When the first blast of smoke shot out through the bars of my helmet, all those people broke for the woods, and Sandy went over backwards and struck the ground with a dull thud.

They thought I was one of those fire-belching dragons they had heard so much about from knights and other professional liars.

I had infinite trouble to persuade those people to venture back within explaining distance.

Then I told them that this was only a bit of enchantment which would work harm to none but my enemies.

And I promised, with my hand on my heart, that if all who felt no enmity toward me would come forward and pass before me they should see that only those who remained behind would be struck dead.