diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | 40502-0.txt (renamed from 40502.txt) | 401 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40502-8.txt | 6139 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40502-8.zip | bin | 94477 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40502-h.zip | bin | 6101088 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40502-h/40502-h.htm | 428 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 40502.zip | bin | 94459 -> 0 bytes |
6 files changed, 7 insertions, 6961 deletions
@@ -1,37 +1,4 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Brownies and Prince Florimel, by Palmer Cox - -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/license - - -Title: The Brownies and Prince Florimel - Brownieland, Fairyland, and Demonland - -Author: Palmer Cox - -Release Date: August 14, 2012 [EBook #40502] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROWNIES AND PRINCE FLORIMEL *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, eagkw and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40502 *** Transcriber's notes @@ -4911,7 +4878,7 @@ but which was too small to provide a means of escape. "This is where you'll stay," announced Dragonfel. "The place isn't half-bad, as things go, so you ought to make yourselves fairly comfortable in it. You'll find both hot and cold water in the little -ante-room screened off by those peacock-feather portieres. Your meals +ante-room screened off by those peacock-feather portières. Your meals will be brought to you. If you want to read there's the dictionary." "How long are you going to keep us here?" asked Titania, with a sinking @@ -5774,366 +5741,4 @@ peace, good humor, and good will to all human kind. End of Project Gutenberg's The Brownies and Prince Florimel, by Palmer Cox -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROWNIES AND PRINCE FLORIMEL *** - -***** This file should be named 40502.txt or 40502.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/5/0/40502/ - -Produced by David Edwards, eagkw and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -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. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -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/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40502 *** diff --git a/40502-8.txt b/40502-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 64293b6..0000000 --- a/40502-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6139 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Brownies and Prince Florimel, by Palmer Cox - -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/license - - -Title: The Brownies and Prince Florimel - Brownieland, Fairyland, and Demonland - -Author: Palmer Cox - -Release Date: August 14, 2012 [EBook #40502] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROWNIES AND PRINCE FLORIMEL *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, eagkw and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - -Transcriber's notes - - -For this txt-version text in italics was surrounded with -_underscores_, and text in small caps was changed to all caps. - -A few punctuation errors have been corrected, and on page 142 "is" was -changed to "as" (make it as hard as you can). Otherwise the original has -been preserved, including inconsistent hyphenation. - - - - - [Illustration: Presented to ... By ...] - - - - - THE BROWNIES AND PRINCE FLORIMEL - - - - - THE BROWNIES - AND PRINCE FLORIMEL - - OR - Brownieland, Fairyland, and Demonland - - BY - PALMER COX - - Author of The Brownies: Their Book; Another Brownie Book; - The Brownies Around the World; The Brownies at Home; - The Brownies Through the Union; The Brownies - Abroad; The Brownies in the Philippines; - The Brownies' Latest Adventures; The - Brownies' Many More Nights; The - Brownie Clown in Brownie - Town; The Brownie Primer, - etc., etc., etc. - - [Illustration] - - NEW YORK - THE CENTURY CO. - - - - - Copyright, 1918, by - THE CENTURY CO. - - _Published, September, 1918_ - - PRINTED IN THE U. S. A. - - - - - TABLE OF CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - [Illustration] - - THE FLIGHT OF PRINCE FLORIMEL 3 - - [Illustration] - - TITANIA COMES TO REIGN OVER THE FAIRIES 14 - - [Illustration] - - FLORIMEL REACHES THE ENCHANTED COUNTRY 25 - - [Illustration] - - THE HUMAN OCTOPUS STARTS ON A MISSION 37 - - [Illustration] - - FLORIMEL MEETS THE BROWNIES 49 - - [Illustration] - - THE HUMAN OCTOPUS SNOOPS AROUND 58 - - [Illustration] - - FLORIMEL IS ADOPTED BY KING STANISLAUS 68 - - [Illustration] - - QUEEN TITANIA'S GREAT PERIL 80 - - [Illustration] - - THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN 92 - - [Illustration] - - THE STRANGE WEDDING-GUESTS 103 - - [Illustration] - - THE BROWNIES BUILD A RAFT 119 - - [Illustration] - - WHAT HAPPENED IN THE THRONE-ROOM 133 - - [Illustration] - - NEPTUNE STILLS THE WAVES 145 - - [Illustration] - - WHAT THE POLICEMAN DISCOVERED 157 - - [Illustration] - - THE GERMAN BAND 166 - - [Illustration] - - THE EARTHQUAKE AND VOLCANO 177 - - [Illustration] - - THE BROWNIES FIGHT THE FLAMES 189 - - [Illustration] - - THE FLIGHT TO THE MINES 201 - - [Illustration] - - THE MISSION OF THE DOVE 212 - - [Illustration] - - DISASTER TO DRAGONFEL 223 - - [Illustration] - - AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER 233 - - - - - BOOKS BY PALMER COX: - PUBLISHED BY THE CENTURY CO. - - - [Illustration] - - THE BROWNIES: THEIR BOOK - Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.50 - - [Illustration] - - ANOTHER BROWNIE BOOK - Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.50 - - [Illustration] - - THE BROWNIES AT HOME - Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.50 - - [Illustration] - - THE BROWNIES AROUND THE WORLD - Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.50 - - [Illustration] - - THE BROWNIES THROUGH THE UNION - Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.50 - - [Illustration] - - THE BROWNIES ABROAD - Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.50 - - [Illustration] - - THE BROWNIES IN THE PHILIPPINES - Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.50 - - [Illustration] - - THE BROWNIES LATEST ADVENTURES - Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.50 - - [Illustration] - - THE BROWNIES MANY MORE NIGHTS - Quarto, 150 pages. Price, in boards, $1.50 - - [Illustration] - - THE BROWNIE CLOWN OF BROWNIETOWN - Oblong, 103 pages. Price, in boards, $1.00 - - [Illustration] - - THE BROWNIE PRIMER - 12 mo, 108 pages. Price, in cloth, $ .40 net. - - - - -THE BROWNIES AND PRINCE FLORIMEL - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE FLIGHT OF PRINCE FLORIMEL - - -[Illustration] - -All that is here set down happened in a wonderful country where -wonderful things are always happening. - -In a certain kingdom there was a young prince named Florimel. - -His father, the king, had lately passed away, but, though Florimel was -his only son, and of age, he had not succeeded to the throne that by -right of birth was his. - -The reason was that his father had a brother, a very cruel, crafty duke, -high in the councils of the state, who had designs upon the throne -himself. In a covetous frame of mind he had once taken a photograph of -the crown and ermine robe, and the intelligent palace parrot had made a -remark thereat: - -"'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,'" croaked the bird. - -It was a wise quotation, and yet it was not wise to make it, for right -after that something happened to the unlucky parrot. - -The duke with his evil influence swayed the opinions of the royal -cabinet which made the laws. In his wicked old heart he wished Florimel -out of the way. - -[Illustration] - -If Florimel had been like other princes one reads about his people no -doubt would have insisted upon his occupying the throne. But the throne -was of ordinary size, so that he never could have occupied it. Like -other princes he was all that was fair and handsome, but he was very -small indeed. He was no larger than the average-sized boy of twelve, and -the people who should have proved his loyal subjects were well-grown men -and women. In their talks among themselves they showed a shame that -anyone so small should rule them. - -[Illustration] - -"Why, he's no bigger than a Brownie!" was a remark they very often made. -"It would look foolish to have such a mite for a king." For they were -well informed about the Brownies, and knew how they perched on fences, -or hid adroitly whenever danger threatened. - -But they were guided by appearances, as too often people wrongly are, -and they failed to realize that sometimes the best goods are done up in -the smallest packages, and that even a mite may be mighty. - -The fact that Florimel was so small had been a great grief to his late -parents who had never been able to understand it. He had been a fine, -healthy baby who had won the hearty approval of his doctors and nurses. - -His mother always had an uneasy fear that the godmother who assisted at -his christening might have been concerned in his diminutive size, but -the king invariably poo-poohed at her suspicions. This godmother was an -ex-fairy, but advancing age had interfered with her work of magic. Her -joints had become stiff and cramped, and she had contracted rheumatism -from sleeping in damp, dewy flowers. She did not get around in the -lively fashion she used to. - -"Nonsense!" said the king. "Would she have bestowed on him the gift of -second sight and at the same time taken away his size? Depend upon it, -my dear, her intentions were perfectly straightforward and honorable." - -"But it may have been this second sight has interfered with his growth," -said the queen. "His vision is simply wonderful." - -This was indeed so. Prince Florimel could see things no one else could. -Furthermore he could see them at night. Some wise old soothsayer -declared that he was gifted with supernatural powers. - -One other gift had his ex-fairy godmother presented to him, a bow and -quiver of arrows which she averred were priceless. - -"I charge you," she said most impressively to the king, "never to let -your dear son have the bow and arrows unless there comes to him some -moment of great danger. Then let him place one of these arrows to the -bow, and shoot it where he will. The result will be miraculous." - -[Illustration] - -After she had gone back to the old-ex-fairy-ladies' home the king was -strongly tempted to shoot one of the arrows from the bow just to see -what would happen. With great difficulty he repressed his curiosity, and -placed the bow and arrows in the family safe whose combinations was -known only to himself. - -So time passed happily, and one year added its joys to those of others, -until there came the sad day when Florimel lost his dear mother. There -was much sorrow throughout the entire kingdom, for the queen was a -gentle, gracious one whose kind words and good deeds had endeared her -to the hearts of all. So great was her loss to the king that he did not -survive her long. Ere he joined her he called his brother, the duke, to -his bed, and said to him: - -"You are my only kin outside of Florimel, so to your keeping I entrust -him. He is such a little chap you must be very careful of him. After -I am gone he will be king, and I am sure he will rule well and wisely. -He is a true king at heart if not of stature. Promise me to be his -councilor and guide, and to incline him ever to the side of mercy, -charity, and goodness." - -The false duke promised with great earnestness, but all the while he was -thinking of many wicked things. - -With Florimel removed he would ascend to the throne himself. Yet so well -did he hide his guilty feelings that his brother had no suspicion of any -perfidy or wrong-doing, and passed away in the peace befitting the -righteous king he was. - -After the king's death the duke through one pretext or another delayed -the coronation of the new. He incited his nephew to feats and deeds of -great danger and daring with the evil hope that some terrible accident -would befall him. But in all the risks and hazards that he took, and -none was too great, it almost seemed that Prince Florimel bore a charmed -life. - -Like other young people he had his dreams, and saw much that was unreal, -but with all these there had come lasting impressions. - -When the duke failed to accomplish his evil designs, he determined upon -even more desperate methods in his game. - -The people were beginning to chafe at the delay in the coronation, and -were clamoring for a new ruler. So the cabinet met to decide this most -important matter, and the duke presided over the council. - -[Illustration] - -"This is a most embarrassing situation," he said. "Ordinarily we would -place the only son of our late king on the throne without question -and amid great rejoicing. But we are confronted by a most perplexing -question. Prince Florimel is what might be termed a freak. The point is, -could he represent his kingdom with the proper dignity?" - -"Prince Florimel may be a freak as you say," remarked a member of the -cabinet, "but at the same time I have never seen a handsomer, manlier -young fellow. His symmetry is perfect, and he is all that is chivalrous -and brave. He is the stuff true kings are made of. The only thing -against him is his size." - -"That I fear is an objection which cannot be overcome," said the wily -duke. "Can we, a race of big men and women, be governed by a pygmy -king--a hop-o'-my-thumb? We would be the laughing stock of other -kingdoms. Think, when the rulers of all these met, and ours came -among them, of the mortification we would feel that we did not have -a full-grown man to represent us. His insignificance would make this -country insignificant to others. Those who did not know us, and judged -us by him, would look upon us as a country of dwarfs." - -"But Florimel is the late king's son, and heir to the throne," said -another member of the cabinet. "Who else could reign in his stead?" - -"I am the next of kin," said the duke. - -"Yes, if it were not for Florimel you would be the logical king." - -"Let us postpone our deliberations until tomorrow, by which time I think -I can find a way out of the difficulty," said the duke, with deadly -meaning. - -The members of the cabinet looked at each other, and the meeting -silently adjourned. It had been conducted with the utmost secrecy, -and no one else was present but an old factotum named Gando who was -there to lock the doors. And Gando, who was passionately attached to -Florimel, heard the duke's word, and was very uneasy in his mind. - -"So that is why," the old man said to himself, "the duke was sharpening -his knife on the grind-stone!" - -When the duke had retired to his apartment Gando tiptoed noiselessly -after him, and placed his feeble, dim eye close to the key-hole of the -door. - -What he saw froze the blood in his veins, and caused the few white -hairs on his head to stand stiffly up with his great fright. - -The duke was seated at his window, and the moonlight played and -glittered on a long, slender knife that he held in his hand. - -Old Gando's knees knocked together, and he fled the spot. Of one thing -he was very sure. Florimel without loss of time should place himself far -beyond the reach of his wicked uncle. Each added moment increased the -prince's danger. Soon escape might be too late. Before he went to warn -the sleeping prince he secured the bow and quiver of arrows that had -been intrusted to his care by the late king. He hastily provided himself -with a smock, loose cap, and long trousers of coarse cloth such as -children of poor peasants wear. - -[Illustration] - -With these in his trembling arms, breathless from his exertions and -the great excitement under which he labored, he entered Florimel's -bedchamber, and closed the door noiselessly behind him. With his fair -head resting on his curved arm, Florimel slept. Gando gave a great sigh -of relief when he heard his gentle breathing. He flew to the bedside, -and straightway roused the slumbering prince from his dreams. - -[Illustration] - -"Oh, master, my dear young master!" he cried with his voice broken by -sobs. "Rouse yourself, I beg of you, and go hence! Do not delay, or you -may be too late. Your cruel uncle this very moment is plotting your -death!" - -Florimel sprang up in bed, and tried to rub the sleep from his eyes. - -"But where shall I go, good Gando?" he asked. - -"That I know not," said the old man. "The further you go the better. You -must leave behind you the boundaries of the kingdom. See, I have brought -these peasant's clothes for you to wear." - -"Nay, I still have my prince's attire," said Florimel. - -"That will not serve," said Gando. "If you donned it you would be -quickly recognized, and your uncle would gain knowledge of you to your -swift undoing." - -He assisted the bewildered Florimel to dress, swung across his back the -quiver of arrows, and handed him the bow. - -"This was your godmother's gift," he said, "and it might aid you." - -But, though Gando urged Florimel not to take the time, the latter -printed something on a card which he tacked upon the outside of the door -before they left the place. - -As they fled toward a secret exit they heard down the corridor the -stealthy tread of feet. - -The duke snarled like a wild beast as he read the lines: - -"FAREWELL, DEAR UNCLE! KEEP YOUR EDGED TOOL FOR FATTED SWINE!" - -"Fly!" old Gando cried, as he thrust Florimel out into the lonely, -starlit night. "Oh, my dear young master, fly for your life!" - -It was a sad and sudden change indeed for the youth, from the pleasant -dreams of guardian Brownies surrounding his bed, to the uncertainty -of an unknown way before, and the certainty of a cruel enemy behind. -Snow-capped mountain peaks in the distance had a forbidding look and, as -though in league with his old uncle, seemed to extend to him but a cool -welcome. The wakeful and observing beasts of the wood and wild saw in -him a new character never before met in the open country, and were -shaken with wonder and agitation while they watched the hastening little -traveller striding along the lonely road, his only burden the bow and -supply of arrows. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER II - -TITANIA COMES TO REIGN OVER THE FAIRIES - - -[Illustration] - -Now in another part of the same country there was a race of fairies who -never grew old and always remained beautiful. - -Their loveliness of face and form was beyond all description. - -Just try to think of the prettiest young girl you ever saw. Well, even -the plainest of these fairies were ever so much prettier. That is to -say, all were very beautiful with one exception. In her case the fairy -charm was an utter failure. - -She was little and old, with a queer, wrinkled face like a dried-up -crab-apple. But, because no one else looked like her, she was firmly -convinced she was the most beautiful of them all. They wore clinging -gowns made of the texture of roses, lilies, and other flowers. She who -wore fragrant rose-petals called herself Rose, she who called herself -Lily one of lilies, and so on. There were Violet, Daffodil, Bluebell, -Daisy, Jassamine, Hyacinth, and ever so many others. You could find the -names of all the rest in a seed-catalogue--that is, all but the little -old wrinkled one who was known as Dame Drusilda. The fairies had -a republic. Because they were all so very much alike, and equally -beautiful, gifted, and clever, it would have been an extremely awkward -matter to select a queen from among them. If any one had been chosen, -all the others would have felt greatly slighted. Dame Drusilda believed -she should be the queen, simply because no one else looked like her, but -she was quite alone in her opinion. - -[Illustration] - -They were very up-to-date, and they had a palace of great magnificence -that had every modern convenience, with sanitary plumbing. There was a -very gorgeous throne-room, wisely arranged in the event that they might -some day have a queen, with a portcullis at the entrance that could be -raised or lowered at will. This, of course, was to keep out unwelcome -visitors. - -[Illustration] - -The republic was most beautifully situated where a river joined the -sea, and upon a cliff one day the fairies beheld a most unusual sight. -While they were smiling and nodding a greeting to some lovely mermaids -who were down among the rocks combing their long tresses with the aid of -hand-mirrors, a golden shallop heaped with flowers came drifting down -the placid stream. The fairies signalled to the mermaids who, when their -attention was attracted to the shallop, swam to it, and guided it to the -shore. As it drew near all grew very much excited when they observed a -most exquisite little creature nestling asleep in the fragrant bed of -flowers. When the shallop grounded gently on the pebbly beach her -eyes opened, and she gazed up at them with the most enchanting smile -imaginable. "I am Queen Titania," she announced, as they bent over her, -"and I have come to reign over you!" - -With tender hands they raised her from her couch, and knelt before her -in silent adoration. - -Never before had they seen anyone so beautiful, as she stood before them -in her long trailing gown, with a gem-crusted crown upon her brow, and -in her hand a slender wand from whose tip shone the scintillating rays -of a diamond. - -[Illustration] - -"Your Majesty," said queer little Dame Drusilda, "we are all your loyal -subjects. Let us conduct you to the palace, where affairs of state await -you." - -Amid great rejoicing they conducted Queen Titania to the palace. -Wee-winged Cupids bore her long train. The portcullis was raised, and -in triumph they entered. - -The new queen was conducted with much pomp to the throne-room. When she -was placed upon the throne, two dogs, two frogs, and an ostrich were -brought before her. - -"What have they done?" asked Queen Titania. - -[Illustration] - -"Your Majesty," said the fairy named Hyacinth, "these two dogs were -fighting, and one bit off a piece of the other's ear." - -"Which was the one who did it?" - -"Why, this one!" - -"Bind him over to keep the peace!" said Queen Titania promptly. - -The fairies all nodded their approval as the dogs were led away. - -"Your Majesty," then spoke up one of the frogs, "will you be kind enough -to listen to the complaint of one who has always tried to conduct -himself like a perfect gentleman? I am a confirmed bachelor-frog. This -young lady-frog is continually pestering me with her attentions. She -keeps on proposing marriage, although it is not leap-year." - -"With frogs every year is leap-year," said Queen Titania. - -The ostrich looked very guilty as a fairy named Eglantine explained: - -"Your Majesty, he deliberately swallowed a half-dozen of the palace -spoons." - -"Why did you do it?" asked Queen Titania of the culprit. - -"I don't know," he said shamefacedly. - -"But I do," said Queen Titania. "You did it to stir up things. Have you -a sweetheart?" - -"Yes, I've got a bird!" - -"Well, now you can go and spoon with her!" - -[Illustration] - -All were quite delighted with the wisdom shown by their tiny sovereign -in dispensing justice. But before other important matters could be -disposed of a fairy messenger named Pink with her petalled attire all -flecked with dust dashed in great excitement into the throne-room. She -had ridden many leagues upon a winged steed, and in its terrific speed -which was far greater than that of the swiftest aeroplane it had used -both wings and feet. - -Pink ran toward the throne to impart the news that had brought her in -such hot haste, but the unexpected sight of Queen Titania stilled the -words upon her frightened lips, and caused them to part instead with -wonder and surprise. - -"This is Queen Titania," hastily explained Dame Drusilda, "who -henceforth is to reign over us." - -Pink knelt low before Titania and kissed her royal robe. - -"Your Majesty," she said, "I am the bearer of bad news. Dragonfel the -wicked enchanter across the sea has declared his intention of making -trouble for the fairies." - -"Who told you this?" asked Queen Titania. - -"A little bird," was Pink's reply. - -[Illustration] - -"This is very serious," said Queen Titania gravely, "for little birds -never tell fibs." There was a clamor of dismayed, excited voices, but -the queen raised her wand for silence, and continued: - -"Though it may only be an idle threat, I will still appeal to -Euphrosyne. Should we ever need her help right gladly she will give it." -Her hearers all looked puzzled, and Dame Drusilda made bold to ask: "Who -is Euphrosyne of whom you speak?" "Have you not heard of her?" Queen -Titania asked, with much surprise. "She is the Goddess of Mirth, who -tries to make the whole world happy--a most gigantic task. Come with me, -and I will send her an invisible summons." With the Cupids bearing her -train she passed with the fairies out to the palace courtyard where -fountains played and flowers bloomed. There she raised her wand, and -told them to look up. And doing so they beheld a most marvelous sight--a -radiant, smiling-faced, gloriously beautiful young woman in classical -white robes, with her sandalled feet resting ever so lightly upon one of -the pearl-tinged clouds. - -[Illustration] - -Around her circled snowy doves, cooing, fluttering, and settling on her -head, bare shoulders and arms. - -While Titania waved her wand, she suddenly gazed downward, as though -something by means of an electric current had been transmitted to her -through the air. She stroked a dove that had found its way trustingly to -her hand, and as the others flew from her she herself seemed plumed for -flight. - -The fairies watched her with a suspense that was almost painful, but to -their great disappointment the passing clouds blotted her from sight. - -But even the fairies who all the time are witnessing the most wonderful -things were quite astounded when Euphrosyne in what seemed to be the -very next moment appeared with the dove right in their very midst. - -[Illustration] - -"What is your wish?" she said to Queen Titania. - -"Oh, beautiful Euphrosyne," said the little queen, "we are much -concerned over the wicked Dragonfel." - -[Illustration] - -"The enchanter across the sea?" said Euphrosyne. - -"And what about him?" - -"He threatens harm to the fairies." - -"Do not borrow trouble," said Euphrosyne. - -[Illustration] - -"Sometimes people make foolish threats, and when others heed them they -have a good deal of needless worry." All looked very much relieved, and -Queen Titania said: "Your encouraging words comfort us greatly." - -"If I were you," advised Euphrosyne, "I'd always keep the portcullis -down, and be very careful about admitting strangers. Don't let anyone in -without a first-class reference. If Dragonfel annoys you, let me know." - -"But how?" asked Queen Titania. - -"You can send this magic dove to me!" - -They looked at her, but she was gone, and no one knew whither. She -seemed to have just melted away. Where her hand had been there was -a dove, and, as it started to flutter off, with some difficulty they -caught it. - -Though she was very much encouraged by all Euphrosyne had said, Queen -Titania still thought it prudent to post on one of the palace walls a -warning placard so that those who ran might read. - -And, it proved a task that was sufficient to interest some of the -fairies the rest of the afternoon, and, by the time they got through, -they were able to make some show at hitting the nail on the head. