And this happened every night . The shepherd bewailed himself in vain : the dragon only laughed , and Stan saw that this was not the place to get food for his family . But though he quite understood that it was almost hopeless to fight against such a powerful monster , yet the thought of the hungry children at home clung to him like a burr , and would not be shaken off , and at last he said to the shepherd , ` What will you give me if I rid you of the dragon ? ' ` One of every three rams , one of every three sheep , one of every three lambs , ' answered the herd . ` It is a bargain , ' replied Stan , though at the moment he did not know how , supposing he DID come off the victor , he would ever be able to drive so large a flock home . However , that matter could be settled later . At present night was not far off , and he must consider how best to fight with the dragon . Just at midnight , a horrible feeling that was new and strange to him came over Stan -- a feeling that he could not put into words even to himself , but which almost forced him to give up the battle and take the shortest road home again . He half turned ; then he remembered the children , and turned back . ` You or I , ' said Stan to himself , and took up his position on the edge of the flock . ` Stop ! ' he suddenly cried , as the air was filled with a rushing noise , and the dragon came dashing past . ` Dear me ! ' exclaimed the dragon , looking round . ` Who are you , and where do you come from ? ' ' I am Stan Bolovan , who eats rocks all night , and in the day feeds on the flowers of the mountain ; and if you meddle with those sheep I will carve a cross on your back . ' When the dragon heard these words he stood quite still in the middle of the road , for he knew he had met with his match . ` But you will have to fight me first , ' he said in a trembling voice , for when you faced him properly he was not brave at all . ' I fight you ? ' replied Stan , ` why I could slay you with one breath ! '
Then , stooping to pick up a large cheese which lay XXXXX his feet , he added , ` Go and get a stone like this out of the river , so that we may lose no time in seeing who is the best man . '
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