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diff --git a/27922-h/27922-h.htm b/27922-h/27922-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bcdb470 --- /dev/null +++ b/27922-h/27922-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4608 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of David and the Phoenix, by Edward Ormondroyd + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- +body { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; background-color:#FFFFFF; } + +p { margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em; } + +h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 +{ + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +hr +{ + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +a[name] { position: static; } + a:link {color:#0000ff; text-decoration:none; } + a:visited {color:#0000ff; text-decoration:none; } + a:hover { color:#ff0000; } + +table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} +.tocch { text-align: right; vertical-align: top;} +.tocpg {text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;} + +.tr { text-align:center; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-top: 5%; margin-bottom: 5%; padding: 2em; background-color: #f6f2f2; color: black; border: solid black 1px;} +.f1 { font-size: x-large; font-weight:bold; } +.f2 { font-size:smaller; } +.pagenum +{ /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; +} /* page numbers */ + +.center {text-align: center;} +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + +.figleft +{ + float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-top: 0em; margin-right: 0em; padding: 0; text-align: center; +} + +.figright +{ + float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-top: 0em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 +{ + display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i2 +{ + display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i4 +{ + display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em; +} + +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of David and the Phoenix, by Edward Ormondroyd + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: David and the Phoenix + +Author: Edward Ormondroyd + +Illustrator: Joan Raysor + +Release Date: January 28, 2009 [EBook #27922] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVID AND THE PHOENIX *** + + + + +Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Greg Weeks, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="tr"> +<p class="center">Transcriber's note:</p> +<p class="center">Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.</p></div> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover" width="600" height="762" /></div> + +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/image_602.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="540" /></div> +<p> </p> +<h1>DAVID</h1> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/image_005.jpg" width="400" height="390" alt="" /> +</div> +<h3>and the</h3> +<h1>PHOENIX</h1> +<p> </p> + +<h2><i>by Edward Ormondroyd</i></h2> + +<h3>ILLUSTRATED BY JOAN RAYSOR</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3>Follett Publishing Company <span class="smcap f2">Chicago</span></h3> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h4>DAVID AND THE PHOENIX, by Edward Ormondroyd</h4> + +<h4><i>Copyright 1957, by Edward Ormondroyd</i></h4> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Contents</h2> + +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr><td class="tocch">1.</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#In_Which_David_Goes_Mountain_Climbing_and_a_Mysterious_Voice_Is"><i>In Which David Goes Mountain Climbing, and a +Mysterious Voice Is Overheard</i></a></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">2.</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#In_Which_David_Meets_the_Phoenix_and_There_Is_a_Change_in_Plans"><i>In Which David Meets the Phoenix, and There Is a +Change in Plans</i></a></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">3.</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#In_Which_It_Is_Decided_that_David_Should_Have_an_Education_and_an"><i>In Which It Is Decided that David Should Have an +Education, and an Experiment Is made</i></a></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">4.</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#In_Which_David_and_the_Phoenix_Go_To_Visit_the_Gryffins_and_a"><i>In Which David and the Phoenix Go To Visit the +Gryffins, and a Great Danger Is Narrowly Averted</i></a></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">5.</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#In_Which_the_Scientist_Arrives_in_Pursuit_of_the_Phoenix_and"><i>In Which the Scientist Arrives in Pursuit of the +Phoenix, and There Are Alarums and Excursions by +Night</i></a></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">6.</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#In_Which_the_Phoenix_Has_a_Plan_and_David_and_the_Phoenix_Call_On"><i>In Which the Phoenix Has a Plan, and David and +the Phoenix Call On a Sea Monster</i></a></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">7.</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#In_Which_the_Phoenixs_Plan_Is_Carried_Out_and_There_Are_More"><i>In Which the Phoenix's Plan Is Carried Out, and +There Are More Alarums and Excursions in the Night</i></a></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">8.</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#In_Which_David_and_the_Phoenix_Visit_a_Banshee_and_a_Surprise_Is"><i>In Which David and the Phoenix Visit a Banshee, +and a Surprise Is Planted in the Enemy's Camp</i></a></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_115">115</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">9.</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#In_Which_David_and_the_Phoenix_Call_On_a_Faun_and_a_Lovely"><i>In Which David and the Phoenix Call On a Faun, +and a Lovely Afternoon Comes to a Strange End</i></a></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_138">138</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">10.</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#In_Which_a_Five_Hundredth_Birthday_Is_Celebrated_and_the_Phoenix"><i>In Which a Five Hundredth Birthday Is Celebrated, +and the Phoenix Bows to Tradition</i></a></td> +<td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td></tr> +</table> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><i>For Shirley and Josh</i></h2> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> +<p class="f1"><a name="In_Which_David_Goes_Mountain_Climbing_and_a_Mysterious_Voice_Is" id="In_Which_David_Goes_Mountain_Climbing_and_a_Mysterious_Voice_Is"></a>1: <i>In Which David Goes Mountain Climbing,<br /> + and a Mysterious Voice<br /> + Is Overheard</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/image_011.jpg" width="400" height="351" alt="" /> +</div> + + +<p>All the way there David had saved this moment for himself, struggling +not to peek until the proper time came. When the car finally stopped, +the rest of them got out stiffly and went into the new house. But +David walked slowly into the back yard with his eyes fixed on the +ground. For a whole minute he stood there, not daring to look up. Then +he took a deep breath,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> clenched his hands tightly, and lifted his +head.</p> + +<p>There it was!—as Dad had described it, but infinitely more grand. It +swept upward from the valley floor, beautifully shaped and soaring, so +tall that its misty blue peak could surely talk face to face with the +stars. To David, who had never seen a mountain before, the sight was +almost too much to bear. He felt so tight and shivery inside that he +didn't know whether he wanted to laugh, or cry, or both. And the +really wonderful thing about the mountain was the way it <i>looked</i> at +him. He was certain that it was smiling at him, like an old friend who +had been waiting for years to see him again. And when he closed his +eyes, he seemed to hear a voice which whispered, "Come along, then, +and climb."</p> + +<p>It would be so easy to go! The back yard was hedged in (with part of +the hedge growing right across the toes of the mountain), but there +was a hole in the privet large enough to crawl through. And just +beyond the hedge the mountainside awaited him, going up and up in one +smooth sweep until the green and tawny faded into hazy heights of +rock. It was waiting for him. "Come and climb," it whispered, "come +and climb."</p> + +<p>But there was a great deal to do first. They were going to move into +the new house. The moving van was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> standing out in front, the car must +be unloaded. David would be needed to carry things. Regretfully, he +waved his hand at the peak and whispered, "It shouldn't take +long—I'll be back as soon as I can." Then he went around to the front +door to see what could be done about speeding things up.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/image_013.jpg" width="500" height="473" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>Inside, everything was in confusion. Dad was pushing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> chairs and +tables around in an aimless way. Mother was saying, "They'll all have +to go out again; we forgot to put down the rug first." Aunt Amy was +making short dashes between the kitchen and the dining room, muttering +to herself. And Beckie was roaring in her crib because it was time for +her bottle. David asked, "Can I do anything?"—hoping that the answer +would be no.</p> + +<p>"C'mere," Aunt Amy said, grabbing him by the arm. "Help me look for +that ironing board."</p> + +<p>When the ironing board was finally located, Mother had something for +him to do. And when he was finished with that, Dad called for his +help. So the afternoon wore on without letup—and also without any +signs of progress in their moving. When David finally got a chance to +sneak out for a breathing spell, he felt his heart sink. Somehow, in +all the rush and confusion, the afternoon had disappeared. Already the +evening sun was throwing shadows across the side of the mountain and +touching its peak with a ruddy blaze. It was too late now. He would +have to wait until morning before he could climb.</p> + +<p>As he gazed up miserably at the glowing summit, he thought he saw a +tiny speck soar out from it in a brief circle. Was it a bird of some +sort, or just one of those dots that swim before your eyes when you +stare too long at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> sky? It almost seemed like the mountain waving +its hand, as if to say that it was quite all right for him to wait +until morning. He felt better then, and returned more cheerfully to +the moving.</p> + +<p>It was long after dark before the moving van drove away. Beckie +crooned happily over her bottle, and the rest of them gathered in the +kitchen for a late supper of sandwiches and canned soup. But David +could not eat until he had found the courage to ask one question:</p> + +<p>"May I climb the mountain tomorrow?"</p> + +<p>Aunt Amy muttered something about landslides, which were firmly fixed +in her mind as the fate of people who climbed mountains. But Dad said, +"I don't see why not, do you?" and looked to Mother for agreement.</p> + +<p>Mother said, "Well ... be very careful," in a doubtful tone, and that +was that.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>You never know what you will find when you climb a mountain, even if +you have climbed them before—which, of course, David never had. +Looking up from the foot of the mountain, he had thought that it was a +smooth slope from bottom to top. But he was discovering as he climbed +that it was not smooth at all, but very much broken up. There were +terraces, ledges, knolls, ravines, and embankments,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> one after +another. The exciting part of it was that each feature concealed the +ones above it. At the top of a rise would be an outcropping of +strangely colored rock, invisible from below. Beyond the outcropping, +a small stand of aspens would quiver in the breeze, their quicksilver +leaves hiding a tiny meadow on the slope behind. And when the meadow +had been discovered, there would be a something else beyond. He was a +real explorer now. When he got to the top, he thought, he would build +a little tower of stones, the way explorers always do.</p> + +<p>But at the end of two hours' steady climbing, he was ready to admit +that he would never reach the peak that day. It still rose above his +head, seeming as far distant as ever. But he did not care now. It had +been a glorious climb, and the distance he had already covered was a +considerable one. He looked back. The town looked like a model of a +town, with little toy houses and different-colored roofs among the +trees that made a darker patch on the pattern of the valley floor. The +mountains on the other side of the valley seemed like blue clouds +stretching out over the edge of the world. Even the peak could not +give him a better view than this.</p> + +<p>David gazed up the face of a scarp which rose like a cliff above +him—a smooth, bare wall of rock that had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> halted his climb. Halfway +up the scarp was a dark horizontal line of bushes, something like a +hedge. Apparently there was a ledge or shelf there, and he decided to +climb up to it before he returned home. To scale the rock face itself +was impossible, however: there were no hand or foot holds. So he +turned and made his way through the grass until he reached the end of +the bare stone. Then he started upward again. It was hard work. Vines +clutched at his feet, and the close-set bushes seemed unwilling to let +him pass. He had one nasty slip, which might have been his last if he +had not grabbed a tough clump of weeds at the crucial instant.</p> + +<p>But, oh! it was worth it. He felt like shouting when at last he +reached the ledge. Truly it was an enchanted place! It was a long, +level strip of ground, several yards wide, carpeted with short grass +and dandelions. Bushes grew along most of the outer edge. The inner +edge was bounded by a second scarp—a wall of red stone with sparkling +points of light imbedded in its smooth surface.</p> + +<p>David threw himself on the grass and rolled in it. It was warm and +soft and sweet-smelling; it soothed away the hurt of his aching +muscles and the sting of his scratches. He rolled over on his back and +cushioned his head in his hands. The sky seemed to be slipping along<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +overhead like a broad blue river. The breeze ruffled his hair and +whispered, the bushes murmured and gossiped to each other. Even the +sunlight seemed to hum to him as it laid warm hands on his face.</p> + +<p>But there was another sound, which now and then rose above these +murmurs. Then it would fade and be drowned out by the breeze. Hard to +say why, but it just did not seem to fit there. David propped himself +up on his elbows and listened more intently. The sound faded: he had +been imagining it. No, he had not been imagining it—there it was +again. He sat up. Now he noticed that the ledge was divided by a +thicket which grew from the inner side to the outer. The noise, +whatever it was, came from the other side of the thicket.</p> + +<p>David's curiosity was aroused, but it occurred to him that it might be +wise to be cautious. The noise did not sound dangerous, but—well, he +had never been up a mountain before, and there was no telling what he +might find. He dropped into a crouch and crept silently up to the +tangle of bushes. His heart began to pound, and he swallowed to +relieve the dryness in his throat. The noise was much more distinct +now, and it sounded like—like—yes, not only sounded like, but +<i>was</i>—someone talking to himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<p>Who could it possibly be? Well, there was only one way to find out.</p> + +<p>He dropped down on his stomach and carefully began to worm his way +under the thicket. The branches grew very low, and the ground was full +of lumps and knobs which dug into him with every movement. There were +vines, too, and some prickly things like thistles, which had to be +pushed out of the way without allowing their leaves to rustle. He +progressed by inches, pushing with his toes, pulling with his finger +tips, wriggling with the rest of his body. At last he could see light +breaking through the foliage in front of him—he was nearing the other +side. A bunch of leaves hung before his face. He hesitated, then +pushed them aside gently, slowly—and peered out.</p> + +<p>He thought his heart would stop.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/image_020.jpg" width="500" height="664" alt="" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/image_021_01.jpg" width="400" height="211" alt="" /> +<img src="images/image_021_03.jpg" width="187" height="188" alt="" /> +</div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p class="f1"><a name="In_Which_David_Meets_the_Phoenix_and_There_Is_a_Change_in_Plans" id="In_Which_David_Meets_the_Phoenix_and_There_Is_a_Change_in_Plans"></a>2: <i>In Which David<br /> + Meets the Phoenix,<br /> + and There Is a <br /> + Change in Plans</i></p> + + +<p>There stood an enormous bird.</p> + +<p>David had been to the zoo, and at home he had a book of birds with +colored pictures. He knew the more common large birds of the world: +the ostrich, the condor, the albatross, eagles, cranes, storks. But +<i>this</i> bird—! Its shape was like that of an eagle, but stouter. Its +neck had the length and elegant curve of a swan's neck. Its head<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> was +again like an eagle's, with a hooked bird-of-prey beak, but the +expression in its brown eyes was mild. The long wings were blunt at +the tips, the tail was short and broad. The legs, feathered halfway +down, ended in taloned feet. An iridescent sheen sparkled on its +plumage, reflecting sunlight from the scarlet crest, the golden neck +and back, the breast of silver, the sapphire wings and tail. Its size +alone would have been enough to take David's breath away. He could +have stood beneath the arch of that neck with room to spare.</p> + +<p>But the most astonishing thing was that the bird had an open book on +the ground and was apparently trying to learn part of it by heart.</p> + +<p>"<i>Vivo, vives, vive</i>," the bird read, very slowly and distinctly, +staring hard at the book. "<i>Vivimos, vivís, viven.</i> <i>That</i> is simple +enough, you blockhead! Now, then, without looking." It cleared its +throat, looked away from the book, and repeated in a rapid mutter: +"<i>Vivo vives vive vi</i>—ah—<i>vivi</i>—oh, dear, what <i>is</i> the matter with +me?" Here the temptation to peek overcame it for an instant, and its +head wavered. But it said, "No, no!" in a firm tone, looked carefully +the other way, and began once more.</p> + +<p>"<i>Vivo, vives, vive</i>—quite correct so far. Ah—<i>vi</i>—ah—Oh,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> dear, +these verbs! Where was I? Oh, yes. <i>Vivo</i>—"</p> + +<p>David's head reeled as he watched this amazing performance. There was +no need to pinch himself to see if he were dreaming: he was perfectly +wide awake. Everything else around him was behaving in a normal way. +The mountain was solid beneath him, the sunlight streamed down as +before. Yet there was the bird, unmistakably before him, undeniably +studying its book and speaking to itself. David's mind caught hold of +a phrase and repeated it over and over again: "What on <i>earth</i>? What +on <i>earth</i>?" But of course there was no answer to that question. And +he might have lain hidden there all day, staring out at the bird and +marveling, had it not been for a bee which came droning into the +thicket straight for him.</p> + +<p>He had a horror of bees, ever since he had once bumped into a hive by +mistake. When he heard that dread sound approaching, his whole body +broke into a sweat. All thought of the bird was immediately driven +from his head. He could tell from the noise that it was one of those +big black-and-yellow fuzzy bees, the ones with the nasty dispositions. +Perhaps—the thought paralyzed him—perhaps he was lying on its nest. +On it came, buzzing and blundering through the leaves. Suddenly it +was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> upon him, so close that he could feel the tiny breeze stirred up +by its wings. All self-control vanished. He beat at it wildly with his +hands, burst out of the thicket like an explosion, and smashed full +tilt into the bird before he could stop himself.</p> + +<p>With a piercing squawk the bird shot into the air, flipped over, and +came fluttering down facing him—talons outstretched, hooked beak +open, eyes a-glare. Completely terrified, David turned and bolted for +the thicket. He managed to thrash halfway through when a vine trapped +his feet. He pitched forward, shielding his face with his arms, and +was caught up short by a dead branch snagging his shirt.</p> + +<p>He was stuck. This was the end. He closed his eyes and waited, too +numb with fear to think or cry out.</p> + +<p>Nothing happened. Slowly he turned his head around. The bird, although +it still glared menacingly, seemed undecided whether to attack or +flee.</p> + +<p>"What, may I ask, are you doing here?" it said at last, in a severe +voice.</p> + +<p>"I—I—I was taking a walk," David said faintly. "I'm awfully sorry if +I bothered you or anything."</p> + +<p>"You should not have come up here at <i>all</i>," the bird snapped.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_025.jpg" width="600" height="622" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>"Well, I'm really sorry. But there was a bee in the bush here. I—I +didn't mean to...." The fright had been too much. Tears started in +David's eyes, and his lip began to tremble.</p> + +<p>The bird seemed reassured, for its manner visibly softened. It lowered +and folded its wings, and the glare faded from its eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'd go away," David mumbled apologetically, "only I'm stuck." He +rubbed his eyes on his sleeve.</p> + +<p>The bird looked at his dismal face and began to fidget awkwardly. +"There, there," it said. "I had no intention of—I am afraid that +I—Stuck, did you say? Very easily mended, my dear fellow! Merely a +question of—Here, let me look." It crashed through the thicket to +where David was caught and thrust its head down through the branches. +Its muffled voice came floating up. "Take heart! There seems to +be—aha! just so—One moment, please—bit of vine—<i>there</i> we are!" +There was a snapping sound from below, and David's foot was released. +He unstuck the snag from his shirt, pushed his way out of the thicket, +and sat down weakly on the grass. Whew! At least the bird was not +going to harm him. It seemed to be quite a kindly creature, really. He +had just frightened it and made it angry by bursting out of the bushes +so suddenly.</p> + +<p>He heard a flailing in the thicket, followed by the bird's anxious +voice: "Hello! Are you still there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. What—?"</p> + +<p>There were more sounds of struggle. "This is rather awkward. I—the +fact is, I am afraid, that I am stuck myself. Could you—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, of course," said David. He smiled to himself, a little shakily, +and re-entered the thicket. When he had disentangled the bird, the two +of them sat down on the grass and looked at each other. They +hesitated, not quite sure how to begin.</p> + +<p>"I trust," said the bird at last, "that you are not of a scientific +turn of mind?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said David. "I'm interested in things, if that's what +you mean."</p> + +<p>"No, it is not. There is a great deal of difference between the +interest shown by normal people and the obsessive interest of +scientists. You are not, I hope, acquainted with any scientists?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the bird, with a relieved sigh. "Everything is quite all +right, then. I do hope that you will forgive my behavior. I am not +usually so rude. The fact is that you gave me quite a horrible start."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm sorry I frightened you."</p> + +<p>"Frightened, my dear fellow?" said the bird testily. "I am never +frightened. I do not know the meaning of the word."</p> + +<p>"What I mean is," David said quickly, "that you frightened <i>me</i>." This +seemed to pacify the bird; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> David, to heighten the good +impression, added: "Golly, you looked fierce."</p> + +<p>The bird smiled complacently, "I <i>can</i> rise to a terrifying ferocity +when aroused. A noble strain of fighting blood courses through my +veins. Not that I go out of my way to seek quarrels, you understand. +On the contrary. 