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER III - -FLORIMEL REACHES THE ENCHANTED COUNTRY - - -[Illustration] - -On and on flew Prince Florimel from the wicked uncle who meant to do him -harm. - -The friendly stars shone down to guide him on his way, but just what -that way was he did not know. His only thought to put the palace as far -behind him as he could, and at times he turned his head to look back -at its frowning, shadowy walls that finally disappeared from sight. -Florimel gave a deep sigh of relief, but did not relax his speed in the -slightest. - -The words of the faithful old Gando were strongly impressed upon his -mind, and he realized that the duke had designs on his life. When it was -discovered that he was missing, a search would be made for him, and once -in the power of the duke it would go hard with him. - -So on he ran, and the few people whom he met paid little or no heed -to him, thinking perhaps that he was some frightened peasant-child -hastening to or from home upon some urgent night-errand. And as he went, -always further and further away from the palace, the houses grew fewer -and still fewer, till finally he found himself out in the open country. - -[Illustration] - -The stars were paling out, and by this time Florimel was very tired, -so that when he saw a hay-stack in a field he quickly sought it, and -burrowing from sight down into the sweet-smelling mass was soon asleep. - -The sun was up when he awoke refreshed. He heard the cooling trickle of -a brook hard by, and drank thirstily, and laved his face and hands. Some -distance off upon a dew-spangled hillside thin smoke curled lazily up -from the thatched roof of a farmer's cottage. Florimel who felt the -qualms of hunger drew nigh to it resolved to ask for food. - -As he approached the cottage a dog stretched out in the doorway to enjoy -the first genial rays of the sun jumped up and started to bark, but -almost instantly his barks ceased, and he wagged his tail instead with -friendly violence. - -A stout, middle-aged woman with a kerchief on her head came to the open -door and eyed him questioningly. - -"Good mother," he said, with a winning smile, "may I trespass upon your -hospitality? I would fain break my fast, and this coin will pay my way." - -"Food have we a-plenty, and to spare," said the kind-hearted woman, "so -that you are welcome to it. But who are you, and whence came you? You do -not speak like a peasant's child." - -"Nay, I have some knowledge of fair speech," said Florimel. "Yet do I -count myself one of the people. And I fare from the city in quest of -adventure. See, I have brought this bow and quiver of arrows with me!" - -[Illustration] - -"Then most surely you will find it," said the dame, "for we live almost -on the edge of the kingdom, and beyond that line of deep woods there is -a strange country with adventure enough, I warrant you. But come with -me, and sit you at the board. My good man has gone to loose the sheep -from the fold, and will be back very soon." - -So Florimel followed his hostess into the plain kitchen, and took his -place at a bare wooden table while she busied herself in the preparation -of the meal. And, as he sat there, and she was occupied with her task, -there rose from outside a sudden hub-bub, made up of the gallop of many -horses' hoofs, the clank and rattle of swords and uniforms, and the -jargon of excited human voices. - -The woman in great curiosity rushed from the oven to the door, and -Florimel jumped down from his chair, running after her, and peering out -from behind her. - -"Soldiers!" she cried, astounded beyond measure. "What are they doing -here, I wonder?" - -[Illustration: LOOKING FOR BROWNIES] - -The farmer with cap in hand looked up at them, awed and confused by -their fine airs and magnificence, and while they volleyed questions -at him silently and stupidly shook his head, until at last in their -impatience and disgust they put spurs to their horses' flanks and -galloped off in clouds of dust. - -Then the good man ran toward the house, suddenly finding voice, and -shouting at his wife: - -"Here's a great to do! The young Prince Florimel has disappeared in the -night, and the whole kingdom is aroused!" - -Then noticing Florimel for the first time he asked: - -"But who is this?" - -"A chance guest to break his fast with us," said his wife. "But let us -eat before the food grows cold." - -So Florimel partook heartily of the plain fare of the farmer and his -wife, and throughout the meal the talk of his hosts was of the missing -prince. - -"Poor lad!" said the woman with a sigh. - -[Illustration] - -"I hope that all is well with him. Yet much I fear this search for him -is vain. His uncle, the duke, could tell, I warrant, what has happened -to him. But he will never be heard of more, and the wicked duke will -now be king." "You who have come from the city," said the farmer to -Florimel, "no doubt some time have seen the poor prince. What kind of a -young lad was he? A likely one, so I have heard." "He had his faults," -admitted Florimel. "He was very small of build--no taller than I. When -last I saw him he looked not unlike me. I doubt if he weighed a penny -weight more." - -[Illustration] - -"Was he handsome?" asked the woman. - -"Am I handsome?" asked Florimel in return. - -"Candor compels me to tell you you are not," she frankly said, "though -you are not ill-favored, either." - -"Still if I wore the prince's attire," said Florimel, "I would be as -handsome as he. But let us change the subject. You spoke but a while ago -of that strange country which lies adjacent to this. In what manner is -it strange?" - -"But little is known of it," said the woman, "for, in truth, it is a -place to be avoided. There are few humans bold enough to penetrate its -mysteries, for in the forests and dense undergrowth are savage beasts -that wreak harm. Often we can hear their wild cries at night, and our -hearts are chilled. And, even if one escape the beasts, there are -Brownies and fairies to weave their mystic charm." - -"Are the Brownies there too?" asked Florimel, with interest. - -[Illustration] - -"Aye, that they are!" said the woman. "But it is not the Brownies that -would hurt you. They are kind little creatures who would help instead of -harm you." - -"I would like to see them," said Florimel reflectively. "Many a night as -I lay in my bed have I dreamed of the Brownies." - -"See them you cannot," said the woman decidedly, "since you have not -second sight. Many have tried to see the Brownies, but they have -failed through lack of supernatural vision. But there are Brownies -nevertheless, and they go everywhere. Of that we have abundant proof, -have we not, husband?" - -"Aye!" said the farmer. "Once when I lay flat upon my back, and the -grain in the field was in danger of rot, the Brownies came one night and -harvested it. In the morning it was all cut and stacked." - -"Yes," the good wife hastened to add, "and that very same night they -churned the cream to butter." - -[Illustration] - -"Are you sure the Brownies did it?" asked Florimel, in surprise. "Who -else but the Brownies?" said the farmer positively. "We had set a bowl -of cream for that is all they ask, and next morning the cream was gone. -Wife, show him the bowl!" - -The woman thereupon exhibited an empty blue delf bowl, and Florimel -was convinced. He rose with his hosts from the table, and went to the -doorway from which he gazed to the far line of woods that now held such -charm for him. - -"Let me pay you my faring, good people," he said, "for I would be on my -way." - -"Nay, there is naught you owe us," said the farmer, "for you have been a -welcome guest. You are a fine young lad, and I have a fancy for you. You -had better bide here with us. There is work for you to do for your board -and lodging. I need someone to tend the sheep." - -"I thank you, my good man," said Florimel, "but I must leave you." - -"Whither would you go?" - -"To that strange country of which your good wife spoke." - -"Say not so, young master," implored the woman earnestly. "There are -wild beasts there waiting to devour you." - -"And there are wild beasts of men sometimes even more terrible," said -Florimel. "I will take my chances with the beasts. All that I have loved -I have lost, so there is naught to keep me. Each moment I tarry but adds -to the danger that encompasses me." - -"Master, can it be?--yes, it must be!" cried the man, with a great light -breaking upon him. "You are the prince!" - -"Yes, I am indeed he!" said Florimel. "Convey word to my uncle that I am -gone, and that the child of the brother who trusted in him will never -trouble him again. If the people choose him for their ruler, let the -consequences be on their own heads. And now farewell!" - -With this last word on his lips he broke into a run. The man with the -best of intentions tried to follow in the hope of dissuading him from -his rash purpose, while his wife frantically shouted for the young -prince to come back. - -[Illustration] - -But with the bow and arrows that might mean so much to him Florimel -only increased his pace, so that the other was soon distanced. Finally -the man in despair gave up the chase, and stood watching until Florimel -turned, waved his hand, and disappeared into the heavy growth of forest. -And on and on he went, though nothing extraordinary befell him. So for -three days he continued, suffering neither from hunger nor from thirst, -for there were plenty of pure brooks at which he could lave and drink, -and it was the time of the delicious tomtom, a juicy fruit everywhere in -great abundance, which tasted like a banana flavored with vanilla ice -cream, and which had all the sustaining qualities of beefsteak. - -Of this Florimel partook heartily and at will, as well as of berries and -nuts, and when weary slept for precaution's sake in the forked branches -of trees, with his rest broken only by the crashing of some skulking -animal through thick, tangled underbrush in quest of prey or a long, -drawn-out, shuddering night-cry that would chill his blood and cause his -heart for a moment to cease its beat. - -Still there were trees growing thickly together, and retarding -and making difficult one's advance. But, just when he was growing -discouraged, they began to thin out, and he came into more open spaces. - -Finally he reached a tiny lake that shone like a turquoise in a -bowl-like formation at the base of a steep hill. - -[Illustration] - -A path ran up the hillside, and this evidently had been much in use, for -the grass was worn and trodden by many feet. On a ledge there was an -old, decaying, leafless tree, and on one of its gaunt, top-branches that -jutted over the lake a pair of intrepid eagles had built their nest. -Florimel looked up and spied the young eaglets who were just old enough -to essay flight, selfishly trying to crowd each other out of their airy -structure of sticks and straws. Far overhead their parents described -invisible circles in the sky, emitting as they did so harsh shrieks of -pride. - -While he gazed upward, thinking meanwhile that it was a strange abode -for eagles to choose, in place of the customary mountain-crag, he was -suddenly startled by the savage roar of beasts. - -Quick as a flash he turned, and saw a wild, fierce, snarling pack--a -confused, horrifying vision of lions, tigers, and leopards--their red -tongues lolling from their watering mouths--their nostrils dilated at -the scent of human blood--flying with leaps and bounds to rend and tear -him apart and devour him. - -Desperately he seized an arrow from the quiver, and placing it in the -bow pointed it at them and pulled back the cord. - -But the cord snapped in twain, and the arrow fell harmlessly to the -ground. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE HUMAN OCTOPUS STARTS UPON A MISSION - - -[Illustration] - -Across the minor sea whose blue, sparkling waters kissed the fair shores -of Queen Titania's fairy kingdom, about a hundred leagues as flies the -crow, there was another country where lived the notorious enchanter -Dragonfel. - -A fairy messenger on a winged steed had conveyed information that -Dragonfel intended to make trouble. But this was nothing new for -Dragonfel. - -As a matter of fact, he was always trying to make trouble for everybody. -Trouble was his specialty. - -Dragonfel was not a nice man, and, if you had known him, you would not -have liked him. He cheated when he played croquet, and he was always -claiming wickets that he never made. He did not go to Sunday School, -either. If he had gone, he would not have put a penny in the plate for -the heathen. That was the kind of man he was. - -Yet he was the possessor of fabulous riches, and he never would have -missed what he might have given away had he been charitably inclined, -which he was not in the least. - -No one else in the whole world was as wealthy as he. He owned a -combination mine in which were diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, -and other precious gems galore, some of them as big as cobblestones. - -[Illustration] - -It may be said with safety that Dragonfel was inclined to have his own -way, and carry out his own ideas. He was very rich, and had money to -burn. When in the mood of celebrating some great event, such as the -Burial of Good Intentions, or the Failure in Eden, instead of climbing -on some rock to set off firecrackers, burn Roman candles, or discharge -toy cannon, he delighted in burning Bank Bonds, Legal Tenders, or -Government Securities of large denominations, until the ashes of them -were declared a nuisance by his Board of Health, and with reluctance he -would discontinue his celebration. - -As is usual in all such great operations there were panics at times, -through alarms of fire, explosions, or escaping gas, when everybody -tried to get out at once and but few could escape. - -One day it would be the danger of being smothered, the next of being -roasted, the third of a cave-in where all would be buried alive, and so -from hour to hour fear was in the way. - -[Illustration: Distress in the Mine.] - -There were mine-sprites whom he kept steadily at work, without regard -for Union hours, digging the gems out with their fingers. - -The poor mine-sprites were greatly over-worked, and not the least regard -was paid to life or limb. The hours were long as they struggled at -the wheelbarrows or mine-carts, either pushing or pulling, with their -unreasonable loads piled high in the air, and with gems that in the -market would have brought enough to pay the debt of a Principality -slipping off, and rolling in the dust. - -[Illustration] - -The palace of Dragonfel was a sight, and it would have made your eyes -blink to see it. It was constructed entirely of diamonds, rubies, and -emeralds all stuck together with cement. There were no opals, because -Dragonfel thought they were unlucky. If you could have pried off any one -of them you would have had enough to keep you in the greatest luxury all -your life. The famous Kohinoor was but a grain of sand compared to any -of them. - -Back of the palace, and casting a frowning shadow over it, was a single -towering mountain whose top was an extinct volcano. No one could recall -the exact date of its last eruption, for Dragonfel stubbornly insisted -upon running his business without an almanac. There were those -scientifically inclined who leaned to the theory that the volcano had -been the cause of all the gems in Dragonfel's mine. - -[Illustration] - -Though it must have been a very long time since the volcano had -celebrated with home-made fireworks, the enchanter had always -anticipated a further display, so he had taken the precaution to buy -an old-fashioned fire-engine which was installed conveniently at hand -in a building over whose doors was the caption: NEPTUNE HOOK AND -LADDER CO. NO 1. In the building were plenty of rubber coats, boots, -and red helmets. Everything was ready for an emergency. - -There were some who declared that Dragonfel had some business connection -with Beelzebub, but, whether this was true or not, he had the bad taste -to get himself up after the authentic portraits of that disreputable -person. He was very tall indeed, with almost a scarlet countenance, -and he wore a long, flowing cloak that was a perfect match for his -complexion. He kept his hair rather long, and brushed it stiffly up, to -convey the impression that he had a natural horn. - -[Illustration] - -He boasted a host of followers, all big, hulking black-guards of -giant-like stature, with repulsive names such as Boundingbore, Mandrake, -Wolfinger, Grouthead, Snoutpimple, and the like, and whenever they did -something mean he rewarded them. The consequence was that they were -trying to do mean things all the time. - -They were in charge of the mine, and the way they treated the poor -mine-sprites was awful. It was a good thing for them that the officers -of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children were unable to -get around. - -So on a certain day, following his usual custom, Dragonfel was making an -inspection of the mine. He had descended through a secret passage, and -walked about the dark chambers lit here and there by gloomy flares of -light. - -[Illustration] - -Guarded by the enchanter's cruel followers, the mine-sprites, poor -little, emaciated, witch-like creatures in tattered clothes, were -digging away with their raw, bruised fingers at the sides of earth and -exhuming precious stones. They were not allowed to use picks, for that -would have made the work easy. - -Diamonds, rubies, pearls, amethysts, emeralds, and other gems, every -one of them worth a king's ransom, lay piled about carelessly in heaps. -The opals when they were discovered were thrown away. Sprites kept -staggering off with heavy loads in wheelbarrows. - -Dragonfel surveyed the work with great satisfaction, and asked Grouthead -who was in general charge: - -"When were they fed last?" - -"Three days ago, kind master!" - -Everyone called him "kind master," though whether this was in sarcasm or -not no one knew. - -"See that they don't get anything to eat before the full week is up," -ordered Dragonfel. "And that reminds me of my own dinner. Boundingbore, -tell the cook I want turtle soup, spiced venison pastries, apple -dumplings, strawberry shortcake, and iced lemonade with plenty of -crushed raspberries in it." - -The mouths of the poor little mine-sprites watered, and they smacked -their lips, but Grouthead snapped his long snake-whip so that it sounded -like a pistol-shot, and they frantically continued digging away in the -earth with their fingers. - -Boundingbore flew to do Dragonfel's bidding, and Snoutpimple observed, -rather timidly: - -"The air down here is very bad, kind master!" - -"That's good," said Dragonfel, with hearty unction. "It might make me -ill if I were obliged to remain, so as I have a proper regard for my -health I think I will get right out into the open." - -Attended by Mandrake, Snoutpimple, Wolfinger, and some of the rest, he -went on his way, while Grouthead snapped his whip to incite the -frightened, gasping, exhausted mine-sprites to further effort. - -[Illustration: HELPLESSNESS IN THE MINE.] - -When he came up out of the shaft Dragonfel gave a deep breath of relief -as his nostrils sucked in the bracing air that had a salt tang of the -sea in it. Out in the harbor there tossed a galleon on the lazy swell--a -craft built low amid-ship, and with both bow and stern curving high into -the air. - -Dragonfel gazed off at it with interest, and remarked: - -"It may come in handy soon if these Brownies and fairies continue -longer. They are getting altogether too good, and must be stopped. But -let us go back to the palace to see if anything has happened in our -absence." - -Nothing else was to be seen on the wide water to draw his attention, -except some mermaids who were above the waves, engaged in combing their -hair, who, to most people, are very interesting. - -[Illustration] - -A little bird with very acute hearing listened intently to his words -as it lightly balanced on the twig of a gumdrop tree, and then flew -straight across the sea to tell a fairy, who told the other fairies. -Dragonfel with his big, clumsy, lumbering cohorts strode on to the -palace that was guarded by a Demon Usher--a queer, comical-looking chap -who with his wings much resembled a human grasshopper, and who half -flew, half walked. - -He had thin little wisps of hair sticking out from each side of his -nose, like the scanty whiskers of a cat. - -The Demon Usher with hops and jumps escorted him to a magnificent -throne, and grovelled with smirks before him, while Dragonfel with what -he thought to be the quintessence of grace sank upon it, and then -arranged himself in what he imagined was a kingly posture. - -"Well," he gruffly said, "has anyone been here since I've been gone?" - -"No, kind master!" the Demon Usher hastened to assure him. "No one has -been here since the band and you remember them." - -"Ah, that band!" repeated Dragonfel, with a shudder. "I can't get their -notes out of my ears yet. But what have we here?" - -[Illustration] - -A huge creature resembling an octopus, with great, staring eyes popping -from his head, and hundreds of fuzzy tentacles protruding in all -directions from his grotesque body, came crawling toward him. -Straightway Dragonfel sprang up from the throne, while Wolfinger, -Mandrake, Boundingbore, and Snoutpimple, who had assumed respectful -positions at his sides, drew back in alarm. - -But the Demon Usher gave a cackle of a laugh, and gleefully rubbed his -hands together as though he were washing them with invisible soap. - -"Have no fear, kind master!" said a thin, piping voice from somewhere -within the horrid creature's hulk. "Is not this a pretty disguise?" - -"The Red Spirit, as I live!" cried Dragonfel, in a tone of admiration -not unmixed with relief. "You rascal, why have you chosen this -masquerade?" - -"But is it not a clever one?" persisted the Red Spirit. "See, kind -master, I can either compress or expand myself at will." - -As he spoke he shrank to practical insignificance, and then almost -immediately afterward swelled out until it seemed that he would burst. - -"Capital!" said Dragonfel encouragingly. "You can be of great assistance -to me. I have a mean task for you to do." - -"The meaner the better, kind master!" - -Dragonfel raised his arm, and pointed toward a window that gave a vista -of the far-off, smiling sea. - -"Go, Human Octopus," he commanded, "and spy upon the Brownies and -fairies!" Without another word the hideous object started to crawl off -by means of his myriad tentacles, and all who were present watched his -convulsive, eccentric movements with malicious satisfaction. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER V - -PRINCE FLORIMEL MEETS THE BROWNIES - - -[Illustration] - -Prince Florimel gave a great shudder of fright when the gift of his -ex-fairy godmother so utterly failed him in that moment of terrible -danger. As the savage beasts, screaming for his blood, came toward him, -he turned and fled, without relaxing his hold upon the treacherous bow. -He made a frantic leap for the trunk of the tree, and grasping one of -the low branches pulled himself up with desperate haste as far as he -could. - -The beasts with thunderous roars and sharp teeth showing sprang up at -him, and a lion with knife-like claws just grazed the skin of one of his -legs, and tore off a portion of his garment. - -Florimel climbed up further, and still further, for safety, while the -animals roaring their defeat continued to hurl themselves at the tree -until it shook and shook again. - -[Illustration] - -Finally they took to fighting among themselves, with outcries that were -terrible, and finished by slinking or limping away discomfited. - -[Illustration] - -The eaglets disturbed by all this clamor perched on the edges of their -nest as though deliberating upon the hazard of trying for the first -time their wings in the dizzy space of blue. High overhead their angry -parents soared screaming their protests at what seemed to them an -unwarrantable intrusion. - -Still retaining the bow, Florimel climbed out toward the nest, intending -to usurp possession of it, and with timid flaps of their untried wings -the eaglets essayed flight. Finding they could fly, they soon gained -confidence, and joined the parent-birds who led them a mad aerial chase. - -Soon Florimel was the sole tenant of the nest, and, after he had -established himself comfortably in his new quarters, he set about to -repair the damage to the bow. - -He tied the broken cord securely, and drew it taut, pulling it back as -far as he could repeatedly, but he did not waste in a trial one of the -remaining arrows in his quiver. For, though it had already brought to -him one grievous disappointment, he still had faith in his ex-fairy -godmother's gift. - -[Illustration] - -The eagles resenting his possession of their home kept flying -threateningly at him, but every time they came near he menaced them -with the bow and drove them away. Finally they alighted on another -limb of the tree, where they all sat in a row viewing him with silent -moody protest. - -Worn by fatigue and excitement Florimel closed his eyes in sleep, with -an arm bared to the elbow hanging from the nest. When at last he was -awakened by a confused babel of voices from below, dusk had fallen, and -a crescent moon hung low in the sky. - -The eagles young and old in agitated manner once more were circling the -darkening sky, and leaning over the nest and looking down Florimel was -astounded by what he saw. - -And no less astounded than he was were a band of little people who had -caught a glimpse of that rounded human arm sticking from an eagles' nest -with consequent and complete mystification to all. - -In a ring and with characteristic postures they stood gabbling among -themselves and pointing up--a queer, very queer race, all males, with -round fat little pot-bellies, thin, spindling shanks, long, tapering -feet, and babyish-looking heads set on their shoulders apparently -without connecting necks. And these heads had large ears, wide mouths, -and pop eyes--a combination that ordinarily would make the possessor of -them ugly, but which in their case contributed general results that made -them unusually winning and attractive. - -As Florimel looked down he could note that there were many of one -type--tiny fellows who wore the same kinds of caps and jackets. -But there were others too--one of each kind--a Policeman with a -club, a Sailor with a spy-glass, an Indian, a Cowboy, and a single -representative from every country of importance in the world. England, -Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, -Italy, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Portugal, China, Japan, the United -States, Canada, and other lands had their delegates whom Florimel could -distinguish by means of a strange human picture-book in the museum -of the kingdom from which he had flown, and which often he had been -permitted to see. And, while he marveled and wondered thereat, his keen -eye alighted on another too--a tiny chap with high-topped, bell-crowned -hat, black clothes with swallow-tail, a wide expanse of spotless white -shirt-bosom, spats, and glistening patent-leather shoes--a pompous, -vain, conceited, immaculate-looking little fellow who carried a cane -that seemed a part of him, and who wore a round piece of glass over one -of his eyes. - -[Illustration] - -In order to obtain a better view Florimel leaned further over, and so -disturbed the architecture of the nest, from which the sticks began to -fall, until he felt the whole foundation going. But so suddenly did this -occur that he did not have a chance to grasp a saving branch, and in a -trice plunged through the bottomless structure down--down--down-- - -He closed his dizzy frightened eyes, struck the waters of the lake, then -disappeared from sight. - -The curious band watching him were quick to realize his predicament. -Without loss of time they ran to a shelf of rock that over-hung the -lake, and one and all jumped in after him. - -Ker-splash! ker-splash! resounded on all sides until the water was -dotted with bobbing heads. - -[Illustration] - -As Florimel came to the surface, blinded and choking, someone quickly -grasped him, and, while the rest formed a living chain, he was passed on -from one to another, until the last dragged him safely to shore. - -Soon they were all gathered about in a ring, with Florimel in the -centre, and, while the soft wind dried their dripping clothes, they -looked at him, and he at them, with wonder and surprise on all their -faces. - -[Illustration] - -"Avast there, messmates!" said the Sailor to the rest. "What did I tell -you? He can see us!" - -And the cry was taken up all around the ring: - -"He can see us! He can see us!" - -"Why shouldn't I be able to see you?" said Florimel, rather impatiently. -"I have eyes." - -"Yes," said one who wore a long black gown, and who had a tasseled -mortarboard on his head, "but so have other people. It takes second -sight to see the Brownies." - -The Brownies! Florimel's heart gave a sudden bound. - -"Much am I beholden to you all," he said, "for having rescued me. If you -had not saved me I should have been obliged to save myself." - -"Can you swim?" asked the Sailor, while all looked much chagrined. - -"Like any duck!" was Florimel's response. "But are you mortal?" -questioned the Uncle Sam Brownie. "No mortal eye has ever yet beheld -us." - -"My ex-fairy godmother at my christening bestowed on me the gift of -second sight," explained Florimel, "so that I have always been able to -see things no one else could." - -"Ah, that accounts for it," said the Irish Brownie, while the faces of -all the others showed that a great mystery had suddenly been cleared -away. "You must have supernatural powers." - -"Of that I am not sure," said Florimel, "but of this much I am, that -right gladly would I be one of you, to work and toil while weary -households sleep, to delight in harmless pranks and helpful deeds, and -never be seen by mortal eye." - -They looked at each other, evidently embarrassed by so bold a hint, and -the Brownie Dude voiced the thought that was in all minds when he -fervently remarked: - -"I wish King Stanislaus were here!" - -"But you are not a Brownie!" said the Chinaman to Florimel in a most -decided tone. "How could you join the band? You don't look like a -Brownie. What have you ever done?" - -"Nothing, I fear," confessed Florimel. "It is not what I have not done, -but what I hope to do, that makes me so presumptuous as to beg the honor -to be one of you. And, if I were fortunate enough to be taken in by you, -I would ever strive to be helpful, faithful, and true, like a Brownie." - -These words, delivered with earnest, manly spirit, created their -impression. - -"It may be you have supernatural powers, as the Irishman remarked," said -the Student Brownie