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ropes. O what a cry arose! “Pull away! Haul away! Be strong! Be brave!” The men in the rear hauled on the ends of the ropes, tightening them about the dragon’s belly, but its great tail lashed madly about, and the fighting men had to dash in at the head and throat with their weapons. The monster tossed its head from side to side, and strained the ropes so much with its violent efforts that the band of enticers had again to run up close to make the dragon stretch itself out to the utmost extent in its efforts to reach them with its mouth, and while they did this the tail was secured. First one band would rush forward and thrust at the head on one side with their spears, then the party on the other side would have its turn pounding away with their clubs. They kept on like this for many hours till the head and body were wounded and bruised all over; ah, indeed they fought bravely and well. At last the vile creature yielded up its life and lay quietly. It was in size like the largest kind of whale, but its shape was that of a lizard; it was covered with scales and had a saw-like ridge along its back. A long time the slayers gazed upon the huge bulk of their foe, but after a while the chiefs said “Let us take off our clothing and cut up the body.” When they had cut open