Page:The book of wonder voyages (1919).djvu/230

 men came to India. The great chiefs of the foreign lands he visited gave him a kindly welcome. Every one helped him on his way, and all to whom he showed the letters of the Greek Emperor received him courteously and were hospitable. No one cheated them, nor did any do them harm.

When they had passed beyond the confines of India, a journey lasting more than forty-five days, they came to lands where it was ever dark, and where the stars alone shone through the livelong day. Here they saw a golden rock and many other marvelous things. And when they had wandered for many days over forests and lofty mountains, questioning one another as to which way they should go, they came to a river called Pison, which flows from the Land of Paradise. Over the river and high above them was a stone bridge, across which lay a marvelous huge dragon, which terrified them by its wide-open mouth, that seemed gaping to devour them. Beyond this they saw a land from whence the breeze wafted the most exquisite scents. They could see that it was full of flowers of all kinds and of honey in abundance. And it seemed to them that they had reached the borders of the land they sought.

Then Eric the Thrond went towards the bridge to pass over the river, but Eric the Dane forbade him, saying:

'Beware! Do not go near. See, the dragon is ready to swallow you."

But Eric the Thrond answered: "I do not fear the dragon, and he shall not hinder my journey."