Mimi had found the very forest which he sought to find.
This was the one in which the dragon lay guarding the hoard.
The sly dwarf caught a glimpse of the huge monster lying at the door of
its cave.
Its great yawning jaws and sharp teeth filled him with terror.
Mimi darted into the underbrush. How glad he was that the monster had
not seen him.
He shook and trembled with fear as he peeped at the loathsome creature.
Its body was covered with green scales. Poison breath came from its
nostrils.
Its awful snake-like tail twisted and lashed about. In the end of the
tail was a deadly sting.
"Alberich's ring is in that cave," thought Mimi. "Now close to this
forest I must find a good little cavern in which to live.
"Then I can come often to watch the dragon.
"Some day I shall find a hero to slay this fierce monster. Then I shall
slink into the cave and snatch the ring.
"Ho! ho! my brother Alberich! We shall see who shall be master and who
shall be slave!"