'Peaceful' could well describe my general attitude. +Meditative. I am usually to be found Thinking. I have a powerful +intellect. No doubt you have noticed the stamp of genius on my brow."</p> + +<p>David supposed that the bird meant its scarlet crest, and he nodded. +"That's one of the first things I noticed about you."</p> + +<p>"Indeed?" cried the bird delightedly. "You are certainly more alert +than most! But, as I was saying, I am usually to be found Thinking. +The first condition of Thinking is solitude. And that, I fear, is a +desideratum most difficult of realization."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon?"</p> + +<p>"People," explained the bird, "do not leave you alone."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said David. He flushed, thinking that the words had been aimed +at him, and began to get up. But the bird signaled him to remain where +he was.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I do not mean <i>you</i>, my dear fellow. I assure you that I am delighted +to make your acquaintance. It is all the others. Do you know that I +have spent the greater part of my life being pursued? I was chased out +of Egypt like a common game bird. Out of the mountains of Greece, too. +The hills of Lebanon, the desert of Africa, the Arabian wilds—no +matter where I fled, people would come prying and peering and sneaking +after me. I have tried Tibet, China, and the steppes of Siberia—with +the same result. At last I heard of a region where there was peace, +where the inhabitants let each other alone. Here, I thought, I +should—"</p> + +<p>"Pardon me for interrupting. Where?"</p> + +<p>"Why, <i>here</i>, to be brief," said the bird, waving its wing toward the +valley. "Here, I thought, I should be able to breathe. At <i>my</i> age one +likes a little quiet. Would you believe that I am close to five +hundred years old?"</p> + +<p>"Golly!" said David. "You don't look it."</p> + +<p>The bird gave a pleased laugh. "My splendid physical condition <i>does</i> +conceal my years. At any rate, I settled here in the hope of being +left alone. But do you think I was safe?"</p> + +<p>David, seeing that he was supposed to answer no, shook his head.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Quite right," sighed the bird. "I was not. I had been here no more +than three months when a Scientist was hot on my trail. A most +disagreeable fellow, always sneaking about with binoculars, a camera, +and, I fear, a gun. That is why you startled me for an instant. I +thought you were he."</p> + +<p>"Oh," David cried, "I'm awfully sorry. I didn't bother you on purpose. +It's just that I never saw a mountain before, so I climbed up here to +see what one looked like."</p> + +<p>"You climbed up here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Climbed," said the bird, looking very thoughtful. "Climbed ... I +might have known.... It proves, you see, that the same thing could be +done again by someone older and stronger. A very grave point."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see," said David. "You mean the—"</p> + +<p>"Precisely! The Scientist. He is, I fear, very persistent. I first +noticed him over there"—the bird waved its wing toward the opposite +side of the valley—"so I removed to this location. But he will +undoubtedly continue his pursuit. The bad penny always turns up. It +will not be long before the sharp scientific nose is again quivering +in my direction."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, that's terrible!"</p> + +<p>"Your sympathy touches me," said the bird huskily. "It is most unusual +to find someone who understands. But have no fear for me. I am taking +steps. I am preparing. Imagine his disappointment when he arrives here +and finds me flown from the nest. I am, to be brief, leaving. Do you +see this book?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said David. "I heard you reading it, but I couldn't understand +it. Is it magic?"</p> + +<p>"No, my boy, it is Spanish. I have chosen a little spot (chilly, but +isolated) in the Andes Mountains. South America, you know. And of +course one must be prepared. I am learning Spanish so that I shall be +able to make my way about in South America. I must admit my extreme +reluctance to depart. I have become very fond of this ledge. It is +exactly suited to my needs—ideal climate, magnificent view...."</p> + +<p>They fell into a lengthy silence. The bird gazed sadly out over the +valley, and David rested his chin in his hands and thought. The +mystery was clearing up. The bird's presence on the mountain and the +fact that it had been reading a book were explained. And so natural +was its speech that David found himself accepting it as nothing +unusual. The thing that worried him now was that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> bird would soon +leave. Here they had only just met, and already the promise of a most +interesting friendship was dissolving. The bird had taken time to talk +to him and explain things to him as though he were an equal. And +although he did not understand many of the long words it used, he felt +pleased at being spoken to as though he did understand. And the bird +knew all about faraway countries—had visited them and lived in them +and had adventures in them for almost five hundred years. Oh, there +were so many things David wanted to know and ask about! But the bird +was leaving. If only he could persuade it to stay, even for a short +while! He could try, anyhow—after all, the bird had said itself that +it did not want to go.</p> + +<p>"Bird—" He stopped, and flushed. It was hard to put into words.</p> + +<p>"Your servant, my boy."</p> + +<p>"Well—I—I don't believe I know your name," David stammered, unable +to get the real question out.</p> + +<p>"Ah, forgive me!" cried the bird, jumping up. "Permit me the honor of +presenting myself. I daresay my name is familiar to you, celebrated as +it is in song and story. I am the one and only, the Unique, Phoenix." +And the Phoenix bowed deeply.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Very glad to meet you," said David. "I'm David."</p> + +<p>"Delighted, my dear fellow! An honor and a pleasure." They shook hand +and wing solemnly. "Now, as you were saying—?"</p> + +<p>"Well, Phoenix, I was just thinking," David stammered. "It's too +bad—I mean, couldn't you—it would be nice if we—Well, do you really +<i>have</i> to go to South America? It would be nice if you'd stay a while, +until the Scientist shows up, anyway—and I like talking with you...." +His face burned. It seemed like a lot to ask.</p> + +<p>The Phoenix harrumphed several times in its throat and shuffled its +feet. "Really, I cannot tell you how—how much you—well, really—such +a delightful request! Ah—harrumph! Perhaps it can be arranged."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Phoenix!" David threw his arms around the bird's neck and then, +unable to restrain himself any longer, turned a somersault on the +grass.</p> + +<p>"But for the present, it seems to be getting late," said the Phoenix. +"We shall talk it over some other time and decide."</p> + +<p>"Golly, it <i>is</i> late—I hadn't noticed. Well, I'll have to go, or +they'll worry about me at home. But I can come up and see you +tomorrow, can't I?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, my boy! In the bustle of morning, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> the hush of noon, in +the—ah—to be brief, at any time."</p> + +<p>"And I'll bring you some cookies, if you like."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the Phoenix, closing its eyes. "Sugar cookies, by any +chance?" it asked faintly. David noticed the feathers of its throat +jumping up and down with rapid swallowing motions.</p> + +<p>"I'll ask Aunt Amy to make some tonight."</p> + +<p>"Ah, splendid, my boy! Splendid! Shall we say not more than—ah—that +is, not <i>less</i> than—ah—fifteen?"</p> + +<p>"All right, Phoenix. My Aunt Amy keeps a big jar full of cookies, and +I can have as many as I like."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix took David's arm, and together they strolled to the other +end of the ledge.</p> + +<p>"Now, don't mention this to anyone, but there is an old goat trail +down this side. It is somewhat grown over, but eyes as sharp as yours +should have no trouble with it. It will make your travels up and down +easier. Another thing—I trust you will not make known our +rendezvous?"</p> + +<p>"Our what?"</p> + +<p>"You will not tell anyone that I am here?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no. I won't say a word! Well, I'll see you tomorrow."</p> + +<p>"Yes. As the French so cleverly say it—ah—well,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> to be brief, +good-by, my boy. Until tomorrow, then."</p> + +<p>David waved his hand, found the goat trail, and started down. He was +too happy even to whistle, so he contented himself with running +whenever he found a level place. And when he reached home, he stood on +his hands in the back yard for two whole seconds.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/image_035.jpg" width="150" height="317" alt="" /> +<br /> +<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/image_036.jpg" width="400" height="372" alt="" /><br /> +</div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p class="f1"><a name="In_Which_It_Is_Decided_that_David_Should_Have_an_Education_and_an" id="In_Which_It_Is_Decided_that_David_Should_Have_an_Education_and_an"></a>3: <i>In Which It Is Decided <br /> + that David Should Have<br /> + an Education, and an<br /> + Experiment Is Made</i></p> +<p>Next day it took less than an hour to reach the ledge, and David was +sure that he could shorten the time even more when he was familiar +with the goat trail.</p> + +<p>The Phoenix was not in sight when he arrived, and for an instant David +was stricken with fright. Had the bird gone in spite of its promise? +But no—he heard a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> reassuring noise. It came from the thicket, and it +sounded very much like a snore.</p> + +<p>David smiled to himself and shouted, "Hello, Phoenix!"</p> + +<p>There was a thrashing sound in the thicket, and the Phoenix appeared, +looking very rumpled and yawning behind its wing.</p> + +<p>"Greetings, my boy!" it cried. "A splendid morning!" Then the Phoenix +caught sight of the paper bag in David's hand, and swallowed in a +suggestive way.</p> + +<p>David thrust the bag of cookies behind his back. "Now, Phoenix," he +said firmly, "you have to promise me you won't go away to South +America. You said last night that it could be arranged, so let's +arrange it right now. Until we do, not one."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix drew itself up indignantly. "My very dear fellow," it +said, "you wound me. You cut me to the quick. I will not be bribed. +I—" It stopped and swallowed again. "Oh, well," it continued, more +mildly, "one does not fight fate, does one? I suppose under these +circumstances, I must accept."</p> + +<p>"It's settled, then!" David cried joyfully.</p> + +<p>So they sat down on the grass together, and for a long time nothing +was heard but sounds of munching.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My boy," said the Phoenix at last, brushing the crumbs from its +chest, "I take a modest pride in my way with words, but nothing in the +language can do these—ah—baked poems justice. Words fail me."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you like them," David said politely.</p> + +<p>"And now, my boy," continued the Phoenix, as it settled back +comfortably, "I have been thinking. Yesterday you showed an +intelligent interest in my problems and asked intelligent questions. +You did not scoff, as others might have done. You have very rare +qualities."</p> + +<p>David flushed, and mumbled denials.</p> + +<p>"Do not be so modest, my boy! I speak the truth. It came to me that +such a mind as yours, having these qualities, should be further +cultivated and refined. And I should be avoiding my clear-cut duty if +I did not take this task in hand myself. Of course, I suppose some +attempt to educate you has already been made, has it not?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I go to school, if that's what you mean. Not now, though, +because it's summer vacation."</p> + +<p>"And what do they teach you there?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, reading and writing and arithmetic, and things like that."</p> + +<p>"Aha!" said the Phoenix triumphantly. "Just as I suspected—a +classical education. Understand me—I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> have nothing against a +classical education as such. I realize that mathematics, Greek, and +Latin are excellent for the discipline of the mind. But in the broad +view, a classical education is not a true education. Life is real, +life is earnest. One must face it with a <i>practical</i> education. The +problems of Life, my dear fellow!—classical education completely +ignores them! For example, how do you tell a true Unicorn from a false +one?"</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know."</p> + +<p>"I thought not. Where do you find the Philosopher's Stone?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I shall ask a simple one. What is the first rule of +defense when attacked by a Chimera?"</p> + +<p>David squirmed uncomfortably. "I'm afraid I don't know that, either," +he said in a small voice.</p> + +<p>"There you are!" cried the Phoenix. "You do not have a true, practical +education—you are not ready for Life. I, my boy, am going to take +your education in hand."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said David. "Do you mean—are you going to give me—lessons?" +Through his mind flashed a picture of the Phoenix (with spectacles on +its beak and a ruler in its wing) writing out sentences on a +blackboard. The thought gave him a sinking feeling. After all, it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +summer—and summer was supposed to be vacation time.</p> + +<p>"And what an education it will be!" the Phoenix went on, ignoring his +question. "Absolutely without equal! The full benefit of my vast +knowledge, plus a number of trips to—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>traveling</i>!" said David, suddenly feeling much better. "That's +different. Oh, Phoenix, that'll be wonderful! Where will we go?"</p> + +<p>"Everywhere, my boy!" said the Phoenix, with an airy wave of its wing. +"To all corners of the earth. We shall visit my friends and +acquaintances."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do you have—"</p> + +<p>"Of course, my boy! I am nothing if not a good mixer. My acquaintances +(to mention but a few) include Fauns, Dragons, Unicorns, Trolls, +Gryffins, Gryffons, Gryffens—"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," David interrupted. "What were those last three, please?"</p> + +<p>"Gryffins," explained the Phoenix, "are the small, reddish, friendly +ones. Gryffons are the quick-tempered proud ones. Gryffens—ah, well, +the most anyone can say for them is that they are harmless. They are +very stupid."</p> + +<p>"I see," said David doubtfully. "What do they look like?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Each looks like the others, my boy, except that some are bigger and +some are smaller. But to continue: Sea Monsters, Leprechauns, Rocs, +Gnomes, Elves, Basilisks, Nymphs—ah—and many others. All are of the +Better Sort, since, as I have many times truly observed, one is known +by the company one keeps. And your education will cost you nothing. Of +course it <i>would</i> be agreeable if you could supply me with cookies +from time to time."</p> + +<p>"As many as you want, Phoenix. Will we go to Africa?"</p> + +<p>"Naturally, my boy. Your education will include—"</p> + +<p>"And Egypt? And China? And Arabia?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Your education will—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Phoenix, Phoenix!" David jumped up and began to caper, while the +Phoenix beamed. But suddenly he stopped.</p> + +<p>"How are we going to travel, Phoenix?"</p> + +<p>"I have wings, my boy."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I don't."</p> + +<p>"Do not be so dense, my dear fellow. I shall carry you on my back, of +course."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said David weakly, "on your—on your back. Are you sure +that—isn't there some other—I mean, can you do it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Phoenix drew itself up to its full height. "I am hurt—yes, deeply +hurt—by your lack of faith. My magnificent build should make it +evident that I am an exceedingly powerful flyer. In the heyday of my +youth I could fly around the world in five hours. But come along. I +shall give you proof positive."</p> + +<p>David reluctantly followed the Phoenix to a spot on the edge of the +shelf where there was a gap in the bushes. He glanced over the brink. +The sheer face of the scarp fell away beneath them, plunging down to +the tiny trees and rocks below. He stepped back quickly with a +shudder.</p> + +<p>"Let's—let's do it tomorrow," he quavered.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," said the Phoenix firmly. "No time like the present. Now, +then, up on my back."</p> + +<p>"H-h-how am I going to sit?"</p> + +<p>"On my back. Quite so—now, your arms around my neck—your legs +<i>behind</i> my wings, please—there we are. Ready?"</p> + +<p>"No," said David faintly.</p> + +<p>"Splendid! The proof is to be demonstrated, the—to be brief, we are +off!"</p> + +<p>The great wings were outstretched. David gulped, clutched the +Phoenix's neck tightly, and shut his eyes. He felt a hopping +sensation, then a long, sickening downward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> swoop that seemed to leave +his stomach far behind. A tremendous rush of air snatched at his +shirt. He opened his eyes and choked with fright. The ground below was +rushing up to meet them, swaying and revolving. Something was terribly +wrong. The Phoenix was breathing in hoarse gasps; its wings were +pounding the air frantically. Now they had turned back. The scarp +loomed before them, solid and blank. Above them—high above them—was +the ledge. It looked as though they would not get back to it.</p> + +<p>Up ... up ... up.... They crawled through the air. The wings flapped +wildly, faster and faster. They were gaining—slipping back—gaining +again. The Phoenix sobbed as it stretched its neck in the last effort. +Fifty feet ... twenty feet ... ten.... With a tremendous surge of its +wings, the Phoenix managed to get one claw over the edge and to seize +the branch of a bush in its beak. David's legs slipped from the bird's +back. He dangled over the abyss from the outstretched neck, and +prayed. The bush saved them. They scrabbled up over the edge, tottered +there for an instant, and dropped on the grass.</p> + +<p>For a long time they lay gasping and trembling.</p> + +<p>At last the Phoenix weakly raised its head. "Puff—well,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> my boy—puff +puff—whew!—very narrow squeak. I—puff—"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_044.jpg" width="600" height="632" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>David could not answer. The earth reeled under him and would not stop +no matter how tightly he clutched the grass.</p> + +<p>"Puff—I repeat, I am—puff—an exceedingly powerful flyer. There are +few birds—none, I daresay—who—puff—could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> have done even this +much. The truth of the matter is that you are a lot—puff—heavier +than you look. I hope you are not being overfed at home?"</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know," said David, wondering whether or not he was going +to be sick.</p> + +<p>"Well, my course is clear," said the Phoenix firmly. "I must practice. +Setting-up exercises, roadwork, and what not. Rigorous diet. Lots of +sleep. Regular hours. Courage, my dear fellow! We shall do it yet!"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>And so for the following week the Phoenix practiced.</p> + +<p>Every morning David climbed up to the ledge, bringing sandwiches for +himself, cookies for the Phoenix, and a wet towel. Then, while he kept +count, the Phoenix did setting-up exercises. After this, the bird +would jog trot up and down the ledge and practice jumping. Then there +would be a fifteen-minute rest and refreshment period. And when that +was over, the Phoenix would launch itself into the air. This was the +part David liked best. It was a magnificent sight. The Phoenix dashed +back and forth at top speed, wheeled in circles, shot straight up like +a rocket—plunged, hovered, looped—rolled, soared, fluttered. Now and +then it would swoop back to the ledge beside David and wipe the sweat +from its brow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I trust you see signs of progress, my boy?"</p> + +<p>David would wrap the wet towel around the Phoenix's neck. "You're +doing better and better, Phoenix. I especially like that part where +you twist over on your back and loop and plunge, all at the same +time."</p> + +<p>"I do perform that rather well, don't I? It is not easy. But just the +thing for acquiring (ouch!) muscle tone. Are there any more cookies? +Ah, there are. Delicious! As I was saying, let this be a lesson to +you, my boy. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix would take wing again. And David would settle back against +a rock and watch. Sometimes he thought of the education he was to get. +Sometimes he thought how nice it would be if <i>he</i> could fly. And +sometimes he did not think at all, but just sat with his eyes half +shut, feeling the sunlight on his face and listening to the rustle of +the wind in the thicket.</p> + +<p>At the end of the week the Phoenix, after a brilliant display of +acrobatics, landed on the ledge, clasped its wings behind its back, +and looked solemnly at David.</p> + +<p>"Well, my boy," it said, "I believe your education can begin +forthwith. Are you ready?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/image_047.jpg" width="400" height="436" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p class="f1"><a name="In_Which_David_and_the_Phoenix_Go_To_Visit_the_Gryffins_and_a" id="In_Which_David_and_the_Phoenix_Go_To_Visit_the_Gryffins_and_a"></a>4: <i>In Which David and the <br /> + Phoenix Go To Visit <br /> + the Gryffins, and a<br /> + Great Danger Is<br /> + Narrowly Averted</i></p> +<p>A chill raced up and down David's spine as he got to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Do—do you think a week's practice is enough?"</p> + +<p>"Absolutely, my dear fellow. I am now in the very pink of condition. +Not that I was ever out of condition, mind you. It was merely that +I—ah—well, to be brief, my boy, I am now ready."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, but—well, you remember the last time."</p> + +<p>"Yes. Look here—if it will make you feel better, suppose we have a +trial flight along the ledge."</p> + +<p>"Well—all right."</p> + +<p>David got up as before on the Phoenix's back. The Phoenix spread its +wings and hopped into the air. They glided easily down the length of +the ledge, clearing the thicket in the middle by a good two feet.</p> + +<p>"There you are, my boy," said the bird proudly, as they landed at the +other end. "Shall we go?"</p> + +<p>"Let's go," said David, as bravely as he could.</p> + +<p>They were in the air again. Once more he felt that rush of wind +against his face and heard the pounding of wings. But this time there +was no giddy downward swoop. He breathed again and opened his eyes. +The world was falling away, and everything on it was growing smaller +by the second. The valley could be cradled in two hands; the mountains +on either side looked like wrinkles in gray cloth. Now he could see +plains in the distance, and little silver threads of rivers. As he +looked, the whole world began to revolve slowly. The Phoenix was +soaring in a wide circle.</p> + +<p>"Well, my boy," it called over its shoulder, "whom shall we visit +first?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's really up to you, Phoenix," David shouted back, "but how about +the—the—Biffens or Whiffens, or whatever you called them?"</p> + +<p>"You mean the Gryffins, Gryffons, and Gryffens, my boy? Very well. We +shall visit the Gryffins only, however. It is best to leave the others +alone."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix swung around and began to fly toward the morning sun with +such tremendous speed that David had to crouch down to avoid being +blown off. The wind screamed past his ears, tore at his shirt and +hair, and made his eyes brim over with tears. It was cold, but he was +too excited to care. Below them, plains, rivers, forests, and cities +rushed across the face of the earth.</p> + +<p>"This is wonderful, Phoenix!" David shouted.