“Colder and colder!” predicted Bill, flying after the Prince and settling on the branches of an ice-covered tree. But Tatters was not thinking of the weather. With round eyes, he was studying a huge sign that stretched between two tall hemlocks. “The Illustrious Island of Isa Poso,” announced the sign, and in smaller letters, “Beware of the dragon.” “Great Gollywockers!” gasped the old soldier, reading over Tatters’ shoulder. “Can’t they give a feller a rest?” “What’s a dragon?” asked Urtha, touching Tatters on the arm. CHAPTER 12 The Island of Isa Poso While Tatters was still studying the sign and explaining a dragon to Urtha, the old soldier stepped over to another tree where an even larger sign was displayed. This is what it said: REWARD! One-half the kingdom and the hand of the Princess Poso to the slayer of the dragon Enorma. _Chin Chilly the Third_, King of Isa Poso. “Hah,” cried Grampa, with a little skip, “this is more like it!” “Like what?” asked Tatters, blowing on his stiff fingers. “Like olden times. In my youth,” said Grampa solemnly, “young lads served in the armies of strange kings, slew monsters and were rewarded with half the kingdom and the Princess’ hand. Let us immediately slay this dragon, my boy, and win the reward. Then all that will be left for us to do will be to find your father’s head.” “And I’ll find the dragon,” volunteered the weather cock, rising into the frosty air. “What shall I do?” asked Urtha, running up to the old soldier. “Just be your lovely little self,” smiled Grampa, “and stay where we can see you. Why, just to look at you makes me feel like a conquering army with banners flying.” Urtha was so happy at Grampa’s neat little speech that she blew him a kiss and began dancing in circles over the shimmery snow and wherever Urtha’s foot rested the snow melted and flowers sprang up, until there were circles of posies pricked out against the snow. Grampa and Tatters were so interested that they almost forgot the icy wind that was blowing over this white, frozen land. But soon the Prince, who in spite of the skin of the thread bear was thinly clad, began to shiver and the old soldier to shake in good earnest. First he stood on one foot and then on the other—and longest on the other because that was his game leg and not subject to frost bites.