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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78120 ***
+
+
+
+
+  _The Marvellous Land
+  of Snergs_
+
+  _by_ E. A. WYKE SMITH
+
+  AUTHOR OF “SOME PIRATES AND MARMADUKE”
+  “THE LAST OF THE BARON,” ETC.
+
+  _illustrated by_
+  GEORGE MORROW
+
+  _London
+  Ernest Benn Limited
+  Bouverie House Fleet Street_
+  1927
+
+
+
+
+PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN
+
+
+
+
+  _To
+  My Daughter_
+  NINA
+
+
+
+
+_A List of the Chapters_
+
+
+  PART I
+
+        PAGE
+
+  1. A Place apart                             1
+
+  2. Miss Watkyns                              2
+
+  3. Ways and Means                            4
+
+  4. The Snergs                                7
+
+  5. Sylvia                                   11
+
+  6. Joe                                      13
+
+  7. Vanderdecken and his Men                 14
+
+  8. How the Adventure started                19
+
+  9. How it really began                      21
+
+  10. The Turret Chamber                      23
+
+  11. How Joe bore Captivity                  24
+
+  12. The Forest Land                         29
+
+  13. The Dawn                                33
+
+  14. Gorbo the Snerg                         35
+
+  15. The Town                                38
+
+  16. The Royal House                         40
+
+  17. The King of the Snergs                  41
+
+  18. The Feast                               45
+
+  19. A Morning Walk                          47
+
+  20. The Twisted Trees                       50
+
+
+  PART II
+
+  21. Trouble at Watkyns Bay                  57
+
+  22. Beyond the Door                         60
+
+  23. The Mushroom Cavern                     63
+
+  24. The other side of the River             71
+
+  25. Golithos the Ogre                       73
+
+  26. Dinner with Golithos                    76
+
+  27. Golithos explains                       80
+
+  28. The Upstairs Room                       82
+
+  29. Gorbo’s Doubts                          84
+
+  30. Golithos is tempted                     86
+
+  31. Beyond the Tower                        89
+
+  32. The Knight Errant                       90
+
+  33. Sir Percival’s Job                      95
+
+  34. The Mysterious Castle                   96
+
+  35. Sir Percival’s Annoyance                99
+
+  36. The Castle Kitchen                     100
+
+  37. Breakfast                              101
+
+  38. A Terrible Moment                      103
+
+  39. More Trouble                           104
+
+  40. The Sorrows of Baldry                  107
+
+  41. The Dark Woods                         113
+
+  42. Mother Meldrum’s House                 115
+
+  43. More Sorrow for Baldry                 119
+
+  44. A Change of Tone                       121
+
+  45. Dinner with a Witch                    122
+
+  46. The Spare Bedroom                      125
+
+  47. What happened in the Night             127
+
+  48. The Green Ride                         132
+
+  49. Captives                               137
+
+
+  PART III
+
+  50. The Doings at Home                     139
+
+  51. The Ingenuity of Vanderdecken          141
+
+  52. How they passed over the River         142
+
+  53. Boot and Saddle                        144
+
+  54. The First Day’s March                  145
+
+  55. The Mysterious Castle again            146
+
+  56. How Gorbo gathered Mandrakes           151
+
+  57. The Cozening of Gorbo                  158
+
+  58. A Fearful Bargain                      162
+
+  59. Captives on the Road                   165
+
+  60. King Kul I                             167
+
+  61. A Change of Clothes at last            171
+
+  62. Another Meal with Royalty              173
+
+  63. A Stinger                              174
+
+  64. The Morning after                      177
+
+  65. The Invasion                           179
+
+  66. An Historic Meeting                    181
+
+  67. Necessary Explanations                 182
+
+  68. Baldry’s Sentence                      184
+
+  69. Royal Clemency                         187
+
+  70. The Next Day                           189
+
+  71. And the Day after that                 190
+
+  72. Captives again                         194
+
+  73. The Barren Rocks                       200
+
+  74. How Gorbo found the Way                203
+
+  75. The Reform of Golithos                 206
+
+  76. Mother Meldrum goes                    208
+
+  77. All Troubles over                      210
+
+  78. Back across the River                  213
+
+  79. Back to the Town                       214
+
+  80. Back to Watkyns Bay                    215
+
+  81. To finish up                           217
+
+
+
+
+The Marvellous Land of Snergs
+
+
+
+
+_Part I_
+
+
+A PLACE APART
+
+If any seafaring person, such as a yachtsman, were to sail round the
+corner of Watkyns Bay in the morning, he would find large numbers of
+children playing in the water, and would be either pleased or depressed
+at the sight according to the way his nature was originally formed.
+Certainly he would wonder how they came to be there, in such a lonely
+place and so very much at home, the little ones splashing about in the
+shallow parts and chasing each other over the sand, and the bigger
+ones swimming out to rafts and diving from them, and all shouting and
+squeaking. But this is a case of supposing, for no yacht or any other
+vessel will ever round the corner of the bay and no sail will ever
+be seen on the skyline, the reason being that it is the land of the
+S.R.S.C. and therefore a place set apart. If a yachtsman were ever
+tempted to sail in that direction he would be met by baffling winds
+from the nor’-east, alternating with baffling winds from the sou’-west,
+and this, combined with the prevalence of waterspouts, would make him
+repent of his purpose, and he could consider himself lucky if he got
+out of those waters lashed to what was left of the mast.
+
+There is one exception to the rule that no outsider can sail near
+there, and that is the case of Vanderdecken and his men, who put in and
+camped some two and a half miles north of the bay. Owing to his rash
+oath that he would beat round the Cape of Good Hope if he beat round
+it till Doomsday he found himself doing so, and though this was rough
+luck on his crew, who had not made any rash oaths, naturally they had
+to beat round with him. It is supposed that the curse wore thin after a
+few hundred years; at any rate they managed to slip into the waters of
+the S.R.S.C. during the vernal equinox, and there they are now, camped
+in little huts, with the ship anchored in the mouth of a river and in a
+shocking state of barnacles.
+
+
+MISS WATKYNS
+
+The bay is named after Miss Watkyns, who is not only the Principal
+but the originator of the S.R.S.C., or Society for the Removal of
+Superfluous Children. Like a good many ladies who have no children
+of their own she was greatly interested in them, and being a little
+interfering in her ways she became in time a noted figure in police
+courts and was often laughed at by the public. This brought her in
+contact with other ladies similarly disposed and finally the Society
+was formed, its object being the removal of children who are obviously
+not wanted by their parents, or parent, as the case may be. The
+greatest care is taken to avoid mistakes, but once a child is removed
+it is never returned, and it soon forgets what happened when it was
+with its parents (or parent) for the air of the place is splendid for
+forgetting. There are cases where, after some years with the Society
+(or what would be some years if time counted there in the ordinary
+way), a child is delivered over to some person who ardently desires
+one; but the selection of such a person needs even greater care to
+avoid mistakes.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Miss Watkyns is a lady of intelligence far above the ordinary, and
+in addition to being a great organizer she has no mean knowledge of
+the sciences. These qualities enabled her not only to discover the
+existence of the Land of the Snergs (in itself a marvellous piece of
+brain work) but also how to get there without a nasty spill. I do not
+propose to go into details of how she managed this (as it would take a
+book twice as long as this one) but will merely state that she admitted
+into the Society twenty-two carefully selected ladies (each of whom had
+four or five children ready to be removed from their homes without
+notice) and made the most careful preparations for transferring them
+all to the new land.
+
+It was arranged that each lady should come with one well wrapped up
+superfluous child, as this would be all that they could carry at one
+time and the rest could be fetched later. They were to bring also for
+each one a bundle containing blankets, woollies, and two combination
+suits of wear-resisting fabric, and to use their discretion with regard
+to small extras, such as wash rags, fine tooth combs and the like.
+All went excellently. They met on Hampstead Heath one blowy October
+night at 11.30, and by 12.15 Miss Watkyns had inspected and passed all
+bundles and seen that all hands had taken a cup of hot milk or cocoa.
+Then she gave the word and away they all went on a high wind.
+
+From this slight beginning grew the organization of the S.R.S.C. as
+it is to-day, with 478 superfluous children under its care and more
+coming. As this is purely a narrative of the extraordinary adventures
+that befell two of the children owing to their foolish disregard of the
+laws so wisely made for their benefit (a narrative which should not be
+without improving effect on the minds of my younger readers), I will
+not give more than a brief account of the ways and means by which the
+Society attains its object.
+
+
+WAYS AND MEANS
+
+The children are divided into two classes, according to size and age.
+The little ones wear one-piece garments known as the “slip-on,” which
+have the advantage that they can be slipped off for bathing with one
+wriggle. The older ones wear two-piece garments; the boys having shorts
+and shirts and the girls skirts and blouses. Woolly coats are worn
+in the cold weather, which lasts only for a few seasonable weeks at
+Christmas time. For most of the year they do not wear shoes, but what
+are called slinkers.
+
+The houses are on the higher ground just behind Watkyns Bay, and are
+all of one story. They are made of a criss-cross framework of timbers,
+with walls of clay mixed with little mashed-up shells in between the
+timbers, very strong and neat in appearance. Inside, the walls are
+plastered and painted light pink or blue. Behind the houses there
+is a wide stretch of turf, on which are swings and arrangements for
+healthful games such as net-ball and bumble-puppy. Not far away the
+forest begins with few trees at first and mostly bushes, where they
+play at pretence Indians and Robin Hood and so forth; but the trees
+soon grow thicker and thicker until it is quite shady even at midday
+in some parts. A pleasant place, with soft lawns here and there and a
+variety of ferns, but it is not wise to let the children roam about
+there too much for it is quite easy to get lost. Beyond the forest, a
+long day’s march away, is the town of the Snergs, who built the houses
+for the Society as well as doing other useful things of which I will
+give an account later.
+
+Each house has a protecting fence twelve feet from the walls to
+keep away the cinnamon bears, who live in the forest and who form
+friendships with the children when on their walks. This is all very
+well in its way, but the bears had the habit of trying to get into
+the houses at night, and, when they found the doors shut, of lying
+down outside and rubbing against the walls at intervals, which kept
+the children awake and made them giggle and whisper in a silly way,
+so the fence was put up. The bears are of fair size, with softish
+fur smelling slightly of cinnamon, hence the name. They must not be
+confused with the large grizzly bears which, rumour has it, live beyond
+the deep river on the other side of the Snerg country, as also tigers,
+unicorns, a dragon or two, and other creatures full of original sin.
+
+With the exception of the very little ones each child has to attend
+to its own bed, and on Saturdays to refill the mattresses with little
+buds like hops, which have a pleasant aromatic smell and induce sleep.
+The old hops are thrown out on the beach at high tide. Saturday is the
+clean-up time. Lockers are tidied, pinafores are ironed, and puppies
+and other animals that need it are washed with soap; altogether there
+is a good deal of what the Gentlemen of the Life Guards call spit and
+polish, so as to be ready for Sunday. The smallest children have beds
+with rockers, Miss Watkyns having little patience with new-fangled
+ideas about not rocking children.
+
+A good deal of worry and argument has been caused by the amount of
+animal life in and round about the houses. There is a craze for pets,
+and Miss Watkyns’ attempt to limit at the rate of one pet animal to
+each three children resulted in quarrels and sulking in corners, and
+finally it came to the rule of one child one animal. Puppies, kittens
+and small rabbits are the most popular; badgers are discouraged. At one
+time the elder children got excited over a recitation from the poets
+concerning a girl who owned a lamb which followed her about everywhere,
+even to school, where it made the other scholars laugh, and after that
+it was nothing but lambs. At length Miss Watkyns decided that only
+those who showed perfect behaviour for a month could have one, and that
+limited the number right enough. At the end of the month only two smug
+little girls had qualified for lambs, and by that time the rage for
+mongeese had come up.
+
+Another source of trouble over animals is the food question. The
+ladies as a rule are rather sentimental in their ideas and it needed
+all the firmness and common sense of Miss Watkyns to prevent a wave
+of sloppiness passing over the Society and damaging the children’s
+character and insides. Some even went to the length of proposing that
+the food should consist entirely of bread, butter, milk, and green
+stuff; and the experiment was actually tried for a time, with the
+result that the children broke out in pimples. Then fish diet was
+added, it being supposed that fish feel no pain when they are caught,
+only a little regret, but this was also a failure; the little ones’
+systems still cried out for meat and gravy in moderation. Finally, Miss
+Watkyns put her foot down firmly and arranged that a supply of sheep
+and hares, etc., be delivered at regular intervals by the Snergs, who
+are not at all sentimental about killing animals; in fact they rather
+like it, being great hunters.
+
+
+THE SNERGS
+
+The Snergs are a race of people only slightly taller than the average
+table but broad in the shoulders and of great strength. Probably
+they are some offshoot of the pixies who once inhabited the hills
+and forests of England, and who finally disappeared about the reign
+of Henry VIII. Their language is not very difficult and the children
+especially learn to speak it in a few weeks, which helps to strengthen
+my theory of their origin. The ladies, however, never learn to speak
+the language with fluency, and the little slang expressions are quite
+beyond them; but owing to the untiring energy of Miss Watkyns, that
+brainy woman, they now have a little Snerg grammar, with a vocabulary
+and some easy exercises.
+
+The Snergs took a great interest in the Society’s development and
+offered their services at an early date. It soon came to pass that they
+did all the heavy work, such as building (at which they are expert),
+gardening, painting and decorating, and the more troublesome part of
+the housework, such as swabbing floors. They come in batches and spend
+some weeks at work; then they say they are homesick, which means they
+have got tired of it, and they go home as soon as another batch can
+take their place. In return for these services they receive instruction
+in up-to-date methods from Miss Watkyns’ Encyclopædia, little presents
+from London or some other large town when one of the ladies has gone
+there on business, and those little general advantages, difficult to
+specify in words, which come from intercourse with refined females.
+
+If the children go to the woods to collect berries or mushrooms or
+whatever else happens to be in season, or to play at outlaws or a
+little scalping party, a Snerg or two goes with them to shoo away
+obtrusive bears. When they are bathing a Snerg or two sits on a rock
+ready to dive in and pick out any child that has got into trouble. It
+is interesting to see how they reach such a one with a few vigorous
+strokes, take it to land, up-end it by the heels to let the water run
+out, and lay it on the grass to dry.
+
+The Snergs dress in tight-fitting woollen hose, with a jerkin of the
+same material and a leather belt, and little round leather caps rather
+like the deeper kinds of saucers. When at home most of them live
+in the town; some few have their mills and farms a little distance
+away, but they come in pretty often for they are gregarious people,
+loving company. The town has one main street which goes rambling
+round corners, with one or two little alleys branching off from it
+through archways and so forth, and the houses are three or four or
+more stories in height, built in an irregular way of timber and clay
+and plaster, top-heavy in appearance though sound in reality even if
+a bit elastic. If a house leans over more than it should they prop it
+up by timbers reaching across to the house opposite, this generally
+giving them an excuse for making a little covered-in passage way on
+the timbers so that they can visit one another without all the fuss of
+going downstairs and up again, they being great on visits. You never
+know when a Snerg will finish with his house because he is always
+making additions to it, such as throwing out bay windows, or carrying a
+balcony on stilts to one of the big trees near by and then building a
+spare bedroom in the tree itself, and the like fool tricks.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+They are long-lived people; roughly speaking they live as long as
+oaks. For instance those Snergs who remember the excitement caused
+by the landing of William the Conqueror (1066) are old, old gaffers,
+opinionated, sitting in arm-chairs. The men who remember the Wars of
+the Roses are middle-aged and of ripe judgment (in so far as a Snerg
+ever has judgment), while those born about the time of the Gunpowder
+Plot have still something of the gay insouciance of youth. The babies
+date from Trafalgar and upwards.
+
+They are great on feasts, which they have in the open air at long
+tables joined end on and following the turns of the street. This
+is necessary because nearly everybody is invited--that is to say,
+commanded to come, because the King gives the feasts, though each
+person has to bring his share of food and drink and put it in the
+general stock. Of late years the procedure has changed owing to the
+enormous number of invitations that had to be sent; the commands are
+now understood and only invitations to stay away are sent to the people
+who are not wanted on the particular occasion. They are sometimes hard
+up for a reason for a feast, and then the Master of the Household,
+whose job it is, has to hunt for a reason, such as its being somebody’s
+birthday. Once they had a feast because it was nobody’s birthday that
+day.
+
+The King presides at the head of the table, with the best people on
+either hand, and there they sit in the mellow evening light and tell
+tales of the brave days of old and listen to the sound of harps. But at
+the other end of the table, round the corner and out of sight, there
+is often a good deal of reckless behaviour and talk, since there is no
+one to check the number of cups of mead they drink; and the truth is
+they get slightly tiddleums, and laugh far too much and grab off each
+other’s caps and throw them in other fellow’s faces, and so on. Queer
+people.
+
+The tale is going to start very soon but it will be necessary to give
+some account of the two children, Sylvia and Joe, who got mixed up with
+the strange doings I have mentioned, and also of Vanderdecken and his
+men, because if it had not been for them I really don’t know how things
+would have come out as well as they did. Let us begin with Sylvia.
+
+
+SYLVIA
+
+Sylvia’s mother was a widow who lived in a commodious house in
+London and who was much admired, and whom we will call Mrs Walker
+because it was not her name. Though she was rather proud of Sylvia
+in a way, because she was a pretty little girl with hair that curled
+naturally, she never bothered about her very much owing to her Society
+engagements. She never, for example, made her laugh with the business
+of the little pigs, or pretended to eat her, beginning with the feet,
+and she never bored people by exhibiting her little frocks to show
+how she was growing out of them; in fact, she never saw her at all
+except sometimes when she spared a moment to run upstairs before going
+to dinners and dances and the like. But she provided a capable nurse
+called Norah who was skilled in all things necessary for young ones,
+including interesting tales, and this worked finely until Norah had to
+go away and marry a young man in the sausage business. The new nurse
+who came had her own society engagements to attend to (though not such
+classy ones) and could not spare very much time for Sylvia.
+
+One day Sylvia got wet through in the park and the nurse (Gwendoline)
+forgot to change her things, so that she got ill. She got more and
+more ill and the doctor was sent for, but he was absolutely rude to
+Mrs Walker because he had not been sent for before and this upset her
+as she was not accustomed to rudeness. But what made her more upset
+was the sight of a dowdy, middle-aged woman who had got in somehow and
+was sitting by Sylvia’s bed, and when she asked her what she was doing
+there she got no answer but a snort, so she went away. And half an hour
+later there was a real trouble, for the dowdy person and Sylvia were
+missing.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+There was a good deal of excitement because there had been one or two
+cases of this kind lately, and there were head-lines in the papers
+about it; but nothing more happened and the little bed was empty for
+keeps. In time--that is to say, in three weeks--the matter had blown
+over, and Mrs Walker went into mourning and looked so absolutely sweet
+and lovely that Sir Samuel Gollop (Biscuits) asked for her hand and got
+it and serve him right, and she is now my Lady Gollop, with a house in
+one of the best parts and two cars and a Pekinese which has taken a
+prize. But no Sylvia, never again.
+
+And Sylvia was learning to play a new kind of water-polo in which seals
+take part and was fast forgetting all about her former life except the
+tales Norah used to tell her.
+
+
+JOE
+
+Joe is a sturdy boy of about the same age as Sylvia who has caused the
+Society more anxiety and exasperation than any ten other boys of his
+weight and size. When he first arrived he was by no means sturdy; his
+legs and arms were thin, and on all corners of him there was either a
+bruise or a place breaking out. This was owing to his father, a circus
+rider, who used to train Joe to do dexterous tricks with ropes and
+poles so that he would in time be able to earn money and help support
+the family--which, by the way, now consisted only of Father; his mother
+had been worn out long ago.
+
+Every time Joe missed doing the tricks dexterously it meant trouble for
+him, for his father used to drink as much as his wages allowed and this
+impaired his judgment and led him many times to nearly overdo what he
+used to do to Joe in the evenings at home. Joe never complained to the
+other circus people because he believed that boys came into the world
+for the purpose of being hammered by their parents; also he worked it
+out that if he did complain his father would do him in as he had often
+promised to do and, ridiculous as it may seem to us, Joe wanted to go
+on living.
+
+Matters came to a finish one evening when he had made a deplorable mess
+of some gymnastics and his father was greatly annoyed with him, and, as
+he said he would, “put it acrost him” properly. He was interrupted by
+the sudden appearance of a grim elderly lady bigger than he was, whom
+he had noticed several times lately in the one-and-threepence seats,
+and who now burst open his private kitchen door in defiance of the law
+and picked up the tongs, not by the handle but by the other end. Then
+Father knew no more for hours.
+
+And when he did know more it was very unsatisfactory. His skull seemed
+loose like a jig-saw puzzle, and he was in a horrid mess. And Joe was
+gone. There were no head-lines in the paper about this case because no
+one cared anything about it--except Father--and by the time his skull
+was fitted close together again by the great skill of surgeons (his
+nose they could do nothing with) Joe was becoming justly celebrated
+among the other children for his reckless way of riding bucking bears
+bare-backed, and doing other things contrary to regulations.
+
+
+VANDERDECKEN AND HIS MEN
+
+As the strange adventures of Joe and Sylvia were primarily due to what
+Joe did to Vanderdecken’s crew’s soup, it is advisable to give here a
+short account of these interesting foreigners.
+
+As I have said, Vanderdecken (vulgarly known as the Flying Dutchman)
+had come in some time before and camped on the bank of a river north
+of Watkyns Bay. They had had so much tossing about the seas since they
+started out from Holland in the seventeenth century that it was quite
+a nice change for them, and they were in no hurry to go away, even
+though they were very anxious to see their wives and babies again. And
+it was just as well that they were in no hurry to go, for their wives
+and babies had all died hundreds of years ago and it would have been a
+distressing shock to them if they had managed to reach home, this in
+itself a doubtful matter.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Each man had his hut, made of stout reeds with a roof of palm branches.
+They stood in a semicircle, with a double-sized one in the middle for
+Vanderdecken, and there was a garden in front in which was planted some
+sweet-peas and a few simple bulbs. There was also a large general hut
+where they had their meals and sat about the table afterwards, smoking
+their long pipes and talking about how they really must think of
+getting busy with the old ship and cleaning her up for the voyage. She
+was in a bad way, with the sails all patched and the carved dolphins
+on her bows all worn smooth with the seas she had dived into for so
+many weary years; but the most they ever did towards getting her ready
+was to lighten her by taking the heavy things out and putting them on
+shore--quaint old cannon and the two spare anchors, and bales of spices
+and elephants’ tusks, and casks of salt beef all hard as horn from
+age, and so forth. Each seaman took his chest and hammock ashore and
+made his hut neat with a floor of little mashed-up shells, and perhaps
+a shelf or two and a rack for pipes and pannikins and other small
+matters. Vanderdecken’s parrot was still going strong, for the curse
+had come on him too (not that that troubled him) and he sat on a perch
+outside in the sun with a tin pot full of nuts beside him, swearing in
+High Dutch.
+
+It is to be regretted that their relations with the Society, though
+friendly, were not at all enthusiastic. In the first place, they
+were, like all Dutchmen, phlegmatic and not given to gush. In the
+second place, England was at war with Holland when they started out
+and they did not like the sight of the British flag flying over the
+main building in Watkyns Bay. It was of course Miss Watkyns’ duty to
+make the first call, so she went with six of the ladies and told them
+that she had no objection to their staying there--which seemed rather
+superfluous as they had already settled down very comfortably--and
+that she hoped they would find the rest and change beneficial. No
+refreshments were offered, for Vanderdecken had no tea but only
+Schnapps, a heady liquor calculated to make an unaccustomed man
+climb trees and therefore obviously unsuited to ladies. The call
+was returned in due time by Vanderdecken and his mate and two washed
+seamen; and from then on there were little formal calls at intervals,
+but, as I say, no real cordiality; mostly talk about the weather.
+
+But the Dutchmen get on famously with the Snergs, who visit them
+frequently and invite them over to the town for week-ends, this giving
+a nice excuse for a feast. Then they introduced them to a special
+kind of mead made from wild bees’ honey, with a little distillation
+of ginger added to give it a kick. This was glad news to the weary
+mariners, for though they had started out with a good supply of
+Schnapps they had of course not taken the curse into account and the
+supply was getting alarmingly low, and there had been many wrinkled
+brows over the matter. Hunting parties are organized very often; the
+Dutchmen go with strangely carved muskets and the Snergs with bows and
+arrows, and they come home with mixed bags. This, however, has caused
+trouble with the Society, for Miss Watkyns said she could not allow
+promiscuous slaying of animals in the forest land between the coast
+and the Snerg country; that if they liked (she meant this ironically)
+they could go to the country beyond the deep river, where rumour had
+it there were fierce beasts worthy of their skill, and kill as many
+as they liked. She gave a list of animals that were prohibited; among
+these were cinnamon bears, young deer and various sorts of birds.
+Vanderdecken objected strongly to this, and he came over to argue the
+matter; but there was breeding in the man and he finally gave way. They
+now hunt only large deer, hares, duck, and wobsers, a swift-running,
+graminivorous animal something between a platypus and a pig, but with a
+prehensile tail. Cooked with bay leaves they are delicious.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+But though there was no great cordiality between the ladies of the
+Society and the Dutchmen, there was no friction to speak of. Miss
+Watkyns would often send over a few dozen eggs or a basket of plums
+from the orchard and the like, and Vanderdecken sent one of his men to
+plant tulips in the way they should be planted, the Dutch being very
+skilful at this. When the ladies’ bathing kiosk blew over in a high
+wind he and his men came and put it right side up by brute force, and
+last Christmas he sent two sacks of little carved windmills for the
+children. On the whole relations could be called satisfactory.
+
+
+HOW THE ADVENTURE STARTED
+
+Having given a short general statement of conditions, it is now time
+to recount what happened to Sylvia and Joe owing to her impulsiveness
+and his disobedience and cheek, and I say again (for it is a point that
+will bear repetition) that I hope the tale will not be without due
+effect on my young readers.
+
+I have already said that Joe caused the Society anxiety and
+exasperation. This was chiefly owing to his insatiable curiosity to
+know what would be the effect of certain acts, particularly those that
+were forbidden, and though the lady who was responsible for his arrival
+(Miss Gribblestone) had lectured him and read him moral tales, such as
+the one about the boy who was devoured by curiosity and finished by
+getting devoured by a serpent, and though Miss Watkyns had told him
+that at his rate of going severe punishment was only a matter of time,
+all this had little or no effect. And the really serious part was that
+he and Sylvia were firm chums and she, being impulsive, would aid and
+abet him in his enterprises.
+
+They could not live apart, these two. They shared everything they had,
+including secrets, and any little extra snacks that came into their
+possession. They even shared a puppy (whom they named Tiger owing to
+his ferocity with slippers and other small matters, and who was pure
+white all over except on one ear and the left side of the head where
+he looked as if he had been well rubbed in a tin of blacking) and this
+is the only known case of dual ownership since Miss Watkyns made that
+excellent rule of one child, one animal.
+
+Many were the remedies proposed for their improvement, but the
+difficulty was that the Misses Scadging and Gribblestone could not
+agree to any particular method. Miss Scadging was the one who had
+taken Sylvia away from her mother, and she said that Joe had an evil
+influence on the little girl and that he alone should be punished.
+Miss Gribblestone on the other hand was of opinion that if it were not
+for Sylvia’s encouragement Joe would be a pattern boy like that Edgar
+of the story-book who went out before breakfast and gathered fresh
+groundsel for his aunt’s canary. And so the matter stood, for Miss
+Watkyns made it a rule never to interfere except in very urgent cases.
+
+That Sylvia encouraged the boy there was no doubt. She had blue eyes
+and a quantity of fluffy gold curls, and consequently, when she giggled
+and told him he would never dare to do what he said would be a choice
+thing to do, he usually went at once and did it, whatever it happened
+to be. And when the deed was done and some of the ladies went forth to
+pick up the bits or to do whatever else needed doing and to bring in
+Joe and Sylvia for immediate explanation, they would find them at the
+time harmless and lovable, perhaps sitting on the shore with their arms
+round each other’s necks as good as gold, or else engaged in some deed
+of kindness, such as swimming out to the Penguins’ Rock with a little
+string bag full of snails.
+
+
+HOW IT REALLY BEGAN
+
+To come to how it really began, one bright morning the two went
+over to Vanderdecken’s camp without leave, and there Joe was wicked
+enough and foolish enough to heave half a brick into the cauldron of
+soup preparing for the mariners. It was a wicked thing to do because
+they had never harmed him, and a foolish thing because detection was
+certain. But he had bragged that he would do it, and Sylvia had giggled
+in the usual way and said she didn’t believe him, so he hunted up the
+half-brick and off they went.
+
+Speaking of the act entirely apart from its moral aspect I may say that
+it was a good shot. Six mariners were standing about the cauldron,
+sniffing the fragrant steam and speaking in praise of the cook, when
+the missile arrived from a high neighbouring rock, and its impact
+caused the hot, glutinous liquid to bespatter their faces and clothing.
+On the next instant Joe, Sylvia and Tiger started home at a brisk run.
+Arriving breathless they proceeded at once, and in sight of some of
+the ladies, to be kind to animals. They gathered handfuls of grass and
+offered them to some overfed sheep, and their expression while doing
+so was something like that on the faces of angels in the pictures of
+Murillo, that great painter.
+
+In due time the six mariners and the cook arrived to make their
+complaint. Their annoyance was so great that, though fluent, they were
+unintelligible; I am inclined to think that at first they could only
+articulate expletives in use among Dutch seamen of the seventeenth
+century. But at length they were calmed sufficiently to enable them to
+state their case and to demand that Joe, whom they had recognized, be
+delivered over to them for the punishment of keel-hauling, a term which
+was not understood by any of the ladies.
+
+Miss Watkyns was sympathetic, but she could not, of course, allow
+them to take the law into their own hands. She soothed them down with
+diplomatic words, promised that the boy should receive castigation
+proportional to his offence, and gave them each a ball of some
+composition warranted to remove grease stains without injuring the
+fabric.
+
+Then she went for the Handy Encyclopædia to see what it had to say
+about keel-hauling. It was as follows:
+
+  “_Keel-hauling._ A form of discipline once in great vogue among
+  seamen. The usual method of application was to attach ropes to the
+  four limbs of the delinquent, lower him over the bows of the ship,
+  and drag him to the stern post and up again, the process being
+  repeated as many times as was considered necessary to expiate the
+  offence. In very serious cases it was the custom to continue the
+  operation until such barnacles as had accumulated on the ship’s keel
+  had been scraped off. See _Shell Fish_.”
+
+“I gather that they are vexed,” observed Miss Watkyns to herself as
+she replaced the volume. Then--for in spite of her high ideals she was
+human--“I should have liked to see that half-brick arriving.”
+
+In the conference that followed Miss Scadging proposed that Joe should
+be considered the sole culprit, since he was a boy and therefore it
+was his duty to set an example to the weaker sex. Miss Gribblestone
+objected to this on principle; she was by no means convinced that women
+were the weaker sex and she recounted again how she had laid out Joe’s
+father; also she quoted Police Court instances of crimes committed by
+men at the instigation of females. Miss Watkyns was of opinion that a
+good and quick way to settle the matter would be to hand Joe six or
+ten of the very best with the back of a hairbrush before the assembled
+children; but Miss Gribblestone objected strongly to this as tending to
+break the boy’s spirit. She made the counter-suggestion of an appeal to
+his pride.
+
+It is no exaggeration to say that I could keep on like this for pages,
+but I will not risk wearying the reader with a disquisition on the
+arguments for and against corporal punishment. I will merely state that
+it was finally decided to let Sylvia off for just this once, but to
+incarcerate Joe for the rest of the day in the Turret Chamber on a diet
+of bread and water.
+
+
+THE TURRET CHAMBER
+
+The Turret Chamber was, as its name implies, a chamber in a turret.
+I have previously explained that the erection of the buildings was
+done by the Snergs; also that their natural tendency was to indulge in
+wild architectural freaks. By careful watching, however, Miss Watkyns
+had managed to keep them building according to the neat plans she had
+prepared, and to subdue their inclination to spoil the symmetry of the
+houses by fantastic and unnecessary additions. But during her absence
+one day on a picnic the Snergs broke loose and built a swift tower
+in a corner of the main building, with some scalloped fancy work on
+the walls and a twisting flight of stairs in the interior leading to
+the chamber in question, and by the time she arrived home they were
+already roofing it in. In appearance it resembled the more despicable
+forms of lighthouses, and it was quite useless for anything practical,
+being so narrow that a grown-up person ascending the stairs had to
+writhe up like a snake, and the chamber atop being so small that Miss
+Watkyns had considered the question of turning the whole business into
+a pigeon-house. However, it did very well as a lock-up for Master Joe.
+
+
+HOW JOE BORE CAPTIVITY
+
+Hours had passed. The sun was not now so very high in the heavens.
+From the direction of the beach came the sounds of happy shrieks; the
+children were having a great time there. On the window-sill of the
+turret chamber sat Joe, his hands in his shorts’ pockets and his feet
+dangling outside, looking forth disconsolately. Behind him on the floor
+was a platter with odd bits of dry bread, and a pitcher of clear cold
+water from the pump. There was nothing else behind him but a little
+wooden bench; the chamber was as bare and smooth as an empty jam-pot.
+Above him was the bright blue sky. Before him was green grass and
+waving forest. Below him was a nasty drop of twenty-seven feet. I don’t
+think I have left anything out.
+
+Joe started suddenly and looked about, for from somewhere he had heard
+the hoot of the Aviola, or small downy owl, which by rights should
+be still asleep at that hour. He replied with the half-whistle,
+half-bleat of the Crested Grebe (these were secret signals), and Sylvia
+came worming her way out from the neighbouring herbaceous border,
+accompanied by their small but faithful hound. She parted her mass
+of curls, which had fallen across her face in the passage, and stood
+having a good look at him.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Oh, Joe,” she said in the low voice of pity, “are you very beastly
+lonely up there?”
+
+“Yes, Sylvia, I’m just as lonely and miserable! And I’ve had nothing to
+eat but some dry bread. I think they dried it on purpose.”
+
+“And Tiger’s been wondering what’s the matter, Joe.” She held him up,
+and Tiger caught sight of Joe and wriggled and made moans, as of a
+puppy that wanted comfort. “But I’ve got something for you.”
+
+She put down Tiger and produced a handkerchief. “I’ve got some apple
+sauce on bits of bread that aren’t so dry, and a piece of seedy cake.
+And some pears. I suppose you haven’t got a piece of string?”
+
+“Yes I have,” he answered joyfully. “I’ve got my fishing line. Here it
+is. I’ve been fishing for hours and hours trying to fish up something
+to play with, but all I got was some bits of twigs and I couldn’t do
+much with them.”
+
+Sylvia hooked her handkerchief with the provisions on to the line, and
+a moment later Joe was eating busily.
+
+“You’re just like a captive princess in a tower,” she said after a
+time. “Like Rapunzel.”
+
+“Except I haven’t got such long hair. I feel like an old cat up a
+pole--except I can’t get down. When are they going to let me out?”
+
+“Miss Watkyns said when all of us are in bed. Isn’t she vicious?”
+
+“But that’s hours and hours! Oh, Sylvia, I _must_ get out!” He bounced
+up and down on the window-sill, and Sylvia squawked.
+
+“Oh, Joe, you ass, you’ll fall!”
+
+“Not me, don’t you think it.” He bounced up and down again to show his
+skill.
+
+“Look here, Joe, shall I hook on Tiger? I’ll tie him in my hankie so
+that he won’t fall and then you can play with him for a bit--No, you
+_keep_ him up there with you, and then won’t Miss Watkyns be surprised
+when she finds him there! She’ll think he’s got wings somehow.”
+
+“Yes, that’d be fine. But I’ve got a much better idea, Sylvia. You just
+bring me that clothes-line over there.”
+
+“What for? And it’s got nighties drying on it.”
+
+“I don’t want them, I want only the rope. Do, Sylvia, it’s something
+delicious. If you don’t I’ll show you how to hang out of a window head
+downwards.”
+
+“No, _don’t_!” cried Sylvia. “I’ll bring it.” She ran off and came
+back a minute later with the clothes-line, which she fastened to his
+fish-hook. “Nighties all over the grass. There’ll be a fine row over it
+if they catch me. You are a headstrong boy, Joe.”
+
+Joe did not answer, for he was busy. He hauled up the rope and fastened
+one end of it to the bench, and then managed to jam the bench across
+the window frame. Then he called to Sylvia to stand from under.
+
+“Because,” he said, “it’s rather a rotten piece of rope, and besides, I
+don’t think this silly old bench is going to stand much jerking about.
+But we’ll soon see.”
+
+On the next instant, Sylvia gave a screech, for there was Joe outside
+the window, spinning round on the rope. But before you could count ten
+he had slid down to the ground and Tiger was leaping and trying to get
+at his face so as to lick it. Not a very wonderful trick for a circus
+boy, but then Sylvia didn’t know anything about circuses. She put her
+arms round his neck and hugged him.
+
+“Oh, Joe,” she said, “you are a brave boy! You looked just like a clean
+monkey coming down--except that you haven’t got a tail. But how are you
+going to get the rope put back?”
+
+“I’m not bothering about the rope,” said Joe. “You see we’re just going
+to run away.”
+
+“Run away! What for?”
+
+“For fun. I’m not going to be locked up by anybody. I’m going over to
+see the Snergs, and you’ve got to come with me. Tiger’s coming, too, of
+course. We’ll have a glorious time!”
+
+“What do you mean, you contentious infant?” (She sometimes used words
+she had heard from Miss Watkyns and other ladies.) “It’s miles and
+miles and miles! And you don’t know the way there.”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Yes I do. It’s straight over there, just a little bit this side of
+where the sun goes under. We’ll just go that way until we can’t see it,
+and then we’ll sleep in a nice place in the forest.”
+
+“Yes, Clever, and what about to-morrow? The sun’s always over the sea
+in the morning.”
+
+“Then all we’ve got to do is to go the _other_ way. Can’t you see?”
+
+Sylvia was rather impressed by his resourcefulness. “Yes, but what
+about afterwards, Joe,” she said after a moment. “What will Miss
+Watkyns do when she knows about it?”
+
+“Yes, but what happens afterwards will happen _afterwards_. Can’t
+you see? Come along, Sylvia, it’s adventures, like those tales your
+nurse told you about. And it’s much better _being_ a tale than just
+hearing it. We’ll sleep in the forest to-night--it’s nice and warm--and
+to-morrow sometime we’ll be at the Snerg’s place and have a jolly time
+with them. Just think what the other kids will think of us. Won’t they
+be jealous!”
+
+How it happened Sylvia could never quite make out, but she found
+herself running along hand-in-hand with Joe over the soft turf, with
+Tiger bouncing alongside of them and sometimes tumbling over his own
+barks, drawing nearer and nearer to the trees which looked so cool and
+inviting on that warm afternoon.
+
+“Oh, Joe,” she panted as she ran, “_what_ an absurd mite you are!”
+
+
+THE FOREST LAND
+
+It seemed to these precocious infants that the forest was deeper and
+shadier and more silent, and the grass softer than they had ever
+known it before; but perhaps that was because before they had always
+gone with troops of young ones, which would at least do away with the
+quietness. In parts where the trees were not so very thick the grass
+was all dappled with spots of sun, and sometimes there were great
+shafts of light through the trees to make a guide for them, for all
+they had to do so far was to go as fast as they could in the direction
+of the sun. And they ran on and on and on, with the pretence idea that
+they were fleeing from enemies who knew no touch of mercy and they must
+get as far as possible while they could.
+
+At length they had to stop running and walk, but they walked hard
+because Joe said they must keep on for hours and hours. But it was
+not so very long before they had to sit down and rest, for they were
+all hot and sticky and getting very hungry. Joe opened Sylvia’s
+handkerchief, in which he carried the rest of the pears she had
+brought. There were five left, rather soft with the jolting, being
+ripe, but they ate them, squashed parts and peel and all, and then
+they had a draught from a stream, lying down on their stomachs and
+drinking like hunters. Tiger’s share of the meal was as much water as
+he liked to drink, and the sight of him sitting up and thinking after
+this meagre diet brought into Sylvia’s head an idea that perhaps they
+had been a tiny bit rash. But Joe said that Tiger could make up for it
+to-morrow by a good blow-out, entirely omitting to consider the many
+weary miles that lay between them and the country of the Snergs and the
+slim chance they had of ever finding their way there at all. He said it
+was really adventures, like the one her nurse had told her of, and he
+pointed out how very likely it was that something exciting would happen
+at any moment. Sylvia gave her opinion that they were rather too small
+to be of much use if anything exciting did occur and said she hoped it
+wouldn’t. She asked him if he thought it would be cold when the dark
+came, and he said, “No, only nice and cool,” for he was an optimist
+always.