doubtfully. "Have you ever tried to put them to a -test?" Prince Florimel sighed. - -What could he do to gain the confidence and esteem of these little -people whom already he was beginning to love? How could he make them all -his friends? - -In his doubt and uncertainty his eye strayed to the bow in his hand. -A sudden thought came to him. In this extremity it might be of aid. - -But it had failed him once--would it fail him again? - -Without a word he took an arrow from the quiver and placed it to the -bow. The Brownies watched his every movement with the keenest interest. - -He gazed about seeking some difficult target at which to aim. With their -pop eyes the Brownies gazed where he did. - -He saw the crescent moon hanging low in the deepening sky, like a -hunter's horn, and pointed the arrow at it. - -He pulled back the cord with all his strength, and to his great relief -it held. The arrow whistled away in its swift flight, and was lost in -the violet atmosphere. - -But almost the next moment a great cry of surprise went up from all the -Brownies. The arrow that Florimel had shot was sticking through the -moon! - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE HUMAN OCTOPUS SNOOPS AROUND - - -[Illustration] - -Watched by the admiring eyes of Dragonfel and his followers the Human -Octopus wriggled and squirmed his way out of the enchanter's palace. -And, whether he flew through the air, or swam through the waters, to -Queen Titania's fairy kingdom, using his tentacles as propellers, is -a matter for conjecture. But, at any rate, he got there with all -tentacles. Whenever his suspicions were aroused, or there was the -slightest doubt, he would hastily secrete himself among shrubbery or -weeds, with which his mottled green sides proved a perfect match, so -that as a whole he blended in admirably with the vegetation. - -He did not have a heart, a rather sluggish liver performing for him -instead the necessary functions of the other organ, and, as he -approached Queen Titania's palace with due caution, it thumped with -torpid pleasure. - -[Illustration] - -If there was anything he liked above all others it was sneaking, and -the job which Dragonfel had given him presented most attractive -possibilities. - -Noting a gurgling brook in the proximity of the portcullis, he took -great pains to soak the round pad-like ends of his tentacles in water so -that when they were applied to a flat surface they would adhere through -atmospheric pressure sufficiently to bear his weight. - -In such a manner, when no one was looking, did the wily rascal climb up -the high garden-wall and down the other side, wriggling and squirming -with ill-concealed chuckles toward the palace. - -Only the magic dove that Euphrosyne had left, which was preening itself -on the edge of a fountain's basin, saw him, with the result that it was -strongly tempted to fly back to the Goddess of Mirth forthwith. - -At the fountain the Human Octopus took the precaution to again soak his -multifarious pads in water, after which with his goggle eyes he cocked -his head in a professional survey of the palace. Then he began to ascend -one of its towering walls. Higher and higher, and still higher, he went -in perfect safety until at last he gained the roof and squatted on the -top of a chimney. - -[Illustration] - -There he skillfully compressed himself to fit the dimensions of the -flue, after which he began to let himself gently down like an -elevator-car. A great volume of black, greasy smoke from the kitchen -suddenly belched forth and hid him from sight. - -[Illustration] - -It was not so long afterward that, all covered with soot, he crawled out -of the big open fireplace in the throne-room. Before he did so he made -sure to satisfy himself that no one was there. But there was no telling -when someone might come, and he knew it behooved him to secrete himself -and instantly. - -His goggle eyes oscillated in all directions around the room, and he -craftily selected for his hiding-place a great tall clock that stood up -close against the wall in a corner by itself. - -[Illustration] - -It was not a grandfather's clock, for there were no grandfathers in -Queen Titania's kingdom. It was what might more properly be termed a -grandmother's clock. - -The villain opened the door, and projected himself into the clock's -interior, being obliged in order to accomplish this to make his -proportions squarish and oblong. His queer-looking head showed at the -top instead of the clock's face. Then with one of his tentacles glued to -the door he pulled it back in its place. - -"Now we shall see what we shall see," he snorted. "I must be patient and -bide my time." - -The big brass pendulum swaying rhythmically to and fro with its measured -tick-tock! tick-tock! kept hitting his stomach, and it tickled him so -that it was all he could do to keep from laughing. - -But he knew that he must not do so. If he even snickered he might betray -himself. So he put a number of his tentacles over his mouth and tried -hard to keep a straight face. - -Now, though every month was a fair month, a rare month, for the murmur -of the little streams was never hushed, and the fruits and flowers -always were in bloom, with the skies mostly blue above them, and the -winds soft and kind, May to the fairies' way of thinking was the -sweetest of all the happy year, and whenever it came round it was -tendered a becoming ceremony. - -The Eve o' May was a holiday, though it might truthfully be said that -every day was a holiday. - -But at this particular time when all nature was at its best there were -special observances that sprang from the gladness and exultation in all -hearts, the very joy of existence, and the happiness that was manifested -by every living thing. - -Queen Titania and her fairies prepared for the innocent revels and -dances that were to occur on a velvet sward some distance from the -palace grounds, and their hearts were pleasantly thrilled by a notice -with some pictures of Brownies that had been mysteriously tacked up in -the neighborhood. - -Marvelous was the flower-texture of the gowns donned for this gala -occasion, and in her robes of blush-pink mossrose petals which swept -away in a long, fragrant train Titania never looked more beautiful and -charming. - -Little old Dame Drusilda who resembled a human morning-glory, with hat, -bodice, and dress all like cornucopias, fumed, fretted, and ordered all -the other fairies around. - -"As I live," the fussy dame declared, "we've forgotten to wind the big -clock, and it's almost run down. Violet and Daffodil, go to the -throne-room, and attend to this before we start." - -The two good-naturedly ran to do her bidding, and when he saw them -coming the Human Octopus had an uneasy qualm. - -He hastily tried to distort his ugly face into a resemblance of the -Roman numerals, and stuck up two tentacles for the hour and minute -hands, but the deception was a poor one, and would not work. Violet and -Daffodil set about to wind the clock, but, on looking up to note the -time, they were confronted by a face twisted in an expression that the -Human Octopus very foolishly thought invited confidence, but which -instead sent them scurrying and hurrying with gathered-up flower skirts -and ear-splitting shrieks from the room. - -[Illustration] - -"I wonder what they're scared of," said the stupid fellow to himself. -"Well, it isn't the first time I've given folks a start in life. And now -it behooves me to remove myself from here forthwith, if not sooner, for -if they come back and catch me the jig is up!" - -The tick-tock! tick-tock! of the pendulum reminded him that every -moment was precious, so he scrambled out of the clock, and wig-wagged -his way out of the room. - -When he came to a fountain he lumberingly clambered up into the basin, -and puddled around in the water to get the soot off, and once more as -the dove watched him perform his ablutions it found it difficult to -refrain from flying back to Euphrosyne. - -[Illustration] - -The Human Octopus peered through a lattice, but none of the fairies was -in sight. Then he hustled up the garden-wall, and down the other side, -finally secreting himself in a big floral urn by the portcullis, where -he awaited further developments. - -No one would have guessed he was there, for he seemed to be a part -of the luxuriant green growth, and he even let his tentacles droop -gracefully over with the branches and stalks of the palms and ferns to -heighten the illusion. - -Meanwhile Violet and Daffodil were telling a most harrowing story to -Queen Titania and the rest of the fairies, but so frightened were they -still that it was hardly intelligible. Finally they were all prevailed -upon to accompany the two to the throne-room to see for themselves. - -Nothing was inside the clock, of course, but the brass works. - -"It seems to me you both have very vivid imaginations, young ladies," -chided Dame Drusilda. "After this I would let Welsh rabbits alone." - -"It's not there now, but it was there," persisted Violet stoutly, "and -it was the most dreadful looking thing you ever saw." - -"It was worse than that," added Daffodil. "It was the most dreadful -looking thing you never saw." - -[Illustration] - -"Well, even if there was such a horrid creature, it's gone," said Queen -Titania comfortingly, "so why should we trouble ourselves about it any -longer? It's time for our revels to begin, and if we don't hurry up the -ice cream will all melt, and remember there's angel-cake, charlotte -russe, and lemonade besides!" - -The tiny Cupids, whose hearts were going pit-a-pat, for they believed -implicitly every word that Violet and Daffodil had said, hastily -gathered up Her Majesty's train. - -All started from the palace, the portcullis being raised to let them -pass, and from his hiding-place in the urn the Human Octopus with his -big, gloating, goggle eyes noted every movement that they made. But -they had no suspicion that he lurked among the palms and ferns. - -[Illustration] - -After they had disappeared from sight he flopped down, and keeping his -eyes close to the earth followed the wee footprints that they made. - -His sleuth-like, sneaky search led him straight to where the fairies -sported on the green, and as he drew nearer to them he exercised more -caution. - -He compressed himself more closely to the ground, and picking out a -luxuriant clump of peculiar rainbow roses whose leaves afforded a most -effective screen he crawled to it to wait and bide his time. - -As he watched the innocent, happy fays garlanded with fragrant, -many-hued flowers pose and pirouette he could not deny to them with -a certain grace that many enthusiasts would have pronounced most -exquisite. But he had never been to dancing school, and he did not trip -the light, fantastic tentacle himself. - -He was greatly interested in all he saw, however, and even more so when -at last he noticed Queen Titania, the Cupids, and several of the fairies -leave the lithe, flushed, happy group. For Queen Titania had spied -the rainbow roses, different from all the rest, and ran with eager, -sparkling eyes to fill her arms with them. Little she dreamed of the -danger that lurked in all their perfumed radiance. Swiftly she came, -outdistancing the others, and as she bent over in sweet, innocent -pillage the mean, contemptible nature of the Human Octopus manifested -itself. Forgetful of his diplomatic mission, he wound his tentacles -around her until she looked like a mesh-bag. When she began almost -instantly to scream he grimly increased the pressure. The fairies and -Cupids, horrified beyond measure by what they beheld, and helpless to -aid their beloved queen, fled with wild cries. - -The Human Octopus tightened his cruel grip. Titania's head fell back, -her golden hair streamed over her shoulders, her eyes distended, and she -could not get her breath. - -Slowly but surely the Human Octopus was strangling her! - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -FLORIMEL IS ADOPTED BY KING STANISLAUS - - -[Illustration] - -Delighted beyond measure were all the Brownies with Prince Florimel's -most amazing feat, and their pleasure manifested itself in broad smiles -upon smug faces, the nodding of round little heads, the slapping of -hands on each other's backs, and the good-natured poking of fists in -each other's stomachs. - -They pressed close to Florimel and kept wringing his hand in -congratulation. Not even a Brownie could do what he had done. - -All wanted to examine the bow that had accomplished a result so -wonderful. But it was just like the ordinary bow of any archer, and -its wood and gut presented no solution of the remarkable happening; -it was no story, they saw it themselves. - -Then, noting that Florimel's attire was torn in many places, and that -here and there his fair flesh showed, they stripped him of his garments, -replacing them with skin-tight trousers that with the greatest -difficulty they drew over his legs, long, tapering shoes, a jacket with -big buttons, and a pinnacle-shaped cap whose top could not sustain -itself but fell over on his head. - -Many nimble hands attended to his valeting, and though Florimel observed -that he was garbed as an ordinary Brownie, of which there were a large -number, he was rejoiced at the eagerness they now displayed to transform -him to a Brownie, and make him one of themselves. Yet he could not help -thinking, as he glanced first at them, and then at himself, how -different he was from them all. - -[Illustration] - -Try as they might they could not bestow on him the pop eyes, big ears, -and broad, distended mouth that parted in a smile so evident of inward -satisfaction. He was as fair and sightly as one could wish to be, yet he -would rather have looked like a Brownie. Only in size did he resemble -one. - -Some such thought must have been in the minds of the Brownies too, for -they seemed puzzled as they inspected their new comrade. - -While they were making their first awkward overtures of friendship the -attention of all was suddenly diverted to two ordinary Brownies rolling -a watermelon up the steep hill. The melon was perhaps thrice their size, -and they puffed and grunted over what to them was a herculean task. - -[Illustration] - -Just when their labor promised to be light, with the crest of the hill -almost reached, they stopped to take their breath, and in doing so -relinquished their hold on the melon. - -[Illustration] - -Bumpety-bumpety! it started rolling down the hill. Both ran after it in -pursuit, then realizing that they were being distanced stood stock-still -with horror on their faces. Bumpety-bumpety! came the big melon, with -ever increasing momentum, while the eyes of Florimel and all the rest -followed its erratic course down the hill--bumpety-bumpety!--with leaps -and bounds--bumpety-bumpety!--first to one side, then to another, -bumpety-bumpety!--till it finished with an extra high bound and squashed -all to pieces right in their very midst. Little jets of sweet water shot -in all directions from its sides as though projected from a syphon, and -out from the juicy, luscious, red pulp exposed to view there crawled -sheepishly on his hands and knees a little weazened old fellow who wore -an ermine cape and gold crown. - -[Illustration] - -"Hail, Your Majesty!" shouted all the Brownies, and the little old -fellow stood up, rubbed himself, and said, rather ruefully: - -"No, I'd rather reign!" - -Then the Brownies, under the leadership of the Dude, yelled, in perfect -unison: - - "'Rah! 'rah! 'rah! - Stan-is-laus! - Siss-boom-ah!" - -"Thanks!" graciously acknowledged His Majesty, adding by way of -explanation: - - "I chose this watermelon green - To shun the treacherous submarine!" - -Then a puzzled expression came to his face as his eye suddenly observed -Florimel. - -"Why, who's this fellow?" he demanded. "You're not trying to make a -Brownie of him, are you?" - -Florimel's heart sank, for he realized that here was the king himself, -whose word was absolute law to all these little people. - -If he frowned down on any plans they had made in his behalf, all the -hopes that had sprung up in his breast would be ruthlessly shattered. - -The Brownies seemed troubled too, for they would not have brought -displeasure to King Stanislaus for all the world. - -While the new-comer stood looking timidly down, without daring to meet -the questioning gaze of that kindly but august monarch, his little -companions made bold to extol his virtues real and imaginary till their -tongues were all wagging at such a great rate that Florimel could not -help but furiously blush. - -First they pointed to the crescent moon, still pierced by the arrow, -averring earnestly that it was Florimel's accomplishment, and the sudden -start King Stanislaus gave when he beheld this marvel showed that he was -properly impressed. - -Then they called his attention to the eagles' nest high up in the tree, -explaining that it was there they first saw the stranger, after which -they waited anxiously as did Florimel to hear what His Majesty would -say. - -King Stanislaus looked not displeased, and one and all took heart. - -"If Moses was found among the frogs, and Romulus among the wolves," said -the monarch, with great deliberation, "then an eagles' nest is a fitting -cradle for a Brownie prince!" - -This speech caused the Brownies to burst into a sudden wild cheer that -made the welkin ring, for they realized that not only had King -Stanislaus set approval on what they had done, but he had gone much -further. - -[Illustration] - -He had made Florimel his heir by adoption, and successor to the Brownie -throne! "See that he is properly attired," was the royal command, and -once more Florimel's appearance underwent a swift and startling change. - -From some invisible source fresh wardrobe was supplied, and from a -plain, ordinary Brownie he was transformed into a handsome, dashing -little prince as pert and pretty a sprig of royalty as one could see in -many a long journey over lands where there were kings and queens with -large, flourishing families--in trunks, doublet, and cape, with a cap -that perched jauntily upon his roguish curls. - -Filled with gratitude was he over this great, this unexpected honor that -had befallen him and he expressed his thanks as best he could feeling -that the words he used were poor at best, but vowing loyalty and -obedience in all things evermore to his gracious foster-parent. - -"It will not be so very long, my son, before you occupy the throne," -said King Stanislaus, and his voice took on a rather pensive tone. "A -few short years--a couple of thousands or so--and I shall have passed -away. When I am gone I shall leave to you all-out-doors and the love of -children, a priceless heritage which you must treasure tenderly and -never lose." - -Then came the Brownies with pledges of fealty to their prince, and -Florimel smiled back into their smiling faces, while all were glad. - -The Policeman limping slightly came and offered him his club, but -Florimel good-humoredly refused it, and waved him aside. The Sailor came -next with his spy-glass, but Florimel laughingly declined it also. - -Each of the band in a free-hearted way evinced a desire to surrender to -him his most cherished possession, and much touched was he by their -expressions of good will. But the most he would accept was an eagle's -feather which had been dropped by one of the birds to the ground, and -which the Dude stuck in his cap. - -Soon matters took on their usual routine, and, noticing that the -Policeman limped, King Stanislaus asked: - -"Officer, what's the matter?" - -[Illustration] - -"I fell off the palace-wall last night, Your Majesty, when I was tacking -up the placard." - -"What did you fall against?" - -"I fell against my will. One of the fairy guards mistook me for an -enemy, and fired a charge of shot at me." - -"Did you press a complaint?" - -"No, I withdrew the charge." - -Into an admiring group some distance off the well-informed Dude was -instilling the first principles of etiquette. - -"It is not good form to try to eat your peas with a knife," he told -them. "You should spear them with a fork." - -And the Sailor was growling to the German: - -"Avast there, you lubber! A dog-watch isn't a chronometer." - -The Indian with a flourish of his tomahawk came running to King -Stanislaus, and imparted the surprising intelligence: - -"The dromedary's swallowed all the door-knobs, and the knobs are in his -stomachs." - -"Which one of his stomachs?" - -"I don't know, Your Majesty." - -"Can't you see which looks the knobbiest?" - -Florimel could not but admire the shrewdness of King Stanislaus in -disposing of all matters great and small, and he did not feel that he -could ever reign and be as wise as he. - -The little monarch held his subjects under most admirable control, and -in arguments that sometimes rose between them one word from his lips -would effectually settle all dispute. - -And so they wandered on and on, hiding away from sight ere the first -rays of the morning sun could strike them, and sallying forth again when -the stars began to shine at night. - -Many a harmless prank they played, and helpful deed they did, in which -Florimel took hearty part, and he grew to love them more and more, as -they did him. - -One thing was a source of great surprise to him, yet, after he -considered, it was not surprising, which was that all dumb creatures, -whether of the fields or air, were the Brownies' friends, and loved -them. - -In countless ways they all evinced delight whenever these good-natured -little goblings were at hand, for they knew that they would help instead -of harm them. - -Even the savage animals that had so lately thirsted for Florimel's blood -proved tractable, and neither they nor the Brownies showed the slightest -fear of each other. The beasts grovelled and rolled over with pleasure -when the Brownies playfully yanked and pulled their tails. - -All was harmony between them, and the industrious animals went on with -their task of gathering bones without caring whether the Brownies were -near or far. - -[Illustration] - -So on they fared with light hearts that had never a care. The country -grew less wild and mountainous, till there were emerald fields, green -copses, and flowers blooming everywhere. The sweet, caressing air had -just a soft reminder of the sea in it. - -And, while they hid away one day in a leafy covert, while the birds in -the branches round them were pouring their hearts out in gladness, -piercing screams suddenly rent the air, and caused all great alarm. -"Let us make haste!" cried Florimel, springing to his feet. "There is -danger in that cry!" - -But when he started King Stanislaus tried to hold him back. "Have a -care, Florimel!" he warned. "It may be a decoy to entrap us!" "Let me -go!" said Florimel, struggling. - -He broke from King Stanislaus's kindly, well-meant grasp, and ran with -might and main in the direction from which the terrifying sounds still -came. The Brownies looked at each other in great dismay. Into what -danger had their beloved Prince Florimel so recklessly plunged, and -would they ever see his face again? - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -QUEEN TITANIA'S GREAT PERIL - - -[Illustration] - -Prince Florimel sped with the fleetness of a deer in the direction from -which had come those agonizing cries for help. - -As he fairly flew over the ground he saw the fairies and Cupids who had -been Titania's companions, and they pointed in a frenzy of alarm to the -clump of rainbow roses in the midst of which their unfortunate queen was -in the clutches of the dreadful Human Octopus. - -The monster was still tightening his vise-like grip, and tortured by the -pain of his loathsome embrace, Titania was fast relapsing into -unconsciousness. - -[Illustration] - -Florimel drew near, and was aghast at what he beheld. - -As his eye took in the frightening spectacle he realized that there was -not a moment to lose. - -Quick as a flash he whipped an arrow from his quiver and placed it to -the bow. - -He aimed the arrow straight at the Human Octopus, and back to its -greatest tension pulled the cord. - -Once again the cord proved true, and the speeding arrow cleft the Human -Octopus in twain. - -His shell fell instantly apart, and from the interior there flew away -into space a vapory-looking object with a long, trailing red cloak that -had all the lightness and airiness of gauze. - -Dumfounded was Florimel by this most unexpected and amazing sight, but -there were other matters more urgent and pressing to demand his -immediate attention. - -[Illustration] - -With her strength almost spent Titania reeled and seemed about to faint, -but Florimel sprang to her aid, and sustained her in his arms. - -He strove to assure her that there was nothing further to fear until at -last she began to recover her composure. "Noble prince," she murmured, -in tones that thrilled him, "you have saved my life, so henceforth it is -yours!" - -Florimel sank upon one knee before her, and kissed the pink finger-tips -of the dainty hand she extended to him. - -Looking up into her face, he thought he had never seen anyone so -beautiful as she, while her tiny heart throbbed faster at the sight of -him in all his gallant trappings, and she was very sure she had never -seen anyone so handsome. - -[Illustration] - -Then came in the greatest excitement all the fairies and Brownies, for -these latter little people when Florimel left them had followed close -upon his heels to aid him if need be, since, in spite of mystic power -that had temporarily passed with night, they were too brave to desert a -comrade when danger threatened. - -[Illustration] - -The horror and fear of what they had just witnessed was too much for -many of the fairies, and the kind-hearted Brownies had the interesting -task of conveying some to places of safety, where they could receive -proper treatment. In this work even the Chinaman willingly assisted. - -[Illustration] - -A group of curious sprites with much interest inspected several of the -creature's tentacles, while Queen Titania's overjoyed subjects crowded -around Florimel with such profuse expressions of gratitude that he was -much embarrassed. - -"What did I tell you?" cried Violet, and "What did I tell you?" echoed -Daffodil, while all with much timidity examined the green, mottled shell -that lay in halves upon the ground. "That was the horrid thing we saw in -the clock." - -"Well, never mind now," said Queen Titania, with a sigh of relief. "The -monster will not trouble us again." - -In spite of what the queen said, Florimel was not so sure that they -would have no more trouble, since he had seen the wraith-like Red Spirit -fly from the shell of the Human Octopus off into the air. - -[Illustration] - -Somewhere he feared this strange, evil being lurked to wreak further -harm. Not wishing to cause uneasiness to Queen Titania, however, he said -never a word. - -Then Brownies and fairies mingled together in happy, joyous mood. But -Florimel and Titania withdrew from all the rest, and had eyes only for -each other. - -"I think I can guess how all this is going to end," said the Policeman -to the Sailor, in a voice that showed great resentment. - -"Avast, you lubber!" sharply reproved the Sailor. "Now what d'ye mean?" - -"I mean that Florimel has fallen in love with the queen, and will marry -her." - -"How can he? Florimel is a Brownie, and Brownies never marry." - -"But Florimel is not a real Brownie. He's only been taken into the band. -Just look at them now!" - -The Sailor cocked his eye to where Florimel was bending over Titania, -with his head very close to hers. - -"Shiver my timbers!" he cried. "They do look orange-blossomy!" - -[Illustration] - -Noting the impression Queen Titania was making upon Prince Florimel, -Dame Drusilda determined to exercise her arts upon the immaculate little -Dude, with whom she was very much taken. - -"I hear," she remarked to the Student, "that he is connected with the -best families." - -"Yes," he replied, rather enviously, "he sometimes is by telephone." - -But as soon as she could do so she joined the group in which the Dude -held forth vivaciously, and when opportunity presented itself contrived -to say: - -"Ah, sir, in your pretty ways you remind me of the gallants of old -times!" - -"You must be able to remember quite far back," he said, as he looked at -her through his monocle. - -"Forsooth, kind sir," she hastened to say, "I only speak through -hearsay. What I know my great-grandmother told my grandmother, who told -my mother, who in turn told me. As you can plainly see I am different -from other fairies. They call me a beauty of the old school." - -"Hasn't school been out a good many years?" he asked. - -"I fail to comprehend you," she said, with a blush. "Mayhap you are not -susceptible to beauty. Yet I have heard it often remarked that a -beautiful woman can make the strongest man go down on his knees." - -The Dude gave his cuffs an admiring glance. - -"So can a collar-button!" he said. - -The day passed in sports and merry-making, followed by other days in -which the Brownies remained in close proximity to the palace. During all -this time Florimel and Titania were much together, and their attachment -for each other was remarked by all. - -[Illustration] - -The Brownies, growing uneasy over the thought that they might lose -their new companion to whom they had become so friendly, were eager to -move on in quest of fresh scenes and adventures. - -King Stanislaus, with the belief that this might be a passing fancy on -the part of Florimel, humored his wishes, and ordered the band to -remain. When he reached the definite conclusion that it was not, he -said: - -"My son, we have been here now quite a long time. Do you not think we -had better seek some other place where we can do good?" - -Florimel's face showed his disappointment. - -"No matter where one may be," he said, "there are always plenty of -opportunities to do good. Why not continue here, where we are all so -happy?" - -"I hope to make Titania my wife," said Florimel simply. - -"And where you are happiest of all," said His Majesty, with a knowing -wink. "Ah, Florimel, my boy, your whole life-story, like nearly every -other man's, may be summed up in just these three words: hatched, -matched, dispatched! Tell me how far matters have gone." - -He looked anxiously at King Stanislaus's face, as though he feared to -see displeasure written there, but the genial, encouraging smile upon -the royal countenance caused him to take heart. - -"I shall be sorry to lose a son," said the kindly monarch, "but I shall -be rejoiced to gain a daughter. Frankly it has always been my great -desire to have an alliance of the Brownies and fairies, for together we -can do more good than if we worked alone. But until you came I never -knew how this could be effected, for Brownies can never marry." - -"Much pleased am I by those words, Your Majesty," said Florimel. "I do -not deny that I wish to be with Titania, for my feelings as far as she -is concerned are too plain to be disguised. Still it is not alone the -joy of being near her that causes me to wish this, but the thought that -harm may come to her at any time, in which case I might be able to be of -service to her." - -[Illustration] - -King Stanislaus seemed very much surprised. - -"Harm!" he repeated. "What harm can befall her?" - -"You forget the great danger she was in from the Human Octopus," -reminded Florimel. - -"But the Human Octopus is no more," said the king. "There is nothing to -fear on that score, drop him from memory." - -"Still Dragonfel the enchanter has made his threats," said Florimel. -"They may be wild, foolish threats, yet they cause me great uneasiness. -I fear for the queen because of him." - -Then he told the king for the first time how the Red Spirit, after the -Human Octopus had been cleft in twain by the magic arrow, had flown away -into the air, to bide his time, perhaps for further mischief and -wrong-doing. - -His Majesty's little weazened face turned very grave at the recital. - -"Still, Florimel, I would not worry," he said. "I will caution all the -band to keep a sharp look-out for the rascal. And do you, my son, woo -and win, Titania, for my blessing will fall upon you both." - -[Illustration] - -To that end Florimel exerted himself, but it was an easy task, since -Titania loved him fully as dearly as he her. So when they were seated -once at twilight on a stone bench in the palace-garden, very close to -each other, he asked the question ever trembling on his lips, and she -did not say him nay. - -Then Florimel took a slender circlet of gold and placed it on her tiny -engagement finger. But, while she first looked at it, then pressed it -very tenderly to her little red pouting lips, the Red Spirit suddenly -darted from behind the bench, where he had been eavesdropping all the -while. - -Before Florimel could reach for an arrow the other flew off in the air -and disappeared. - -"What was that?" Titania cried, in great alarm. - -Florimel strove to ease her mind, though he was much alarmed himself. - -He felt that the Red Spirit was going to make trouble. