Krishna a glance like light on them cast, and breaking away from the grasp of the monster, He lightly sprang upon its hooded head and danced like the stars upon its hoods, till one by one low they were laid; and vomiting blood that was thick and black, defeated and broken, the monster sank beneath the waves. And with a bound Krishna stood in the midst of His friends who knelt at, His feet. Then they drew Him within their arms, in the madness of joy at His safety. CHAPTER XVII. Oh, grand was the sight of Love, crushing out Hate from the land, and the Gods sang and shouted and crowded together to see Sin conquered and Virtue grow strong! Yasodā and Nanda, with the Gopas and Gopis maddened with delight, took Krishna home, while the heavens opened and scattered flowers to carpet His path. And forever the lake was free from the venom the serpent had cast, and the near-by atmosphere purified was from the pestilent influence that hovered about there. For the monster at Krishna's command had departed and sought no more to injure the land. But so great was the happiness that overflowed the heart of all, in leading the boy triumphant through the forest, that they tarried awhile in the glow of the moon, in their joy to behold the beauty that filled the night. But far in the distance a light was seen that spread wider and broader its glow, and higher its flame leapt, and every second nearer and nearer yet it came, like a living sheet of fire. And so it was. A castor plantation a burning world had become and quickly surrounded the merrymakers, who held in their midst the joy of their hour, and they cried in a fright: "O Krishna, Thou Child—or God, whatever Thou art, protect us from this death in this roaring flame. We care not for our lives, O Krishna, for they are thine by our love for Thee, but oh, the anguish the parting would mean—to die and not see Thy face again! Oh Thou, who by Thy strength dost slay the Asuras and drive from the land the serpent all powerful, save us from this, the parting with Thee and Thy loved companion Rāma, he that is most like Thee. O Most Lovely One, deliver us, we pray!" Light as a leaf in the wind the Boy bounded to meet the coming flames. For a moment He stood in the seething sea of fire and lifted His hand on high, and lo, the fire was not—but the flames were seen to enter His mouth! And again, with dancing and singing praise to the Boy, they made for His home with joy and delight. CHAPTER XVIII. One summer day Krishna and Rāma and their companions in the shade of the trees were a-sporting among themselves, when they saw coming toward them a stranger, a boy, clad as a tender of cows. He joined in the games and soon all were merry, but Krishna, the knower of all, and the all-seeing One, in him beheld an Asura, named Pralamba, who had come in their midst to bring calamity, though friendship he feigned.