The Brownies And Prince Florimel Part 19

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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, c.o.c.king 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 sh.o.r.e-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 sh.o.r.e, 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 sh.o.r.e, 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.

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But when the Brownies reached shoal water, and some began to wade toward sh.o.r.e, 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 t.i.tania 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-gla.s.s.

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.

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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 c.o.c.ked 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.

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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 sh.o.r.e in safety.

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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 t.i.tania, and he was in a fever of impatience to rush at once to her rescue.

"We only waste time here while t.i.tania 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 t.i.tania 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 a.s.semble 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.