The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-26

/ with tears streaming over her own pretty
face. Clearly something terrible must have
happened. and as Bevis Gould not imagine
what the trouble was he walked up TO an
old man who was weeping and said:
Friend. what is the cause OF all this
crying and moaning?
The old man looked up. and then around
| him in every direction. and as he saw no
one he crossed himself and began signing
| again When he did not answer Bevis went
from one to another and tried 10 find out
what caused so much grief. But they all
stared first one way and then another; and.
seeing nobody. they all did as the old man
had done. You see. Bevis forgot that while
he could see everybody, nobody could see
him. And when nobody paid any atten-
| ton TO his questions he became very angry
and determined TO speak 10 the King HIM
self. But when he came to the Kings side
and said, What is all this crying aboutT
he received the same answer as before But
the Kings daughter. who heard the oues-
tion and could see no one. said:
WHO asks US why we weep?'
| Then Bevis remembered that no one could
see him, and so he wished himself visible.
You may be sure that the King and his
daughter were very much surprised TO see
been nothing but empty air before. and all
the people about the castle were surprised.
too. Indeed, they were all so astonished
that they forgot their troubles. So when
Bevis asked again why they were all so
grieved the King said:
This morning when stood at my win
dow and saw all my people unhappy and
their grain fields destroyed and their orch
ards dead, made foolish promise TO give
anything to save my kingdom and people.
This evening. then. when tho sun had gone
down, we heard the dragon roaring out in
the woods. And when he had torn Up
few grain fields and set half dozen houses
on fire with his hot breath he came quite
close to the castle and beloved out that
he would quit his destroying and burning
on one condition. Then / remembered my
rash promise this morning. and with a
trembling voice 1 asked him what he de-
manded. o. cruel. cruel beastl Oh! OH OH
'Hereupon the King began TO weep again.
and all the people joined in a chorus OF
groans and cries. But Bevis, who was
curious to know the condition. shook the
King by his shoulder and cried:
But what did he demand? Come. come.
be a man! Perhaps it isn't so bad after
ALL
Not so badr cried the King. Why. he
demanded that / place my daughter and
some young man out in the fields where he
can get them; and he said that every week
hereafter a young man and maid should be
set out for his food. Now you see why We
are grieved.'
But said Bevis. why don't you tell
him that you won't do that? Surely he
won't come into the castle after the lady?'
"'You see, though answered the King. I
promised anything TO him, and he said that
If did not keep my word he would come
here and burn us all up with his hot breath.
But who are you that comes among Us SO
Strangely
my name is Bevis.' replied the young
hero L have heard OF this wicked dragon.
and have come TO kin him; and If your
Majesty pleases offer myself as the young
man to be set out in the fields
when the people heard that a mighty
shout went up from the frightened crowd
The King took the young mans hand and
thanked him for what he proposed TO do;
then he said:
But what Of my daughter7 The dragon
demanded her. too. 1 am afraid TO let her
go, and equally afraid to keep her here. 0.
| what shall L dog
Have no fear Bevis answered. Let
her come with me- and I'll warrant to bring
her back safe and sound
Now. my little playmates." continued
Uncle Frank. there is nothing that people
like so well as to see brave man so into
fight And so. as Bevis and Lady Edith
went out into the dark night. many good
wishes and prayers went with them. Then
| tha nd of &c -anf nm
on the castle roof TO see what would hap
pen. But our hero and the lady went out
into the fields. where Bevis placed her on
large stone and wrapped his heavy cloak
around her. He himself. after fastening his
shoes little more tightly and pressing his
cap more firmly on his head walked little
way off and waited. Then I'm a very little
while the anxious people on the roof and
the brave two out in the field saw a white,
flaming thing come out of the woods and
heard the well-known terrible roar Of
the dragon. The King groaned when he
thought Of his fair daughter and the brave
young man out where the monster could
get them: for. thought the King. no man
would be able to fight such huge. cruel
beast. Indeed, think that Lady Edith
was frightened, too, especially when she
looked into the darkness and could see
nothing of Bevis. But she was a noble girl.
and so she said:
+" Well, IL my death viii save the rest OF
the people for a week. am ready and will
ing to be eaten
by this time the dragon had come pretty
close to where the lady sat: and when. by
the light Of the fire I'm his own mouth he
saw her. pale end beautiful. he gave a roar
of delight and sprang forward in great
haste. But suddenly he stopped: something
had happened which he had never before
known. You see, my friends Bevis had
made himself invisible. and. sailing lightly
through the air. he aimed a blow at the
dragons head with his AK. But Just while
! the ak was falling the dragon had caught
sight Of the lady and had sprung suddenly
forward; so that. instead OF splitting the
monsters skull, Bevis had only cut OF his
tail. Then the dragon was indeed angry.
He whirled quickly around and began 10
vomit tremendous stream OF FIRE But we
, may be sure that Bevis. with his two flying
shoes, was not to be so easily caught In
deed. the hero had second time slipped I'D
unseen and was again aiming a stroke az
the dragons head; but. whether because
his eyes were dazzled by the flames or be-
cause the dragon moved. he only succeeded
-