The dragon on the bridge was more fearful and his three heads more terrible than before , and the young hero rode away still faster than his brother had done . Nothing more was heard either of him or Florea ; and Petru remained alone . ' I must go after my brothers , ' said Petru one day to his father . ` Go , then , ' said his father , ` and may you have better luck than they ' ; and he bade farewell to Petru , who rode straight to the borders of the kingdom . The dragon on the bridge was yet more dreadful than the one Florea and Costan had seen , for this one had seven heads instead of only three . Petru stopped for a moment when he caught sight of this terrible creature . Then he found his voice . ` Get out of the way ! ' cried he . ` Get out of the way ! ' he repeated again , as the dragon did not move . ` Get out of the way ! ' and with this last summons he drew his sword and rushed upon him . In an instant the heavens seemed to darken round him and he was surrounded by fire -- fire to right of him , fire to left of him , fire to front of him , fire to rear of him ; nothing but fire whichever way he looked , for the dragon 's seven heads were vomiting flame . The horse neighed and reared at the horrible sight , and Petru could not use the sword he had in readiness . ` Be quiet ! this wo n't do ! ' he said , dismounting hastily , but holding the bridle firmly in his left hand and grasping his sword in his right . But even so he got on no better , for he could see nothing but fire and smoke . ` There is no help for it ; I must go back and get a better horse , ' said he , and mounted again and rode homewards .
At the gate of the palace his nurse , old Birscha , was waiting XXXXX him eagerly .
In after by for on so than to upon with