But perhaps if he had known something about dragons he would have been a little surprid at this dragon’s behavior. It did not sit up and clap its wings, nor did it shoot out a stream of flame from its mouth. The smoke from its nostrils was like the smoke of a fire that will not last much longer. Nor did it em to have noticed Eustace. It moved very slowly toward the pool—slowly and with many paus. Even in his fear Eustace felt that it was an old, sad creature. He wondered if he dared make a dash for the ast. But it might look round if he made any noi. It might ore to life. Perhaps it was only shamming. Anyway, what was the u to escape by climbing from a creature that could fly?
It reached the pool and slid its horrible scaly dowhe gravel to drink, but before it had drunk there came from it a great croaking or ging cry and after a few twitches and vulsions it rolled round on its side and lay perfectly still with one claw in the air. A little dark blood gushed from its wide-opened mouth. The smoke from its nostrils turned black for a moment and then floated away. No more came.
For a long time Eustace did not dare to move. Perhaps this was the brute’s trick, the way it lured travelers to their doom. But one couldn’t wait forever. He took a step hen two steps, and halted again. The dragon remained motionless; he noticed too that the red fire had go of its eyes. At last he came up to it. He was quite sure now that it was dead. With a shudder he touched it; nothing happened.
The relief was so great that Eustace almost laughed out loud. He began to feel as if he had fought and killed the dragon instead of merely eing it die. He stepped over it ao the pool for his drink, for the heat was getting unbearable. He was not surprid when he heard a peal of thunder. Almost immediately afterward the sun disappeared and before he had finished his drink big drops of rain were falling.