+
+They got up and went on again, following the gleam of the sun as well
+as they could, until at last it went altogether and they could only
+see a red glow from the open parts where there were mostly bushes. And
+still they went on and on and on, until Sylvia said her legs began
+to feel all wobbly and she had to sit down. There it was: those silly
+things were deep in the lonely woods and the shadows were creeping up
+from the far places.
+
+Joe climbed a tree to see if he could see something worth seeing, such
+as the smoke from an honest wood-cutter’s hut or the like, as in the
+tales of forests; though really he hadn’t much expectation of finding
+anything, for he had been told there was little else but billions of
+trees between the sea and the Snerg country. All he could see was a
+little speck of red which he said might be the last of the sunset, or
+might be a fire made by Indians or cannibals; though of course he did
+not mean the last part nor did Sylvia believe it or take any interest
+in it. What she wanted was a bite of real supper and a bed; the forest
+had been growing darker and more serious and a little shiver went
+through her as if a lot of the fun had suddenly gone.
+
+“It’s getting more and more like one of those tales,” said Joe in a
+satisfied way--as will have been seen, he had a good deal of what is
+known as the bulldog breed in him. “Specially that part over there
+where it’s like a dark passage. Suppose an old witch was to come along
+there, flop, flop, flop, and tell us to go home with her.”
+
+“Oh, don’t, Joe! We don’t want it _too_ much like those tales. It’s
+getting awfully lonely. I wish I hadn’t come.”
+
+“But it’s only lonely enough to be nice, Sylvia. Besides, it’s great
+fun. There’s nobody to tell us we mustn’t do things, or to tell us when
+to go to bed. We jolly well go to bed when we like.”
+
+“Yes, but _where_ are we to go to bed?”
+
+“Oh, somewhere or other. I know! We’ll get some fallen leaves, like in
+the babes in the wood, and cover ourselves up.”
+
+“But it’s summer time and there aren’t any fallen leaves.”
+
+“More there are. Then what we’ve got to do is to cuddle up close. I’ll
+look after you, never fear, and if any old witch was to----” here he
+stopped suddenly and looked round at the deepening shadows.
+
+“Oh, Joe!” cried Sylvia, getting close up to him and rather behind him.
+
+The sound they heard was a nasty, soft, flopping sound, and it came
+from the part which Joe had said looked like a dark passage. He wished
+he had brought a sword with him somehow, or a bow and arrows, or else
+one of old Vanderdecken’s guns even if it did knock him over backwards
+as the one did that he got hold of one day (but nobody found out who it
+was). Alas, he had nothing but his wooden scalping knife; but he got it
+out because it seemed better than nothing.
+
+Then, to the surprise and joy of these infants, a great cinnamon bear
+hove in sight and came up to them, wagging his head from side to side,
+and, so to speak, gently barging at them. It took some time to prove
+to him that they were in no mood for play, but by dint of strenuous
+pushing at him on one side he got it into his thick head that they
+wanted him to lie down, and he flopped over. Then they got close up
+to him, Sylvia on the inside so as to give her as much of the fur as
+possible, and Tiger curled up in a little hollow space by her neck;
+and they were soon asleep, for they were very tired, what with the
+long tramp and the novelty of everything. But what a change! From
+their nicely prepared supper of warm milk and rusks to cold pears and
+water. From their clean, decorously tinted dormitory to the lonely
+wind-sighing forest. From their little cots, with clean sheets spread
+over resilient aromatic hops, to the lee-side of a bear. And the bear
+had bad dreams and kept waking them up by moaning and shuddering
+sounds, and more than once he turned over, forgetting all about them,
+and Joe had to punch him and pull his fur hard to let him know that
+there were young folks and a puppy underneath. It was a long, hard,
+disagreeable night, and they were right glad when, after a week as it
+seemed, the dawn came.
+
+
+THE DAWN
+
+There was nothing special about the dawn when it did come. It was cold
+and grey and shivery, with a mist that hid the trees a little distance
+away, and Sylvia felt very discontented and hungry and really wished
+she hadn’t listened to Joe. He on the other hand was very brave and
+strong, and he rubbed her hands and feet to warm them and then turned
+somersaults backwards to warm himself; to the great surprise of the
+bear, who sat up on his hind legs and stared, as cinnamons will at
+anything new. There was nothing to eat except some chilly berries all
+covered with dew, and these did not appeal to the children’s stomachs
+at that hour. But the bear ate large quantities of them and they had to
+kick him to make him stop stuffing and come on.
+
+Joe helped Sylvia on to the bear’s back, and she sat there with Tiger
+clasped to her because he was now a very silent pup owing to his having
+had nothing to eat for such a long time, and they went on their way
+for some miles--that is to say, they went on in an opposite direction
+to where they could see signs of sunrise over the trees. But the bear
+did not understand that they wanted him to go as near due west as
+possible, and he kept turning up sylvan glades at right angles and Joe
+had continuously to push his head round in the way he should go.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+They parted with him suddenly and in a surprising way. He caught sight
+of a hollow tree in the middle distance, from which issued bees in
+large numbers though peacefully, and he intimated by grunts that there
+was food for all hands and to spare. Before they quite realized what he
+meant he was charging up to the tree, and Sylvia had just time to slip
+from his back. In another instant he was tearing away at the rotten
+part of the tree to get at the honey, and clouds of bees came out in
+a horrible rage to see about it. Joe caught Sylvia’s hand and dragged
+her into a clump of bushes just in time, and they went tearing through
+it and then as hard as they could pelt over the grass until they were
+a long way off. They could hear, subdued by distance, the hum of bees
+like the rich deep note of a church organ, and the mixed grunting and
+howling of the bear; though whether the latter sounds were those of joy
+or grief was a doubtful question. Sylvia said that bears did not feel
+pain from bees’ stings except on the tip of the nose because their fur
+protected them, but Joe was of opinion that they got stung furiously
+all over but that they considered the honey was worth the pain, hence
+the mixed quality of the howls.
+
+They went on and on and on, and at last the sun got up and sent beams
+of cheerful light through the leaves and drove away the mist, so that
+Sylvia began to feel much better, though hungry, and hungrier as time
+went on. And just when the question of breakfast had become a really
+serious and mournful subject, they roused a shout of joy, for they saw
+coming towards them down the woodland ways one Gorbo, a Snerg.
+
+
+GORBO THE SNERG
+
+Gorbo was a well-known, utterly irresponsible Snerg who occasionally
+came over to Watkyns Bay to do a job of work, and who was quite
+celebrated for his habit of doing it very badly and getting tired of
+it almost at once and wandering off again. He was of average size for
+a Snerg and fairly young--possibly two hundred and fifty--and though
+good-natured to excess he had little intelligence of the useful kind.
+He had given it out that he was a potter by trade--he had indeed some
+superficial knowledge of the business--and he had induced Miss Watkyns
+to let him start a little kiln in order to supply the Society with
+pots. But there was no particular shape to his pots when he had made
+them and many of them fell to bits when they were handled, so Miss
+Watkyns told him plainly that he was a fraud; and to this he agreed
+heartily for he did not like to contradict people. She told him to go
+away--to potter off was her bitter expression--so he had gone to spend
+a day or two with Vanderdecken’s men, who rather liked his face but I
+don’t know why, and then he had come across the forest on his way to
+the town, where he had a little house of one room and a kitchen. And
+that is why the children met him that morning, grinning all over his
+face and carrying his bow and arrows, and a little bundle containing
+his few potter’s tools and his other shirt and a bunch of wheat-cakes.
+He had slept in a thicket of ferns, some of which he had chopped up to
+form a sort of nest, and what with the odds and ends of fern sticking
+to his clothes and his wild hair straggling out from his saucer cap, he
+looked as disreputable a person as you might expect to meet even among
+the Snergs, who are not over particular about their personal appearance
+at the best.
+
+But he was a welcome sight to Sylvia and Joe. All three took hands and
+made two little dancing steps first to one side and then to the other,
+which is the Snerg manner of greeting, and which all the children
+had taken to (in spite of Miss Watkyns’ objection to it as absurd
+and unnecessary) and he was then asked if he had anything to eat. He
+produced his wheat-cakes and then made a little fire in order to warm
+them up on his potter’s trowel, which he cleaned first with a bunch
+of grass. Before they sat down to eat he sneaked up to a herd of deer
+which came into sight a little distance away and somehow blarneyed one
+of them into letting him milk her. He came back with a good deal of
+milk in a silver-tipped horn that he had, and the children divided it
+between them. They did not reflect of course that they were causing
+some small deer to go short that morning. But it was a very jolly
+breakfast. It was quite a joy to the children to note Tiger’s figure
+showing signs of sleekness and roundness again; he being of an age when
+it shows quickly.
+
+When Gorbo heard that they had the nerve to run away he was not at
+all shocked at their folly but highly delighted with their sporting
+character, which is just what would be expected of him. But he said
+it was lucky they had met him, because left to themselves it was very
+doubtful if they would ever reach the town; and there was always the
+danger that they might wander into the parts where the trees grew
+closer and closer and are all twisted until at last there is no going
+forwards or backwards, and then they would be lost for keeps and a fine
+to-do. This, by the way, is the only thing with a touch of sense in it
+that he ever said to them, on that day at least.
+
+Feeling tremendously refreshed with this wholesome meal, they started
+off again on their journey, Gorbo leading the way and showing nice
+little short-cuts through clumps of bracken and so forth, and sometimes
+carrying Sylvia over rough ground and through swampy places and the
+like. They had the luck to meet another large cinnamon bear, which
+carried both children for several miles; but at length it intimated in
+the usual way that it had had enough (this is done by crouching on the
+ground with all four paws tucked underneath, laying the head sideways,
+and emitting a long, loud, melancholy howl). So they got off and the
+bear sprang up and went swiftly away, and they never found another.
+It was the time of the annual migration of bears to the country of
+slug-nuts, and that is why so few bears were seen on this trip.
+
+It was a long journey and both children got very tired; Gorbo had at
+last to carry Sylvia pick-a-back, while Joe had to carry the puppy, who
+was getting his pads sore with so much travel. But just when it seemed
+to them that there would never be any end to the journey, to their
+great joy they saw from a slight eminence a cluster of high-peaked red
+roofs, which Gorbo told them (rather unnecessarily I think) was the
+town.
+
+
+THE TOWN
+
+As none of the children had ever been seen in the town before, the
+arrival of Joe and Sylvia was the signal for a good deal of fuss and
+feathers. Snergs rushed out of their houses into the street and swarmed
+on the roofs and climbed about, and babies were held on high so that
+they might see. Some clever ones rushed to the town belfry and rang a
+peal, others got busy with strips of coloured cloth and had them rigged
+across the street in no time. The four brightest got out the town drums
+and went to meet them.
+
+The crowd became dense, and considerate persons shouted “Stand back!
+Give them air!” Joe and Sylvia felt rather shy and uncomfortable at
+all the display, but Gorbo stepped out proudly for he was beginning to
+think this was a far, far better thing than he had ever done. And so,
+amid the shouts of the populace, with music before them, they went up
+the street.
+
+Gorbo was full of hope that the King would see great merit in this his
+doing and that he would get a decoration for it. Nearly everybody had
+one of some sort or another, and though he did not go so far as to
+expect one of the best he hoped he would at least get the Order of
+the Brazen Nutmeg. He was soon undeceived. The Master of the Household
+came up to him with a stern look and bade him follow him to the King’s
+presence and explain what was his little game. Then he gave a hand to
+each of the children and led them to the Royal House.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+THE ROYAL HOUSE
+
+The Royal House is the only building in the town that stands without
+being propped up by another building, and naturally this gives it an
+imposing appearance. Picture to yourself columns of quaintly carved
+oak surrounding an audience chamber on the ground floor and supporting
+the spreading-out part of the stories above. On the first floor are
+the private apartments, the dining-hall (with a sufficient minstrel’s
+gallery giving elbow room for four minstrels to perform the most
+energetic pieces) and the room where the regalia is kept in a padded
+box. On the floor above live the Court officials, three of them, and
+on the third or attic floor, are rooms for the domestic staff and
+one large room containing odd matters that are bound to collect in
+any large household, such as chairs wanting a leg, damaged pieces of
+armour, swords with loose hilts, old pairs of bellows, and the like.
+The kitchen is in another building, connected to the dining-hall by an
+overhead passage which is covered in so that the victuals will not get
+chilled on the way. Altogether a neat and commodious dwelling for a
+king in a small way of business.
+
+
+THE KING OF THE SNERGS
+
+The King, Merse II, was quite an agreeable looking man, with the
+typical chubby face of the Snergs framed in a fringe of black whiskers
+that resembled chinchilla. He was fully four feet in height, broad and
+inclined to stoutness. He bade the children be seated on either side of
+him and spoke to them kindly, hoping that they were not too tired with
+the journey and inquiring politely after the health of Miss Watkyns and
+the other ladies. Joe and Sylvia were rather shy but very pleased;
+it now seemed to them that they had acted quite wisely in making this
+absurd expedition.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Then the King turned to Gorbo, who stood cap in hand, still holding on
+to his bundle and other matters. I will endeavour to give as literal a
+translation of the talk as possible.
+
+“Hail, Gorbo, cleverest and brightest of the Snergs we don’t think,”
+said the King.
+
+“Hail, King. May your shadow be ever a wide one.” (This is the formal
+reply to a Royal salutation.)
+
+“And what doest thou here with these young ones, O Ornament to the race
+the other way round?”
+
+“I met them in the woodland, O King,” replied Gorbo, now getting very
+nervous.
+
+“Yes. And in what part of that wide address didst thou find them, thou
+first-class brain perhaps not?”
+
+“Er--just this side of Toadstool Hollow, O King.”
+
+“Ha! And had’st thou, thou nimble lout, any hand in inducing them to
+wander further from their home?”
+
+Gorbo went down upon his knees, as a good safe position. “No, O King,
+not at all. They said they were coming here, so I--I showed them the
+way.”
+
+“Excellent! And it did not occur to thee, thou farthing rascal, to lead
+them back to their little home by the sea?”
+
+“N--no, O King, I--I didn’t think.”
+
+“That we believe, thou worse than worm.”
+
+The King crossed his legs and meditated, with his chin resting on
+his hand. “And what,” he asked at length, turning to Joe, “will Miss
+Watkyns (on whom be peace) think of these thy wanderings?”
+
+“I don’t know, O King,” replied Joe, hoping he was saying it
+correctly. “We just scooted. For fun,” he added to make it sound more
+reasonable.
+
+“For fun, sayest thou, small man! And had’st thou wandered with this
+golden-haired babe into parts where the trees are locked like twisted
+serpents and there is no light, wouldst thou then have found thy fun?”
+
+Joe wriggled and felt horribly uncomfortable. The King then turned to
+the Master of the Household, who was standing by the kneeling Gorbo,
+contemptuously snipping at his ears.
+
+“And what thinkest thou of this strange matter?” he asked.
+
+“I think,” replied the officer, “that it were a good excuse for a
+feast.”
+
+“Excellently said!” exclaimed the King. “So be it. We will first
+dispatch fleet messengers to Miss Watkyns to calm her fears, and then
+celebrate the visit of these tiny ones” (they were nearly as tall as he
+was) “by a banquet of the best. But,” he added, pointing the finger of
+scorn at Gorbo, “give to this all but black-beetle a courteous loving
+invitation to stay away from it.”
+
+“Please, O King,” began Sylvia timidly. Then she stopped suddenly, for
+everybody had turned to look at her.
+
+“Speak on, pretty one,” said the King, encouragingly, laying his hand
+upon her curls. “What hair!”
+
+“Please, it wasn’t Gorbo’s fault,” went on Sylvia. “You see--er--O King,
+Joe and I ran away--for fun--and Gorbo found us when we were hungry and
+he gave us lots to eat. And he got some milk from a deer for us, and
+found us a bear to ride part of the way.”
+
+“Gorbo’s a jolly good sort, O King,” added Joe.
+
+“Oh, then that alters the case,” said the King briskly. (He was rather
+impulsive). “Rise, Gorbo. We cancel the invitation and command you to
+feast with us this day--but not too near us. The safe arrival of these
+little ones across the forest,” he added in a general way to everybody,
+“together with the discovery of a gleam of sense in that varlet, make
+this indeed a day of strange happenings.”
+
+Sylvia and Joe were then taken charge of by the Queen, a fat, smiling
+person who came into the audience chamber at this point. They had
+first a good wash, and then a toothsome little snack of bean fritters
+mixed with honey, and a cup of milk, to carry on with until the time
+of the feast, and Tiger had a large plate of bread sop with meat in
+it, after which he went to sleep for hours. While they were eating the
+Queen came with a comb and fluffed out Sylvia’s hair and put some fancy
+extra curls in it. Then, after a little rest, they went to watch the
+preparations outside.
+
+It was an interesting sight. The people had not had a feast for more
+than a week and it came as a welcome change. Men were staggering about
+with tables and joining them end on in the proper way, and placing
+stools and benches in position. There were 38 tables altogether and
+each one was about 12 feet long--38 × 12 = 456 feet--so you will see
+that a noble spread it was going to be; it reached from the Royal House
+to as far as beyond the market-place. From every kitchen came the smell
+of savoury baked meats. At the open windows little stout women could
+be seen rolling out pastry. Grave, responsible Snergs measured the
+mead into jars and placed them at the proper intervals on the tables.
+Harpers put new strings to their harps. The Court jester went to his
+attic and got out a little secret volume from beneath the mattress and
+mugged up some merry jests.
+
+
+THE FEAST
+
+At the appointed hour horns sounded and all sat down to table in the
+calm evening light. At the head were the King and Queen, side by side.
+To the right and left sat Sylvia and Joe, and after them came the best
+people, then the ordinary Snergs in order of importance. At the extreme
+end of the table, somewhere in the suburbs, sat Gorbo. That’s what they
+thought of _him_.
+
+I am happy to report that the Queen kept a careful watch on what the
+two children ate or else there might have been serious trouble for them
+later, the food being of a very grown-up sort. They were given each a
+very tiny mug of mead and she told them to go slow with it. (The Snerg
+youngsters, by the way, can put away an imperial pint and still behave.
+Use is everything). It was all very jolly for them to find themselves
+treated with so much pomp and circumstance, and they felt that they
+had some glorious things to tell the other kids when they arrived
+home. There occurred one unfortunate incident, however, which helped
+to reduce any tendency towards swelled heads. They had heard before
+that the Snergs considered it shocking bad form to feed dogs when at
+table--every race has its own peculiar ideas on behaviour--but when
+two nice friendly dogs, rather like retrievers, came one on each side
+of Sylvia and watched every mouthful that she took, she was greatly
+tempted to give them a bit, especially as their mouths watered so much
+that she could actually hear the drips. It was when one of them began
+a gentle moaning sound that she could stand it no longer, so just when
+she thought the King and Queen were looking the other way she slipped
+a piece of meat into his mouth. He snapped it up and lashed the floor
+with his tail; the other dog instantly sprang up and put two paws on
+her lap and gazed into her eyes. In an instant all the talk had stopped
+and everybody stared at her.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+It was a horrible moment, and she became crimson. But the King came
+to her aid with true politeness. He cut a piece of knuckle end of
+lamb and flung it to his favourite hound, and the situation was
+saved. (The Prince of Wales, I believe, once took a good swig out of
+his finger-bowl to put an unpolished guest at his ease.) But it was
+necessary to have all dogs removed after this, as they came crowding
+up, full of hope.
+
+There was some good music from harps, and the jester asked some clever
+riddles, one of which was new. A young Snerg who had a really fine
+tenor voice sang, “Give me thy gold, I ask no more,” very movingly. But
+perhaps the most delightful (though slightly embarrassing) moment was
+when, at a given signal, the whole push stood up and drained a cup of
+mead to “Our Guests.”
+
+The declining sun shone round a corner of the street; the scene was
+now in mellow light and shade. Snergs began to loll against each other
+and reach lazily for the nut-crackers. From the end of the table, 486
+feet away, came shouts of unseemly mirth: Gorbo, that ass, had made a
+bet that he would stand on his head on a pyramid of mead pots, and the
+crash was terrific. The King sent a stern word that there was to be
+not so much of it. The sudden discovery that Joe and Sylvia were both
+sound asleep in their little arm-chairs caused no particular break in
+the proceedings. They were carried to the Royal House by motherly old
+Snergs and tucked up in bed, and the feasting and joviality went on.
+
+
+A MORNING WALK
+
+Will it be thought by the readers at this point that the promised
+moral lesson is long in coming? It is not improbable. So far I have
+chronicled a comparatively glorious result of the two children’s
+mutinous behaviour. They had arrived safely, after a journey which,
+though tiring, was full of interest, and had been received, dined, and
+wined in the manner of foreign potentates, and to their simple minds it
+seemed that all they had to do now was to go comfortably home and brag
+about it. But read on; the moral lesson is coming.
+
+It was one of the quaint old customs of the Snergs to rise an hour or
+two later on the day after a feast. Consequently, when Joe and Sylvia
+woke up refreshed and happy, and with none of the sense of guilt
+befitting children who had wantonly run away from wise and kind rule,
+they found the whole place very quiet, the only sounds being those of
+swallows outside the open lattice of their room, and from the adjoining
+room (the Royal bedchamber), two different kinds of snores.
+
+They crept downstairs and found a smiling old female person sifting
+cinders outside the kitchen door, and they asked her if she could
+please tell them when breakfast would be ready. She said it would
+not be for a long time but she could get them something to help them
+wait, and she took them into the kitchen and gave them each a warm
+cake, rather like a rusk only softer, and some milk. They talked about
+whales, in which she was much interested for she had never seen the
+ocean; few of the female Snergs ever travel.
+
+They went for a walk down the deserted street and suddenly, in the
+paved yard where the pump is, they saw Gorbo. He had just soused his
+head and was drying it on a little coarse towel. They greeted joyfully
+and sat down on three buckets that happened to be there and talked of
+the news while Gorbo combed his wild head with a piece of comb that he
+had.
+
+The news was this. A Snerg messenger had come on the run from Miss
+Watkyns late in the evening, saying that they had disappeared and would
+the King please turn all hands out at once to hunt for them, taking
+something to eat and a bottle of milk in case. Vanderdecken’s men in
+the meantime were ranging along the seashore, poking into caverns and
+places to see if they could find them, and sweeping the horizon for
+anything new, such as a raft flying the black flag--for they believed
+almost anything possible of Joe. Apparently there was great trouble
+and excitement over the matter at Watkyns Bay, and both children were
+very proud to be the cause of it all. They would be; they were just
+that kind.
+
+Of course, as the fleet messengers dispatched by the King must have
+arrived and calmed Miss Watkyns’ fears by this time, there was no need
+to bother any more, and it had been arranged that Joe and Sylvia were
+to leave some time after breakfast on two domestic bears, with an
+escort of six Snergs who would carry four small blankets, two pillows,
+a kettle, a frying-pan, and some provisions; all these of course
+because they would have to spend the night in the forest. Joe felt
+rather upset that the adventures were coming to an end, but Sylvia was
+pleased. She had had a good deal of fun out of the trip and she felt
+it would be nice to get back again and be pardoned and petted in due
+course and tell all the other kids what a riotous time they had had.
+
+They went for a walk with Gorbo across some fields, with Tiger
+careering ahead of them, for his long rest had done his paws good
+and he was feeling refreshed and full of prunes. Gorbo pointed out
+various objects of interest, such as the mill that belonged to his
+half-brother, and the hillside where the last dragon was killed, long
+ago when he was a tiny fellow. He remembered quite well some men
+rushing back and calling out “More arrows! More arrows!” when they
+had the dragon badly wounded and unable to fly, and how they went
+dashing back with the fresh supply of arrows and all shot at it until
+it looked like a pincushion and they could get near enough to stick
+it with spears and finish it. More than a hundred Snergs lost their
+lives on that occasion. He was too young to remember the fierce fights
+that took place when a wandering band of Kelps (possibly a corruption
+of Kelpies) came through the country, setting fire to the woods and
+robbing and slaying, but he took them on to rising ground and showed
+them the dark line that crossed the trees a mile or so away and which
+marked the deep river, and pointed out more or less the spot where the
+last battle had been fought. The Kelps had made a stand on a high rock,
+but the Snergs had gone solidly for them and pierced them with showers
+of arrows and cut them to bits with swords and pitched the rest into
+the river. And that, as Gorbo said, was that.
+
+The most interesting feature of the forest land, he said, was the
+region of twisted trees, which reached to within a short distance
+of the town. It was not healthy to go too far in among these trees,
+but if they liked he would show them a few just on the outskirts, as
+breakfast wouldn’t be ready for at least another hour. The children
+were delighted at the chance of seeing these strange natural objects,
+so off they went into the woods.
+
+
+THE TWISTED TREES
+
+It did not take long to reach the spot where the first few twisted
+trees were growing. They were wonderful things, with thick smooth grey
+trunks and smooth grey branches that touched the ground here and there
+like great quiet serpents. Leaves grew only on the higher parts, but
+they were thick and matted like a thatch and made it rather dark and
+creepy underneath. Gorbo led them along to where there were more and
+much better specimens of this wonderful flora, and Sylvia and Joe were
+proud that they of all the children had had a chance of seeing them.
+
+Gorbo said it was time to get back and he turned and led the way.
+Suddenly he stopped and looked about under the writhing grey branches
+and over them; then he turned in another direction. Again he stopped,
+and this time he had a particularly silly smile.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“I’d better be careful,” he said, “or we’ll get lost.”
+
+He went on again and the children followed him, hoping that he would
+find the way out soon, as breakfast was a thing they wanted quickly.
+But it was getting dark; the sky was now hidden by a roof of matted
+leaves, and on all sides and above them the thick smooth branches
+twisted and crossed and locked together. The air was damp and smelt
+of mould and old moss, and there was a horrid silence. A great
+leather-skinned bat flickered past them, almost brushing against
+Sylvia’s hair, so that she ducked and gave out a little squeal.
+
+Gorbo at last swarmed up one of the bigger trees and, after a lot of
+struggling, managed to force his way out through the leaves, disturbing
+numbers of bats that came flopping and wheeling about. Joe had to put
+his arms round Sylvia’s head and hide it as well as he could until the
+foul things had gone to settle elsewhere. A minute or two later, Gorbo
+came sliding down.
+
+“It’s all right,” he said. “I couldn’t see much else but leaves, but I
+saw the sun so I know which way to go now. The sun is just over”--here
+he stopped and thought and scratched his head. “Yes, I _think_ it’s
+over that way. You see I got twisted round a bit coming down.”
+
+They followed him again, working their way over and under the branches.
+After a time he stopped and thought again, and then began climbing and
+creeping in another direction--it was all climbing and creeping now.
+Then he stopped and looked at them in dismay. The horrible writhing
+grey trunks surrounded them on all sides like an ugly giant net, in
+a gloom so deep that their shapes were lost to the eye a dozen yards
+away. Gorbo, the clever one, the woodsman, had done this thing. They
+were lost.
+
+He did not look at them for long; the sight of Sylvia’s scared face as
+she crept from under one of the grey limbs roused him up.
+
+“It’s all right, Sylvia,” he said. “They’ll find we’re missing, and
+this is the first place they’ll look for us in. You see they’ll start
+shouting and yelling, and then we’ll start shouting and yelling and
+work our way to where we hear them. It’s quite easy. But won’t the King
+go for me! No Brazen Nutmeg for poor old Gorbo. There’s a little bigger
+space over there; let’s go and see if we can find a place to sit down
+comfortably.”
+
+They worked their way on, and sure enough there was a little space
+ahead that was more open owing to there being a huge tree which had, so
+to speak, pushed all smaller ones out of its way. It was gloomy enough,
+but there was at least room to stand upright and move about if they
+felt like it.
+
+“Look!” said Sylvia and Joe suddenly, both together.
+
+Gorbo turned and then stared. In the big tree was a door about four
+feet high, a queer looking door with mighty iron hinges and clasps, all
+red with rust or green with moss. In the deep shadow and at a little
+distance away it was difficult to distinguish it from the trunk.
+
+Gorbo scratched his head and continued to stare. “I’ve never heard of
+any door,” he said at length. “The Kelps never made any door; they
+hadn’t sense enough; all biting and screaming and killing, I’ve heard.
+And it’s ever so much too small for Golithos.”
+
+“Who’s Golithos?” asked Joe quickly.
+
+“Golithos’ an ogre,” replied Gorbo, truthfully, but like the silly fool
+he was. Sylvia gave a scream and clutched hold of Joe.
+
+“It’s all right, Sylvia,” said Gorbo in a hurry. “He _was_ an ogre, but
+he’s not now. He’s reformed. Besides, he’s been on the other side of
+the river for ever so long. Don’t be frightened.”
+
+He went to the door and gave a good pull at a great iron knob. The door
+swung open quite easily. He poked his head inside.
+
+“Very dark and smells of cheese,” he said after a moment.
+
+He went in a little way. “No, it’s not quite dark; there’s a light
+coming from somewhere. There’s a little flight of steps going down.
+Come and look.”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Joe picked up Tiger and, taking Sylvia by the hand, stepped with her
+inside the door.
+
+“See,” said Gorbo, “there’s the steps. Shall we go down and see what we
+can see?”
+
+“Yes,” said Joe eagerly. “Let’s!”
+
+“N--n--no,” said Sylvia at the same time. “I don’t like it.”
+
+“Anyway,” went on Gorbo, “we’ll make sure that the door doesn’t shut
+behind us. I’ll push it wide open and then----”
+
+He did not finish what he was going to say, for the door had gently
+closed. He flung himself furiously at it, but, strong as he was, made
+no more impression on it than if it had been a stone wall.
+
+Gorbo, that lout, had really done it this time.
+
+
+
+
+_Part II_
+
+
+TROUBLE AT WATKYNS BAY
+
+Bitter was the grief and deep the perplexity of Miss Watkyns and all
+the ladies when news came by other fleet messengers that Sylvia and
+Joe had disappeared again, and this time in a quite unaccountable way.
+A little while later King Merse II himself came to Watkyns Bay and
+explained how bands of responsible Snergs had been sent to explore
+everywhere and especially in the region of twisted trees, taking with
+them little sacks of lime to mark their trails, and how they had
+shouted and yelled until they were hoarse, but without avail, since no
+answer had come from anywhere, and they had returned home with sore
+hearts and sore throats. He tried to cheer them up by saying that the
+children would certainly be found in time, but he did not say anything
+about his real fear, which was that they had somehow got mixed up with
+one or other of the magic snares which, tradition had it, were very
+plentiful among the twisted trees. He quoted old sayings to comfort
+them, such as it is best not to meet trouble half-way, and that care
+killed the cat when there was really nothing amiss with the animal.
+He added that as Providence looked after fools there was cause for
+cheerful hopes, since Gorbo was the biggest fool even among the Snergs,
+who, though having many good qualities, are not celebrated for brain
+waves.
+
+These kind efforts had some effect in restoring confidence and the
+ladies were able to discuss the matter with comparative calm. Miss
+Gribblestone had at first wondered whether by some untoward combination
+of chances the children had slipped back to the scene of their former
+life, and she drew a pathetic picture of Sylvia and Joe wandering
+about the streets of London with bare legs and only slinkers on their
+feet, and possibly starving, and she suggested the advisability of
+her instant departure for London with a bundle of warm underthings
+and two woolly coats. Miss Watkyns reproved her with some sharpness,
+pointing out the impossibility of such a thing: leaving out fifty other
+reasons the moon was only a quarter full and the air currents would
+be in opposition, and this alone made the suggestion absurd. Miss
+Scadging advanced an even wilder theory that the children had suffered
+such mental anguish from the reproof and punishment given that they
+had wandered away and died of broken hearts, and at this Miss Watkyns
+begged her to consider the extravagance of such a suggestion applied
+to either Sylvia or Joe and to give her energies to a more practical
+solution of the problem.
+
+When the rest of the children heard the news they were slightly
+awe-struck but not immoderately grieved, for their experience of Joe
+and Sylvia had led them to believe they were capable of coming safely
+out of any trouble, and the general opinion was that they were having a
+continuation of their surprising and interesting adventures somewhere
+and would return in due time, full of glory and slightly swollen
+headed. Poor things, they knew little of the harsh, real world; they
+had forgotten what happened to them in the past; as has been said, the
+air of the place was grand for forgetting.
+
+The King next went over to see Vanderdecken and had a long conference
+with him, and then returned across the forest with his retinue. He
+had left word with Miss Watkyns that he and a band of picked men would
+leave next day on an expedition, but for the present he preferred not
+to say where to, in order to avoid raising either fears or hopes. On
+his arrival at the town he made a short speech, and then personally
+superintended preparations. Swords and axes were sharpened, quivers
+were stuffed with arrows, steel casques had old dents knocked out,
+cuirasses had the buckles put in order, provisions were packed into
+little wallets. The air smelt of war, as in the brave days of old.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Miss Watkyns, pacing with knitted brow on her verandah, was disturbed
+by the sound of shrieks and expletives. Looking up in anger, she
+saw Vanderdecken and all his men coming up the path, the foremost
+seaman bearing the parrot’s cage--this accounting for the noise,
+for the bird was enraged. All had their sea-boots on, and they bore
+muskets, powder-horns, pouches with slugs and bullets, cutlasses
+and snickersnees; each man had also a bag containing pickled beef,
+biscuits, a cake of tobacco, and a small bottle of Schnapps.
+Vanderdecken said that they were going away for an indefinite period
+and asked Miss Watkyns if she would kindly give an eye to the camp in
+their absence and see that things were aired occasionally and the weeds
+kept down in the garden. Also, if it was not too much trouble, would
+she see to it that the Snergs did at least half an hour’s pumping of
+the old ship every morning and evening. He then handed over the parrot
+with a request that it be supplied with nuts and fruit, and a bit of
+sulphur in its water to prevent it getting scaly feet, and begged
+her to pardon any of its verbal lapses. She agreed readily to these
+requests, and they departed across the forest and joined King Merse and
+his men on the following morning. An hour later they were all trooping
+together over the hillside beyond the town.
+
+
+BEYOND THE DOOR
+
+While Gorbo was battering himself against the heavy little door, which
+had closed so gently and firmly as if pushed to from without, Sylvia
+clung to Joe and hid her face and trembled. Joe held her tight without
+speaking; he, too, tough and adventurous as he was, had received a
+shock.
+
+Gorbo turned round at last, and in the faint light that came from
+somewhere below they could see a badly scared look on his face, and
+it was all twisted as if he were going to cry. He was thinking of the
+horrid mess he had got the little ones into.
+
+“I’ve done it this time,” he said. “So the old woman was right after
+all.”
+
+“Which old woman?” asked Joe.
+
+“An old woman who told my mother that she would only have one son and
+that he would be the biggest fool among the Snergs.”
+
+“Then it isn’t your fault,” said Joe, to comfort him. “If it was all
+settled before you were born.”
+
+“That’s so!” exclaimed Gorbo. “I must be a fool not to think of that
+before. But then if I had thought of it,” he added mournfully, “I
+wouldn’t be a fool and the old woman would have been wrong; so it works
+out all right.”
+
+“But you’re sometimes quite sensible,” said Joe. “Isn’t he, Sylvia?”
+
+“Y--y--yes,” agreed Sylvia. “But I wish we could get out.”
+
+“It seems to me,” said Gorbo, “--not that _I_ am much of a man to
+listen to--that we should see what we can see down these steps.”
+
+“Well, we can’t stay here for ever,” said Joe, “so let’s go.”
+
+“I’ll go ahead,” said Gorbo. “If there are any fierce things that bite
+below, they can have first bite at me and serve me right.”
+
+With this cheerful remark he started off. Joe went next and Sylvia came
+close behind him. The way was very narrow and so low that their heads
+nearly touched the roof, small as they were. And they went down and
+down and down, and the more they went down the lighter it got with a
+sickly yellowish-green light that seemed to come from a little growth
+on the walls, like fungus. There was absolutely nothing to see but
+steps and walls, very neatly cut out of solid rock. It must have been
+an awful job for those who did all this work, whoever they were.
+
+“Do you think these steps go on for ever and ever?” asked Joe after a
+time.
+
+“No,” replied Gorbo, stopping suddenly. “They’ve come to an end.” He
+was standing in a little flat place, from which five narrow passages
+branched out like the fingers of a hand. The question of which passage
+to take was indeed a hard one.
+
+“We’d better start with the first one,” said Gorbo. “Then if it’s a
+wrong one we’ll try the next, and so on.”
+
+“But suppose we go miles and miles before we find it’s a wrong one,”
+objected Joe. “We’d be hours over it, wouldn’t we?”
+
+Gorbo scratched his head. “That sounds sound,” he observed.
+
+“I know!” cried Joe. “We’ll see which one is ‘out.’ Let Sylvia try. She
+knows all the out poems.”
+
+“All right.” Sylvia began to take great interest in the matter now.
+“Which one shall I try it with?”
+
+“Try the cat one,” suggested Joe, after consideration.
+
+So Sylvia pointed her finger at the little tunnels one after the other
+and repeated:
+
+  “If you want to stroke a cat
+  Lay it flat upon a mat.
+  Hold it firmly by the tail
+  Smack it if it starts to wail.
+  If it starts to spit and shout
+  Pick it up and throw it OUT.”
+
+She stopped with her finger pointing at the fourth tunnel and she
+looked excitedly at the others, because it was becoming like a game.
+
+“Here we go,” said Gorbo, making his way into the fourth tunnel.
+
+They went on and on and on along the tunnel, and just at the exact
+moment when they agreed that it would never have any end, they fetched
+up against a blank wall. But on either side was a passage going at
+right angles, and the question was of course, which was the right one
+to take?
+
+Sylvia repeated her little mystic rhyme, and “out” was the left-hand
+turning, so they went along it. After a dozen steps it turned to the
+right, and a little further on to the left; then it went straight on
+until it came to an end, with a smooth wall in front and on both sides.
+There was nothing for it but to go back and take the other turning.
+They wondered why the people who had done all this work had made
+this extra blind passage. Joe said they had done it to make it more
+interesting and adventurous. Sylvia said they had done it because they
+were pigs. Gorbo said it was merely because they were worse fools than
+he was and it quite cheered him up.
+
+The other road soon began to turn gently to the left; then without
+rhyme or reason it turned gently to the right; then to the right and
+left alternately in very sharp turns. And just when they were convinced
+that it would go on turning idiotically for ever and ever they came
+suddenly into what appeared to be a mighty cavern, lighted by the same
+yellowish-green light of the tunnels, only more so, and full of monster
+mushrooms.
+
+
+THE MUSHROOM CAVERN
+
+When I say that the mushrooms were monsters, it hardly gives a correct
+idea of their size. Under the moderately small ones the three could
+stand upright, and the large ones were as high as a good-sized cottage
+and reached nearly to the roof of the cavern. The floor was hard and
+dry and perfectly flat, and the huge stalks of the mushrooms could
+be seen like a forest of giant skittles, going into the far distance
+on all sides. Above, the pink underneaths of those strange specimens
+showed like an unnecessarily large assortment of giant fancy umbrellas,
+opened. These, of course, accounted for the cheese-like smell that
+Gorbo had observed when he first put his head in the little door and
+sniffed. (It was not exactly like cheese, of course, but cheese is near
+enough.)
+
+Gorbo showed himself a man of resource in a way. He said that, after
+all, mushrooms were mushrooms and good breakfast food, and that they
+might at least have a meal, whatever else happened afterwards. This
+cheered up Sylvia tremendously and she helped to gather heaps of dried
+stalks from the floor, and Gorbo got out his flint and steel from his
+bundle--he rarely went anywhere without his little bundle of tools
+and other matters and his bow and arrows--and soon had a fire going
+(to those who may object that mushroom stalks do not burn I have only
+to say that these did). With the aid of his useful trowel he provided
+an appetizing series of mushroom steaks, which they all enjoyed
+tremendously.
+
+They found that the smaller ones were on the whole of a better flavour,
+and it was while they were searching for some tiny specimens, scarcely
+as high as a table, in order to cook some more, that they all got a
+sudden shock. They found that certain mushrooms had large semicircular
+pieces bitten out of them; the mouth that did it must have been a foot
+wide, with tremendous teeth. A very disturbing discovery you will say.
+They looked about them fearfully; and then they heard what sounded like
+heavy, shuffling footsteps, and a satisfied purring, as of a giant cat.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Gorbo put the children behind him in a hurry and fitted an arrow to
+his bow (the Snergs’ bows are on the small size, but they can send
+an arrow through a two-inch board at close range). Then to their
+horror appeared an animal that I can only describe as resembling a
+blonde four-footed walrus walking on its hind legs. It was covered
+with sleek, ginger-coloured hair, and it had goggling eyes, a mouth
+that corresponded closely with the estimate they had formed of it
+from the big bites, and a white drooping moustache. Strange to say,
+it was a marsupial--that is to say, it had a pouch--but no young ones
+were peeping out of the pouch as in the case of kangaroos and other
+marsupials. No, it seemed full of large chunks of mushroom, and the
+animal was walking upright because it was evidently the only way he
+could carry them in his pouch without tipping them out. He waddled
+clumsily up to one of the biggest mushrooms, sniffed at it, purred
+horribly with delight, bit a large section out of it, and bent his head
+carefully so as to place it in his pouch. And then Sylvia let out a
+loud scream.
