Atondido Stories
wall surrounded the garden, so high that Vitazko could never
have scaled it alone. But it is as easy for a horse like Tatosh to
take a high wall as it is for a bird.
Inside the garden Vitazko dismounted and began to look for
the tree that bore the Golden Apples. Presently he met a beauti-
ful young girl who asked him what he was doing in the dragon's
garden.
"I'm looking for the Golden Apples," he told her. "I want
some of them for my sick mother. Do you know where they
are?"
"I do indeed know where they are," the girl said, "for it is my
duty to guard them. If I were to give you one the wicked dragon
would tear me to pieces. I am a royal princess but I am in the
dragon's power and must do as he says. Dear youth, take my ad-
vice and escape while you can. If the dragon sees you he will kill
you as he would a fly."
But Vitazko was not to be dissuaded from his quest.
"Nay, sweet princess, I must get the apples."
"Well, then," she said, "I will help you all I can. Here is a pre-
cious ring. Put it on a finger of your left hand. When you are
sore pressed, think of me and twist the ring and you will have
the strength of a hundred men. To conquer this horrible monster
you will need the strength of more than a hundred."
Vitazko put on the ring, thanked the princess, and marched
boldly on. In the center of the garden he found the tree that bore
the Golden Apples. Under it lay the dragon himself.
On sight of Vitazko he raised his head and bellowed out:
"Ho, you murderer of dragons, what do you want here?"
Nothing daunted, Vitazko replied:
"I am come to shake down some of the Golden Apples."
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