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE COMPACT WITH VULCAN - - -[Illustration] - -Over the sea Dragonfel the enchanter waited with increasing impatience -for the Human Octopus to return with whatever information he might glean -in his prowling, sneaking manner. When his grotesque emissary did not -put in a prompt appearance he grew more surly and ill-humored than ever. -He vented his rage upon the poor little mine-sprites by increasing their -working-hours and decreasing their allowance of carrot-tops and -potato-skins. - -Whenever he spoke to his followers their knees knocked together with -fright. At no time was he gentle, but when he was particularly violent, -which was nearly always, he was a very bad person who could be well -avoided. - -So he became even crankier and crosser-grained than ever, till all -around him quaked with fear. He wondered why the Human Octopus did not -come back, and his inexplicable delay filled him with ungovernable fury. - -"He's not attending to business," he said, grinding his teeth with rage. -"Instead of snooping he's just going around, and having a good time. But -wait till he gets back, and I'll show him!" As he spoke these words he -happened to be in his throne room, and he went to the open window to -look out. - -It was a wild, terrible night, but the worse the weather was the more -Dragonfel liked it. - -[Illustration] - -The lightning zig-zagged all over the inky black sky, the thunder -roared, the wind howled, and the rain beat down in slanting torrents. - -"Vulcan must have some little job on hand," Dragonfel pondered, as he -returned to his throne. - -Scarcely had he done so when there came a sudden fierce gust of wind -that blew the Red Spirit through the window right to his very feet -where he cringed and grovelled and fawned in the most abject manner. - -"How now, you rogue?" roared Dragonfel above the storm. "Where have you -been, and what has kept you? Why have you not returned as you went? -Answer, villain, or it will go hard with you! I will have you strung up -by the finger-tips till your toes barely touch the ground and beaten by -a thousand and one whips!" - -"Oh, master, kind master," gasped the Red Spirit, trying to catch his -breath, "wonderful things have I seen, and wonderful things have I to -tell you. So incredible are they that you may not believe me, yet I do -assure you most positively that what I am about to relate is the truth, -the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I would never have believed -them myself had I not seen them with my own eyes." - -"Omit all this long, unnecessary preamble," growled Dragonfel, in great -disgust, "and get down to hard facts. What have you discovered?" - -"The Brownie prince is to wed the fairy queen!" - -Dragonfel's face went from scarlet to white, then from white to scarlet, -then back to white, and then to scarlet again, just like the flashing of -a vari-colored electric sign. - -"How do you know?" he asked, trying to control his temper. "Who told -you?" - -"No one," said the trembling Red Spirit. "I saw him place an -engagement-ring on her finger." - -"Well," declared Dragonfel, in a tone of the utmost brutality, "if they -are planning to get married all I've got to say is they've got another -guess coming!" - -"Who will prevent the marriage, kind master?" - -"I will prevent it!" irascibly shouted the enchanter, and he clapped his -hands together in an imperious way. "What ho, without there! Here's a -pretty kettle of fish! Come hither instantly!" - -Grouthead, Mandrake, Boundingbore, Wolfinger, Snoutpimple, and others -were out in an ante-room, and they almost tumbled over each other in -their frantic haste to answer the peremptory summons. - -[Illustration] - -"Put on your storm-cloaks immediately," ordered Dragonfel. "I want you -to come with me to Vulcan's." - -"It's a terrible night to be out, kind master," ventured Grouthead, with -a shudder. - -There came a flash of lightning and a crash of thunder more terrifying -than any that had gone before. - -"What's the matter with the night?" snapped Dragonfel. "I don't see -anything wrong with it. I call this particularly pleasant weather." - -"Yes, it's all right now," Grouthead hastened to say. - -So in their long, flowing cloaks they all sloshed out in the wind and -rain, while the hearts of those who followed after the enchanter quaked -and quailed as they plunged on through the pitch-black darkness of the -night. - -The wind howled and shrieked with increasing fury, the lightning grew -sharper, and the peals of thunder more deafening, so that their eyes -were nearly blinded, and their ear-drums rang. - -Now not so very far from Dragonfel's palace Vulcan whom they had set -forth to see had his cavern. - -It was a very modest establishment indeed, considering the prodigious -results that he achieved, and the wonder was that in such cramped -quarters, and with so few to aid him in his work, he could do as much as -he did. - -The cavern was down by the sea, in among huge rocks and boulders, and -over the door, in very modest lettering, was the business sign: VULCAN -GOD OF FIRE. - -Inside was a forge with bellows such as any country blacksmith has, and -here Vulcan manufactured earthquakes and volcanos at will. - -He could create seismic disturbances all over the world, in a trice -throw Vesuvius into hysterical contraptions, or make things suddenly -red-hot in Mexico or the British Honduras. His wares were known in every -quarter of the globe, and he didn't even so much as advertise. - -On this particular night he stood as usual at his forge--a great big, -husky, bearded fellow in a red flannel undershirt bared at his brawny, -hairy chest, and with sleeves rolled almost up to his shoulders to give -the tremendous muscles of his arms full play. - -[Illustration: Vulcan threatening his imps with a hot poker.] - -He wore a round leather cap and had on a leather apron tied to his -burly waist by leather thongs. Things needed touching up a bit, and he -was getting busy. - -"Where are those lazy 'prentices of mine?" he roared, in rumbling tones, -as he pumped the bellows, while the flames in the forge leaped higher -and higher. "Spry, Flash, Nimble, Twist, and the rest of you--where are -you, I say? Has my voice grown so weak, you rogues, that you cannot hear -me? Come hither this instant!" - -From all directions in response to the angry summons came imps in red -attire that fitted their lithe, supple bodies as snugly as the skins of -eels. - -They somersaulted down the chimney, popped up like jack-in-th'-boxes -from the earthen floor, and described parabolas through the air from the -cavern's ceiling, grouping themselves humbly on their knees before their -irate master, with their arms supplicatingly extended. - -"Here at last, are you?" again roared Vulcan. "And none too soon, -either! Where have you been, imps? Idling your time away? Quick! heap -coals on, all of you, or the fire will be out!" - -Forthwith they flung balls of living fire into the forge, and, as Vulcan -pumped away at the bellows, he burst out in lusty song: - - "When the flames leap high - From the crater to the sky - I roll up my sleeves with delight; - When the strongest buildings rock - To the awful earthquake's shock - The trembling millions all confess my might!" - -The lightning flashed, the thunder crashed, and over all the storm was -heard a voice calling: "Vul-can! Vul-can!" - -Vulcan stopped work while his imps crept stealthily toward the door to -listen. - -"Is Vulcan at his forge?" was shouted in the wind and rain outside, with -the accompaniment of a terrific knock on the door. - -"Who dares disturb me on my busy night?" cried Vulcan, in a towering -passion. - -[Illustration: DRAGONFEL KNOCKING ON VULCAN'S DOOR.] - -"It is I, Dragonfel, the enchanter," said the voice placatingly. - -"What brings you here?" asked Vulcan. - -"I come on business of great import, mighty Vulcan!" - -"Enter, then, and be brief," said Vulcan, with scant hospitality. -"Remember I have work to do." - -Dragonfel and his followers thereupon appeared in the doorway, and came -forward escorted by the imps who evinced the greatest curiosity in the -strange, rain-soaked visitors. - -When they were within respectful distance of Vulcan the enchanter sank -on one knee before him, and the rest immediately followed his example. - -"Why have you sought me out?" demanded Vulcan, with distrust and -suspicion on his seamed, rugged face as he sharply eyed them. - -"Oh, Vulcan," spoke Dragonfel, in smooth, oily tones, "powerful as I am, -I acknowledge you my master. Who else can match you in your wondrous -strength?" - -"You've come for a favor!" grunted the other. "Well, out with it!" - -"I wish to tell you about the Brownies." - -"What about the Brownies?" - -"There is to be a marriage in Fairyland. The Brownie prince is to wed -the fairy queen!" - -"Bah! How does this concern me?" - -"It should concern you. Listen, Vulcan! There is no authority for such -a marriage in all the annals of mythology." - -The words created a deep impression upon Vulcan. - -"No authority?" he repeated slowly, as though he were mentally digesting -what he had just heard. "Are you sure of this?" - -"There is none, I tell you," insisted Dragonfel emphatically. "It is -enough to arouse the anger of the high and mighty gods. My own power -will be diminished, if not lost, should this union take place." "Are -you using any measures to prevent it?" asked Vulcan thoughtfully. "Aye!" -was Dragonfel's decided response. "I am going across the sea with these -followers of mine to interfere. Can I rely upon your powerful aid should -I need it?" "How can I help you?" "If I call upon you will you convulse -the earth, and rouse to fury the slumbering volcano?" - -[Illustration] - -"Trust me for that!" cried Vulcan, beginning to pump the bellows. "The -element of fire is still my own, to use at will." - -A lightning-bolt hurled itself right in their very midst, and the -resultant thunder-clap brought Dragonfel and his followers to their feet -in sudden alarm. "Enough!" cried Dragonfel exultingly. "It is a compact, -then!" - -"Here is my hand on it!" said Vulcan, and he crushed that of the -enchanter in his grimy fist. "Spry, Flash, Nimble, and Twist, my crafty -imps, shall go with you. Through them appeal to me. But what do you -propose to do?" - -"I have a plan, and a good one too!" said Dragonfel, in a confidential -manner. "You can depend upon it, rats will eat the wedding-cake!" -Vulcan's fancy was so tickled that he laughed hilariously, and Dragonfel -made bold to slap him in a familiar way upon the back. "Ho! ho!" Vulcan -chuckled. "So rats will eat the wedding-cake, eh?" - -[Illustration] - -"Yes," Dragonfel went on. "We're going to the wedding, gain their -confidence with fine presents, and then--" - -"Yes," said Vulcan, very much interested. "And then--?" - -Dragonfel leaned over and whispered something in Vulcan's ear which -caused him to start back in surprise. "No!" he involuntarily exclaimed. -"Do you think you can do it?" If Florimel and Titania could have heard -the diabolical plan of the enchanter all the happiness would have -vanished from their hearts. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -THE STRANGE WEDDING-GUESTS - - -[Illustration] - -Bright and fair dawned the wedding-day of Prince Florimel and Queen -Titania. - -Though all the days vied in beauty with each other, this one seemed to -be more radiant with grace and loveliness than usual, for every living -thing loved the happy little lovers and all Nature rejoiced with them. - -The skies put on their tenderest blue, the sun scattered even more of -its golden treasure, the winds grew more balmy and caressing, while the -flowers were prodigal with perfume, and the birds were tireless with -their joyous serenades. - -Though the ceremony was not to be performed till eve, still the fairies -were busy with their preparations at sun-up, and the palace fairly -hummed with their activities. - -Long banquet-tables had been arranged in the throne-room, and on -snowy napery were dishes, cups, and saucers fashioned with quaint -exquisiteness from flowers, and there were lily chalices of sparkling -dew with which to pledge the health of the happy bride and groom. - -In the kitchen a host of willing workers were being directed by little -Dame Drusilda, and their conscientious efforts showed in ice cream with -fruits of all flavors, charlotte russe, mince pies, plum puddings, all -kinds of berry tarts, old-fashioned strawberry short-cake, peach -cobblers, and apple dumplings. For the menu of the fairies was composed -almost entirely of the most delicious desserts imaginable, and they ate -what they wished, and as much as they liked, without ever getting the -indigestion. - -[Illustration] - -So the day wore on toward dusk, and, though to all the others, each hour -seemed a minute, and each minute a second, Florimel and Titania in their -impatience thought that it would never end, the very sun seemed to -stand still, as upon Gibeon. - -He had left the Brownies to their own devices to be with her, and while -they talked of their union now so close at hand both were arrayed in -their fine wedding-garb. - -[Illustration] - -"Are you happy, Florimel?" she asked him, for the thousandth time. - -"Happier than words can say," was his fervent response. - -"And you're sure you'll never regret it?" - -"Yes, positive, Titania. I wonder what's keeping King Stanislaus and the -band. They ought to be here by this time." - -"Oh, Florimel, my happiness would be complete were it not for the -thought of Dragonfel." At the mention of the wicked enchanter's name he -gave an involuntary start. - -"We mustn't borrow trouble on his account," he said, trying to speak -lightly. "He's across the sea where he can't hurt us. Let us think -instead of our approaching happiness." - -Then fairies came skipping and running from the palace, clapping their -hands in sheer delight, cheering, and waving tiny handkerchiefs at a -great rate. And windows gay with flags and bunting filled with flushed, -eager, excited faces all looking out, while the Cupids were lifted up in -arms so they could better see. - -[Illustration] - -"The Brownies must be coming!" cried Florimel to Titania. "Let us go up -on the palace-steps where we can get a view of them." - -He gallantly offered her his arm, and escorted her to a position with -the rest, from which they could obtain a glimpse of the road as it wound -curving away, with the blue, dimpling sea beyond. - -Down the road came the joyous band, with hearts attuned to merry-making, -and never was a jollier procession. - -Beasts and birds alike had freely offered their services toward making -this grand entree as triumphantly imposing as possible, and in the -long frisking, frolicking, cavorting line of march were lions, tigers, -elephants, camels, zebras, ostriches, emus, cassowaries, and many other -creatures of field, forest, and jungle, four-footed and two, whose backs -bore willingly the burden of the gay, laughing sprites. - -[Illustration] - -But Florimel could not see King Stanislaus among them, -and was much puzzled thereat. When later they were gathered together, -within the garden-walls, and the beasts and birds had gone away, after -eating all the charlotte russe they could, he inquired the cause of His -Majesty's absence. - -"He'll be here later," the Student explained. "He had some pressing -engagement with the Policeman, and they went away together." - -Suddenly there came a banging on the portcullis so loud that it seemed -to be made with big wooden mallets. Brownies and fairies looked at each -other in consternation and surprise, while many a tiny heart began a -vigorous thumping. - -"What's that?" cried Queen Titania. - -"There are strangers outside the portcullis, Your Majesty," said the -fairy guard, as she squinted with one eye through the peek-hole. - -The banging continued with greater insistence, and, advancing close to -the portcullis, Prince Florimel shouted: - -"Who are you, and what do you want?" - -"We are friends who have come to the wedding," said a mild, gentle voice -from outside, "who have come to the wedding." - -"Well, I like that!" exclaimed the Dude, in great disgust. "Whoever gave -them an invitation?" - -"We have brought you some fine presents," the voice hastened to add. - -Florimel seemed undecided. - -"Shall we admit them?" he asked the rest. - -"Avast, messmate!" growled the Sailor. "You'd better have a look at the -presents first!" - -"There's nothing to fear," said Titania sweetly. "Bid the strangers -welcome." - -The portcullis was straightway raised, and in trooped a queer, motley -crowd. They were attended by four grinning imps in red who varied their -walk with somersaulting antics, and the arms of all but the leader were -full of presents. - -These evidently had been selected with much care and thought for the -wedding, and the same taste and judgment were shown that can be found in -nearly all weddings. - -One of them had a gigantic pair of scissors which would have taken as -many as a half-dozen Brownies or fairies to cut with. Another held a -cradle big enough to hold the offspring of a giant. - -[Illustration] - -A third in a cage carried a hen which was alleged to lay three strictly -guaranteed fresh eggs a day. From each hand of a fourth dangled an -immense round clock, and the faces of them were lettered: FALSE ALARM. -MADE IN DEMONLAND. A fifth had a pair of abnormal candle-snuffers. -Others had gifts equally absurd and useless. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - -At the instigation of the leader all grouped themselves in a semi-circle -humbly before the bride and groom to-be, and Florimel, who was still -somewhat suspicious, asked: - -"What do you want?" - -"We are friends," said the leader, in his gentle voice, "most anxious to -pay homage to you." - -"If you are friends," said Florimel, "we shall be glad to have you join -in our festivities. Do you dance?" - -All shook their heads in unison. - -"Don't you tango or do the fox-trot?" - -Again they shook their heads. - -"Or sing?" - -They still shook their heads. - -"But just you wait till you see them at the supper-table!" said the Dude -decidedly. - -[Illustration] - -"Nevertheless," said Florimel kindly, "I trust we shall find some means -for your enjoyment. Have you come far?" - -"Yes," said the leader, "many leagues to do you honor. We crave your -acceptance of these few, simple, unpretentious gifts as a trifling -evidence of the distinguished consideration and esteem in which we hold -your fair bride and yourself." - -It was plain that he had first carefully prepared and then committed to -memory such a flowery speech. - -[Illustration] - -In their curiosity to examine the presents the Brownies began to -circulate among the strangers. - -When in doing so the Chinaman thoughtlessly put his head between the -open scissors-blades the big, hulking fellow who held them could not -repress an evil inclination, and snapped them together almost instantly -so that the head was held between them in a vise-like grip. - -Taking note of this another who had the snuffers clapped the hood -forthwith over an ordinary Brownie so it looked as though he did not -have a head. - -[Illustration] - -The leader angrily stamped his foot for them to desist from such rude, -ill-mannered antics, whereupon the one reluctantly released the -frightened Chinaman, while the other removed the snuffers from -Brownie's head. - -[Illustration] - -"You must be weary and travel-stained from your long journey," said -Florimel, not knowing what to think. - -"If you will come with me," said Titania hospitably, "I will see that -your wants are provided for." - -The new guests at a signal from their leader rose, and when he bowed his -acknowledgment of the proffered courtesy they clumsily followed his -example, while the imps gloatingly patted their stomachs. - -Titania motioned to Dame Drusilda, Violet, Daffodil, and some other -fairies to accompany her, and they led the strangers up the steps into -the palace. - -Florimel was strongly tempted to follow, but just then King Stanislaus -and the Policeman arrived very much out of breath. - -They had come singly, and from opposite directions. Just outside the -portcullis the Policeman had overtaken His Majesty, and they entered the -palace-garden together. - -"Officer," said King Stanislaus, "have you anything to report?" - -"Yes, sire," said the Policeman, twirling his club. "The path I took -didn't keep straight. My footsteps got so crooked that I had to arrest -them." - -"What did you discover?" - -"Nothing." - -"What was it?" - -"I said nothing, sire." - -"But nothing's something." - -"No, it's nothing." - -"If it wasn't something then it wouldn't be in the dictionary. But it's -no use to argue with you. Did you find a clue?" - -"Yes, a good one." - -"What is it?" - -"He wasn't in any of the places I gum-shoed to, so consequently they're -eliminated. The deduction I've arrived at is that he's in some other -place. As he can only be in one place there's only one place to find. -That's easy." - -[Illustration] - -"Of whom are you both talking?" asked Florimel curiously. - -"The Red Spirit," said King Stanislaus. "We'll catch him yet. But the -lovely bride--where is she?" - -"In the palace, Your Majesty, providing for some newly arrived -wedding-guests." - -"Well, after you're married, Florimel," said King Stanislaus seriously, -"you must be careful your wife doesn't lose her mind." - -"Nonsense!" - -"No nonsense about it. It often happens to a married woman." - -"How so?" - -"Sometimes she keeps on giving her husband a piece of her mind till -finally she hasn't any mind left." - -Suddenly Mignonette and Jassamine, ladies-in-waiting to the queen, ran -shrieking from the palace. - -"What's wrong?" cried Florimel. - -"The queen!" gasped Mignonette. - -"Yes, the poor queen!" said Jassamine, almost in hysterics. - -"Speak!" urged Florimel. "Has anything happened to her?" - -"Alas!" wailed Mignonette. "She is gone!" - -"Gone!" echoed Florimel, distracted. "Gone where?" - -"We know not," said Jassamine. "We have searched the palace over, and -cannot find her." - -"Where is Dame Drusilda?" asked Florimel quickly. - -"She is gone too," said Mignonette. - -"And Daffodil and Violet are missing," added Jassamine. - -"Our strange wedding-guests--where are they?" - -"They have flown!" cried Mignonette and Jassamine together. - -"Then it is they who have taken them," said Florimel, as he ran toward -the palace-steps. "Quick--a search! They cannot have gone far." - -But the Brownies had reached the steps before him, and were already -pointing off at the distant sea-line. - -"A sail! A sail!" they cried. - -"Too late!" said Florimel. "I see it all now. This is the work of -Dragonfel!" - -"Dragonfel!" cried one and all together. - -"Yes," said Florimel. "Our unknown guests were Dragonfel and his wicked -followers. He has abducted them, and flown with them to his country." - -He bowed his head in great despair. King Stanislaus came, and placed his -hand upon his shoulder. - -"Be brave, Florimel!" he said. "The Brownies will go at once to the -rescue of Queen Titania!" - -"Yes!" shouted the Brownies. "To the rescue of Queen Titania!" - -"But how?" asked the despondent Florimel. "We have no ship to take us." - -Quick as a wink King Stanislaus improvised: - - "We'll build a raft with magic sleight, - And brave the sea ere morning's light!" - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -THE BROWNIES BUILD A RAFT - - -[Illustration] - -When King Stanislaus announced to the Brownies that they were to go at -once to the rescue of Queen Titania he was confronted by a very serious -problem. There was no craft of any kind whatever with which to embark -upon so hazardous a voyage. - -"This comes of unpreparedness," growled the Sailor. "I've been trying -to impress on His Majesty for years that we needed some battle-ships, -cruisers, and submarines. Dash my top-lights if we've got even so much -as an old mud-scow!" - -Far off faintly outlined in the gathering dusk was a galleon with all -sails spread which the favoring gales were bearing to Dragonfel's -enchanted country. - -King Stanislaus realized the utter futility of trying to overtake it -with another sailing-vessel even if they had been the possessors of one. -Dragonfel and his confederates had too much the start of them. - -The only recourse left was to follow as quickly as they could by -whatever means were at hand, and, after they reached their destination, -to try to wrest the unfortunate Titania and her companions from the -cruel clutches of their abductors. - -King Stanislaus had pledged his word to Florimel that before morning -they would be in hot pursuit. - -A raft to the monarch's shrewd, quick-thinking mind seemed to be the -easiest kind of a craft to construct in the short space of time to do it -in order to redeem the royal promise. The wind was right, so that it -would waft them straight to Dragonfel's country, just as it was now -taking the galleon which soon disappeared beyond the horizon. - -In crisp, curt tones which showed that he, if anyone, was able to cope -with this most distressing situation His Majesty gave orders for the -immediate building of the raft. - -[Illustration] - -Then came a hurrying and scurrying of Brownies. Each of the little -fellows was eager to do his share of the gigantic task, and no one -shirked. - -Hither and yon, and all about, they flew, a band of willing workers, -and no one got in another's way, so no time was lost. Wisely enough the -king assigned to each what he was best adapted to do, and there was no -grumbling or cavilling at orders, but a strict obedience in all things. -And, wherever such a spirit is manifested, it is surprising what results -can be achieved. - -[Illustration] - -The axes rang out sharp and clear in forests, and big trees toppled down -to be stripped in a trice of their leafy branches. Sweating, puffing, -grunting Brownies pulled and tugged and strained at the logs into which -they were cut, and pushed and shoved, or rolled them when they could, -toward the sea-shore. - -Here, with their little jackets off, were many other Brownies hard at -work, while the sound of big wooden mallets and iron sledges was heard -unceasingly on all sides as in the busiest shipyard, while the logs -were being nailed and spiked together. - -Yet the raft was not composed entirely of logs, but of whatever else -besides that came in handy. - -[Illustration] - -Nimble, fleet-footed foragers at their monarch's instigation roamed the -country over for anything that was in the nature of wood. Some of these -brought back a gate on which was the sign: NO ADMITTANCE. - -Others came with shutters on which was tacked the placard: ROOMS TO LET. -And one group triumphantly lugged a dog-house which they thought would -serve as a pilot-house, and to this on an iron chain was attached a dog, -which perforce was dragged along after it upon its back. So great was -their excitement that they forgot all about the dog. - -[Illustration] - -Other members of the band were busy too in different ways. The Sailor -came running with a long pole on his shoulder, and strung one after -another on the pole were a number of round life-preservers that looked -like huge doughnuts. - -Then off he sped again but only to return a few minutes later with a -mariner's compass. