The goat head was rolling down the hill. The lion roared and the snake hissed. The wounded dragon roared in pain. Again Pegasus flew downward. Again Bellerophon's great sword swung through the smoke and flame. The dragon's sharp claws raked Bellerophon and Pegasus. Again Bellerophon looked back. The lion head was hanging.

The flame died out and a last cloud of smoke arose. Both Bellerophon and Pegasus were bleeding. Pegasus turned and went down again. The dragon was rolling over in pain. The big tail swung back and forth. The jaws were open wide. Bellerophon pulled his sword back.

Bellerophon had to throw his arm over his eyes. As the dragon made its leap, Pegasus sprang away. In a moment horse and rider were out of reach in the sky. Bellerophon patted his horse. "You saved us, Pegasus," he whispered. "But we must go back. We must kill the dragon." Down, down, they sailed again, straight at the dragon.

As soon as he did, the horse stopped fighting. Minerva's magic bridle turned the wild Pegasus into a tame and gentle horse. He sailed gently down to a mountain top. There he stood quietly. Bellerophon slid of his back. Bellerophon threw his arms around the horse's neck.

But Bellerophon had made a promise. "Let's go back to the mountain, Pegasus," he said. The wonderful horse leaped upward again. In a few minutes they landed. "Oh, Pegasus, I hate to leave you," cried Bellerophon. "But you have done your work. Now you are free again."

"The dragon has been here, Pegasus," cried Bellerophon. "Go slowly now. We must find his hiding place. He must be near." They sailed slowly over some rough hills. Suddenly Bellerophon saw three clouds of smoke. They came from a big cave in the hills.

Just as they were about to crash into him, Pegasus turned aside. They swept by so fast that Bellerophon could hardly see. As they turned he cut hard with his sharp sword. The dragon screamed. In the sky again, Bellerophon looked back.

At last he landed lightly on the bank a few feet away. Bellerophon saw that the wings were shining silver. The horse bent over to drink. Bellerophon knew that this was his chance! He rose slowly and leaped upon the horse's back. He had no time to slip the golden bridle over the horse's head. He wrapped his arms around the horse's neck.

At last he landed lightly on the bank a few feet away. Bellerophon saw that the wings were shining silver. The horse bent over to drink. Bellerophon knew that this was his chance! He rose slowly and leaped upon the horse's back. He had no time to slip the golden bridle over the horse's head. He wrapped his arms around the horse's neck.

Bellerophon trained Pegasus to obey him. Pegasus always seemed to know what Bellerophon wanted him to do. After a few days they were ready for the dragon. Early one morning they set off for Lycia. As they flew over the land they saw burned houses and dead cattle.

Bellerophon trained Pegasus to obey him. Pegasus always seemed to know what Bellerophon wanted him to do. After a few days they were ready for the dragon. Early one morning they set off for Lycia. As the flew over the land they saw burned houses and dead cattle.

Great clouds of hot smoke poured from the animal's mouths. Bellerophon spoke. "It's the dragon, Pegasus!" he cried. Pegasus gave a loud cry and leaped forward. The dragon rushed to meet him. Great flames now burst from all three mouths.

He took the golden bridle from the horse's mouth. With one great leap the horse was gone. Bellerophon watched until he was a black dot in the sky. Then he rubbed his eyes. The black dot was growing larger! In a minute Pegasus was back. He came over to Bellerophon and laid his head on the man's shoulder.

Most people laughed at him. They had not even heard of Pegasus. Many people thought Bellerophon was crazy. Day after day he went on asking the same question. At last, tired and hopeless, he stopped to rest. A little boy came running by. He stopped to look at the stranger. "Son," said Bellerophon, "you haven't seen a horse with wings, have you?"

Pegasus did not want to leave him! "Pegasus!" he cried. He threw his arms around the horse's neck and hugged him. Gently the horse licked his face. Bellerophon was a great hero in Lycia. The king and the people were overjoyed to hear of the dragon's death.

With one leap the horse was high in the air. Down he shot, like a bullet, trying to throw his rider. He turned and twisted and kicked. He turned over and flew on his back. Bellerophon just hung on tighter. At last Bellerophon saw his chance. He succeeded in slipping the bit between the horse's teeth.