Page:The shoemaker's apron (1920).djvu/82

 “Mercy on us!” she said when she saw the dragon. “Who are you? And what are you doing here?”

“Me?” the dragon said. “I’m only a poor harmless dragon. They call me Sharkan. My brothers chained me here. They would have freed me long ago but Vitazko killed them. Unchain me, dear lady, and I will reward you richly.”

He begged her and cajoled her until she was half minded to do as he asked.

“You are very beautiful,” Sharkan said. “If only I were free I would make you my wife.”

“Ah, but what would Vitazko say to that?” the woman asked.

“Vitazko?” repeated Sharkan. “Do you fear your own son? A dutiful son he is, to give you the castle and then forbid you to enter this room! If you were to marry me, we should soon get rid of this Vitazko and then live here together in peace and merriment.”

The woman listened to these cajoling words until she was completely won over.

“But how, dear Sharkan, shall I unchain you?”

He told her to go to the cellar and from a certain cask to draw him a goblet of wine. Instantly he drank the wine, bang! the first iron hoop burst asunder. He drank a second goblet, and the second iron hoop