+
+I do not blame her; perhaps I should have screamed myself if I had
+been there. But the effect was marvellous. The animal turned its head
+smartly and stared at them, its fore-paws held up as if in fear and
+astonishment. The big mouth drooped, giving it a weak appearance;
+bits of mushroom dribbled from the corners. Then, with a sound like
+a roaring sob, the animal turned and scuttled away on all fours,
+scattering sections of mushroom from its pouch as it went.
+
+The sounds of scuttling feet and sobs died away in the far distance and
+all was silent as before. Gorbo put his arrow back into his quiver.
+“There’s a cowardly custard for you,” he remarked, using an expression
+he had heard from the children. They went back to the fire and had
+some more breakfast, greatly relieved to find that the denizens of this
+strange part, so far as they could judge from this sample, were not
+ferocious ones.
+
+Joe was apparently the bright one: he discovered that there was
+something like a path going more or less straight through the forest of
+monstrous fungi, and suggested that it would be a wise idea to follow
+it. They did so, walking on and on until they were weary of the sight
+of the thick white stalks, and a good long time afterwards. Strange,
+is it not, that here Nature should be so lavish of mushrooms, while in
+England they are so rare that hard-worked men are forced by their wives
+to rise from their beds before they have had their fill of sleep in
+order to gather a few poor specimens?
+
+The path came to an end at a blank face of rock. They had reached the
+other side of the cavern. Sylvia repeated her little poem again, and
+“out” was to the left, so to the left they went. This time they did
+not go so very far before they were rewarded by the strange sight of a
+stone seat, and in front of it, a stone table, both very neatly carved.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+What was it doing here? What strange forgotten race had gone to the
+trouble of chopping a stone seat and table out of hard rock--and not
+only chopping them out but carving some strange figures on them and
+smoothing the legs down? They all looked carefully at the carvings; so
+far as they could judge they were intended to represent rabbits walking
+upright. Why?
+
+“This cheers me up,” said Gorbo. “I _can’t_ be the biggest fool.
+When I consider that people have gone to the length of making this
+difficult table and bench and carving rabbits on it for the sole
+purpose--apparently--of eating mushrooms in this dismal cavern, I feel
+that there is hope for me.”
+
+“But _we_ don’t think you’re a fool, Gorbo,” said Sylvia soothingly.
+
+“No, Sylvia,” replied Gorbo with a sigh. “But you haven’t seen me at my
+best.”
+
+“But there must be some way out close by here!” exclaimed Joe. “Of
+course they’d put this table near the coming-in place, wouldn’t they?”
+
+“You’ve got it, Joe,” said Gorbo. “Unless the people who did it were
+much worse than me.”
+
+Joe was right; at a very little distance away they found a tunnel. It
+was as narrow as the tunnel they had passed through on the other side
+and it was just as smooth, but it had this difference, that it sloped
+upwards, on a gentle slope. They went up it until they were sick and
+tired of the monotony, and at last they had to sit down, for Sylvia was
+getting very tired.
+
+When they started off again Gorbo picked up Sylvia in his arms and
+carried her. “This beastly tunnel’s going on like this for about five
+miles,” he said, as he walked on with her. After about twenty steps he
+put her down again.
+
+“We get fooled every time,” he observed bitterly. They had arrived at a
+little flat place, like a room. Two passages branched out from it, and
+there was a stone bench on either side, highly finished and each with
+what appeared to be a pig carved on it.
+
+“Pigs, you see,” remarked Gorbo. “However, I suppose they couldn’t help
+it.”
+
+Again Sylvia repeated the rhyme and they took the right-hand passage.
+It went winding about with bold curves for a long distance and then
+came to a sudden end, but this time, to their great joy, it ended in a
+small door, iron bound and rusty; like the one they had unfortunately
+found under the twisted trees. They raised a shout of joy, for surely
+their long strange journey was over--that is, the underground part of
+it.
+
+Gorbo pushed at the door, but it did not move. Then he pushed harder.
+Then he put his shoulder to it and shoved with all his might. And still
+the door remained shut hard and fast.
+
+“I’ll do it!” he cried. “Luckily there’s plenty of room for a run.”
+With that, he ran and hurled himself at the door with a mighty crash.
+And he might as well have flung himself against Westminster Abbey.
+He sat down and looked mournfully at the children and they looked
+mournfully back at him.
+
+There seemed nothing for it but to try what the left-hand passage would
+show them. So they went back and followed it through devious twists and
+turns until it ended in a small bare chamber, on the walls of which
+were carved what was undoubtedly meant to represent goats. There was
+absolutely nothing else to see.
+
+“Goats this time,” said Gorbo sourly. “Well, well, well! Yes, it’s
+clear to me that I’m not the worst.”
+
+They sat down on the floor and thought melancholy thoughts, for the
+adventure was beginning to have a very black look. Sylvia hugged the
+small dog to her, feeling very unhappy. At last Gorbo sprang up and
+said he was going to have another try at that door if he broke his back
+at it.
+
+He examined the door all over very carefully. In the sickly greenish
+light he could see huge iron hinges and plates; certainly it was a very
+massive type of door for its size. He bent down and put his eye to a
+tiny chink on one side.
+
+“I can see daylight,” he cried excitedly. “We’ve _got_ to get out! Just
+watch me this time.”
+
+He took a good long run and then came against it with a terrific smash.
+Then he did it again. After that he did it again. It takes a good deal
+of bumping to hurt a Snerg, but Sylvia was frightened that he would
+overdo it.
+
+“Don’t, Gorbo!” she cried. “You’ll hurt yourself badly.”
+
+“I deserve it,” said Gorbo. “Yes, I _am_ the worst.” He sat down and
+buried his face in his hands.
+
+“I wonder whether----” began Sylvia. Then she stopped and thought.
+
+“You wonder what?” asked Joe.
+
+“Just an idea of mine. Perhaps--yes I’ll try.”
+
+She got up and went to the door and grabbed hold of a piece of
+iron-work where it stuck out a little. Then she pulled as well as she
+could with her little fingers.
+
+The door opened inwards smoothly and sweetly, and a flood of daylight
+poured in.
+
+Gorbo looked up, and then smote his head with his clenched fist.
+
+“Never mind,” said Sylvia, going up to him and stroking his head
+tenderly. “_Poor_ old Gorbo!”
+
+
+THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER
+
+The first glance that Gorbo gave as he came out into the warm sunlight
+showed him that they were now (as the reader will have guessed from the
+heading of this piece) on the other side of the river.
+
+This was more serious news to him than to Sylvia or Joe. To them it
+meant daylight, freedom from the subterranean gloom; possibly the
+prelude to new adventures (it was). To him it meant trouble and danger
+and the fear of unknown things. The wide deep river, rushing far below
+between steep cliffs, had been a barrier keeping the Snergs secure
+from a horror-haunted land, a land of distressful legends of dragons
+and other fierce monsters, of Kelps and giants, and a ruthless king
+who tyrannized over his people. No wonder he gazed sadly at the fair
+green woods on the other side and wished--chiefly for the sake of the
+children--that he was less of a fathead.
+
+“It isn’t such a nice part on this side,” said Sylvia, looking about at
+a dull landscape, dotted here and there with patches of coarse grass
+and clumps of thorny trees. “But it’s jolly to get out of that dark
+place.”
+
+“Yes, isn’t it,” agreed Joe contentedly. At his age the present time
+lasts quite a good bit. “I’m jolly glad we got here. Perhaps we’ll have
+some real adventures now.”
+
+“I’m thinking we will,” said Gorbo.
+
+They went on a little way and, coming to the top of a gentle slope,
+saw before them a round grey tower some half-mile or so away. It was
+surrounded by a high outer wall and looked very lonely and dreary.
+Gorbo stared long and hard at it.
+
+“Yes,” he said at length, “that’s old Golithos’ tower. I can see him
+outside, doing something to the wall. I know him by his whiskers.”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Then,” said Joe logically, “we’d better scoot. Come along, Sylvia!”
+
+“No, don’t scoot,” said Gorbo; “it’s safe enough. Golithos is quite
+harmless now because he’s reformed. We’d better go over and see if he
+can tell us how to get back. Don’t be frightened, Sylvia, I’ve heard
+he’s quite kind-hearted now. In fact they say he’s rather overdoing it.”
+
+Though they were not exactly at their ease (what child is at the
+thought of visiting an ogre?) they were impressed by Gorbo’s
+confidence, and they went on hand-in-hand with him towards the tower,
+Joe carrying the puppy.
+
+
+GOLITHOS THE OGRE
+
+A huge man, about seven feet high, was working with a heap of mortar
+and some big stones, repairing a loose part of the wall. As they drew
+near he turned and saw them; then he smacked his hands together to
+knock the mortar off and rubbed them in his hair and waited for them
+with a friendly but weak-looking smile. He had a great silly face and
+coarse hair and whiskers like bits of a cheap goatskin rug. His dress
+was the usual shabby dress of ogres in books. It is perhaps slightly
+unfair to call him an ogre, for as Gorbo had said, he was reformed. Not
+a child had passed his lips for years, and his diet was now cabbage,
+turnip-tops, cucumbers, little sour apples and thin stuff like that.
+
+“Aha!” he said as they came up, “you are all heartily welcome. It is
+long since I had any nice visitors. How are _you_, my little maid? And
+_you_, my little man? And you also, my dear Snerg? Let me see, have I
+had the pleasure of meeting you before?” He shook hands with them in a
+very friendly way.
+
+“I don’t think so,” replied Gorbo. “You see,” he added delicately, “I
+was quite a boy when they--I mean when you--well, when you changed your
+address.”
+
+“Exactly,” said Golithos, with a conscious blush. “Well, come inside
+and make yourselves at home.”
+
+There seemed nothing for it but to go on through his door, though all
+Gorbo wanted was to ask the way back across the river, not to make
+morning calls. When they were inside Golithos slammed the heavy door
+and locked it.
+
+“I get so nervous if I leave it open,” he explained. “But come in and
+I’ll have a meal ready for you. You must be tired and hungry after your
+long journey from wherever you have come.”
+
+“Look here,” said Gorbo, “we don’t want to trouble you too much. All we
+want to know is how to get back across the river.”
+
+“To get back across the river,” replied Golithos, bending down and
+placing a hand affectionately on his shoulder, “is easier than you
+think. Much easier. In fact I think I am right in saying that however
+easy you think it is it will prove to be easier still.”
+
+“Well, I’m glad of that,” said Gorbo.
+
+“Naturally you would be. But come inside and make yourselves at home.”
+
+“Thanks, but I should really like to know the way.”
+
+“The way?” Golithos looked a bit puzzled.
+
+“Yes, the way across the river of course.”
+
+“Oh, yes, of course. What am I thinking of? Well, it’s perfectly easy.
+All you have to do is to--but one thing at a time. Come inside and make
+yourselves at home.”
+
+He led the way up some steep steps to a door in the wall of the tower
+and into a large round room which took the whole of one story. It was
+big enough, but the most comfortless room possible. At one side was a
+great four-foot post bedstead, and in the middle was a big heavy table
+and one big heavy chair. And that was all the furniture, unless you
+count an accumulation of mixed litter--old clothes and gardening tools
+and pots and pans and sacks and barrels and so forth scattered on the
+floor. Some wooden steps led to a trap-door in the ceiling and in the
+stone floor was another trap-door, with a big iron ring to lift it by,
+which led apparently to a cellar. There was only one window, with
+little round panes of dull green glass.
+
+“This is my kitchen-dining room,” he said with a look of pride. “I
+sleep here too--that structure over there is my bed--so it is a bedroom
+as well. Please take chairs--I mean, one of you take the chair and the
+others sit on the floor. But whatever you do, make yourselves at home.”
+
+“Thanks,” said Gorbo. “But what about the way across the river?”
+
+“The river?” Golithos did not seem to grasp his meaning.
+
+“Yes, the river outside. All that wet stuff over there. We want to get
+back.”
+
+“Undoubtedly. Well, you needn’t worry about _that_, because it’s a very
+simple matter. I’ll show you how it can be done in the easiest way.
+But first let’s see about dinner.” He picked up a pan and a knife and
+rushed blunderingly down the steps.
+
+“I’ve heard it said that he’s getting very slow since he reformed,”
+said Gorbo after a minute’s thinking, “but he’s worse than I expected.
+Somehow or other he makes me feel that I want to contradict him. And
+I’m not like that usually.”
+
+“But he’s going to give us something to eat,” Joe observed.
+
+“Yes, Joe. But I don’t think it will be very strengthening. That’s the
+worst of reformed people. Here he comes.”
+
+Golithos came in like a mighty bumble bee, bumping against things
+and getting his feet entangled with things on the floor and dropping
+vegetables about and stooping to pick them up and dropping others as
+he did so. “I’m going to give you the feed of your lives,” he said,
+chopping up lettuce and smiling in his feeble way. “I always think
+there’s nothing so appetizing as fine fresh lettuce and raw onions,
+especially if they have lots of salt.”
+
+
+DINNER WITH GOLITHOS
+
+In a minute or so he placed a large pan on the table, and then he got
+two empty barrels and laid a plank across them to make a seat for the
+children. Sylvia whispered rather anxiously to Gorbo, who had been
+watching their host with a discontented expression, and indicated that
+Tiger’s contour was losing its curves.
+
+“Look here, Golithos,” said Gorbo, “can you give this little dog
+something to eat?”
+
+Golithos scratched his head. “Let me see--I suppose he doesn’t eat
+salad?”
+
+“No, he doesn’t. He’s a dog, not a grasshopper. Haven’t you got any
+bread?”
+
+“I may have some odd bits in a sack somewhere. You see I don’t eat
+bread very much. I find its heating to the blood. But I’ll try to find
+some nice bits for him later. In the meantime, let us eat heartily.
+Would you like the chair or do you prefer standing?”
+
+“Chair for me, thanks,” replied Gorbo, seating himself. “Look here,
+Golithos, this is all very kind and considerate and jolly of you, but
+these young ones will want something a bit solider than this.”
+
+“No solids here,” said Golithos quickly. “It wouldn’t do.”
+
+“Well, you’ve got a cow outside. Why don’t you give them some milk?”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Milk? Yes, but do you think it would be good for them? It’s rather
+heady stuff.”
+
+Gorbo clapped the table smartly. “You hop out and milk that old cow of
+yours!” he said loudly. “These children want milk. They can’t live on
+lip and lettuce.”
+
+Golithos looked fearfully abashed. “Yes, yes, I’ll go,” he said. “Don’t
+be violent.” He blundered out and down the steps.
+
+“Can’t quite make him out,” said Gorbo. “He was a wicked old rascal
+once, but if he was rough he was ready--and a bit interesting if you’re
+not too particular. But I think the watercress diet has weakened his
+brain.”
+
+He felt his responsibility in the matter keenly; if he had not been a
+born fool he would not have got the children into this mess; and his
+easy-going disposition seemed to have suddenly disappeared with regard
+to his host. After a minute he jumped out of the big chair and ran to
+the window and poked his head out. “Golithos!” he called in a warning
+voice. “Waiting!”
+
+Golithos appeared, bearing a pitcher of milk and looking highly
+flustered. “Shall I put some water in it?” he asked.
+
+“Give it to me,” ordered Gorbo, taking the pitcher. He looked round the
+littered table and found two earthenware mugs. “Wash them,” he said,
+passing them over his shoulder to Golithos. “Dear, dear, this is barely
+decent!”
+
+The milk at any rate was nice and warm, and the children felt greatly
+refreshed by it. A small bowlful was given to Tiger, who lapped it
+up and then went to sleep on a sack. Then all set to on the salad,
+Golithos standing by and pressing them to take more whenever they
+paused. Gorbo took his portion in a dissatisfied way, sometimes looking
+at a morsel with scorn before putting it into his mouth (I may mention
+that they were eating with their fingers; there were no forks in this
+disgusting ménage). After a time he made a crude attempt at polite
+conversation.
+
+“Doing well here, Golithos?” he asked.
+
+“Pretty well, thank you. Oh, yes. It’s lonely, of course; people seem
+to shun me so. But I have plenty of time to meditate on my past sins.”
+
+“Ah, that ought to fill in the time. Keeping pretty fit, Golithos?”
+
+“Tolerably so, thank you. I suffer from stomach trouble occasionally.”
+
+“Only occasionally, eh? That’s strange. Sleep well, Golithos?”
+
+“Fairly well, I thank you. I have nightmares sometimes.”
+
+“What do you expect? This all you’re going to give us, Golithos?”
+
+“I’m really afraid I haven’t anything else--Yes, I have! I can give you
+a fine fresh young cucumber.”
+
+“Keep it, Golithos.” Gorbo stretched himself and yawned and turned to
+the children. “Well, Sylvia, what do you think of _this_ for a hole?”
+
+Sylvia glanced at the feeble though gigantic face of the once
+child-eater and felt some pity for him. “Oh, it’s very nice,” she
+answered, though not, I am afraid, very truthfully. “Isn’t it, Joe?”
+
+“It’s fine,” said Joe. Then he put his hands before his mouth and
+spluttered, for his manners were not good. Their host looked very
+unhappy.
+
+“Just fancy it on a rainy day,” went on Gorbo. “Well, Golithos, what’s
+the country like in these parts?”
+
+“I don’t know very much about it, because I don’t go about very much,
+but I’ve heard it’s very bad. You see there’s the land of King Kul not
+so very far off, and he’s got a very bad character.”
+
+“Yes, we’ve heard of him. What does he do especially?”
+
+“Well, he persecutes the people. You see he makes a hobby of it.
+And from what I’ve heard they’re the sort of people who ought to be
+persecuted. But I don’t really know much about them because I don’t
+often see any of them. And when I do I lock myself up tight until
+they’ve gone. Old Mother Meldrum comes over to see me sometimes and she
+tells me about the goings-on.”
+
+“And who’s old Mother Meldrum?”
+
+“Well, she’s a witch, that’s what she is. She says nothing will go
+right until King Kul is laid out, and she keeps trying to get me to go
+for it. But somehow or other I don’t feel up to violent exercise since
+I got reformed.”
+
+“You’re losing your nerve, Golithos. But why doesn’t somebody else try
+to do him in?”
+
+“I think it’s because they’re afraid. It’s risky, you see. Mother
+Meldrum says that his castle is three-quarters dungeons. And he keeps
+six headsmen busy all the time except on Saturday afternoons and
+Sundays.”
+
+“That fits in with what I’ve heard of him myself,” said Gorbo, looking
+anxiously at Sylvia and Joe, who were taking all this in. “But cheer
+up, Sylvia, we’ll soon get out of it. Now, Golithos, what about how to
+get across the river?”
+
+
+GOLITHOS EXPLAINS
+
+The giant took Gorbo by the arm and led him to the window. “Do you see
+that tree?” he asked, pointing out a tall pine standing far off.
+
+“Yes, Golithos.”
+
+“Well, that tree’s close by the river, and I pointed it out because
+it’s quite useless your trying to get across the river at that point.
+Or for the matter of that, at any other point, if you understand me.”
+
+“Well, I don’t, if you understand me. I can tell you fifty ways how
+_not_ to get across the river. Rouse your wits, Golithos!”
+
+“You make me nervous. And if you do that you’ll drive all the fine
+ideas out of my head. You see the fact is that you don’t get _across_
+the river at all. But, notwithstanding, it’s a perfectly easy matter to
+get to the other side if you know the way how. Now do you see my point?”
+
+“I thought I was something of a born fool, Golithos, but since I’ve met
+you I’m quite proud of myself.”
+
+“_Don’t_ speak to me like that; it gives me the all-overs. Look here,
+all you have to do is to go _under_ the river. You go through a little
+door.”
+
+“I thought so. You’ve been a long time coming to it, Golithos. As a
+matter of fact we came that way, but the little door shut up tight as
+soon as we got out of it. And there’s another door on the other side.
+How do we get them open?”
+
+“It’s quite easy. But I don’t quite remember how it’s done--now don’t
+get violent! You see it’s not exactly difficult; it’s only something to
+do with some little magic spells. You make a circle on the ground and
+divide it into six parts--or sixteen parts, I forget which. And then
+you bring some simple little charms--twenty-eight altogether, I think.
+I know one of them is the toe-nail of the seventh son of a seventh son
+born on a Friday. And then you repeat something out of a book--oh, if
+you’re going to look at me like that I shall get thoroughly nervous and
+forget the rest.”
+
+“Look here, Golithos,” said Gorbo, “do you think Mother Meldrum has
+more sense than you?”
+
+“Oh, yes, she’s got ever so much more! _She_ knows the way to get the
+door open.”
+
+“Oh, does she? Then where can we find her?”
+
+“She may come here at any time. You see she comes because I amuse
+her--at least that’s what she says--and if you wait here a day or two
+she’s bound to turn up. I can give you a lovely room upstairs. I’ll
+move the turnips to one side and give you some nearly clean straw to
+sleep on. I’d give my own bed to the little ones, but I’m afraid the
+mattress is rather bumpy; I think some brickbats must have got into
+it. You see I air the mattress every November, and last November I was
+doing some building, and as there were a few holes in it, you see----”
+
+“Don’t worry, Golithos, we’ll take your upstairs room. So come and move
+the turnips.”
+
+
+THE UPSTAIRS ROOM
+
+The upstairs room was much worse than the one below, which is saying
+something. It was furnished chiefly with turnips and sacks of lime, and
+these Golithos began to move to one side in a muddle-headed way, while
+Gorbo sat on the window-ledge and watched him. At length there was a
+clear space for the straw, which was spread out in the manner advocated
+for sick horses.
+
+“There!” said Golithos proudly, resting on his hay-fork, _“There’s_ a
+bed for you!”
+
+Gorbo only snorted and said nothing, and there was silence for a time.
+
+“Those are dear little children,” remarked Golithos, trying to be
+amiable and interesting.
+
+“Yes,” said Gorbo shortly.
+
+“It’s a long time since I saw any. In my bad old days I saw plenty, as
+you know, but I thought it best--after I reformed--to keep away from
+them for a good long time.”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Sound idea.”
+
+“Yes, wasn’t it? But as I say, these are very dear little things,
+especially the little girl. Do you know,” he went on chattily, “it used
+to be a saying amongst us in the bad old days that the lighter the hair
+the tenderer the meat--however, I don’t suppose that interests you.”
+
+“Not a bit.”
+
+“Of course not. But I have taken quite a strong liking to these little
+ones. The little girl is very pretty, and they are both well formed.
+Not fat exactly. I should describe them as well filled out. Chubby, if
+you understand my meaning.”
+
+Gorbo slipped down from the window and went down the ladder in a
+leisurely way. “Tidy up the place properly,” he ordered as he went.
+
+Golithos obediently went on messing about, crooning a little song about
+a rose that loved a butterfly and faded away.
+
+
+GORBO’S DOUBTS
+
+It will probably occur to the thoughtful reader at this point that a
+change had come over the character of Gorbo. A sense of responsibility,
+mingled with self-reproach, had brought forth qualities hitherto
+unsuspected, and though he was to some extent losing his natural desire
+to please all whom he met by conciliatory speech and helpful ways,
+he was gaining in ability to make quick decisions, as also in verbal
+fluency and a capacity for what is known among our famed comedians as
+back-chat.
+
+He found the children in the cabbage patch trying to amuse themselves
+with Tiger, but not succeeding very well because they were getting
+very tired of this dismal place. Their surroundings were horrible--all
+nettles and cheap-looking vegetables and rank grass and stones, and
+a high wall (on which were lots of snails) shutting out everything
+but the sky. Sylvia took the puppy to show to the cow, which was the
+only nice thing in the place and which lived in a rotten old shed in a
+corner, and Gorbo then had a chance to talk to Joe.
+
+“Joe,” he said, “I don’t want to frighten Sylvia, but you’re a man like
+me. It seems to me that this is not a healthy place to stay in very
+long. In the first place we’ll get bored to screaming fits, and in the
+second place I’m having doubts of old Golithos.”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Oo-er!” said Joe, now thoroughly startled.
+
+“Yes, I’m beginning to think he’s not so reformed as he thinks he is.
+Of course it may be only my fancy, but I’m not going to take any risks,
+and you and Sylvia must keep close by me always. We’ll have to stay
+here a little while because, though it’s plain that he won’t be able
+to tell us how to get those little doors open, that old witch may come
+along at any time, and then I can get it out of her. I’ll give her my
+drinking-horn to tell us how; it’s the only thing I’ve got that’s worth
+anything, but it’s got silver on it and perhaps it’ll do. But if it’s
+not enough I’m afraid Sylvia will have to give over her little coral
+necklace. I don’t know what witchs’ charges are, but I should say the
+two together would be plenty.”
+
+“But won’t it be awfully risky staying here?” asked Joe. This was
+becoming rather more of an adventure than he had bargained for.
+
+“Not so much, because you won’t go out of my sight and I’ve always
+got my bow tucked under my arm. Of course I could make it quite safe
+by sending an arrow through his hairy old throat, but somehow I don’t
+quite like to do it until I’m dead certain sure. But don’t you worry,
+Joe. And don’t let Sylvia know.”
+
+The day wore on. They had a light supper of cold sliced turnips and
+some of the milk that was left over from the midday feast. They gave
+a third part of the milk to Tiger in order to moisten some very hard
+crusts that Golithos found for him. Tiger did not worry, it was
+quantity he wanted, not quality, and his little abdomen began to take
+on bold curves again.
+
+
+GOLITHOS IS TEMPTED
+
+The night passed without trouble. The children slept soundly on their
+straw; Gorbo had made his bed on top of the trap-door so they felt safe
+enough. But in the morning there was more than a hint that some good
+old-fashioned trouble was coming.
+
+Said Golithos to Gorbo (taking him quietly aside by the arm), “Would
+you oblige me by keeping these dear little children always close by
+you?”
+
+Said Gorbo to Golithos (removing his arm), “I’m going to. But not
+particularly to oblige you. What’s the little game?”
+
+“It is no little game; it is something more serious. You see I have a
+horrid fear that I may go back to my old disgraceful ways. The sight of
+these dear little plump things is a very, very great temptation to me,
+and I want you to help me to fight against it. I don’t want you to go
+away, because if I don’t have the temptation there will be no credit in
+conquering it--and I really hope and believe that I will be able to. Do
+you know that last night I wanted to have a look at them asleep, but I
+couldn’t open the trap-door. There seemed to be something heavy on it.”
+
+“There was,” said Gorbo.
+
+“I thought so. And then, do you know, I came down and sat thinking
+about them, and after a time I found myself sharpening a big knife in
+an absent-minded way. It gave me quite a shock. Now promise me that you
+will help me to overcome this temptation.”
+
+“Oh, I’ll help you,” replied Gorbo.
+
+He called to Sylvia and Joe to come down and to bring Tiger, and then
+he went with them down the steps to the door in the outer wall.
+
+“Come and open this door, Golithos,” he called.
+
+“Oh, you’re surely not thinking of leaving me!” exclaimed Golithos,
+clumping down after them. “I shall be greatly upset if you run away
+like that.”
+
+Gorbo jerked out an arrow and laid it on his bow.
+
+“You’ll be more upset in a moment perhaps,” he said, “if that door
+isn’t opened before I count ten there’ll be three of these sticking out
+of your silly fat head.”
+
+Golithos jumped for the door and had it open just as Gorbo had counted
+up to six. As the children passed out, shrinking away from him, he bent
+down and held out his hand to them.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Good-bye, little dears,” he said. “Won’t you shake hands with an old
+reformed person? Oh, this _is_ unkind!”
+
+Gorbo put his arrow back in the quiver and stood for a moment looking
+up at him. “You stick to watercress,” he said tauntingly. “Watercress
+and cold water. A slice of mangel-wurzel for Christmas. That’s about
+your form.”
+
+“You have hurt me,” said Golithos, drawing himself to his full height
+(seven feet, one inch). His tone was not without a certain dignity.
+
+“Get inside!” shouted Gorbo, slipping out an arrow again. “I’m not so
+sure I shan’t----”
+
+But Golithos had scuttled in and banged the door and locked it. They
+walked along a narrow stony track that led towards some rising ground.
+Looking back, they saw the head of Golithos peeping over the top of his
+wall. So far as they could judge at that distance it had a wistful look.
+
+
+BEYOND THE TOWER
+
+When they had got to the other side of the rising ground and the tower
+was hidden from view, Gorbo paused in order to take off his cap and
+tear his hair a little. Then he embraced both children remorsefully,
+and they gave him such words of comfort as occurred to them.
+
+“The next question,” he said, rousing himself, “is the question of
+what we are to do next. If I knew where Mother Meldrum lived, we’d go
+straight there at once. But I don’t know, and it’d be hopeless my going
+back to ask Golithos. I’ve scared what little wits he had clean out of
+him.”
+
+“Perhaps we’ll meet somebody if we go on walking,” suggested Sylvia.
+“Then we can ask where she lives.”
+
+“Yes, let’s,” said Joe. “I’d like to meet a witch. We’ve just had one
+nice adventure and perhaps we’ll have another. Think of it, Sylvia!
+We are the only two kids in the world who have ever been in an ogre’s
+castle--I mean the only two who have ever got out of it afterwards.
+Won’t the others be jealous!”
+
+“Yes, Joe, but I wish we could go back to them. It’s getting too
+beastly like one of those tales Norah told me.”
+
+They walked on and on and on, over a plain which was dotted here and
+there with clumps of trees but which showed nothing else of interest,
+until they came to what looked like a road, and this they followed for
+a couple of hours. Then, suddenly, they saw coming across the plain
+a man on a horse. The strange thing was that both man and horse were
+shining all over in the bright morning sun, and they stopped and looked
+in wonder.
+
+“It’s a knight!” Joe exclaimed. “Look, Sylvia! Look at his shining
+armour and his long lance! I’ll bet it’s swift and keen.” (Miss Watkyns
+used to sing “I fear no foe” at the Saturday evening concerts.)
+
+“I hope his heart is pure,” said Sylvia, rather anxiously. (Miss
+Ffolijambe used to recite “Sir Galahad”.)
+
+Gorbo said nothing, but he tried his bowstring to see if it was all
+right.
+
+
+THE KNIGHT-ERRANT
+
+The man in armour pulled up his horse when he reached the road a
+little way ahead and waited for them. Both children found him rather a
+disappointment when they came near for he did not seem quite up to the
+standard of knights in books. It is true that he had shining armour and
+the lance as long as a barge pole and so forth, but it seemed that his
+mail suit had not been made to measure. The breastplate was tied on to
+the back part with what looked like bootlaces, and they did not join
+well; bits of cloth showed at the sides. The armour on his legs was on
+the large size and rattled whenever he moved. His helmet also was much
+too big and it wobbled. The plume, though not a bad plume, should have
+been smaller to give a good effect. The horse was big and white and
+hairy, and had a thing like a spiked saucepan lid on its brow.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+As they came near he raised the visor of his helmet and stared
+haughtily at them. From what they could see of his face he had peepy
+eyes, a long nose and rather puddingy cheeks.
+
+“Who are ye?” he asked in an important way, “and wherefore come ye----”
+here his voice was cut off suddenly, for the visor had slipped down
+like a trap and he had to struggle with it.
+
+He got it up at last: “As I was saying, wherefore come ye thus
+unattended on the King’s ways, two children and a dwarf?”
+
+“Who are you calling a dwarf?” said Gorbo disagreeably. “Dwarf
+yourself!”
+
+The knight gave him a long contemptuous stare in reply, a stare that
+might have lasted a long time if the visor had not come down again and
+put an end to it.
+
+“Temper!” said the knight sharply when he had got his visor open.
+“But we will let it pass. Tell me, have you any wrongs to redress?
+Sir Percival am I, sworn to succour damsels, to slay giants, wasters,
+caitiffs and perishers, to rescue----”
+
+“As I was saying,” he went on lifting his visor again and propping it
+up with one hand, “I am sworn to rescue the oppressed, to right wrongs,
+and to--well, to generally make things happy all round.”
+
+“That’s very nice of you,” said Gorbo. “Then perhaps you’ll kindly tell
+us the way to the witch----”
+
+“Which witch?” interrupted Sir Percival.
+
+“Mother Meldrum. If you’ll kindly----”
+
+“Ay, she is known as a parlous witch. She lives in the dark woods where
+fly the large black bats, all alone with her large black cats, and she
+gathers herbs o’ moonlight nights and brews foul potions to harm honest
+folk. Which means that I am not going there with you.”
+
+“Who asked you to?” said Gorbo. “I only want to know the way there.”
+
+“Then in that case you had better travel with me, for I am going within
+a mile or so of the dark woods. And if anybody should try to oppress
+you on the way, why, I shall be there to defend you.”
+
+“That will be jolly,” said Gorbo. “Many thanks. But what about these
+little ones? Can’t you give them a lift--one in front and one behind?”
+
+“H’m!” The knight thought over this for a time. “I’d like to oblige, of
+course--especially as I am sworn to do good deeds--but wouldn’t that
+make me look rather ridiculous?”
+
+“Not a bit,” said Gorbo. “As a matter of fact you’d look rather sweet.
+Come Sylvia, I’ll lift you up.”
+
+Before Sir Percival could make any further objection he found that
+Sylvia had been hoisted up and placed in front of him. The saddle was a
+roomy one and well padded, so it made quite a comfortable seat for her.
+
+“Catch hold of his belt,” said Gorbo. “Then you’ll be quite safe. Now
+then, Joe.”
+
+Joe, as a circus-trained boy should, took a run and a flying leap on to
+the horse’s crupper, where he sat at his ease.
+
+“I say,” said Sir Percival peevishly, “aren’t you rather taking
+liberties with me?”
+
+“I beg your pardon?” replied Gorbo, who was busy with Sylvia, making a
+comfortable pair of stirrups for her out of some odd bits of straps on
+the saddle.
+
+“I said, ‘Aren’t you rather taking liberties with me?’”
+
+“No, not a bit. Are you quite comfortable, Sylvia?”
+
+“Yes, it’s lovely,” replied Sylvia.
+
+“And you, Joe?”
+
+“I’m fine. This is a _real_ adventure!”
+
+“I hope this is not incommoding you at all,” said Gorbo politely,
+struck with a sudden idea.
+
+“Oh, no,” replied Sir Percival with bitter irony. He couldn’t hold his
+lance properly and he had to reach right round Sylvia to handle the
+reins. “Who _would_ be incommoded by a little thing like this?” Then
+his visor fell down again and he roared angrily, though in a muffled
+way. But Sylvia’s handy little fingers soon propped it open again,
+and she asked Gorbo to find a little bit of stick and sharpen it with
+his knife. Then she deftly wedged the stick between the visor and the
+helmet.
+
+“There,” she said, patting his steel-cased cheek, “now it will keep up
+nicely. But what you really need is some large hooks and eyes.” She had
+seen, with the unerring instinct of childhood, that not only was Sir
+Percival’s heart pure but that his head was rather soft.
+
+His perhaps excusable irritation was soothed by this attention, and he
+smiled at her.
+
+“If any enemies come,” she explained, “all you have to do is to pull
+out this bit of stick and there you are, ready for battle.”
+
+Sir Percival was aroused at the mention of battle. “If any caitiffs
+should oppress you, little golden-haired maid,” he said proudly,
+“I will show you how great a man with his hands is Sir Percival.
+Evil-doers shake at the mention of my name.”
+
+“I don’t believe you,” said Sylvia, giggling. The child was actually
+trying on with this belted knight the same ways that had tempted Joe
+to such flagrant acts of folly and disobedience, and to which their
+present position might be directly traced. Minx.
+
+“I suppose you can’t find room for this little dog?” said Gorbo,
+holding up Tiger.
+
+“No,” replied Sir Percival with stern decision. “I draw the line at
+little dogs.” He then shook the reins and the big white horse started
+off at a quick comfortable walk.
+
+
+SIR PERCIVAL’S JOB
+
+Sir Percival seemed to have settled down to inconvenience and (I must
+own) grotesque appearance due to his having children fore and aft of
+him on the saddle, and he was quite ready to talk about himself. He was
+out looking for adventures because he had become enamoured of a young
+lady, and she had told him that if he would go forth as a knight-errant
+for one year and conquer a reasonable number of knights and caitiffs
+and slay some dragons and the like, she would have something to say
+to him, but she did not say what. So far he had not conquered anybody
+because he hadn’t met anybody who would fight, and as for dragons he
+really believed they had all left the country. One man, a miller, had
+told him where there was a dragon, but it turned out that the ribald
+fellow meant his own wife, who used to go for him with ferocity, and
+probably with plenty of reason. But he told them he had now great
+hopes, for he was on his way to a castle he had heard about as being
+likely--though he didn’t know whose it was--for in a castle there were
+always knights, and knights were always spoiling for a fight. This
+was very good news to Gorbo because he worked it out that in a castle
+there was always something to eat, and the children were delighted when
+he told them this, for the sun was now getting high and they had had
+nothing to eat since last night’s turnips.
+
+In time they came to nice wooded country, which was a pleasant change
+from the rather bare plain. Then they caught sight of battlemented
+towers peeping above the tree-tops, and a little later they halted
+by the outer wall of a small cosy castle, all alone by itself. There
+seemed to be nobody about, inside or outside, and everything was very
+peaceful and sunny and still. And hanging on the outer gate was a
+slug-horn like the one outside the Dark Tower that Childe Roland came
+to.
+
+
+THE MYSTERIOUS CASTLE
+
+“I am going to wind this horn,” said Sir Percival to Gorbo (he meant,
+to blow it). “And if you will oblige me by pretending to be my squire,
+I shall think it very nice of you.”
+
+“Yes, I’ll be your squire,” replied Gorbo, quite interested. He lifted
+Sylvia down to get her out of the way in case battle should take place
+suddenly. “I’d like to--Jump down, Joe--I’ll tell them you’ll take on
+any six of them and----”
+
+“Not so brisk, please,” said the knight. “What I want you to do is to
+say that I am the famed Sir Percival and--and so on and so forth. Give
+them the idea that I am something of a terror. Don’t know what fear is,
+and that sort of thing. You see I don’t want to injure anybody if it
+can be avoided, and if any knight prefers to give in without fighting,
+why, let him do so by all means and save needless bloodshed. Do you get
+the idea?”
+
+“Yes, I think so. Hot stuff, as it were. Now blow hard.”
+
+Sir Percival blew at the small end of the slug-horn and a long
+melancholy note came out of the other end. Then there was silence for
+a time; but at length they heard the sound of slow shuffling footsteps
+coming to the gate.
+
+“Nothing to-day, thank you kindly,” said a weak and quavering voice.
+
+“Open, varlet!” cried Sir Percival angrily. “What discourtesy is this
+to keep a champion waiting at your gate? Open, I say, lest I believe
+that the knights of this castle fear to meet me.”
+
+“Save you, good sir!” replied the quavering voice, “here are no
+knights, none at all, nor indeed anybody but me and my old dame Margery
+who look after the castle while the family are away visiting cousins,
+though we should be glad if they had taken us too for a change of air
+would do us both good who have been in this same castle until we are
+sick and tired of the shape of it, to say nothing of the damp which has
+settled in old Margery’s bones so that she goes ever doubled up and----”
+
+“Look here,” interrupted Gorbo, putting his hands to his mouth and
+shouting through the keyhole, “this is the valiant Sir Percival, who
+has slain so many knights that he has forgotten how many, to say
+nothing of dragons and such like. And I am his valiant squire, Gorbo,
+who is famed for a big appetite, and we have with us two children and
+a little dog who are also hungry, and the question is whether you are
+going to be a sport and give us something to eat or whether you are
+simply going to drive us into smashing up this castle.”
+
+“Nay, be not rash, good squire,” replied the voice. “I’ll open the gate
+and let you in, for my master hath bidden me give food and drink to
+wayfarers that need it and especially to those who are liable to damage
+his stronghold if it be denied them.”
+
+The door opened, and to their astonishment there appeared before
+them, not a doddering old henchman, but a pert young man dressed in
+the brilliant and fantastic costume of a jester, with one leg of his
+tights red and the other yellow, and who seemed, from his immoderate
+laughter, to be having the time of his life.
+
+“Ha, ha!” he cried, joyously, leaping out and slapping Sir Percival on
+the nose with a bladder tied to the end of a stick. “Did I not befool
+thee, thou pumpkin face? Even now your jaw is dropped and your eyes
+goggle with wonder and you have a general resemblance (saving your
+presence) to a parboiled codfish. Laugh, thou jingling hundredweight
+of ill-fitting harness”--hitting him again--“and grant this to be a
+pleasing jest.”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+SIR PERCIVAL’S ANNOYANCE
+
+Sir Percival recovered from his astonishment and prepared to do what
+seemed the only fitting thing to in a case like this. He heaved up his
+lance to smite this gay young man to the earth.
+
+“For shame!” The young man had dexterously leapt out of the way and
+crouched down with Sylvia and Joe caught to his bosom. “Would you
+strike a child?”
+
+“Malapert insect!” said Sir Percival. “Unhand those young ones that I
+may cudgel you.”
