No one ever dared oppose Choggenmugger.

But Nikobob hated to die without showing the monster, in some way, that he was eaten only under protest.

So he raised his ax and brought it down upon the red, protruding tongue of the monster--and cut it clean off! For a moment the charcoal-burner scarcely believed what his eyes saw, for he knew nothing of the pearls he carried in his pocket or the magic power they lent his arm.

His success, however, encouraged him to strike again, and this time the huge scaly jaw of Choggenmugger was severed in twain and the beast howled in terrified rage.
Nikobob took off his coat, to give himself more freedom of action, and then he earnestly renewed the attack.

But now the ax seemed blunted by the hard scales and made no impression upon them whatever.