</p> + +<p>The Phoenix's reply was not clear. "... normal speed ... air stream +... prime days of my youth ..." were the only words David caught, but +he could tell from the tone that the Phoenix was pleased.</p> + +<p>The view below was not to last long. Within half an hour they had run +into a heavy overcast, and for a long time it was like flying through +very wet, cold cotton. David glanced down, hoping to see the fog thin +out. Suddenly he caught sight of a black object rocketing up toward +them. Before he could call out a warning, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> thing hurtled by, so +close that its backwash very nearly knocked him from the bird's back. +The Phoenix reduced speed; and the black object, after banking in a +wide curve, came cruising up alongside. David was amazed to see that +it was a pale but beautiful lady, dressed all in black, sitting on a +broom.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Phoenix!" she cried in a teasing voice. "I haven't seen you in +<i>ever</i> so long."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_050.jpg" width="600" height="608" alt="" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Good morning, I am sure," the Phoenix replied stiffly, staring +straight ahead.</p> + +<p>"Phoenix," the lady continued coaxingly, "I'm awfully bored. Won't you +race me? Please?"</p> + +<p>"Idle hands find mischief to do," said the Phoenix severely. "<i>We</i> are +making good use of our time, and I suggest that <i>you</i> do the same."</p> + +<p>"Don't be so stuffy, Phoenix." She pouted. "Come and race with me. +I've got a new broom, and I want to see how good it is. Please!"</p> + +<p>"No," said the Phoenix sharply.</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right for <i>you</i>!" she said, tossing her head. "You just don't +dare, because you know I'll beat your tail feathers off!" And she shot +back into the mist below.</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" the Phoenix snorted. "Beat my tail feathers off! Ha!"</p> + +<p>"Is she a Witch?" David asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my boy, and a shocking example of the decline of the younger +generation. She will come to no good end, believe me. Tail feathers, +indeed!"</p> + +<p>Just then they burst out of the clouds and into the hot sunlight. +Below them, the land was wild and desolate, a vast rolling plain +covered for the most part with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> dry, tawny grass. Here and there were +groves of trees drooping beneath the sun. The Phoenix, still snorting +indignantly to itself, dropped to within a hundred feet of the ground. +They began to soar back and forth.</p> + +<p>"Can you see anything, my boy?"</p> + +<p>David had never seen a Gryffin, of course; so he was not sure what to +look for. But he caught sight of something lying in the shade of a +bush and pointed it out to the Phoenix.</p> + +<p>"Ah, quite so," the Phoenix said doubtfully. "It does not look like +a—but we can take a closer look."</p> + +<p>They landed and walked toward the bush. In its shadow sprawled a very +untidy animal. Its tail and hindquarters were exactly like those of a +panther, its chest and forelegs were like a hawk's, and it had pointed +wings. Burrs matted its dusty fur. Its claws were shabby and split, +and numerous black flies were crawling over its haunches. The bush +trembled with its snoring.</p> + +<p>"Bah! We are wasting our time here, my boy. This is a Gryffen. A +disgusting brute, isn't it?" And the Phoenix sniffed disapprovingly.</p> + +<p>"Maybe if we wake it up," David suggested, "it could tell us where the +other ones live."</p> + +<p>"Next to impossible. For one thing, a cannon could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> not awaken the +beast. For another thing, it would not, even if awake, be able to tell +us anything. You simply cannot imagine the stupidity of these brutes."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's <i>try</i> it, anyway," David said.</p> + +<p>"Very well, my boy. But it will be a complete waste of time." The +Phoenix shrugged its shoulders, stepped up to the Gryffen, and kicked +it violently.</p> + +<p>"Phoenix!" David cried in alarm. "Don't hurt it!"</p> + +<p>"No fear," said the Phoenix, delivering another lusty kick. "One +simply cannot damage a sleeping Gryffen. Give me a hand, my boy."</p> + +<p>David took hold of the Gryffen's wing, and the Phoenix seized its +tail. For the next ten minutes they kicked and pulled and pounded, +shouting "HEY!" and "WAKE UP!" at the top of their lungs. It was hot +work, and David finally admitted to himself that the Phoenix had been +right. But before he could say so, the Phoenix completely lost its +temper and savagely bit the Gryffen's tail.</p> + +<p>That did it. The Gryffen opened one eye halfway and said, "Unffniph?"</p> + +<p>"GET UP!!" the Phoenix bellowed.</p> + +<p>The Gryffen struggled into a sitting position and yawned a tremendous +and noisy yawn. Then it squinted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> blearily at David and murmured, +"What day is it?"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_054.jpg" width="600" height="512" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>"Wednesday," David said. "Could you please tell us—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Wednesday," said the Gryffen. It thought about this for a while, +mumbling "Wednesday ... Wednesday ..." to itself. It lifted one leg as +if to scratch the fly bites, changed its mind in mid-gesture, and +dropped the leg again. "Oh, <i>Wednesday</i>," it said at last. "So it +isn't Saturday?"</p> + +<p>"No," said David. "What we want to know is—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not Saturday," said the Gryffen, sinking down to the ground with a +huge sigh of relief. "Ah! Come back on Saturday. Saturday afternoon. I +generally get up on Saturday ... in the ... afternoon...." The words +faded into a snore.</p> + +<p>"There you are, my dear fellow," said the Phoenix. "Just as I said. +Oaf! Boor!"</p> + +<p>"A <i>very</i> annoying animal," said David angrily.</p> + +<p>"I agree, my boy. But the Gryffins are different, I assure you. Now, +let me see. Where should we look—"</p> + +<p>"There they come!" David cried suddenly. "Look!" And indeed, a number +of winged creatures were loping down a hillside toward them.</p> + +<p>"Good heavens!" the Phoenix shouted. "Those are the ones we do <i>not</i> +want to meet! On my back, <i>quick</i>!"</p> + +<p>"What are they?" David gasped as he threw himself on the bird's back.</p> + +<p>"Gryffons!"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix rushed along the ground a few feet and sprang into the +air. But it was too late. The foremost Gryffons, with powerful strokes +of their wings, shot up to meet them. The Phoenix swerved sharply. +They missed the snapping beak of the first Gryffon by half an inch and +dodged the second—only to smash into a third.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> David was stunned by +the blow and the fall. When he regained consciousness, he found +himself in the tight grip of two Gryffons. The Phoenix was struggling +feebly with another, and still more were crowding around them, +screaming like hawks.</p> + +<p>They looked like the sleeping Gryffen, but were as large as ponies. +Their eyes were yellow and unblinking, and their tails twitched like +an angry cat's. Their smell, like the lion house in the zoo, made +David feel faint.</p> + +<p>"Well, Phoenix," said the largest Gryffon coldly, "you know the Rule, +I believe?"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix smiled weakly and cleared its throat. "Ah, there, +Gryffon," it said unsteadily. "Fancy meeting you here. Ah—ah—rule? +What rule?"</p> + +<p>"Rule 26," said the Gryffon. "'No human being shall be allowed to +enter the—'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that rule," said the Phoenix, with a careless laugh. "I thought +everyone knew that the Council of 1935 had changed it. Can it be that +you have not yet heard?"</p> + +<p>"That won't do, Phoenix. You have also heard, of course, of the +penalty for breaking the Rule, which you must suffer along with this +human boy?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, one moment, my dear Gryffon! I—ah—"</p> + +<p>"Death!"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix quailed, and David's legs went limp under him. But they +had no chance to plead with the Gryffons. Their captors formed two +lines, one on each side of them, and at a scream of command from the +leader, all began to march. The Gryffon that had been holding the +Phoenix winked horribly at David and made a throat-cutting gesture +with its wing.</p> + +<p>"Courage, my boy," the Phoenix whispered. "It is always darkest before +dawn."</p> + +<p>Presently they reached a hillside. David and the Phoenix were marched +up to a cave and thrown in. Two of the Gryffons sat down at the +entrance to guard them while the others went off to consider the best +method of carrying out the penalty.</p> + +<p>David was terribly frightened now, but he did not want to let the +Phoenix know it. In a voice which trembled a little he asked, "What +are we going to do?"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix frowned. "Do not be downcast, my boy. My brain is equal to +any occasion. I shall Think. Silence, please."</p> + +<p>And the Phoenix, covering its eyes with one wing, Thought.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<p>To keep himself occupied, David explored the cave. But there was +nothing to see. The cave was small and bare. He tested the walls +thoroughly to see if there were any places where they might dig their +way out. There were none. His feet raised a cloud of fine dust, which +got into his eyes and nose and made him sneeze violently. Discouraged, +he went back to the Phoenix and sat down. There was a long silence.</p> + +<p>Gradually an idea came to David. It started as a small, faint thought +at the back of his mind, wavered, began to grow and expand and fill +out—became bigger and clearer and better and—</p> + +<p>"Phoenix!" cried David, jumping to his feet.</p> + +<p>"My boy, my very dear boy," said the Phoenix, its voice breaking with +emotion, "I have Thought, I have Pondered, I have—well, to be brief, +it is no use. Stiff upper lip, my boy! We are Doomed."</p> + +<p>"Phoenix, I—"</p> + +<p>"Let this be a lesson to you, my boy, even though it be your last one. +Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Ah! who could have said, in +the golden days of my youth, that I should come to such an end! Oh, +miserable bird! Oh, unhappy boy!"</p> + +<p>"Phoenix—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But we can show them how to die, my boy! We still have that—the last +magnificent gesture. Let those who have lived wisely and well show +that they can die in the same way! I hope I am to go first, so that +you may have an example to follow."</p> + +<p>"<i>Phoenix!</i>"</p> + +<p>"My boy?"</p> + +<p>"Listen, please!" And David whispered in the Phoenix's ear.</p> + +<p>The plan had seemed like a good one while it was still in his mind, +but put into words it sounded a little too simple. As he whispered, +David began to feel more and more foolish, so that finally he stopped +altogether.</p> + +<p>"I—I guess it's really kind of silly," he stammered.</p> + +<p>But the Phoenix was looking at him with hope and admiration in its +eyes. "My very dear chap," it said solemnly, "I salute you. I humbly +await your signal."</p> + +<p>"Do you really think it will work?"</p> + +<p>"My boy, it must—it can—it shall. Proceed."</p> + +<p>Poor as the plan now seemed to David, he prepared to carry it out. +Holding his breath so as not to sneeze again, he scooped up as much +dust as he could hold in two hands. Then he took his position on one +side of the cave, nodded the Phoenix toward the other, and glanced out +to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> see if the guardian Gryffons were looking. They were not.</p> + +<p>"Now," he whispered.</p> + +<p>The cave rocked with their uproar. David screamed at the top of his +voice and kicked the walls. The Phoenix let out a series of +ear-splitting whistles and squawks and beat its wings frantically. +Echoes bounced from wall to wall. The two Gryffons came rushing into +the cave, adding to the racket with their shrieking. "Now!" David +shouted, and he flung the double handful of dust into the Gryffons' +faces. Instantly they were all choking and sneezing in the thick +cloud. He plunged between the legs of the two Gryffons, who in the +confusion began to bite and tear savagely at each other.</p> + +<p>David and the Phoenix burst out of the cave together. The other +Gryffons, aroused by the noise, were bounding toward them. David flung +himself on the Phoenix's back and shouted "Fly!" and sneezed. From +somewhere behind him a set of talons snatched out and ripped through +the back of his shirt. He kicked blindly and felt his foot crunch into +something which shrieked. "Fly, Phoenix!" he sobbed. The Phoenix was +already in the air and needed no encouragement. They heard raucous +cries and the thunder of wings behind them. David looked back over his +shoulder. The Gryffons were rising<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> from the ground in pursuit, their +legs drawn up under them and their wings beating. "Faster!" he +screamed.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_061.jpg" width="600" height="563" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>"You have seen nothing in the way of flying until now, my boy," the +Phoenix shouted back. "Watch this!" Its wings were two blurs slicing +through the air and roaring like kettledrums. The ground below +streamed backwards. David looked back again. The Gryffons were falling +into the distance. Their cries were getting fainter. Now they looked +like a flock of starlings ... now like a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> cluster of flies ... now +like gnats. And then they had faded out of sight, and David and the +Phoenix were streaking over the grassland alone.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later they reached a shore and landed. They flopped on the +sand, panting. And David, suddenly feeling very faint, closed his eyes +and put his head between his knees. After they had got their breath, +the Phoenix patted David on the shoulder and said huskily:</p> + +<p>"I congratulate you, my boy. Your plan was magnificent—precisely what +<i>I</i> should have done, had I thought of it first. Needless to say, we +shall not go on looking for the Gryffins. But now you know exactly +what they are like: midway in size between the Gryffens and Gryffons, +and reddish in color. Most amiable souls, willing to do anything for +anyone. It is hard to believe that they are all related. But enough, +my boy. Let us go home."</p> + +<p>As soon as they reached the ledge, the Phoenix put David down and +prepared to take off again.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Phoenix?" David asked.</p> + +<p>"Some business to attend to, my boy."</p> + +<p>Muttering under its breath something that sounded like "tail feathers, +indeed!" the Phoenix soared off. And David, stiff and sore and +thoroughly tired, started down the mountainside for home.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/image_063.jpg" width="300" height="294" alt="" /> +</div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p class="f1"><a name="In_Which_the_Scientist_Arrives_in_Pursuit_of_the_Phoenix_and" id="In_Which_the_Scientist_Arrives_in_Pursuit_of_the_Phoenix_and"></a>5: <i>In Which the Scientist<br /> + Arrives in Pursuit <br /> + of the Phoenix, and<br /> + There Are Alarums and<br /> + Excursions by Night</i></p> + + +<p>The lights downstairs were all on when David got home, and as soon as +he opened the front door he could tell that they had company.</p> + +<p>He shouted, "I'm home!" and sneezed. The dust from the Gryffons' cave +still clung to him, tickling his nose.</p> + +<p>"Well, here he is at last," said Dad's voice. "Come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> on in, David." +Then, as David walked into the living room, "Good heavens, Son, what's +happened to you?"</p> + +<p>"Your <i>back</i>, David!" Mother said in a horrified voice. "Your poor +back! What <i>happened</i> to you?"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_064.jpg" width="600" height="542" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>David felt himself. The back of his shirt was ripped to tatters, and +there were three lines of caked blood across his shoulders. He +remembered now: it was the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> Gryffon that had tried to grab him as he +and the Phoenix made their escape. But he had promised the Phoenix to +keep its secret.</p> + +<p>He stammered, "I—I had an accident."</p> + +<p>"And dust all <i>over</i> you!" Mother went on.</p> + +<p>"Well," said David desperately, "it was a <i>dusty</i> accident."</p> + +<p>"It seems to have been very dusty indeed," said a third voice. There +was a loud sneeze.</p> + +<p>David's father jumped up. "You gave me such a shock when you came in +that I almost forgot, David. We have a guest." And he introduced David +to a very tall, thin man with a bald head. His face and neck were +burnt red by the sun, and he had on a pair of thick glasses which made +his pale eyes look immense. For some reason David took an instant +dislike to him, but he shook hands politely and said, "How do you do?"</p> + +<p>"David, eh?" said the man. "Well, well. Are you a good boy, David?"</p> + +<p>Of all the stupid questions in the world, that was the one David hated +most. He clenched his teeth and looked the other way.</p> + +<p>"David, dear," said Mother with an awkward laugh, "I think you'd +better go upstairs and wash and change."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<p>When David came into the living room again, the guest was talking +excitedly. "... completely unknown to man," he was saying. "It's the +discovery of the age. My name will be famous if I succeed in my +plans."</p> + +<p>"How fascinating!" Mother said. "And to think of it happening right +here!"</p> + +<p>"And it's huge," the guest said, "simply huge. And brilliantly +colored. For a scientist like myself, it's more than fascinating."</p> + +<p>David was listening now. Scientist? <i>Scientist!</i> His heart missed a +beat, and he choked. Oh, no, it couldn't be <i>the</i> Scientist. <i>Or could +it?</i></p> + +<p>"David here spends all his time up on the mountain," his father said. +"Maybe he's seen it."</p> + +<p>The guest turned his big, pale, unpleasant eyes on David. "Well, +David," he said, "maybe you can help me. Now, have you seen anything +unusual on the mountain?"</p> + +<p>"Unusual?" said David unsteadily. There was a pain in his chest from +the pounding of his heart.</p> + +<p>"Yes, David," the guest went on, "unusual. So unusual that you +couldn't miss it: a very large bird with bright plumage."</p> + +<p>The floor under David seemed to rock. It was true, then—it was +horribly true. This was the Scientist who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> had been chasing the +Phoenix. This was their enemy.</p> + +<p>"Bird?" David dodged. "Wh-wh-why, there are lots of birds up there. +Sparrows and meadow larks and—and sparrows...."</p> + +<p>"But nothing like a huge bird with bright feathers?"</p> + +<p>Well, he would have to tell a lie. After all, it was for the Phoenix's +sake.</p> + +<p>"No," said David.</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the Scientist. But his cold eyes bored into David's for +another instant, plainly saying, "I'm not fooled, young man."</p> + +<p>"It's odd," he continued, "that no one has seen it. But I have no +doubt it's somewhere here. I am going to begin my search as soon as my +equipment gets here."</p> + +<p>"Tell us about it," said Mother politely.</p> + +<p>"Well, I discovered it on the other side of the valley, you know," +said the Scientist eagerly. "Quite by accident—I was really looking +for another species. Now, birds, you know, have fixed habits. If you +know those habits, you can predict just what they will do at any time. +This particular bird was a daytime creature, so I tried to watch it +between dawn and dusk. But it seemed to have a mind of its own—you +might almost say an intelligence. It avoided me in a very clever way, +and it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> avoided my traps also. Uncanny! So after several weeks I +decided to shoot it if I got the chance. Then suddenly it disappeared, +but I'm certain it came over to this side of the valley—"</p> + +<p>There was no escape from the subject during dinner. The Scientist +could think and talk of nothing else. He described the merits of +deadfalls, snares, steel traps, and birdlime. He asked which they +thought would make the best bait, a rabbit, a beefsteak, a live lamb, +or carrion. He told them all about the new high-powered, long-range +rifle which he had ordered. And he vowed to them all that he would not +rest until the bird was either caught or killed "for the advancement +of human learning."</p> + +<p>David listened with horror. The dinner before him went untouched. His +only thought was that now he would have to warn the Phoenix as soon as +possible. The Phoenix would go to South America after all, and his +education would end before it had even started. All because of this +hateful man! He fought to hold back his tears.</p> + +<p>Dinner was over at last. David mumbled his excuses and ducked out of +the dining room, but Aunt Amy seized him firmly just as he thought he +had got away.</p> + +<p>"Bedtime for you, David," she said firmly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Aunt Amy, please! I've got to—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Upstairs, young man. You've had enough gallivanting around for one +day. You're all worn out."</p> + +<p>"I'm <i>not</i>!" said David, struggling. "I feel fine. Look, I just <i>have</i> +to—"</p> + +<p>It was useless. She marched him upstairs to his room and stood in the +doorway until he had undressed and put on his pajamas and got into +bed.</p> + +<p>"Now," she said, "you go to sleep. The mountain will still be there in +the morning—unless there's a landslide. Good night." And she turned +out the light and shut the door.</p> + +<p>This was awful! He could not sneak downstairs, because the stairs +could be seen from the living room. He could not climb out of his +window, because a rose arbor was directly beneath it, and he would be +ripped by the thorns. And Mother always came in to say good night +before she went to bed. If he was not there when she came in tonight, +there would be a lot of unpleasant explaining to do. The only thing, +then, was to wait until the Scientist went home and everyone was in +bed.</p> + +<p>It was a maddening wait. The Scientist's voice went on and on like the +drone of an electric fan, interrupted only by an occasional murmur +from Mother or Dad. For a while David sat in bed twisting the sheets +in his hands;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> then he got up and paced the room in his bare feet. It +seemed to him that three or four whole nighttimes had passed before he +finally heard all three voices raised and talking at once.</p> + +<p>The Scientist was going! Now they were saying good-by at the front +door ... now the door was being closed ... now there were footsteps on +the stairs. He jumped into bed just before Mother put her head in and +said, "Good night, dear." David murmured, pretending to be half +asleep. His door closed again. The light switches snapped, and there +was silence.</p> + +<p>He waited another half hour to make sure everyone was asleep. As +quickly and silently as he could, he pulled on his clothes, crept out +of his room, and slid cautiously down the bannister. In the back yard +he put on his shoes, dived through the hedge, and started to race up +the mountainside.</p> + +<p>Fortunately there was a nearly-full moon and no clouds in the sky. But +even with this light, it was not easy to keep to the trail. Several +times he lost his way, so that the trip took much longer than usual. +But he found the ledge at last, climbed over the final difficult rock, +and sat down to catch his breath. When he could speak, he called +softly:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Phoenix!"</p> + +<p>There was no answer.</p> + +<p>"Phoenix!" He pushed through the thicket to the other side of the +ledge. "<i>Phoenix!</i>"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix was gone.</p> + +<p>The tears that had been stopped up all evening could be held no +longer. David dropped to the ground, leaned his forehead against a +rock, and let them go. He had just remembered. As soon as they had +come back from the Gryffon adventure, the Phoenix had flown off on +some sort of business. And it had not said when it would return.