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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40502 ***
+
+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 THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40502 ***