As Bensurdatu came forward it twisted all its seven heads in his direction , and then made a quick dart to snatch him within its grasp . But Bensurdatu drew his sword and laid about him , till the seven heads were rolling on the floor . Flinging down his sword he rushed to the princess and broke her chains , and she wept for joy , and embraced him , and took the golden crown from off her head , and placed it in his hand . -LSB- Illustration : BENSURDATU ATTACKS THE SEVEN-HEADED SERPENT . -RSB- ` Now we must go back to the upper world , ' said Bensurdatu , and led her to the bottom of the river . The other princesses were waiting there , and he tied the rope round the eldest , and rung his bell . And the generals above heard , and drew her gently up . They then unfastened the cord and threw it back into the river , and in a few moments the second princess stood beside her sister . So now there were left only Bensurdatu and the youngest princess . ` Dear Bensurdatu , ' said she , ` do me a kindness , and let them draw you up before me . I dread the treachery of the generals . ' ` No , no , ' replied Bensurdatu , ' I certainly will not leave you down here . There is nothing to fear from my comrades . ' ` If it is your wish I will go up then ; but first I swear that if you do not follow to marry me , I shall stay single for the rest of my life . ' Then he bound the rope round her , and the generals drew her up . But instead of lowering the rope again into the river , envy at the courage and success of Bensurdatu so filled the hearts of the two generals , that they turned away and left him to perish . And , more than that , they threatened the princesses , and forced them to promise to tell their parents that it was the two generals who had set them free . ` And if they should ask you about Bensurdatu , you must say you have never seen him , ' they added ; and the princesses , fearing for their lives , promised everything , and they rode back to court together . The king and queen were beside themselves with joy when they saw their dear children once more . But when the generals had told their story , and the dangers they had run , the king declared that they had gained their reward , and that the two eldest princesses should become their wives .
And now we must see what poor XXXXX was doing .
Bensurdatu children dangers dart first left princesses queen second treachery