After a month Costan began to haunt the stables and to look out a horse for himself . And the moment the year , the month , the week , and the day were over Costan mounted his horse and took leave of his youngest brother . ` If I fail , then you come , ' said he , and followed the path that Florea had taken . 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 XXXXX his right .
as at by in of on over than upon with