When the maiden saw him flying away she thought at first that he was still in play , and cried , ` Come back , friend , for now you see I have told you the truth . ' But the young man never came back . Then the maiden saw she was deceived , and bitterly repented that she had ever trusted him with the ring . The young man never halted in his flight until he reached the dwelling of the wise magician who had taught him the speech of birds . The magician was delighted to find that his search had been successful , and at once set to work to interpret the secret signs engraved upon the ring , but it took him seven weeks to make them out clearly . Then he gave the youth the following instructions how to overcome the Dragon of the North : ` You must have an iron horse cast , which must have little wheels under each foot . You must also be armed with a spear two fathoms long , which you will be able to wield by means of the magic ring upon your left thumb . The spear must be as thick in the middle as a large tree , and both its ends must be sharp . In the middle of the spear you must have two strong chains ten fathoms in length . As soon as the Dragon has made himself fast to the spear , which you must thrust through his jaws , you must spring quickly from the iron horse and fasten the ends of the chains firmly to the ground with iron stakes , so that he can not get away from them . After two or three days the monster 's strength will be so far exhausted that you will be able to come near him . Then you can put Solomon 's ring upon your left thumb and give him the finishing stroke , but keep the ring on your third finger until you have come close to him , so that the monster can not see you , else he might strike you dead with his long tail . But when all is done , take care you do not lose the ring , and that no one takes it from you by cunning . ' The young man thanked the magician for his directions , and promised , should they succeed , to reward him . But the magician answered , ' I have profited so much by the wisdom the ring has taught me that I desire no other reward . ' Then they parted , and the youth quickly flew home through the air . After remaining in his own home for some weeks , he heard people say that the terrible Dragon of the North was not far off , and might shortly be expected in the country . The King announced publicly that he would give his daughter in marriage , as well as a large part of his kingdom , to whosoever should free the country from the monster . The youth then went to the King and told him that he had good hopes of subduing the Dragon , if the King would grant him all he desired for the purpose . The King willingly agreed , and the iron horse , the great spear , and the chains were all prepared as the youth requested .
When all was ready , it was found that the iron horse was so heavy that a hundred men could not move it from the spot , so the youth found there was nothing for it but XXXXX move it with his own strength by means of the magic ring .
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