+
+“Listen to reason!” bellowed the other, now grovelling on the earth.
+“This castle is deserted, and I alone know where the larder is. Without
+my help you will go away an hungered!”
+
+“There is something in that,” said Sir Percival, lowering his lance.
+
+“There is a whole lot in it,” shouted Gorbo. “Don’t hit the poor man!”
+
+The jester bounded up like a tennis ball and flew at Gorbo, enfolding
+him in his arms. “By this kiss” (kissing him daintily on the top of his
+head) “I swear eternal friendship.”
+
+“Lead on, thou nimble loon,” said Sir Percival. “I pardon you if you
+will take us to the larder without delay.”
+
+The jester turned swiftly to the children. “You see yonder door,” he
+said, pointing to a small open door in the main building of the castle,
+“I’ll give you a start of half-way and race you there. Are you ready?
+_Go!_”
+
+Sylvia and Joe went off at top speed, and when they were half-way the
+jester gave a shrill whoop and flew after them, catching up with them
+just as they reached the door.
+
+
+THE CASTLE KITCHEN
+
+“This is glorious!” cried the jester, taking a hand of each and leading
+them into a large comfortable kitchen. Then he turned and looked
+anxiously at the top of the open door. “No, there’s no time to make a
+booby-trap. Come along and put on aprons.”
+
+Sylvia and Joe, both highly delighted with these joyous happenings,
+were soon dressed in little aprons and caps made out of napkins and
+busily helping their new friend. He sliced up a ham and got two large
+frying-pans going, while they put stools round a big table in the
+middle of the floor and laid plates and mugs and so on.
+
+“Do you think forty eggs will be enough?” asked the young man.
+
+“I think it will be almost more than enough,” replied Sylvia, doing a
+quick sum in her head. “It will be eight each.”
+
+“I’ll make it fifty then,” said the strange being, breaking them thick
+and fast into the frying-pans.
+
+A heavy clanging sound without indicated that Sir Percival was coming;
+he and Gorbo had been attending to the horse, supplying it with hay and
+so forth. As the knight entered the door, the jester turned with an egg
+poised ready to throw at his head. But he hesitated; then broke it into
+the pan instead. “I dare not,” he said to Joe. “_What_ a pity!”
+
+Gorbo paused as he came in and stood sniffing the delicious smell. He
+went across to the jester. “Bend low towards me,” he said. And when the
+other had done so Gorbo kissed him on the top of _his_ head. “I also
+swear a friendship. What are you going to give us to drink?”
+
+“I have here,” replied the other, making a flying leap over the table
+to a rough sideboard, “both milk for these little ones and beer for us
+men. Kindly pledge me,” he added, filling up two mugs.
+
+While these two sportsmen were clinking their mugs and gossiping,
+Sylvia, standing on a stool by the stove, was dripping hot butter on
+the eggs to give them a choice flavour, and Joe was on another stool
+pronging out the slices of ham and laying them on a hot dish. They were
+very happy, because this was a really superior adventure, with food
+and cheerful things taking place. The castle, too, judging from the
+kitchen, was a self-respecting place, clean and well kept, and a nice
+change from the beast of a tower they had spent the night in.
+
+
+BREAKFAST
+
+Sir Percival was given a stool at one of the tables and Sylvia was put
+at the other--to serve the food, as she was the only lady present. The
+ham and eggs were perfect, and they had in addition buttered toast and
+a pot of damson preserve which the jester said they really must taste
+as he had made it himself. Tiger had a large plateful of everything and
+was busily engaged in putting his shape as it should be. (It may be
+noticed that almost all the news I have to give of this little dog is
+of the rotundity or otherwise of his stomach.)
+
+“Tell me,” said Sir Percival at length, coming to business, “to whom
+does this castle belong?”
+
+“It belongs to my master,” replied the jester. “One Gunthorn, a fierce
+and rather unscrupulous baron who is something of a scourge to the
+countryside. I am his privy jester--Baldry is my name--and I ought to
+know. Many knights have come here, striving to joust with him--but they
+have all gone, alas!”
+
+“Oh! Where did they go to?”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Not far, sir knight. There is a graveyard some furlong or so beyond
+these walls, and there they lie at peace, to each his little headstone.
+Will you pass your plate for another morsel of ham and some extra egg?”
+
+“No, thank you,” answered Sir Percival. “I seem to have lost my
+appetite. And where is the baron Gunthorn at this moment?”
+
+“Why, sir knight, he may be many, many long leagues from here, and----”
+
+“If I can change my mind,” interrupted Sir Percival cheerfully, “I
+think I could eat another rasher.”
+
+“And on the other hand,” continued Baldry, passing up the plate, “he
+may come home at any moment. He went off this morning to look for a
+wandering knight he had heard about, taking with him his men-at-arms
+and his cook and household varlets, as is his quaint custom. He left me
+in charge of his stronghold, knowing that no man dare set foot within
+these walls, so famed is he for ruthlessness. He has another quaint
+custom of sneaking in by the postern gate, so that he may observe if
+all is kept well in his household when he is away. But you do not eat,
+sir knight.”
+
+Sir Percival pushed away his plate and thought deeply. “And what will
+he do if he finds you entertaining guests during his absence?”
+
+“Good sir,” said Baldry earnestly, “I prithee talk of cheerful things
+while we may. Were he to--but pardon me a moment, _did_ I hear sounds?”
+
+
+A TERRIBLE MOMENT
+
+He sprang to his feet and stood an instant anxiously listening. Then he
+bounded over to a door in the corner of the kitchen, flung it open, and
+disappeared up a spiral stone staircase.
+
+A moment later they heard the distant clanking of mail and a harsh
+roaring voice raised in anger. The sounds came nearer and nearer and
+they heard mighty feet descending the stone stairs. Gorbo snatched
+up his bow and pushed the children towards the door. Sir Percival was
+struggling to get his helmet on, and making heavy weather of it.
+
+“Good, my lord,” they heard the voice of Baldry saying, “if you will
+but listen to reason----”
+
+“Reason me no reason,” interrupted the roaring voice. “If I find
+unbidden guests in my kitchen I’ll first flay them and afterwards slay
+them----”
+
+The door was flung open and Baldry appeared alone, sweetly smiling and
+smiting together two pot-lids to imitate the tread of mailed feet.
+
+“Be seated, I pray you,” he said with a ringing laugh. “Now was not
+this a pretty jest?”
+
+“Ay, a right joyous jape,” said Sir Percival, pulling his helmet
+off with violence and displaying a pale and angry face. “Thou art
+altogether a choice merry varlet. Though how you manage to go on day by
+day without getting slain passes my understanding.”
+
+
+MORE TROUBLE
+
+“Look!” exclaimed Baldry, suddenly pointing through the open doorway.
+They could see across the courtyard to the door in the outer wall, and
+this having been left open showed a perspective of white road leading
+through the woods. And not so very far along the road horsemen could be
+seen coming up.
+
+“Now this is no jest at all,” continued Baldry, “for here comes the
+ruthless baron. Let us all go far away and quickly.”
+
+“I’m on,” said Gorbo, grabbing Sylvia’s hand. “But what do _you_ want
+to go for if you belong to the place?”
+
+“Alas! I never saw or heard of the place before this morning,” said
+Baldry sadly. “I was a-tramping the high road, when by ill-chance I
+saw that door open and nobody about, and I had just gone in and helped
+myself to a snack when up comes this valiant knight, thundering at the
+door and blowing the horn--But all is well!” he cried joyfully, leaping
+into the air. “He will protect us! Come along, little ones, and let’s
+find a nice spot to see from. Now for the shock of steeds! Now for
+splintering of lances! Oh, this is heavenly!”
+
+“Well, I don’t know so much about that,” said Sir Percival
+disagreeably. He had now managed to get his helmet fixed on and was
+leading his horse through the door in the outer wall. “You see I don’t
+want to take an unfair advantage of this Gunthorn. He is tired from his
+journey, belike, and there is no honour in conquering a man who is not
+fresh and lively. Nay, that were a coward’s deed!” He blundered about,
+trying to mount his horse.
+
+“But, sir knight,” pleaded Baldry piteously, throwing himself in front
+of him, “why spoil the fun? Here is my dear friend Gorbo, who would
+love to see a jousting. And these little ones, too, see their eager
+faces! Come, sir, here hangs the horn. One blast and Gunthorn will come
+spurring up to give you your heart’s desire!”
+
+“I know my job better than you,” said Sir Percival coldly. “Stand
+aside, fellow, you will not induce me to take advantage of a weary
+man--And _now_ you’ve done it!” he wailed, for Baldry had jumped for
+the horn and let out a blast that made the echoes ring.
+
+A moment later they saw a man detach himself from the little group of
+approaching horsemen and speed towards them, handling the longest kind
+of lance in a manner that bespoke both strength and dexterity. Sir
+Percival muttered something that sounded like an oath (though I hope it
+was not) and by a desperate effort managed to get into the saddle. He
+went in a bumping and jangling gallop in one direction under the trees,
+and Gorbo and Baldry and Sylvia and Joe and the puppy went swiftly in
+the opposite direction.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+THE SORROWS OF BALDRY
+
+They heard distant shouts, as of annoyed people, which naturally
+encouraged them to keep up a good speed. Gorbo and Baldry helped the
+children along with great leaps and bounds, and they were soon deep
+in the silent woods, far from risk of pursuit. There they rested on a
+mossy bank and took things easily for a time.
+
+“That was a jolly breakfast, you know,” said Baldry, to start the talk
+well.
+
+“Yes, it was,” agreed Gorbo. “But what will this Gunthorn person say
+when he finds out about your making so free with the place?”
+
+“I don’t know. And another strange thing about it is I don’t care. And
+his name’s not Gunthorn--at least I don’t suppose it is. You see I just
+made it up suddenly.”
+
+“It’s quite a good name for a pretence baron,” said Sylvia.
+
+“Yes, isn’t it?” Baldry was highly pleased at this remark. “It sounds
+so ruthless. I’m rather good at making up things.”
+
+“I’m glad of that,” Gorbo said, “because perhaps you can make up some
+way of getting out of this mess. Do you know the way to get across the
+river?”
+
+“No, I don’t. And I don’t know anybody who knows. And I don’t know
+anybody who knows anybody who knows. I wish I did, because I’d like to
+go with you and see Life. It’s very dull in these parts; the people
+have no sense of humour. And that makes it so difficult for me,” he
+added sadly. “I’m always misunderstood.”
+
+“Never mind, poor thing,” said Sylvia, who had taken a great liking to
+him.
+
+“The hollow world,” continued Baldry, with a suspicion of tears in
+his eyes, “believes a jester’s job to be all jollity; but little do
+they think that there may be an aching heart beneath what I must term
+superficial gaiety.”
+
+Sylvia stroked his hand soothingly.
+
+“But on the other hand,” he went on in a brighter tone, “there may not
+be. There isn’t in my case at any rate; though I have had a peck of
+trouble lately. You see, only yesterday I was the King’s High Jester,
+and now I am wandering the earth with only three friends to love me.
+Four to be exact, because I include this little dog.”
+
+“Did you get turned out?” asked Joe.
+
+“No, not exactly; I ran too fast for that. And yet,” he went on, with a
+return to melancholy musing, “it was a quaint conceit, one that might
+have pleased. Who would have thought that the King was so obtuse. But
+that is the worst of tyrants, you never know how they’ll take things.”
+
+“Tell us about it,” said Gorbo, “then you’ll feel better.”
+
+“Well, it was merely a little idea of mine to brighten up Court life,
+which has a tendency to become dull and stuffy sometimes. You see it is
+the King’s custom to walk alone through the streets on the day before
+his birthday so as to show himself to his subjects, and to show that
+he is willing to unbend from State ceremonial, and so forth. It also
+serves to brisken their memories with regard to presents.”
+
+“What does he do?” asked Sylvia.
+
+“He just walks along, wearing a crown and in his best robes. And he
+speaks to people here and there--in a dignified way, of course--and he
+pats children on the head and asks their mothers how old they are, and
+if they had mumps--and all that sort of thing.”
+
+“He seems quite a nice king,” Sylvia observed.
+
+“You wait,” said Baldry, with dark meaning. “It’s only once a year
+that he bothers about mumps. Well, to go on with my unhappy story, I
+thought out a scheme for making the whole affair brighter. Though I
+am young and thin and have no hair to my chin, and though the King is
+middle-aged and fat and has a flowing beard, I so padded myself up with
+straw and so painted and behorsehaired myself that when I appeared in
+the public ways, clad in furred and tinselled robes and wearing a brass
+crown, there were none that did not take the jester for the king.”
+
+“I say, this sounds rather good!” Gorbo exclaimed.
+
+“Oh, it was very good. But listen. In lieu of the customary stately
+strut of His Majesty, I proceeded in a lively dance, which I have
+invented myself and which I have named ‘The fawn at play.’ There is in
+it a great deal of fanciful gesture and nimble leg work. In my right
+hand I bore a six-hooped pot; my left hand held my robe on high to
+give free play for my gambols. And thus, with shrill whoops of joy, I
+pranced among the amazed citizens.”
+
+“Did they laugh?” asked Joe.
+
+“Some few of the keener spirits did; but the general expression was of
+stolid wonder. I redoubled my efforts. Suddenly, on the completion of
+a series of backward somersaults, I found myself face to face with the
+King himself. There was that in his countenance that caused me to turn
+and flee, but I tripped over my robe and fell. In another instant I was
+seized by the guards and hurried to a dungeon.”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“What beasts!” exclaimed Sylvia.
+
+“Yes, Sylvia, that’s what they were. And when my gossip, the jailer,
+told me that the King was frothing at the mouth and had sent for his
+High Executioner, it seemed to me a choice moment to leave his service
+if it could be done. My prison was in a tower which had, by great good
+luck, a drain-pipe outside the window, so I washed off all traces of
+my kingly colour and slipped down. I reached the ground without other
+mishap than a rasping of my knees and knuckles and fled afar. Better to
+roam the cold world than to await the vengeance of a tyrant. So here I
+am, alone with you dear things in the greenwood. And very nice too.”
+
+“Is the King _very_ ruthless?” asked Sylvia anxiously.
+
+“Ruthless! Oh, my! However, I’m not going to go into details because
+that would only frighten you and serve no useful purpose.”
+
+“We’ve heard that things are pretty bad on this side,” said Gorbo. “And
+Golithos said the same.”
+
+“Oh, yes, dear old Golithos. You told me you’d stayed a night with him.
+I’ve never seen him myself, but I thought of paying him a visit.”
+
+“Don’t you do it,” said Gorbo. “He’ll bore you stiff--and there’s
+nothing to eat at his place but the stuff rabbits eat.”
+
+“Then that settles _that_,” said Baldry. “Well, where shall we go?”
+
+“We’d better try to find Mother Meldrum somehow. She’ll be able to tell
+us how to get back home.”
+
+“Dear old Mother Meldrum!” exclaimed Baldry. “Yes, let’s go and find
+her; she lives somewhere in the dark woods, which are somewhere about
+here. I’ve always wanted to meet that dear old lady, and now I shall!”
+
+“Is she nice then?” asked Sylvia, rather relieved at his enthusiasm.
+
+“Well, I wouldn’t go as far as that. She’s a witch, and she’s rather
+noted for blighting crops and injuring folks generally and she makes a
+fairly good living by selling curses and nobody of any sense will go
+near her. But she may have her good points. Let’s go at once!”
+
+“Look here, my dear friend,” said Gorbo, “this is all very well for you
+and me, but what about Sylvia and Joe? You stay here and look after
+them and I’ll go and see her. There’s no need for all of us to come.”
+
+“No, Gorbo,” cried Sylvia, “we’re going where you go.”
+
+“Of course we are,” said Joe. “Besides, it’d be rather fun to meet a
+real witch.”
+
+“That’s my way of looking at it,” said Baldry. “Fun is the correct
+word. Come along, Joe, let’s look for the dark woods. I’ll race you to
+the top of that tree.”
+
+He ran to an enormous tree a little distance away and Joe ran after
+him. In another minute the two disappeared among the leaves. Then cries
+of joy were heard from aloft.
+
+“It’s lovely up here,” called Joe. “Swinging about like Billy O!”
+
+“And the dark woods!” called Baldry. “Miles and miles and miles
+and miles of dark woods. Oh, this makes life really worth living!”
+(Certainly he seemed the kind that is easily pleased.) “Come down, Joe,
+we’ll show them the way.”
+
+The two came scrambling down, and they all went on and on until the
+trees came to an end at a wide stretch of turf that sloped gently away
+before them. And about half a mile or so away there were other woods,
+stretching as far as they could see on either hand. Undoubtedly the
+dark woods, for nothing in the shape of woods could be darker or more
+dismal looking.
+
+
+THE DARK WOODS
+
+They went on and soon reached the edge of the sombre trees on the
+opposite side, and then the question was, of course, which way were
+they to go. Gorbo was of opinion that they had better go as straight
+as they could and keep their eyes open for anything like a witch’s
+house, but Baldry suggested that they should sit down comfortably and
+shout for Mother Meldrum at intervals and see if she would turn up. And
+considering the vast extent of the dark woods both proposals seem to me
+ridiculous.
+
+The question was settled for them by the sudden appearance of a man who
+came walking out from the wood. He was dressed in a woollen jerkin and
+hose and instead of a hat he had a hood with a cape to it, as in the
+pictures of the cheaper sorts of mediæval people, and he carried in his
+hand a little packet done up in leaves. From the expression of his face
+they judged he was not a nice man. He stared at them for an instant and
+then spoke angrily:
+
+“Oh, yes, a man can’t buy a little curse without a lot of busybodies
+following him about! I’m not going to use it on _you_, am I?”
+
+“We hope better things of you, sweet chuck,” replied Baldry. “All we
+want is the way to Mother Meldrum’s place.”
+
+“Oh, then all you have to do is to follow this little path.” The man
+appeared to be greatly relieved. “But she’s out of curses; I got the
+last one. You see there’s been rather a run on them lately.”
+
+“We’ve only come for a couple of blessings,” said Baldry, as he took
+Sylvia’s hand and ran along the little path, followed by the others.
+They heard the man shouting that in that case they were going to the
+wrong shop, but they did not stop to argue the matter, and in a few
+minutes they found themselves deep in the shadow of tall mournful trees
+that shut out all but little chance glimpses of the sky. On either hand
+they could see patches of black swampy water, but the track was fairly
+plain (giving a hint that Mother Meldrum did a brisk business) and
+they went along at a good rate. There were no birds or cheerful little
+animals in this horrid place, but there were--as they soon became
+aware--bats.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Compared to these the bats of the twisted trees were little pets.
+These measured six feet or more across the wings and they had beaks
+of enormous size, from which issued hoarse bubbling sounds. Sylvia,
+who liked bats as much as she liked black-beetles, pulled her napkin
+cap over her eyes (she still wore this little stolen head-dress) and
+shuddered; but it was too late to think of turning back now however
+much she would have liked to. She kept close under Gorbo’s arm, and in
+time she began to be more used to them; after all they only flopped
+about and bubbled, and did not bite, which is the main thing.
+
+At length, late in the afternoon, after a journey that was very tiring
+to the young ones, they came to a part where the forest seemed a little
+clearer and lighter and not so swampy. The track went on for another
+half-hour’s travel and then they saw before them a house which they
+knew must be Mother Meldrum’s, if only because nobody but a witch would
+select it for a home.
+
+
+MOTHER MELDRUM’S HOUSE
+
+There was a little shabby patch of grass in front of the house, but
+behind and at the sides it was closely surrounded by trees and thick
+bushes. It seemed to be mostly roof--an untidy roof of thatch that
+reached nearly to the ground in some places and twisted up into gables
+here and there over ugly little windows like eyes. Although it was by
+no means a big house it looked somehow as if it had rather a lot of
+little lopsided secret rooms, and it had what I may call a generally
+wicked appearance. One could not imagine kind silver-haired people
+living in it and doing good deeds to the poor. It had its effect on
+Sylvia, who hung back a little as they came near; and even Joe showed
+no anxiety to get inside.
+
+“I think we’d better tie Tiger up in one of these napkins,” said
+Sylvia. “You see Sir Percival said she had black cats, and if Tiger
+takes to chasing them about she may get angry.”
+
+“Yes, Sylvia,” said Gorbo. “That’s a good idea. We must keep her in a
+good temper.”
+
+So the puppy was tied up carefully in a napkin, with only his nose out,
+and carried in Sylvia’s arms. Then Baldry--who suggested that he should
+be the spokesman because of his ready wit--rapped smartly at the door.
+
+“Who knocks?” called a disagreeable voice.
+
+“I, good mother, Baldry the King’s High Jester. And I have with me my
+dear old friend Gorbo and my dear little friends, Sylvia and Joe, to
+say nothing of their small hound. And we have come a long, long way to
+pay our respects to you.”
+
+“Pull the string of the latch and come in,” said the voice.
+
+Baldry did as he was told and they all went into a fairly large
+low-ceilinged room which looked like a kitchen. At the chimney-place a
+tall old woman was standing, stirring up a pot. She turned and looked
+at them, and Sylvia gave a little squawk at the sight of her face,
+which was indeed horrible.
+
+“Here we are again!” cried Baldry, cutting a swift caper and then
+striking an attitude calculated to put anybody into a good humour.
+
+“What do you mean by ‘again’?” asked the old woman with a scowl.
+“You’ve never been here before.”
+
+“Well, good dame, it means--well, it means ‘Here we are and let’s be
+jolly’ or words to that effect. It’s an expression in common use among
+jesters,” he added lamely, for the old woman merely turned round and
+went on stirring the pot.
+
+“So that’s what it means.” She tasted a spoonful of soup from the pot
+in a leisurely way. “I see. And does the King laugh when you say that?”
+
+“Yes--sometimes.”
+
+“Ah!” she said, “I’ve heard he’s not quite in his right mind.”
+
+Now this was an unsatisfactory reception, and they all four felt very
+uncomfortable standing in the middle of the kitchen, with the old
+woman’s back turned to them as she went on stirring. The room was very
+dark, for there was only one small window at one end, shaded with
+thatch, and there was not too much light outside owing to the trees.
+But every now and then the fire would flicker up and give them glimpses
+of articles such as a witch would be likely to have about her--bundles
+of herbs that looked poisonous and a stuffed alligator hanging from the
+rafters, and so forth. Poor Sylvia need not have worried about Tiger
+chasing the witch’s cats, for things were the other way about. Six or
+seven of the biggest and blackest cats that ever lashed a tail came
+crawling out of corners and rubbing themselves against her so that she
+could hardly keep her feet, all the while purring like horrible snores,
+their green eyes fixed on the napkin that held the shivering Tiger.
+
+After a couple of minutes or so the old woman turned round and seated
+herself on a stool and looked at them. “Are you the one who squealed
+just now?” she asked Sylvia.
+
+“Ye--yes, Mrs Meldrum,” replied Sylvia faintly.
+
+“You’d better not do it again. Now then, one of you! What do you want?”
+
+“We only want to know how to get back across the river, please, Mum,”
+said Gorbo politely.
+
+“Ah, you’re a Snerg, I see. How did you get here?”
+
+Gorbo gave her a brief account of the result of his fatheadedness, and
+Mother Meldrum chuckled.
+
+“What will you give me if I tell you?” she asked after a while.
+
+Gorbo brought out his silver-tipped horn and laid it on the table. “If
+this little christening present will do, Mum----”
+
+“What else?”
+
+“I’m afraid I haven’t anything else really valuable, Mum. But Sylvia
+here has a little coral necklace----”
+
+“Let’s see your necklace, Sylvia,” said Mother Meldrum.
+
+Sylvia took it off and gave it to Gorbo, who handed it to the old
+woman. She glanced contemptuously at it and threw it on the table.
+
+“What else?”
+
+“That’s all we’ve got, Mum--except clothes.”
+
+She looked at the clothes of all of them in a general way. Then she
+reached out her arm and fingered the material of Sylvia’s frock. Then
+she sniffed.
+
+“This little lot,” she said, nodding at the horn and necklace, “will
+just about pay a tenth part of what I want to show you the way.”
+
+There was an unpleasant silence for a time. Even Baldry appeared to
+have mislaid his blithe disposition. Though he had expressed a desire
+to meet the witch, now that he had the opportunity he did not seem
+to enjoy it. The truth is he was overwhelmed by what is known as the
+personality of the old lady.
+
+“Make me laugh,” she said, suddenly turning to him.
+
+
+MORE SORROW FOR BALDRY
+
+“Er--laugh, good mother?” he replied. “Oh, yes, of course. Would you
+like----”
+
+“I want to be amused,” she interrupted angrily rapping on the table.
+“It’s your job, isn’t it? Don’t stand there like a pump but say amusing
+things!”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“I’ll do my best, dame,” said Baldry, rousing himself. “Perhaps a few
+rib-tickling conundrums will please you. If so, tell me the difference
+between an unripe gooseberry----”
+
+“Shan’t!” shouted Mother Meldrum.
+
+“Oh--then would you like a merry song?”
+
+“Not a bit.”
+
+“Oh--then perhaps--perhaps a jolly tale would please you.”
+
+“Let’s hear your jolly tale,” she said, after a moment’s consideration.
+
+“Well, then, good dame,” said Baldry, making a special effort, “there
+was once an honest collector of the King’s taxes who----”
+
+“Don’t believe it.”
+
+“But this one _was_ honest,” pleaded Baldry.
+
+“Then why didn’t you say he was a freak? Go on.”
+
+“And this collector of taxes was on his way home after the day’s toil,
+riding on his ass, when he met three beggars, who begged of him----”
+
+“Well, that’s what they usually do, isn’t it? What’s there funny about
+that?”
+
+“Nothing very much,” replied Baldry. “But it will get better as I go
+on.”
+
+“Go on, then, what are you waiting for?”
+
+“And so, good dame, being charitable as well as honest, he gave to the
+first beggar a penny, to the second a piece of sausage, and to the
+third a small loaf of bread. But the first beggar, having had a full
+meal some half-hour before----”
+
+“Excuse me for stopping you,” interrupted Mother Meldrum, “but I don’t
+think I care to hear any more. You say it _is_ meant to be a funny
+tale, don’t you?”
+
+“It is generally so considered,” replied Baldry sulkily.
+
+“To _me_,” said the old woman, “it’s about as funny as a bilious
+attack.”
+
+To those who know from experience--as I confess I do--how painful it
+is to have one’s verbal efforts to be sparkling received with cold,
+unappreciative looks or smiles in which pity lurks behind a mere
+pretence at mirth, will appreciate how Baldry suffered from this
+really pointed rudeness. He stood looking miserably at the venomous
+old person, too distressed to notice that Sylvia was endeavouring to
+console him by patting his hand. His profession was to make laughter,
+to spread good humour, to (at meal times) set the table in a roar; yet
+he was roaming the earth, an outcast, because of the ill-success of his
+late jest with the King, and now he had failed again. Was he losing his
+power to captivate? That is what troubled him.
+
+
+A CHANGE OF TONE
+
+Mother Meldrum got up and went back to her cooking, leaving them
+standing, with Sylvia still knee deep in black cats.
+
+“Look here, Mum,” said Gorbo, after an uncomfortable interval of
+silence, “Golithos told me you’d be kind enough to tell me----”
+
+“Golithos?” The old woman turned round smartly. “So you saw Golithos,
+did you?”
+
+“Yes, Mum, we stayed one night at his place. He said you came to see
+him sometimes, and he told us to wait there for you.”
+
+“Then what made you leave him?”
+
+“Because--well, because----” Gorbo felt that perhaps, if she was
+friendly to Golithos, she might not think highly of his offer to send
+three arrows through his head.
+
+Mother Meldrum went to her stool and sat thinking and thinking, with
+her eyes wandering from Gorbo to the children. Suddenly she gave a
+tremendous chuckle that made them all jump. Then she jumped up briskly
+and patted Sylvia on the shoulder and told her to sit down.
+
+“And sit down, all of you,” she went on. “What are you all standing
+for? There are stools enough. You must be hungry too, but I’ll soon
+have some dinner ready. I wouldn’t like you to go away saying that old
+Mother Meldrum didn’t feed you properly.”
+
+Though they did not understand this very decided change of manner
+(who would?) it was very welcome. Gorbo put his bundle and his bow
+and arrows in a corner, and got a basin of water for the children to
+wash in. Then he washed his own piece of comb and gave it to Sylvia to
+put her hair in order, and when she had done this Joe had a turn at
+the comb. Tiger was put by Mother Meldrum’s advice in a little coarse
+basket and hung up on a hook in the ceiling, and there he sat moaning a
+little while the fierce black cats roamed to and fro and looked up at
+him with shining green eyes and sniffed as if he smelt good to them.
+
+
+DINNER WITH A WITCH
+
+In a little while Mother Meldrum began to slap platters on the table,
+and into each platter she put two large ladle-fulls of stewed hare,
+with potatoes, carrots, peas and onions, which had a most delicious
+smell, and told them to pitch in. A flask of wine--of a rather harsh
+flavour but not bad--was placed on the table for the grown-ups, and the
+children were given a little taste in water. Mother Meldrum was now
+quite kind and considerate: when Joe spilled a lot of his stew on the
+table she said it didn’t matter, that these things would happen. Baldry
+plucked up his spirits with the good food and drink and the agreeable
+change of manner, and told a couple of short tales which were well
+received by all present, Mother Meldrum being especially tickled.
+
+When dinner was over the bits were given to the cats, who gnawed and
+growled like lions, and to Tiger, who had his ration aloft in the
+basket. The children offered to help by washing up, and they and Baldry
+were soon busy outside with a small tub of water and some kitchen
+cloths, putting a polish on the plates and things.
+
+“And now let’s talk,” said Mother Meldrum to Gorbo. “You want to get
+back across the river. Very well, I’ll settle it for you. What’s more
+I’ll only charge you that horn and that measly little necklace for
+doing it.”
+
+“Oh, thank you, Mum!” cried Gorbo gratefully.
+
+“I always like to help when I can. But before I can do it you’ll have
+to give me a hand. I’m clean out of mandrakes, and I’ll need six or
+eight to work the spell, so you’ll have to go and get me some to-night,
+because you can only get them when the moon’s shining. The place is
+about a couple of miles from here.”
+
+“I’ll bring you back a barrow load of them,” said Gorbo, who did not
+know what they were. “Just show me the place and----”
+
+“Not so fast,” said the old woman snappishly. “Mandrakes don’t grow
+like bluebells. You’ll likely have to spend all the night looking for
+them. You see they’re little roots shaped like persons, but there’s the
+true mandrake and the spurious mandrake. There’s about ten thousand of
+the real ones to one of the others.”
+
+“Oh! Then how do I tell the difference, Mum?” asked Gorbo.
+
+“When you pull them up. The real ones squeak.”
+
+“Oh!” Gorbo did not relish the idea of a night alone in the moonlight
+in these distressful woods, pulling up things that squeaked. But there
+was no way out of it. “Very well, Mum,” he said. “And what shall I do
+with Sylvia and Joe?”
+
+“They can stay here with me. The funny man can stay too and look after
+them. Your job is to come back in the morning with at least six nice
+lively mandrakes. It’s rather a swampy place where they grow, but you
+won’t mind that. If any things come and look at you don’t be worried,
+but don’t speak if you can help it because it’s best not to.”
+
+“What sort of things?” asked Gorbo.
+
+“Well, mostly things rather like people, only with big ears and
+slobbering mouths. Oh, and take a stick with you on account of the
+bats. As a rule they’re harmless, but they’ve been known to bite when
+you’re not looking--stooping and so forth. As it’s getting on to night
+you’d better get ready to go now, so here’s a basket. I’ll go with you
+and show you the place.”
+
+Gorbo shivered and took the basket, but he did not look enthusiastic.
+
+“None of your sulky looks!” cried the old woman with sudden fury. “Just
+put on those airs and I won’t do a thing for you!”
+
+“I didn’t mean to be sulky, Mum,” said Gorbo. “I’ll go at once.
+You’ll--you’ll look after the little ones, won’t you?” The poor chap
+felt very doubtful about leaving them for the night; Baldry and he had
+sworn a friendship, but he did not have much belief in his power to
+protect them. But there really seemed no way out of it.
+
+“That’s better,” said Mother Meldrum. “Yes, I’ll look after them very
+nicely. You come with me and I’ll show you where they are to sleep;
+then you’ll feel easy in your mind.”
+
+
+THE SPARE BEDROOM
+
+She called the others and then took a candle and went to a door in the
+darkest corner of the kitchen, which led to a flight of narrow stairs,
+and then to a dark passage above. There were two or three little closed
+doors on either side of the passage, but there were no windows anywhere
+and they had to be careful how they walked, for the floor was very
+uneven and at one place there were two steps up and at another three
+steps down. At the end it turned round a corner, and there was another
+door which led to another narrow flight of stairs and up to a big room,
+full of what seemed to be bundles of herbs hanging from the rafters,
+and with only one tiny window high up near the roof. She went quickly
+over to a door at one end of the room and slammed and locked it, as if
+there was something inside that she didn’t want to come out, then she
+took them to another door at the other end and told them to come in.
+
+They found themselves in a little room, dark like every other part
+of this horrible house, as it had only a small window half hidden by
+creepers and thatch. There was absolutely no furniture in it but a
+four-post bedstead, and a little pair of steps to use when going to
+bed, so high was it from the floor. From the window they could see only
+the gloomy tree-tops fading away in the dusk that was coming on, and a
+glimpse of the moon peeping out from a stormy cloud.
+
+Sylvia stood with Tiger in one arm and held tightly to Gorbo. Baldry
+was doubtfully swinging his bladder stick which with the exception of
+his clothes was his only possession. Nobody looked cheerful except old
+Mother Meldrum, who was quite brisk.
+
+“Now you dear little things can go to bed at once,” she said. “There’s
+enough moonlight for you to see by. This funny man can have a bed in
+the kitchen and the Snerg will come with me for a little walk.”
+
+“Are you going to leave us alone, Gorbo?” asked Sylvia in a whisper.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Yes, Sylvia,” he replied, putting his arms round her, “but I’ll be
+back early in the morning. You see I’ve got to go and help Mother
+Meldrum get some things she wants to help us get across the river and
+back home, so you do as she says and go to sleep.”
+
+“Oh, come along with you!” cried Mother Meldrum impatiently. “I can’t
+stay here all night. Tumble into bed, both of you!”
+
+It really seemed that there was nothing else to do. Sylvia took off
+her slinkers and then looked round to see if there was anything in the
+shape of a nightie; but there wasn’t, and the old woman let out such a
+snarl at the delay that both children bolted into bed, all standing,
+as sailors say. Gorbo tucked them up with a patchwork quilt and kissed
+them both very sorrowfully and put the puppy at the foot of the bed;
+then he went out after the others.
+
+“There’s _your_ bed,” said Mother Meldrum to Baldry, pointing to a
+large box with straw in it in the corner of the kitchen. “Curl up and
+go to sleep. Dream of some funny things for to-morrow.”
+
+“It’s full of cats,” said Baldry discontentedly, as he looked into the
+box.
+
+“Heave them out then, you helpless loon!” shouted Mother Meldrum.
+
+Baldry sighed deeply and began removing cats. They all growled and spat
+at him, and one bit him finely in the fleshy part of the thumb. Gorbo
+whispered to him to keep a good look out for the children, and then
+picked up his bow and basket and so forth and went out after the old
+woman.
+
+
+WHAT HAPPENED IN THE NIGHT
+
+Strange to say, the children dropped off to sleep almost at once. They
+were tired with the long walk and the bed was fairly comfortable, and
+Joe, who, as I have said, was always the true optimist, had comforted
+Sylvia by cheering remarks about everything coming out all right even
+if it was a beast of a house.
+
+Joe woke out of a sound sleep with a start. It seemed to him that he
+had heard a loud crack somewhere. He sat up and looked about him,
+wondering where he was. Then he remembered the shape of the little
+window, through which the moonlight was now streaming brightly, just
+touching Sylvia’s curls as she slept peacefully beside him with the
+puppy curled up in a ball behind her neck. He lay down again, and was
+just dropping off again into a delicious sleep when he heard another
+crack, and this time he was out of bed with a jump, for there was a
+dark shadow at the window and the lattice was wide open.
+
+“Joe!” called a whisper, “it’s me, poor old Baldry. Don’t make a sound.”
+
+“What’s wrong,” whispered Joe, creeping to the window.
+
+“Everything. Wake up Sylvia and tell her to come quietly.” Baldry was
+climbing carefully through the window. “We’ve got to get away quickly.”
+
+Joe was a sensible boy (in some ways) and he wasted no time in
+questions but shook Sylvia carefully and then put his hand over her
+mouth and whispered to her not to speak. She rubbed her eyes and stared
+at Baldry. Then she became fully awake.
+
+“Yes, Joe,” she said, not trembling very much, “I’ll be a sport.” She
+jumped out of bed and put on her slinkers (there were the elements of
+greatness as well of flirtatiousness in that child). Baldry put his
+arms about them so that he could whisper what he had to say.
+
+“There’s a man that’s come in with Mother Meldrum--a giant--and they’re
+down below talking. And I’m pretty sure it’s Golithos.”
+
+“Oo--er!” said Joe with a jump.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Yes, it’s a great big man with lots of hair and whiskers and a great
+silly face, just as you told me. They came in through a back door
+somewhere, so that they wouldn’t wake me I suppose, and they sat
+talking and talking in a back room. So I crept up and looked through a
+little chink and I saw him quite plain, Joe. Horrid sight. And she got
+furious with him and called him a cowardly lubber and said if he didn’t
+do it he shouldn’t have a single bite at them.”
+
+“What did she mean?” asked Joe.
+
+“Well, I don’t know what she wanted _him_ to do. But about the biting,
+Joe, I think she meant you and Sylvia.”
+
+“Let’s scoot!” said Joe.
+
+In a minute or two they had the sheets torn into long strips and
+knotted together, and Sylvia was tied with this handy rope under the
+arms and lowered gently out of the window, holding Tiger tightly to
+her. Joe in the meantime was going down by way of a big creeper that
+grew against the wall, and by which Baldry had climbed up to them. As
+soon as he was on the ground Baldry’s red and yellow legs shot out of
+the window, and in another minute he was down beside them.
+
+“Come along,” he said, grabbing a hand of each one, and running with
+them into the trees, “there’s enough moonlight to find the path, I
+think. But in any case we’ve got to get somewhere else quick.”
+
+“But what about Gorbo?” asked Joe, stopping suddenly. “What’ll he say
+when he finds we’re gone?”
+
+“Yes, we can’t leave Gorbo behind,” cried Sylvia. “Oh, what are we to
+do?”
+
+“We’ve _got_ to go,” said Baldry. “Golithos has come after you, that’s
+plain. And I’m afraid I’m not much use in a fight; I’ve only got my
+little bladder stick. But Gorbo’s a hard little man with lots of fight
+in him, and he’s got his bow and arrows. He’ll be able to look after
+himself all right, and when he finds we’re gone he’ll chase after
+us, you can be sure of that. We’ll go on and hide just outside these
+beastly woods and wait for him to come.”
+
+This seemed reasonable enough, and they started off again at a run.
+But though the moonlight was bright enough when it shone on the path
+there were long stretches where it was quite dark, and Baldry had often
+to walk ahead of the children and feel the way. They moved on slowly,
+sometimes running a bit but more often crawling along, always with the
+thought that they might at any moment hear that dreadful couple coming
+after them and shouting to them to stop; and it shows what a plucky
+girl Sylvia was that she could keep up without a murmur, even though
+her little heart was heavy with fear.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+At last they found the moonlight giving place to the grey light of
+dawn, and they were filled with joy and thankfulness, for things that
+are terrible in the night seem almost harmless when the day comes. And,
+feeble though the light was yet, it enabled them to pick the path much
+more easily: however bright the moon shines it casts black shadows, but
+the light of day gets behind things.
+
+“Do you think they will come after us?” asked Joe. With the little bit
+of light and the extra speed they were making he felt that the subject
+was at least bearable.
+
+“No,” replied Baldry, “not yet awhile I think. Old Mother Meldrum’s too
+busy jawing and Golithos is too busy eating.”
+
+“What is he eating?” asked Joe, struck with a sudden idea. “Salad?”
+
+“No, Joe, he’d got a lot of big beef bones in his bag and he was biting
+hard at them while he listened to that old beast.”
+
+“Oh, he’s killed that nice cow!” cried Sylvia. And though she had borne
+all the terrors so bravely she burst out crying at the fate of the
+patient animal that had been so friendly to them and given them milk in
+their sore need.
+
+
+THE GREEN RIDE
+
+When at last they came to the end of the dark woods the sun was over
+the tree-tops and everything looked delightfully bright and cheering.
+They raced across the wide stretch of turf that separated them from
+the nice friendly-looking forest on the other side, and they were soon
+resting in a warm spot just at the outskirts of some spreading oaks,
+far from the horrible house and the haunted woods.
