“Go! Go!” she entreated. “There is not a moment to be lost. Even now the fireflies are putting out their lights and waiting for the dawn. See, here is gold to pay for your journey and food to last you for a week. Hurry back to me with the wonderful pearl, and when I am the most beautiful woman in the land you shall be the greatest man.” “When I return you shall be in truth the fairest woman men ever looked upon,” he promised solemnly. Then he wrapped his cloak about him and bowed himself from her presence. When he was out of sight of the old lady he laughed to himself, and ran like a shadow through the sleeping town. On and on he went, over the Fertile Plain of Sweet Flags and through the long fields of waving rice, never once stopping to get his breath until he stood on the bank of the river. There he found a boat fastened to the shore, and soon he was rowing up the stream with all his might. But not yet was he safe. Because so many people throughout the country knew the Cave Man and hated him, he was in constant fear of being seen. In the daytime he hid in the tall rushes on the river bank and slept, and all the night he plied his oars with feverish zeal, until his hands were blistered and his back about to break. Once a party of fishermen came so close to the reedy shore where he lay trembling that he could hear every word they said. And what he heard did not make him any more comfortable. “The King has offered a great price for the head of the Cave Man,” said one, “and men are hunting all over the island for him. Even if he were a needle they would find him. On the night of the great banquet he cast a spell on the court and caused every one to fall asleep. Then he opened his prison door and ran away. Now the King will know no peace until he is dead. And whoever brings his head to the city will be a rich man for life.” “I wish I could be the lucky one,” said another. “I’ve been looking in every boat to-day for him.” It seemed to the frightened Cave Man they must hear his heart beating, so near he was, and perhaps they would had they not been so busy talking. When at last they went away he did not dare to move for a long time, and that night he rowed harder and faster than ever. When the morning of the sixth day dawned he cried aloud for joy, for in the dim light he saw the familiar shadows of Napatantutu. When he had come nearer, even within the shade of the great trees and the overhanging vines, he leaped out of the boat, and as soon as his feet had touched the ground, started toward the home of the dragon. He had thrown away his cloak, his food, his gold, for he no longer had need of them. Once more he was to be free.