The Prince caught the creature‘s neck in his left hand， trying to squeeze it till it choked. This held its face （if you could call it a face） about five inches from his own. The forked tongue flickered horribly in and out， but could not reach him. With his right hand he drew back his sword for the strongest blow he could give. Meanwhile Scrubb and Puddleglum had drawn their weapons and rushed to his aid. All three blows fell at once： Scrubb’s （which did not even pierce the scales and did no good） on the body of the snake below the Prince‘s hand， but the Prince’s own blow and Puddleglum‘s both on its neck. Even that did not quite kill it， though it began to loosen its hold on Rilian’s legs and chest. With repeated blows they hacked off its head. The horrible thing went on coiling and moving like a bit of wire long after it had died； and the floor， as you may imagine， was a nasty mess.
The Prince， when he had breath， said， “Gentlemen， I thank you.” Then the three conquerors stood staring at onenother and panting， without another word， for a long time. ll had very wisely sat down and was keeping quiet； she was aying to herself， “I do hope I don‘t faint.or blub.or do nything idiotic.”