+
+Baldry said it was best to stay exactly where they were and keep a good
+look out for Gorbo, who would certainly chase after them as soon as he
+came back and found they were gone. Of course if Golithos or the old
+hag came out first it would be necessary to hide closer, and he looked
+round and found a nice place, deep in a thicket of bracken, where fifty
+people could be safely hidden, and to which they could do a bolt at a
+moment’s notice.
+
+But now that they had their minds at rest to some degree, the
+conversation turned on things to eat and drink; there is nothing like
+exercise and fright to give one an appetite. Sylvia said how nice it
+would be to have a hot cup of tea with plenty of milk, and Baldry, who
+belonged to mediæval times and therefore did not know of tea, asked if
+it was anything like hot spiced ale. This led the talk to hot ham, to
+eggs cooked in various ways, and buttered toast. And the result was
+they got ravenous.
+
+Baldry was knitting his brow over the question of how to get breakfast
+when suddenly they heard clanging sounds and the clump of horses’ feet.
+And looking about them they saw a cavalcade of some ten or twelve
+men-at-arms, coming along the green ride with much pomp and glittering
+of steel and high stepping of fine horses. Baldry stared earnestly at
+them and then he gave a satisfied chortle.
+
+“These blokes,” he said (blokes is not the word he used of course, but
+it is the nearest I can get to it in translation), “are the same ones
+who rode up to the castle yesterday and frightened dear Percy away. But
+they didn’t see us, because we got away so quickly, so I think we had
+better see if they can spare us a trifle. Men-at-arms generally have
+some bits of food about their persons--cold fried fish and sausage and
+the like--and they’re generally good-natured on a fine morning. And
+if they give us some little pieces of money instead we can buy some
+breakfast somewhere--if there’s a house anywhere in these wild parts.”
+
+“All right,” said Joe, starting up. “Come along, Sylvia.”
+
+“No, wait a bit,” said Baldry, “this wants thinking out. To make this
+thing a success we have to appeal to them in some quaint way. I’ve got
+it! You go first, Joe, turning somersaults; that will make them stop
+and wonder. Then you go next, Sylvia, and drop a nice little curtsey
+and smile at them; that will put them in a good humour. Then I’ll come
+along walking on my hands, and that will make it a sure thing and they
+should unbelt at once. First of all let’s make ourselves look nice.”
+
+The children were highly interested and Sylvia asked him if he had a
+comb. But he had not, so she fluffed out her curls with her fingers
+and then knelt over a little forest pool close by to make sure that
+she looked rather fetching. (She was her mother’s daughter all right
+enough.) Joe tucked his shirt in neatly and tightened his belt, and
+Baldry practised an expression of attractive mirth.
+
+The horsemen approached at an easy walk and they could see the face
+of the leader, an able-looking person whose well-fitting and polished
+mail and golden spurs proclaimed him a knight in a prosperous line of
+business. He rode with his visor raised, talking to one whose plain
+steel spurs and armour devoid of fancy trimmings showed that he was as
+yet but a squire. In the still morning air their voices came clearly to
+the little waiting group.
+
+“In sooth, good Baldwin,” he was saying, “there is now little chance of
+honourable adventure in the land. But yester morn I had hope of running
+a course with the scurril Sir Percival, who has dared to raise his
+lobster eyes to my mistress and to brag forsooth that she has sent him
+forth seeking advancement to grace her name. But the pestilent knave
+fled and my hope was dashed to the ground--which is a pity, because
+that’s what I meant to do to him.”
+
+“Good, my lord,” said the squire, “’tis likely that the Lady Gwendoline
+did but tell him to chase himself. So at least went the gossip at the
+buttery hatch.”
+
+“My lady has a pretty wit, and perchance she put her answer in such
+wise that the moth-eaten rascal has construed it to his own undoing--or
+at least to his grievous waste of time. But what mummery have we here,
+good Baldwin?”
+
+It was Joe, turning brisk somersaults, and the leader halted his horse
+and stared down at him. Joe sprang at him and clasped his mailed leg
+with his arms, as Baldry had told him to, and loudly asked for charity.
+
+“Unhand my left leg, thou wanton!” cried the leader. “Who told you to
+behave like this?--But whom else have we here?”
+
+This was Sylvia, who came tripping up and dropped a dainty curtsey,
+smiling very prettily at him.
+
+“By my hilt, a right winsome little lass! Is she not, Baldwin?”
+
+“Ay, my lord, she has hair like ripe corn and merry blue eyes, and her
+cheeks are like rose leaves in the morn. A pretty maid--and a saucy, I
+warrant me.”
+
+“You silly thing!” said Sylvia, pretending to be coy; “I don’t believe
+you.” (This sort of behaviour came quite naturally to her.)
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Nay, little lass,” said the leader, smiling good-humouredly, “for the
+sake of your pretty looks I have here a silver groat”--he pulled off
+his mailed glove and fished about in a little steel pocket in his
+_cuisses_, or thigh armour--a quaint little pocket that shut with a
+spring. “I _know_ I had a groat somewhere--Ah, here we have it!” He
+bent down and placed the coin in Sylvia’s little palm and patted her
+cheek. “And if you are hungered my good squire has half a fat capon
+which he borrowed--But whom _else_ have we here?”
+
+Whom else they had was of course Baldry, who came along, walking
+upside-down and singing “When woods are green and foules sing,” a truly
+difficult feat before breakfast you will say. When opposite the knight
+he sprang right side up and cut a dexterous caper--and then stared in
+horror.
+
+“Scurril rogue!” roared the knight, catching him by the collar with a
+grip of iron. “At last we have thee who dared to put so scandalous a
+jest upon His Majesty! Ho, there, seize me this knave and loose him not
+till he be safe in the royal dungeon.”
+
+
+CAPTIVES
+
+Words cannot describe the dismay and mental confusion of Joe and Sylvia
+at this unhappy change of fortune, or I should certainly try for it.
+Their pleadings that Baldry be allowed to remain with them met with no
+satisfactory response from the leader, and when they exclaimed against
+his conduct in taking away their companion and protector and leaving
+them alone in the forest, he merely stated that all this talk was
+unnecessary for they were coming along too. I will pass briefly over
+their indignation at this new tyranny; of how Joe in the first flush
+of his wrath called the knight “Blighter!” or how Sylvia stroked his
+mail-clad hand and implored him not to be a beast. Suffice it to say
+that all was of no avail and that they were lifted up and placed each
+in front of a stalwart man-at-arms, while Baldry was ordered to mount a
+spare horse they had with them.
+
+Strange to say, now that Baldry was captured and there was no way out
+of it, he took the matter with more philosophy than might be expected.
+He climbed up on the horse as he was told, loudly calling all to
+witness that he was doing so under protest, and seated himself facing
+the tail; and when the squire, Baldwin, sternly reproved him for his
+folly he apologized in such ironical terms that the men-at-arms were
+forced to turn away their heads to hide a smile. Encouraged by this he
+broke loudly into song, but here the knight took a hand in the matter
+and ordered them to tie his mouth up with a kerchief. Then he placed
+himself at the head of his men, gave an order, and the troop turned
+round and went back over the green ride.
+
+Truly a bitter result of the children’s folly and disobedience to find
+themselves borne far from their faithful friend Gorbo, to become the
+captives of a king of ruthless fame.
+
+And as the troop rode on, two and two, old Mother Meldrum was standing,
+out of breath, at the edge of the dark wood, glaring at them from under
+her hand and muttering deep curses.
+
+
+
+
+_Part III_
+
+
+THE DOINGS AT HOME
+
+It will be well at this point of the narrative to return to the land
+of the Snergs and consider the doings of King Merse II and his friend
+Vanderdecken.
+
+During their conference they had come to the decision that the children
+and Gorbo must have got by some strange chance to the other side of the
+river and were wandering about in the unknown country beyond, where not
+even a Snerg had penetrated, or, for the matter of that, ever wished
+to penetrate. There was nothing for it, therefore, but to devise some
+means of following them there in force and rescuing them; though from
+what dangers they were to be rescued no man could say.
+
+Vanderdecken had considered carefully and asked whether, as the river
+must reach the sea at some point, they could go along the coast and
+cross it at its mouth. But King Merse told him that not only was it
+very far to where the river came to the sea, but the country between
+was all chasms and inaccessible cliffs, or else wild, matted jungle
+coming down to the shore (which was full of quicksands) and that it
+would take a week’s hard travel to get half-way there--that is to say,
+to the part where it began to be really difficult--which put the lid on
+that suggestion.
+
+Then Vanderdecken asked if there was any narrow part of the river, and
+he was told there was one point, some league or so from the town, where
+the cliffs were not so very wide apart. But to make up for that they
+were very high, and more than steep because they leaned over the river,
+which rushed fiercely below almost in darkness, so far down was it.
+Short of flying over, said the King, there was no way to pass there.
+
+But Vanderdecken asked him to step out on the ground what he thought
+would be about the distance across, and when this was done he nodded in
+a satisfied way. Then he asked if there were trees on the farther side,
+and being told there were many trees on both sides, growing close to
+the edge of the cliffs he said, “This will be like drinking Schnapps,”
+and (his own words reminding him) took the King in to have some. After
+a little more conference, he arranged to meet him at the town on the
+following morning as I have already related.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+THE INGENUITY OF VANDERDECKEN
+
+In addition to their weapons and personal belongings the Dutchmen had
+taken some ship’s gear with them. It consisted of the following:
+
+  1 long stout rope (spare topsail halyard).
+  1 coil of thin rope.
+  1 small anchor (belonging to the longboat).
+  1 stout iron bar (spare handle of deck pump).
+  1 strong net of rope (used for hoisting out of the hold).
+  2 saws.
+  3 axes.
+  4 adzes.
+  1 two-inch auger.
+  1 big hammer.
+  1 bag of nails and other small matters.
+
+On arriving at the narrow part of the river, Vanderdecken walked to
+and fro with his mate, looking at all points. At length he stopped and
+said, “This is where we get busy.”
+
+The opposite cliff was not very far away (possibly about two hundred
+feet) and there were many trees about, growing close to the edge, as
+the King had said. Far below could be seen flashes of white where the
+torrent broke into foam as it roared on in the gloom.
+
+A tall young tree, of a springy character, was cut down and the
+branches were lopped off. Two sides were then cut away until it looked
+something like a very long thick plank; the Snergs working at it with
+great fury, so that the air was full of chips. Then they....
+
+No, on second thoughts I consider it inadvisable to give a detailed
+description of the device which Vanderdecken made. It would be to turn
+from a narrative of adventure (with a moral) to a cheap treatise on
+mechanics. Let it suffice to say that with great labour of all hands he
+made a fairly good imitation of a Roman _balista_, which was so useful
+in inducing besieged peoples to be reasonable by heaving tons of rock
+at them. This shows the advantage of a classical education.
+
+Instead of rock he was going to heave the anchor, with the rope
+attached to it and neatly coiled up, to the other side of the river.
+The other end of the rope was tied to a tree, and all that had to be
+done was to cut another rope that acted as the trigger of this deadly
+arrangement.
+
+
+HOW THEY PASSED OVER THE RIVER
+
+Vanderdecken carefully inspected the completed arrangements and, after
+warning some enthusiastic Snergs to stand a little further off, drew
+his cutlass. One dexterous slash and the rope parted, there was a
+terrific jarr that shook some of the lighter Snergs off their feet,
+and the anchor flew across the river like an ungainly bird, the rope
+uncoiling in the air behind it, and crashed into the trees on the
+opposite side. The Snergs raised a joyful cheer, but the Dutchmen,
+being phlegmatic, did not. Instead, they grabbed the rope and hauled it
+in. A dozen pairs of extra hands had it in a moment, and hauled with a
+will to the tune of “Fifteen men.” The rope grew taut--then slipped.
+They hauled away, and it caught again--slipped once more, and caught
+again. And this time it had caught firmly, for all hands were pulling
+and the rope was as taut as a rod. It was belayed smartly round a tree
+and lashed securely, and a moment later a Snerg was hanging on to it
+and going across with swift jerks.
+
+He disappeared in the foliage (the first Snerg to arrive on the other
+side; he got a decoration for it). A minute later he came running to
+the edge of the cliff and shouted that all was well; the anchor had
+caught firmly, with each fluke round a small but sufficient tree trunk.
+The job was done. Here was a road to the unknown land quite good enough
+for seamen, and more than good enough for Snergs, who can climb like
+startled cats.
+
+Vanderdecken expressed his satisfaction at the successful result, for
+if the anchor trick had proved a failure it would have been necessary
+to pad a Snerg up with lots of straw and shoot him across with a line
+attached so that he could haul the rope over after arrival. There was a
+great deal of resource and determination about this sea captain.
+
+It was waxing late, for the construction of the device had taken the
+greater part of the day, and there was no time to be lost if they
+were all to get over before night. The rope was only as thick as a
+fair-sized broom handle so it was decided that they would have to pass
+over at long distances apart in order not to put too great a strain on
+it, but they were told to move in lively fashion. Vanderdecken and the
+King went first, and then the others--thirty-three Dutch seamen and two
+hundred and one Snergs (the odd one was the trumpeter)--each carrying
+his weapons and kit securely lashed to him because the position of
+travel was of course upside-down, and it was quite dark before the
+last one got over. Camp fires were soon burning brightly and each
+man prepared his bed, of chopped-up ferns. Sentries were posted in an
+orderly way, steel casques and breastplates being compulsory. Then,
+after a hasty supper, they turned in for the night.
+
+
+BOOT AND SADDLE
+
+This heading is not quite correct because, though they had boots they
+had no saddles, but it means that they were off. The trumpet blew a
+full hour before daybreak, and by the time the dawn came they had
+had some breakfast and were all ready. King Merse, who had something
+of Napoleon’s ability, left full directions with a crowd of fifty
+Snergs who had remained for the night on the Snerg side of the river.
+They were to divide into two lots, one for each side, and the lot on
+the enemy side was to dig a deep semicircular trench and make a high
+semicircular wall to defend the point where the rope was anchored. The
+lots were to change places every third day. And until they saw the
+Expeditionary Force returning they were to send a daily messenger to
+the town to say that all was well--meaning that nothing had happened
+so far--and this message was to be forwarded on to Miss Watkyns by
+a special runner. It is indeed terrible to think that all this fuss
+should be caused by the folly and disobedience of two shrimps like
+Sylvia and Joe.
+
+The force started off in the direction of some rising ground, from
+which they would be able to reconnoitre the country. Four agile
+Snergs went some quarter of a mile ahead, and behind came the main
+body, in fours, led by Vanderdecken and the King. The former wore
+wide boots with tops like buckets and a sea-cap of fur, and carried
+a long deadly-looking musket. The latter wore an inlaid cuirass and
+steel casque and a sword of proof. In his hand he swung a double-edged
+battle-axe and altogether he looked very serviceable for his size. The
+Snergs that remained behind watched them marching away into the unknown
+land, until the trees hid them from view and they could be seen no
+more, and even the clumping of the Dutchmen’s sea-boots died away.
+
+
+THE FIRST DAY’S MARCH
+
+It was late in the afternoon when the Expeditionary Force halted on a
+hill and surveyed with interest a little distant cluster of towers.
+It was the first sign of habitation they had met with in a long, hard
+march.
+
+Their preliminary inspection of the country in the morning had shown
+them only gently rolling plains, with patches of dense woods here
+and there, which seemed to be quite uninhabited, so it was a toss-up
+which way they should take. Vanderdecken had said that since they did
+not know the proper course to steer it was best to make one and stick
+to it; even if it led them away from the lost ones the same might be
+said of any course, and they had to go somewhere. So they selected
+sou’west-by-west and tramped it steadily for many hours, marvelling at
+the strange absence of natives or roads or houses. Nor were there signs
+of dragons or unicorns or other fierce fauna rumoured to be in the land
+beyond the river. The fiercest thing they saw was a huge rabbit, with
+claws; and all that it did was to make a nasty face at them and run
+away.
+
+The course was changed after a midday rest and they went
+sou’east-by-south, Vanderdecken having given his opinion that since
+they had met with nothing to guide them in the search it would be
+best to go about on the other tack, which means to go zigzag. And so
+at last they came to the hill-top and saw the distant towers, deep in
+waving woods. The direction was taken, and they went down and through
+the trees, and another couple of hours’ march brought them to the same
+compact little stronghold in which, two days before, the wanderers they
+were searching for had made themselves so much at home.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+THE MYSTERIOUS CASTLE AGAIN
+
+King Merse did not leave things to chance. He sent Snergs ahead in
+pairs, as is advocated by militarists, and the main body came behind.
+The scouts reported that the castle, though prosperous-looking, did not
+appear to be a scene of activity. With the exception of smoke coming
+from what they thought (and hoped) was a kitchen chimney, there was no
+sign of life about it.
+
+The Dutchmen re-primed their muskets and the Snergs got their bows
+ready, and all approached and halted by the door in the outer wall;
+then King Merse ordered his trumpeter to blow the horn which hung
+outside.
+
+I may mention that it had been decided that, to save time and
+provisions, the country should be treated as an enemy country until the
+contrary was proved.
+
+The trumpeter blew (not inaptly) the Snerg equivalent of “Come to the
+cookhouse door,” and after a brief interval a face appeared looking
+down at them from the wall. It was a fat, pompous face, to which all
+hands took an instinctive, but perhaps slightly unreasonable, dislike.
+
+“What want ye, my masters?” said the face, looking contemptuously at
+them.
+
+“It would take too long to tell all we want,” replied King Merse, “but
+just at this moment we want to come in and eat. We will tell you the
+rest later.”
+
+“And that may not be,” said the man, “for my lord is away and he has
+given me strict orders to admit no one except on business.”
+
+“But eating is right good business,” replied the King. “Come, good
+fellow, do not keep us waiting.”
+
+“I fear you will have to eat elsewhere,” the man said. “This castle
+seems to be getting too popular with vagrants. But two days agone
+some scurril knaves came in my temporary absence and ate a few scores
+of eggs and a ham and left me to wash up after them. Be advised,
+therefore, and go before I become an angered.”
+
+King Merse, who was not the sort to waste time in unprofitable chat,
+turned to his men.
+
+“Burst me open this door,” he said.
+
+“Nay, if you be so hardy in your ways,” cried the man with a sudden
+change of tone, “I’ll even open to you. But I warn you that my lord is
+terrible in his wrath.”
+
+The door opened and there appeared before them a stout person, wearing
+a long gown and a chain and carrying a wand of office, who was
+evidently the steward of the castle. “Ay, terrible,” he went on. “If
+he comes back and finds you here--oh, well, if you won’t listen, you
+won’t.” He concluded on a peevish note, for the King and Vanderdecken
+were going ahead of their men towards the wide stone steps that led to
+the main door of the building, which stood open.
+
+Within they found a commodious hall furnished with long tables and
+benches, and with a raised dais at the end on which was a table of
+superior finish and several carved arm-chairs.
+
+“And now, good fellow,” said the King, after removing his steel
+headpiece and seating himself at his ease, “to whom does this castle
+belong?”
+
+“To the famed Sir Bevis, Lord of the King’s marches,” replied the
+steward, who had followed him in and who now seemed to think this a
+case for discretion. “He guards the land against chance attack from the
+fierce and cruel Snergs, who live on the other side of the deep river.
+And now I must ask who you are and why----”
+
+“And now tell me if you have seen two children wandering in these
+parts, or if you have heard of two children wandering here. They should
+be with a man of about my size.”
+
+“I have seen no dwarf--I mean, no gentleman of your size. But I have
+seen two children this very morning.”
+
+“Where?” demanded the King, starting up.
+
+“In the woods, gathering berries. But perchance it were an error to
+call them children, for the youngest is sixteen and a stout varlet
+for his age, and the other is some two years older and has a slight
+beard. They are the sons of my gossip Hugh, the miller, and idle
+vagabonds both as I have often said to Hugh and advised him to try what
+rods will do, for if a child----”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Forget them,” interrupted the King, seating himself again. “Now, good
+fellow, tell me where your ruler lives, and how far it is from here.”
+
+“His Majesty, King Kul lives (as all men should know) at Banrive, which
+is a day’s march from here. And now I must insist----”
+
+“Then we will rest here to-night and leave on that day’s march by dawn
+to-morrow. In the meantime we would eat.”
+
+“Nay, fair sir, that I cannot allow. If my lord----”
+
+“We will need,” said the King, “some good meaty matter (such as pork)
+as a groundwork. And as beans go well with pork let there be beans
+also.”
+
+“And some beer,” suggested Vanderdecken.
+
+“_And_ some beer of course. So see to it, for we would eat quickly, and
+rest. And talking of rest, where is your lord’s bedchamber?”
+
+“It is here,” said the steward, opening a door and displaying a large
+room with two canopied beds in it. “But I fear I cannot allow you to
+use my lord’s best beds, for if----”
+
+“You take that one,” said the King to Vanderdecken, pointing to the
+largest bed. “It looks very comfortable.”
+
+“No,” replied Vanderdecken politely, “_you_ take it.”
+
+“I should really like you to have it,” said the King.
+
+“Let’s flip for it,” suggested Vanderdecken, producing a piece of
+eight. “Sudden death.”
+
+“Heads!” said the King.
+
+“Tails,” said Vanderdecken, displaying the coin. “Sorry, old chap.” He
+got into bed (with his sea-boots on) to see how it felt. “Very nice.
+We’ll have a good sleep to-night anyhow.”
+
+They went back to their men and directed proceedings. Some men went out
+to fetch straw to sleep on, others went to the kitchen and instructed
+by Vanderdecken’s cook (whose soup was the cause of all these
+adventures) prepared some choice food (he was very good at sea-pie),
+and drew off many gallons of strong beer to wash it down. The steward
+followed them about with a pen and ink-horn and a piece of parchment,
+entering against each item taken what he conceived to be the highest
+tavern rates. A faithful fellow, but something of an ass.
+
+When the meal was over sentries were posted on the walls and the others
+lay down on the straw. The King and Vanderdecken retired to their beds
+after giving orders that they were to be roused an hour before the dawn.
+
+“I say, this _is_ comfort,” said Vanderdecken, plumping up a feather
+pillow. “By the way, let’s hope we find those youngsters pretty soon.”
+
+“Yes,” agreed the King. “Because if we don’t, we’ll be forced to
+introduce battle, murder and sudden death into these parts, and I want
+to avoid that if I can.”
+
+
+HOW GORBO GATHERED MANDRAKES
+
+When at last Gorbo desisted from his damp job of looking for mandrakes,
+the dawn was breaking. It seemed to him that his back was breaking
+also, for he had stooped and stooped and pulled at roots almost without
+pause throughout the dismal night. He rested awhile on a fallen log
+and tried to rest his spine, taking quick looks behind him at intervals.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+It _had_ been a night. Not only were the true mandrakes extremely
+rare--after hours and hours of search he had only got six that he was
+pretty sure of--but he had been worried by his surroundings. Leaving
+out the bats, who were troublesome enough, he had been in continuous
+doubt of the things that lurked in the black shade of the trees round
+about, things rather like men, but with little furious faces and big
+pointed ears and mouths that slobbered, who gibbered and pointed at
+him in the moonlight. There was one fat pale thing, who if he was not
+a ghoul was extremely like one, and he had come and sat under a holly
+bush, staring earnestly at him for hours and hours, and occasionally
+shrieking with laughter. Gorbo was not superstitious in the ordinary
+sense of the word, but the night had left him nervy, if I may be
+allowed the expression; especially as he had been warned not to speak
+while at the job and he wanted so much to relieve his feelings by
+saying things. In fact if cold fingers had touched him on the back of
+the neck while he was resting on the log, I think he would have jumped
+to quite a height; and I do not blame him, for I know that I should
+have done very much the same.
+
+However, here he had six mandrakes in the basket and the night was
+past. He got up and made his way along the trail back to Mother
+Meldrum’s house, and hoped that part of his troubles were over, as she
+could now get busy with spells and the like, and so get the little
+doors open. There would be, of course, the wood of twisted trees to
+pass on the other side; but he had hopes that he would not find this
+too difficult, since he had learned quite a lot of common sense in the
+last two or three days and he would apply it. Let him but get to the
+other side of the river, he thought, and he would soon find a way to
+get the children safely home.
+
+He called out for Sylvia and Joe as he came near the house; but there
+was no reply, no running of little feet to greet him. He went quickly
+to the kitchen door and pushed it open, but there was nobody there. He
+called again loudly and anxiously, and then a door at the side of the
+fireplace opened and Golithos came out, stooping almost double to get
+through.
+
+“Hullo,” he said in an unfriendly tone, “what do _you_ want?”
+
+“Where are those children?” demanded Gorbo, as soon as he had recovered
+from his surprise.
+
+“Children? How should I know? I’m not a nursery-maid.”
+
+Gorbo dropped his basket and switched his bow round to have it handy.
+
+“Oh, leave that bow of yours alone!” cried Golithos, changing his tone.
+“You’re always making me nervous with the beastly thing. The little
+ones went away in the night along with the funny man, Mother Meldrum
+says, and _I_ don’t know where they are. How should I?”
+
+“Where’s she gone to?” said Gorbo after a miserable moment. “Quick!”
+
+“She ran out to look for them. Oh, do put it down! It’s not my fault,
+is it?”
+
+Gorbo stood with his face all twisted with dismay, staring up at the
+other. What had happened now? He thought and thought, but could make
+nothing of it.
+
+“Sit down and make yourself at home,” said Golithos after a moment,
+taking a seat on a stool by the fireplace. “She’ll be back soon I
+expect.”
+
+Gorbo sat down after a moment or two and stared at the fire and
+thought. Golithos looked awkwardly at him from time to time, but did
+not speak. And so they sat in silence until a brisk step was heard
+without and Gorbo started up.
+
+The door opened with a crash and Mother Meldrum appeared, looking
+horribly gaunt and ugly and angry in a long outdoor cloak and a high
+peaked hat.
+
+“Oh, so you’re back, are you?” she said.
+
+“Yes, Mum. But where’s Sylvia and Joe?”
+
+“They’re gone--the little fools!”
+
+“Gone _where_?” cried Gorbo.
+
+“You keep civil!” shouted the old woman. “Don’t you bellow at me!”
+
+“No, Mum, I won’t,” said poor Gorbo. “But where have they gone
+to--please?”
+
+“King Kul will have them by to-night. Them and the funny man. I ran
+after them when I found they’d gone, but I was just too late. The funny
+man was on one horse--with his mouth tied up, which shows they’ve got
+some sense--and those fool children were each sitting in front of a
+rider. Now perhaps they’re wishing they hadn’t run away from old Mother
+Meldrum.”
+
+“Which way did they go?” cried Gorbo, making for the door. “I’ll catch
+them up----”
+
+“Oh, will you? Well, if you think you can catch mounted men when
+they’ve got a two hours’ start, or if you think you could do anything
+if you _did_ catch up with them, you’re a bigger fool than you
+look--and that’s saying a good deal.”
+
+“But--but what did they run away for?” asked Gorbo, struck with a new
+doubt.
+
+“How do I know? I was sitting talking to this harmless old bunch of
+nerves” (indicating Golithos) “who’d come to pay me a neighbourly
+visit, when I thought I’d give a look at them to see that they were
+quite comfortable. And when I got up there the room was empty and the
+window was open and they’d gone. And the funny man was gone too. So I
+just went after them, and got sight of them just too late. King Kul’s
+got them all right. I suppose the funny man told them to go. He’s
+noodle enough for anything. But if you really want to save them, I’ll
+tell you the only way how.”
+
+“Oh, thank you, Mum!” exclaimed Gorbo.
+
+“But first I’m going to have breakfast.” She threw off her cloak and
+began clattering the pots and pans about. “I’m not going to starve for
+those brats.”
+
+“If I hadn’t been all the night getting those mandrakes,” said Gorbo,
+tearing at his hair, “I wouldn’t have lost them. Oh, I _am_ the biggest
+fool after all!”
+
+“You’re near it at any rate.” Mother Meldrum had stopped in her work
+and picked up the basket he had brought. “Is this what you call
+mandrakes?”
+
+“Yes, Mum,” replied Gorbo humbly. “It seemed to me they squeaked a
+little when I pulled them up.”
+
+“Common swamp parsnips!” said Mother Meldrum with bitter scorn,
+flinging them out of the door. “So that’s all the good _you_ are. Yah!”
+
+She turned away and went on with her cooking.
+
+Gorbo sat down and buried his face in his hands. Blow after blow. Not
+only had he lost the children, but he had lost them while searching
+throughout a hard disagreeable night for a few worthless specimens of
+the common swamp parsnip (_Avacabolis communis_). Life really did not
+seem worth living to him.
+
+“Liven up!” said the old woman after a while. “I’ll show you the way to
+save them, as I said; you trust to old Mother Meldrum. Meantime you’d
+better eat.”
+
+She dished up a huge platter of kidneys, small sausages and bacon, and
+an omelette. The exquisite savour of these, together with her proffer
+of help, brought some cheer to the sore heart of Gorbo and he drew up
+his stool to the table and ate gratefully. The kidneys were cooked to
+perfection, the omelette had been made by the hand of an artist. Mother
+Meldrum was wicked and cruel and ugly and feared by all, but there was
+that in her which goes far to redeem the character of the vilest--she
+_could_ cook.
+
+“Golithos only eats grass and such like,” she said with a fiendish
+laugh, “so he can finish up this bit of raw cabbage. Eat hearty,
+Golithos.”
+
+Golithos drew up his stool with a discontented look and picked
+daintily at the cabbage, eating with his front teeth only as if he
+had no appetite for it. He looked longingly at the mixed grill, but
+his fear of Mother Meldrum was great and he kept silent. She told him
+(while drawing a pot of foaming beer for Gorbo) that he would find all
+the water he wanted and more in the water-butt outside.
+
+Breakfast being over she sat and considered awhile, casting an
+occasional glance at Golithos. It was evident that she desired him out
+of the way; and it is usually a delicate matter to convey to a third
+person that he is what the French call _de trop_. But she managed it.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Golithos,” she said suddenly, “get to blazes out of this. Go outside
+and stay by that tree stump over there so that I can see you’re not
+listening.”
+
+Golithos got up and moved blunderingly out of the door and stood where
+she had told him to, looking sulkily about him.
+
+
+THE COZENING OF GORBO
+
+“He’s a slow-witted one if ever there was one,” Mother Meldrum
+remarked. “You’re not much, but you’re better than he is. Now what
+I have to tell you is this. Those children are in deadly peril--now
+don’t start interrupting me, or I’ll leave you to settle it yourself.
+You don’t know about King Kul, but I do. If I were to tell you only
+half the things he’s done it would make each one of those coarse hairs
+of yours stand up, and as that wouldn’t be a pretty sight I won’t do
+it. But I’ll tell you he’s the fiercest and cruellest beast that ever
+brandished a sceptre. Now the only way to save those children from a
+horrible fate--at the least having their heads cut off as obtrusive
+foreigners--is for you to kill him. I’m not counting the funny man at
+all; he’s a goner in any case.”
+
+“But--but surely, Mum,” said Gorbo in great horror, “no man would kill
+two harmless little things like them! Why, it simply isn’t done!”
+
+The old woman laughed scornfully. “Poor innocent old Foozelum. Why, he
+does things like that for fun. It’s a saying of his that he loves to
+see a little head bounce off its stalk. Of course you haven’t heard
+about the infants’ class at the Sunday School. However, don’t let’s go
+into disagreeable details; the main thing is that somebody has got to
+finish him off. I’ve tried to get Golithos to do the job, but he hasn’t
+any pluck now and I’m tired of arguing with him. Now, will you do it?
+Remember it’s the only possible way of saving those little ones.”
+
+“Yes, Mum,” replied Gorbo, springing up. “You just show me the way
+there and I’ll see what I can do with my little bow.”
+
+“You needn’t trouble about your little bow. In the first place you’d
+never be able to get through the guards so as to have a shot at him.
+There’s only one way to do it surely, and it’s lucky you’ve got an
+experienced witch to tell you how.”
+
+“I’ll do it any way you say, Mum; so long as I can do it quick.”
+
+“That’s the sort of man I like,” she said approvingly. “Just wait here
+a bit.”
+
+She went out, and Gorbo sat in a state of horror and dismay. Here was a
+terrible result of his fatheadedness! To know that the innocent little
+ones were in the power of a tyrant who loved to see small heads bounce
+off--to know that if he had not tempted them to visit the twisted trees
+they would have been long ago safe in their own home--to realize that
+his name would be held for ever in execration among the Snergs as the
+fool who led the two children to captivity and death! No wonder he
+bowed his head and moaned in anguish and wept.
+
+Mother Meldrum returned with a long thin bundle under her arm. “Now
+then, waterworks,” she said, in coarse allusion to his tears, “sit up
+and pay attention for there must be no mistake here.”
+
+“Yes, Mum.” Gorbo sat up and listened eagerly.
+
+“First, you’ll have to get into the King’s palace without being seen.
+And the only way to do that is to wear a cap of invisibility. Here
+it is” (producing a seedy looking article). “It is seven hundred
+years old, which accounts for its being a bit out of fashion, but it
+works all right. Take it and be careful never to put it on until you
+actually need it, because it only works once with one person. If you
+were to put it on now you would be invisible for about ten minutes.
+Then its power--with you--would be gone for ever. Do you understand?”
+
+“Yes, Mum. You mean I must only use it when I get into the palace.”
+
+“You’ve got it. You’re improving a bit. Now the next thing is _this_.”
+She produced a long whippy sapling and swished it in the air.
+
+“Yes, Mum. And what do I do with that?”
+
+“This,” she said impressively, “is a sword of sharpness. The instant
+you smite with it it turns into a sword, and any person you smite will
+be cut into two halves. It belonged originally to a cousin of Queen
+Mab; he used it to clear up some family trouble. But remember that when
+you have smitten it once it becomes a sapling again and its power goes
+for ever--that is, as far as you are concerned.”
+
+“Yes, Mum. You mean that if I swot the King with it he will be cut into
+two bits.”
+
+“That’s it. And it will look rather well; sorry I won’t be there to
+see it. Now when you have done this there will probably be more than a
+little excitement and it will be advisable for you to get out of the
+way for a time. You see when the tyrant is dead the people will rise up
+in their power and celebrate by freeing all the unhappy prisoners and
+so forth, and that, of course, will save those dear little children.
+But _you_ had better go for a little run.”
+
+“Yes, Mum. But how do I manage it?”
+
+“These” (producing a very shabby pair of slippers) “are shoes of
+swiftness. The moment you have done the deed, slip these on and run.
+But I advise you not to run too much or you may find yourself in
+Mesopotamia or in the middle of the ocean or somewhere. Just a few
+brisk steps will be enough, and even then it will take you half the
+night to walk back, because these, like the cap and sword, only work
+once. When you get back again you will be hailed as a great and good
+man and the dear little things will be delivered over to you safe and
+sound. Also your friend the funny man, if you really need him. So
+here’s everything, nicely wrapped up. Do exactly as I’ve told you, and
+remember that if you make a mess of it, the children’s ghosts will
+haunt you--carrying their little heads under their arms.”
+
+“I’ll start now,” cried Gorbo, taking the bundle containing the
+wonderful treasures and his bow and other matters and making for the
+door. “Just tell me the road.”
+
+“Turn to the left when you get out of the wood and go along the green
+drive for a mile or two. Then you’ll hit the high road which leads
+straight to the town. So go to it!”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Gorbo thanked her briefly but fervently and darted off down the path.
+Mother Meldrum watched him disappear in the trees and then went back
+and sat down and laughed until she shook with horrid merriment.
+
+
+A FEARFUL BARGAIN
+
+After a few minutes’ enjoyment of her secret jest she called to
+Golithos to approach, and he came in looking very sulky and seated
+himself.
+
+“Where have you sent that Snerg to?” he asked.
+
+“Ah,” she replied, “that’s telling.” And she went on chuckling.
+
+“Now,” she said after a time, “let’s get to business. Are you going
+to take my offer or not? I may as well warn you (if you haven’t found
+it out yet) that I’m a bit short-tempered, and if you get obstinate
+with me I’ve ways of making all kinds of trouble for you. I’m not an
+experienced witch for nothing.”
+
+Golithos scratched his head in a discontented way. “It’s so dangerous,”
+he said at length.
+
+“So it is to make me annoyed. Now then, answer up! Will you kill the
+King if I get those young ones for you?”
+
+“But you haven’t got them to give.”
+
+“Yah! I can get them back easily enough if I make up my mind to do
+it--and if you make it worth my while.”
+
+“Yes, but--but why didn’t you get that Snerg to kill him. He’s fool
+enough.”
+
+“Yes, he is--a bit worse than you in some ways, and that’s why I sent
+him out of the way. But the reason is that I’ve found out by black
+magic that if the King is killed at all it will be done by an ogre, and
+you’re the only one left in these parts. So now you know.”
+
+“Oh! So that’s it, is it?--And does your magic say what will happen to
+the ogre?”
+
+“Yes, it says he’ll live happy ever after.”
+
+Golithos scratched his head again. In spite of his belief in Mother
+Meldrum he had doubts whether she was telling the exact truth here.
+
+“I suppose I must do it,” he muttered sullenly. “But I want to be sure
+of those little ones first. You bring them here and keep them safe for
+me first. Then I’ll go and do it.”
+
+The old woman glared furiously at him. “Yes, you’re trying to get me
+annoyed,” she said. “Very well, then, _I’ll_ show you.”
+
+“No, wait, please! You see if I could just _see_ them it would put me
+in such good heart for the job. I’ve been living on lettuce and stuff
+like that so long that I’m not as brave as I was; and though I’ve eaten
+my cow it doesn’t encourage me like my own natural food. You _must_ see
+that. It’s so reasonable.”
+
+She looked at him partly in rage and partly in doubt. “H’m!” she
+sniffed, “you’re the flabbiest thing in ogres I’ve ever met, and I’ve
+met a few in my time. Do you mean to say that if I’d shown them to you
+this morning you’d have done the King in?”
+
+“Yes,” he replied eagerly, “that’s it. Just a glimpse of those
+nice little well-filled-out children--which you promised me so
+faithfully--would have made me quite anxious to do it. But I never even
+got a peep at them,” he went on pathetically. “You must own it’s hard
+on me.”
+
+“I’ll get even with the funny man,” growled Mother Meldrum. “Well,
+suppose I bring them both back? Will you go straight off at once as
+soon as you’ve had a look at them and do what I want?”
+
+“Oh, yes! I’ll just have one good look at them and I’ll go at once.
+Of course if I could have a piece of one first, just to encourage me
+properly, so to speak----”
+
+“Well, you won’t. You’ll see them when I’ve got them safely here and
+then you’ll be off, or you’ll see what I’m like when really annoyed.
+Did you bring your axe with you?”
+
+“Yes, I’ve got it here.” He went to a corner of the kitchen and
+produced a mighty battle-axe and balanced it in his hand. “Many’s the
+stout man-at-arms I’ve laid out with this in the old days.”
+
+“The days when you had some pluck, you mean.”
+
+“Yes, that’s it. But my pluck’s coming back. And if you give me a nice
+roast pig for dinner, it’ll come back more. And when I see those dear
+little children waiting for me, it’ll fix it for keeps.” His eyes
+were rolling and his teeth were showing fiercely now, and he handled
+the axe, which any other man could scarcely lift, as if it were a
+medium-sized chopper.
+
+“Yes,” said Mother Meldrum, after watching him for a moment, “I think
+that’s the way it will have to be. I see you need some practical
+encouragement, being the worm you are, so wait here until I come back
+with them. Keep your courage up by thinking about them. It’s taken a
+long time to work you up to this, Golithos,” she went on with a fierce
+laugh, “but I think I’ve done it at last. You’ll get what you want, and
+I’ll get what _I_ want--_Revenge_!”
+
+She sprang up and did a hideous dance of joy round the kitchen,
+footing it with an agility that seemed marvellous considering her
+years. Golithos, whose long dormant savagery was awakening fast,
+laughed long and boisterously. Truly a terrible scene. Let us not
+linger over it.
+
+
+CAPTIVES ON THE ROAD
+
+It is fortunate for children (and for grown-ups too if they can
+manage it) when they do not concern themselves greatly about the
+future possibilities of a calamity. Sylvia and Joe were of this
+kind--especially Joe--and what chiefly troubled them as they rode along
+in front of their guards was the separation from their friend Gorbo,
+who if he could not have actually saved them from this happening, would
+at least have been comfort to them on the road; the fact that they were
+being carried captives to a monarch of whom they had heard distressing
+accounts seemed less of an evil, for its troubles were connected with
+the future, and the future is always some distance ahead.
+
+They were not treated badly, and they were allowed to talk with the
+men-at-arms with whom they rode, but in a low voice because otherwise
+it would have been bad for discipline. Baldry rode at some distance
+from them so they got no chance to speak to him. The leader had allowed
+him to go unmuzzled after a time on the condition that he did not talk,
+and Baldry passed the time singing quietly to himself songs about cruel
+fate and other melancholy subjects. He had evidently resigned himself
+to whatever might befall.
