said the prince softly to himself ; and he jumped like mad into the winged shoes of swiftness , stuck on the cap of darkness , girdled himself with the sword of sharpness , and put a good slice of bread , with some cold tongue , in a wallet , which he slung on his back . Never you fight , if you can help it , except with plenty of food to keep you going and in good heart . Then off he flew , and soon he reached the volcano of the Firedrake . -LSB- Illustration : Chapter Nine -RSB- CHAPTER IX . -- The Prince and the Firedrake IT was dreadfully hot , even high up in the air , where the prince hung invisible . Great burning stones were tossed up by the volcano , and nearly hit him several times . Moreover , the steam and smoke , and the flames which the Firedrake spouted like foam from his nostrils , would have daunted even the bravest man . The sides of the hill , too , were covered with the blackened ashes of his victims , whom he had roasted when they came out to kill him . The garden-engine of poor little Alphonso was lying in the valley , all broken and useless . But the Firedrake , as happy as a wild duck on a lonely lock , was rolling and diving in the liquid flame , all red-hot and full of frolic . `` Hi ! '' shouted the prince . The Firedrake rose to the surface , his horns as red as a red crescent-moon , only bigger , and lashing the fire with his hoofs and his blazing tail . `` Who 's there ? '' he said in a hoarse , angry voice . `` Just let me get at you ! '' `` It 's me , '' answered the prince . It was the first time he had forgotten his grammar , but he was terribly excited . `` What do you want ? '' grunted the beast .
`` I wish I could see you '' ; and , horrible to relate , he rose on a pair of wide , flaming wings , and came right at the prince , guided by the sound XXXXX his voice .
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