One of them said to the others: “If we are caught, we shall be hanged on the gallows; how shall we set about it?” The other said: “Do you see that large cornfield there? If we were to hide ourselves in that, no one could find us. The army cannot come into it, and tomorrow it is to march on.” They crept into the corn, but the army did not march on, but remained encamped close around them. They sat for two days and two nights in the corn, and grew so hungry that they nearly died; but if they were to venture out, it was certain death.

They said at last: “What use was it, our deserting from the army? We must die here miserably.” Whilst they were speaking, a fiery dragon came flying through the air. It hovered near them, and asked why they were hidden there.