+
+The leader--whose name they learned was Sir Giles--asked the children
+some questions as to how they came to be with the King’s jester, but
+though they answered him truthfully and told him all about Watkyns Bay
+(which he had never heard of) and the Snergs (of whom he had heard very
+little and that little not good) and their strange adventures, he could
+make nothing of it; and he finally said that it defeated him entirely
+and that abler heads than his must solve the mystery.
+
+As they went on the country became rather more populated; there were
+farms and windmills and so forth, and here and there a small castle or
+moated grange. They halted for about half an hour at an inn to rest the
+horses and have breakfast; Sir Giles told the host to send the bill in
+to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sylvia and Joe had each a plate of
+little hot fish, rather like sardines, and a bowl of milk, and this
+cheered them up greatly. Baldry interrupted his sad crooning to eat two
+chops and drink a pot of ale. Then he went on with a new song about his
+being Fortune’s toy. Baldry wanted some understanding.
+
+It was well on in the afternoon when they came round the corner of a
+thick wood and saw the town close at hand. It reminded the children of
+a picture of a mediæval town on a coloured calendar that Miss Scadging
+had brought from London last year. The houses had heavy crossed timbers
+and high pitched roofs, and the streets were paved with huge cobble
+stones like grey footballs. They passed through a gate with big towers
+and by quaint little shops and taverns where people sat outside on
+benches and drank out of large pots, or else leaned against posts.
+There seemed to be a good deal of spare time in the town, and people
+came clustering round to stare at the children; but when Baldry was
+recognized (he had for some reason seated himself facing the horse’s
+tail as soon as they reached the town) there was great excitement, and
+they called other people to come and see. But Sir Giles ordered them
+to stand back like good fellows and make way for the King’s men, and
+the procession went clattering down the street until it halted in the
+courtyard of the royal palace.
+
+It was indeed an anxious moment for Joe and Sylvia as they were lifted
+down and led through into a lofty hall. At first they had only a
+confused impression of brilliant costumes and high pointed head-dresses
+of ladies and the crimson legs of small pages and general gorgeousness.
+Compared to the palace of King Merse II this was as a house in Park
+Lane, W. is to a maisonnette in Poplar, E., and they felt very small
+and untidy and of no importance at all as they went with Sir Giles
+(Sylvia carrying the puppy) through these high-class surroundings and
+halted before a throne on which was seated one who wore a kingly crown.
+At last they were in the presence of the dreaded monarch.
+
+
+KING KUL I
+
+It would be well here to point out to my readers (and especially the
+younger ones) that rumour is more often contradicted than confirmed by
+experience, and to enlarge on the moral conveyed. The reason against
+my doing so at length is the fear that I may become a little tedious,
+so I will merely state that, to the great surprise and relief of the
+children, there were no signs of ruthlessness about the King.
+
+He was of great girth and he had a flowing grey beard, and in these
+particulars he bore out Baldry’s description of him. But his expression
+was one of benevolence and good humour and he smiled on the children
+with what, if it had not been blent with a touch of native majesty,
+might have been described as a sort of fatuous fatherliness.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+He was richly though tastefully arrayed. His doublet was of three (or
+four) piled velvet, green and embroidered with gold, and his hose were
+shrimp pink, a colour he much affected. From his shoulders hung a
+sky-blue robe lined with ermine, and the crown on his partially bald
+head was decorated with fine repoussé work. Never had the children
+conceived such magnificence in a man’s dress, and they stared in wonder
+and admiration.
+
+“Welcome, Sir Giles,” he said, ignoring Baldry, who went down on his
+knees beside the children. “Tell me who are these little ones and how
+came you to bring them together with this rudesby.”
+
+“‘Rudesby’ is rather good,” observed Baldry in an interested tone.
+
+“I found them travelling with the knave, sire,” replied Sir Giles. “And
+as I could not leave them alone in the forest I brought them also. But
+I can make nothing of their tale, sire. It appears to me such as might
+be told by a minstrel who had been too long at the wine-pot. A tale of
+a certain Countess Watkyns in that terror-haunted land beyond the deep
+river, and of many millions of other children, and of Snergs who are
+friendly with them. I leave it to your Majesty to judge, for I can make
+nothing of it.”
+
+“Ah, you’re slow, that’s what’s the matter,” remarked Baldry.
+
+“Silence, thou villain!” roared the King.
+
+Baldry clapped both hands over his mouth with a look of extreme terror.
+
+“Snergs, did you say?” went on the King. “Could it be possible that
+these little innocents know aught of that fierce and cruel race?”
+
+“Please, sir,” said Joe, who felt that he must defend his friends,
+holding up one hand according to the custom of Watkyns Bay in class
+time. “Please, sir, we’re all very fond of the Snergs. They’re not
+fierce at all.”
+
+“Not fierce, say you, little man! Nay, that passes understanding. There
+must be more in this than meets the eye.”
+
+“You mean the ear, of course,” said Baldry.
+
+“Remove me this pestilent ass!” cried the King. “We will judge his case
+at a fitter time.”
+
+Four men-at-arms surrounded the jester and, at a word of command from
+Sir Giles, marched out with him. His really incredible folly caused
+him to drop on all fours and go out creeping swiftly between them;
+doubtless he gathered some encouragement from the smothered laughter of
+the more thoughtless courtiers.
+
+Put to some extent at his ease by the King’s kind manner, Joe told
+the tale of their wanderings and adventures. He explained as well as
+he could and with Sylvia’s assistance, the way of living at Watkyns
+Bay, the general nature of the country beyond the deep river, and the
+amiable character of the Snergs, with whom the Society lived on such
+satisfactory terms. The King listened in deep wonder.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Can it be,” he said, turning to the court, “that we have been in
+ignorance of the true nature of things beyond the river?--that we have
+accepted without question the traditions handed down to us, and are now
+to be corrected by these babes? Can it be----” He went on moralising in
+most approved fashion, and the courtiers made acquiescing murmurs, as
+was expected of them.
+
+“But one thing is clear,” he went on. “We must pay instant attention to
+this Golithos, who appears to give indications of becoming a menace,
+and also to Mother Meldrum. She has had a good deal of rope in the
+past, and perchance it is the time to give her a bit more, though in a
+different sense of the word. They must be brought here for judgment at
+once. That shall be your next job, Sir Giles.”
+
+“Oh, very well, sire,” replied Sir Giles, but not very heartily.
+
+“And that reminds me,” said the King. “Your betrothed, the Lady
+Ermyntrude, can look after these little ones, for the hour is late,
+and we would have them to sit at our evening meal. So fair damsel,” he
+continued to a young lady standing nearby, “take charge of this little
+golden-haired maid and this sturdy male infant and see that they be
+given a change of raiment and also (for they _are_ a bit grubby) the
+refreshment of the bath.”
+
+The young lady, who was richly dressed, and extremely pretty (her
+one defect was a touch of indefinable sauciness) came forward and
+curtseyed. She then gave a hand to each of the children and led them
+forth.
+
+
+A CHANGE OF CLOTHES AT LAST
+
+With the assistance of a couple of maids, Sylvia and Joe were soon
+tubbed and scrubbed and then seated, each wrapped in a sheet, awaiting
+the decision of the Lady Ermyntrude, who took clothes seriously. In
+time she selected what she considered suitable from the royal wardrobe
+(things that the royal children had grown out of) and began to dress
+them up. When she had finished with them the effect was startling.
+Sylvia had on a dress of white silk adorned with flowers and bees
+worked in gold, and little red shoes with pom-poms on them. Her hair
+was all fluffed out beneath a snow-white cap like a sugar loaf leaning
+backwards. Joe had a bright crimson doublet and hose and a cap with a
+white feather on it. His shoes wanted some getting used to for the toes
+were so pointed and long that they had to be fastened to his knees with
+tiny gold chains. In his belt he had a little dagger in an embroidered
+sheath, and this he liked more than anything. He told Sylvia that he
+had told her all along that things would come out all right and that
+she needn’t worry.
+
+“What do you think of Sir Giles?” asked the Lady Ermyntrude when the
+children’s toilet was complete and they were sitting opposite to her on
+two footstools.
+
+“He’s not bad,” replied Joe. (After all, Sir Giles had looked after
+them pretty well and given them breakfast.)
+
+“He’s bossy,” said the lady (not the word she used of course, but the
+nearest I can get to it).
+
+“Is he, Miss?” Sylvia asked.
+
+“Yes, with most people. But not with me.” Here she laughed scornfully.
+
+“You’re going to marry him, aren’t you, Miss--I mean, my Lady?” asked
+Sylvia timidly.
+
+“In August.”
+
+“Oh, so soon?” Sylvia got greatly interested. “Bridesmaids?”
+
+“Six. Would you like to see my wedding-dress--as far as it’s gone?”
+
+“I should _love_ it!”
+
+So Joe had to wander about the room for half an hour while these two
+thoroughly feminine females went into close details.
+
+
+ANOTHER MEAL WITH ROYALTY
+
+The evening meal was a matter of some ceremony and observance of old
+customs. The public was admitted in moderate numbers on payment of
+a small fee (which went to the poor) and it was quite the thing for
+people who wanted to give country friends a treat to take them to the
+palace in order to see from behind a railed-off space the royal party
+feeding. Those who came on this particular evening had no reason to
+complain that they had not had their money’s worth.
+
+The jovial character of the King made him sometimes impatient of
+ceremony, and once the trumpets had sounded to announce that he had
+removed his outer robe and taken his seat, he would adopt a free
+and easy manner calculated to put nervous guests at their ease. I
+do not mean that Joe and Sylvia were nervous. They had been guests
+of honour at the table of King Merse II and knew something of the
+ways of courts--though this of course was on a much more magnificent
+scale--and, in addition, they were upheld by the consciousness that
+they were fitly attired. Those who know--as I confess I do--the great
+gain in ease and self-respect due to a new suit of clothes will readily
+understand this.
+
+While the meal proceeded the King expressed sympathy with them for
+their mislaying of Gorbo and comforted them by saying that he would
+undoubtedly turn up safe and sound. He said he would have inquiries
+made at once.
+
+“It is indeed a gratification,” he said, “to hear that the Snergs are
+nice and harmless and not at all fierce. I must try and arrange some
+way of meeting their king, who I have no doubt is a very worthy man in
+his way. It would be to clear up the misunderstandings of ages. And
+I should especially like to see your faithful friend Gorbo. I trust I
+shall shortly. In the meantime,” he went on with hospitable smiles,
+“have another of these, Sylvia” (handing her a plate of confections
+rather like muffins with fruit inside). “Little girls should build up
+their systems with plenty of food, and these are full of vitamines.”
+
+“Thank you, sire,” said Sylvia, taking one.
+
+“But these are cold,” went on the King as he bit into another. “Let me
+give you a hot one.” Then, for as I have said he despised ceremony in
+small things, he rose and reached for a huge silver dish (with a hot
+water arrangement beneath it) where the muffins were heaped.
+
+I ask you to note that, the dish being at some distance from him, he
+leant forward until he was almost prone on the table, the muffin he had
+bitten to test its temperature being still between his teeth.
+
+
+A STINGER
+
+At that instant fearful shouts were heard, and to the bewildering
+surprise and joy of Sylvia and Joe, they saw Gorbo bounding up the
+hall. He wore instead of his close-fitting Snerg cap, a strange one of
+filthy appearance. In his left hand he bore a pair of ragged shoes, and
+in his right he held aloft a long whippy sapling.
+
+He did not see them; even if he had he would not have recognized in
+these splendidly-dressed children his travel-stained young friends; he
+had eyes only for the alleged tyrant whose gold crown revealed his
+identity and whose attitude as he leaned across the table was excellent
+for the user of a magic sword. He leapt forward--remember all this
+occupied but one or two seconds--and brought the sapling down on the
+King’s person with a juicy smack that rang through the hall.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+To say merely that things moved briskly after this is to confess--as
+I must--inability to cope in words with so strange a situation. I
+will, however, do my best to give a general impression of subsequent
+happenings.
+
+The King bounced upright--nay, more than upright--and with eyes
+goggling and utterance impeded by the muffin in his mouth, glared
+maniacally at his assailant. And all present were so paralysed with
+amazement that for an instant there was utter silence. O moments big as
+years!
+
+The thoughts of Gorbo in that bitter speck of time might be expressed
+as follows:--
+
+“I have been cozened. This cap is not a cap of invisibility, because
+everybody is looking at me. This sapling is not a sword of sharpness,
+because just look at what’s happened! Therefore, for the love of Mike,
+let these be shoes of swiftness, for I need them!”
+
+He flung away the sapling, sprang into the shoes, and ran.
+
+He ran into the arms of about twenty soldiers, each of whom grabbed a
+bit of him somewhere.
+
+“It’s Gorbo!” cried Sylvia in agony. “Oh, poor old Gorbo!”
+
+“Gorbo, is it?” roared the King, sweeping away with his arms those who
+rushed to tend him, and literally gnashing his teeth. “So _that’s_ your
+Gorbo? Harmless, eh? Not fierce at all! Oh----!”
+
+Here I must cease writing down his words.
+
+
+THE MORNING AFTER
+
+When the children woke next day the events of the evening came to them
+with a shock. They had not been thrown into a dungeon, as they had not
+unreasonably feared would be the case, but had been rather hurriedly
+bundled out of the way by the Lady Ermyntrude and put to bed in a
+fairly comfortable back room with two beds and told to go to sleep at
+once, which they felt was rather a difficult thing to do under the
+circumstances. They felt that they were losing their popularity, and
+besides, they were greatly worried about their friend. Speculation as
+to why he had behaved as he had and what would be his probable fate
+kept them whispering for hours.
+
+But when they were dressed by a maid (who brought them an early cup of
+milk) and had gone downstairs, they found the situation easier. The
+King had passed a good night. He had no temperature and was able to eat
+a hearty breakfast. He did not express a wish to see the children, and
+they were glad of this because they felt it would have been so awkward.
+The Lady Ermyntrude gave them their breakfast and then took them out
+for a walk in the garden, and Tiger had a run with some puppies that
+belonged to her.
+
+The King attended a council at which were discussed various suggestions
+made by the nobles as to the ceremonies to be observed in the cutting
+off of Gorbo’s head. It was finally decided that it should be done in
+the market-place at 11.30, and, this being settled, the King proposed
+(for the basis of his method of government was strict justice) that the
+villain should receive a fair trial.
+
+Gorbo was brought in, loaded with an almost unnecessary length of
+chain, and stood before the Lord Chancellor, who was to conduct the
+case.
+
+“Your name, prisoner?” asked the Lord Chancellor.
+
+“Gorbo, so please you, sir,” replied the unhappy Snerg.
+
+“Your age, Gorbo?”
+
+“Two hundred and seventy-three, sir.”
+
+“Your occupation, Gorbo?”
+
+“Potter, sir.”
+
+“And why, Gorbo, did you leave the harmless calling of potting to come
+to this land and give a fleshy cut to the King’s Grace?”
+
+“Because----” He could say no more.
+
+“The reason is inadequate, Gorbo. Think, for your time on earth is
+short if you give no better bid for life.”
+
+“Mother Meldrum told me to,” said Gorbo, his wits roused by the
+extremity.
+
+“Aha, now we get near it! But even then, Gorbo, the reason seems no
+full one. Is it the foul custom of the Snergs to smite all, however
+exalted, at the chance word of a witch?”
+
+“She--she said that the King was a grievous tyrant--and that he needed
+killing badly. But the chief reason was she said that if I didn’t kill
+him, he’d kill Sylvia and Joe.”
+
+The Lord Chancellor turned to the King. “In truth, sire, we seem to
+have secured, at the cost of a stinger to your Majesty’s person, the
+biggest numskull the world has ever known.”
+
+“It would seem so,” agreed the King, with a half pitying look at Gorbo.
+“I suggest, my lords, that he be allowed to tell his tale in his own
+fashion and we will then see if it agrees in substance with the tale of
+those little ones.”
+
+“A noble idea and worthy of your Majesty’s brain capacity,” said the
+Lord Chancellor. “Come, fellow, your tale, plainly told.”
+
+With much faltering and stammering (for he feared he had proved the
+truth of the prophecy that he was the biggest fool) Gorbo began his
+account of all that had happened since he left Watkyns Bay. He warmed
+up as he proceeded and got more at his ease, for he saw that all
+listened with deep interest. He diplomatically stopped at the point
+where he arrived at the palace gates on the previous evening.
+
+“All agrees well with the tale of the children,” said the King. “I
+think, my lords, we must let this oaf keep his head for the present.”
+
+“Yes, sire,” said the Lord Chancellor, “and in my opinion----”
+
+But his opinion was lost to the world, for at that instant there was
+heard a clamour without and a sounding knock at the door.
+
+
+THE INVASION
+
+The door opened smartly and the Captain of the City Guard appeared
+framed in the doorway, a stoutly-built man in a full suit of mail, with
+a beard like a pound of coarse-cut tobacco and a rough but not unkindly
+face.
+
+“My liege,” he said, making a leg, “pray pardon my pushing in, but a
+strange armed force has appeared suddenly, demanding the surrender of
+the two foreign children and the Snerg.”
+
+“An armed force, fellow!” cried the King with justifiable anger.
+“Demanding of _me_--I mean us! You are surely talking through your
+morion.”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Nay, sire, it is but too true. Some two score of large men in quaint
+boots and some ten score or more of small dwarfish men who may be
+Snergs. They say that if the three they demand be given to them
+uninjured they will go in peace.”
+
+The King rose to the occasion with true dignity. “Admit them to the
+City,” he said. “We will talk with their leader.”
+
+“Well, sire,” said the Captain of the Guard, with a not unnatural
+embarrassment, “the fact is, they have admitted themselves. You see, it
+happened that I was athirst, and----”
+
+“We will look into that later,” interrupted the King with a stern look.
+“In the meantime, invite this force into our hall as soon as I have
+taken my seat on the throne.”
+
+
+AN HISTORIC MEETING
+
+The force was drawn up in an orderly way in the hall; Snergs on
+the right flank, four deep, and the Dutchmen on the left flank.
+Vanderdecken knew something of the art of war--so useful to seamen
+of his day--and he had trained his crew to do some simple military
+exercises, including musketry drill. On the whole the Expeditionary
+Force, with Snergs in half armour and the sailors carrying their
+muskets at the slope, looked hard and efficient.
+
+King Kul left his throne and advanced six steps. King Merse came
+forward, looking every inch a king, though small.
+
+“Welcome, our cousin of Snerg.”
+
+Their hands met. King Kul took the arm of the other and led him to
+a seat by the throne. There was a murmur of satisfaction from the
+assembled courtiers, while the two exchanged the friendly, but not
+necessarily very deep, remarks which characterize the conversation of
+princes or presidents who meet for the first time.
+
+It is of course not very probable that any of my readers will visit
+this land, but if by chance they should do so I recommend them to
+take special note of the fresco which was painted to commemorate this
+historic scene, for it well repays inspection. It is in the vaulted
+corridor on the left of the hall, next to the cloak-room.
+
+
+NECESSARY EXPLANATIONS
+
+Formalities were soon over, and King Kul ordered that the two children
+be brought to greet their friends. In the meantime, he stood, his
+hands lightly clasped behind him, talking to Vanderdecken, who had
+been presented to him with due ceremony and whose sterling qualities
+he could both discern and appreciate. Though but a merchant adventurer
+Vanderdecken was of good family; he had as we know some knowledge of
+the classics, he spoke easily and well, there was no hesitation or
+_mauvaise honte_ about the man; though his dress was rough and perhaps
+ill-fitted to the brilliant scene, he bore himself with proper pride.
+As the late Lord Buscoe said to one who expostulated with him for
+coming to dinner in plus-fours, you cannot disguise a gentleman.
+
+Sylvia and Joe, in their fine and fancy garb, were brought into the
+hall by the Lady Ermyntrude and affectionately greeted and kissed by
+King Merse. They instantly told him that he must demand the release of
+Gorbo, for he had been put in a dungeon.
+
+“By the way, your Majesty,” said King Merse, turning to his brother
+monarch, “what about my subject, Gorbo? I hear he is in trouble.”
+
+“You shall see him,” replied the other with a touch of sternness (with
+two kings conversing the reader will have sometimes to judge their
+identity by the matter of their speech). “Ho there! bring hither that
+fellow!”
+
+Metallic sounds caused all to look towards the council chamber where
+Gorbo had been left with his guards. He came forward, carrying his
+chain with difficulty and occasionally stumbling over it. He looked at
+his liege lord with a sheepish smile.
+
+“Hail, Gorbo,” said King Merse, amid a deep silence.
+
+“May your shadow ever be a wide one,” murmured Gorbo.
+
+“You seem to have got tangled up with some iron, Gorbo. What is it this
+time?”
+
+Gorbo gave no reply, but only toyed with a link of his chain.
+
+“Let me ask you, our cousin,” said King Kul impressively. “Suppose an
+utter stranger were to come into your hall unannounced and hand you one
+of the very best with a stout sapling while you were reaching across
+your own supper-table, what would you say?”
+
+King Merse thought diligently for a moment; then he shook his head. “I
+give it up,” he said. “But,” he added half-unconsciously touching the
+hilt of his sword, “I might be able to tell you what I would _do_, if
+that is of any use to you.”
+
+“Exactly!” said King Kul; “that is just my point. This subject of yours
+did so behave to us. And you can scarcely credit what a stinger he gave
+us. I ask you.”
+
+“Well, Gorbo,” said King Merse after a serious pause, “to put it in the
+very mildest way, you are not improving. Can you make anything of this
+strange case?” he asked of Vanderdecken.
+
+Vanderdecken did not reply in words; he merely grasped his beard and
+shook his head slowly from side to side as one who is utterly defeated.
+
+“I suppose,” went on King Merse, “it were too much to expect that the
+fellow had some dim shadow of a reason, at the back of what for want of
+a better word we must call his brain, for this outrage?”
+
+“Oh, we have found reason enough!” cried King Kul, with a slight
+tendency to rave. “He did it, he says, to save these little children
+from execution at our hands! These--_these_ whom we were at the moment
+stuffing with muffins! Oh----” here his sense of the bitter indignity
+overcame him again and he could only articulate words which I prefer to
+represent by dashes.
+
+“This is a blow to me,” said King Merse, sadly. “I had hoped that when
+I found Gorbo I would also find that his mind had been broadened by
+foreign travel; it is said to have that effect. But what hope now?”
+
+“It’s all very well,” said Gorbo sullenly, “but if you’d heard what
+Golithos said about the King, and what Mother Meldrum said about him,
+perhaps you’d have made a little mistake too. And Baldry said----” here
+he stopped suddenly, for Baldry was his sworn friend and he felt that
+to go on would not be cricket.
+
+“Baldry!” exclaimed King Merse. “Ah, now the matter is clearing. Tell
+me what that reprobate said about me.”
+
+But Gorbo remained silent.
+
+“Bring hither our one-time jester,” said the King to an officer. “I
+think, cousin, we may find some extra reason for this matter.”
+
+
+BALDRY’S SENTENCE
+
+Baldry was brought in, chewing a straw. There were straws sticking in
+his hair and more on his clothes. He stood before the King with his
+eyes cast down and his hands clasped before him, a dejected figure.
+
+“Thou insolent!” said the King, after regarding him for a moment. “Thou
+impertinent one! Think not to trick me by this show of sorrow. Tell me,
+have you said aught to this stranger that would lead him to believe me
+a tyrant?”
+
+Baldry took the straw from his mouth, dried it carefully and deposited
+it within the bosom of his doublet. He placed his hand daintily over
+his mouth and coughed a little cough. Then he spoke:
+
+“My liege lord and master, it is true that I did in some sort induce
+my dear friend Gorbo to believe you more despotic than is perhaps
+the case. But in my defence I must say that I had some good reason
+for it, namely, to wit”--here he checked off the items on his
+fingers--“Firstly, the idea occurred to me a choice one. Secondly,
+it seemed to be full of humour. Thirdly, I was highly amused at it.
+Fourthly, it tickled me greatly. Fifthly----”
+
+“Silence me that lewd mouth!” cried the King to the jailor. A kerchief
+was hastily whipped round Baldry’s mouth and held while they waited
+further orders.
+
+“Listen to my words,” said the King sternly, “for you will hear but few
+again. We can pardon much levity in a professional fool, but this more
+than reaches the limits of our patience. Go forth from our presence and
+from our palace and from our City--and keep on going. Know all,” he
+continued, turning to the court, “that Baldry is henceforth exiled from
+our dominions.”
+
+Baldry started violently and stared at him as if he could not
+comprehend. Then, as the bitter truth dawned upon him, he turned, and
+with bowed head, paced slowly forth. But after some four or five steps
+he paused, placing his hand upon his heart as if with a sudden pang.
+Then, raising his hands aloft with a gesture of despair, he swayed,
+and fell at full length on his face, as falls a tree.
+
+There was general consternation, and all rushed forward. One, skilled
+in leechcraft, knelt down and, bending his head sideways, listened
+carefully. Then he rose. “I cannot hear his heart beat,” he said sadly.
+“He is dead.”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+They made way for the King, from whose countenance the stern look had
+faded, giving place to one of deep sorrow. He stood looking down at
+the prostrate figure and heaved a deep sigh, almost a groan. At length
+he spoke--in blank verse, for nothing less could express his bitter
+feelings:
+
+  “Alas, poor fool! is’t thus that comes the end,
+  The terminus of all your antic ways?
+  Could not the fate which spares the grim tom-cat
+  That yesternight did rack my harmless slumbers,
+  Making the moonlight tremble with his yells,
+  Have spared thee too? Can’st ne’er again
+  Devise thy lightsome jests, thy bonnetings,
+  Thy traps of booby poised on half-op’d door,
+  Or juggle with the table furnishings?
+  No, thou art dead, and I without my fool
+  Am left to mourn the law inscrutable
+  That gives us chiefly what we would not have.
+  The violet withers while the rhubarb thrives,
+  The buttered slice falls ever upside-down,
+  The horse we back does seldom find a place,
+  The horse we back not comes a romping in.
+  Too late, poor fool, this unavailing woe!
+  I loved thee more than thou did’st ever know.”
+
+“Then in that case,” said Baldry, turning smartly over on to his back,
+“why are you making things so difficult?”
+
+
+ROYAL CLEMENCY
+
+It was characteristic of Baldry that he always (in seafaring phrase)
+sailed pretty close to the wind, and it was lucky for him in this case
+that the King’s satisfaction in knowing that he was not dead after all
+slightly outbalanced his new rage at finding that not only had he been
+tricked, but that he had wasted some rather superior blank verse. But
+Baldry dexterously twisted himself out of reach of the King’s itching
+foot and fled to where Sylvia and Joe were standing (both rather
+perplexed with these happenings) and embraced them with ardour.
+
+“Ah, our cousin of Snerg!” said the King with a mournful smile, “well
+has the poet said that beneath a monarch’s crown there is often a sore
+head. But now let me recount to you what other reasons this Gorbo of
+yours gave for his behaviour. It will take some believing.”
+
+King Merse, after hearing full details of how Gorbo had been cozened
+into perpetration of the outrage, gave his opinion that, the man being
+the ass he was, it would be best to pass the matter over as an error of
+judgment.
+
+“That’s one way of looking at it,” said King Kul rather peevishly. “Of
+course it was I who got the stinger, not you. But,” he added with true
+nobility, “the quality of mercy is not strained like cabbage. Ho there,
+guards! unchain that extraordinary person. He is free.”
+
+Gorbo’s fetters were instantly removed and carried away in a basket.
+He murmured some inarticulate thanks to the King and then went over to
+his brother Snergs, who were ranged against the wall and who greeted
+him with affection mingled with scarcely dissembled mirth. But he was
+cheered by the sudden impact of two small bodies; Sylvia and Joe had
+flung themselves at him and were hugging him tight.
+
+King Kul watched the scene for a moment with a benevolent smile; then
+he turned to King Merse and Vanderdecken.
+
+“Come,” he said, “to my privy chamber, where a stoup of wine and a
+mixed biscuit awaits us. The Master of the Buckhounds will see to it
+that your men are cared for. Pray mind the step.”
+
+
+THE NEXT DAY
+
+The next day passed happily and to the contentment of all except Sir
+Giles, who instead of walking for hours in the gardens with the Lady
+Ermyntrude, as he hoped to do, had to mount and away in order to bring
+Golithos and Mother Meldrum up for judgment. He started early and went
+off at great speed with his men. Since the job had to be done he would
+get it over quickly.
+
+The Snergs and the Dutchmen were well entertained by the townspeople.
+They visited some public places, such as the building of Science and
+Arts, and were present at the ceremony of unveiling a new horse-trough
+in the market-place. A good spread, at which the Mayor presided, was
+given to them in the Town Hall.
+
+Sylvia and Joe enjoyed themselves to the full. They went out shopping
+with the Lady Ermyntrude, who needed some lining and a piece of narrow
+insertion, and they roamed about with Gorbo afterwards and each bought
+a little china mug and saucer as a souvenir. They were very happy for
+it had been on the whole a most successful and interesting expedition;
+though they were to start on the homeward journey on the next day but
+one (a Snerg had been sent post haste to let Miss Watkyns know they
+were safe) and they would have preferred to stop a little longer, they
+were also looking forward to the time when they would be back with the
+other children and telling them all about it. And they really wanted to
+know what Miss Watkyns and the other ladies would think of it all.
+
+There was a ball that night at the palace. Among those present were
+Joe and Sylvia, but only for a short time because the King said they
+were too young for dissipation. They went to sleep, soothed by the
+distant music of rebecs, psalterys and viols de gamboys. Truly a happy
+time.
+
+
+AND THE DAY AFTER THAT
+
+“Aha!” said King Kul, striking his hands lightly together as he glanced
+round the breakfast table, “what good things have we to eat this
+morning? I see kidneys--kippers--a dressed ham--pies of various sorts.
+Come, our cousin of Snerg, let me recommend the grouse pie.”
+
+“Thank you,” replied King Merse, helping himself to a good deal. “Are
+grouse plentiful here?”
+
+“Very plentiful. When you come again we must get up some hawking
+parties. Mynheer Vanderdecken, this wine is a good breakfast vintage.
+Let me fill your goblet--But where are our little guests? I heard their
+merry prattle from my window long ago, when I was having my early
+hippocras and sandwich.”
+
+Before anyone could answer, the Lady Ermyntrude came rushing into the
+hall holding her skirts some six inches from the ground to facilitate
+her movements.
+
+“Sire,” she panted, “the children cannot be found! I left them about an
+hour ago in order to powder my--I mean to arrange my coiffure--and they
+have gone!”
+
+“Gone where?” exclaimed both monarchs, rising to their feet.
+
+“Alas, I cannot say. The household varlets have searched the gardens
+and called to them, but they cannot be found. The guards at the palace
+gates have not seen them pass. But they are lost!”
+
+“Tut, tut!” said King Kul, “that seems impossible. They are playing
+some prank on you. Have you searched the herbaceous borders?”
+
+“Yes, sire, everywhere. But they cannot be found.”
+
+Amid general consternation the Captain of the Gate was sent for and
+came on the run, bolting a crust and brushing crumbs from himself.
+
+“Come, come!” said the King angrily, “you must learn to eat in your own
+time. We like not this munching in our presence. Now tell me if those
+children passed the gates this morning.”
+
+The Captain made an effort and bolted what was left of the crust. “No,
+sire,” he replied. “Only serving-men have passed in or out on your
+Majesty’s affairs. They and one old man.”
+
+“What manner of old man?”
+
+“Of very indifferent manner, sire. He came early this morning to offer
+fat boiling fowls for your Majesty’s kitchen. He had a thin grey beard
+and he wore a high peaked hat and a cloak and he rode an ass.”
+
+“That does not help us very much,” remarked the King, pondering deeply.
+
+“Not at all, sire. We were glad to see him pass out, for when he had
+sold his fowls he brought forth bagpipes from under his cloak and
+played most execrable music. He went out a-riding his ass, with his
+feet disposed on his two covered baskets that hung on either side, and
+there were none that did not stop their ears as he passed. My own ears
+still ding with the fearsome squealing.”
+
+“Enough of this old man and your ears,” said the King impatiently. “Now
+let my soldiers search----”
+
+He was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Gorbo, who darted out
+from the throng and flung out his arms before him.
+
+“It’s Mother Meldrum!” he cried, “The old man was Mother Meldrum! She’s
+got them after all!”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“Got them _where_?” roared the King and a few other people.
+
+“In the baskets! She popped them in the baskets and played bagpipes so
+that people wouldn’t hear them screaming! Oh!”--here he flung his cap
+on the ground and jumped on it and tore his hair.
+
+There was a momentary silence of astonishment. That Gorbo, already
+widely known in these parts as the prize fool of the strange race of
+Snergs, should find the solution of the mystery came as a bit of a
+shock. King Merse stared at him as if he were experiencing something of
+a miracle.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+“He is right,” exclaimed King Kul. “If this toss-pot and muncher had
+had the sense to see what is plain to us all” (he forgot that he hadn’t
+seen it himself until it was shouted at him) “those children would not
+be now in the power of that wretch. Let no one rest until they are
+found, or avenged--Ha, here comes one who may help us,” he went on.
+“Welcome back, Sir Giles. Have you any news?”
+
+“Ay, your Majesty, lots,” replied that capable knight, clanking up the
+hall. “But I have not found Golithos. His tower is empty except for
+miscellaneous rubbish, and the doors swing idly in the wind. He has
+flown.” His voice was hoarse with weariness and his mail showed signs
+of hard travel.
+
+“Flown, has he? And Mother Meldrum?”
+
+“She also has flown--probably on a broomstick. Her house is dismantled
+and deserted, and doubtless the foul things of the haunted woods will
+hold their revels there to-night. Ugh!” He shuddered, for though he was
+dauntless where a reasonable number of caitiffs were concerned he had
+no taste for the supernatural.
+
+“Strange,” said the King musingly. “The plot thickens--But you are
+weary, Sir Giles. Pray seat yourself beside us while we consider the
+matter.”
+
+“Thanks, sire, but I prefer standing. I have sat some score of hours or
+more.”
+
+“I fear you will have to sit some more, good knight, for you must mount
+and lead your men again. Come, sirs, let us consider what course we are
+now to take.”
+
+
+CAPTIVES AGAIN
+
+In a wood of scattered and stunted trees many miles from Banrive,
+Mother Meldrum was urging on her heavily loaded ass with the assistance
+of a cudgel. Beside her strode the gigantic form of Golithos, with a
+big bundle tied to his shoulders and carrying his mighty axe. There
+was a kind of horrible contentment about the two as they went along
+in silence only broken by an occasional chuckle from Golithos and the
+thumping of the cudgel as it came down on the animal’s ribs. Round
+about them walked seven large black cats.
+
+“We can take it a bit easier now,” said Mother Meldrum at length. She
+had taken off her cloak and in her man’s dress and with the false beard
+removed she looked a particularly hideous figure; the beard had at
+least hidden part of her face. “It’s not far now to the barren rocks
+and nobody ever comes as near to them as this. Everything’s going very
+nicely.”
+
+“Yes, isn’t it,” he said. “Do you know I got very worried, waiting
+outside the town with your bundles and the cats. I thought you’d never
+come. I was afraid something had happened and you couldn’t find the
+little ones.”
+
+“That’s because you’re a fool,” she said with her usual candour. “I got
+them almost at once, as I knew I would. Don’t you start complaining
+about me!”
+
+“No, of course not. But the cats worried me so much--snarling and
+rolling about and getting their ropes entangled. And when I tried to
+sort them out they simply bit pieces out of me. Look at my hands.”
+
+“Glad they did; I wish they’d done more to you. You lost one of my
+cats, too, you lout! If it doesn’t come along soon, I’ll remember it
+when we settle up.”
+
+“But it really wasn’t my fault,” he said quickly. “I just untied it a
+moment to disentangle it and it clawed me and bolted off. It’ll come
+along all right.”
+
+“There’ll be trouble for you if it doesn’t. Now let’s stop a bit and
+see how things are.”
+
+“Yes, let’s,” said Golithos eagerly.
+
+“You keep away! No touching.” She lifted up the lid of one of the
+baskets on the ass and untied the neck of a coarse sack within. “Aha,
+you’re tired of grizzling now, are you? That’s a good thing for you.”
+
+The head of Joe came out and stared at her, white and horrified.
+
+“Get out and walk!” she ordered. “No, wait a bit: I’ll have to tie your
+hands behind you.”
+
+She tied him up and lashed the rope to the huge bundle that formed
+the principal load of the ass. Then she went to the other basket and
+liberated Sylvia.
+
+Poor Sylvia’s eyes were swollen with weeping and her face showed a
+stunned horror. She shook with fear as she got out, her pretty silk
+dress with the golden flowers and bees all crumpled and stained with
+the filthy sack she had been tied in, and looked up in the old witch’s
+face.
+
+“Keep apart,” she shouted, for Joe had got close to Sylvia to give her
+what consolation he could, which was not very much. “One on each side.
+Now march!”
+
+They started off again, Joe and Sylvia walking in a dazed way on either
+side of her, Golithos coming behind with his load and leading the ass,
+and the cats surging about them like a pack of grim black hounds.
+
+“You were clever to get them, the way you did,” said Golithos, to put
+her in a good humour. “You seem to manage everything the way you want
+it.”
+
+“Oh, I’m clever enough. I just went in with my half-dozen fat hens
+and offered them for next to nothing, and I talked to the fat old
+cook about things in general until I saw these brats coming along and
+looking for something new. They got something new all right enough. I
+just gave them good morning and asked them if they knew of a nice quiet
+place in the garden where I could turn a little rabbit loose, because
+it was so cruel to keep a rabbit cooped up and it’d be much happier in
+the garden. And they took me to very nice quiet place, all thick bushes
+and the like. Ho, ho, ho! I had them twisted up in two sacks before
+they could begin to think what was happening. And by the time they’d
+started to yell I had them in the baskets and hopped on top of the ass
+and started the bagpipes. And some gardeners and people came running
+up and out but I went a-galloping and blowing the pipes and all they
+wanted was to see the last of me. And out in the street some stared at
+me and some pitched carrots and things at me, but I didn’t stop blowing
+until I was clear out of Banrive. Ho, ho, ho!”
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Golithos laughed hideously and the children cowered as they stumbled
+along. Mother Meldrum jerked furiously at the ropes that held them and
+told them to step out smartly if they didn’t want some extra trouble.
+
+“Don’t make them walk too fast,” said Golithos. “Poor things, it won’t
+do to get them too tired! Children _do_ get thin so easily,” he added
+with a touch of pathos.
+
+“They’ll walk and you’ll walk and I’ll walk just as long as it suits
+me!” she shouted with one of her sudden changes to fury.
+
+“Oh, yes, of course,” he said hastily. “I was merely suggesting----”
+
+“Well, don’t. You’ve got your job to attend to before you need worry
+whether they’re thin or fat. As soon as we get beyond the barren rocks
+you’re finished with them until you’ve done your job.”
+
+“Oh, I’ll do it all right,” he said, twirling his gigantic axe. “The
+sight of them has done me ever so much good. I’ll go back and just hide
+near Banrive until I get my chance. It won’t take long because you tell
+me the King goes out hawking every other day or so and it won’t be at
+all difficult to creep up when he’s sitting on his fat old horse and
+staring up in the sky. I’ll have him hacked to bits in no time. And
+if any twenty of his men come up I’ll cut them all down, as I used to
+do in the fine old days.” He roared with laughter and made the air
+whistle as he swung the axe over his head.
+
+“At last I’m getting part of what I want,” said Mother Meldrum as she
+watched him approvingly. “Only part, because there’s others in the
+town I’m going to get square with. Wait till we’re comfortably settled
+beyond the barren rocks and we’ll be able to do quite a nice lot of
+damage one way and another. When they find their little children
+disappearing every now and then they’ll wish they’d left me alone in my
+comfortable little town business and not got the King to turn me out.”
+
+Golithos did an ungainly dance of joy at the mention of a good supply
+of his natural food. “I suppose,” he said when his transports had
+calmed down a little, “there’s no chance of their finding the way
+through the rocks?”
+
+“Not a bit of chance. The way through is by a hole just near the top of
+the big cliff, and even if they found the hole they’d lose their way
+in two minutes if they tried to follow the road. There’s fifty little
+tunnels branching in all directions and I’m the only one who knows
+the right one. Besides, they wouldn’t dare to follow us in: there’s
+other things there besides bats and darkness. No, we’ll be comfortable
+enough. There’s an old tower which you can take for your very own, and
+there’s a little house in the trees that will just suit me and I’ll
+settle down very comfortably with my cats.”
+
+They trudged on in contented silence for a time. Sylvia and Joe were,
+luckily for them in one way, too stupefied with horror to realize the
+hideous fate that had come upon them and they went on as well as they
+could, Mother Meldrum occasionally hinting by a ferocious pick at the
+ropes that they were not walking fast enough.
+
+
+THE BARREN ROCKS
+
+Half an hour later Mother Meldrum gave a grunt of satisfaction. “Here
+we are at last,” she said. “Look up, little dears, and see where you’re
+going to climb to.”
