the white-winged horse flew around and around the dragon as he writhed on the dry pebbles. he was getting very hot: indeed, parts of him even had begun to smoke. he knew that he must certainly catch fire in another minute unless he could get under a tree. he made a snatch with his red claws at the king and hippogriff, but he was too feeble to reach them, and besides, he did not dare to overexert himself for fear he should get any hotter.