</p> + +<p>The tears cleared David's mind and made him feel better. Now what? He +began to think. If he stayed on the ledge all night, they might find +out at home and make a terrible fuss. But if he did not warn the +Phoenix before morning, the Scientist might creep up while the bird +was resting and trap it or shoot it. So he would have to warn the +Phoenix <i>and</i> return home. And the only way to do both these things +was to write the Phoenix a note.</p> + +<p>But he had neither paper nor pencil.</p> + +<p>A fine mess he had made of everything! Now he would have to go all the +way back home, write the note, come all the way back up to the ledge, +and then go home again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>David trudged down the mountainside in a very low mood. Now that he +had a definite plan to work on, his fear was gone, but he felt that he +had been pretty stupid to rush off without thinking of everything +first. In his mind he could hear the Phoenix saying, "Look before you +leap, my boy," and other wise words of advice. And he had cried, too. +Lucky that no one had been there to see <i>that</i>.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>As he approached the house he was surprised to see all the lights +ablaze and to hear his name being called. "Oh-oh," he thought, +"they've found out I've gone."</p> + +<p>"Here I am!" he shouted, opening the door. "What's the matter?"</p> + +<p>It was a strange sight which met him inside. Dad, in his gray pajamas, +was waving a revolver and making fierce noises. Mother, looking +frightened, had a shoe in one hand. Aunt Amy, with her hair in rags, +was also well-armed—with a big cast-iron frying pan. Beckie was +howling upstairs.</p> + +<p>"David!" Mother cried. "Are you all right? Where have you been? Did he +hurt you?"</p> + +<p>"Who?" said David. "I'm all right. What's the matter?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The burglar!" said Mother excitedly. "He put his head in the window +and said '<i>pssssst!</i>'"</p> + +<p>"I tell you, burglars don't say <i>pssssst</i>!" Dad said. "They try to +make as little noise as possible. Just let me catch him doing it +again!" he added, waving his pistol.</p> + +<p>"Running around on that mountain at all hours of the night," Aunt Amy +grumbled, "with burglars and I don't know what-all loose in town!"</p> + +<p>"And then we found that you were gone, and we thought he had stolen +you," Mother went on. "Where have you been?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't sleep," said David. "So I went for a walk."</p> + +<p>"Well, thank heavens you're safe," said Mother.</p> + +<p>"Hankering after that mountain all night," Aunt Amy muttered. "As if +he wasn't up there all day."</p> + +<p>"Look here, Son," said Dad. "What do you know about this?"</p> + +<p>"Honestly, Dad," said David, "I couldn't sleep. There's nothing wrong +with that. I can't help it if I can't sleep. So I took a walk. There's +nothing wrong with—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right, all right," his father said. "I suppose it's just a +coincidence. Let's all get back to sleep. And, David, the next time +you can't sleep, try counting sheep."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>Gradually the house calmed down. Beckie stopped wailing, Dad put away +his gun, good nights were said, the lights were turned off.</p> + +<p>David knew that it would be at least an hour before he dared to move +again, and he would have to be doubly careful this time. And he was a +little nervous himself now about that burglar. What if he should meet +him when he went out again? He tried to forget about that by thinking +of what he would put in the note for the Phoenix.</p> + +<p>He had got as far as "Dear Phoenix:" and was wondering how you spelled +"Phoenix," when there came a swish and a thump at his window, followed +by a cautious whisper:</p> + +<p>"<i>Pssssst!</i>"</p> + +<p>David felt his scalp prickle. "Wh-wh-who's that?" he quavered.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, my boy?" whispered a familiar, guarded voice. "Ah, thank +heavens!"</p> + +<p>And the Phoenix crawled through the window.</p> + +<p>Weak with relief, David snapped on the bedside light. The Phoenix +presented a shocking sight. Its face was drawn with fatigue, and it +looked rather draggled. Its back sagged, its wings drooped to the +floor, and it walked with a limp.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_075.jpg" width="600" height="417" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>"Oh, Phoenix, Phoenix!" David whispered. He jumped to support the bird +before it collapsed entirely.</p> + +<p>"Ah, thank you, my boy," the Phoenix murmured. "Your bed, I presume? +May I? Thank you." The springs creaked under its weight as the Phoenix +gingerly lay down.</p> + +<p>"What a night, my boy, <i>what</i> a night!" it sighed weakly, closing its +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Phoenix, what happened? Can I do anything for you?" David +whispered.</p> + +<p>"A damp, cooling cloth upon my forehead would be welcome, my boy," +murmured the Phoenix. "Also a bit of nourishment."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<p>David slid down the bannister, got a handful of cookies and a glass of +milk, and dampened a dish towel. When he returned, the Phoenix was +fast asleep.</p> + +<p>"Phoenix," he whispered, "wake up. Here's your—"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix awoke with a violent start and stared wildly around the +room. "Trapped!" it muttered, making a frenzied effort to get off the +bed.</p> + +<p>"Not so <i>loud</i>!" David whispered sharply. "It's me!"</p> + +<p>Understanding dawned in the Phoenix's eyes, and it eased itself back +with a sigh. "Ah, you, my boy. You gave me quite a fright. I +thought—" But here the Phoenix caught sight of the milk and cookies +and sat up again.</p> + +<p>"Ambrosia," it sighed reverently. "And nectar. You <i>are</i> a prince, my +dear fellow!" And the Phoenix reached out eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Now, Phoenix," David whispered as he wrapped the wet towel around the +Phoenix's head, "what's happened?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, that feels heavenly, my boy! (Munch munch.) What has happened? +(Munch munch. Gulp.) I was insulted, I accepted a challenge, and I +brilliantly maintained my honor. Let that be a lesson to you, my boy: +death before dishonor. Yes, in spite of my age, I—"</p> + +<p>"But Phoenix, what <i>happened</i>?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + +<p>"To be brief, then, my boy, for brevity is the soul of wit—although I am +not trying to be witty now; I am simply too worn out—Brevity—ah—where +was I?"</p> + +<p>"I <i>think</i> you were telling me what happened to you tonight," David +said.</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, quite so! Well, I raced the Witch, to put it quite simply."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Phoenix! Did you win?"</p> + +<p>"She said that she would 'beat my tail feathers off,' did she not? +Behold, my dear fellow—every tail feather intact!"</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Phoenix! How did it go?"</p> + +<p>"I found her somewhere over Scotland and accepted her challenge. We +jockeyed about for starting positions, and she insulted me by offering +me a handicap—which, of course, I refused. For several hundred miles +it was nip and tuck, as it were. Then, over Luxembourg, I put all my +energies into a magnificent sprint and won the race by three and a +half broom lengths. She claimed a foul and went off in a fit of sulks, +of course. (I never saw a Witch who was a good loser.) And I—well, +the fact is, my boy, that I am not as young as I used to be. I simply +<i>crawled</i> home."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you poor Phoenix! But you won, though.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> Good for you, Phoenix. +I'm proud of you! I didn't like her at all."</p> + +<p>"There you are—I had to win, for both of us. Now, as I wended my +weary way homeward, I realized that I should be too tired to go +traveling tomorrow. So I decided to tell you, in case you should want +to do something else during the day. But I did not know which house +was yours. I had to pick one at random. I thrust my head in a window +and uttered a cautious <i>pssssst</i>! Imagine my dismay when I was +answered by a piercing scream! I had to beat a hasty and undignified +retreat into a garage until all was peaceful again. Then I did the +same thing at the next house, and the next, with the same results." +The Phoenix sighed. "Would you believe it, my boy?—this is the fifth +house I tried. But I knew I was on the right track when I heard them +calling for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, so it was <i>you</i>," said David. "You almost frightened Mother to +death. She thought you were a burglar."</p> + +<p>"My dear fellow, I am really sorry for having caused any +misunderstanding or fright," said the Phoenix apologetically. "It was +just that I wanted to tell you of my victory—that is, to tell you +that I should be indisposed tomorrow."</p> + +<p>Then David recalled that he had something to say<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> too. The shock of +remembering was such that he blurted out the news without thinking of +softening the blow.</p> + +<p>"Phoenix, listen! The Scientist is here!"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix sat up in bed with a jerk, and David barely suppressed its +startled exclamation by clamping a hand over its beak.</p> + +<p>"It's not so bad yet," he whispered hurriedly, "because he's not sure +where you are, and he has to wait for his equipment to get here. But, +oh, Phoenix, now I suppose you'll go to South America after all, and I +won't have any more education."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix leaped to its feet and struck a defiant pose. "My boy," it +said angrily, "you are mistaken. I refuse to be chased around any +longer. Even the lowly worm turns. Am I a mouse, or am I the Phoenix? +If that insufferable man wishes to pursue me further, if he cannot +mind his own business, then, by Jove, we shall meet him face to face +and FIGHT TO THE FINISH!"</p> + +<p>Its voice, which had been getting louder and louder, ended in an +indignant squawk (its battle cry, as it explained later). David's +warning <i>ssh!</i> was too late. They heard rapid footsteps and the sound +of light switches snapping.</p> + +<p>"Quick!" David said. "Out the window!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>With a hasty "Farewell, my boy," the Phoenix plunged headlong toward +the window—and tripped over the sill. There was a resounding crash +outside as the bird landed on the rose arbor, a brief but furious +thrashing and muttering, and then the receding flurry of wings.</p> + +<p>Dad burst into the room with his revolver, followed by Mother and Aunt +Amy (with two frying pans, this time).</p> + +<p>"He stuck his head in the window and said <i>pssssst!</i> at me!" David +cried. "A big dark shape in the window!"</p> + +<p>This time Dad telephoned the police. In no time at all, three carloads +of weary policemen were swarming over the house and yard, with guns +and flashlights drawn. It was the fifth—or was it the sixth?—call +they had received from the neighborhood that night, they explained. +There followed an hour of questions, arguments, and theories, during +which everyone became very excited. Everyone, that is, except +David—although he acted excited to avoid suspicion. But he was happy. +He had warned the Phoenix, the Phoenix was going to stay, and there +was nothing to worry about until tomorrow.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> +<p class="f1"><a name="In_Which_the_Phoenix_Has_a_Plan_and_David_and_the_Phoenix_Call_On" id="In_Which_the_Phoenix_Has_a_Plan_and_David_and_the_Phoenix_Call_On"></a>6: <i>In Which the Phoenix <br /> + Has a Plan, and David<br /> + and the Phoenix <br /> + Call On a Sea Monster</i></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_081.jpg" width="600" height="343" alt="" /> +</div> + + +<p>"Well, you're in all the papers this morning, Phoenix," said David, as +he sat down beside the reclining bird next morning. "They don't know +who you are, but they're all talking about what happened last night. +They call you the 'Whispering Burglar.' The police are pretty +worried."</p> + +<p>"My dear chap," said the Phoenix apologetically,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> "let me repeat my +sincere regrets for causing alarm. It was not my desire to—the +<i>police</i>, did you say? Have they discovered any clues?"</p> + +<p>"No," said David reassuringly. "They can't find a thing. They think +the Whispering Burglar climbed up a ladder to say <i>pssssst!</i> into the +upstairs windows. Only they can't find the ladder. They call it the +'Missing Mystery Clue.'"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix gazed at the sky and mused. "In all the papers, you say? +Well, Fame at last—although hardly the kind I had expected. What a +pity that there can be no photographs with the story. Imagine a +picture of me on the front page! A profile, perhaps—or would a +full-length shot be more effective? Or both, let us say, with—"</p> + +<p>"I know you'd look very handsome, Phoenix," David interrupted, "but +what we <i>should</i> be thinking about is the Scientist. What are we going +to do?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>that</i>," said the Phoenix. "I was coming to that, my boy. The +battle is already half won. I have a Plan."</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Phoenix! What is it?"</p> + +<p>"Aha!" said the Phoenix, with a mysterious smile. "All will unfold in +time. Rest assured that the Plan is brilliant. In one stroke of genius +it solves everything.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> Tactics, my boy! Napoleon had nothing on me."</p> + +<p>"But what <i>is</i> it, Phoenix?"</p> + +<p>"Tut, my boy," said the Phoenix in a maddening way. "Control your +impatience. You will see. Now, we shall have to buy some things, so we +shall need money. Let me see.... Several of the Leprechauns have large +pots of gold.... No, I fear they would not part with so much as a +penny. Tightfisted, my dear fellow!—you never saw such misers. +Hmmm.... Well, there are the Dragons, of course; they guard heaps of +treasure in caves. But no—they are excellent chaps in most respects, +but frightfully stuffy about loans and gifts. No.... The Djinn? No, +his money is all tied up in Arabian oil speculation. Aha! Why didn't I +think of that before? The Sea Monster, of course!"</p> + +<p>"Do Sea Monsters have money?" asked David.</p> + +<p>"No, but the Sea Monster should know where pirate treasure is +buried—quite in its nautical line. We shall visit the Monster, my +boy. Tomorrow, of course—I could not fly a foot today to save my +life. My muscles are killing me!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, poor Phoenix!" David said. But he was so excited that he could +not feel much pity. Pirate treasure! They were going to dig for pirate +treasure!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We shall need a spade. I trust you will arrange for it, my boy?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, Phoenix," said David, jumping to his feet. "I'll get +everything ready right away. Don't move till I get back."</p> + +<p>"Impossible, my boy." The Phoenix groaned as it shifted into a more +comfortable position.</p> + +<p>David raced home to collect the necessary things for the trip. +Remembering how cold it had been last time, he took his leather jacket +out of the closet, and a pair of gloves and a scarf. For the Phoenix +he borrowed a bottle of liniment and took all the cookies from the +cooky jar. And he picked the shortest of three spades in the garage. +During the rest of the day he massaged the Phoenix's back and wings +with the liniment. He was exploding with curiosity about the Plan, of +course. But the Phoenix would only smile its smuggest smile and tell +him to "wait and see, wait and see"—which almost drove David mad.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Tomorrow took its time, the way it always does when you are anxious to +see it arrive, but it finally came. And David found himself with the +spade held tightly under one arm, his jacket zipped up to his chin, +gloves on, and scarf knotted, all ready to go.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"To the west, this time," said the Phoenix, as David got up on its +back. "This is the Monster's Pacific season, you know. Ready, my boy? +Splendid! We are off!"</p> + +<p>Over the mountains and desert they sped, over the shore, out across +the ocean. For a long time they hurtled through a huge blue +loneliness, dark blue below, lighter blue above. Once they passed over +a ship, a pencil dot trailing a pin-scratch of white. Another time +they startled a high-flying albatross, which gave a frightened squawk +and plunged down out of sight with folded wings. Aside from that, +there was nothing to see until they reached the islands.</p> + +<p>The Phoenix slowed down to a glide and dropped lower. "These are the +coral atolls of the Pacific, my boy," it called over its shoulder. +"That lake in the center of each island is called the lagoon."</p> + +<p>David was enchanted by the atolls. They were made of tiny islets, +strung together like the beads of a necklace. And the colors! The dark +blue of the sea became lighter around the islands, melting from +sapphire to turquoise to jade. The atolls were ringed with dazzling +white surf and beach, and they all had cool green swaths of palm trees +and underbrush. And each lagoon also had its varying shades of blue, +like the outer sea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I fear we may have trouble, my boy," said the Phoenix, as they +scanned the empty beaches. "The Monster shifts about from island to +island to avoid discovery. We shall just have to search."</p> + +<p>And search they did, atoll after atoll, until at the end of an hour +they were rewarded. David suddenly spotted a dark object stretched out +on the beach of a lagoon, and at the same time the Phoenix said "Aha!" +triumphantly. They began to spiral down.</p> + +<p>The Sea Monster was immense. Its body could have filled the living +room at home. Its neck was twenty feet long, and so was its tail +(which ended in a barbed point). It had huge seal-like flippers, and +its polished brown hide was made up of scales as big as dinner plates.</p> + +<p>"Wake up, Monster!" The Phoenix cried. "We—"</p> + +<p>The next instant they were lost in a cloud of flying sand and spray, +through which could be heard a prodigious splash. When it had cleared, +they found themselves alone on the beach. The only sign of the Sea +Monster was a great furrow in the sand, which led down to the agitated +water.</p> + +<p>"Golly, that was fast!" David marveled, as they shook the sand from +themselves. "Do you think it'll come back, Phoenix?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of course, my boy. Curiosity, if nothing else, will bring it up +again. In the meantime, we might as well sit down and wait."</p> + +<p>They sat down and waited. David took off his jacket. For fifteen +minutes they heard nothing but the murmuring of the surf and the +rustling clatter of palm fronds. At last there was a slight splashing +noise from the lagoon.</p> + +<p>"There," David whispered, pointing.</p> + +<p>Thirty feet offshore, an ear was being thrust cautiously above the +rippled surface. It twitched once or twice, then pointed quiveringly +in their direction.</p> + +<p>"Come out, Monster!" the Phoenix shouted. "It is I, the Phoenix."</p> + +<p>The Sea Monster's head appeared slowly, followed by several yards of +neck. It peered at them short-sightedly, weaving its head from side to +side to get a better view. David saw that it had two short, straight +horns just in front of its ears, eyes that were soft and cowlike, and +a most expressive set of whiskers. The whiskers were now at a +doubtful, half-mast angle.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Phoenix," said the Sea Monster at last in a mild voice. "Can't +you remember to wake me a bit more gently? I thought you were—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come on out," said the Phoenix firmly, "and stop looking like a lost +sheep."</p> + +<p>"Uh—what about—uh—that?" said the Sea Monster hesitantly, pointing +one ear at David.</p> + +<p>"This," said the Phoenix, "is David. He is getting an education. I +assure you that he will not bite."</p> + +<p>The Sea Monster swam toward them, heaved itself out of the water, and +offered its huge flipper for David to shake.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_088.jpg" width="600" height="481" alt="" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Sorry I rushed off like that," it said. "The trouble is, I've had +such a bad case of war nerves. Why, sometimes I jump out of my skin at +nothing at all."</p> + +<p>"Were you in the war?" David asked.</p> + +<p>"Ah, <i>was</i> I," sighed the Sea Monster. It flopped down comfortably on +its belly, curled its tail around its front flippers, and sighed +again. But David noticed that its whiskers had perked up to a quite +cheerful angle. The Sea Monster was obviously delighted to have +someone listen to its troubles.</p> + +<p>"Yes," it said, heaving a third sigh, "I was. From the very beginning, +much against my will. Guns all over the place! Terrible!"</p> + +<p>"Did they shoot you?" David asked, horrified.</p> + +<p>"Well, <i>at</i> me, anyway. I'm thankful to say they never hit me, but +there were some pretty near misses. All the oceans were simply packed +with ships. I couldn't lift my head out of water without bringing down +a perfect rain of shells and bullets."</p> + +<p>"The <i>intelligent</i> thing in that case," the Phoenix broke in with a +sniff, "would have been to stay <i>under</i> water."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Phoenix," said the Sea Monster dryly. "But I <i>do</i> like to +breathe now and then. Anyway, I wasn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> safe even under water. They'd +drop depth charges on me. One ship even launched a torpedo at me!"</p> + +<p>"How awful!" said David.</p> + +<p>"Tut! my boy," said the Phoenix. "I have no doubt our friend is +stretching the truth shamelessly. You need not look so smug, Monster. +You were not the only one in the war. <i>I</i> have gone through +anti-aircraft fire a number of times. Some of it was very severe. In +fact, once I—"</p> + +<p>"Once I had the whole North Atlantic fleet after <i>me</i>," the Sea +Monster interrupted proudly.</p> + +<p>"And <i>I</i> remember the Franco-Prussian War!" said the Phoenix. "Which, +I daresay, you do <i>not</i>."</p> + +<p>"Well—uh—no, I don't."</p> + +<p>"There you are!" the Phoenix crowed.</p> + +<p>The Sea Monster, looking rather ruffled, pointedly turned from the +Phoenix and said to David, "What should you like to do, David?"</p> + +<p>David suddenly remembered what they had come for, and the excitement +rushed back into his heart. He opened his mouth to cry "We want to dig +for treasure!" and then stopped short. Asking for money, he knew, was +an impolite thing to do—especially from someone you had only just +met. And there was no telling how the Sea<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> Monster might feel about +people nosing around for its treasure. So he looked at the Phoenix and +waited for it to speak.</p> + +<p>The Phoenix caught David's glance, cleared its throat several times, +and looked apologetically at the Sea Monster. "Monster, old chap," it +said soothingly, "I am deeply sorry for having doubted you just now. +Deeply sorry."</p> + +<p>"Quite all right," said the Sea Monster stiffly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," the Phoenix continued, "we both know that you have passed +through perilous times, through dangers which (I must confess) would +have left <i>me</i> a shattered wreck."</p> + +<p>The Sea Monster sighed sadly, but its whiskers were beginning to rise +again.</p> + +<p>"The Monster bears up very well under this fearful strain—don't you +think so, my boy? A splendid example for the rest of us. Magnificent."</p> + +<p>The Sea Monster's whiskers were quivering with pleasure.</p> + +<p>"Monster, old chap, old friend, you were never one to let a boon +companion down. If I have said it once, I have said it a hundred +times: 'The Sea Monster,' I have said, 'the Sea Monster is the helpful +sort. Mention the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> words Staunch Friend,' I have said, 'and +immediately the Sea Monster comes to mind.'"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix reached up one wing and began to pat the Sea Monster's +flipper.</p> + +<p>"Monster, old chum, we—ah—we—Well, the plain fact is that +we—ah—we have need of—such a trifling matter" (here the Phoenix +gave a careless laugh) "that I should not really bring it up at all. +Ah—we need a bit of money."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said the Sea Monster. Its whiskers sagged.