+
+They had passed out of the thicker part of the stunted trees into an
+open space, and the shuddering children saw before them a deep ravine
+of dry and jagged rocks. On the farther side the walls rose in a cliff
+which, though not very much higher than they were standing, was very
+precipitous and evidently difficult to climb for anyone who did not
+know the path. Nowhere about the rocks was there any sign of life or
+vegetation. It was a new strange land on which a blight had fallen; a
+land over which a dull horror seemed to brood.
+
+“We’ll go down a nice little path I know of,” said Mother Meldrum, with
+a deep chuckle, “and then we’ll go up a nice little path I know of. And
+close to the top is a nice little tunnel I know of, and we’ll go ever
+so far through it until we come to a nice little house I know of. _Now_
+don’t you wish you hadn’t run away from dear old Mother----”
+
+She stopped and turned round and stared. Golithos, who had been
+grinning savagely at her words, stopped and looked quickly in the same
+direction.
+
+“I thought I heard Gubbins,” she said (Gubbins was the missing cat).
+
+“Oh, I’m so glad!” he said, “I wouldn’t have liked you to lose him. He
+must have caught us up. Ah, there he is! I thought he wouldn’t be long
+in finding us.”
+
+“Yes, you fool!” snarled the old woman, choking with rage. “And see
+who’s coming after him! This comes of trusting a lubber like you!”
+
+“It’s that Snerg again,” said Golithos uneasily.
+
+The children’s hearts gave a bound of joy and hope. A long way off,
+and far beyond the black cat that came trotting up, they saw a little
+figure running. It was Gorbo, and the dead weight of terror seemed to
+lift from them at the sight.
+
+“I don’t seem able to shake him off somehow,” went on Golithos, not
+at all with the air of a man who was ready to do great deeds. “But he
+hasn’t seen us yet because we’re hidden by these trees. Let’s get into
+the thick part and hide until he comes up and then I’ll jump out and
+cut him down before he can shout.”
+
+“Come along, you brats, or I’ll murder you here!” shouted Mother
+Meldrum.
+
+She dragged fiercely at the ropes and they had to follow her into the
+trees. Golithos hauled on the leading rope of the ass, and the ass, as
+its nature taught it to do, hauled back. With a howl of rage he took a
+firmer grip of the rope and dragged the ass a few feet. Then the rope
+snapped and the animal turned and trotted back on the path they had
+come.
+
+“Now you’ve done it, you great lout!” screamed Mother Meldrum. “Now
+he’ll know we’re here! Oh, I’ll settle accounts with you, Golithos,
+once we’re out of this!”
+
+“But there’s no great harm done,” pleaded Golithos. “He’ll come along
+looking for us just the same. Oh, please keep quiet, he may be coming
+along now. If he hears us I won’t be able to jump out on him!”
+
+The old woman controlled herself sufficiently to keep silent, though
+her face was livid with rage. She dragged the children into a thicker
+part of the trees and pushed them over and crouched down by them,
+surrounded by her cats, who stopped still at an order from her and lay
+quiet on the ground. Golithos stooped behind a tree with his axe ready.
+
+Gubbins, the missing cat, came trotting up. They could see him stop
+and sniff about. Then he looked back invitingly and saying “Me-reow!
+me-reow!” in a high and strong voice, came purring in among the trees
+and greeted his mistress and his brother cats. Mother Meldrum silenced
+him with a clump on the head and he too crouched down.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+There was a dead silence for a minute or two. Then suddenly the witch
+gave a little grunt, for Gorbo came into view, walking with a silent
+tread and peering in all directions, with an arrow fitted to his bow.
+
+
+HOW GORBO FOUND THE WAY
+
+The measures taken by King Kul to search for the children would
+have, by themselves, resulted in failure and a tragedy. Though of
+an estimable character he was not remarkable for handling difficult
+situations, especially those which for want of a better term we must
+call matters of police. His dominion had been peaceable so long that he
+had lost the knack of it; besides, his subjects, an amiable but rather
+muddle-headed offshoot of mediæval days, were of little assistance in
+the case, for no one could give information as to the road taken by the
+alleged old man with the ass and big baskets and bagpipes. The knights
+too--with the exception of Sir Giles, who had plenty of ginger in him
+(which is why he had secured the prettiest girl at court)--were rather
+lacking in practice owing to the decay of dragons, caitiffs, and other
+undesirable inhabitants, and they rather played at chivalrous doings
+than took any active interest in them. Consequently, though troops
+were sent searching in all directions, they went without definite
+instructions, and they merely wandered about, putting innocent people
+through severe cross-examinations, inspecting cock-lofts in lonely
+but peaceful farmhouses, and generally making themselves thoroughly
+disliked without obtaining any useful hints.
+
+Sir Giles, however, had hit on an idea which had some reason at the
+back of it. The far western border of the land was some half-day’s ride
+away and the country beyond, though no one knew anything definite about
+it, had a very unsavoury reputation. It was generally considered to be
+the part where the dragons and caitiffs and others had gone during the
+past few centuries, and he considered it probable that Mother Meldrum
+and Golithos had selected it as a suitable spot for their future home;
+therefore he had taken his squire and ten picked men and gone there at
+full speed. The idea, as I have said, was on the whole a good one. The
+one reason against its being a successful one was that Mother Meldrum
+and Golithos had gone in the opposite direction.
+
+While King Kul was discussing the situation and making suggestions,
+King Merse rushed off with Gorbo and collected his men, and
+Vanderdecken joined them with his immediately afterwards. But they,
+like the others, had little notion of which would be the best direction
+to take until Gorbo gave them a second shock by making a really
+practical suggestion.
+
+While the men were formed up and waiting for orders, with King Merse
+and Vanderdecken at their wits’ end to know what orders to give, Gorbo
+suddenly ran off and peered between the legs of some citizens who
+formed a little crowd near the ancient Cloth Hall. The citizens were
+looking at a cat of exceeding bigness and blackness which was engaged
+with a bone. There were none present who had visited Mother Meldrum
+professionally so no one recognized this as one of her cats; they were
+merely wondering at its appearance, the cats of Banrive being as a rule
+small and either fawn colour or grey with stripes.
+
+Gorbo acted with a promptness inspired by his grief and his knowledge
+that time was flying. He rushed to a fish stall and demanded a pound
+of sprats on the King’s affairs and a straw-bag to put them in. He
+returned and, pushing his way through the crowd, offered the animal a
+sprat. It took it with a fierce growl and ate it, and then looked up
+hopefully for more. Gorbo did not give it another yet but patted and
+stroked it instead, allowing it to sniff at the bag.
+
+“Did ums old cats want um sprats?” he said soothingly. “Then um good
+old cats must work for um sprats.”
+
+The animal, though evidently intelligent above its kind, could not of
+course wholly understand. It got easily as far as understanding that
+this small man (whom it remembered seeing before) was one who had
+control of fish in a bag, and he set up a roaring purr and rubbed hard
+against him in the hope that he would do the decent thing and give him
+another.
+
+Gorbo held out another sprat and walked backwards towards his brother
+Snergs, the cat following.
+
+“See!” he said to King Merse; “one of Mother Meldrum’s cats! Perhaps it
+can lead us to her.”
+
+King Merse stared at him in wonder at his penetration. Vanderdecken
+smote Gorbo on the shoulder. “This man of yours is improving,” he said.
+“We can but try it.”
+
+“We will,” said the King. “Go ahead, Gorbo, with your cat, and we will
+follow some way behind.”
+
+The inhabitants were ordered to clear the road and Gorbo, after giving
+a third sprat for encouragement, walked towards the town-gate. The
+cat followed him, chewing and growling. On arriving at a clear space
+beyond the walls Gorbo urged it by gestures to take the road. After a
+few moments it looked about and sniffed the ground; went on a bit and
+sniffed again. Gorbo looked on anxiously.
+
+“Home to mother then!” he said, holding up his bag. “Home to other old
+black cats.”
+
+The animal turned and looked at him and then, giving a terrific wail,
+started off at a trot. Gorbo followed and the cat, merely stopping an
+instant to make sure that the bag of fish was coming close behind, went
+on down a narrow trail that led to some woods.
+
+It went steadily on and Gorbo trotted steadily behind it. And a quarter
+of a mile or so behind them came the soft padding footsteps of the
+Snergs and the clumping of the Dutchmen’s sea-boots as they followed at
+the double.
+
+
+THE REFORM OF GOLITHOS
+
+As Gorbo appeared in the open space beyond the trees, Mother Meldrum
+shook her fist fiercely at Golithos to encourage him, and for an
+instant had her attention taken away from the children. But this
+instant was enough for Joe, who had been working his hands loose from
+the rope (he had learned rope tricks in his circus life), and who now
+had them free. He quickly untied Sylvia’s hands and then very gently
+helped her to her feet. “Run,” he whispered close to her ear. And with
+a bound they were off, Joe holding her hand with a tight grip and
+hauling her along through the trees.
+
+They heard a savage yell from behind them; but they were out in the
+open and running up to Gorbo, who sprang forward to meet them with a
+shout.
+
+“Hide in the trees!” screamed Joe. “There’s Golithos coming!”
+
+Gorbo jumped and looked quickly round. Then in an instant he sprang
+with them into the shade of the trees on the other side of the open
+space. He gave a little sound of wonder and joy, something like a sob,
+and then faced round, again with his bow held ready. “Lie down and
+hide,” he said, without turning his head.
+
+“But there’s Golithos there!” wailed Sylvia. “Let’s run, Gorbo!”
+
+“Not me,” said Gorbo. “Just lie quiet.”
+
+There was a dead silence for a time. Then they heard the voice of
+Golithos hailing from the opposite side of the open spot.
+
+“Is that you, Gorbo?” he called.
+
+“It’s me,” replied Gorbo.
+
+“Look here,” went on the voice, “you go away and I’ll let you keep the
+little ones. There!”
+
+“Thanks,” said Gorbo.
+
+“Oh, but do be reasonable. Let’s talk it over quietly; it’s no good
+being unfriendly. Just come out in the open and we’ll talk it over.”
+
+“All right,” said Gorbo. “You come too.” He walked to the edge of the
+trees and stood looking across at the other side.
+
+“But I can’t see you,” said Golithos. “You must really show some
+confidence in me, and then I’ll come.”
+
+“Will this suit you?” Gorbo walked out some half-dozen steps.
+
+“Yes, that’s better, Gorbo. You see I don’t want to harm you.” (From
+their hiding-place the children could hear him blundering through the
+bushes and twigs.) “I’ve always rather liked you and if we can just
+talk over matters----”
+
+With a rush and roar he sprang out, his mighty axe swung up high.
+
+_Whang._
+
+Golithos stopped his rush within six feet of Gorbo and stood swaying.
+His axe fell crashing to the ground.
+
+_Whang--Whang._
+
+Golithos toppled and fell headlong with a thump that shook the ground.
+Three arrows stuck out from behind his head.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+MOTHER MELDRUM GOES
+
+The children flung themselves at Gorbo and hugged him, and Sylvia was
+shaking with sobs. He squeezed them to him for just one instant and
+then jumped away. “Where’s Mother Meldrum?” he said quickly.
+
+“She’s in there,” replied Joe, pointing across.
+
+Gorbo crept up cautiously, looking about him as he went. Suddenly he
+gave an exclamation. “Look!” he cried, pointing to the opposite side of
+the ravine.
+
+The old witch was climbing, climbing up the rocks, and behind her
+came the black cats. Gorbo rushed to the edge of the ravine and shot.
+The arrow fell short. He shot again and again, but it was useless;
+the distance was too great for a bow. And Mother Meldrum climbed and
+climbed, with an agility and strength that appeared miraculous.
+
+Gorbo turned again, for there was a mighty trampling behind him. Up
+came the Snergs and the Dutch seamen, headed by their leaders. The
+children and fallen body of Golithos took but an instant of their
+attention for Gorbo shouted that Mother Meldrum was escaping.
+
+The Snergs ranged along the edge of the ravine and shot thick and fast
+so that the air was full of arrows, but the old witch was well out of
+range and she knew it. She had reached a flat part near the summit of
+the cliff, and the tunnel that led through the barren rocks was close
+at hand. With a shrill screaming laugh that sounded horridly across the
+ravine she danced a fantastic dance of triumph, something between an
+Irish jig and a coranto. O hideous sight!
+
+But little did this hag of mediæval days know of the strides of
+science. The voice of Vanderdecken (who had so wisely trained his
+seamen in the part) rang out:
+
+“Musketeers, advance! Handle your muskets! Cock your muskets! Aim your
+muskets! _Fire!_ Recover your muskets!”
+
+At the word “_Fire_,” three-and-thirty shots shook the air and echoed
+from the rocky crags. A dark cloud of smoke hung over the scene.
+
+The smoke drifted away.
+
+“Where,” said King Merse, “is Mother Meldrum?”
+
+Vanderdecken handed him his telescope. “There is something like bits of
+rags sticking on the rocks,” he said. “And I think I can see a hand
+hanging over the edge of the cliff. See what you can make of it.”
+
+“Yes,” agreed King Merse as he looked, “it is undoubtedly as you say.
+That is Mother Meldrum--or part of her.”
+
+Thus it was. When three-and-thirty muskets of the kind made in
+Vanderdecken’s day, loaded with double bullets and a half handful of
+buckshot, are fired simultaneously by expert marksmen at the same
+target the result is effective. Mother Meldrum had been blown to bits.
+
+
+ALL TROUBLES OVER
+
+There was a good deal of ringing of bells at Banrive when the joyous
+band of Snergs and Dutchmen arrived with the children safe and sound,
+and it was known that Golithos and Mother Meldrum had passed away.
+
+The ass had been found trying to rub its load off against a tree, and
+the Snergs had untied the bundles and selected whatever there was of
+value in them and thrown the rest away. Then they put Joe and Sylvia on
+the ass and started back, singing sea chanties which the Dutchmen had
+taught them. Sylvia soon got over the worst of her shock, and though
+she was a good deal worried about the crumpled and dirty state of her
+pretty new dress, she was able in time to join modestly in the chorus.
+Joe did not have so much shock to get over because he was the sort that
+does not trouble about troubles that are past and he sang lustily.
+
+Gorbo was given the place of honour in front and he came along with
+a light step although he was carrying Golithos’ enormous axe, which
+was his according to the rules of war. He was the subject of a good
+deal of jovial badinage on account of the cat Gubbins, which had not
+gone to join its brother cats (now doubtless great hunters in the land
+of barren rocks) but had attached itself to him. It may have been
+that it liked Gorbo’s cast of countenance or it may have been that it
+considered a man with a bag of fish something to stay by, but I leave
+this for naturalists to decide; all I know is that it went ahead of
+him, with its tail well up, stepping rather in the manner of goats
+belonging to certain British regiments.
+
+King Kul embraced the children, almost with tears, and with his own
+hands gave Sylvia the puppy, which had been wandering disconsolately
+about looking for them. He made a speech thanking the Snergs and the
+seamen for their great service in his dominions. When King Merse
+told him that Gorbo had slain Golithos single-handed he merely said,
+“Indeed? And very creditable of him--considering.” He could never quite
+overcome his dislike of Gorbo.
+
+But nobler feelings prevailed. He went to his privy-chambers and
+rummaged in a little chest of drawers. Returning to the hall he bade
+Gorbo approach and kneel.
+
+“By this,” he said, placing round his neck a cherry-coloured ribbon
+with a medallion, “I make you a Companion of the Order of Errant
+Tinkers. See that you wear it worthily.”
+
+Amid a murmur of applause the blushing Gorbo rose and thanked him
+gratefully and retired backwards. He was filled with a pride and joy
+that left him dizzy. At last it was officially recognized that he had
+escaped from the reproach of being the biggest fool of the race of
+Snergs. Sylvia and Joe ran to him and demanded to see. The medallion
+was a tasteful thing, representing a man in full armour mending a
+saucepan (Sir Bors, a tinker knighted on the field of battle). The
+order was an ancient one and Gorbo had full reason to be proud. It
+carried with it the freedom of the City and the right to remove his
+boots (if they hurt him) in the presence of the King.
+
+The Lady Ermyntrude took charge of the children and told them to change
+into their Watkyns Bay uniforms (which had been washed and ironed)
+while their new clothes were sent to the dry cleaners. These were
+expeditious people and they promised to have them restored to their
+original beauty by noon on the following day; to the great joy of
+Sylvia, who loved her dress with the golden bees.
+
+It was a happy time for all. Sir Giles returned in a very peevish frame
+of mind at the ill-success of his journey, but when he heard that the
+children had been brought safely back he came clashing in and embraced
+them with ardour. He said that perchance now they would let him look
+forward to a good night’s rest. He changed from his travel-stained
+armour into a suit of murrey-coloured velvet in which he looked rather
+well, and he sat with the Lady Ermyntrude behind some curtains and
+held her hand, in spite of her warnings that people would see. Baldry
+(who I fear will never learn) tried to promote the gaiety of courts by
+creeping behind him and smiting him on the head with his bladder stick;
+but he had to flee from the palace and hide for the rest of the day,
+since the King refused to grant him protection, saying: “Now perhaps
+you’ll think before acting.”
+
+
+BACK ACROSS THE RIVER
+
+Another day passed and then, at an early hour, the homeward journey was
+begun. Cheerful farewells were exchanged and amid the shouts of the
+populace the Expeditionary Force passed out of the town-gate which they
+had entered with such doubtful anticipations a few days before, with
+Joe and Sylvia riding on small ponies (wearing their fancy clothes)
+and two sumpter-mules in the charge of responsible churls. One mule
+was laden with presents from King Kul for the royal house of Snerg and
+other presents for Miss Watkyns and her staff (including some curiously
+wrought silver cups and an antique carved unicorn’s horn suitable for a
+centre-piece), and the second mule bore two barrels of special wine for
+Vanderdecken.
+
+King Kul promised to visit the Snergs if something in the way of a
+bridge could be made across the deep river, and Vanderdecken said he
+would give thought to the matter and devise a substantial swinging
+bridge that would not wobble too much.
+
+They stayed for the night at the comfortable little castle of the Lord
+of the King’s Marches, who was at home when they arrived and who, they
+found, was an agreeable man though with a slight touch of pomposity,
+like his steward. He accepted apologies for their former invasion of
+his stronghold and occupation of his best beds, and was quite nice
+about it, telling them that he appreciated the urgency of the case and
+they were heartily welcome. He seemed on the whole rather relieved
+to find his job gone. Throughout a long life he had been (nominally)
+guarding the border against a chance attack of Snergs, and now they
+had proved to be a good-natured and friendly people and he might have
+just as well been attending to other matters. He said that in future he
+would devote his time to gardening, for which he had a passion.
+
+They bade him farewell in the morning and in a few hours were on the
+precipitous cliff that overhung the river, where they were greeted with
+great joy by the band of Snergs who had been left there to prevent any
+interference with the rope. They had made a little fort with a trench
+round it and they had sentries posted in the proper way. King Merse
+gave them a word or two of soldierly praise.
+
+Sylvia was sent across with Tiger in a large basket, which the seamen
+rigged up in the manner of life-saving devices, and arrived safely,
+though rather giddy and frightened owing to the terrific height over
+which she had passed. Joe declined to go in the basket and jerked
+himself across the rope at great speed, as did the Snergs and Dutchmen.
+The presents were then put in the basket and hauled across, and then
+came the two barrels of wine. Vanderdecken superintended the lashing
+up of these himself as he said he wasn’t going to take any silly risks
+with them. Gorbo swarmed over (amid cheers and laughter) with the cat
+clinging to his person, because they could not induce it to go in the
+basket.
+
+
+BACK TO THE TOWN
+
+It was only a league or a bit more to the town, where the news had
+already arrived. As the children drew near they noticed three figures
+conspicuous for their height among the small Snergs. Miss Watkyns,
+together with the Misses Scadging and Gribblestone, had come on good
+steady bears on the previous day to meet them, and there they had
+heard for the first time of their terrible final adventure.
+
+When they saw the children coming along in their beautiful costumes
+of a long bygone age, they burst into weeping. This, though something
+in accord with the character of two of these ladies, came rather as a
+surprise from Miss Watkyns, who loathed display of sentiment. But she
+did not weep much. With a stern word to the others to have done with
+sloppiness she asked both children whether they were, or were not,
+thoroughly ashamed of themselves. It occurred to both Sylvia and Joe
+at this point that perhaps they ought to be, and they said they were
+ashamed. I believe this to be true, though most of the feeling wore off
+in ten minutes.
+
+It is almost unnecessary to say that this was the occasion for a feast,
+and it must be noted that Gorbo no longer sat in the suburbs but was
+only seven places down from the King. In addition to the Order of
+Errant Tinkers (regarded rather enviously by many present) a brazen
+nutmeg glittered upon his breast, for King Merse felt that he had
+fairly earned it.
+
+
+BACK TO WATKYNS BAY
+
+It occurs to me here that there is some difficulty in proving a
+really useful moral from this tale, although I have almost boastfully
+referred to it as coming in due course for the instruction of my
+younger readers. For however reprehensible the children were in their
+disobedience and irresponsibility it cannot be denied that the general
+results of their conduct were beneficial. They were instrumental in
+bringing a swift finish to two persons who constituted a serious menace
+to the public. They had brought about the establishment of friendly
+relations between two countries, and removed doubts that had existed
+for centuries. Lastly, they had returned magnificently dressed and
+bearing expensive gifts. So perhaps the only definite moral that can
+be deduced is, if you by any chance meet an ogre who claims to be
+reformed, pretend to believe him until you have got a gun and then blow
+his head off at the first opportunity.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+On their arrival at Watkyns Bay the other children crowded round Sylvia
+and Joe with cries of delight and admiration, for nothing more gorgeous
+had been seen even in a picture-book, and there was at this point some
+danger of the swollen-headedness which Miss Watkyns had dreaded. But
+she soon put it right by ordering them both to change into their plain
+but serviceable two-piece garments, and stating that the others should
+be kept for very special occasions, such as fancy-dress affairs. This,
+by the way, led to the institution of fancy-dress dances and caused a
+great deal of extra needlework and ironing.
+
+Sylvia and Joe were very glad to get back to their little cots with the
+hop mattresses, and when at last they dropped off to sleep (very late,
+for there was a good deal of whispering because the other children
+wanted to hear more) lulled by the distant breaking of the sea and the
+light rubbing of cinnamon bears against the fence without, they felt
+very peaceful and happy and resolved to be really good for a reasonably
+long time.
+
+
+TO FINISH UP
+
+Vanderdecken set to work and made a neat swinging bridge, light but
+strong, across the deep river, and King Kul made a visit to the Snergs
+and spent two days at Watkyns Bay. He distributed the prizes at the
+term end, and made one of those speeches about even little children
+having their responsibilities. Invitations had been sent to Joe and
+Sylvia and six other children to attend the wedding of Sir Giles and
+Lady Ermyntrude, but Miss Watkyns thanked His Majesty deeply and said
+she thought it inadvisable for them to go, as tending to unsettle their
+minds. She sent a wedding-present of a dainty tortoise-shell toilet and
+manicure-set, and the bride wrote to her on a piece of parchment that
+she considered it the most charming of all her presents. It was really
+good; it had been bought in Bond Street, at an expensive shop. Baldry
+overdid it at last at the wedding and got seven days. He had buttered
+the steps of the palace hall.
+
+Gorbo is passing the time quite nicely, occasionally doing a job of
+work but more often resting. Gubbins, the black cat, sticks close to
+him and travels with him everywhere. It has great ability for catching
+game, such as birds and young rabbits and the like, and has learned to
+retrieve quite well, so Gorbo has his hunting cat like the Egyptian
+kings of old. He goes now and then to visit at Banrive and see what new
+trouble Baldry has got into, and to pay his respects to the King. He
+never fails to say, “Oh, this corn of mine!” and pulls off one boot.
+
+The door in the region of twisted trees and the one on the other side
+were built up with masonry. It was agreed that though Gorbo and the
+children found enormous supplies of mushrooms in the cavern, there was
+a nasty flavour of magic about the place and it was as well to leave
+it alone. I never heard what happened in the dark woods after Mother
+Meldrum had gone and the bats and other grisly things had it all to
+themselves, because no one, I believe, ever went there, which shows
+sense.
+
+The knight Sir Percival gave up chivalrous doings on the day that he
+had the adventure at the castle. He did not slacken his anxious pace
+until he was back at his own little moated grange, and there he hung
+his armour and lance over the fireplace in the hall and decided to live
+quietly, and if he could not get a wife except by fighting for her,
+to go without. He went in for breeding a superior kind of pig and did
+rather well at it, taking several prizes.
+
+Vanderdecken and his men make special efforts every now and then to
+clean up the old ship for her voyage home; but there is so much to do,
+what with weeds and barnacles and the gear having to be rove afresh and
+so forth, that they generally get tired of it after a short spell and
+say to the effect that it is no good overworking and it would be best
+to go for a day or two’s hunting with the Snergs. It is my belief that
+they never will go away. And there is no particular reason why they
+should; things are very well as they are.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+There is little more to tell now. It is possible that Joe and Sylvia
+may be sent to England if suitable new parents can be found for
+them, this being the usual thing after some years with the Society
+(but not of course years in the ordinary way), but I don’t know if
+anything definite has been done in the matter. It is my opinion
+that Miss Watkyns will not let them go for a long time because they
+certainly keep the place lively. She tried to make them have a sense of
+responsibility by giving them charge of a new arrival, a little girl
+who was very thin and weepy, but the result was she became a riotous
+handful and broke a window for fun.
+
+Tiger is doing well, though he had a touch of distemper last August.
+But nothing serious.
+
+Lack of space prevents me from going into details of costs, etc., of
+the S.R.S.C., which is to be regretted as I am sure they would prove of
+absorbing interest to my more serious readers. I will therefore merely
+state that the Society is flourishing and on a sound financial basis,
+and that Miss Watkyns and the other ladies have an immense amount of
+work to do, which keeps them fit, sundry improvements of buildings and
+extensions having been put in hand at Watkyns Bay. The children go on
+happily year after year, slowly increasing in numbers as fresh cases
+arrive, and they splash about in the sea and play their various games
+and roam the woods and fleet the time carelessly as they did in the
+golden world.
+
+
+  PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY
+  THE EDINBURGH PRESS, 9 AND 11 YOUNG STREET, EDINBURGH
+
+
+
+
+TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
+
+  - Clear typos and wrong punctuation were corrected.
+
+  - In the chapter “_Dinner with a Witch_” there is a passage that’s
+  says “There’s about ten thousand of the real ones to one of the
+  others.” Based on context, the intention may have been “There’s about
+  ten thousand of the spurious ones to one of the others.” but the
+  original has been retained.
+
+  - This book has several illustrations, some in the middle of
+  paragraphs. To improve readability, these have been moved to either
+  before or after the paragraph they occur.
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78120 ***
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+<body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78120 ***</div>
+
+<section id="titlepage" class="center">
+<h1><i>The Marvellous Land<br>
+  of Snergs</i></h1>
+  <p><i>by</i> <span class="allsmcap"><abbr title="Edward Augustine">E. A.</abbr> Wyke Smith</span></p>
+
+  <p class="allsmcap mt-2">Author of “Some Pirates and Marmaduke”<br>
+  “The Last of the Baron,” <abbr title="et cetera">etc.</abbr></p>
+
+  <p class="mt-1"><i>illustrated by</i><br>
+  <span class="allsmcap">George Morrow</span></p>
+
+  <p class="mt-5"><i>London<br>
+  Ernest Benn Limited<br>
+  Bouverie House Fleet Street</i><br>
+  1927</p>
+</section>
+
+
+<hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div id="printed">
+  <p class="allsmcap center">Printed in Great Britain</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div id="dedication">
+<p class="center">
+  <i>To<br>
+  My Daughter</i><br>
+  <span class="uc">Nina</span>
+</p>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<section id="contents">
+
+  <h2><i>A List of the Chapters</i></h2>
+
+<table>
+<tbody>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="center uc" colspan="3">Part I</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td></td>
+    <td></td>
+    <td>Page</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>1.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-1">A Place apart</a></td>
+    <td>1</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>2.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-2">Miss Watkyns</a></td>
+    <td>2</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>3.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-3">Ways and Means</a></td>
+    <td>4</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>4.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-4">The Snergs</a></td>
+    <td>7</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>5.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-5">Sylvia</a></td>
+    <td>11</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>6.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-6">Joe</a></td>
+    <td>13</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>7.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-7">Vanderdecken and his Men </a></td>
+    <td>14</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>8.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-8">How the Adventure started </a></td>
+    <td>19</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>9.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-9">How it really began </a></td>
+    <td>21</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>10.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-10">The Turret Chamber </a></td>
+    <td>23</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>11.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-11">How Joe bore Captivity</a></td>
+    <td>24</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>12.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-12">The Forest Land</a></td>
+    <td>29</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>13.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-13">The Dawn </a></td>
+    <td>33</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>14.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-14">Gorbo the Snerg</a></td>
+    <td>35</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>15.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-15">The Town </a></td>
+    <td>38</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>16.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-16">The Royal House</a></td>
+    <td>40</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>17.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-17">The King of the Snergs </a></td>
+    <td>41</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>18.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-18">The Feast</a></td>
+    <td>45</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>19.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-19">A Morning Walk </a></td>
+    <td>47</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>20.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-1-20">The Twisted Trees</a></td>
+    <td>50</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="center uc" colspan="3">Part II</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>21.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-21">Trouble at Watkyns Bay</a></td>
+    <td>57</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>22.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-22">Beyond the Door</a></td>
+    <td>60</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>23.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-23">The Mushroom Cavern</a></td>
+    <td>63</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>24.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-24">The other side of the River</a></td>
+    <td>71</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>25.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-25">Golithos the Ogre</a></td>
+    <td>73</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>26.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-26">Dinner with Golithos </a></td>
+    <td>76</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>27.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-27">Golithos explains</a></td>
+    <td>80</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>28.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-28">The Upstairs Room</a></td>
+    <td>82</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>29.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-29">Gorbo’s Doubts </a></td>
+    <td>84</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>30.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-30">Golithos is tempted</a></td>
+    <td>86</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>31.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-31">Beyond the Tower </a></td>
+    <td>89</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>32.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-32">The Knight Errant</a></td>
+    <td>90</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>33.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-33">Sir Percival’s Job </a></td>
+    <td>95</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>34.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-34">The Mysterious Castle</a></td>
+    <td>96</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>35.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-35">Sir Percival’s Annoyance </a></td>
+    <td>99</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>36.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-36">The Castle Kitchen</a></td>
+    <td>100</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>37.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-37">Breakfast</a></td>
+    <td>101</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>38.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-38">A Terrible Moment</a></td>
+    <td>103</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>39.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-39">More Trouble</a></td>
+    <td>104</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>40.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-40">The Sorrows of Baldry</a></td>
+    <td>107</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>41.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-41">The Dark Woods </a></td>
+    <td>113</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>42.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-42">Mother Meldrum’s House </a></td>
+    <td>115</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>43.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-43">More Sorrow for Baldry</a></td>
+    <td>119</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>44.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-44">A Change of Tone</a></td>
+    <td>121</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>45.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-45">Dinner with a Witch</a></td>
+    <td>122</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>46.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-46">The Spare Bedroom</a></td>
+    <td>125</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>47.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-47">What happened in the Night </a></td>
+    <td>127</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>48.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-48">The Green Ride </a></td>
+    <td>132</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>49.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-2-49">Captives </a></td>
+    <td>137</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="center uc" colspan="3">Part III</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>50.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-50">The Doings at Home</a></td>
+    <td>139</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>51.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-51">The Ingenuity of Vanderdecken</a></td>
+    <td>141</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>52.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-52">How they passed over the River   </a></td>
+    <td>142</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>53.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-53">Boot and Saddle</a></td>
+    <td>144</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>54.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-54">The First Day’s March</a></td>
+    <td>145</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>55.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-55">The Mysterious Castle again</a></td>
+    <td>146</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>56.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-56">How Gorbo gathered Mandrakes</a></td>
+    <td>151</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>57.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-57">The Cozening of Gorbo</a></td>
+    <td>158</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>58.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-58">A Fearful Bargain </a></td>
+    <td>162</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>59.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-59">Captives on the Road</a></td>
+    <td>165</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>60.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-60">King Kul I</a></td>
+    <td>167</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>61.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-61">A Change of Clothes at last</a></td>
+    <td>171</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>62.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-62">Another Meal with Royalty</a></td>
+    <td>173</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>63.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-63">A Stinger</a></td>
+    <td>174</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>64.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-64">The Morning after</a></td>
+    <td>177</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>65.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-65">The Invasion</a></td>
+    <td>179</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>66.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-66">An Historic Meeting</a></td>
+    <td>181</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>67.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-67">Necessary Explanations</a></td>
+    <td>182</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>68.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-68">Baldry’s Sentence</a></td>
+    <td>184</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>69.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-69">Royal Clemency</a></td>
+    <td>187</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>70.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-70">The Next Day</a></td>
+    <td>189</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>71.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-71">And the Day after that</a></td>
+    <td>190</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>72.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-72">Captives again</a></td>
+    <td>194</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>73.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-73">The Barren Rocks</a></td>
+    <td>200</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>74.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-74">How Gorbo found the Way</a></td>
+    <td>203</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>75.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-75">The Reform of Golithos</a></td>
+    <td>206</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>76.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-76">Mother Meldrum goes</a></td>
+    <td>208</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>77.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-77">All Troubles over</a></td>
+    <td>210</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>78.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-78">Back across the River</a></td>
+    <td>213</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>79.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-79">Back to the Town</a></td>
+    <td>214</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>80.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-80">Back to Watkyns Bay</a></td>
+    <td>215</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td>81.</td>
+    <td><a href="#part-3-81">To finish up</a></td>
+    <td>217</td>
+  </tr>
+</tbody>
+</table>
+</section>
+
+
+<hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+
+<section id="body">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p>
+
+
+  <h2>The Marvellous Land of Snergs</h2>
+
+<hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop">
+<section class="break" id="part-1">
+
+<h3>
+    <i>Part I</i>
+  </h3>
+
+<section id="part-1-1">
+<h4>A Place Apart</h4>
+
+<p>If any seafaring person, such as a yachtsman, were to sail round the
+corner of Watkyns Bay in the morning, he would find large numbers of
+children playing in the water, and would be either pleased or depressed
+at the sight according to the way his nature was originally formed.
+Certainly he would wonder how they came to be there, in such a lonely
+place and so very much at home, the little ones splashing about in the
+shallow parts and chasing each other over the sand, and the bigger
+ones swimming out to rafts and diving from them, and all shouting and
+squeaking. But this is a case of supposing, for no yacht or any other
+vessel will ever round the corner of the bay and no sail will ever
+be seen on the skyline, the reason being that it is the land of the
+S.R.S.C. and therefore a place set apart. If a yachtsman were ever
+tempted to sail in that direction he would be met by baffling winds
+from the nor’-east, alternating with baffling winds from the sou’-west,
+and this, combined with the prevalence of waterspouts, would make him
+repent of his purpose, and he could consider himself lucky if he got
+out of those waters lashed to what was left of the mast.</p>
+
+<p>There is one exception to the rule that no outsider can sail <span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span>near
+there, and that is the case of Vanderdecken and his men, who put in and
+camped some two and a half miles north of the bay. Owing to his rash
+oath that he would beat round the Cape of Good Hope if he beat round
+it till Doomsday he found himself doing so, and though this was rough
+luck on his crew, who had not made any rash oaths, naturally they had
+to beat round with him. It is supposed that the curse wore thin after a
+few hundred years; at any rate they managed to slip into the waters of
+the S.R.S.C. during the vernal equinox, and there they are now, camped
+in little huts, with the ship anchored in the mouth of a river and in a
+shocking state of barnacles.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-2">
+<h4>Miss Watkyns</h4>
+
+<p>The bay is named after Miss Watkyns, who is not only the Principal
+but the originator of the S.R.S.C., or Society for the Removal of
+Superfluous Children. Like a good many ladies who have no children
+of their own she was greatly interested in them, and being a little
+interfering in her ways she became in time a noted figure in police
+courts and was often laughed at by the public. This brought her in
+contact with other ladies similarly disposed and finally the Society
+was formed, its object being the removal of children who are obviously
+not wanted by their parents, or parent, as the case may be. The
+greatest care is taken to avoid mistakes, but once a child is removed
+it is never returned, and it soon forgets what happened when it was
+with its parents (or parent) for the air of the place is splendid for
+forgetting. There are cases where, after some years with the Society
+(or what would be some years if time counted there in the ordinary
+way), a child is delivered over <span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span>to some person who ardently desires
+one; but the selection of such a person needs even greater care to
+avoid mistakes.</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="The drawing of a woman with a hat, cane, tie and spectacles
+with a serious expression." src="images/i_p-003.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>Miss Watkyns is a lady of intelligence far above the ordinary, and
+in addition to being a great organizer she has no mean knowledge of
+the sciences. These qualities enabled her not only to discover the
+existence of the Land of the Snergs (in itself a marvellous piece of
+brain work) but also how to get there without a nasty spill. I do not
+propose to go into details of how she managed this (as it would take a
+book twice as long as this one) but will merely state that she admitted
+into the Society twenty-two carefully selected ladies (each of whom had
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span>four or five children ready to be removed from their homes without
+notice) and made the most careful preparations for transferring them
+all to the new land.</p>
+
+<p>It was arranged that each lady should come with one well wrapped up
+superfluous child, as this would be all that they could carry at one
+time and the rest could be fetched later. They were to bring also for
+each one a bundle containing blankets, woollies, and two combination
+suits of wear-resisting fabric, and to use their discretion with regard
+to small extras, such as wash rags, fine tooth combs and the like.
+All went excellently. They met on Hampstead Heath one blowy October
+night at 11.30, and by 12.15 Miss Watkyns had inspected and passed all
+bundles and seen that all hands had taken a cup of hot milk or cocoa.
+Then she gave the word and away they all went on a high wind.</p>
+
+<p>From this slight beginning grew the organization of the S.R.S.C. as
+it is to-day, with 478 superfluous children under its care and more
+coming. As this is purely a narrative of the extraordinary adventures
+that befell two of the children owing to their foolish disregard of the
+laws so wisely made for their benefit (a narrative which should not be
+without improving effect on the minds of my younger readers), I will
+not give more than a brief account of the ways and means by which the
+Society attains its object.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-3">
+<h4>Ways and Means</h4>
+
+<p>The children are divided into two classes, according to size and age.
+The little ones wear one-piece garments known as the “slip-on,” which
+have the advantage that they can be <span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span>slipped off for bathing with one
+wriggle. The older ones wear two-piece garments; the boys having shorts
+and shirts and the girls skirts and blouses. Woolly coats are worn
+in the cold weather, which lasts only for a few seasonable weeks at
+Christmas time. For most of the year they do not wear shoes, but what
+are called slinkers.</p>
+
+<p>The houses are on the higher ground just behind Watkyns Bay, and are
+all of one story. They are made of a criss-cross framework of timbers,
+with walls of clay mixed with little mashed-up shells in between the
+timbers, very strong and neat in appearance. Inside, the walls are
+plastered and painted light pink or blue. Behind the houses there
+is a wide stretch of turf, on which are swings and arrangements for
+healthful games such as net-ball and bumble-puppy. Not far away the
+forest begins with few trees at first and mostly bushes, where they
+play at pretence Indians and Robin Hood and so forth; but the trees
+soon grow thicker and thicker until it is quite shady even at midday
+in some parts. A pleasant place, with soft lawns here and there and a
+variety of ferns, but it is not wise to let the children roam about
+there too much for it is quite easy to get lost. Beyond the forest, a
+long day’s march away, is the town of the Snergs, who built the houses
+for the Society as well as doing other useful things of which I will
+give an account later.</p>
+
+<p>Each house has a protecting fence twelve feet from the walls to
+keep away the cinnamon bears, who live in the forest and who form
+friendships with the children when on their walks. This is all very
+well in its way, but the bears had the habit of trying to get into
+the houses at night, and, when they found the doors shut, of lying
+down outside and rubbing against the walls at intervals, which kept
+the children awake and made them giggle and whisper in a silly way,
+so the fence <span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span>was put up. The bears are of fair size, with softish
+fur smelling slightly of cinnamon, hence the name. They must not be
+confused with the large grizzly bears which, rumour has it, live beyond
+the deep river on the other side of the Snerg country, as also tigers,
+unicorns, a dragon or two, and other creatures full of original sin.</p>
+
+<p>With the exception of the very little ones each child has to attend
+to its own bed, and on Saturdays to refill the mattresses with little
+buds like hops, which have a pleasant aromatic smell and induce sleep.