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - -The Dude stood by, offering advice, and all ready with cane in one and -opera-hat box the other. - -[Illustration] - -Straining with the terrific weight the Twins together brought a ship's -lead, and in stopping to put it down for needed rest one dropped it on -the foot of his unfortunate brother, who held the injured foot up with -his hand, and danced on the well one in great pain. But when his brother -motioned for him to take up the lead with him again, he did so, and they -labored on their way. - -Down on the beach quite a number had found a big anchor half-buried in -the sand. They had dug it out and were slowly bearing it with the utmost -difficulty toward the raft. - -[Illustration] - -Time and again they stopped for a brief breathing spell, standing -meanwhile the anchor on its bow, until at last it suddenly fell over -and pinioned a luckless sprite beneath its weight. He was extricated -by his fellows, and, while they continued puffing with their burden he -limped with effort after them, rubbing his bruised shank. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - -The commissary department was active too, and Brownies came with ample -supplies of provisions for the voyage. They brought sacks of hard-tack -and ship-biscuit, and when they laid them down and sat on them audacious -rats ran helter-skelter out and scampered wildly off in all directions. -Nothing was left undone, and when in the judgment of the Sailor it was -about four bells the raft had taken marvelous shape and was ready to -launch. - -[Illustration] - -With the combined strength of all the band it was rolled down the -sloping sand upon round logs until it slid gracefully into the water. -Lanterns lit it at the corners, and in the centre on a long stick -floated the Brownie flag. - -Then all the Brownies clambered on board, and King Stanislaus gave the -order to cast off the hawsers. The fairies, weeping yet hopeful of the -success of the expedition, watched them from the shore. - -But before some Brownies under the instructions of the Sailor could obey -the mandate of the king Mignonette and Jassamine in wild disorder, and -with their hair flying, came running toward them. - -"The dove!" cried Mignonette. "You've forgotten Euphrosyne's dove!" - -Jassamine at the same time held up a cage in which the dove was perched -on a stick. - -"Euphrosyne told Queen Titania she was to send it to her if ever she -was in danger from Dragonfel," Mignonette made haste to explain. - -"I don't know whether we've got room to take it," said King Stanislaus -grudgingly. "Besides I think we're able to manage this little business -affair ourselves." - -"Remember, sire," reminded the Policeman, "that Noah once sent out a -dove." - -"Yes, I know," said His Majesty, "but he's hundreds of years behind the -times." - -Still he did not interpose any objections when the Dude reached forth -and grasped the cage, which he set upon the raft. - -Then off they floated without further interruption, the Sailor and -others poling them out through shallow waters till they could no longer -touch bottom. There were no cheers to mark the departure, for the hearts -of all were set with a stern purpose. - -As they got farther and farther away the fairies still gazed at them, -until someone said: - -"Don't watch them out of sight. It's unlucky." - -The tide was ebb, and the wind continued steady and true, so that they -made good progress. Some took their little jackets off to catch each -puff of air. The shore-line finally disappeared from sight, and then the -lights twinkling in the windows of Queen Titania's palace. - -At last they were so many miles from land that the Twins took frequent -soundings with their lead, and the Sailor, who consulted his compass -very often, growled to the watch: - -"Keep a sharp look-out, you lubber!" - -And their plans all would have gone well, and they would have reached -Dragonfel's enchanted country as they intended, if something entirely -unexpected had not happened. - -About six bells, as the Sailor reckoned, a sudden storm came up. - -It was a terrible storm, the worst in the memory of the oldest -inhabitant. The Sailor who was most weather-wise of all could not -understand it. But Dragonfel could have done so had he wished, for the -storm had been manufactured at his request by Vulcan, and it was just as -good a sample of what could be done in a hurry as the Brownies' raft. - -[Illustration] - -Suddenly the sky grew black, and the stars were blotted out. Then almost -instantly came a mighty rush and roar of wind, and the seas ran -mountain-high. - -"Avast, you lubbers!" roared the Sailor. "Take a reef in your shirts and -jackets!" - -Lightning lit up almost incessantly gloomy, frowning caverns in the -clouds, and the peals of thunder were deafening. The rain poured down on -them in sheets, but still the wind howled and raged with unabating fury, -and they tossed up and down like a cockleshell. - -[Illustration] - -In all the turmoil of alarm the frightened Chinaman lost his balance, -and fell overboard, and a huge sea-serpent, with eyes of fire gleaming -like electric lights above distended greedy, waiting jaws, rose up from -out of the water, with its abnormally long body looking like a series of -hoops. - -The Uncle Sam Brownie threw out a life-preserver, but the Sailor with -rare presence of mind grasped a boat-hook, and, skillfully hooking the -end of the despairing Chinaman's blouse, yanked him back on the raft -before the monster could swallow him. - -No craft however staunch could withstand such a gale, which grew and -grew in violence. - -[Illustration] - -The raft shivered and shook under its terrific strain, and there came -pistol-like cracks at intervals as the wood splintered or broke apart, -while nails and spikes flew up from the groaning, loosening timbers. - -Slowly but surely the raft upon which the Brownies had exercised such -ingenuity and skill was disintegrating, and the great danger of the band -increased with each passing moment. And in the flashes of lightning that -illumined the rumbling skies a huge bird with flapping wings suddenly -swooped down, and, seizing the frightened Dude by his breeches-seat, -bore him, dangling face downward, with his cherished cane still clutched -in his hand, up, up, still up, till he was out of sight. - -The others, all aghast, looked up at him until he disappeared, and -wondered if they would ever see him again. And, while they wondered, -with their own misfortune forgotten in this greater calamity that had -come to their beloved companion, there was heard a crack louder than any -that had gone before, and the raft went all at once to pieces. - -Struggling in the water, or clinging to broken spars, logs, and pieces -of timber, the Brownies suddenly found themselves gasping and choking as -relentless waves rolled over them, at times submerging them. - -This was the end, then, of their unfortunate adventure. There was -nothing to cause even the slightest ray of hope. It looked as though all -the Brownies would be lost. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -WHAT HAPPENED IN THE THRONE-ROOM - - -[Illustration] - -Led by Queen Titania, Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil, the strange -guests, who had come to the wedding without an invitation, mounted the -spacious marble steps and passed into the palace. - -In spite of a meek, respectful demeanor that it was very hard for them -to assume, they could not conceal the gloating satisfaction that was on -their faces. - -In the meantime the Brownies and fairies were already beginning to enjoy -themselves in different parts of the palace grounds. - -Introductions are hardly necessary when sprites meet, and many found -ways of getting acquainted, and were warm friends on their first -meeting. - -Having no suspicion of what was in the evil minds of those she was -preparing so hospitably to entertain, Titania with her companions -ushered them into the magnificent banquet-room. - -There upon one of the long tables were spread many delicacies to make -one's mouth water, and, even before an invitation to partake of them -could be extended, the four red imps seated themselves before it, and, -smacking their lips, began to tuck napkins under their chins. - -[Illustration] - -Titania had thought that the guests would leave the presents they had -brought out in the hall when they came in, but they still held on to -them with a grip so tenacious that she wondered if they really meant to -give them up, after all. - -Nevertheless in a free-hearted way she urged the visitors to refresh -themselves. The imps were already engaged in trying to stuff whole plum -puddings into their mouths at once, a greedy proceeding that Dame -Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil watched with considerable disgust. - -All but the leader started quickly to seat themselves, but he stamped -his foot imperiously, and they came to an instant stop. - -Then he threw back the hood of his scarlet cloak, disclosing a wicked -face, and transfixed Titania with his malicious gaze. - -"I am Dragonfel the enchanter, my fine little lady," he said, in -fiendish tones, "and I have come to take you away with me!" - -[Illustration] - -Titania was so frightened that she could neither scream nor run away, -and she allowed him to gather her up in his arms and hold her just as -a little girl does a doll, making light of load. - -There she lay passive and trembling, with the realization that it would -be useless to make any effort to escape. - -Almost immediately afterward Grouthead seized the biting, scratching, -and clawing Dame Drusilda, whom he dumped in spite of fierce resistance -into the baby's crib, and when Mandrake and Wolfinger put Violet and -Daffodil in after her it was very plain why this particular gift had -been selected. - -"Yes, and you're not going to get these presents, either," sneered -Dragonfel to Titania, who said never a word. "You may call me an -Injun-giver, if you like, but I mean to take them back, just the same!" - -With Titania helpless in his arms he started toward a rear door, while -after him came Grouthead and Wolfinger bearing the crib in which Dame -Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil rattled about like dried peas in a pod. -The others followed slowly and reluctantly in their wake, casting -longing glances backward at the tempting-looking desserts on the table. - -The imps, however, did not budge, but continued eating. When Dragonfel -called out to them in angry tones they sprang up and attempted at the -same time to jam charlotte russe into their gaping mouths. - -In their frantic haste they smeared the charlotte or russe, whichever -the white part is, all over their faces, so that as they hurried after -the others with occasional frisky somersaults they looked as though they -had just been lathered by a barber. - -Out by the rear all passed into the deserted back-garden where there was -a small iron door locked and bolted from the inside, and with the key, -fortunately for their nefarious plans, in the lock. - -Through this door Dragonfel and his followers effected their escape with -their captives, and ran with all possible speed toward the sea-shore. - -[Illustration] - -The galleon tossed upon the lazy swell, not a great distance out, and in -a small boat with Snoutpimple and Boundingbore at the oars they rowed to -it, and soon were on board. - -Then the anchor was weighed, and with all sails filling they set their -course for Dragonfel's enchanted country, which they reached without -mishap of any kind. - -When they got to their journey's end, and all stood safe upon the shore, -the full malignity of Dragonfel was shown. - -Realizing that the indomitable Brownies would not relinquish Titania -without a struggle, but would follow as quickly as they could to wrest -her if possible from him, he ordered Vulcan's imps to call upon their -master to impede them with a storm. - -The imps thereupon cast balls of fire into the air, and, even as -all bent their steps toward the palace, the enchanter noted with -considerable satisfaction quite a change in the temperature. Clouds were -already beginning to form on the horizon, and there came the distant -rumble of continuous thunder. - -[Illustration] - -While they stood just outside the massive doors they heard the sounds of -what appeared to be a violent altercation from within. In an agitated -manner, as though he feared the worst, Dragonfel quickly threw them -open, and was greatly relieved to see the Demon Usher and Red Spirit -engaged in a friendly game of checkers. - -"You cheated!" the Red Spirit accused hotly. "You jumped three of my men -when you should have only jumped two!" - -"Stop it!" snarled Dragonfel at them. "You don't know how to play -checkers, anyhow!" - -They sprang in consternation to their feet, upsetting the board, and -causing the checkers to roll all over the floor. - -While the Red Spirit stood gloating over the success of a venture in -which he had played a modest part, the Demon Usher half skipped, half -flew, to the throne, and with a display of much enthusiasm began dusting -off the seat with a cloth. - -With swaggering stride Dragonfel went to the throne, and threw himself -in it, while Queen Titania, Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil all came -running toward him. - -"Oh, sir," cried Dame Drusilda, very much distressed, "why have you -brought us poor, defenseless girls here?" - -"Us, my venerable fairy!" said Dragonfel, most insultingly. - -"Venerable!" repeated Dame Drusilda. "Oh, you nasty man!" - -"How do you keep your age?" he sneered. - -"Easy enough," she replied indignantly. "I never give it away." - -As she spoke she made for him as though she meant to scratch his eyes -out, but Queen Titania pulled her back. - -"Don't touch him, Dame Drusilda!" she cried, and then turned pleadingly -to Dragonfel. "Why have you made me a prisoner, and carried me away -from home in this way?" - -"To prevent your marriage to the Brownie prince," he said coldly. - -"But we love each other, and would be so happy," she said, while tears -filled her pretty eyes. "Why do you oppose the marriage?" - -"Because if this marriage were to take place," he said, with an ugly -frown, "it would make you all so powerful as to result in my undoing." - -"You fear," she said reprovingly, "that we will frustrate all your -wicked plans." - -"It must not, shall not be!" was his decided response. "The Brownies and -fairies have long been my enemies." - -"If you did good," she reminded, gently, "we would be your friends. Tell -me, must I stay here always?" - -"Yes, always!" he snapped out. "The sooner you forget your Brownie -prince the better. You shall never see him again." - -Then Titania showed her spirit. - -"Oh, yes, I shall!" she contradicted. "The Brownies will rescue us!" - -"Bah!" he said contemptuously. "Those poor, weak creatures of the night? -They could not do it." - -"The Brownies can do anything," she said, with perfect trust and -confidence. - -"My pretty pet," said Dame Drusilda, "you waste words with him. Let us -ask some of these other creatures to help us. Maybe they are not as bad -as their master." - -So she coquettishly sidled up to Grouthead, Boundingbore, Mandrake, -Wolfinger, and Snoutpimple who stood near by in a highly interested -group. But before she could say even a word Grouthead gathered her up in -his arms, and held her out in the air, while in her fright she kept -kicking the turned-in toes of her tiny shoes together. - -"Don't be alarmed, my dear," he croaked, in tones that were meant to be -reassuring. "There's a heart here that beats for you, and you alone!" - -"Where's the heart?" she gasped. - -"In this troubled breast," he roared. "I've half a mind to marry you." - -"Put me down!" she screamed. "I wouldn't marry anyone with half a mind!" - -[Illustration] - -Dragonfel rose, and stamped his foot angrily, at which silent rebuke -Grouthead set Dame Drusilda hastily down. She gave a sigh of great -relief, and, gathering up her skirts, flew toward the enchanter. - -"Oh, sir," she implored, "can nothing move you?" - -"Yes," he said, in sneering tones, "a ton of dynamite! You are a pippin, -but you withered on the stem!" - -"You villain!" she screamed, shaking a tiny clenched fist at him. "I -could annihilate you for that; you deserve worse!" - -And she made for him again, but the tactful Violet and Daffodil grasped -each of her arms, and held her back. - -Dragonfel grinned most provokingly, and his myrmidons fairly shook with -glee, while the Demon Usher cackled his exultation, and poked the Red -Spirit on his elastic ribs. - -Titania took a little spider-web affair of a handkerchief from her -bodice, for her eyes threatened to fill again. - -Noting the coming tears, the wicked enchanter hastened to say, in tones -that were meant to be particularly comforting: - -"No harm shall befall you. When you have a wish you have but to name -it." - -[Illustration] - -"I have one now," spoke up Titania quickly. - -"So have I," added Dame Drusilda. - -"I'll hear yours later," said Dragonfel to the latter gruffly, and then -turned to Titania with what he thought was a most winning smile. "What -is yours?" - -"I want my Brownie prince!" - -"Didn't I tell you you were never going to see him again?" said the -enchanter, in disgust. "Ask me something else, and make it as hard as -you can." - -But Titania had no other wish, and Dame Drusilda was given no -opportunity to make hers known. - -The days dragged slowly by, and, though Dragonfel was not actually rough -in the treatment of his captives, he still was most unkind in depriving -them of the liberty for which they continually sighed. They were watched -and spied upon continually, so there was little or no chance for escape. - -[Illustration] - -He endeavored to provide amusements for which they had no heart, and was -a sorry host at best. In his crude efforts to entertain them he welcomed -all ideas for sports and diversions, so when on one occasion they were -all together, and his prisoners seemed unusually depressed, he sat upon -his throne knitting his brows in trying to think of something that might -cheer them up a bit. - -In the midst of his unsuccessful cogitations the Demon Usher half -skipped, half flew, to him, and prostrated himself at his feet. - -"Kind master!" he cried, in a flutter of excitement. - -"What is it?" asked Dragonfel. - -"A band of wandering minstrels outside humbly crave permission to play -before you." - -"What, another?" said Dragonfel. "Show them in!" - -The words he used were hospitable enough, but the tone of his voice -boded little good for the daring musicians. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -NEPTUNE STILLS THE WAVES - - -[Illustration] - -Up and down like corks bobbed the Brownies on the angry waves when their -raft was so suddenly demolished by the storm. The blackness of the night -was so intense that even with their supernatural vision they could not -see each other save in those vivid streaks of lightning that came often -and for a brief moment made all around as bright as day. - -The wild wind and waves bore them farther and farther apart from each -other, so that it was every one for himself, which was against all -principle in a band that delighted in mutual help. - -But in this case they could not give it. The water got in their noses -and mouths, causing them to gasp, choke, and splutter, while their ears -rang, and their eyes were nearly blinded. - -[Illustration] - -Desperately they clung to the splintered pieces of debris, to the -dog-house that spun over and over, to the gate that turned upside down, -or straddled logs that kept rolling with Brownies first up and then -under like teetotums. - -[Illustration] - -And others, not so fortunate, with strength fast leaving them, still -swam the waters seeking and groping in vain for some object to sustain -them. - -Then, right in the midst of all their terrible danger, when hope was -fast departing from all hearts, a wonderful thing happened. - -[Illustration] - -There came a sudden radiance that was not the lightning's flash, -illuminating old Father Neptune and a bevy of lovely-faced dryads in a -golden chariot that furiously galloping seahorses drew across the waves. - -In a brief space no longer than a second the God of the Sea and his -beauteous attendants passed on out of sight, but almost with their -disappearance the lightning and thunder ceased, as did the rain, the -wind died down, the stars once more shone out, and the water grew as -smooth as glass. - -When buffeted no longer by boisterous winds and waves the chance the -Brownies had to save themselves increased immeasurably. - -[Illustration] - -They could now see and hear each other, and when some one swimming in -the water called for help there were those on debris who reached over -and pulled their exhausted comrade on board. - -They shouted at each other in the dark, and by using their feet as -paddles contrived at last to bring whatever they floated on close -together. Then King Stanislaus, who with Prince Florimel was a-straddle -of a log, with much anxiety began to take an inventory of the band. - -To his infinite relief no one was missing but the Dude, but this -misfortune in itself was enough to dampen their spirits, for the -companion who had been carried off by the gigantic bird was very much -beloved. - -"Aye, aye!" growled the Sailor, cocking his weather-eye out through the -slats of the hen-coop. "We're all here, even to Euphrosyne's dove!" - -Thus on they went without further mishap, a queer-looking flotilla, -keeping in as close proximity to each other as they could, using both -hands and feet for paddles, and adopting many ingenious devices to -complete the voyage so disastrously begun. - -And a day dawned, then another, but at nightfall of the second they -glimpsed far off a shore-line with a single towering mountain which they -knew to be Dragonfel's enchanted country. - -They were neither hungry nor thirsty, for Brownies if need be can go -without food or water a long time. - -Much heartened by what they beheld, they redoubled their efforts to -reach the shore, which grew plainer and plainer, until finally they -could distinguish an immense glittering structure that looked more like -a prison than a palace, built as it was in the gloomy shadow of the -mountain. - -Though it gleamed and flashed and shone in a thousand and one different -places, where its myriad jewels caught the light, it seemed a cheerless, -inhospitable place, and they were depressed by the sight of it. - -The galleon that Dragonfel had used to convey his captives to his -country was lying at anchor well in toward the shore, with no one -evidently on board, but not feeling sure of this the Brownies made a -wide detour, choosing for a landing a sheltered cove that would screen -them from observing eyes. - -As they drew closer to the land some strange companions had they--queer -creatures who had obtruded themselves upon the Brownies during the -storm, and forced their society upon unwilling hosts--a motley gathering -from air, sea, and undersea that occupied choice places upon the flotsam -and jetsam to which the little fellows so precariously clung with -amazing vim. - -There were comical-looking, long-legged, long-billed cranes and herons, -and squat-flappered, web-footed penguins. The walrus and seal were -there, as well as formidable members of the finny tribe, some of which -had swords so sharp that the discreet Brownies kept a most respectful -distance from them. Crustaceans too were represented, with here a -lobster slyly nipping a sprite's toe with his claws, and there a turtle -tweaking another's cap. - -[Illustration] - -But when the Brownies reached shoal water, and some began to wade toward -shore, these false whilom friends deserted them, and dived into the -deep, or flew off in the air. - -Then when they were safe at last on land they stretched their weary, -stiff, cramped legs and arms, or raced about the sand to get the -sluggish blood once more pulsing through their veins. - -King Stanislaus stood apart from all the rest, and watched their joyous -antics with an expression of deep thought on his august countenance. It -was plain to be seen that he was greatly troubled in his mind. - -Now that they had succeeded in reaching Dragonfel's country what steps -should be taken in the effort to recover Queen Titania and her -companions? It was not to be conceived that the wicked enchanter would -give them up without a bitter struggle. - -The problem confronting the Brownie band was one that required the most -careful consideration. A single false step might ruin all. - -While the monarch pondered over what was best to be done his eye -abstractedly roved to the Brownies who now had gathered in a circle on -the beach, and who were scanning with much interest something in the -sky. - -The Policeman involuntarily had pointed his club toward it, and the -Sailor was trying to get a better view through his spy-glass. - -The royal eye at once turned upward in the direction in which all the -others were gazing, and like everyone else was held spellbound with -surprise. - -Far overhead there was an immense bird slowly dropping with stationary -wings outspread down toward them. It stood out clearly outlined in -silhouette against the dark night-sky. - -But it was not this bird, remarkable in itself, that created such -intense excitement on the part of all. - -Its great sharp talons held in a firm grip an object that they -recognized at once, with the result that delight and consternation were -mingled on their faces. - -[Illustration] - -Grasped firmly by the coat-tails, with face downward, and legs and arms -spread out like a Maltese cross, was the immaculate Brownie Dude, and -he still was clutching in his right hand the cane that was his most -treasured possession outside of his monocle. The Brownies watched this -most extraordinary spectacle as though they were fascinated, and their -pop-eyes almost popped out of their heads. - -Lower and lower settled the great bird, and the anxious watchers now -realized that its offices toward the Dude in time of danger had been of -a most heroic nature. - -With great haste some secured a net, which they held outspread. When the -bird was still some distance above, it cocked its eye as though it were -making some nice calculation and suddenly let go of its burden. - -The Dude came hurtling through the air, landing safely in the net, while -the bird sailed off, and was soon gone from sight. - -As soon as the Dude got on his feet he started to dust off his clothes -with a tiny whisk-broom. - -"I shouldn't care to go up in an aeroplane!" he said. - -He looked infinitely relieved when one of the overjoyed Brownies who -crowded around in congratulation handed him his opera-hat box. - -[Illustration] - -It may here be mentioned, that the Fairies, who had been left behind, -made a desperate attempt to follow their Queen, and the Brownies, across -the sea. But, after great difficulties, and dangers, they were glad to -get back to their own shore in safety. - -[Illustration] - -But though Florimel, like all the rest, was delighted beyond measure -that the Dude had been so