</p> + +<p>"Now, please do not be offended, Monster," said the Phoenix hastily. +"After all, you have no need for the treasure, and it does absolutely +no good buried under the ground."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't do any harm there, either," said the Sea Monster. "Really, +Phoenix, I never thought <i>you</i>—"</p> + +<p>"Monster," said the Phoenix solemnly, "<i>this</i>—is a matter of life or +death."</p> + +<p>"Life or death—ha!"</p> + +<p>"Please, Monster," said David. "It really is life or death, because +the Scientist is chasing the Phoenix, and the Phoenix has a plan to +escape him, and we need some money to carry out the plan so the +Scientist can't hurt the Phoenix."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A few small coins will do," added the Phoenix, with a winning smile. +"A louis d'or, for example, or some pieces of eight. After which you +may bury the rest again."</p> + +<p>"<i>Please</i>, Monster!" David begged.</p> + +<p>The Monster looked at David, and at the Phoenix, and then at David +again, and then at the lagoon. It sighed a very doubtful sigh.</p> + +<p>"Oh ... all right," it said reluctantly. "But for goodness sake, don't +go telling anyone where you found it."</p> + +<p>"Of course not," said the Phoenix. And David leaped up and shouted +"Hooray!" and grabbed the spade and his jacket.</p> + +<p>"The stuff is on the next island," said the Sea Monster. "I can swim +over with you two on my back. This way, please—we have to leave from +the outer beach."</p> + +<p>The Sea Monster was a magnificent swimmer. Its neck cut through the +water like the stem of a Viking ship, and it left a frothing wake +behind. Every once in a while it would plunge its head into the water +and come up with a fish, which it would swallow whole.</p> + +<p>"Should you like some breakfast, David?" said the Sea Monster.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_094.jpg" width="600" height="296" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>"No, thank you," David answered, "but you go right ahead. Phoenix," he +added, "what <i>are</i> you doing?"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix, which had been walking up and down with its wings clasped +behind its back, stopped and gazed over the sea. "Pacing the +quarter-deck, my boy. Scanning the horizon. That is what one usually +does at sea, I believe."</p> + +<p>"You'll be wanting us to call you Admiral next," said the Sea Monster +acidly.</p> + +<p>They steamed on. Twenty minutes and seventy-six large breakfast fish +later they sighted the island—a little smudge on the horizon, dead +ahead.</p> + +<p>"Land ho!" a voice croaked. "Thank heavens."</p> + +<p>David turned in surprise. The Phoenix was no longer pacing the +quarter-deck and scanning the horizon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> It was sitting limply with its +head down and a glassy stare in its eyes.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/image_095.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>"You had better hurry up," David said to the Sea Monster. "I think the +Phoenix is seasick."</p> + +<p>"Am not," the Phoenix gasped. "Merely (ulp!) temporary."</p> + +<p>The Sea Monster turned and smiled sweetly at the Phoenix. "You'll get +used to it in no time, Admiral."</p> + +<p>When they landed, however, the Phoenix recovered rapidly and even +began to put on a slight nautical swagger. The Sea Monster humped off +down the beach, followed eagerly by the two treasure hunters. In a few +minutes it came to a halt and sniffed the sand very carefully, +swinging its head snakelike to and fro. It settled on one spot, +sniffed it thoroughly, felt the sand with its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> whiskers, and then +solemnly announced: "Here."</p> + +<p>"Ahoy, me hearties!" the Phoenix shouted. "Turn to and stand by to +splice the main brace! Steady as she goes, mates!"</p> + +<p>David needed no encouragement from anyone. He began to dig furiously. +Flashing in the sun, the spade bit into the beach, and coarse white +sand spurted in all directions. The Phoenix was quite as excited as +David. It danced around the deepening hole with eyes asparkle, +shouting such piratical terms as "Shiver me timbers!" "Strike your +colors!" and "Give 'em no quarter, lads!" Suddenly it began to beat +time with its wing and to sing in a raucous voice:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Cut the King's throat and take the King's gold—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Heave ho, bullies, for Panama!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There's plenty of loot for the lad who is bold—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Heave away, bullies, for Panama!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"You're flat on that last note," said the Sea Monster.</p> + +<p>"My dear Monster, I have perfect pitch!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes—you have perfect sea legs, too."</p> + +<p>"Well, ah—How are you coming along, my boy? Any signs of treasure?"</p> + +<p>David did not hear. In fact he heard nothing from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> the first crunch of +the spade onward. His education was now richer by this fact: once you +start out after treasure, you can think of nothing else until it is +found. The sun was beating hotly on him, little rivulets of sweat +poured down his face and arms, his muscles ached, blisters were +beginning to form on his hands. Heedless of all, he dug on. He had +settled into the rhythm of it now, and nothing could distract him.</p> + +<p>"Tell you what's a good thing for seasickness," said the Sea Monster +slyly. "You take a—" Pretending not to hear, the Phoenix stood first +on one leg and then on the other and stared into the sky. David dug +tirelessly.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the spade grated on something solid, and they all jumped. +David shouted "Here it is!" and shoveled up sand frantically. The +Phoenix danced around the hole, also shouting. Even the Sea Monster +arched its neck to get a better view. They could see a brass ring, +crusted with verdigris, fastened to a partly-exposed piece of wood. +The sand flew. Now they could see studded strips of metal bound to the +wood, and a rusty padlock. And in a few minutes a whole chest, with +slanting sides and a curved lid and tarnished brass hinges, was +uncovered. David threw the spade on the beach, seized the brass +handle, and tugged. It came off in his hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_098.jpg" width="600" height="573" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>"Here, let me," said the Sea Monster. David got out of the hole, and +the Sea Monster worked one flipper carefully under the chest. "Look +out," it said, and heaved its flipper up. The chest shot into the air, +tumbled down end over end, and split wide open on the beach.</p> + +<p>David gasped. A dazzling, sparkling heap spilled out on the sand. +There were heaps of gold and silver<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> coins, the silver black with +tarnish but the gold still bright. There were pearls, rubies, +diamonds, beryls, emeralds, opals, sapphires, amethysts. And +bracelets, necklaces, pendants, sunbursts, brooches, rings, pins, +combs, buckles, lockets, buttons, crucifixes. And carved pieces of +jade and ivory and coral and jet. And coronets, crowns, tiaras, arm +bands. And jeweled daggers, picture frames, vases, silver knives and +forks and spoons, sugar bowls, platters, goblets.</p> + +<p>For an hour they examined the treasure. David fairly wallowed in it, +exclaiming "Look at this one!" or "Oh, how beautiful!" or just +"Golly!" The Phoenix muttered such things as "King's ransom" and +"Wealth of the Indies." The Sea Monster was not interested in the +treasure, but kept glancing nervously out to sea.</p> + +<p>At last the Phoenix said, "Well, my boy, I think we had better make +our choice. Three or four coins should do it."</p> + +<p>The Sea Monster gave a relieved sigh. "Let's get the rest of it +underground right away. You have no idea what trouble it can cause."</p> + +<p>The choice was difficult. There were so many coins, all of them with +queer writing and heads of unknown gods and kings. David finally +picked out four gold pieces<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> and tied them up in his handkerchief. +Then the Sea Monster swept the rest of the treasure into the hole. +They all pushed sand in on top of it and jumped on the mound till it +was level with the rest of the beach.</p> + +<p>The Phoenix turned to the Sea Monster and said solemnly: "Monster, old +fellow, I knew you would not fail us. You stood forth in our hour of +need, and we shall not forget."</p> + +<p>And David echoed, "Thank you, Monster."</p> + +<p>The Sea Monster ducked its head and blushed. A wave of fiery red +started at its nose, traveled rapidly back over its ears, down its +neck, along the body, and fanned out to the tips of its flippers and +the extreme end of the barb in its tail.</p> + +<p>Even its whiskers turned pink.</p> + +<p>"Well—uh—glad to help—uh—nothing to it, really," it mumbled. Then +it turned abruptly, galloped down to the sea, plunged into the surf, +and was gone.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/image_101.jpg" width="150" height="296" alt="" /> +</div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p class="f1"><a name="In_Which_the_Phoenixs_Plan_Is_Carried_Out_and_There_Are_More" id="In_Which_the_Phoenixs_Plan_Is_Carried_Out_and_There_Are_More"></a>7: <i>In Which the Phoenix's<br /> + Plan Is Carried Out, and<br /> + There Are More Alarums<br /> + and Excursions in the Night</i></p> +<p>"Now, my boy," said the Phoenix, when they got back to the ledge that +afternoon, "are the shops still open?"</p> + +<p>"I think they're open till six," said David, shaking the sand out of +his shoes. "Are we going to buy something?"</p> + +<p>"Precisely, my boy. A hardware store should have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> what we need. Now, +you will take our gold and purchase the following." And the Phoenix +listed the things it wanted, and told David which to bring to the +ledge and which to leave below.</p> + +<p>"... and a hatchet," the Phoenix concluded.</p> + +<p>"We have one at home already," said David. "Now, listen, Phoenix, +<i>can't</i> you tell me what all this is for? What are we going to do with +it?"</p> + +<p>"My boy, the feline's existence was terminated as a direct result of +its inquisitiveness."</p> + +<p>"What did you say?"</p> + +<p>"Curiosity killed the cat," explained the Phoenix.</p> + +<p>"Oh. But—"</p> + +<p>"Now, run along, my boy. A very important Thought has just come to me. +I must Meditate a while." The Phoenix glanced at the thicket and hid a +yawn behind one wing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, all <i>right</i>," said David. "I'll see you in the morning, then."</p> + +<p>It wasn't until he got home that he thought of something. He couldn't +spend pirate gold pieces, or even show them to anyone, without being +asked a lot of embarrassing questions. What to do? Ask Dad or Mother +or Aunt Amy to lend him some money? More embarrassing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> questions.... +Well, he would have to rob his bank. But wait—why hadn't he +remembered? Just before they had moved, Uncle Charles had given him a +ten-dollar bill as a farewell present. He had been saving it for a +model airplane, but the excitement of the last few days had driven it +completely out of his mind. Of course the Phoenix's Plan was more +important than any model plane could be.</p> + +<p>So he kept the gold pieces tied up in his handkerchief and took his +ten dollars to a hardware store, where he bought what the Phoenix +wanted—a coil of rope, an electric door bell, a pushbutton, and one +hundred feet of insulated wire. Then he brought the package home, hid +it behind the woodpile in the garage, and sat down to think. +Wire—bell—pushbutton. What could the Phoenix possibly want with +them? And what was the rope for? And the hatchet? The more he puzzled +over it the more confused he became, and finally he just gave up. +There was only one thing he was sure about: whatever the Plan was, +they would have to carry it out as soon as possible. Two days had +passed since the Scientist had shown up. The new gun he had ordered +might arrive at any time now. Perhaps even today, when they had been +digging up the pirate treasure, the Scientist had got his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> new rifle +and had started to hunt through the mountains.</p> + +<p>The thought gave David a creepy feeling on the back of his neck. They +certainly would have to hurry.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Early next morning David climbed up to the ledge, bringing with him +the coil of rope and the hatchet. As an afterthought he had added a +paper bag full of cookies.</p> + +<p>"Here's the stuff, Phoenix," he called out as he stepped onto the +ledge. "Where are you?"</p> + +<p>There was a crash from the thicket as though someone had jumped up in +it suddenly, and the Phoenix stumbled out, rubbing its eyes.</p> + +<p>"Ah, splendid, my boy! Yes. I was just—ah—Thinking."</p> + +<p>"Phoenix," said David, "I'm not going to ask you again what your Plan +is, because I know you'll tell me when it's time. But whatever it is, +we'd better do it right now. The Scientist may show up any minute."</p> + +<p>"Precisely, my boy. Never put off until tomorrow what can be done +today. One of my favorite proverbs. We shall begin immediately—" Here +the Phoenix caught sight of the bag in David's hand and added hastily: +"But, of course, we must not forget that first things come first."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You might have brought more," said the Phoenix, fifteen minutes +later.</p> + +<p>"There weren't any more in the jar," David said. "Phoenix, please tell +me what we're going to do. I don't care if curiosity <i>did</i> kill the +cat. I've been thinking about the rope and wire and bell all night, +and I can't make heads or tails out of it."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix gave a pleased laugh. "Of course you cannot, my boy. The +Plan is far too profound for you to guess what it is. But set your +mind at rest. I shall now explain the rope and hatchet."</p> + +<p>David leaned forward eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Now, scientists, you know, have fixed habits. If you know those +habits, you can predict just what they will do at any time. Our +particular Scientist is a daytime creature—that is to say, he comes +at dawn and goes at dusk. His invariable habit, my boy!"</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"There you are, my boy!" said the Phoenix triumphantly. "<i>We shall +sleep during the day and continue your education at night!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Oh," said David. He thought about this a while, then asked, "But +suppose the Scientist comes up on the ledge during the day and catches +you asleep?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Aha! That is where the rope and hatchet come in. Never fear, my +boy—I thought of that also. We are going to construct a snare at each +end of the ledge."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"Hand me that twig, my boy." The Phoenix took the twig, found a bare +spot of earth, and sketched a picture. "First we find a sapling and +clear the branches from it with the hatchet—like this. Next we get a +stake, cut a notch in it, and drive it into the ground—so. The +sapling is bent down to it and fitted into the notch, which holds it +down. You see, my boy? Now we make a noose—so—from a piece of rope, +tie it to the end of the sapling, and spread the loop out on the +path—this way. The whole snare is hidden under grass and leaves." The +Phoenix beamed and flung out its wings in a dramatic gesture. "Just +picture it, my dear chap! The Scientist, smiling evilly as he skulks +along the path! The unwary footstep! The sapling, jarred out of the +notch, springing upward! The tightened noose! And our archenemy +dangling by the foot in mid-air, completely at our mercy! +Magnificent!"</p> + +<p>"Golly, Phoenix," said David, "that's pretty clever."</p> + +<p>"<i>Clever</i>, my boy? Better to say 'a stroke of genius.' Only I, +Phoenix, could have thought of it. And consider<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> the poetic justice of +it! This is exactly the sort of trap that the Scientist once set for +me! Well, shall we begin?"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_107.jpg" width="600" height="553" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>The Phoenix had made the snares sound delightfully simple, but they +soon discovered that the job was harder than it sounded. First they +had to find the right kind of sapling, springy and strong. The sapling +had to be in the right place—one by the goat trail, the other at the +far<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> end of the ledge. When they had been chosen, David had to shinny +up them to lop off their branches. That was a very awkward business; +the saplings swayed and trembled under his weight, and he could only +use one hand for the hatchet. Then he had to make two stakes from +stout, hard wood, cut a notch at one end, and drive them into the +ground with the flat of the hatchet. But the hardest part was trying +to bend the sapling down to the stake and fitting it into the notch. +It took the weight of both of them to bring the sapling to the ground. +If they got the slightest bit off balance, it would spring up again. +Once David fell off; the sapling went <i>swish!</i> back into the air, +flinging the astonished Phoenix thirty feet up the mountainside.</p> + +<p>It was not until afternoon, when the sun had turned ruddy and shadows +were beginning to stretch dark fingers across the land, that they +finished the job. But at last the saplings were set in the notches, +the nooses were formed and fastened on. Grass and leaves were strewn +over the snares; chips, hewn branches, and other evidences of their +work were removed. They sat down and looked proudly at each other.</p> + +<p>"My boy," said the Phoenix, "I have had a wide, and sometimes painful, +experience with traps; so you may<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> believe me when I say that these +are among the best I have seen. We have done well."</p> + +<p>"They're sure strong enough," David agreed, flexing his fingers to +take the stiffness out of them. "But what are we going to do if the +Scientist does get caught in one?"</p> + +<p>"We shall burn that bridge when we reach it, my boy. Now, do you have +the pliers, wire-cutters, and screw driver below?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, they're down in the cellar. What are we going to do with them, +Phoenix?"</p> + +<p>"Patience, patience! You will be told when the time comes. I shall +meet you tonight after dark, as soon as it is safe for me to come +down. I trust you will have everything ready?"</p> + +<p>"Are you coming <i>down</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Precisely, my boy. A risk, I admit, but a necessary one. There is a +hedge at the back of your house, is there not? Splendid. You may await +me there."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>David, sitting in the shadow of the hedge, jumped when he heard the +Phoenix's quiet "Good evening, my boy."</p> + +<p>"Phoenix," he whispered, "how did you do it? Golly, I didn't see you +at all, and it isn't even dark yet."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have been hunted long enough, my boy, to have learned a few tricks. +It is merely a matter of gliding close to the ground, selecting the +best shadows, and keeping a sharp lookout. Well, let us get on with +the Plan. Have you the tools here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, here they are."</p> + +<p>"Splendid! Now, my boy, since we must continue your education during +the night, it is necessary that we have some way of getting in touch +with each other. If you climb the mountainside in the dark, you may +unwittingly fall into our own snare. It is far easier for me to come +down than it is for you to go up, and under cover of darkness I can do +it quite safely. The question now is, how will you know when I have +arrived? That, my boy, is the nub, or crux, of the situation. A +difficult problem, you will admit. But I have worked out the +solution."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix lowered its voice impressively.</p> + +<p>"My boy, we are going to install this bell in your room, and the +pushbutton on the base of that telephone pole. When I arrive here at +night, I shall press the button to let you know that I am ready to go. +A magnificent idea, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>It did not seem very practical to David. "Well, Phoenix, that's a good +idea," he said carefully. "But how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> are we going to hide the wires? +And what about the noise of the bell?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing to it, my boy! The wires? There are wires between your house +and the telephone pole already—one more would not be noticed. The +noise? You have a pillow on your bed, under which the bell can be +muffled."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's true." It still sounded impractical.</p> + +<p>"Just imagine it!" the Phoenix continued enthusiastically. "Perhaps +later we can install another bell at this end. Then we could learn +Morse code and send messages to each other. Exactly like a private +telephone line!"</p> + +<p>Put in this way, the idea had a certain appeal, and David found +himself warming to it. But there was another thing to consider.</p> + +<p>"How about electricity, Phoenix?"</p> + +<p>"Look above you, my boy! The telephone pole is simply loaded down with +power lines waiting to be tapped."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix was evidently set on carrying out the Plan, and David did +not want to wear out the bird's patience with more objections. +And—well, why not? There should be no harm in trying it out, anyway.</p> + +<p>They gathered up the tools and walked along the hedge to the telephone +pole, which was in one corner of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> the yard. The Phoenix began to +uncoil the wire, while David gazed up doubtfully at the shadowy maze +of lines and insulators on the cross-arms.</p> + +<p>"Electricity," said the Phoenix thoughtfully, "is a complicated and +profound subject. There are amperes, and there are volts, and there +are kilowatt hours. I might also mention positive and negative +and—ah—all that sort of thing. Most profound. Perhaps I had better +investigate up there. Screw driver, please."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix took the screw driver in one claw and flew up to the top +of the pole. David could hear the creak of the lines under the +Phoenix's weight and the rattling of the screw driver against the +porcelain insulators. For some minutes the Phoenix investigated, +clicking and scraping about, and muttering "Quite so" and "<i>There</i> we +are." Then it fluttered down again and rubbed its wings together.</p> + +<p>"The whole situation up there is a lot simpler than I thought it would +be, my boy. The power lines merely come up to the pole on one side, +pass through the insulators, and go away from the pole on the other +side. Child's play! The covering on the lines is rather tough, +however. We shall have to use the wire-cutters."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix returned to the top of the pole with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> the cutters, and +worked on the wires for five more minutes. Bits of debris began to +shower down on the hedge. One of the wires vibrated on a low note like +a slack guitar string.</p> + +<p>"We must not forget the difference between alternating and direct +current, my boy," said the Phoenix as it flew down again. "An +important problem, that. Where is our wire? Ah, there we are. The +pliers, please."</p> + +<p>"Do you need any help up there?" David asked.</p> + +<p>"No, everything is coming along beautifully, thank you. I shall have +everything finished in a flash."</p> + +<p>Trailing one end of the wire in its beak, the Phoenix flew up into the +darkness once more. The tinkering sounds began again, and a spurt of +falling debris rattled in the leaves of the hedge.</p> + +<p>Suddenly it happened. There was a terrific burst of blue light, a +sharp squawk from the Phoenix, and a shower of sparks. Another blue +flash blazed up. The lights in the house, and down the whole street, +flickered and went out. In the blackness which followed, each stage of +the Phoenix's descent could be heard as clearly as cannon shots: the +twanging and snapping as it tumbled through the wires, a drawn-out +squawk and the flop of wings in the air below, the crash into the +hedge, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> jarring thud against the ground. Broken wires began to +sputter ominously and fire out sparks. A smell of singed feathers and +burning rubber filled the air.