this time the arrow again hit the centipede right in the middle of its head, but instead of glancing off harmlessly as before, it struck home to the creature's brain. then with a convulsive shudder the serpentine body stopped moving, and the fiery light of its great eyes and hundred feet darkened to a dull glare like the sunset of a stormy day, and then went out in blackness. a great darkness now overspread the heavens, the thunder rolled and the lightning flashed, and the wind roared in fury, and it seemed as if the world were coming to an end. the dragon king and his children and retainers all crouched in different parts of the palace, frightened to death, for the building was shaken to its foundation. at last the dreadful night was over. day dawned beautiful and clear. the centipede was gone from the mountain.