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too much of life without a battle。 Every tooth of the dragon had produced
one of these sons of deadly mischief。
Up sprouted also a great many trumpeters； and with the first breath
that they drew； they put their brazen trumpets to their lips； and sounded a
tremendous and ear…shattering blast； so that the whole space； just now so
quiet and solitary； reverberated with the clash and clang of arms； the bray
of warlike music； and the shouts of angry men。 So enraged did they all
look； that Cadmus fully expected them to put the whole world to the sword。
How fortunate would it be for a great conqueror； if he could get a bushel
of the dragon's teeth to sow！
〃Cadmus；〃 said the same voice which he had before heard； 〃throw a
stone into the midst of the armed men。〃
So Cadmus seized a large stone； and flinging it into the middle of the
earth army； saw it strike the breastplate of a gigantic and fierce…looking
warrior。 Immediately on feeling the blow； he seemed to take it for granted
that somebody had struck him； and； uplifting his weapon； he smote his
next neighbor a blow that cleft his helmet asunder； and stretched him on
the ground。 In an instant； those nearest the fallen warrior began to strike at
one another with their swords； and stab with their spears。 The confusion
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spread wider and wider。 Each man smote down his brother； and was
himself smitten down before he had time to exult in his victory。 The
trumpeters； all the while； blew their blasts shriller and shriller； each soldier
shouted a battle cry； and often fell with it on his lips。 It was the strangest
spectacle of causeless wrath； and of mischief for no good end； that had
ever been witnessed； but； after all； it was neither more foolish nor more
wicked than a thousand battles that have since been fought； in which men
have slain their brothers with just as little reason as these children of the
dragon's teeth。 It ought to be considered； too； that the dragon people were
made for nothing else； whereas other mortals were born to love and help
one another。
Well； this memorable battle continued to rage until the ground was
strewn with helmeted heads that had been cut off。 Of all the thousands that
began the fight； there were only five left standing。 These now rushed from
different parts of the field； and； meeting in the middle of it； clashed their
swords； and struck at each other's hearts as fiercely as ever。
〃Cadmus；〃 said the voice again； 〃bid those five warriors sheathe their
swords。 They will help you to build the city。〃
Without hesitating an instant； Cadmus stepped forward； with the
aspect of a king and a leader； and extending his drawn sword amongst
them； spoke to the warriors in a stern and commanding voice。
〃Sheathe your weapons！〃 said he。
And forthwith； feeling themselves bound to obey him； the five
remaining sons of the dragon's teeth made him a military salute with their
swords； returned them to the scabbards； and stood before Cadmus in a
rank； eyeing him as soldiers eye their captain； while awaiting the word of
command。
These five men had probably sprung from the biggest of the dragon's
teeth； and were the boldest and strongest of the whole army。 They were
almost giants indeed； and had good need to be so； else they never could
have lived through so terrible a fight。 They still had a very furious look；
and； if Cadmus happened to glance aside； would glare at one another； with
fire flashing out of their eyes。 It was strange； too； to observe how the earth；
out of which they had so lately grown； was incrusted； here and there； on
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their bright breastplates； and even； begrimed their faces； just as you may
have seen it clinging to beets and carrots； when pulled out of their native
soil。 Cadmus hardly knew whether to consider them as men； or some odd
kind of vegetable； although； on the whole； he concluded that there was
human nature in them； because they were so fond of trumpets and
weapons； and so ready to shed blood。
They looked him earnestly in the face； waiting for his next order； and
evidently desiring no other employment than to follow him from one
battlefield to another； all over the wide world。 But Cadmus was wiser than
these earth…born creatures； with the dragon's fierceness in them； and knew
better how to use their strength and hardihood。
〃Come！〃 said he。 〃You are sturdy fellows。 Make yourselves useful！
Quarry some stones with those great swords of yours； and help me to build
a city。〃
The five soldiers grumbled a little； and muttered that it was their
business to overthrow cities； not to build them up。 But Cadmus looked at
them with a stern eye； and spoke to them in a tone of authority； so that
they knew him for their master； and never again thought of disobeying his
commands。 They set to work in good earnest； and toiled so diligently； that；
in a very short time； a city began to make its appearance。 At first； to be
sure； the workmen showed a quarrelsome disposition。 Like savage beasts；
they would doubtless have done one another a mischief； if Cadmus had
not kept watch over them； and quelled the fierce old serpent that lurked in
their hearts； when he saw it gleaming out of their wild eyes。 But； in course
of time； they got accustomed to honest labor； and had sense enough to feel
that there was more true enjoyment in living at peace； and doing good to
one's neighbor； than in striking at him with a two…edged sword。 It may not
be too much to hope that the rest of mankind will by and by grow as wise
and peaceable as these five earth…begrimed warriors； who sprang from the
dragon's teeth。
And now the city was built； and there was a home in it for each of the
workmen。 But the palace of Cadmus was not yet erected； because they had
left it till the last； meaning to introduce all the new improvements of
architecture； and make it very commodious； as well as stately and
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beautiful。 After finishing the rest of their labors； they all went to bed
betimes； in order to rise in