Then , after wishing all kinds of good fortune to the lion and his family , he inquired if he was on the right road to Kerglas . ` And what is your business at Kerglas ? ' asked the lion with a growl , and showing his teeth . ` With all respect , ' answered Peronnik , pretending to be very frightened , ' I am the servant of a lady who is a friend of the noble Rogear and sends him some larks for a pasty . ' ` Larks ? ' cried the lion , licking his long whiskers . ` Why , it must be a century since I have had any ! Have you a large quantity with you ? ' ` As many as this bag will hold , ' replied Peronnik , opening , as he spoke , the bag which he had filled with feathers and glue ; and to prove what he said , he turned his back on the lion and began to imitate the song of a lark . ` Come , ' exclaimed the lion , whose mouth watered , ` show me the birds ! I should like to see if they are fat enough for my master . ' ' I would do it with pleasure , ' answered the idiot , ` but if I once open the bag they will all fly away . ' ` Well , open it wide enough for me to look in , ' said the lion , drawing a little nearer . Now this was just what Peronnik had been hoping for , so he held the bag while the lion opened it carefully and put his head right inside , so that he might get a good mouthful of larks . But the mass of feathers and glue stuck to him , and before he could pull his head out again Peronnik had drawn tight the cord , and tied it in a knot that no man could untie . Then , quickly gathering the flower that laughs , he rode off as fast as the colt could take him . The path soon led to the lake of the dragons , which he had to swim across . The colt , who was accustomed to it , plunged into the water without hesitation ; but as soon as the dragons caught sight of Peronnik they approached from all parts of the lake in order to devour him . This time Peronnik did not trouble to take off his cap , but he threw the beads he carried with him into the water , as you throw black corn to a duck , and with each bead that he swallowed a dragon turned on his back and died , so that the idiot reached the other side without further trouble . The valley guarded by the black man now lay before him , and from afar Peronnik beheld him , chained by one foot to a rock at the entrance , and holding the iron ball which never missed its mark and always returned to its master 's hand .
In his head the black man had six eyes that were never all shut XXXXX once , but kept watch one after the other .
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