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almost up to the mouth of the cave。
The dragon sat down and barked viciously； while St。 George with
difficulty pulled his horse round into position。
〃End of Round One！〃 thought the Boy。 〃How well they managed it！
But I hope the Saint won't get excited。 I can trust the dragon all right。
What a regular play…actor the fellow is！〃
St。 George had at last prevailed on his horse to stand steady； and was
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looking round him as he wiped his brow。 Catching sight of the Boy； he
smiled and nodded； and held up three fingers for an instant。
〃It seems to be all planned out；〃 said the Boy to himself。 〃Round
Three is to be the finishing one； evidently。 Wish it could have lasted a bit
longer。 Whatever's that old fool of a dragon up to now？〃
The dragon was employing the interval in giving a ramping…
performance for the benefit of the crowd。 Ramping； it should be
explained； consists in running round and round in a wide circle； and
sending waves and ripples of movement along the whole length of your
spine； from your pointed ears right down to the spike at the end of your
long tail。 When you are covered with blue scales； the effect is
particularly pleasing； and the Boy recollected the dragon's recently
expressed wish to become a social success。
St。 George now gathered up his reins and began to move forward；
dropping the point of his spear and settling himself firmly in the saddle。
〃Time！〃 yelled everybody excitedly； and the dragon； leaving off his
ramping； sat up on end； and began to leap from one side to the other with
huge ungainly bounds； whooping like a Red Indian。 This naturally
disconcerted the horse； who swerved violently； the Saint only just saving
himself by the mane； and as they shot past the dragon delivered a vicious
snap at the horse's tail which sent the poor beast careering madly far over
the Downs； so that the language of the Saint； who had lost a stirrup； was
fortunately inaudible to the general assemblage。
Round Two evoked audible evidence of friendly feeling towards the
dragon。 The spectators were not slow to appreciate a combatant who
could hold his own so well and clearly wanted to show good sport； and
many encouraging remarks reached the ears of our friend as he strutted to
and fro； his chest thrust out and his tail in the air； hugely enjoying his new
popularity。
St。 George had dismounted and was tightening his girths； and telling
his horse； with quite an Oriental flow of imagery； exactly what he thought
of him； and his relations； and his conduct on the present occasion； so the
Boy made his way down to the Saint's end of the line； and held his spear
for him。
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〃It's been a jolly fight； St。 George！〃 he said with a sigh。 〃Can't you
let it last a bit longer？〃
〃Well； I think I'd better not；〃 replied the Saint。 〃The fact is； your
simple…minded old friend's getting conceited； now they've begun cheering
him； and he'll forget all about the arrangement and take to playing the fool；
and there's no telling where he would stop。 I'll just finish him off this
round。〃
He swung himself into the saddle and took his spear from the Boy。
〃Now don't you be afraid；〃 he added kindly。 〃I've marked my spot
exactly； and HE'S sure to give me all the assistance in his power； because
he knows it's his only chance of being asked to the banquet！〃
St。 George now shortened his spear； bringing the butt well up under his
arm； and； instead of galloping as before； trotted smartly towards the
dragon； who crouched at his approach； flicking his tail till it cracked in the
air like a great cart… whip。 The Saint wheeled as he neared his opponent
and circled warily round him； keeping his eye on the spare place； while the
dragon； adopting similar tactics； paced with caution round the same circle；
occasionally feinting with his head。 So the two sparred for an opening；
while the spectators maintained a breathless silence。
Though the round lasted for some minutes； the end was so swift that
all the Boy saw was a lightning movement of the Saint's arm； and then a
whirl and a confusion of spines； claws； tail； and flying bits of turf。 The
dust cleared away； the spectators whooped and ran in cheering； and the
Boy made out that the dragon was down； pinned to the earth by the spear；
while St。 George had dismounted； and stood astride of him。
It all seemed so genuine that the Boy ran in breathlessly； hoping the
dear old dragon wasn't really hurt。 As he approached； the dragon lifted
one large eyelid； winked solemnly； and collapsed again。 He was held fast
to earth by the neck； but the Saint had hit him in the spare place agreed
upon； and it didn't even seem to tickle。
〃Bain't you goin' to cut 'is 'ed orf； master？〃 asked one of the
applauding crowd。 He had backed the dragon； and naturally felt a trifle
sore。
〃Well； not TO…DAY； I think；〃 replied St。 George； pleasantly。 〃You
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see； that can be done at ANY time。 There's no hurry at all。 I think we'll
all go down to the village first； and have some refreshment； and then I'll
give him a good talking…to； and you'll find he'll be a very different
dragon！〃
At that magic word REFRESHMENT the whole crowd formed up in
procession and silently awaited the signal to start。 The time for talking
and cheering and betting was past； the hour for action had arrived。 St。
George； hauling on his spear with both hands； released the dragon； who
rose and shook himself and ran his eye over his spikes and scales and
things； to see that they were all in order。 Then the Saint mounted and led
off the procession； the dragon following meekly in the company of the
Boy； while the thirsty spectators kept at a respectful interval behind。
There were great doings when they got down to the village again； and
had formed up in