the ladies of his palace and waited impatiently the return of his vassals with the dragon-jewel. But after waiting a whole year, his patience was exhausted and, taking only two trusty attendants, he went to the nearest sea-port and inquired, if the retainers of the great Lord Lofty had not yet returned from killing the dragon and capturing the jewel on its neck. The sailors laughed loudly and said, that this was more easily said than done. Thereupon the lord flourished his bow and arrows and declared, that if there were such a thing in this world as a dragon, he would kill it dead with his great strong bow and then shew them who could take the jewel from its neck. Saying which he embarked on one of the ships and set sail for the west.  Every thing went smoothly for some days		but gradually the wind grew stronger, the waves dashed higher, the lightning flashed, and the thunder-bolts seemed ready to fall on them. Lord Lofty was frightened out of his wits and the pilot with streaming eyes said, that he had sailed in many ships before but had never been in such a pitiable plight as this, for if they were not overwhelmed by the waves they would certainly be struck by the thunder-bolts, and even should they be saved from the lightning they would be driven into the South Sea and miserably perish. Hearing this Lord Lofty lost what little heart he had left and growing deathly sea-sick he sobbed out, that he always thought, the pilot was the hope of the ship and he did not see why he should frighten him so.  The pilot replied, that it was all very well
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