against us in times past?" said the green serpent, drawing himself up proudly; "and have we not routed them all and slain them?"
"Of course swords could not hurt us," said the golden one contemptuously, "but if they only knew enough to come out against us with thick, oak staves! One well-aimed blow on the head from such a weapon would finish us. But, luckily, they don't know that!"
"And are far too stupid ever to guess it, so we are perfectly safe," added the green one.
"And then," chuckled the big golden monster, writhing the folds of his long body comfortably about him. "To think what a man would gain by killing us! My head, cooked and eaten, would not only make a delicious meal, but it would give the eater power to pour forth gold from his mouth whenever he wanted to!"
"And if any one ate my head," said the green one, also chuckling, "emeralds
