asked she ; ` go to sleep again . ' And as soon as he closed his eyes , Bensurdatu stole out from his corner , and struck such a blow at his head that it flew far , far away . The princess could not find words to thank Bensurdatu for what he had done , and she too placed in his hand a golden crown . ` Now show me where your youngest sister is , ' said he , ` that I may free her also . ' ` Ah ! that I fear you will never be able to do , ' sighed they , ` for she is in the power of a serpent with seven heads . ' ` Take me to him , ' replied Bensurdatu . ` It will be a splendid fight . ' Then the princess opened a door , and Bensurdatu passed through , and found himself in a hall that was even larger than the other two . And there stood the youngest sister , chained fast to the wall , and before her was stretched a serpent with seven heads , horrible to see . 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 XXXXX the generals . '
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