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_114.jpg" width="600" height="681" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>By the light of the sparks David saw the Phoenix staggering to its +feet. He jumped to the bird's side, but the Phoenix waved him away +with its wing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Quick, my boy," it gasped. "We must make a strategic retreat! Meet me +on the ledge in the morning. Ouch!" The Phoenix beat at the smoldering +sparks in its tail and flew off, leaving a trail of acrid smoke +hanging in the air.</p> + +<p>David had the presence of mind to gather up all the tools, the wire, +bell, and pushbutton, and one of the Phoenix's feathers, which had +been torn out during the fall. He slipped through a cellar window, hid +the equipment under a stack of old boxes, and ran noisily up the +stairs into the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"Hey!" he shouted. "The lights are out!"</p> + +<p>"Is that you, dear?" came Mother's anxious voice from the dining room.</p> + +<p>"The telephone's dead!" Dad shouted from the hall.</p> + +<p>Aunt Amy came bumping down the stairs with a candle. "It's that +burglar!" she cried. "Turning out all the lights so he can murder us +in our beds!"</p> + +<p>"Look!" David shouted, "the line's broken in our back yard!"</p> + +<p>They could hear the wailing of sirens now. Fire trucks, repair trucks, +and police cars pulled up in front of the house. Everyone in the block +turned out to see what had happened. It took the repair men an hour to +untangle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> the wires and fix them. And all the time policemen were +going through the crowd, asking questions and writing things down in +their notebooks. They were looking rather haggard, David thought.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> +<div class="figright" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/image_117.jpg" width="200" height="330" alt="" /> +</div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p class="f1"><a name="In_Which_David_and_the_Phoenix_Visit_a_Banshee_and_a_Surprise_Is" id="In_Which_David_and_the_Phoenix_Visit_a_Banshee_and_a_Surprise_Is"></a>8: <i>In Which David and the<br /> Phoenix Visit a Banshee,<br /> + and a Surprise Is Planted<br /> + in the Enemy's Camp</i></p> +<p>Next day Mother asked David to help her straighten out the garden, +which had been trampled by the repair men; so he could not go to see +the Phoenix until after lunch. But when that was finished, he rushed +up the mountainside as fast as he could, wondering all the way what he +and the Phoenix were going to do now.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> + +<p>The ledge was empty when he got there. He shouted, "Phoenix!" and +listened.</p> + +<p>"Hel-l-lp!" came a faint answering cry from the other end of the +ledge.</p> + +<p>David jumped through the thicket. A pitiful sight met his eyes. There +was the Phoenix, dangling by one foot from the snare, its wings feebly +struggling and its free foot clawing the air. The feathers of its +wings and tail were singed. Great beads of sweat rolled from its +forehead into a puddle on the ground below. The snared foot was blue +and swollen.</p> + +<p>"Get me down," gasped the Phoenix weakly.</p> + +<p>David took a running leap at the sapling, which broke under the sudden +increase of weight, and the two of them crashed to the ground. He +unfastened the noose and dragged the Phoenix to the shadiest, softest +spot on the ledge.</p> + +<p>"Hoist with my own petard," said the Phoenix bitterly. "Rub my foot, +will you? Oh dear oh dear oh dear! Hurts."</p> + +<p>"What happened?" David asked as he rubbed the swollen foot. "How long +have you been caught?"</p> + +<p>"Missed my way in the dark," said the Phoenix, wiping its brow. +"Thought I was on the other side of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> the ledge, and landed right on +that fool trap. Hung there all night and all morning. Thought you +would never come, my boy. Oh dear, oh dear, what a horrible +experience! My tail was still on fire when I landed, too. I fully +expected to be burned to a crisp." A large tear rolled down the +Phoenix's beak.</p> + +<p>David murmured soothing words and continued to chafe the Phoenix's +foot. "Does it feel any better now?"</p> + +<p>"The feeling is coming back, my boy," said the Phoenix, gritting its +beak. "Ouch! All pins and needles." It flexed its toes gingerly. "Rub +a bit more, please. Gently."</p> + +<p>The swelling began to go down. With a handful of damp grass David +soothed the marks left by the noose.</p> + +<p>"That stupid Electric Company!" the Phoenix suddenly burst out. +"Putting everyone in danger with a short-circuited power line! Let +this be a lesson to you, my boy. Anything worth doing is worth doing +well. They will hear from us, believe me! We shall write them a stiff +complaint!"</p> + +<p>"Well, Phoenix," said David hopefully, "we can set the snare again if +we can find another good sapling; and we still have the other one, so +we're pretty well protected. And why couldn't we meet every night by +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> hedge, the way we did last night? The bell was a good idea, but +we <i>could</i> get along without it."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix sighed. "I suppose you are right, my boy. There is no use +crying over spilt milk. One must set one's jaw and—good heavens, my +boy! <i>Duck!</i>"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix threw itself to the ground and wildly motioned to David to +do the same. He flattened himself out beside the bird and said, "What +is it, Phoenix?"</p> + +<p>"Down the mountainside," whispered the Phoenix. "Look! Do not stick +your head over too far."</p> + +<p>David wormed his way to the edge, peered down, and gasped. Below him, +on the grassy slope at the foot of the scarp, was a figure clad in +khaki. It was the Scientist.</p> + +<p>"Do you think he saw us?" the Phoenix whispered.</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," David whispered back. "He's looking off to the +left. Oh, Phoenix, what if he comes up here? What'll we do?"</p> + +<p>"Listen," hissed the Phoenix, "run down there. Talk to him, lead him +away, distract his attention, anything. Only be quick!"</p> + +<p>"All right!"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix melted into the thicket, and David jumped to his feet. As +he dashed down the trail his brain whirled with questions. What should +he do? What could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> he say? How could he lead the Scientist away? Where +would the Phoenix go?</p> + +<p>In his haste he forgot one important thing. His foot tripped over the +pile of grass and leaves on the trail. The released sapling sprang +upward, the noose tightened with a cruel jerk around his ankle, and he +was snatched into the air. As the blood rushed to his head he lost +control of himself and began to struggle wildly and shout at the top +of his voice.</p> + +<p>The flat dry voice of the Scientist drifted to him as if through a +long tunnel. "What's all this? What are you doing here? Who set this +snare?"</p> + +<p>"Get me down," David choked. "Please!"</p> + +<p>A hand seized him by the scruff of the neck. A knife flashed through +the air and cut the rope. David landed on his feet, but his legs gave +way and he dropped to his knees. He felt dizzy as the blood rushed +away from his head again.</p> + +<p>The Scientist tilted his sun helmet back and said, "Well, +well—David," in a disagreeable tone. His eyes narrowed behind the +spectacles. "What is this snare doing here?"</p> + +<p>David struggled to his feet and clutched a bush for support. "Thank +you for cutting me down," he said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> + +<p>The cold blue eyes found David's and held them in a hypnotic stare. +"What is this trap doing here? Who set it?"</p> + +<p>"I—I was coming down the trail and—and—I was caught in it," David +stammered.</p> + +<p>"You are avoiding my question, young man," said the Scientist. +"Who—set—this—snare? Answer me!"</p> + +<p>There was a brilliant flash of gold and blue in the sunlight, the +whistle of feathers cleaving the air, the sharp <i>thwock!</i> of fisted +talons striking. The Scientist pitched forward with a surprised grunt +and lay still across the trail—and the Phoenix, executing a flip in +the air to check its speed, settled down beside David.</p> + +<p>"View halloo!" it shouted excitedly. "Yoicks and Tallyho! Did you see +that stoop, my boy? By Jove, the best-trained falcon could not have +done better! Believe me, I have been saving that blow for a long time! +By Jove, what a magnificent stoop! I think I shall take up +Scientist-hunting as a regular thing!"</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness, Phoenix!" David exclaimed. "Another minute and you +would've been too late! But I hope you haven't—hurt him very much."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, my boy," said the Phoenix. "A head so stuffed with +scientific fact cannot be injured. He will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> come to in a short while." +The Phoenix lifted the Scientist's sun helmet and examined the back of +his head. "A large lump is developing, my boy. A most pleasant sight! +I fear the sun helmet is now useless—crushed like an eggshell." And +the Phoenix smiled proudly.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_123.jpg" width="600" height="594" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>"Well, I hope it isn't serious," David said doubtfully. "Anyway, we'll +have to do something."</p> + +<p>"Precisely, my boy. But I think we should have a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> drink first." The +Phoenix detached a canteen from the Scientist's belt and took a deep +swig. "Ah, delicious! Our friend is well prepared, my boy." And +indeed, the Scientist had all sorts of things with him: a hand-ax, a +sheath knife, a compass, a camera, binoculars, a stop watch, notebooks +and pencils, a coil of rope, maps. There was also a packet of +sandwiches, which the Phoenix opened and began to eat.</p> + +<p>"Now, listen, Phoenix, we have to do something."</p> + +<p>"Quite right, my boy," the Phoenix mumbled, with its mouth full. "Have +a sandwich—spoils of war—peanut butter—very nourishing. The fact is +that I have just thought of another plan, which cannot fail. Have we +any money left?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, four gold pieces. Why?"</p> + +<p>"Splendid. Now, my boy, I shall leave you. When the Scientist wakes +up, you will help him down to wherever he lives. Find out where his +room is. I shall meet you by the hedge at midnight. Be sure you have +the gold pieces with you."</p> + +<p>"All right. What are we—"</p> + +<p>"Sure you will not have a sandwich?"</p> + +<p>"No, thank you. What are we—"</p> + +<p>"Very well. Farewell, then, my boy. Till midnight."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>David poured what was left in the canteen over the Scientist's head +and fanned him with a notebook. Presently the man stirred and groaned. +Then he sat up and muttered, "What hit me?"</p> + +<p>"Can you stand up yet?" David said.</p> + +<p>Too dazed to ask any more questions, the Scientist got up, groaning, +put on his broken spectacles, collected his scattered equipment, and +leaned on David. The two of them proceeded slowly down the trail +together, frequently sitting down to rest. The Scientist murmured the +name of his hotel and pointed out the direction.</p> + +<p>Townspeople stared at them as they passed, but no one stopped them or +asked questions, and they reached the hotel without further incident. +They entered the lobby, and the Scientist sank into a chair.</p> + +<p>"Let me help you to your room," said David.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the Scientist got up again, and they took the +elevator to the fourth floor. David closely watched the direction they +were going, and when they came into the Scientist's room, he looked +quickly through the window. There was a fire escape just outside. He +had the information now: fourth floor, west side, fire escape by +window.</p> + +<p>The Scientist eased himself onto the bed with a groan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then he turned to David and said severely: "There's something strange +about all this, and I intend to get to the bottom of it. You'll be +hearing from me, young man!"</p> + +<p>"All right," said David, closing the door. "And you'll be hearing from +<i>us</i>," he added in an undertone, "if I know the Phoenix!"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Flying at night was colder than flying by day, but it was more +thrilling, too. They whistled through an immense blackness. Stars +glittered overhead, and quicksilver patches of moonlight and shadow +flashed across the clouds below. They were going to Ireland, but why, +David did not know. The Phoenix was playing its wait-and-see game +again.</p> + +<p>In an hour or so they shot out over the edge of the cloud mass, and +David could see a rocky coast below, dark and cold in the half-light. +The Phoenix began to slant down toward it, and presently they landed +in a little meadow. One side of the meadow ran down to a bog filled +with reeds, and on the other side was a gloomy wood. Everything was +dark and indistinct, but David thought he could tell why the Phoenix +had called this the Emerald Isle. The grass beneath their feet was the +thickest he had ever felt. He touched a boulder and found it furry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +with moss. With the wood and the reed-choked bog, the whole place +would be rich with various greens in the daylight.</p> + +<p>Just then they saw a little man approaching them from the wood. He was +three feet tall, dressed all in green, and had a long white beard. +When he reached them he raised his cap politely and said, "Good +evenin' to you."</p> + +<p>"A fine evening to you, my good Leprechaun," said the Phoenix. "Could +you kindly tell us—"</p> + +<p>"Will you have a cigar?" the Leprechaun interrupted.</p> + +<p>With a surprised "Thank you very much," the Phoenix took the cigar, +bit off the end, and popped it into its beak. The Leprechaun lighted +it, and the Phoenix puffed away.</p> + +<p>"Stick o' gum, lad?" said the Leprechaun to David, holding out a pack.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, thank you," said David. He took the stick of gum from the +pack, and was immediately sorry for it. The stick was made of wood and +had a small wire spring, like a mouse trap, which snapped down on his +finger and made him yelp with pain. At the same instant the Phoenix's +cigar exploded, knocking the startled bird backwards into a bush.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Haw haw haw!" shouted the Leprechaun, rolling on the ground and +holding his sides. "Haw haw haw!"</p> + +<p>In a trice the Phoenix had pounced on the Leprechaun and pinned him to +the ground.</p> + +<p>"Let him up," said David furiously. "I'll punch his head for him."</p> + +<p>"I think, my boy," said the Phoenix coldly, "that I shall carry the +creature up into the clouds and drop him. Or should we take him back +with us and hand him over to the Scientist?"</p> + +<p>"Now, don't take offense, Your Honor," said the Leprechaun. "I thought +you'd look at it as kind o' comic."</p> + +<p>"Exceedingly comic," said the Phoenix severely. "I am quite overcome +with mirth and merriment. But perhaps—<i>perhaps</i>—I shall let you off +lightly if you tell us where the Banshee lives."</p> + +<p>"The—the Banshee of Mare's Nest Wood?"</p> + +<p>"The same. Speak!"</p> + +<p>A new light of respect and fear came into the Leprechaun's eyes. +"She's a terror, she is. What'll you be wanting—"</p> + +<p>"None of your business!" roared the Phoenix. "Where is she?"</p> + +<p>The Leprechaun had begun to tremble. "Follow the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> path yonder through +the wood until you reach the cave, Your Honor. You're not friends o' +hers, are you? You'll not be telling on me? I'm real sorry for those +jokes, Your Honor."</p> + +<p>The Leprechaun's fright was so genuine now that the Phoenix relented +and let him go. The little creature dashed off like a rabbit into the +bog.</p> + +<p>"Let that be a lesson to you, my boy," said the Phoenix. "Beware the +Leprechaun bearing gifts. But I wonder why the thought of the Banshee +frightened him so?"</p> + +<p>They followed the path until they came to the mouth of a cave under a +heap of rocks. The Phoenix plunged in, and David nervously followed. +The cave turned out to be a long passageway which led, after several +turns, into a chamber.</p> + +<p>From the ceiling of this rocky vault hung an electric light bulb, +which glared feebly through drifts of smoke. All around the walls were +wooden boxes, stacked up to make shelves and cupboards. These were +filled with an astonishing array of objects: bottles, vials, alembics, +retorts, test tubes, decanters, cages, boxes, jars, pots, skulls, +books, snake skins, wands, waxen images, pins and needles, locks of +hair, crystal balls, playing cards, dice, witch-hazel forks, tails of +animals, spices, bottles of ink in several<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> colors, clay pipes, a +small brass scale, compasses, measuring cups, a piggy bank which +squealed off and on in a peevish way, balls of string and ribbons, a +pile of magazines called <i>The Warlock Weekly</i>, a broken ukulele, +little heaps of powder, colored stones, candle ends, some potted +cacti, and an enormous cash register. In the middle of the chamber a +little hideous crone in a Mother Hubbard crouched over a saucepan, +stirring it with a wooden spoon. The saucepan was resting in the coals +of an open fire, and smoke and steam together spread out in a murky, +foul-smelling fog.</p> + +<p>The crone peered at them over the top of her spectacles and cackled, +"Come in, come in, dearies. I'll be with you as soon as ever I finish +this brew."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix, who had been gazing around the chamber in surprise, said, +"My dear Banshee, since when have you taken up witchcraft? This is +most unexpected."</p> + +<p>"Ah, 'tis the Phoenix!" exclaimed the hag, peering at them again. +"Well, fancy that now! Och, you may well ask, and I'll be telling you. +'Tis a poor life being a Banshee—long hours and not so much as +sixpence in it for a full night's work, and I got that sick of it! So +I changed me trade. 'Sure, you'll never make a go of it,' they told +me, 'and at your age,' they says, 'and once you've<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> got your station +in life,' they says, 'there's no changing it.' 'It's in the prime of +me life I am,' says I, 'and I'll not be changing me mind for all your +cackling,' says I, 'and if certain mouths don't shut up,' says I, +'I'll cast spells that'll make certain people wish they were dead.' +That set them back on their heels, you may be sure. Well, 'twas the +best decision of me life. The money pours in like sorrows to a widow, +and I'll be retiring within the year to live out my days like a proper +queen."</p> + +<p>Then the Banshee caught sight of David and hobbled over to him, +peering into his frightened eyes.</p> + +<p>"Ah, the wee darling," she crooned, "the plump little mannikin. What a +broth he'd make, to be sure." She pinched his arm, and he started back +in terror. "So firm and plump, to make the mouth water. Sell him to +me, Phoenix!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," said the Phoenix sharply. "What we desire—"</p> + +<p>At this instant the contents of the saucepan began to hiss and bubble. +"Whoops, dearies, the brew is boiling!" shrieked the Banshee, and she +hobbled back to the fire to resume her work. She looked in a recipe +book, stirred, clapped her hands, sang hair-raising incantations in a +quavery voice, and added a pinch of salt and sulfur. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> sprinkled +spices from a shaker, waved her wand, popped in a dead toad, and +fanned up the fire with an ostrich plume.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_132.jpg" width="600" height="600" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>"Now for the hard part," she said, grinning at them toothlessly. She +measured out a spoonful of green powder, weighed it in the scales, and +flung it into the saucepan. There was a loud explosion. A huge blast +of steam flared out and engulfed them. When it had cleared, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> saw +the Banshee tilting the saucepan over a small bottle. One ruby drop of +fluid fell into the bottle. It darted forth rays of light as it fell, +and tinkled like a silver coin rolling down flights of marble steps.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_133.jpg" width="600" height="603" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>The Banshee corked the bottle and held it up proudly to the light. +"Will you look at that, now?" she crooned. "The finest ever I brewed. +Ah, the mystic droplet! Some swain will be buying that, now, and +putting it in a lassie's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> cup o' tea, and she'll be pining away for +love of him before the day's out."</p> + +<p>She put the bottle on the shelf, pasted a label on it, and turned to +them with a businesslike air.</p> + +<p>"Now, dearies, what'll you be wanting? Philtres? Poison?—I've a +special today, only five shillings a vial. A spell? What about your +fortunes?—one shilling if seen in the crystal ball, one and six if +read from the palm. A hex?—I've the finest in six counties. A ticket +to the Walpurgis Night Ball?"</p> + +<p>"We want a Wail," said the Phoenix. "And we shall accept nothing but +the best and loudest you have."</p> + +<p>"Ah, a Banshee's Wail, is it?" cried the hag. "You've come to the +right shop, dearies, to be sure. Now, let me see...." She hobbled to a +shelf which contained a row of boxes, ran her finger along them, +stopped at one, and took it down. "Here we are—key of C-sharp, two +minutes long, only five shillings threepence."</p> + +<p>"No, no," said the Phoenix. "A larger one. We have something more than +mice to frighten."</p> + +<p>"A bigger one? Och, here's a lovely one, now—five minutes long, +ascending scale with a sob at the end, guaranteed to scare a statue. +Yours for ten and six. I call that a real bargain, now!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Bah!" said the Phoenix impatiently. "Enough of these squeaks! We want +a real <i>Wail</i>, my dear Banshee—such a Wail as never before was heard +on the face of this earth. And stop this babbling about shillings and +pence. We are prepared to pay in gold." The Phoenix took the four +pieces of gold from David and carelessly tossed them into the air.</p> + +<p>The Banshee's eyes flew wide open, and she twirled herself around like +a top. "Och, the sweet music of its tinkling!" she exclaimed. "The +lovely sheen of light upon it! <i>There's</i> a sight for eyes used to +naught but silver! Ah, but dearies, I've no Wail worth four pieces of +gold. I'll have to make one up special." She hobbled rapidly around +the chamber until she had found a box as large as a bird cage, and an +ear trumpet. She opened the box, shook it to make sure it was empty, +and put in two heads of cabbage. ("Such monstrous appetites these +Wails do have!" she explained.) She fastened the lid carefully with a +catch-lock, and inserted the ear trumpet in a hole in one side of the +box. Then she disappeared through a sound-proof door, which they had +not seen before on account of the smoke.</p> + +<p>Fifteen minutes later the Banshee came out with the box, plugging up +the hole in its side with a bit of wax.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> She was pale and trembling, +and beads of sweat covered her face. She smiled weakly at them, seized +an earthen-ware jug, and drained it in one gulp. The color began to +return to her face.</p> + +<p>"Wsssht!" she gasped, wiping her brow with the sleeve of her Mother +Hubbard. "Ah, dearies, that was the effort of me life! 'Tis a Wail to +make one burst with pride, though I do say it meself. Thirteen minutes +long by the clock, with a range of ten octaves! 'Twould frighten the +Old Nick himself!"</p> + +<p>"Splendid!" said the Phoenix. "The fact is, I sometimes suspect that +that is precisely with whom we are dealing at home."</p> + +<p>The light suddenly dawned on David. "Phoenix!" he cried. "I bet we're +going to give the Wail to the Scientist!"</p> + +<p>"Precisely, my boy!" The Phoenix beamed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, golly golly golly!" David sang as he danced around.