-room rather
clumsily, groaning and moaning with every step and waving its ears
like two blankets flying from a clothesline.