miraculously restored to them, so they were -now once more complete, he could not restrain his tortured feelings when -he thought of Queen Titania, and he was in a fever of impatience to -rush at once to her rescue. - -"We only waste time here while Titania may be in danger," he said, with -a strong trace of irritation in his tone. "Is not that Dragonfel's -palace over yonder?" - -King Stanislaus gazed at the highly expensive but forbidding-looking -edifice toward which Florimel pointed. - -"Maybe so," was his guarded response. - -"Then let us storm it, and force him to surrender the queen and her -companions!" - -"Yes, yes!" cried all the Brownies. - -But King Stanislaus shook his head in a very decided manner. - -"My son, you're too impulsive," he said kindly but reprovingly. "Judging -from what you've told me, for I've never seen any of them, each of those -fellows must stand full six times as high as one of us, and there may be -six times as many besides. We must exercise caution." - -"Have you anything to propose?" - -"Nothing just now," said King Stanislaus. "We must reconnoitre a bit, -and get the lay of the land, before considering any plan whatever. An -open attack would be entirely out of the question. They'd have the -advantage of us in size and maybe numbers. No, no, my boy, we must use -Brownie cunning." Reluctantly Florimel was obliged to admit the force of -the shrewd old monarch's reasoning. - -Concerned as he was in mind to rescue Titania as soon as he could, he -had no desire by any rash act to imperil or, even worse still, destroy -the entire band. - -King Stanislaus motioned to the Brownies, who drew closer to give -respectful heed to what he might have to say to them. - -"I want each of you to go out and see what you can learn," he -instructed. "But, as you value your life, and the lives of your fellows, -you must not allow yourselves to be seen or heard by anyone. When a -half-hour has elapsed we will assemble here." Following His Majesty's -directions, the willing band immediately dispersed, Florimel choosing a -way to take alone, as did each other, and so careful were they all that -no one in the neighborhood would have suspected they were near. - -When the half-hour was up King Stanislaus was back on the same spot, and -the Brownies began to pop up in the dark around him from all sides. - -"Well," His Majesty asked, "have you found out anything?" - -Then one after another was obliged to confess that he had not, and while -he was questioning them in turn he ascertained that neither Florimel nor -the Policeman had returned. - -The fact that both were missing worried him not a little, but, even -while he was wondering what had kept them, he beheld the Policeman -returning with incredible speed, leaping and bounding with his long, -tapering feet over the sand. - -"Your Majesty," he panted, as he came up out of breath, "I have just -made a remarkable discovery." - -"What is it, officer?" asked King Stanislaus, anxiously. - -"If I told you," said the Policeman, "I'm afraid you wouldn't believe -me. I want you all to come and see for yourselves!" - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -WHAT THE POLICEMAN DISCOVERED - - -[Illustration] - -Like a covey of startled quail the Brownies flew after the Policeman, -for each was very curious to learn of the discovery that he had made. -They knew that with his keen sense of dramatic values he wished to keep -them in suspense as long as possible, so that only at the proper moment -would the mystery be solved. - -His fleet little feet padded along the sand, followed by others equally -so, and he led them a stiff pace for perhaps a mile down the beach. - -There lying behind a dune that offered a shelter from the creeping tides -they viewed the cause of all his excitement. - -Scattered on the sand were some dingy old frayed uniforms, caps, and -hob-nailed shoes, of which they counted five complete sets in all, while -near by piled into a heap were some immense brass musical instruments, -some bent and battered in places and all tarnished by the weather. - -[Illustration] - -Soon they were making a minute inspection of these objects which for -some inexplicable reason had been abandoned by their owners. The -uniforms and caps were of worn blue cloth, and the latter had visors and -braids of gold around them. The sleeves of the coats likewise were -braided with gold. - -With much interest in their work the Brownies began to separate the -instruments that formed a heap. There were two cornets, a saxophone, -a trombone, and a tremendous tuba that wound around and around and had -a mouth so big that a Brownie could have easily crawled inside. - -While they were examining the outfit there was much speculation as to -whom it belonged, and the only conclusion they could arrive at was that -the original possessors had been some itinerant German band. - -It was not so strange to them that a German band should be in -Dragonfel's enchanted country, for they knew that German bands go -everywhere. Sometimes they can be found even at the North Pole. The -only strange thing about it was that while the uniforms and -instruments were there, the owners were missing. - -"I wonder what's become of the band?" said King Stanislaus, very much -puzzled. - -"Perhaps someone heard them play," suggested the Dude. - -His Majesty gave a sudden start. - -"Humph!" he grunted. "What you have just hinted at rather unsettles an -idea that suddenly occurred to me." - -"Maybe you were thinking of the same thing I was," said the Policeman. - -"That's very possible," said the monarch, "for great minds sometimes -think alike. I was thinking that some of us could disguise ourselves as -a German band and maybe gain admittance to the palace." - -"That's just what I was thinking," said the Policeman. - -"In that way," went on King Stanislaus, "we might be able to get some -knowledge of Dragonfel's real strength, and find out just how we stood. -The chance might come to us to spirit away Queen Titania and her -companions." - -"Which of us would you choose, Your Majesty?" asked an eager Brownie. - -All of them crowded around, each with the hope that King Stanislaus -would select him for this task which involved so great a risk. - -He looked them over, and finally, with his mind made up, spoke, in slow, -measured tones. - -"Of course, I'll be the leader," he announced. "That will leave just -four to go with me, and I'll take the Policeman, Sailor, German, and -Irishman. The rest of you must hide just outside the palace, to be ready -instantly in case you are needed." - -There was great delight on the part of the four who were to share with -the king the danger, and keen disappointment among all the others. But -no one thought of questioning the royal decision. - -"I didn't forget my tin box of disguises, sire," reminded the Policeman. - -"Good, officer!" said King Stanislaus, with an approving nod. "They'll -all come in handy. You've got plenty of false noses and moustaches, I -suppose." - -[Illustration] - -The Policeman gave a knowing wink. - -"You'll need a rehearsal, won't you?" said the Dude. - -"No," said King Stanislaus decidedly. "The worse we play the cleverer -will be the deception." - -Then he and the four selected by him began to make preparations for -their queer masquerade, and in these the whole band assisted. The coats -and trousers had probably hung on their original wearers badly, but they -fitted the Brownies who tried them on much worse. - -[Illustration] - -The general effect would have brought deep shame to any conscientious -tailor who had made them, but nimble fingers soon accomplished wonders -with a tuck here and there, and the deft use of an occasional pin. - -The ends of the trousers had to be rolled up a number of times, and the -coats turned up on the inside. When they put on the big, hob-nailed -shoes their long, tapering feet were lost in them, and the whole Brownie -identity completely disappeared after they had donned the false noses -and moustaches that the Policeman handed around. - -No one familiar with the Brownie band would have recognized these -particular five, and their disguise was pronounced admirable by one and -all. - -The breast of the coat that had fallen to the Sailor was all covered -with medals, and it was the only one of the lot that was decorated in -this manner. King Stanislaus thought that as the leader he was more -properly fitted to wear this coat, but the Sailor seemed reluctant to -give it up, so His Majesty good-naturedly did not press the matter. - -He chose a cornet and the Sailor the remaining one. The Policeman took -the saxophone, and the German the slide trombone. That left only the -tuba for the Irishman, and it was so big that he could hardly manage it. - -[Illustration] - -Thus fully equipped and with the whole band for an escort, the -indomitable quintet set forth on their delicate mission. - -Dragonfel's palace was a good deal farther away than they had supposed, -for the atmosphere was very clear, so that objects at a distance seemed -much nearer than they really were. - -There was a fair road that led to it from the beach, and this took them -over a rickety wooden bridge that spanned one of the numerous tide-water -creeks in the vicinity. - -But before they reached the bridge they came to a small frame structure -over whose arched doors was the sign: NEPTUNE HOOK AND LADDER CO. NO. 1, -which caused remarks. - -"Evidently Dragonfel has a fire department," said King Stanislaus. "This -is a most interesting discovery." - -"Why, I could have told you that," said a Brownie. "I saw it some time -ago." - -"You should have done so," His Majesty reproved. "It may have a very -important bearing on what we are about to try to do. But what was that?" - -Something dim and shadowy flitted past in the dark, with the whirring -sound of a night-bat. - -"I saw it," the Policeman spoke up quickly. "There was a gleam of red, -and I thought I could distinguish a bow and quiver." - -"A bow and quiver!" repeated King Stanislaus, and his face grew suddenly -grave. "I hope they were not Prince Florimel's. I am greatly distressed -by the fear that some dire mishap has come to him." His Majesty would -have felt very much relieved in mind if he could have known that nothing -serious had occurred to the prince. - -When like the rest of the Brownies Florimel had gone to seek what -information he could he had strayed nearer to the palace than perhaps in -prudence he should have done. - -With the impetuosity of youth he was ready to storm the palace -single-handed, but he realized that such a rash, foolhardy attempt would -only bring disaster to the whole band. - -So he gazed toward the lights that gleamed from the windows, wondering -all the while what Titania was doing at the time, and if Dragonfel was -very cruel to her. - -He was really helpless just then to exert himself in her behalf, and he -turned with a sigh to go back. - -The rigors of the hardships through which he had passed pressed -heavily, and excessive weariness overcame him. He felt a sudden -faintness, and sank upon a grassy bank to rest. - -He did not dream that prying eyes for some time had been watching him -from an open panel in a fence hard by. - -Those keen, malicious orbs followed every movement that Florimel made, -and when they noticed him yawn, and rub his lids to keep the sleep from -them, they glittered and gleamed with exultation. - -Then Florimel's eyes in spite of him closed, and his tired head sank -back in the deep grass. - -From the fence the Red Spirit issued like a wraith. Noiselessly he -advanced toward the unconscious prince, and bending down began with -deft, adroit fingers to remove the quiver slung across his back. - -[Illustration] - -But light as the thieving touch was it aroused Florimel who sprang at -once to his feet. - -Quick though he was he still was not quick enough. All that he heard was -a whirring sound, and in a flash he noticed that his bow was missing. -His hand involuntarily sought his back only to find that the quiver had -been craftily taken from it. - -Wide awake and full of alarm now he ran with all speed back to the -locality that King Stanislaus had designated for the reunion of the -band. But the half-hour had elapsed, and the Brownies were not there. - -Then he noticed in the sand prints of narrow, tapering feet all leading -down the beach, and he flew in the direction they pointed. But when he -reached the spot where the Policeman had made his discovery the Brownies -were not there, either. - -He felt convinced that they had started for Dragonfel's palace, and he -ran as fast as he could to overtake them, passing the engine-house, and -going over the bridge. - -When he was approaching the palace he saw five persons very small of -stature, each with a big brass instrument, standing just outside the -entrance. The doors swung suddenly open, they passed through them, and -then the doors closed again. - -Florimel quickened his pace with the determination to follow them, but -just when he was about to pound upon the doors for admittance tiny but -strong hands grasped him, and held him back, and he heard the whispered -warning: - -"Don't, or you will ruin all!" - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE GERMAN BAND - - -[Illustration] - -When the German band was announced by the Demon Usher in his queer, -cackling voice Queen Titania, Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil -happened to be seated on the steps of the throne, and all were feeling -grumpy and out-of-sorts. Dragonfel had tried to prevail upon them to -play dominoes or parchesi, but they had no heart for any game. - -Grouthead, Wolfinger, Mandrake, Boundingbore, Snoutpimple, and others -of the enchanter's followers were present and some of them looked -distinctly bored. Snoutpimple was even trying to repress a yawn. Things -at the palace had been rather slow since the abduction of Queen Titania -and her party, and nothing especially wicked had occurred. - -When it was known, however, that a number of strolling musicians were -going to play for them, a thrill of genuine pleasure ran through the -whole assemblage. Titania and her companions were glad, for they felt -that some enlivening strains would greatly cheer their drooping spirits. -Dragonfel's followers were equally delighted, though they did not care -in the least for music. But knowing their master as they did they were -very sure that the prospective concert would prove exceedingly -interesting. - -[Illustration] - -Escorted by the smirking Demon Usher, who rubbed his hands together -while he cackled joyously to himself, and who half skipped, half flew, -before them, the members of the German band entered awkwardly, and -clumsily arranged themselves in a semi-circle before the throne. - -There were five of them including the leader who stood at the end -nearest Dragonfel and the others--all diminutive, moustached men with -big noses, whose frayed, soiled uniforms fitted them very badly indeed. -Their trousers at the ends were rolled up a number of times over, and -their coats which hung on them like bags actually reached almost to -their shoe-tops. - -Upon the chest of the one who stood next to the leader were pinned a -great variety of medals, and he seemed to be very proud of them, since -no one else boasted a decoration of any kind. - -[Illustration] - -The little audience grouped about the throne gazed at them expectantly, -and Titania thought the leader winked at her. But apparently he did not -notice anyone, and least of all Dragonfel. His whole attention seemed to -be centred on his band. - -"Are ve all here alretty?" he asked. - -"Yah!" came in chorus. - -"Vell," said he, "I vill broceed der gall der roll-gall. 'Louie -Knobloch!'" - -"I vass here," said the one with the medals next to him. - -"Peter Dinkelspeil!" - -"Here I vass." - -"Hermann Sweinskopf!" - -"He's peen here." - -"Jacob Schnittger!" - -"Bresend early." - -"Emil Muller!" - -There was no response, and all the rest turned and looked at the leader -in surprise. - -"Emil Muller!" he repeated, and then, suddenly recollecting something, -went on: "Oh, oxguse me! I vass here. Heinrich von Strauss! Heinrich von -Strauss! Vere iss Heiny von Strauss?" - -"He vass py his bedt sick," said Louie Knobloch. - -"Vat's der madder mit der bedt?" demanded Emil Muller. "For vhy iss id -sick?" - -"Nein, nein, keppelmeister," said Louie Knobloch. "Id iss Heiny vat iss -sick. He iss sick by der inside off der bedt." - -"Vhy iss he sick?" asked Emil Muller. - -"Yestertay," explained Louie Knobloch, "he vend on der bicnig, und he -eated four dozen charlotte roosters, und he gets der collywopples." - -He illustrated his remarks by significantly rubbing his stomach. "He vas -not in goot contition to plow ven ve left." - -[Illustration] - -"Anyvone vot eadts charlotte roosters ought der be sick," said Emil -Muller decidedly. "He shoult eat dem vhen dey iss a egg. Blay!" - -All raised their instruments to their mouths, but he held up a warning -finger. - -"Anodder t'ing," he went on to Knobloch. "You dell Heinrich off he vass -nod here dermorrow morning ad half basd four in der afdernoon, vhen I -gall der rehearsal, arous mit him! Are you retty?" - -"Yah!" - -"Den plow yourselfs!" - -Then began a wild riot of discord, whereupon Emil Muller quickly took -his own dented offending cornet from his mouth. - -"Ve vill nod blay dot biece," he announced. "Id iss no goot." - -"Vhy don'd you wride some musigs, keppelmeister?" suggested Peter -Dinkelspeil. - -"I voult, bud I'm doo pusy," said Emil Muller. "Led us renter insteadt -dot peaudiful biece fon Vawgner, 'Der Glock on der Rhine.'" - -"Vatch, keppelmeister," corrected Louie Knobloch. - -"Vatch vat?" inquired Emil Muller. - -"Id iss nod a glock," explained Louie Knobloch. "Id iss a vatch on der -Rhine." - -"A glock all gan see iss besser," said Emil Muller, and in the midst of -their second attempt Hermann Swinescopf raised his hand and shouted in -the effort to make himself heard above the din: - -"Shtob der pandt! Shtob der pandt! I am shbeaking!" - -"Vot's der madder?" asked Emil Muller. - -"Vass iss der biece you say ve blay?" questioned Hermann Sweinskopf. - -"I say 'Der Glock on der Rhine' fon Vawgner," replied Emil Muller. - -They started once more, but again came the vigorous interruption from -Hermann Sweinskopf: - -"Shtob der pandt! Shtob der pandt! I am shbeaking!" - -"Vhy don'd you shbeak your moud oud undt pe done mit it?" said Emil -Muller angrily. - -"Vass iss dis here biece, 'Der Glock on der Rhine,' anyhow? Iss id a -so-na-da?" - -"Yess--undt no!" said Emil Muller, reflecting. "Id iss a in-u-en-do! Are -you all retty?" - -"Yah!" they chorused, setting themselves in proper shape. - -"Vell, altogedder den, und show de vorld vot you can do!" - -Then came a third attempt, but the leader again stopped them. - -"Who plew dot bum node?" he sternly demanded. Everyone looked at each -other in surprise, and Louie Knobloch said: - -"Vell, I don'd dood id." - -"I didn'd did id," said Peter Dinkelspeil. - -"I didn'd done id," said Hermann Sweinskopf. - -"I didn'd did did id," said Jacob Schnittger. - -[Illustration: The controversy over the bum note.] - -"You're de von," Emil Muller accused Louie Knobloch. "You plew dot bum -node, no madder vot oxguse you make!" - -"No, sir," said Louie Knobloch stoutly, "I don'd dood id." - -"You're de von," insisted Emil Muller. "You plew dot bum node, it vass -near me." - -"No, sir," denied Louie Knobloch. "I don'd plow no bum nodes. I vass as -goot a musiker as you pe, und maype vorse." - -"You dake dot bum node und bay yourself," said Emil Muller reminded him. - -"Oh, dot don'd make some ice!" said Louie Knobloch, accompanying the -words with sarcastic shakes of his head. "I don'd see no medals on you." - -He looked complacently down at his own chest and regarded with -satisfaction the big assortment there. Emil Muller was evidently taken -aback, but he recovered himself sufficiently to say: - -"I am de leater, und you gan ged oudt off der pandt. Ve gan ged along -mitout you." - -"Oh, vell," said Louie Knobloch, "I gan go." - -"Den vhy don'd you? Vat are you shtanding here for?" - -"I vass vaiding for my money." - -"How much do you owe me?" asked Emil Muller. - -"I owe you a veek's vages," said Louie Knobloch. "No, you owe me a -veek's vages. You bay me my money und I go." - -"You dake dot bum node und bay yourself," said Muller. - -That settled the controversy, and Louis Knobloch made no effort to go, -nor did Emil Muller urge him. - -They made another attempt, without any further interruption, and, while -their cheeks puffed out, and they got red in their faces, no one could -tell what tune they were playing. - -Dragonfel from the throne silently motioned to Grouthead who went out, -and returned a few seconds later with a tray on which were four tiny -glasses of ginger ale. - -[Illustration] - -Jacob Schnittger turned and saw him, and then rushed to help himself to -one of the glasses of ginger ale. A moment later Hermann Sweinskopf -followed his example, and then Peter Dinkelspeil. Louie Knobloch -suddenly noticed his companions preparing to refresh themselves, and -made a frantic dash to join them. That left only Emil Muller, the -leader, playing. He looked around to find out what was the matter, and -then sprinted toward Grouthead, but there was no ginger ale left on the -tray. He stood with ill-concealed envy watching the other four who were -clinking their glasses hilariously. Then the quartet began to sing: - - "'Halli, hallo, halli, hallo; - Bei uns geht's immer, - Je langer je schlimmer; - Halli, hallo, halli, hallo, - Bei uns geht's immer noch so!'" - -"Prosit, leater!" said Louie Knobloch mockingly, as he lifted his -glass, with the other three facing around and following suit. - -Emil Muller was speechless. He kicked his heels together as he watched -them drinking and smacking their lips. Dragonfel again signalled to -Grouthead who went out, and came back bearing an immense glass of ginger -ale upon the tray. - -[Illustration] - -Emil Muller swooped down upon it exultingly, and with great difficulty -held it aloft. The others of the band gathered around in awe, while -Louie Knobloch stood on tiptoe to obtain a better view of the glass. -Emil Muller blew the froth into Louie's face, and the latter wiped it -off with his fingers, afterwards putting them in his mouth, as though -even small favors sometimes count. - -"Do you know vot dot man Vilhelm Shake-a-sbeare vonct saidt?" he asked. - -[Illustration: "THE BROWNIES!"] - -"No," replied Louie Knobloch, wiping the froth from his eyes. "Vot dit -he say?" - -Emil Muller raised the glass to his lips, remarking with great emphasis: - -"Shake-a-sbeare vonct saidt, 'Dere iss odders!'" - -But before he could partake of the cooling drink all of a sudden the Red -Spirit with the bow and quiver of arrows he had taken surreptitiously -from Prince Florimel flew through the window into the room, shattering -the glass all to pieces, and lit right at Dragonfel's feet. - -"Be not deceived, kind master!" he cried, in great excitement. "They are -the Brownies!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -THE EARTHQUAKE AND VOLCANO - - -[Illustration] - -The big glass with not so much as a single drop tasted by Emil Muller's -lips fell from his hand with a loud crash, and its contents flowed like -an amber-colored river along the floor. - -Almost instantly at the Red Spirit's startling announcement Dragonfel -had sprung up from his throne stiff and rigid, and was regarding the -embryo musicians with a glare of peculiar malevolence. - -"The Brownies!" he involuntarily ejaculated. "I thought they played too -well for a German band!" - -Queen Titania, Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil had also risen as -though they had received an electric shock. Their breath came fast -in their sudden agitation. They started to go to the musicians, but -Wolfinger, Mandrake, and Snoutpimple roughly grasped them, and held them -back. - -Realizing the failure of a deception that might have achieved success -had it not been for the sly spying of the malicious Red Spirit, Emil -Muller, otherwise King Stanislaus, turned and faced Dragonfel, his very -attitude hurling a strong challenge of defiance. - -Knowing that further subterfuge would be useless, the doughty monarch -in a flash whisked off his false nose and moustache, and slipped from -his baggy clothes. Likewise Louie Knobloch, Peter Dinkelspeil, Hermann -Sweinskopf, and Jacob Schnittger removed their disguises, and the -unmistakable features of the Sailor, Policeman, German, and Irishman -were revealed. "Yes, we are the Brownies," cried King Stanislaus, "come -to demand the instant surrender of Queen Titania and her companions." - -"Idiots!" snarled Dragonfel, in a fury. "You have rushed to your -destruction!" And he clapped his hands together, and shouted to his -followers around him: "What ho, there! Summon everyone in the palace! -We'll see that these presumptuous sprites meet with fitting punishment." - -The Demon Usher half flew, and half ran, with even more celerity than -usual, to do his bidding. With teeth showing, and fists clenched, the -infuriated enchanter advanced threateningly toward the intrepid members -of the band who looked at him without even so much as flinching. - -"Have a care!" warned King Stanislaus. "Beware of the Brownies' mystic -power!" And, turning to the Sailor, he added: "Quick! the signal!" - -Instantly the Sailor blew a deafening blast upon his cornet, and in a -trice there was the pounding of many fists upon the outer doors, with -crashing sounds as though heavy logs were being directed with the force -of many hands against them. - -[Illustration] - -Under the fierce, determined assault the doors gave way and toppled in, -while through the opening swarmed and crowded the band of eager -Brownies, with Prince Florimel in their lead. - -At almost the same instant, through other doors, poured Dragonfel's -hosts, with Vulcan's red imps somersaulting and leaping among them, and -there were so many of them, and all so big and powerful, they well might -cause dismay to the stoutest heart. - -"So be it then!" cried Dragonfel, grandiloquently, for the sight of all -these great, hulking fellows gave him renewed confidence. "It is power -against power!" - -And, striking a pompous attitude, he cleared his throat, and placed his -hand on his chest. - -"Stand back!" shouted King Stanislaus. "He's going to speak a piece!" - -Then Dragonfel poetically spouted: - - "Much rather than in spite of me, - The union of these bands should be, - From thy long rest, oh, Vulcan, wake; - Let earth to its dark centre quake, - And these strong walls that round us stand - Come crumbling down in lime and sand!" - -This incantation, punctuated, as it were, by Vulcan's imps, who threw -balls of fire into the air where the commas, semicolon, and exclamation -point are above transcribed, was delivered with only fair elocutionary -ability, but its effect was electrifying. - -Almost with the last word uttered by his vindictive lips a tremor ran -through the earth that brought to all a sickening sensation of fear. The -heavy walls and ornate supporting pillars shook, tottered, and then fell -with a terrific crash, that might well horrify all, as the vibrations of -the earth continued. - -In another instant the magnificent palace lay in ruins illumined by -fierce flames that leaped wildly from the apex of the volcano and licked -with fiery tongues the very sky. - -[Illustration] - -Shrieking and screaming with the horror of it all Dragonfel's followers -and the Brownies alike ran hither and thither, their warfare temporarily -forgotten in this more appalling danger that suddenly had come to them. -In their fright some sought ridiculous places of refuge but it was a -matter of speed. - -True to their nature to help in all times of distress, the Brownies -worked well to save things from complete ruin, and if the proper -implements had been at hand the havoc would not have been so severe. But -Vulcan was in no mood to quit the quake that was felt in all parts of -the palace. - -[Illustration] - -Even the State bed-chamber was not exempt, and things that had gone up -with great care and cost came down with great crash and confusion. - -But more terrible danger menaced them. The shock of the earthquake was -over, and had wrought utter ruin. Still, as far as could be learned, in -all the confusion, uproar, and wild excitement no lives had been lost. -Far greater peril, however, threatened from which there did not seem to -be a possible way of escape, new horrors faced them on every side. - -Round and pear-shaped volcanic bombs shot up with tremendous velocity -from the crater's boiling mouth, formed from the precious minerals -stored for centuries deep in the treasury of the earth. And all of these -in a molten red-hot liquid mass were flowing swiftly and irresistibly in -a bubbling, hissing, steaming, seething, blood-red river straight on to -where the unfortunate Brownies were among the ruins of the once proud -and haughty palace. - -[Illustration] - -Before all this occurred Florimel's quick eye had noticed the audacious -Red Spirit with his stolen bow and arrows, and he had sprung forward to -wrest them from him. But the