</p> + +<p>"And I'll guarantee it, dearies!" the Banshee cackled. "One hundred +per cent satisfaction or your money back!"</p> + +<p>"Defeat and confusion to the enemy!" the Phoenix shouted, giving the +special squawk which was its battle cry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Banshee received her gold. The Phoenix told David for goodness +sake not to drop the box or let the lid pop open, or they would regret +it to their dying day. David, hearing the rustle of the Wail as it +ravenously attacked the cabbages inside the box, assured the Phoenix +that he would be careful. The Banshee said, "Ah, Phoenix, do sell the +laddie to me," but her tone was more teasing than serious, and they +all laughed. Good-bys were said all round, and David and the Phoenix +left. The last thing they heard as they felt their way up the dark +passage was the happy cackling of the Banshee and the clang of the +cash register.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>They got back to the hotel before dawn and very carefully crept down +the fire escape into the Scientist's room. They put the box on the +bedside table, stuck out their tongues at the sleeping Scientist, and +crept out again. Then they went home, the Phoenix to the ledge and +David to bed, where he fell asleep instantly.</p> + +<p>The Wail was wildly successful. The Scientist released it from its box +at seven o'clock in the morning. People living in the hotel thought +the world had come to its end. The rest of the town wondered if it was +a riot, or an earthquake, or both with three steam calliopes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> thrown +in for good measure. David, who lived twelve blocks from the hotel, +stirred in his sleep and dreamed he was riding a fire engine. Even the +Phoenix claimed later that a kind of moan was borne on the breeze all +the way up to the ledge.</p> + +<p>The hotel burst into activity like a kicked anthill. People poured +down the fire escapes, shot out through the doors, lowered themselves +into the street with ropes of knotted blankets. Others barricaded +themselves in their rooms by piling furniture against the doors and +windows. One guest found his way to the cellar and hid in an ash can +for two days. The manager crawled into the office safe and locked the +door, without even bothering to remember that he was the only one who +knew the combination. The telephone exchange was jammed as calls +flooded in to mobilize the Boy Scouts, the Red Cross, the Salvation +Army, the National Guard, and the Volunteer Flood Control Association. +When the Wail finally died out (which was not until seven-thirty, +because it had devoured both cabbages during the night and had grown +to more than twice its original size) the police entered the hotel in +force, armed to the eyebrows. They found nothing. At the end of a +three-hour search the Chief handed in his resignation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> + +<p>As for the Scientist, he disappeared completely. A farmer living three +miles out of town said he saw a man, dressed in a nightshirt and +head-bandage, running down the valley road. The farmer guessed the +man's speed to be thirty-five miles an hour. But, he added, there was +such a cloud of dust being raised that he could not see very well.</p> + +<p>"It might have been fifty miles an hour," he said.</p> + +<p>No one doubted him.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_139.jpg" width="600" height="299" alt="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 225px;"> +<img src="images/image_140.jpg" width="225" height="316" alt="" /> +</div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p class="f1"><a name="In_Which_David_and_the_Phoenix_Call_On_a_Faun_and_a_Lovely" id="In_Which_David_and_the_Phoenix_Call_On_a_Faun_and_a_Lovely"></a>9: <i>In Which David and<br /> + the Phoenix Call On<br /> + a Faun, and a Lovely<br /> + Afternoon Comes to<br /> + a Strange End</i></p> +<p>The Phoenix was dead tired. And no wonder—all in one week it had +escaped from Gryffons, raced with a Witch, made round-trip flights to +the Pacific Isles and Ireland, been caught in a snare, got burned by a +short circuit, and been knocked down by an exploding cigar. Even a +bird as strong as the Phoenix cannot do all these things without +needing a rest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> So the traveling part of David's education was +stopped for a while to let the Phoenix recover.</p> + +<p>The days went by pleasantly on the ledge. Summer was at its height. +The sun fell on them with just the right amount of warmth as they +lolled on the grass. The air was filled with a lazy murmuring. +"Listen," the murmuring seemed to say, "don't talk, don't think—close +your eyes and listen." Below them, the whole valley danced and wavered +in the heat waves, so that it seemed to be under water.</p> + +<p>There were long, lazy conversations that began nowhere and ended +nowhere—the wonderful kind in which you say whatever comes to your +head without fear of being misunderstood, because what you say has +little importance anyway. The Phoenix told of the times and adventures +it had had. Of the forgotten corners of the world where life went on +as it had from the beginning, and of friends who lived there. Of +Trolls who mined metal from the earth and made from it wondrous +machines which whirred and clattered and clanked and did absolutely +nothing. ("The best kind of machine after all, my boy, since they +injure no one, and there is nothing to worry about when they break +down.") Of Unicorns ("Excellent chaps, but so frightfully melancholy") +which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> shone white in the sun and tossed their ivory horns like +rapiers. Of a Dragon who, having no treasure to guard, got together a +pathetic heap of colored pebbles in its cave. ("And really, he came to +believe in time that they were absolutely priceless, and went about +with a worried frown of responsibility on his brow!") David, in turn, +told the Phoenix about the games he used to play when he lived in the +flat country, and all about school, and Mother and Dad and Aunt Amy +and Beckie.</p> + +<p>He could not help laughing now and then over the Scientist's defeat. +But whenever this came up, the Phoenix would shake its head with a +kind of sad wisdom.</p> + +<p>"My boy, there are certain things, such as head colds and forgetting +where you have left your keys, which are inevitable—and I am afraid +that the Scientist is, too."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Phoenix, you don't think he'll come back, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my boy, I do. I can see the whole train of events: He will +recover from his fright. He will be curious about the Wail, and will +return to investigate it. Once here, he will remember us, and we shall +have to take him into account once more."</p> + +<p>"Oh. Do you think it'll happen soon?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, my boy, nothing to worry about for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> time being. But we +must remember that it will happen some day."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess you're right. I think he's hateful!"</p> + +<p>"I cannot disagree with you there, my boy. Of course, I have no doubt +that, in general, the advancement of science is all to the good. +Knowledge is power. But on days like this I sometimes wonder.... Does +it not seem to you that the highest aim in life at the moment is to +enjoy the sunlight and allow others to do the same?"</p> + +<p>"You're right, Phoenix—but then, you always are. I was just thinking +the same thing. It's funny ... I mean ... well, <i>you</i> know. Why can't +people leave other people alone—and—and—well, just <i>enjoy</i> +themselves and lie in the sun and listen to the wind?"</p> + +<p>"That is the way of the world, my boy. Getting and spending, and all +that sort of thing. But come! Why should we worry over the follies of +the rest of the world? A day like this was made for living, not +thinking. Begone, dull care!"</p> + +<p>And they would forget the Scientist and watch a pair of butterflies +chase each other instead.</p> + +<p>But one day the Phoenix suddenly stood up with a startled expression +on its face. "My dear chap!" it exclaimed. "I have just remembered! +Tomorrow...."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What about tomorrow?"</p> + +<p>"Why, my boy, tomorrow another century rounds its mark. To be brief, +tomorrow is my birthday. My five hundredth birthday."</p> + +<p>"Well, congratulations, Phoenix!"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my boy. Five hundred.... Destiny.... Have I mentioned +before, my boy, that I have a magnificent destiny?"</p> + +<p>"No. What is it, Phoenix?"</p> + +<p>"I—well, it is strange, my boy, but I do not know ... but that it is +magnificent no one can doubt."</p> + +<p>"Do I have one too?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, my boy. We all do."</p> + +<p>David was glad of that. He did not know exactly what a destiny was, +however, and he tried to think of how one would look. But the only +picture which came to his mind was that of a small, mousy creature +(his destiny) looking up in admiration to a splendid thing of flame +and gold, dazzling to the eyes—the Phoenix's mysterious destiny.</p> + +<p>He said, "We'll have to do something special tomorrow to celebrate, +Phoenix."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix looked thoughtful. "I think we had better do whatever we +are going to do <i>today</i>," it said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, we can do something today <i>and</i> tomorrow, then," said David. +"After all, a birthday only comes once a year, and it seems a shame to +spend only one day on it. Especially when it's a five hundredth +birthday."</p> + +<p>"Tomorrow ..." said the Phoenix doubtfully. "I have a strange feeling, +my boy—for once, I find myself unable to explain—most odd, <i>most</i> +odd ... five hundredth birthday...."</p> + +<p>"Ah, well," it went on more cheerfully, "I shall undoubtedly remember +later. The pressing question is, what shall we do now?"</p> + +<p>David got up, thought for a while, and suddenly flung his arms wide. +"Oh, Phoenix," he cried, "it's such a beautiful day, I wish it could +go on forever! Couldn't we go somewhere—somewhere where we—oh, I +don't know. I can't explain it. Anywhere <i>you</i> say, Phoenix."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix looked at him for a long time. "I think I understand, my +boy. Yes.... How about one of the forgotten places I told you about? +Should you like to meet a Faun?"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>It was a green valley, completely enclosed by the barren mountains +which towered above it. At one end a waterfall hung on the face of a +cliff, a misty thread pouring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> into a rainbow-arched pool. A brook +serpentined through fields and groves of trees. There were flocks of +sheep and goats in the fields. Here and there were strange ruins of +marble and red granite—columns, peristyles, benches carved with +lions' heads, and pedestals.</p> + +<p>They landed in a little glade, and David got down in silent +wonderment. The very stillness of the air was enchanted. The grass, +dappled with sun and shadow, wore a mantle of flowers. Clouds of +butterflies sprang up at their approach and swirled about them. To +their right stood two broken columns, half-hidden beneath a wild +tangle of vine and clusters of purple grapes. Beyond was the forest, +dark and cool and silent, with shafts of sunlight in it like golden +spears pinning the forest floor to earth. There was no breeze. And as +David stood there, scarcely daring to breathe, they heard the sound of +shepherd pipes coming from the edge of the wood. It was a minor tune, +but somehow lilting too, with the rippling of water in it, and the +laughter of birds flying high, and the whisper of reeds as they bend +together by the edge of streams, and the gaiety of crickets by night, +and the pouring of summer rain.</p> + +<p>The piping died away, and the Phoenix beckoned to the spellbound +David. Together they walked across<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> the glade, leaving behind them a +wake of swirling butterflies. An immense oak stood at the edge of the +forest. At its foot, on a bed of moss, sat the Faun.</p> + +<p>He was the same size as David. From the waist down he was covered with +shaggy hair like a goat's, and instead of feet he had cloven hooves. +The hair on his head was black and curly, and tumbled around small +pointed ears and a pair of short horns. His eyes were slanted slightly +upward, and he had a pointed chin and a snub nose.</p> + +<p>The Faun waved his pipes saucily at the Phoenix and gave a wry smile. +"Hullo, Phoenix! Back again to honor us with your wit and wisdom? What +gems of advice have you got for us now?"</p> + +<p>"My dear Faun," said the Phoenix stiffly, "I have brought my friend +David, who is acquiring an education. We—"</p> + +<p>The Faun smiled at David. "Want to race?" he said.</p> + +<p>"Sure," said David. "Where to?"</p> + +<p>"One moment," harrumphed the Phoenix. "What we—"</p> + +<p>"Down to that pedestal and back," said the Faun.</p> + +<p>"All right. Wait till I tie my shoe."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix harrumphed again. "This is all very well in its place, but +we <i>should</i>—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ready?" said the Faun. "One, two, three, <i>go</i>!"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_148.jpg" width="600" height="452" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>They dashed for the stone marker. It was an even race until they +reached the pedestal, but there David tried to turn without slowing +down, slipped on the grass, and went sprawling on his hands and knees. +The Faun knew better. He sprang at the pedestal with both hooves, +bounced from it like a spring, and began to race back to the oak. But +then he too fell, tripping over a vine, and David shot past him and +touched the oak one jump ahead of him, shouting "First!"</p> + +<p>They sat down on the moss, panting. The Faun said, "You can really +run! I'm sorry you fell."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, you fell too, so that makes us even," said David. They looked +at each other and for some reason burst out laughing. They rolled +around on the moss and laughed until tears came, while the Phoenix +fidgeted in reproachful silence.</p> + +<p>When they had calmed down a little, the Faun said, "Can you dance?"</p> + +<p>"No," said David. "I wish I could, though."</p> + +<p>"The educational value of dancing is practically nil," the Phoenix +began severely. "I advise—"</p> + +<p>"Sure you can dance," said the Faun. "Listen." He brought the pipes to +his lips and began to play.</p> + +<p>And much to his surprise and delight, David found himself dancing as +though he had never done anything else in his life. The wonderful +thing was that he did not have to think about what he was doing: the +music was doing it all for him. He saw that even the Phoenix was +shuffling around in time to the piping, and looking very embarrassed +about it, too.</p> + +<p>"There," said the Faun when they had finished, "you <i>can</i> dance, and +very well. Even old Phoenix can dance." Suddenly he jumped up and +cried, "Let's go—come on!" and started to run.</p> + +<p>David followed, not knowing where they were going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> and not caring. The +Phoenix came after them, half running and half flying to keep up. They +raced across the glade, through a stand of trees, and out into the +meadow beyond. There they came to a bank of daisies, and threw +themselves into the middle of it and began to pelt each other with +blossoms. The Phoenix, finally caught up in the spirit of it, +collected a huge bunch while they were wrestling, flew suddenly over +them, and drowned them beneath a deluge of flowers. Near by was the +stream. They splashed in the shallows, skipped pebbles over the +surface, and dug a harbor with two dikes in the sandy part of the +shore. The Faun showed David how to build little boats of reeds, and +the Phoenix made them sail by blowing up a wind with its wings.</p> + +<p>They had a tree-climbing contest, which David won because his feet +were better than hooves for standing on branches. But the Faun won the +jumping contest because of the tremendous spring in his legs. They +came out even in the handstand, somersault, and skin-the-cat contest. +And the Phoenix won when they played skip-rope with a piece of vine, +because it could hover in the air with its wings while the vine +swished over and under.</p> + +<p>They had fun with the sheep and goats, too. The Faun made the animals +dance and caper to a tune from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> his pipes, and showed David how to +ride on the rams. You crept up very quietly from behind—jumped +suddenly on their backs—got a quick grip around their necks—and away +in a rush! It was almost as good as flying, except that you got jolted +off sooner or later. Then watch out!—it took some quick dodging to +escape the horns of the angry rams. They left the goats alone, because +of their sharper horns and the wicked look in their eyes.</p> + +<p>"I know where some pictures are," said the Faun. "Come on!" And he led +them to a kind of glade ringed with shattered columns. The ground +there was covered with moss and drifts of leaves. They each got a +stick to clear away the debris, and uncovered a beautiful mosaic +pavement. It was made of bits of colored stone and tile, which were +arranged to make pictures. There were scenes of youths treading out +wine, minstrels with lyres, gods with curly hair, and a beast which +was half man and half horse. There were maidens dancing to flute and +drums, hunters battling with boars and lions, warriors clashing with +sword and shield and spear. There were series of pictures telling +stories of wonders and adventures in far-distant lands, voyages, wars, +conquests. The Faun proudly pointed out a picture of other Fauns +dancing with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> Nymphs. The Phoenix gazed very thoughtfully at some +scenes of a bird building and sitting in a nest of flames. But the +last pictures of this story had been broken up by roots, so they could +not see how it ended.</p> + +<p>When they came to the end of the valley, where the rainbow arched over +the pool, David told them of the pot of gold which is supposed to be +at the foot of rainbows. They looked for it, but without success, +because the rainbow disappeared whenever they got too close to it. So +David and the Faun contented themselves with jumping into the pool and +ducking each other and making bubbly noises, while the Phoenix, who +could not swim, stood on the shore and beamed at them. They picked +ferns from under the waterfall and made wreaths and garlands, which +they threw at the Phoenix's head like quoits. The Faun showed them a +certain place to shout from if you wanted to hear an echo. The Phoenix +shouted, "A stitch in time saves nine!" and the echo dolorously +answered, "A switch is fine for crime."</p> + +<p>Wet and tired from splashing in the pool, they stretched out in the +sun to dry. A grapevine grew near them, and they gorged themselves on +the fruit, smearing their faces and hands with purple. And David +closed his eyes and thought, "Now I'm having a dream, and so is the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +Phoenix. We're all dreaming the same thing and living in the dream, +and I wish—oh, I wish none of us will ever wake up!"</p> + +<p>But he had just opened his eyes again when the Faun leaped to his feet +and cried "Listen!" and flicked his pointed ears forward like a cat.</p> + +<p>David stood up and said in a puzzled voice, "I don't hear anything." +He noticed that the Phoenix had also got up, and was listening +uncomfortably to whatever it was.</p> + +<p>"Listen! Oh, listen!" cried the Faun. There was a joyous light in his +eyes as he leaned forward with his lips slightly parted, straining +toward the mysterious silence. Suddenly he shouted, "I'm coming, I'm +coming!" and dashed off into the wood.</p> + +<p>"Good heavens," muttered the Phoenix. "I had forgotten about—this. +Let us go home, my boy."</p> + +<p>A strange, uncontrollable trembling had seized David's legs. He still +could hear nothing, but some feeling, some hint of an unknown, +tremendous event hung quivering in the air about them and sent little +electric thrills racing up and down his whole body.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Phoenix, what is it, what is it?" he whispered.</p> + +<p>"I think we had best be going, my boy," said the Phoenix anxiously. +"Come along."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Phoenix—" But he heard it now. It came whispering toward them, the +sound of pipes caroling—pipes such as the Faun had played, but +greater, as an organ is greater than a flute. The wild, sweet sound +rose and fell, swelled like a full choir, diminished into one soprano +voice that pierced David through and through, caressing and tugging, +calling, "Come ... come ... run ... run...."</p> + +<p>"Phoenix!" David cried. "Oh, Phoenix, listen, listen!"</p> + +<p>"Run ... run ..." the pipes whispered.</p> + +<p>"Let us go home, my boy," said the Phoenix warningly.</p> + +<p>"Come ... come ..." cried the pipes.</p> + +<p>They could be resisted no longer. In a transport of joy, David shouted +"I'm coming!" and raced away toward the sound. There was nothing in +his mind now, nothing in the whole world, but a desire to be near +those pipes. He must run like the winds, leap and shout, roll in the +grass, throw himself down flowered slopes, follow that magic music +wherever it should lead. He fled blindly through the wood, heedless of +the branches which whipped his face and the thorns which tore at his +legs. The pipes were calling more loudly now: "Run ...<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> run ... faster +... faster...." Then the Phoenix plunged to earth in front of him, +threw out both wings, and shouted "Stop!"</p> + +<p>"Let me go, Phoenix!" David cried. "Let me by! I want to run, I must +run!"</p> + +<p>He made a desperate effort to push past the outstretched wings. But +the Phoenix flung him to the ground, picked him up before he could +kick once, and threw him on its back. Then they were flying at full +speed, dodging through gaps in the branches and between close-set +trunks, with leaves and twigs slashing them from every side. They +burst out of the wood and sped over a meadow. David saw below them a +huge Faun-like figure pacing majestically across the sward. A flaming +wreath encircled its brow, garlands of flowers hung from its arms and +shoulders, and those enchanted pipes were lifted to its lips. Around +the cloven hooves, and trailing out behind, danced a multitude of +creatures—lambs and kids gamboling, goats and rams tossing their +horns, foxes, furry waves of squirrels, rabbits kicking up their +heels, Fauns and Nymphs rollicking, frogs and crickets and serpents. +Above them flew birds and butterflies and beetles and bats in swirling +clouds. Full-voiced, the glorious pipes sang. "Come, come, run, run! +Follow, leap and dance,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> adore and obey! Run, oh, run, heed me before +all passes! Follow, before it is too late, too late, too late...."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_156.jpg" width="600" height="750" alt="" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<p>And David, in a delirium of desire, shouted "I'm coming!" and jumped +from the Phoenix's back.</p> + +<p>For an instant, as he fell through the air, he thought he would +succeed in joining the dancing throng. But the Phoenix, plunging after +him falconwise with folded wings, seized his collar in its talons, and +snatched him up from the very arms of the Faun, who had recognized him +and called his name as he fell.</p> + +<p>Up toward the cloudless sky they soared. David cried, pleaded, +pommeled the Phoenix with his fists. The Phoenix ignored his +struggling and continued to climb with tremendous wing strokes. Up and +up and up.... The piping grew fainter in the distance, its magic +weakened. The enchanted dancers diminished into specks, the valley +fell away until it was only a green splash nestled among the jagged +peaks. And David burst into tears ... and then wondered why he was +crying ... and tried to remember, and could not. The trembling left +his body, and he dangled limply. His eyes closed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> +<div class="figright" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/image_158.jpg" width="250" height="404" alt="" /> +</div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p class="f1"><a name="In_Which_a_Five_Hundredth_Birthday_Is_Celebrated_and_the_Phoenix" id="In_Which_a_Five_Hundredth_Birthday_Is_Celebrated_and_the_Phoenix"></a>10: <i>In Which a Five Hundredth<br /> + Birthday Is Celebrated,<br /> + and the Phoenix<br /> + Bows to Tradition</i></p> +<p>"That's funny," said David, rubbing his eyes and looking around in a +puzzled way. "Where are we, Phoenix?"