Page 450 - Child's own book

castle there was a magic fire springing; out of the earth, which
made the country of the Amazons desolate; and this fire could
never be quenched except by a fountain of black water, that
was guarded by many evil spirits. When St. George heard
this, he went down a dark flight of stairs, where he heard
dreadful shrieks and groans. He opened a door, on which there
came out such a smoke and heat, that he was almost stifled ;
hut when the smoke cleared away he saw a fire spouting out of

the ground. Close by he beheld the black water, guarded by
many ugly fiends, and found himself fiercely attacked ; but he
drove them back, and put out the magic fire; upon which the
castle vanished in a storm of thunder and lightning, and the sun
broke out from the clouds with great brightness. The champion
then went back to the tent, and spent some days with the queen
of the Amazons in mirth and feasting ; after which St, George