strange, repulsive creature evaded him -mockingly, and flew off with his booty. - -[Illustration] - -The disappointment of the prince was transformed to delight when the -next moment he beheld Titania running to him with arms extended. But -they never met, for before she could reach his side the terrible -catastrophe of the earthquake and volcano happened, and they were -jostled and crowded apart by the throng, who in their great terror -seemed to have lost all control of their senses. In all the turmoil -careful watch was kept of the captives. Nearer and nearer came the -molten stream of lava, and hotter and hotter grew its scorching breath, -while huge trees in its remorseless path flared up and shriveled away in -an instant. - -[Illustration] - -When the stunning shock to his nerves was exhausting itself, King -Stanislaus in a dazed way began to think, with the full realization that -whatever there was to be done had to be accomplished quickly. - -Suddenly he recalled the frame building they had passed in going to -the palace. If it housed as he most fervently hoped it did a complete -equipment for fighting fires it might prove the very means by which the -Brownies could grapple with a situation that was becoming more and more -intolerable. - -[Illustration] - -Promptly he communicated his plan to various members of the band, as he -spied them, and the word was passed around from one to the other, until -all were fully conversant with His Majesty's views. And very soon all -these agile sprites, with King Stanislaus and Prince Florimel in the -lead, were racing helter-skelter back to the wooden structure that bore -the inscription: NEPTUNE HOOK AND LADDER CO. NO. 1. - -They broke in the doors, and soon were prying into every nook and corner -of the place. And, while King Stanislaus forthwith seized a fire-trumpet -that was hanging from a hook on the wall, Brownies were donning with the -greatest haste fire helmets that even with paper stuffed in them came -down over their ears, and putting on rubber boots and coats intended by -Dragonfel for his followers, and which proved but sorry fits, for the -boots came well up over their waists, and had to be turned back, and the -coats trailed after them like the long trains of fashionable ladies' -gowns. - -[Illustration] - -The energetic monarch was rather disappointed to find upon inspection -that the machine instead of being one of the modern, up-to-date kind -was of a very antiquated type, a brake-engine with man-handles that had -to be worked by hand to throw a stream of water. But he was greatly -relieved to discover that there was an abundant supply of hose, for in -providing himself with this the enchanter evidently had made a nice -calculation of the distance from the crater of the volcano to the -stand-pipe connection in the palace, and he had allowed plenty to spare. - -[Illustration] - -In stentorian tones His Majesty shouted out his orders through the -fire-trumpet, and the Brownies hauled out the engine and hose-carriage. -Then they all took hold of the long ropes attached to them, and started -on a run for Dragonfel's ruined palace, that now was little more than a -tumbled heap. - -Brownies perched on the engine, and one kept clanging the bell -furiously. Some who ran with the ropes tripped on the trailing tails of -their rubber coats, but they never let go, and were dragged along by -their surer-footed companions. - -After they had gone some distance the Policeman began shouting in -remonstrance, and King Stanislaus ordered a halt to hear what he had to -say. "What is it, officer?" asked His Majesty. "We've got to go back," -panted the Policeman. "Some of us forgot to put on red shirts." - -[Illustration] - -Though King Stanislaus felt very much chagrined at such neglect, he -realized that it was now too late to remedy this most important matter, -for every passing moment was precious. So he bellowed through the -trumpet instructions to continue, and pulling and straining at the ropes -they flew on, with the engine and hose-carriage bumping, lurching, and -swaying after them. - -On and on they went, pit-patting at last across the rickety old wooden -bridge, but before they could drag the engine across it one of the -planks snapped in two under its weight, and the wheels on one side went -down through the opening almost as far as the water below. - -The engine was firmly stuck, and though the Brownies tugged and strained -at the rope, puffing, panting, and exerting all their strength, they -could not even so much as budge it. - -Nearer and nearer came the terrible river of fire, and the volcano -seemed to be reaching even greater activity. It looked as though this -effort of the Brownies was in vain. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -THE BROWNIES FIGHT THE FLAMES - - -[Illustration] - -But once more the indomitable spirit of King Stanislaus manifested -itself. Though the fire-engine was jammed in between the joists and -timbers of the bridge, and could not be extracted by pulling the rope, -the plucky monarch would not allow himself to be vanquished without a -struggle. - -He caused the Brownies to bring heavy planks, and farther directed them -to wrench off the guard-rails of the bridge. The ends of these were -placed under the engine, while at those opposite the sprites exerted as -powerful a leverage as they could at the same time comrades were pulling -with all their might and main at the rope. - -Finally their combined efforts resulted in raising the engine up on the -bridge again, after which it was easily rolled upon the road. - -This unfortunate delay had seemed much longer than it really was, owing -to the exigency of the situation, but they made up for lost time during -the rest of the distance, and reached the site of the ruins without -further mishap. - -[Illustration] - -The lava was almost upon them, and they were nearly suffocated by the -intense heat. But, while King Stanislaus ran here and there directing -the preparations, and shouting his orders through the fire-trumpet, they -quickly unwound the coils of hose and effected a connection with the -stand-pipe. - -The water was thereupon turned on, and while Brownies in helmets, rubber -coats, and boots held grimly on to the hose and trained the big brass -nozzle on the fast approaching lava, others manned the handles of the -engine, a half dozen or more being required at each end, and flew -hanging to them up and down through the air to furnish the necessary -pressure. - -[Illustration] - -Though the engine was old and out of repair, it had one redeeming -feature. It could throw two or three streams of water at once as well as -one, and the Brownies in their great need forced it to the limit. - -Immense volumes of water gushed out at the lava, and their contact -produced a hissing, boiling sound, while the air was almost immediately -filled with steam which became so thick that it could almost be cut -with a knife. In the thick vapors that arose their forms could only be -distinguished dimly, and they seemed like shadows flitting to and fro. - -[Illustration] - -At times the hose burst in various places, and streams of water from -them spouted high into the air involving waste, but King Stanislaus -proved himself equal to all emergencies. - -"Stick your fingers in the holes to keep the water in," he shouted -through the trumpet. - -Brownies either poked their fingers through the openings or held their -hands against them to prevent the escape of water. The hose got away -from those who were holding it, and the terrific stream drenched the -Dude, Chinaman, and Indian who were directly in its path, sweeping them -off their feet. In another moment the Brownies regained their mastery of -it, and once more the water was directed full at the blazing lava. - -Such efforts were bound to achieve results, and these King Stanislaus -noted with great satisfaction. - -"We're gaining on it!" he announced exultantly. "Just keep it up, boys, -and we'll soon have the fire out." - -Thus encouraged, higher and higher flew the Brownies on the handles of -the engine, while others continued to play the hose upon the descending -lava, which hissed, steamed, and bubbled as the water struck it. - -[Illustration] - -As the lava cooled off it formed a composition resembling asphalt, and -upon this the Brownies could walk, unwinding as they did so more and -more hose, and all the while getting nearer and nearer to the volcano. - -Finally they were directing the stream down the crater's mouth, which -gurgled, gasped, and then instead of flame began to emit smoldering -smoke which grew less and less in volume. - -"I guess that settles Mr. Volcano!" triumphantly cried King Stanislaus, -as he wiped beads of perspiration from his royal brow. - -[Illustration] - -"It's a pity the palace was destroyed," remarked the Student. - -"It's Dragonfel's own fault," said the king, "and he has only himself to -blame. I wouldn't have that man's mean disposition, no, not for all the -jewels and mines he possesses." - -"Even if he has lost his palace," said the Dude, "he's got a fine new -macadamized road to the volcano. With a jitney-bus he can make a lot of -money from tourists." - -The fire was practically extinguished, and all danger from it had -passed. It was well that this was so, for the first rays of the sun were -beginning to appear in the brightening east, and the mystic powers of -the Brownies which come at night were fast being exhausted. - -When the valiant fire-fighters at last had the volcano under control, -Prince Florimel gazed anxiously around for Queen Titania, Dame Drusilda, -Violet, and Daffodil, but none of them was in sight. - -[Illustration] - -Neither could he observe Dragonfel nor any of his followers, for when -they had become assured of safety these cravens had fled, leaving the -Brownies to do all the work. - -Florimel ran hither and thither, searching among the ruins for those he -was so eager to find, and calling aloud their names, but there was no -response to his cries, nor could he discover the slightest trace of them -anywhere, which alarmed him greatly. - -The Brownies were taking a much needed rest, but he got them all to join -in the quest, and they hunted in every nook and corner thereabout -without success. - -[Illustration] - -"This is indeed strange," said King Stanislaus, very much puzzled. "They -were here just a little while ago, for I saw them myself. I didn't pay -any particular attention to them at the time, for the volcano was -keeping me pretty busy." - -"They have made their escape," said Florimel, "and have again carried -off the queen and her companions. The question is, where have they -gone?" - -"I do not think they have gone far," said the king, and his eye swept -the harbor where the galleon was plainly visible. "Perhaps they are on -the ship, but I very much doubt it. It may be they are hiding somewhere -near." - -Suddenly the Policeman who was still prowling stealthily around poked -his club in a dark, out-of-the-way corner into something flabby which at -once emitted a queer, cackling shriek so uncanny that everyone jumped -back in fright. - -The next moment he quickly reached in his arm and drew out by the ear -the quaking, shaking Demon Usher who had no opportunity to practice his -eccentric locomotion, but was obliged to crawl after his captor on his -hands and knees. - -The Policeman led him by the ear to King Stanislaus who eyed him -sternly. - -[Illustration] - -"Mercy, have mercy!" shrieked the Demon Usher, in abject terror, and he -shook as though he had the dumb ague, chills and fever, and something -else besides. "Oh, kind sir, I will be your slave for life, and obey -your slightest wish. Only don't kill or torture me, I beg you!" - -"Tell the truth, or it will be the worse for you," said King Stanislaus. - -His words in no sense were a threat, for it is always the worse for -anyone who does not tell the truth. But they only served to increase -the fears of the poor, frightened wretch who shook as if he had added -St. Vitus dance to all his other symptoms. - -"Spare my life!" he whined, with his teeth clicking against each other -like castenets. "Oh, please, sir, spare my life! Ask me anything you -like, and I will answer you. Yes, and though it is very hard for me to -do so, I will speak the truth. Let me be your slave, and fan you, and -black your boots!" - -"Where is your master?" - -"He is gone." - -"Yes, we know that already. Where has he gone?" - -The Demon Usher looked around timidly as though to assure himself that -neither Dragonfel nor any of his followers was within hearing, and then -said, with an air of great cunning: - -"If I tell you, will you let me go?" - -"Yes," said King Stanislaus. "I give you my promise." - -"Then I will tell you," said the Demon Usher. "He has flown with his -captives to his mine." - -"His mine?" echoed His Majesty. - -"Have you not heard of it?" asked the Demon Usher in great surprise. -"Why, it is the most wonderful mine in all the world. Every jewel known -to a lapidary is there." - -"Where is it?" - -"Near by." - -"Lead us to it," broke in Florimel eagerly. - -"Come with me," said the Demon Usher. "I will show you the secret -passage-way through which Dragonfel and the rest entered." - -Florimel made an impatient start to be off, and the Brownies showed -their willingness to follow him through all dangers, but King -Stanislaus, more careful, raised his hand to call a halt. - -"Stay!" he cautioned. "This may only be a ruse to trap us. How do we -know this is the truth?" - -"It is the truth," averred the Demon Usher. "Follow me and I will soon -prove it to you." - -He moved off with his queer half-skip and half-jump, cocking his eye -behind at them as if he feared they would try to stop him. But no one -made any attempt to do so, and he appeared very much relieved. - -Close at his heels came Florimel and the Brownies, with King Stanislaus -among them, but the monarch looked ill at ease, as though he suspected -treachery of some kind. - -The Demon Usher led them to a slight rise where there was a rocky -formation, and stopped before a boulder so huge that it would have -required the strength of many men to move it. - -[Illustration] - -Searching with his long, thin fingers for a certain place, he found it -at length, and pressed against it as hard as he could. - -To the surprise of all the rest, the boulder began to slide easily away, -disclosing the entrance to a dark, subterranean passage. - -[Illustration: "TRICKED!"] - -"Follow the passage," cried the Demon Usher triumphantly, "and it will -lead you to Dragonfel and his captives!" - -Florimel and the Brownies at once entered, and King Stanislaus ran after -them. - -"Stop!" came his warning. "Before we go any farther let us first -consider." - -But when they were all inside it suddenly grew pitch-black, as the -boulder quickly slid back into its place. - -From outside they heard the Demon Usher give a hoarse cackle of -exultation. - -"Tricked!" ejaculated King Stanislaus. "We are caught like rats in a -trap!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -THE FLIGHT TO THE MINE - - -[Illustration] - -In bringing about the destruction of his palace Dragonfel's only thought -had been the destruction of the Brownies. He had hoped to crush the -sprites by means of the falling walls and columns, and when he invoked -Vulcan for the assistance he felt sure would be given to him he was very -careful to keep out of harm's way himself. - -But like many another vindictive, revengeful person the wicked enchanter -overreached himself. He had no idea when he called upon Vulcan to get -busy that the latter would make such a good job of it. - -He fully expected the palace to topple down, for that was what he had -asked for. But he did not want the volcano that had been thrown in for -good measure. It made things too hot and uncomfortable. - -He was very much alarmed when he saw the volcano in violent eruption, -for he realized that the downpour of lava boded ill for himself as well -as for others over whose safety he was not at all concerned. - -[Illustration] - -Thinking only of himself, he was on the point of ordering out his -volunteer fire department to subdue the flames in the crater when to his -great relief he noticed that King Stanislaus had taken the matter out of -his hands. - -From his place of safety Dragonfel watched the operations of the -Brownies, and he breathed more freely when he noticed that they were -getting the fire well under control, so that the prospect of all danger -was fast being removed through their energetic efforts. - -He realized that after the volcano was subdued these indomitable little -people would devote their attention to him, and in considering what the -outcome would be he grew more and more uncertain. As a matter of fact, -he was beginning to fear the mystic power of the Brownies, and he very -much doubted if his big followers with all their boasted strength were a -fit match for these sprites who had not only cunning but courage. - -He decided that in the clash which was bound to come it was best not to -risk any chance of defeat in a fair, open fight, but by underhanded -means to overpower them. - -Then the diabolical scheme of making the Brownies prisoners, and setting -them to work in his mine, presented itself. If he fled there with his -captives, they would undoubtedly follow in pursuit, and once in the mine -they easily could be made helpless. - -The Demon Usher at his feet was going through all sorts of contortions -of fear, and Dragonfel looked sneeringly down at him. - -"Stop your shaking, and listen to me," he commanded. "We are going to -take the captives to the mine." - -"Let us start at once, kind master," said the Demon Usher, in a fever of -impatience. "If it gets cool here it will be too hot to hold us." - -"You will be the only one to stay," said Dragonfel. - -"Oh, say not so, kind master!" cried the Demon Usher, shaking with even -greater violence than before. "If they catch me they will kill me." - -"Then it will be good riddance to bad rubbish," was Dragonfel's -unfeeling retort. "I said you were to stay, so that settles it. When the -Brownies ask you where we've gone, you're to tell them to the mine. -They'll probably make you lead them to it. When they do take them to the -secret entrance, and after they are in close the boulder on them. Do you -understand me?" - -"Yes, I grasp you perfectly," said the Demon Usher, "but, oh, kind -master, I have a weak heart, and at times it fails me. Would it not be -better to intrust a delicate matter like this to Snoutpimple?" - -[Illustration] - -"After they are imprisoned," went on Dragonfel, unheeding the -suggestion, "you can come around by the main entrance, and let me know." - -Just as soon as he was fully convinced that all danger was over the -enchanter passed the word around among his followers to decamp, and this -was effected so insidiously that the Brownies did not notice it. - -They laid rough hands on Queen Titania, Dame Drusilda, Violet, and -Daffodil, muffling the cries for help they tried to make, and bore them -with great haste from the scene of excitement; the waving arms and -kicking availed them nothing. - -[Illustration] - -With their struggling, protesting burdens in their arms they ran toward -the mine, and descended into it by the main entrance. When they reached -the great shaft where the mine-sprites were hard at work, Titania, Dame -Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil were released, and they looked around -with wonder and surprise. - -The mine-sprites cast furtive glances of curiosity at these strange new -faces that invited confidence, but so frightened were they when they saw -their cruel master that they redoubled their efforts, and their fingers -fairly flew as they dug them in the earth for precious stones. - -"Poor little things!" was Queen Titania's involuntary cry. "The work is -too hard for them." - -"I've been thinking of that," said Dragonfel, with a chuckle, "and I've -decided to put an extra force on." - -"Do you mean to set us to work?" asked Dame Drusilda indignantly. - -"Perhaps," said Dragonfel, with a horrid grin. "Just now, though, I'm -going to take you all to another part of the mine where we'll await -developments." - -As he spoke he seized Titania's hand, and began to drag her off down one -of the dark passage-ways. In the same manner Mandrake followed with Dame -Drusilda, while after him came Boundingbore with Violet and Daffodil. - -The mine-sprites watched their retreating forms, but they were too -terrified to speak a word, and were helpless to aid them in any way. - -Dragonfel led the rest along the subterranean passage until at last they -came to a square chamber that had been cut with much skill into the -solid rock. - -When Mandrake lit a crystal lamp the great magnificence of the place was -revealed. - -The floor and walls were inlaid with precious jewels in designs that -were truly wonderful. Divans were built in at the sides, and the various -creatures of the wild were represented everywhere. - -For all his short-comings, Dragonfel seemed to have a great respect for -animals, and gave their skins at least a rest on his floors and walls -where they could grin at spiders and moth-millers with some show of -satisfaction. - -[Illustration] - -At the ceiling which was thickly crusted with diamonds there was a -slender open shaft that evidently had been made to provide air and light -but which was too small to provide a means of escape. - -"This is where you'll stay," announced Dragonfel. "The place isn't -half-bad, as things go, so you ought to make yourselves fairly -comfortable in it. You'll find both hot and cold water in the little -ante-room screened off by those peacock-feather portières. Your meals -will be brought to you. If you want to read there's the dictionary." - -"How long are you going to keep us here?" asked Titania, with a sinking -of her heart. - -"Always, and maybe longer," was Dragonfel's gruff response. "Have you -brought your knitting with you?" - -"If you think you can keep us here against our will," said Titania, in a -decided tone, "you will find that you are very much mistaken." - -"How so?" said Dragonfel contemptuously. - -"It won't be long before the Brownies are here." - -"That's what I fully expect," said the enchanter, with a knowing wink, -"and after they come there'll be something doing, BELIEVE ME!" - -He laid great emphasis upon the last two words, and in spite of all her -confidence in Florimel and the Brownies Titania was filled with great -uneasiness. - -But she knew that further words would be wasted on him, so she said -nothing more. With Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil she retired to -a corner of the room, as far removed from him as possible, where -they discussed among themselves in whispers this new phase of the -disagreeable situation. - -They hoped that Dragonfel and the rest would go, but still they -lingered, and the enchanter at times looked up at the narrow opening cut -into the ceiling. Finally he gave expression to a grunt of satisfaction -as something he had been watching for met his gaze, and they noticed -with him that a golden flood of sunshine was pouring through the -opening. - -"Day at last!" he cried, and, almost with his words, the Demon Usher -made his appearance with a hop, skip, and jump, while at his back stood -a half-starved looking demon whose hair had not been cut for a long -time, and who had a distinctly artistic appearance. - -"Master, kind master," the Demon Usher joyously cackled, "I bear good -news. The little commission you intrusted me with I executed to the best -of my ability. Oh, master, you should have seen how brave I was. I was -with them single-handed, yet I was more than a match for them all. I had -the whole band in terrible fear of me." - -[Illustration] - -"Stop throwing bouquets at yourself!" ordered Dragonfel. "Tell me where -they are." - -"It's all easy now," went on the Demon Usher. "The dangerous part has -been done by me. I've got them so cowed that now they'll eat out of -your hand. I captured them all by myself, and drove them into the south -lode, where they wait to do your bidding." - -"Will you permit me a word, kind master?" then spoke up the half-starved -looking demon, as he unrolled a large sheet of paper. "He doesn't -deserve a medal, or even honorable mention. I took a rough sketch of him -when he had the Brownies at his mercy, and here it is." - -[Illustration] - -Dragonfel stared at the effort in astonishment. - -"You have missed your calling," he remarked. "You should be in the -Academy of Design." - -Titania had listened with fast increasing alarm, and now with Dame -Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil she advanced quickly toward him. "Of whom -is this creature speaking?" she asked, in evident distress. "Of the -Brownies?" - -The Demon Usher uttered his disagreeable cackle as Dragonfel exultingly -responded: - -[Illustration] - -"Yes, the Brownies! They are prisoners like yourselves. Their nights of -adventure are over, and they'll never more delight in harmless pranks -and helpful deeds. Those who seek their aid will henceforth look for -them in vain. They are doomed to slave in this mine for the rest of -their lives!" - -Then Grouthead came up running, and he cried in great excitement: - -"Master, kind master, we have captured all the Brownies, and they are -helpless. What shall we do with them?" - -"Set them to work at once," spoke Dragonfel. "I will go back with you to -gloat over them." - -He started immediately, and Titania and her companions attempted to -follow, but Mandrake barred the way, and held them back. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -THE MISSION OF THE DOVE - - -[Illustration] - -After the huge boulder had shut in the unsuspecting Brownies their only -alternative was to follow the winding passage-way of the mine wherever -it might take them. They could not remain where they were to perish -miserably of hunger and thirst, so they crept cautiously along in the -dark with the faint hope that in some way they might gain the open. But -the passage they were forced to travel led them direct to the main-shaft -where the mine-sprites were at work. Nearly all of Dragonfel's followers -were there waiting to receive them. For the Demon Usher after -imprisoning them had descended by the main entrance and gleefully -imparted the news, claiming high honors. - -Sheepishly the Brownies slunk in, with the Dude's white handkerchief -fluttering at the end of his cane in token of the band's complete -surrender, for King Stanislaus knew how useless it would be to offer any -resistance. - -They were all huddled together in a body, and a sorry, crestfallen lot -they were. Never before had such great misfortune overtaken them. - -[Illustration] - -At times the Student Brownie would discourse on Liberty, Justice, or -Good Fellowship, and find appreciative listeners, and he lifted up their -hearts by assuring them that history repeats itself, and that they would -yet enjoy the freedom of the comets and wandering stars. - -While others of Dragonfel's followers guarded the Brownies so that they -could not escape, and brandished sharp-pointed spikes, battle-axes, -bludgeons, and other formidable-looking weapons significantly, Grouthead -ran in hot haste to inform his master. - -[Illustration] - -Soon the wicked enchanter made his appearance, and his rubicund face -showed high elation. - -"Put 'em all to work!" he shouted. - -"Don't let 'em stand here idle." - -"What do you want me to do?" asked King Stanislaus meekly. - -"Here, stop your talking, and get busy!" cried Snoutpimple, thrusting in -the king's hand a pick. - -"I haven't any choice," said His Majesty, "so I'll have to take my -pick!" - -The airy persiflage was lost upon Dragonfel, who frowned on him -severely. - -"I'm a king in my own right," continued the monarch, pointing to his -crown, "and never used a pick except to bury a dead dog, but I'll not -make a scene in the presence of my subjects, so here goes for the -jewels." His cheerfulness told on others. - -"If it was digging shedder-crabs or scallops," remarked the Sailor, -"I'd soon fill a basket." - -[Illustration] - -"I've broken stones before," said the Irishman, "but this is the first -chance I ever had to get a whack at diamonds." - -"Vell," said the German Brownie, "if I see somedings in dot blace -shining like blitzen I bulls him oudt alretty yed und say noddings!" -They were then hustled off to their new tasks. - -[Illustration] - -With the mine-sprites and Brownies the king started to dig away, and he -tried not to shirk, but to do his stint with the rest of them. The sight -of royalty reduced to hard labor affected all his subjects greatly, -though they had little opportunity for sympathy so severely did their -taskmasters press them. - -The heaps of precious stones piled up higher and higher, and their eyes -fairly blinked at the sight of them. - -"I never saw so many jewels before in all my life," declared His -Majesty, wincing as he felt a sudden crick in his back. "Whenever I -look at them I feel just as though I were going to break out with -carbuncles." - -"I wonder when they'll bring us something to eat," said Florimel, who -was beginning to grow hungry. - -He was very much relieved when some time later Boundingbore appeared -with a cauldron of lukewarm soup, which was served in skimpy little -plates. - -"Here, take mine back," complained King Stanislaus. "Look what's in it! -Just imagine what would have happened to me if I had swallowed it." - -As he spoke he held up a pin which he had found in his soup. - -"It wouldn't have hurt you, Your Majesty," said the Policeman. "It's a -safety pin." - -Now and then some adventurous Brownies would discover a new dark -passage, and with the hope that it might lead to liberty the more -progressive would get their heads together and plan a break for freedom. - -[Illustration] - -For a time it looked as though one of these attempts would be crowned -with success, and liberty itself seemed to beckon in the offing. But, -just as promising enterprises in our own uncertain careers often end in -disappointment, so would each noble effort only result in a punishment -of heavier burdens and shorter rations. - -Mandrake with a tray of food went down one of the dark passages, and -soon returned empty-handed. This Florimel noted, and he said to King -Stanislaus: - -"Your Majesty, Titania and her companions must be over there. I am going -to try to find them." - -He took from the Sailor, who had charge of it, Euphrosyne's dove, and, -opening the bosom of his jacket, let it cuddle close against his breast, -with just its head now and then showing. - -At a moment when the attention of all Dragonfel's followers was -temporarily diverted by some remarkable discovery he made a sudden dash -down the passage where he believed Queen Titania and the others were -imprisoned. - -His companions grouped themselves together to screen his fleeing form as -best they could, and he succeeded in getting away without detection. - -[Illustration] - -Florimel ran along the passage, and his supernatural vision guided him. -So when he came to a gem-crusted door he was able to see stretched -before it a form that he at once recognized as the Red Spirit. - -The lazy fellow had been left to guard the prisoners, but had neglected -his duty, and was fast asleep. - -Florimel heard him snoring away so that he knew his slumber was a heavy -one, and he tiptoed up to him with confidence. - -He was rejoiced to see lying beside him the bow and four arrows, and he -noiselessly reached for the bow, and restored the arrows to his quiver. - -Then he turned the big diamond that served as a knob for the door, and -stepping cautiously over the unconscious Red Spirit, entered. - -Titania, Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil were seated upon one of the -divans, and they sprang up joyously when they saw him. - -"Florimel!" cried Titania, and ran toward him. - -"'Sh!" he warned, and closed the door softly after him. "The Red Spirit -is supposed to be guarding you, but he has fallen asleep. We must be -careful not to wake him." - -They embraced fondly, and Titania asked: - -"When will the Brownies take us away from here?" - -Florimel shook his head despondently as he answered: - -"I am sorry to say that we are all prisoners like yourselves. See, -Titania, I have brought you this. I thought perhaps that it might help -us." - -He took the little cooing creature from the bosom of his jacket and -stroked its soft sides. - -"Euphrosyne's dove!" exclaimed Titania. "There is a shaft above through -which it can escape. Let us send it with a message to her." - -Upon a scrap of paper she hastily wrote the words: - - "_Euphrosyne, Fair Goddess of Mirth:_ - - "Dragonfel the wicked enchanter holds us captive in his country. - Help us, we beseech you, before it is too late. - - "QUEEN TITANIA." - -While she wrote Florimel noticed with some uneasiness that water was -trickling down the walls and that in some places on the floor pools had -already formed. - -"Tie the note to the dove's neck," he said. "Let us dispatch it -immediately." - -They did so, and he flung the little creature upward toward the shaft. -Its talons clutched a side precariously while it fluttered its wings to -sustain itself in the frail, uncertain hold it had. - -[Illustration] - -"Poor little thing!" said Titania, when she noticed that it was in great -danger of falling. "It cannot help us." - -"Look!" cried the excited Violet. "It is making for the opening." - -To the relief of all its watchers the bird crept through the shaft and -disappeared. - -"Good luck go with it!" was Dame Drusilda's fervent ejaculation. - -"Oh, Titania, Titania," said Florimel, "it may be our happiness depends -upon that bird!" - -Then almost immediately afterward to their utter horror and -consternation water in immense volumes began to pour down through the -shaft until blinded and drenched as they suddenly became it seemed to -them as if all the flood-gates of the earth had been opened. - -"Quick!" shouted Florimel. "We must get out of here!" - -He flung open the door, fearing that the Red Spirit was still outside, -but the terrified clamor of voices that rose from all sides had caused -him to desert his post. - -[Illustration] - -The water which in an incredibly short time had risen nearly to their -waists began racing down the passage, but still it did not appear to -recede. "Let us go at once," urged Florimel, "for if we stay here we -shall be lost." He gathered up the trembling Titania in his arms, and -with his burden staggered through the water toward the door, while Dame -Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil followed close upon his heels. - -Down the passage that had now become a violent raceway of raging, -foaming water they all fled, for Florimel realized that their only -chance of escape, small as it might be, was to join those who were -familiar with the entrances to the mine. - -[Illustration] - -But as they got closer to the main-shaft the confusion and uproar grew -wilder, and with a sickening feeling he became aware that those whose -help he had hoped for were quite as powerless as he. Ear-splitting -shrieks of horror made a very pandemonium of awful sound, and over all -was heard the despairing cry of Grouthead: "The mine is flooded, and the -force-pumps can't save us. We shall all be drowned!" - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -DISASTER TO DRAGONFEL - - -[Illustration] - -Dragonfel's mine was flooded, and as the water kept pouring in from all -sides, there was no escape for the unfortunates who were in its -chambers. - -The passage which was mainly used in a descent to the mine had become a -raging river impossible to withstand so deep was it and with a current -so strong. - -The way by which the Brownies had entered the mine was blocked by the -giant boulder which could only be removed by the pressure of a secret -spring from the outside. The boulder had brought captivity to the band, -and now it threatened even direr results, for those several tons of -stone stubbornly barred the way to safety. - -It was evident that the violent disturbances deep down in the earth -which had caused the earthquake and volcano were likewise responsible -for the flood. - -[Illustration] - -The water came in streams from the entrances, cracks, and fissures until -the main-shaft was transformed into a lake that constantly grew deeper, -and through this with shrieks and screams all plunged, fleeing hither -and thither, but with no definite point in their dazed minds. - -Dragonfel and his followers in particular lost their heads, and their -fear and cowardice were indeed pitiable. All their bravado had deserted -them, and from the blustering bullies they had been they became sorry, -trembling wretches vainly beseeching help and voicing the terror at -their hearts in wild, unearthly cries. - -But, though the Brownies were alarmed like all the rest, they still -retained their presence of mind, and under the cool-headed direction of -King Stanislaus they at once set about to do certain things, with the -hope that a way would afterward be found to get them out of all danger, -helping hands were busy. - -Prince Florimel assisted Titania, Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil to -a ledge that was still out of the reach of the advancing waters, -charging them most earnestly to remain there, after which he ran back, -and added his efforts to those of his companions. - -[Illustration] - -The little mine-sprites were most in need of aid, and to them the -Brownies devoted the work of rescue. They were all in great peril of -drowning, and though it seemed that such a fate could only be delayed -for a time, they started to remove the poor, frightened creatures to -places as far beyond the rapidly encroaching waters as possible. - -Brownies scaled the walls and lodged themselves in a pocket up to which -they hauled with great effort a number of mine-sprites in one of the -large baskets that were used in loading the jewels before they were -carted away. - -Others of the terrified sprites sought refuge by climbing over the -Brownies' willing backs to a temporary refuge high among the rocks. - -[Illustration] - -The Irishman, Scotchman, and German put three in a wheelbarrow, and -started to trundle them off, but to their great dismay it turned over, -and spilled them out. Assistance, however, was quickly rendered, and -with the mine-sprites back in the wheelbarrow they continued on their -way. - -[Illustration] - -Still the waters rose, and the excitement increased. - -[Illustration] - -Dragonfel in the most abject terror stormed and shouted at his -followers, issuing angry commands for them to exert themselves to do -something, but they were all helpless, and his words were wasted on the -air to no purpose. - -[Illustration] - -They were too frightened to be of assistance, even if it had been -possible to render it, though in cases where one was overcome there were -those who attempted the work of resuscitation. - -The wicked enchanter ran about like a maniac, with little or no thought -of where he was going, until suddenly with a shriek of fright he plunged -into a circular pit that had been dug deep into the earth for a distance -of perhaps fifty feet. - -There was sufficient water at the bottom of the pit to break his severe -fall, which was fortunate for him, as otherwise it would have resulted -in his end. - -He was stunned and dazed, but in nowise injured beyond some bruises, and -he frantically reached up and clutched a jagged point of rock by which -he pulled himself out of the water that was nearly to his neck and -promising him more. - -The horror of his situation was at once made plain to him. Beyond this -rock there was nothing by which he could maintain even the slightest -hold, and the waters which were steadily rising would soon submerge him -and end all. - -His evil scheming had led to his own undoing, and in causing misfortune -to so many he had brought upon himself the most terrible misfortune of -all. - -Looking up helplessly he could see a number of the Brownies trying to -peer down at him through the darkness. They lay flat on their stomachs, -and leaned as far out over the hole as prudence would permit. - -"Help! help!" screamed Dragonfel, in a frenzy of fear. "Save me! save -me!" - -His piteous cries were heard by all the Brownies, and they looked -at each other in doubt and uncertainty. When the monster whom they -had every reason to fear had met with the mishap which now made him -powerless it was not to be gainsaid that a feeling of great relief was -experienced by one and all. No matter what harm might come to them from -other sources, certainly his power to injure them was gone. - -"Why should we help him?" said one of the Brownies. "He has harmed us -all he could." - -"If he drowns," said another, "he will never have a chance to do so -again." But King Stanislaus looked very grave. - -"No matter how much he has wronged us," he said decidedly, "he needs our -help, so we must give it." - -"But he is our enemy," objected the Policeman. - -"That makes no difference," said His Majesty. "He will drown if we do -not aid him." - -"If we save him," said Uncle Sam, "he will only make trouble for us -again." - -"We must not think of that," said King Stanislaus. "He's in distress, -and doesn't need to advertise it. That's where the Brownies step in." - -He gave his orders, and the Brownies with the realization that there was -not a moment to be lost ran with all possible speed for the long rope -which they had used in hauling up the mine-sprites in the basket. This -they brought to the opening, tripping and sprawling over it in the -eagerness and anxiety they displayed. - -They stood in a line, and lowered the rope down into the pit. - -"Slip the noose at the end of the rope under your arms," shouted King -Stanislaus to Dragonfel, "and we will pull you up." - -[Illustration] - -The water was nearly over Dragonfel's head by this time, and he had -ceased his cries for help, for whenever he opened his mouth he choked -and strangled. He heard the welcome words of the king as in a dream, -but half unconscious as he was he reached out, and caught the rope, -tightened his grip upon it. He discovered the slip-noose at the end, -and with his senses fast leaving him had just enough strength left to -adjust this under both his arms. When the Brownies felt the rope grow -taut they began to haul away with might and main. Around the pit now -there were willing minds and itching fingers. Some fell over with -their exertions, but in a trice they were up again to contribute all -the strength they had to the work. "Pull away, boys!" shouted King -Stanislaus encouragingly, with his own royal digits wound tightly -around the rope. "A long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together! -That's the ticket! Hurray! We'll soon have him up." - -[Illustration] - -His words incited them so that through undue effort they suddenly lost -their balance and sprawled over backward like ten-pins. - -Like a shot Dragonfel fell back into the water again, almost dragging -after him a half-dozen Brownies who still clung to the rope. But others -quickly grasped them by the legs, and prevented them from going over -into the pit until a fresh hold of the rope was secured, and another -attempt was made. - -"Avast there, messmates!" cried the Sailor. "Give an old salt a chance -at the fore-clutch on the hawser, and the old pirate will soon come up -from the bottom of the sea!" - -This time the Brownies were successful, and they pulled Dragonfel to the -brink, and rolled him over to a place of temporary safety. - -Water poured from his drenched form, and with a groan he relapsed into -unconsciousness. - -The Brownies looked first at him, and then at each other. Though no one -said a word, all had the same thought. - -Soon Dragonfel would revive, and then what would happen? They had saved -their foe, but to what purpose? If by any chance they should escape the -present dreadful danger they were in they would still be in the wicked -enchanter's power. - -How would he use it? - -[Illustration: NEARING A FINISH.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER - - -[Illustration] - -Dragonfel had been rescued by the Brownies at a crucial time when -perhaps they might have been justified in trying to save themselves -instead. - -The water kept on swiftly rising, and it forced them out of the -positions they occupied to ledges and pockets higher up on the rocks. -To these all were forced to retreat, and the still senseless enchanter -was carried after them by some of his cowardly, frightened followers -who would have left him behind if it had not been for the stern -command of King Stanislaus. - -Still higher and higher rose the water till they were again threatened -in their new places of refuge, and it soon became evident that -something had to be done, and that quickly. - -There was but one passage-way through which the water was not pouring -like that of a swift mill-race, and this was the one in which the -Brownies had been trapped. - -As the water ascended they were forced into it, and they continued on -through it well knowing from bitter experience that the huge boulder -effectually blocked the exit, and would hold them powerless until -finally they were submerged by the relentless flood. - -[Illustration] - -But still they went on, hoping against hope, until they came to the -boulder. It was still in place, and though they exerted all their -strength in trying to remove it they could not budge it to even the -extent of a millionth of an inch. - -Brownies used sticks as levers, and the demons employed brute force, but -all their efforts proved in vain. - -"It's no use," at last said King Stanislaus, wiping his perspiring brow. -"It looks as though this would be the end." - -A sudden thought entered Florimel's head--a wild, foolish thought -perhaps, but not any more so than when he had aimed his magic arrow at -the crescent moon. - -"Stand back, all of you!" he shouted. - -[Illustration] - -He took one of the four arrows that were in the quiver, and placed it in -the bow. Then he aimed it at the rock, and pulled the cord, making no -particular attempt at a display of strength which he realized fully -could not accomplish his purpose. - -But to the infinite delight and astonishment of all a strange thing -happened, that made the eyes pop in from every head. - -The arrow struck the base of the rock, which at the moment of contact -burst into hundreds of jagged pieces that flew up into the air. As these -fell they formed a series of steps that were as good as any mason could -have planned. - -[Illustration] - -They ascended these steps with all possible haste up into the open, -where the blue sky was above them, and where they could breathe freely -the air that never before had seemed so sweet and pure. - -Looking around they could note the ravages of the flood, for with it -there had come a mighty tidal wave from the sea, with abnormally high -water that had changed the low marshlands into lakes, and had swollen -the small creeks to roaring, rushing rivers. - -[Illustration] - -Just then a vivacious little mine-sprite found an opportunity to whisper -to the Policeman: - -"This is leap-year, officer, and, to speak freely, I loved you at first -sight." - -"Well," said the Policeman, with his usual composure, "to speak even -more freely, your love at second sight is not returned." - -"I would be willing," she said, "to fly with you to parts unknown." - -"That's the trouble," said the Policeman. "No parts are unknown to the -Brownies. The world was our oyster, and we've opened it. We're just as -well known in Timbuctoo as Tarrytown!" - -There was an angry swell that caused Dragonfel's galleon to toss -violently up and down, but it still held secure to its anchor, and -formed a picture inviting to a sailor's eye. - -The enchanter was laid upon the greensward by those who bore him, and he -stirred uneasily, while his hand sought his forehead. Then he opened his -eyes, and unsteadily tried to get on his feet, in which effort others -sprang to his assistance. - -"Where am I?" he asked, as dazed and puzzled he looked around. "What has -happened?" - -His gaze took in the Brownies, and, in spite of all they had just done -for him, it was not a reassuring one. But somehow they feared him no -longer, for they felt that no matter what further villainy he might -attempt they were more than a match for him. - -But before some one could answer Dragonfel Euphrosyne, the Goddess of -Mirth, suddenly appeared in their midst, though no one could tell just -how or from whence she came. - -"Meddlesome spirit that you are," she said sternly, addressing her words -to the crestfallen enchanter, "you can no longer trouble the Brownies. -Your commission to do evil has expired." - -"How so?" he demanded. "I made application for a renewal." - -"Yes," she said, "but, through an error in the date, you were too late." - -"Too late?" he repeated blankly. - -"Yes, by thirteen seconds," she announced triumphantly, "and Beelzebub -refuses to renew the policy." - -"Great Scott!" ejaculated Dragonfel, with much chagrin. "This comes of -trying to run business without an almanac!" - -"Henceforth you will be compelled to be good," said Euphrosyne. - -"Yes," said Dragonfel, in a rather shamefaced manner. "It may come -rather hard at first, but I suppose I will get used to it in time. As a -matter of fact, I'm growing rather tired of being bad. There's nothing -to it, after all. The only thing one gets from being bad is a lack of -respect in the community." - -[Illustration] - -"I see you're somewhat repentant," said Euphrosyne encouragingly. "It's -a little late, of course, but still it's better late than never. You -understand, don't you, that after this you're to let the Brownies -alone?" - -"I should say I will let them alone," coincided Dragonfel heartily. "The -Brownies are too much for me. They have beaten me at every point. Even -if I were disposed to do them further mischief I am placed in a rather -delicate situation. I owe my life to the Brownies." - -"There is one thing on which I insist," spoke up King Stanislaus. "You -must do something for these poor mine-sprites." - -"I will see that they are restored to their parents from whom they were -stolen," asserted Dragonfel hastily. "Furthermore they shall all be -given handsome dowries, with a beautiful solitaire diamond of a -half-dozen karats more or less for each, so that when the right young -man comes along the engagement-ring will be easy." - -Here the mine-sprite who had expressed her preference for the Policeman -gave him a coy glance, but he twirled his club, and looked the other -way. - -[Illustration] - -"It's too bad about your palace," said the Dude to Dragonfel. - -"Oh, don't trouble yourself about that," said the enchanter cheerfully. -"I never did like its style of architecture, anyhow. - -I'll soon have it rebuilt, and give the Union scale for labor, with -double pay for over-time. The palace was a rather tame affair anyway, -I ran too much to the emerald, topaz, and turquoise in its composition. -I'll make more use of the sapphire, the ruby and cornelian, in the -makeup of the new structure; and those columns, I always felt a little -weak over them, as they were only imitation chalcedony, the real thing -goes in the next one, if I have to import it from Palestine." The -glances the Brownies exchanged showed they felt that they had struck a -master in his line. - -It is said, that some of the Brownies, to this day, annually celebrate -their deliverance from the mine, and the reformation of Dragonfel, by -proudly parading half the night, bearing the implements they had to use -while in captivity. - -[Illustration] - -So delighted was King Stanislaus over the general outcome that his -blithe spirits found expression in a jolly song that was a great -favorite of his, and the Brownies all joined in the chorus. The words -follow: - - -I'M RULER OF THE BROWNIE BAND! - -KING STANISLAUS - - I'm ruler of the Brownie band, - Most favored of personages; - I sway my sceptre o'er a land - Not found upon hist'ry's pages; - I take my nightly promenade - By anarchists unmolested; - On me no bomb or hand grenade - Has ever by them been tested! - If you could only see me dine, - You'd find me extremely placid; - I never fear a dish of mine - Is seasoned with prussic acid! - -BROWNIES - - Oh, you're all right! - -KING STANISLAUS - - Eh, I didn't catch it quite; - Repeat it, please! I didn't understand. - -BROWNIES - - Why, you, you, you, you! You're all right! - -KING STANISLAUS - - And so is the Brownie band! - -KING STANISLAUS - - I need no sabre, lance, or spear - To guard me whene'er I slumber; - My people kneel, but not thro' fear; - Love governs the entire number. - My slightest wish they all obey; - I never use any axes; - I always let them have their way; - They don't have to pay high taxes; - No undertaker need apply; - I'm not for embalmment crazy; - My subjects cry as I pass by, - "The Brownie king is a daisy!" - -BROWNIES - - Oh, you're all right, etc. - -The refrain was so rollicking and infectious that when it was repeated -Dragonfel and his followers could not keep from joining in with the -Brownies, and they lustily roared out the words with a right good will. - -The delayed wedding of Prince Florimel and Queen Titania was celebrated -very soon after in the fairy-palace with all the joy and happiness that -can come to such a momentous occasion. - -[Illustration] - -Brownies and fairies vied with each other in having a good time, and the -walls rang with their innocent merry-making. Everyone said that King -Stanislaus was the life of the party. - -Dragonfel and his followers participated in the festivities, this time -unfeared, and to the strains of a Brownie orchestra they mingled with -others in the dance. Dragonfel even tried to do the fox-trot with Dame -Drusilda, which greatly delighted Euphrosyne who was among those -present. - -[Illustration] - -In place of the useless, cumbersome presents he had first brought the -enchanter gave the bride the more appropriate and useful gift of a dozen -bushels of precious stones. - -[Illustration] - -So in this wonderful country King Florimel and his beautiful queen are -still living and ruling wisely, and, to make their happiness complete, -there are little children round them. - -To these King Florimel will leave the heritage of the magic bow and -arrows, for life has glided smoothly on, and the time has never been so -grave or distressing, as to necessitate their use. But should that time -ever come the king has full confidence in his ex-fairy godmother's gift. - -[Illustration] - -To the palace the Brownies come frequently, and it is needless to say -that they are welcome, just as they are welcome everywhere. - -But they cannot be there as often as King Florimel would like them to be -because their kindly spirit takes them over the whole world to promote -peace, good humor, and good will to all human kind. - - -[Illustration: END] - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Brownies and Prince Florimel, by Palmer Cox - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROWNIES AND PRINCE FLORIMEL *** - -***** This file should be named 40502-8.txt or 40502-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/5/0/40502/ - -Produced by David Edwards, eagkw and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -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. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -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/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/40502-8.zip b/40502-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 323030c..0000000 --- a/40502-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/40502-h.zip b/40502-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 66dc966..0000000 --- a/40502-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/40502-h/40502-h.htm b/40502-h/40502-h.htm index 9103c57..fb14737 100644 --- a/40502-h/40502-h.htm +++ b/40502-h/40502-h.htm @@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ <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" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> <title> The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Brownies and Prince Florimel or @@ -213,47 +213,7 @@ div.blockr100 {clear: right; float: right; width: 100px; height: 15px;} </style> </head> <body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's The Brownies and Prince Florimel, by Palmer Cox - -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/license - - -Title: The Brownies and Prince Florimel - Brownieland, Fairyland, and Demonland - -Author: Palmer Cox - -Release Date: August 14, 2012 [EBook #40502] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROWNIES AND PRINCE FLORIMEL *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, eagkw and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40502 ***</div> <div class="tnote"> <p class="tn">Transcriber’s notes</p> @@ -7362,7 +7322,7 @@ of escape.</p> place isn’t half-bad, as things go, so you ought to make yourselves fairly comfortable in it. You’ll find both hot and cold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> water in the little ante-room screened off by those peacock-feather -portières. Your meals will be brought to you. If you +portières. Your meals will be brought to you. If you want to read there’s the dictionary.”</p> <p>“How long are you going to keep us here?” asked Titania, @@ -8568,387 +8528,7 @@ human kind.</p> </div> - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Brownies and Prince Florimel, by Palmer Cox - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BROWNIES AND PRINCE FLORIMEL *** - -***** This file should be named 40502-h.htm or 40502-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/5/0/40502/ - -Produced by David Edwards, eagkw and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -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. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -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/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> - +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40502 ***</div> </body> </html> diff --git a/40502.zip b/40502.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index f1b3337..0000000 --- a/40502.zip +++ /dev/null |