Champion HenAt 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:False Alarm“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.Safe Deposit“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 giftsas 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.Love and scratchesIn 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 snappedthem together almost instantly so that the head was held between them in a vise-like grip.CaughtTaking 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.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 removedthe snuffers from Brownie’s head.“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. “Thepath 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.”Patent Churn“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!”To the rescueCHAPTER XIWTHE BROWNIES BUILDA RAFTWhenKing 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 overtakeit 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.ToolsIn 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.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.Cellar doorThe 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.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.Dog-houseOther members of the band were busy too in different ways. The Sailor came running with a long pole on his shoulder, andstrung 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.The Dude stood by, offering advice, and all ready with cane in one and opera-hat box the other.Straining with the terrific weight the Twins together broughta 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.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.The anchorThe commissary department was active too, and Brownies came with ample supplies of provisions for the voyage. Theybrought sacks of hard-tack and ship-biscuit, and when they laid them down and sat on them audacious rats ran helter-skelterShip-breadout and scampered wildly off in all directions. Nothing was left undone, and when in the judgment of the Sailor it was about four bellsthe raft had taken marvelous shape and was ready to launch.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.ConversationThen 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 ifever 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 wouldhave 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.ShipwreckedSuddenly 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 cavernsin 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.Dog-houseIn 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.The frightened DudeThe 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 thisgreater 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.Bird with telescopeLCHAPTER XIIWHAT HAPPENED IN THE THRONE-ROOMLedby 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 thoseshe 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.Eating impsTitania 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 torefresh 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!”Take you awayTitania was so frightened that she could neither scream nor run away, and she allowed him to gather her up in his arms andhold 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.Escape with their captivesThe 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.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 aprisoner, 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 ahighly 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!”Seabirds with compassDragonfel 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 athim. “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.”“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.AmusementHe 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 Usherhalf 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.UCHAPTER XIIINEPTUNE STILLSTHE WAVESUpand 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.They clung to the debrisStraddled logsDesperately 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.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.A wonderful thingThere 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, asdid 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.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 outthrough 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 towhich 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.
Champion Hen
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:
False Alarm
“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.
Safe Deposit
“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 giftsas 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.
Love and scratches
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 snappedthem together almost instantly so that the head was held between them in a vise-like grip.
Caught
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.
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 removedthe snuffers from Brownie’s head.
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 removedthe snuffers from Brownie’s head.
“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. “Thepath 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.”
Patent Churn
“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!”
“We’ll build a raft with magic sleight,And brave the sea ere morning’s light!”
“We’ll build a raft with magic sleight,And brave the sea ere morning’s light!”
To the rescue
W
THE BROWNIES BUILDA RAFT
WhenKing 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 overtakeit 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.
Tools
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.
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.
Cellar door
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.
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.
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.
Dog-house
Other members of the band were busy too in different ways. The Sailor came running with a long pole on his shoulder, andstrung 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.
Then off he sped again but only to return a few minutes later with a mariner’s compass.
The Dude stood by, offering advice, and all ready with cane in one and opera-hat box the other.Straining with the terrific weight the Twins together broughta 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.
The Dude stood by, offering advice, and all ready with cane in one and opera-hat box the other.
Straining with the terrific weight the Twins together broughta 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.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.
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.
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.
The anchor
The commissary department was active too, and Brownies came with ample supplies of provisions for the voyage. Theybrought sacks of hard-tack and ship-biscuit, and when they laid them down and sat on them audacious rats ran helter-skelterShip-breadout and scampered wildly off in all directions. Nothing was left undone, and when in the judgment of the Sailor it was about four bellsthe raft had taken marvelous shape and was ready to launch.
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.
Conversation
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 ifever 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 wouldhave 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.
Shipwrecked
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 cavernsin 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.
Dog-house
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.
The frightened Dude
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 thisgreater 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.
Bird with telescope
L
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE THRONE-ROOM
Ledby 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 thoseshe 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.
Eating imps
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 torefresh 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!”
Take you away
Titania was so frightened that she could neither scream nor run away, and she allowed him to gather her up in his arms andhold 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.
Escape with their captives
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.
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 aprisoner, 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 ahighly 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!”
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 aprisoner, 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 ahighly 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!”
Seabirds with compass
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 athim. “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.”
“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.
“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.
Amusement
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 Usherhalf 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.
U
NEPTUNE STILLSTHE WAVESUpand 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.
NEPTUNE STILLSTHE WAVES
Upand 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.
They clung to the debris
Straddled logs
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.
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.
A wonderful thing
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, asdid 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.
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 outthrough 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 towhich 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.
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 outthrough 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 towhich 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.