</p> + +<p>"'Home is the sailor, home from the hill,'" the Phoenix said, "'And +the hunter home from the sea.' Or is it the other way around? At any +rate, we are home, my boy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> + +<p>And so they were.</p> + +<p>"Weren't we playing with a Faun just now?"</p> + +<p>"Quite so."</p> + +<p>"But there was something else," David said. "Something ... Didn't +somebody say, 'Follow, before it is too late,' or something like that? +<i>Did</i> we follow?—I can't remember."</p> + +<p>"No, my boy. By the time one hears that, it is already too late."</p> + +<p>"Oh." Too late for what? he wondered. Oh, well ... He sighed, and fell +to daydreaming.</p> + +<p>A cough from the Phoenix brought him back.</p> + +<p>"Beg your pardon?"</p> + +<p>"I have never seen you so thoughtful, my boy. However, I believe I +know what you are thinking about. It <i>is</i> a difficult problem, is it +not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I was just—"</p> + +<p>"—thinking what you could get me for a birthday present," interrupted +the Phoenix. "Am I not correct?"</p> + +<p>David, who had not even given this a thought until now, flushed.</p> + +<p>"Aha!" said the Phoenix triumphantly. "Just as I thought! Believe me, +my dear fellow, when you have been around as long as <i>I</i> have, you can +read the minds of your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> friends as easily as a book. Now, the problem +of what to give is a hard one at any time, but the problem of what to +give for a five hundredth birthday is even harder. A monogrammed ash +tray? I do not receive cigars often enough to make that practical. A +hand-knitted sweater? It would not fit (they never do). A gold-plated +watch chain? I have no watch. No, the best idea would be to get me +something which I can use."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Phoenix," David stammered. "What <i>do</i> you want, then?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! We have reached the kernel of the problem. And the answer, my +boy, is this: cinnamon."</p> + +<p>"Cinnamon?"</p> + +<p>"Precisely. Also a box of matches—the kind that strike anywhere, you +know."</p> + +<p>"Well—all right. It doesn't sound like much of a present, but if +that's what you really want.... What are you going to do with them, +Phoenix? I mean, if you don't mind my asking."</p> + +<p>"The plain fact is, my boy," said the Phoenix doubtfully, "the plain +fact is—well, I do not know. Odd! But something tells me I shall need +them. Well, it will come to me in the morning, no doubt. And then, of +course, I shall be very glad to have them on hand."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right, cinnamon and matches, then. And I'll get some—no, I won't +tell you <i>that</i>. It'll be a surprise."</p> + +<p>"A surprise? Splendid, my boy! You could not, I suppose, drop me a +small hint? No? But of course not—one hint and my powerful Intellect +could guess everything—and then the surprise would be spoiled. Well, +until tomorrow, then!"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/image_161.jpg" width="500" height="296" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>That evening David shut himself in his room and robbed his bank. It +was a squat, cast-iron box, with "A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned" in +raised letters on one side. The only way to open it was to smash it +with a crowbar, but it could be emptied. It had to be tilted just so, +with a knife blade in the slot to catch the coins and guide<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> them out. +This is what David did, with a bread knife borrowed from the kitchen. +It was a slow, uncertain job, and one coin (he guessed it was a dime +by the way it rattled) never did come out. But the rest, which +included his change from Uncle Charles's present, would be enough.</p> + +<p>Early next morning he went to the store and bought three large boxes +of stick cinnamon, two cans of powdered cinnamon, and a huge box of +matches. For the surprise he got a whole quart of strawberry ice +cream, with a piece of dry ice to keep it from melting. He wanted to +buy a cake, too, and candles, but there was not enough money left. +Then he remembered that a new batch of cookies had been baked at home +yesterday, which would have to do instead. He wrapped the cinnamon and +matches up in a neat package with white paper, tied it in a blue +ribbon, and wrote on it "To Feenix, Happy 500 Birthday, from David." +Then he took all the cookies from the jar, borrowed two plates and +spoons, put everything into a large paper bag, and set out for the +Phoenix's ledge.</p> + +<p>He was surprised to find the Phoenix working busily in the middle of a +wide place on the ledge. Apparently the bird had been at it all night, +for a huge pile of sticks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> and brush had been heaped up on the ground +and shaped roughly like a nest. Right now the Phoenix was struggling +with a small log, trying to get it on the pile.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Phoenix! Happy birthday!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, there, my boy! Thank you very much. Could you kindly give me a +hand with this log?"</p> + +<p>They heaved and grunted the piece of wood to the top of the pile, and +David said, "What's this for, Phoenix?"</p> + +<p>"This, my boy, is a pyre. A bit untidy around the edges, but +nonetheless a pyre."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said David. "What's that?"</p> + +<p>"Well—a <i>pyre</i>, you know—a sort of fire, as it were."</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>fire</i>. I thought you said—oh, yes. Fire. Isn't it awfully +<i>warm</i> for a fire?"</p> + +<p>"The weather <i>is</i> unusually tropical," said the Phoenix, cocking one +eye toward the sun. "This fire, however, is necessary—but I shall +explain later. Meanwhile, if you will just aid me with this branch—" +And for the next fifteen minutes they worked over the heap, adding to +it and shaping it up. David kept his thoughts to himself. He could see +that the Phoenix knew what it was doing, so everything must be all +right.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> + +<p>"By the way, my boy," said the Phoenix casually, when they had +finished, "my prediction was correct. I knew it would be. The +inevitable has occurred."</p> + +<p>"What are you talking about, Phoenix?"</p> + +<p>"The Scientist, my boy. He is in our midst once more."</p> + +<p>David clutched a branch in the heap and said "Oh, Phoenix!" in a +frightened voice.</p> + +<p>"Now, my dear fellow, there is no cause for alarm. He is not nearby at +present. I sent him back."</p> + +<p>"Sent him back? How?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing to it, my boy," said the Phoenix smugly. "He was up at the +crack of dawn, toiling with typical stupidity in full sight on the +slope below. He was making a blind of green branches to hide in while +he spies on me. (Really, the childishness of his efforts! To think for +a minute he could fool <i>me</i> with such tricks!) Well, I waited until he +had gone down the slope to cut more greenery, and when his back was +turned, I slipped down to the blind and took his binoculars."</p> + +<p>"But Phoenix, what did you want with his binoculars?"</p> + +<p>"I did not want his binoculars, my boy, but <i>he</i> did. His language +when he discovered the loss was simply<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> frightful—I could hear it all +the way up here. Of course, he had to return to town for another +pair."</p> + +<p>"But he'll be back!"</p> + +<p>"Precisely, my boy. But he will have something to keep him busy when +he returns. I took the liberty of destroying his blind. <i>That</i> will +hold him."</p> + +<p>"But it won't hold him long, Phoenix! We've got to think of something +else. Now your whole birthday is spoiled!"</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, my boy, it will hold him long enough. Now please do +not ask me why; you must take my word for it, and I shall explain +later. And my birthday is <i>not</i> spoiled. I am looking forward with a +great deal of pleasure to the surprise which you promised me. Come, +let us enjoy it, whatever it is, and forget the Scientist."</p> + +<p>"Well ... are you <i>sure</i> about the Scientist?"</p> + +<p>"Absolutely."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix was so positive that David began to feel better. He picked +up the paper bag and said: "Well, it isn't much of a surprise, +really—just a birthday party. And your present. But I think the +present should come after the party, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Quite so, my boy. But I shall leave the management of the whole +affair in your capable hands."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right," said David. "Now, you'll have to turn around, Phoenix, +and not look while I'm getting it ready."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix obediently turned around, clasping its wings behind its +back, and tried hard not to peek. David set the party things out on +the grass: ice cream in the middle, the cookies in a ring around it, +plates on either side, and spoons beside the plates. He set the +Phoenix's present off to one side, where it could be reached when they +had finished.</p> + +<p>"All right, Phoenix, you can turn around now."</p> + +<p>The Phoenix took a long look at everything, and said huskily: "My dear +chap, this is quite the nicest moment of my life. How can I possibly +thank you?"</p> + +<p>They sat down in their places. David passed the cookies and served the ice +cream, and said that as far as he was concerned, this was the best birthday +party he had ever been to. And the Phoenix said, "Quite so, my boy, but +might I make so bold as to ask why?" And David answered, "Well, the reason +is that usually during birthday parties you have to play stupid games, like +pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey and button-button-who-has-the-button, in spite +of the fact that eating good things is the real reason for having a party, +as everybody knows." And the Phoenix said, "Precisely, my boy, but people +have somehow lost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> the main idea of the thing. When you come right down to +it, ice cream is the basis of any sensible party, and everything else is a +waste of time." And David said, "Yes, Phoenix, but don't forget cake and +cookies, and candy and nuts and things. They're not as good as ice cream, +but they're not a complete waste of time, either." And the Phoenix said, +"Of course not, my dear fellow, they are important too. And speaking of ice +cream, have you noticed that, while chocolate is very good, and vanilla +enjoys great popularity, still there is <i>nothing</i> like strawberry?" And +David said, "Yes, you're right"—rather sadly, because the Phoenix was +eating most of it.</p> + +<p>At last the ice cream carton was empty and all the cookies were gone. +They both sighed regretfully and brushed away the crumbs. And the +Phoenix looked hopefully at the present David had brought.</p> + +<p>"Happy birthday, Phoenix," David said, and he handed the gift over +with a little bow.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my boy, thank you." The Phoenix opened the package eagerly +and gave a pleased cry. "<i>Just</i> what I wanted, my dear chap!"</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you like it," David said. "Do you know yet what it's for? +Can you really use it for something?"</p> + +<p>The Phoenix suddenly stopped smiling and looked at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> David with a +strange expression on its face—an expression David had never seen +there before. A vague dread swept through him, and he faltered, +"Phoenix ... you <i>do</i> know what it's for? What is it? Tell me."</p> + +<p>"Well, my boy—well, the fact <i>is</i>—yes, I do know. It came to me this +morning while I was constructing the—ah—nest, here. I am afraid it +will be a bit hard to explain. The cinnamon—ah—the cinnamon—well, +cinnamon <i>branches</i> are what I should really have...."</p> + +<p>"But Phoenix, what's it <i>for</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Behold, my boy." The Phoenix opened the boxes, and spread the +cinnamon sticks on the nest. Then it took the cans and sprinkled the +cinnamon powder over the top and sides of the heap, until the whole +nest was a brick-dust red.</p> + +<p>"There we are, my boy," said the Phoenix sadly. "The traditional +cinnamon pyre of the Phoenix, celebrated in song and story."</p> + +<p>And with the third mention of the word "pyre," David's legs went weak +and something seemed to catch in his throat. He remembered now where +he had heard that word before. It was in his book of explorers, and it +meant—it meant—</p> + +<p>"Phoenix," he choked, "wh-wh-who is the pyre for?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> + +<p>"For myself," said the Phoenix.</p> + +<p>"<i>Phoenix!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Now, I implore you—please—oh, dear, I <i>knew</i> it would be difficult +to explain. Look at me, my boy."</p> + +<p>David did as he was told, although his eyes were filled with tears and +he could not see through the blur.</p> + +<p>"Now," said the Phoenix gently, "the fact is that I have, besides my +unusually acute Intellect, an Instinct. This Instinct told me that it +was my birthday today. It also told me to build this nest of cinnamon. +Now it tells me that I must make this nest my pyre, because that is +what the Phoenix does at the end of five hundred years. Now, please, +my boy!—I admit it does not appear to be a very joyful way of +celebrating, but it must be done. This is the traditional end of the +Phoenix, my boy, and we cannot ignore the tradition, no matter what +our feelings may be. Do you see?"</p> + +<p>"No!" David cried. "Please, Phoenix, don't do it! It's horrible! I +won't let you do it!"</p> + +<p>"But I must, my dear chap! I cannot help it. This is what it means to +be the Phoenix. Nothing can stop the tradition. Please, my boy, do not +take on so! It is not in the least horrible, I assure you. My Instinct +tells me so."</p> + +<p>"You said you were going to give me an education,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> David sobbed. "You +said we would see—you said—and we've only been on four +adventures—you never told me about this—"</p> + +<p>"I am terribly sorry, my boy. I could not tell you about it because I +did not <i>know</i> about it until now. As for your education, it is a pity +to have it cut short in this way. I had great plans.... But +consider—you have had four adventures which no one else in the whole +world has had! And besides, my boy, we shall see each other again. I +do not know how or where, but I am positive of it." The Phoenix +flicked a tear from its eye with the tip of one wing, while with the +other it patted David awkwardly on the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Don't go, Phoenix, <i>please</i> don't go."</p> + +<p>"I must, my boy. Here, permit me to present you with a small token +(ouch!) of our friendship."</p> + +<p>Dimly, through his tears, David saw the Phoenix pluck the longest, +bluest feather from its tail, and he felt it being pressed into his +hand.</p> + +<p>"Good-by, David," said the Phoenix gruffly.</p> + +<p>David could stand it no longer. He turned and rushed blindly from the +Phoenix, blundered into the thicket, and dropped to the ground with +his head buried in his arms. Behind him he heard the sticks snapping +as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> the Phoenix mounted its pyre. A match rasped against the box. The +first tongue of flame sizzled in the branches. David pressed his hands +over his ears to shut out the sound, but he could feel the heat of the +flames as they sprang up. And the noise would not be shut out. It grew +and grew, popping, crackling, roaring, until it seemed to fill the +world....</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Perhaps he fainted. Or perhaps from numbness he slipped into a kind of +deep sleep. Whichever it was, he returned to consciousness again +suddenly. His hands had slipped from his ears, and a sound had brought +him back. He lifted his head and listened. The fire had burnt itself +out now. The only noise was the hiss and pop of dying embers. But +these sounds were too gentle to have awakened him—it must have been +something else. Yes—it was a voice. He could hear it quite plainly +now. There were angry shouts coming from somewhere below the ledge.</p> + +<p>Carefully avoiding the sight of the pyre, David crawled to the edge +and glanced over. Far down, on the slope at the foot of the scarp, was +a tiny figure dancing and bellowing with rage. The Scientist had +returned and discovered the ruins of his blind. David watched him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +dully. No need to worry about <i>him</i> any more. How harmless he looked +now, even ridiculous! David turned away.</p> + +<p>He noticed then that he was holding something in his hand, something +soft and heavy. As he lifted it to look more closely, it flashed in +the sunlight. It was the feather the Phoenix had given him, the tail +feather. Tail feather?... But the Phoenix's tail had been a sapphire +blue. The feather in his hand was of the purest, palest gold.</p> + +<p>There was a slight stir behind him. In spite of himself, he glanced at +the remains of the pyre. His mouth dropped open. In the middle of the +white ashes and glowing coals there was movement. Something within was +struggling up toward the top. The noises grew stronger and more +definite. Charred sticks were being snapped, ashes kicked aside, +embers pushed out of the way. Now, like a plant thrusting its way out +of the soil, there appeared something pale and glittering, which +nodded in the breeze. Little tongues of flame, it seemed, licking out +into the air.... No, not flames! A crest of golden feathers!... A +heave from below lifted the ashes in the center of the pile, a fine +cloud of flakes swirled up into the breeze, there was a flash of +sunlight glinting on brilliant plumage. And from the ruins of the pyre +stepped forth a magnificent bird.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was the Phoenix, it must be the Phoenix! But it was a new and +different Phoenix. It was young and wild, with a fierce amber eye; its +crest was tall and proud, its body the slim, muscular body of a +hunter, its wings narrow and long and pointed like a falcon's, the +great beak and talons razor-sharp and curving. And all of it, from +crest to talons, was a burnished gold that reflected the sun in a +thousand dazzling lights.</p> + +<p>The bird stretched its wings, shook the ash from its tail, and began +to preen itself. Every movement was like the flash of a silent +explosion.</p> + +<p>"Phoenix," David whispered. "Phoenix."</p> + +<p>The bird started, turned toward him, looked at him for an instant with +wild, fearless eyes, then continued its preening. Suddenly it stopped +and cocked its head as if listening to something. Then David heard it +too: a shout down the mountainside, louder and clearer now, excited +and jubilant. He shivered and looked down. The Scientist was tearing +up the goat trail as fast as his long legs would carry him—and he was +waving a rifle.</p> + +<p>"Phoenix!" David cried. "Fly! Fly, Phoenix!"</p> + +<p>The bird looked at the Scientist, then at David, its glance curious +but without understanding. Paralyzed with fear, David remained on his +knees as the Scientist reached<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> an open place and threw the gun up to +his shoulder. The bullet went whining by with an ugly hornet-noise, +and the report of the gun echoed along the scarp.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_174.jpg" width="600" height="630" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>"Fly, Phoenix!" David sobbed. A second bullet snarled at the bird, and +spattered out little chips of rock from the inner wall of the ledge.</p> + +<p>"Oh, fly, fly!" David jumped up and flung himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> between the bird +and the Scientist. "It's me!" he cried. "It's David!" The bird gazed +at him closely, and a light flickered in its eye as though the name +had reached out and almost, but not quite, touched an ancient memory. +Hesitantly it stretched forth one wing, and with the tip of it lightly +brushed David's forehead, leaving there a mark that burned coolly.</p> + +<p>"<i>Get away from that bird, you little idiot!</i>" the Scientist shrieked. +"<i>GET AWAY!</i>"</p> + +<p>David ignored him. "Fly, Phoenix!" he cried, and he pushed the bird +toward the edge.</p> + +<p>Understanding dawned in the amber eyes at last. The bird, with one +clear, defiant cry, leaped to an out-jutting boulder. The golden wings +spread, the golden neck curved back, the golden talons pushed against +the rock. The bird launched itself into the air and soared out over +the valley, sparkling, flashing, shimmering; a flame, large as a +sunburst, a meteor, a diamond, a star, diminishing at last to a speck +of gold dust, which glimmered twice in the distance before it was gone +altogether.</p> +<p> </p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><i>The Author</i></h2> + +<h2>Edward Ormondroyd</h2> +<p>When Edward Ormondroyd was about thirteen, his family moved from +Pennsylvania to Ann Arbor, Michigan. He and a friend began to read +Arthur Ransome's boating stories and, inspired by the adventures of +the Swallows, built their own fourteen-foot sailboat and tried to +re-create that English magic on the Huron River.</p> + +<p>In 1943 he graduated from high school and joined the Navy. Destroyer +Escort 419 was his home for the next two years. "When the war was +over, she looked in on China and Korea, and came home. She did show me +San Francisco Bay at dusk. One look convinced me that I would like to +live by it; and I have, ever since."</p> + +<p>After the war, Mr. Ormondroyd went to the University of California at +Berkeley. He graduated in 1951, and since then has been busy writing, +sailing as able seaman aboard a tanker, and working as a bookstore +clerk and machine tender. He lives in Berkeley, California. He is +married and has one son.</p> + +<p>It was while Mr. Ormondroyd was at college that David and the Phoenix +first intruded into his consciousness. "<i>One day, when I was walking +across campus, I had a sudden vision of a large and pompous bird +diving out of a window, tripping on the sill, and falling into a rose +arbor below. I had to explain to myself why the poor bird was in such +a situation in the first place, and what became of it afterwards. The +result of my investigation was</i> <span class="smcap">David and the Phoenix</span>."</p> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<h2>David and<br /> +the Phoenix</h2> +<h3>Edward Ormondroyd</h3> +<h3><i>Illustrated by Joan Raysor</i></h3> +<p>David knew that one should be prepared for anything when one climbs a +mountain, but he never dreamed what he would find that June morning on +the mountain ledge.</p> + +<p>There stood an enormous bird, with a head like an eagle, a neck like a +swan, and a scarlet crest. The most astonishing thing was that the +bird had an open book on the ground and was reading from it!</p> + +<p>This was David's first sight of the fabulous Phoenix and the beginning +of a pleasant and profitable partnership. The Phoenix found a great +deal lacking in David's education—he flunked questions like "How do +you tell a true from a false Unicorn?"—and undertook to supplement it +with a practical education, an education that would be a preparation +for Life. The education had to be combined with offensive and +defensive measures against a Scientist who was bent on capturing the +Phoenix, but the two projects together involved exciting and hilarious +adventures for boy and bird.</p> + +<p>A wonderful read-aloud book, adventurous and very funny, with much of +the magic as well as the humor of the fantastic.</p> + +<h3> +<i>Follett Publishing Company</i></h3> +<h3> + <i>New York</i> <span class="smcap">CHICAGO</span> <i>Toronto</i> +</h3> + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's David and the Phoenix, by Edward Ormondroyd + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVID AND THE PHOENIX *** + +***** This file should be named 27922-h.htm or 27922-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/9/2/27922/ + +Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Greg Weeks, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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