+The old hops are thrown out on the beach at high tide. Saturday is the
+clean-up time. Lockers are tidied, pinafores are ironed, and puppies
+and other animals that need it are washed with soap; altogether there
+is a good deal of what the Gentlemen of the Life Guards call spit and
+polish, so as to be ready for Sunday. The smallest children have beds
+with rockers, Miss Watkyns having little patience with new-fangled
+ideas about not rocking children.</p>
+
+<p>A good deal of worry and argument has been caused by the amount of
+animal life in and round about the houses. There is a craze for pets,
+and Miss Watkyns’ attempt to limit at the rate of one pet animal to
+each three children resulted in quarrels and sulking in corners, and
+finally it came to the rule of one child one animal. Puppies, kittens
+and small rabbits are the most popular; badgers are discouraged. At one
+time the elder children got excited over a recitation from the poets
+concerning a girl who owned a lamb which followed her about everywhere,
+even to school, where it made the other scholars laugh, and after that
+it was nothing but lambs. At length Miss Watkyns decided that only
+those who showed perfect behaviour for a month could have one, and that
+limited the number right enough. At the end of the month only two <span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span>smug
+little girls had qualified for lambs, and by that time the rage for
+mongeese had come up.</p>
+
+<p>Another source of trouble over animals is the food question. The
+ladies as a rule are rather sentimental in their ideas and it needed
+all the firmness and common sense of Miss Watkyns to prevent a wave
+of sloppiness passing over the Society and damaging the children’s
+character and insides. Some even went to the length of proposing that
+the food should consist entirely of bread, butter, milk, and green
+stuff; and the experiment was actually tried for a time, with the
+result that the children broke out in pimples. Then fish diet was
+added, it being supposed that fish feel no pain when they are caught,
+only a little regret, but this was also a failure; the little ones’
+systems still cried out for meat and gravy in moderation. Finally, Miss
+Watkyns put her foot down firmly and arranged that a supply of sheep
+and hares, etc., be delivered at regular intervals by the Snergs, who
+are not at all sentimental about killing animals; in fact they rather
+like it, being great hunters.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-4">
+
+<h4>The Snergs</h4>
+
+<p>The Snergs are a race of people only slightly taller than the average
+table but broad in the shoulders and of great strength. Probably
+they are some offshoot of the pixies who once inhabited the hills
+and forests of England, and who finally disappeared about the reign
+of Henry VIII. Their language is not very difficult and the children
+especially learn to speak it in a few weeks, which helps to strengthen
+my theory of their origin. The ladies, however, never learn to speak
+the language with fluency, and the little slang expressions are quite
+beyond <span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span>them; but owing to the untiring energy of Miss Watkyns, that
+brainy woman, they now have a little Snerg grammar, with a vocabulary
+and some easy exercises.</p>
+
+<p>The Snergs took a great interest in the Society’s development and
+offered their services at an early date. It soon came to pass that they
+did all the heavy work, such as building (at which they are expert),
+gardening, painting and decorating, and the more troublesome part of
+the housework, such as swabbing floors. They come in batches and spend
+some weeks at work; then they say they are homesick, which means they
+have got tired of it, and they go home as soon as another batch can
+take their place. In return for these services they receive instruction
+in up-to-date methods from Miss Watkyns’ Encyclopædia, little presents
+from London or some other large town when one of the ladies has gone
+there on business, and those little general advantages, difficult to
+specify in words, which come from intercourse with refined females.</p>
+
+<p>If the children go to the woods to collect berries or mushrooms or
+whatever else happens to be in season, or to play at outlaws or a
+little scalping party, a Snerg or two goes with them to shoo away
+obtrusive bears. When they are bathing a Snerg or two sits on a rock
+ready to dive in and pick out any child that has got into trouble. It
+is interesting to see how they reach such a one with a few vigorous
+strokes, take it to land, up-end it by the heels to let the water run
+out, and lay it on the grass to dry.</p>
+
+<p>The Snergs dress in tight-fitting woollen hose, with a jerkin of the
+same material and a leather belt, and little round leather caps rather
+like the deeper kinds of saucers. When at home most of them live
+in the town; some few have their mills and farms a little distance
+away, but they come in pretty often for <span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span>they are gregarious people,
+loving company. The town has one main street which goes rambling
+round corners, with one or two little alleys branching off from it
+through archways and so forth, and the houses are three or four or
+more stories in height, built in an irregular way of timber and clay
+and plaster, top-heavy in appearance though sound in reality even if
+a bit elastic. If a house leans over more than it should they prop it
+up by timbers reaching across to the house opposite, this generally
+giving them an excuse for making a little covered-in passage way on
+the timbers so that they can visit one another without all the fuss of
+going downstairs and up again, they being great on visits. You never
+know when a Snerg will finish with his house because he is always
+making additions to it, such as throwing out bay windows, or carrying a
+balcony on stilts to one of the big trees near by and then building a
+spare bedroom in the tree itself, and the like fool tricks.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of three human children and two snergs walking
+in a forest, with a bear behind a tree on the left side." src="images/i_p-009.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>They are long-lived people; roughly speaking they live as long as
+oaks. For instance those Snergs who remember the <span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span>excitement caused
+by the landing of William the Conqueror (1066) are old, old gaffers,
+opinionated, sitting in arm-chairs. The men who remember the Wars of
+the Roses are middle-aged and of ripe judgment (in so far as a Snerg
+ever has judgment), while those born about the time of the Gunpowder
+Plot have still something of the gay insouciance of youth. The babies
+date from Trafalgar and upwards.</p>
+
+<p>They are great on feasts, which they have in the open air at long
+tables joined end on and following the turns of the street. This
+is necessary because nearly everybody is invited—that is to say,
+commanded to come, because the King gives the feasts, though each
+person has to bring his share of food and drink and put it in the
+general stock. Of late years the procedure has changed owing to the
+enormous number of invitations that had to be sent; the commands are
+now understood and only invitations to stay away are sent to the people
+who are not wanted on the particular occasion. They are sometimes hard
+up for a reason for a feast, and then the Master of the Household,
+whose job it is, has to hunt for a reason, such as its being somebody’s
+birthday. Once they had a feast because it was nobody’s birthday that
+day.</p>
+
+<p>The King presides at the head of the table, with the best people on
+either hand, and there they sit in the mellow evening light and tell
+tales of the brave days of old and listen to the sound of harps. But at
+the other end of the table, round the corner and out of sight, there
+is often a good deal of reckless behaviour and talk, since there is no
+one to check the number of cups of mead they drink; and the truth is
+they get slightly tiddleums, and laugh far too much and grab off each
+other’s caps and throw them in other fellow’s faces, and so on. Queer
+people.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span></p>
+
+<p>The tale is going to start very soon but it will be necessary to give
+some account of the two children, Sylvia and Joe, who got mixed up with
+the strange doings I have mentioned, and also of Vanderdecken and his
+men, because if it had not been for them I really don’t know how things
+would have come out as well as they did. Let us begin with Sylvia.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-5">
+<h4>Sylvia</h4>
+
+<p>Sylvia’s mother was a widow who lived in a commodious house in
+London and who was much admired, and whom we will call Mrs Walker
+because it was not her name. Though she was rather proud of Sylvia
+in a way, because she was a pretty little girl with hair that curled
+naturally, she never bothered about her very much owing to her Society
+engagements. She never, for example, made her laugh with the business
+of the little pigs, or pretended to eat her, beginning with the feet,
+and she never bored people by exhibiting her little frocks to show
+how she was growing out of them; in fact, she never saw her at all
+except sometimes when she spared a moment to run upstairs before going
+to dinners and dances and the like. But she provided a capable nurse
+called Norah who was skilled in all things necessary for young ones,
+including interesting tales, and this worked finely until Norah had to
+go away and marry a young man in the sausage business. The new nurse
+who came had her own society engagements to attend to (though not such
+classy ones) and could not spare very much time for Sylvia.</p>
+
+<p>One day Sylvia got wet through in the park and the nurse (Gwendoline)
+forgot to change her things, so that she got ill. <span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span>She got more and
+more ill and the doctor was sent for, but he was absolutely rude to
+Mrs Walker because he had not been sent for before and this upset her
+as she was not accustomed to rudeness. But what made her more upset
+was the sight of a dowdy, middle-aged woman who had got in somehow and
+was sitting by Sylvia’s bed, and when she asked her what she was doing
+there she got no answer but a snort, so she went away. And half an hour
+later there was a real trouble, for the dowdy person and Sylvia were
+missing.</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a man with a black suit kneeled before a woman
+dressed in black and with a veil, lokking away from the man." src="images/i_p-012.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>There was a good deal of excitement because there had been one or two
+cases of this kind lately, and there were head-lines<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span> in the papers
+about it; but nothing more happened and the little bed was empty for
+keeps. In time—that is to say, in three weeks—the matter had blown
+over, and Mrs Walker went into mourning and looked so absolutely sweet
+and lovely that Sir Samuel Gollop (Biscuits) asked for her hand and got
+it and serve him right, and she is now my Lady Gollop, with a house in
+one of the best parts and two cars and a Pekinese which has taken a
+prize. But no Sylvia, never again.</p>
+
+<p>And Sylvia was learning to play a new kind of water-polo in which seals
+take part and was fast forgetting all about her former life except the
+tales Norah used to tell her.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-6">
+<h4>Joe</h4>
+
+<p>Joe is a sturdy boy of about the same age as Sylvia who has caused the
+Society more anxiety and exasperation than any ten other boys of his
+weight and size. When he first arrived he was by no means sturdy; his
+legs and arms were thin, and on all corners of him there was either a
+bruise or a place breaking out. This was owing to his father, a circus
+rider, who used to train Joe to do dexterous tricks with ropes and
+poles so that he would in time be able to earn money and help support
+the family—which, by the way, now consisted only of Father; his mother
+had been worn out long ago.</p>
+
+<p>Every time Joe missed doing the tricks dexterously it meant trouble for
+him, for his father used to drink as much as his wages allowed and this
+impaired his judgment and led him many times to nearly overdo what he
+used to do to Joe in the evenings at home. Joe never complained to the
+other circus people because he believed that boys came into the world
+for <span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span>the purpose of being hammered by their parents; also he worked it
+out that if he did complain his father would do him in as he had often
+promised to do and, ridiculous as it may seem to us, Joe wanted to go
+on living.</p>
+
+<p>Matters came to a finish one evening when he had made a deplorable mess
+of some gymnastics and his father was greatly annoyed with him, and, as
+he said he would, “put it acrost him” properly. He was interrupted by
+the sudden appearance of a grim elderly lady bigger than he was, whom
+he had noticed several times lately in the one-and-threepence seats,
+and who now burst open his private kitchen door in defiance of the law
+and picked up the tongs, not by the handle but by the other end. Then
+Father knew no more for hours.</p>
+
+<p>And when he did know more it was very unsatisfactory. His skull seemed
+loose like a jig-saw puzzle, and he was in a horrid mess. And Joe was
+gone. There were no head-lines in the paper about this case because no
+one cared anything about it—except Father—and by the time his skull
+was fitted close together again by the great skill of surgeons (his
+nose they could do nothing with) Joe was becoming justly celebrated
+among the other children for his reckless way of riding bucking bears
+bare-backed, and doing other things contrary to regulations.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-7">
+<h4>Vanderdecken and His Men</h4>
+
+<p>As the strange adventures of Joe and Sylvia were primarily due to what
+Joe did to Vanderdecken’s crew’s soup, it is advisable to give here a
+short account of these interesting foreigners.</p>
+
+<p>As I have said, Vanderdecken (vulgarly known as the Flying Dutchman)
+had come in some time before and camped on the <span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span>bank of a river north
+of Watkyns Bay. They had had so much tossing about the seas since they
+started out from Holland in the seventeenth century that it was quite
+a nice change for them, and they were in no hurry to go away, even
+though they were very anxious to see their wives and babies again. And
+it was just as well that they were in no hurry to go, for their wives
+and babies had all died hundreds of years ago and it would have been a
+distressing shock to them if they had managed to reach home, this in
+itself a doubtful matter.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of three men, with two men conversing on the left side
+and the third looking at a parrot." src="images/i_p-015.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>Each man had his hut, made of stout reeds with a roof of palm branches.
+They stood in a semicircle, with a double-sized one in the middle for
+Vanderdecken, and there was a garden in front in which was planted some
+sweet-peas and a few simple bulbs. There was also a large general hut
+where they had their meals and sat about the table afterwards, smoking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span>
+their long pipes and talking about how they really must think of
+getting busy with the old ship and cleaning her up for the voyage. She
+was in a bad way, with the sails all patched and the carved dolphins
+on her bows all worn smooth with the seas she had dived into for so
+many weary years; but the most they ever did towards getting her ready
+was to lighten her by taking the heavy things out and putting them on
+shore—quaint old cannon and the two spare anchors, and bales of spices
+and elephants’ tusks, and casks of salt beef all hard as horn from
+age, and so forth. Each seaman took his chest and hammock ashore and
+made his hut neat with a floor of little mashed-up shells, and perhaps
+a shelf or two and a rack for pipes and pannikins and other small
+matters. Vanderdecken’s parrot was still going strong, for the curse
+had come on him too (not that that troubled him) and he sat on a perch
+outside in the sun with a tin pot full of nuts beside him, swearing in
+High Dutch.</p>
+
+<p>It is to be regretted that their relations with the Society, though
+friendly, were not at all enthusiastic. In the first place, they
+were, like all Dutchmen, phlegmatic and not given to gush. In the
+second place, England was at war with Holland when they started out
+and they did not like the sight of the British flag flying over the
+main building in Watkyns Bay. It was of course Miss Watkyns’ duty to
+make the first call, so she went with six of the ladies and told them
+that she had no objection to their staying there—which seemed rather
+superfluous as they had already settled down very comfortably—and
+that she hoped they would find the rest and change beneficial. No
+refreshments were offered, for Vanderdecken had no tea but only
+Schnapps, a heady liquor calculated to make an unaccustomed man
+climb trees and therefore obviously<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span> unsuited to ladies. The call
+was returned in due time by Vanderdecken and his mate and two washed
+seamen; and from then on there were little formal calls at intervals,
+but, as I say, no real cordiality; mostly talk about the weather.</p>
+
+<p>But the Dutchmen get on famously with the Snergs, who visit them
+frequently and invite them over to the town for week-ends, this giving
+a nice excuse for a feast. Then they introduced them to a special
+kind of mead made from wild bees’ honey, with a little distillation
+of ginger added to give it a kick. This was glad news to the weary
+mariners, for though they had started out with a good supply of
+Schnapps they had of course not taken the curse into account and the
+supply was getting alarmingly low, and there had been many wrinkled
+brows over the matter. Hunting parties are organized very often; the
+Dutchmen go with strangely carved muskets and the Snergs with bows and
+arrows, and they come home with mixed bags. This, however, has caused
+trouble with the Society, for Miss Watkyns said she could not allow
+promiscuous slaying of animals in the forest land between the coast
+and the Snerg country; that if they liked (she meant this ironically)
+they could go to the country beyond the deep river, where rumour had
+it there were fierce beasts worthy of their skill, and kill as many
+as they liked. She gave a list of animals that were prohibited; among
+these were cinnamon bears, young deer and various sorts of birds.
+Vanderdecken objected strongly to this, and he came over to argue the
+matter; but there was breeding in the man and he finally gave way. They
+now hunt only large deer, hares, duck, and wobsers, a swift-running,
+graminivorous animal something between a platypus and a pig, but with a
+prehensile tail. Cooked with bay leaves they are delicious.</p>
+
+<div class="img-full-page">
+  <img alt="A drawing of several human beings and snergs walking down
+a valley." src="images/i_p-018.png">
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span></p>
+
+<p>But though there was no great cordiality between the ladies of the
+Society and the Dutchmen, there was no friction to speak of. Miss
+Watkyns would often send over a few dozen eggs or a basket of plums
+from the orchard and the like, and Vanderdecken sent one of his men to
+plant tulips in the way they should be planted, the Dutch being very
+skilful at this. When the ladies’ bathing kiosk blew over in a high
+wind he and his men came and put it right side up by brute force, and
+last Christmas he sent two sacks of little carved windmills for the
+children. On the whole relations could be called satisfactory.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-8">
+
+<h4>How the Adventure Started</h4>
+
+<p>Having given a short general statement of conditions, it is now time
+to recount what happened to Sylvia and Joe owing to her impulsiveness
+and his disobedience and cheek, and I say again (for it is a point that
+will bear repetition) that I hope the tale will not be without due
+effect on my young readers.</p>
+
+<p>I have already said that Joe caused the Society anxiety and
+exasperation. This was chiefly owing to his insatiable curiosity to
+know what would be the effect of certain acts, particularly those that
+were forbidden, and though the lady who was responsible for his arrival
+(Miss Gribblestone) had lectured him and read him moral tales, such as
+the one about the boy who was devoured by curiosity and finished by
+getting devoured by a serpent, and though Miss Watkyns had told him
+that at his rate of going severe punishment was only a matter of time,
+all this had little or no effect. And the really <span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span>serious part was that
+he and Sylvia were firm chums and she, being impulsive, would aid and
+abet him in his enterprises.</p>
+
+<p>They could not live apart, these two. They shared everything they had,
+including secrets, and any little extra snacks that came into their
+possession. They even shared a puppy (whom they named Tiger owing to
+his ferocity with slippers and other small matters, and who was pure
+white all over except on one ear and the left side of the head where
+he looked as if he had been well rubbed in a tin of blacking) and this
+is the only known case of dual ownership since Miss Watkyns made that
+excellent rule of one child, one animal.</p>
+
+<p>Many were the remedies proposed for their improvement, but the
+difficulty was that the Misses Scadging and Gribblestone could not
+agree to any particular method. Miss Scadging was the one who had
+taken Sylvia away from her mother, and she said that Joe had an evil
+influence on the little girl and that he alone should be punished.
+Miss Gribblestone on the other hand was of opinion that if it were not
+for Sylvia’s encouragement Joe would be a pattern boy like that Edgar
+of the story-book who went out before breakfast and gathered fresh
+groundsel for his aunt’s canary. And so the matter stood, for Miss
+Watkyns made it a rule never to interfere except in very urgent cases.</p>
+
+<p>That Sylvia encouraged the boy there was no doubt. She had blue eyes
+and a quantity of fluffy gold curls, and consequently, when she giggled
+and told him he would never dare to do what he said would be a choice
+thing to do, he usually went at once and did it, whatever it happened
+to be. And when the deed was done and some of the ladies went forth to
+pick up the bits or to do whatever else needed doing and to bring in
+Joe and Sylvia for immediate explanation, they <span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span>would find them at the
+time harmless and lovable, perhaps sitting on the shore with their arms
+round each other’s necks as good as gold, or else engaged in some deed
+of kindness, such as swimming out to the Penguins’ Rock with a little
+string bag full of snails.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-9">
+<h4>How it Really Began</h4>
+
+<p>To come to how it really began, one bright morning the two went
+over to Vanderdecken’s camp without leave, and there Joe was wicked
+enough and foolish enough to heave half a brick into the cauldron of
+soup preparing for the mariners. It was a wicked thing to do because
+they had never harmed him, and a foolish thing because detection was
+certain. But he had bragged that he would do it, and Sylvia had giggled
+in the usual way and said she didn’t believe him, so he hunted up the
+half-brick and off they went.</p>
+
+<p>Speaking of the act entirely apart from its moral aspect I may say that
+it was a good shot. Six mariners were standing about the cauldron,
+sniffing the fragrant steam and speaking in praise of the cook, when
+the missile arrived from a high neighbouring rock, and its impact
+caused the hot, glutinous liquid to bespatter their faces and clothing.
+On the next instant Joe, Sylvia and Tiger started home at a brisk run.
+Arriving breathless they proceeded at once, and in sight of some of
+the ladies, to be kind to animals. They gathered handfuls of grass and
+offered them to some overfed sheep, and their expression while doing
+so was something like that on the faces of angels in the pictures of
+Murillo, that great painter.</p>
+
+<p>In due time the six mariners and the cook arrived to make <span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span>their
+complaint. Their annoyance was so great that, though fluent, they were
+unintelligible; I am inclined to think that at first they could only
+articulate expletives in use among Dutch seamen of the seventeenth
+century. But at length they were calmed sufficiently to enable them to
+state their case and to demand that Joe, whom they had recognized, be
+delivered over to them for the punishment of keel-hauling, a term which
+was not understood by any of the ladies.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Watkyns was sympathetic, but she could not, of course, allow
+them to take the law into their own hands. She soothed them down with
+diplomatic words, promised that the boy should receive castigation
+proportional to his offence, and gave them each a ball of some
+composition warranted to remove grease stains without injuring the
+fabric.</p>
+
+<p>Then she went for the Handy Encyclopædia to see what it had to say
+about keel-hauling. It was as follows:</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>“<i>Keel-hauling.</i> A form of discipline once in great vogue among
+seamen. The usual method of application was to attach ropes to the
+four limbs of the delinquent, lower him over the bows of the ship,
+and drag him to the stern post and up again, the process being
+repeated as many times as was considered necessary to expiate the
+offence. In very serious cases it was the custom to continue the
+operation until such barnacles as had accumulated on the ship’s keel
+had been scraped off. See <i>Shell Fish</i>.”</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>“I gather that they are vexed,” observed Miss Watkyns to herself as
+she replaced the volume. Then—for in spite of her high ideals she was
+human—“I should have liked to see that half-brick arriving.”</p>
+
+<p>In the conference that followed Miss Scadging proposed <span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span>that Joe should
+be considered the sole culprit, since he was a boy and therefore it
+was his duty to set an example to the weaker sex. Miss Gribblestone
+objected to this on principle; she was by no means convinced that women
+were the weaker sex and she recounted again how she had laid out Joe’s
+father; also she quoted Police Court instances of crimes committed by
+men at the instigation of females. Miss Watkyns was of opinion that a
+good and quick way to settle the matter would be to hand Joe six or
+ten of the very best with the back of a hairbrush before the assembled
+children; but Miss Gribblestone objected strongly to this as tending to
+break the boy’s spirit. She made the counter-suggestion of an appeal to
+his pride.</p>
+
+<p>It is no exaggeration to say that I could keep on like this for pages,
+but I will not risk wearying the reader with a disquisition on the
+arguments for and against corporal punishment. I will merely state that
+it was finally decided to let Sylvia off for just this once, but to
+incarcerate Joe for the rest of the day in the Turret Chamber on a diet
+of bread and water.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-10">
+<h4>The Turret Chamber</h4>
+
+<p>The Turret Chamber was, as its name implies, a chamber in a turret.
+I have previously explained that the erection of the buildings was
+done by the Snergs; also that their natural tendency was to indulge in
+wild architectural freaks. By careful watching, however, Miss Watkyns
+had managed to keep them building according to the neat plans she had
+prepared, and to subdue their inclination to spoil the symmetry of the
+houses by fantastic and unnecessary additions. But during her absence
+one day on a picnic the Snergs broke loose and built a swift <span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span>tower
+in a corner of the main building, with some scalloped fancy work on
+the walls and a twisting flight of stairs in the interior leading to
+the chamber in question, and by the time she arrived home they were
+already roofing it in. In appearance it resembled the more despicable
+forms of lighthouses, and it was quite useless for anything practical,
+being so narrow that a grown-up person ascending the stairs had to
+writhe up like a snake, and the chamber atop being so small that Miss
+Watkyns had considered the question of turning the whole business into
+a pigeon-house. However, it did very well as a lock-up for Master Joe.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-11">
+<h4>How Joe Bore Captivity</h4>
+
+<p>Hours had passed. The sun was not now so very high in the heavens.
+From the direction of the beach came the sounds of happy shrieks; the
+children were having a great time there. On the window-sill of the
+turret chamber sat Joe, his hands in his shorts’ pockets and his feet
+dangling outside, looking forth disconsolately. Behind him on the floor
+was a platter with odd bits of dry bread, and a pitcher of clear cold
+water from the pump. There was nothing else behind him but a little
+wooden bench; the chamber was as bare and smooth as an empty jam-pot.
+Above him was the bright blue sky. Before him was green grass and
+waving forest. Below him was a nasty drop of twenty-seven feet. I don’t
+think I have left anything out.</p>
+
+<p>Joe started suddenly and looked about, for from somewhere he had heard
+the hoot of the Aviola, or small downy owl, which by rights should
+be still asleep at that hour. He <span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span>replied with the half-whistle,
+half-bleat of the Crested Grebe (these were secret signals), and Sylvia
+came worming her way out from the neighbouring herbaceous border,
+accompanied by their small but faithful hound. She parted her mass
+of curls, which had fallen across her face in the passage, and stood
+having a good look at him.</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a boy perched on a window pane looking whistfuly below." src="images/i_p-025.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Oh, Joe,” she said in the low voice of pity, “are you very beastly
+lonely up there?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Sylvia, I’m just as lonely and miserable! And I’ve had nothing to
+eat but some dry bread. I think they dried it on purpose.”</p>
+
+<p>“And Tiger’s been wondering what’s the matter, Joe.” <span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span>She held him up,
+and Tiger caught sight of Joe and wriggled and made moans, as of a
+puppy that wanted comfort. “But I’ve got something for you.”</p>
+
+<p>She put down Tiger and produced a handkerchief. “I’ve got some apple
+sauce on bits of bread that aren’t so dry, and a piece of seedy cake.
+And some pears. I suppose you haven’t got a piece of string?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes I have,” he answered joyfully. “I’ve got my fishing line. Here it
+is. I’ve been fishing for hours and hours trying to fish up something
+to play with, but all I got was some bits of twigs and I couldn’t do
+much with them.”</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia hooked her handkerchief with the provisions on to the line, and
+a moment later Joe was eating busily.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re just like a captive princess in a tower,” she said after a
+time. “Like Rapunzel.”</p>
+
+<p>“Except I haven’t got such long hair. I feel like an old cat up a
+pole—except I can’t get down. When are they going to let me out?”</p>
+
+<p>“Miss Watkyns said when all of us are in bed. Isn’t she vicious?”</p>
+
+<p>“But that’s hours and hours! Oh, Sylvia, I <i>must</i> get out!” He
+bounced up and down on the window-sill, and Sylvia squawked.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, Joe, you ass, you’ll fall!”</p>
+
+<p>“Not me, don’t you think it.” He bounced up and down again to show his
+skill.</p>
+
+<p>“Look here, Joe, shall I hook on Tiger? I’ll tie him in my hankie
+so that he won’t fall and then you can play with him for a bit—No,
+you <i>keep</i> him up there with you, and then won’t Miss Watkyns
+be surprised when she finds him there! She’ll think he’s got wings
+somehow.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Yes, that’d be fine. But I’ve got a much better idea, Sylvia. You just
+bring me that clothes-line over there.”</p>
+
+<p>“What for? And it’s got nighties drying on it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t want them, I want only the rope. Do, Sylvia, it’s something
+delicious. If you don’t I’ll show you how to hang out of a window head
+downwards.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, <i>don’t</i>!” cried Sylvia. “I’ll bring it.” She ran off and came
+back a minute later with the clothes-line, which she fastened to his
+fish-hook. “Nighties all over the grass. There’ll be a fine row over it
+if they catch me. You are a headstrong boy, Joe.”</p>
+
+<p>Joe did not answer, for he was busy. He hauled up the rope and fastened
+one end of it to the bench, and then managed to jam the bench across
+the window frame. Then he called to Sylvia to stand from under.</p>
+
+<p>“Because,” he said, “it’s rather a rotten piece of rope, and besides, I
+don’t think this silly old bench is going to stand much jerking about.
+But we’ll soon see.”</p>
+
+<p>On the next instant, Sylvia gave a screech, for there was Joe outside
+the window, spinning round on the rope. But before you could count ten
+he had slid down to the ground and Tiger was leaping and trying to get
+at his face so as to lick it. Not a very wonderful trick for a circus
+boy, but then Sylvia didn’t know anything about circuses. She put her
+arms round his neck and hugged him.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, Joe,” she said, “you are a brave boy! You looked just like a clean
+monkey coming down—except that you haven’t got a tail. But how are you
+going to get the rope put back?”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m not bothering about the rope,” said Joe. “You see we’re just going
+to run away.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Run away! What for?”</p>
+
+<p>“For fun. I’m not going to be locked up by anybody. I’m going over to
+see the Snergs, and you’ve got to come with me. Tiger’s coming, too, of
+course. We’ll have a glorious time!”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean, you contentious infant?” (She sometimes used words
+she had heard from Miss Watkyns and other ladies.) “It’s miles and
+miles and miles! And you don’t know the way there.”</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a boy a girl running while holding hans, with a dog
+to the right of the boy." src="images/i_p-028.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Yes I do. It’s straight over there, just a little bit this side of
+where the sun goes under. We’ll just go that way until we can’t see it,
+and then we’ll sleep in a nice place in the forest.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Clever, and what about to-morrow? The sun’s always over the sea
+in the morning.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then all we’ve got to do is to go the <i>other</i> way. Can’t you see?”</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia was rather impressed by his resourcefulness. “Yes, <span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span>but what
+about afterwards, Joe,” she said after a moment. “What will Miss
+Watkyns do when she knows about it?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but what happens afterwards will happen <i>afterwards</i>. Can’t
+you see? Come along, Sylvia, it’s adventures, like those tales your
+nurse told you about. And it’s much better <i>being</i> a tale than
+just hearing it. We’ll sleep in the forest to-night—it’s nice and
+warm—and to-morrow sometime we’ll be at the Snerg’s place and have a
+jolly time with them. Just think what the other kids will think of us.
+Won’t they be jealous!”</p>
+
+<p>How it happened Sylvia could never quite make out, but she found
+herself running along hand-in-hand with Joe over the soft turf, with
+Tiger bouncing alongside of them and sometimes tumbling over his own
+barks, drawing nearer and nearer to the trees which looked so cool and
+inviting on that warm afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, Joe,” she panted as she ran, “<i>what</i> an absurd mite you are!”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-12">
+<h4>The Forest Land</h4>
+
+<p>It seemed to these precocious infants that the forest was deeper and
+shadier and more silent, and the grass softer than they had ever
+known it before; but perhaps that was because before they had always
+gone with troops of young ones, which would at least do away with the
+quietness. In parts where the trees were not so very thick the grass
+was all dappled with spots of sun, and sometimes there were great
+shafts of light through the trees to make a guide for them, for all
+they had to do so far was to go as fast as they could in the direction
+of the sun. And they ran on and on and on, with the pretence <span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span>idea that
+they were fleeing from enemies who knew no touch of mercy and they must
+get as far as possible while they could.</p>
+
+<p>At length they had to stop running and walk, but they walked hard
+because Joe said they must keep on for hours and hours. But it was
+not so very long before they had to sit down and rest, for they were
+all hot and sticky and getting very hungry. Joe opened Sylvia’s
+handkerchief, in which he carried the rest of the pears she had
+brought. There were five left, rather soft with the jolting, being
+ripe, but they ate them, squashed parts and peel and all, and then
+they had a draught from a stream, lying down on their stomachs and
+drinking like hunters. Tiger’s share of the meal was as much water as
+he liked to drink, and the sight of him sitting up and thinking after
+this meagre diet brought into Sylvia’s head an idea that perhaps they
+had been a tiny bit rash. But Joe said that Tiger could make up for it
+to-morrow by a good blow-out, entirely omitting to consider the many
+weary miles that lay between them and the country of the Snergs and the
+slim chance they had of ever finding their way there at all. He said it
+was really adventures, like the one her nurse had told her of, and he
+pointed out how very likely it was that something exciting would happen
+at any moment. Sylvia gave her opinion that they were rather too small
+to be of much use if anything exciting did occur and said she hoped it
+wouldn’t. She asked him if he thought it would be cold when the dark
+came, and he said, “No, only nice and cool,” for he was an optimist
+always.</p>
+
+<p>They got up and went on again, following the gleam of the sun as well
+as they could, until at last it went altogether and they could only
+see a red glow from the open parts where there were mostly bushes. And
+still they went on and on and <span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span>on, until Sylvia said her legs began
+to feel all wobbly and she had to sit down. There it was: those silly
+things were deep in the lonely woods and the shadows were creeping up
+from the far places.</p>
+
+<p>Joe climbed a tree to see if he could see something worth seeing, such
+as the smoke from an honest wood-cutter’s hut or the like, as in the
+tales of forests; though really he hadn’t much expectation of finding
+anything, for he had been told there was little else but billions of
+trees between the sea and the Snerg country. All he could see was a
+little speck of red which he said might be the last of the sunset, or
+might be a fire made by Indians or cannibals; though of course he did
+not mean the last part nor did Sylvia believe it or take any interest
+in it. What she wanted was a bite of real supper and a bed; the forest
+had been growing darker and more serious and a little shiver went
+through her as if a lot of the fun had suddenly gone.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s getting more and more like one of those tales,” said Joe in a
+satisfied way—as will have been seen, he had a good deal of what is
+known as the bulldog breed in him. “Specially that part over there
+where it’s like a dark passage. Suppose an old witch was to come along
+there, flop, flop, flop, and tell us to go home with her.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, don’t, Joe! We don’t want it <i>too</i> much like those tales.
+It’s getting awfully lonely. I wish I hadn’t come.”</p>
+
+<p>“But it’s only lonely enough to be nice, Sylvia. Besides, it’s great
+fun. There’s nobody to tell us we mustn’t do things, or to tell us when
+to go to bed. We jolly well go to bed when we like.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but <i>where</i> are we to go to bed?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, somewhere or other. I know! We’ll get some fallen <span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span>leaves, like in
+the babes in the wood, and cover ourselves up.”</p>
+
+<p>“But it’s summer time and there aren’t any fallen leaves.”</p>
+
+<p>“More there are. Then what we’ve got to do is to cuddle up close. I’ll
+look after you, never fear, and if any old witch was to——” here he
+stopped suddenly and looked round at the deepening shadows.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, Joe!” cried Sylvia, getting close up to him and rather behind him.</p>
+
+<p>The sound they heard was a nasty, soft, flopping sound, and it came
+from the part which Joe had said looked like a dark passage. He wished
+he had brought a sword with him somehow, or a bow and arrows, or else
+one of old Vanderdecken’s guns even if it did knock him over backwards
+as the one did that he got hold of one day (but nobody found out who it
+was). Alas, he had nothing but his wooden scalping knife; but he got it
+out because it seemed better than nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Then, to the surprise and joy of these infants, a great cinnamon bear
+hove in sight and came up to them, wagging his head from side to side,
+and, so to speak, gently barging at them. It took some time to prove
+to him that they were in no mood for play, but by dint of strenuous
+pushing at him on one side he got it into his thick head that they
+wanted him to lie down, and he flopped over. Then they got close up
+to him, Sylvia on the inside so as to give her as much of the fur as
+possible, and Tiger curled up in a little hollow space by her neck;
+and they were soon asleep, for they were very tired, what with the
+long tramp and the novelty of everything. But what a change! From
+their nicely prepared supper of <span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span>warm milk and rusks to cold pears and
+water. From their clean, decorously tinted dormitory to the lonely
+wind-sighing forest. From their little cots, with clean sheets spread
+over resilient aromatic hops, to the lee-side of a bear. And the bear
+had bad dreams and kept waking them up by moaning and shuddering
+sounds, and more than once he turned over, forgetting all about them,
+and Joe had to punch him and pull his fur hard to let him know that
+there were young folks and a puppy underneath. It was a long, hard,
+disagreeable night, and they were right glad when, after a week as it
+seemed, the dawn came.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-13">
+<h4>The Dawn</h4>
+
+<p>There was nothing special about the dawn when it did come. It was cold
+and grey and shivery, with a mist that hid the trees a little distance
+away, and Sylvia felt very discontented and hungry and really wished
+she hadn’t listened to Joe. He on the other hand was very brave and
+strong, and he rubbed her hands and feet to warm them and then turned
+somersaults backwards to warm himself; to the great surprise of the
+bear, who sat up on his hind legs and stared, as cinnamons will at
+anything new. There was nothing to eat except some chilly berries all
+covered with dew, and these did not appeal to the children’s stomachs
+at that hour. But the bear ate large quantities of them and they had to
+kick him to make him stop stuffing and come on.</p>
+
+<p>Joe helped Sylvia on to the bear’s back, and she sat there with Tiger
+clasped to her because he was now a very silent pup owing to his having
+had nothing to eat for such a long <span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span>time, and they went on their way
+for some miles—that is to say, they went on in an opposite direction
+to where they could see signs of sunrise over the trees. But the bear
+did not understand that they wanted him to go as near due west as
+possible, and he kept turning up sylvan glades at right angles and Joe
+had continuously to push his head round in the way he should go.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a boy a girl watching as a bear walks away, the boy has
+fallen to the ground and is next to a dog." src="images/i_p-034.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>They parted with him suddenly and in a surprising way. He caught sight
+of a hollow tree in the middle distance, from which issued bees in
+large numbers though peacefully, and he intimated by grunts that there
+was food for all hands and to spare. Before they quite realized what he
+meant he was charging up to the tree, and Sylvia had just time to slip
+from his back. In another instant he was tearing away at the rotten
+part of the tree to get at the honey, and clouds of bees came out in
+a horrible rage to see about it. Joe caught Sylvia’s hand and dragged
+her into a clump of bushes just in time, and they went tearing through
+it and then as hard as they could pelt over the grass until they were
+a long way off. They could hear, subdued by distance, the hum of bees
+like the rich <span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span>deep note of a church organ, and the mixed grunting and
+howling of the bear; though whether the latter sounds were those of joy
+or grief was a doubtful question. Sylvia said that bears did not feel
+pain from bees’ stings except on the tip of the nose because their fur
+protected them, but Joe was of opinion that they got stung furiously
+all over but that they considered the honey was worth the pain, hence
+the mixed quality of the howls.</p>
+
+<p>They went on and on and on, and at last the sun got up and sent beams
+of cheerful light through the leaves and drove away the mist, so that
+Sylvia began to feel much better, though hungry, and hungrier as time
+went on. And just when the question of breakfast had become a really
+serious and mournful subject, they roused a shout of joy, for they saw
+coming towards them down the woodland ways one Gorbo, a Snerg.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-14">
+<h4>Gorbo the Snerg</h4>
+
+<p>Gorbo was a well-known, utterly irresponsible Snerg who occasionally
+came over to Watkyns Bay to do a job of work, and who was quite
+celebrated for his habit of doing it very badly and getting tired of
+it almost at once and wandering off again. He was of average size for
+a Snerg and fairly young—possibly two hundred and fifty—and though
+good-natured to excess he had little intelligence of the useful kind.
+He had given it out that he was a potter by trade—he had indeed some
+superficial knowledge of the business—and he had induced Miss Watkyns
+to let him start a little kiln in order to supply the Society with
+pots. But there was no particular shape to his pots when he had made
+them and many of them <span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span>fell to bits when they were handled, so Miss
+Watkyns told him plainly that he was a fraud; and to this he agreed
+heartily for he did not like to contradict people. She told him to go
+away—to potter off was her bitter expression—so he had gone to spend
+a day or two with Vanderdecken’s men, who rather liked his face but I
+don’t know why, and then he had come across the forest on his way to
+the town, where he had a little house of one room and a kitchen. And
+that is why the children met him that morning, grinning all over his
+face and carrying his bow and arrows, and a little bundle containing
+his few potter’s tools and his other shirt and a bunch of wheat-cakes.
+He had slept in a thicket of ferns, some of which he had chopped up to
+form a sort of nest, and what with the odds and ends of fern sticking
+to his clothes and his wild hair straggling out from his saucer cap, he
+looked as disreputable a person as you might expect to meet even among
+the Snergs, who are not over particular about their personal appearance
+at the best.</p>
+
+<p>But he was a welcome sight to Sylvia and Joe. All three took hands and
+made two little dancing steps first to one side and then to the other,
+which is the Snerg manner of greeting, and which all the children
+had taken to (in spite of Miss Watkyns’ objection to it as absurd
+and unnecessary) and he was then asked if he had anything to eat. He
+produced his wheat-cakes and then made a little fire in order to warm
+them up on his potter’s trowel, which he cleaned first with a bunch
+of grass. Before they sat down to eat he sneaked up to a herd of deer
+which came into sight a little distance away and somehow blarneyed one
+of them into letting him milk her. He came back with a good deal of
+milk in a silver-tipped horn that he had, and the children divided it
+between them. They <span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span>did not reflect of course that they were causing
+some small deer to go short that morning. But it was a very jolly
+breakfast. It was quite a joy to the children to note Tiger’s figure
+showing signs of sleekness and roundness again; he being of an age when
+it shows quickly.</p>
+
+<p>When Gorbo heard that they had the nerve to run away he was not at
+all shocked at their folly but highly delighted with their sporting
+character, which is just what would be expected of him. But he said
+it was lucky they had met him, because left to themselves it was very
+doubtful if they would ever reach the town; and there was always the
+danger that they might wander into the parts where the trees grew
+closer and closer and are all twisted until at last there is no going
+forwards or backwards, and then they would be lost for keeps and a fine
+to-do. This, by the way, is the only thing with a touch of sense in it
+that he ever said to them, on that day at least.</p>
+
+<p>Feeling tremendously refreshed with this wholesome meal, they started
+off again on their journey, Gorbo leading the way and showing nice
+little short-cuts through clumps of bracken and so forth, and sometimes
+carrying Sylvia over rough ground and through swampy places and the
+like. They had the luck to meet another large cinnamon bear, which
+carried both children for several miles; but at length it intimated in
+the usual way that it had had enough (this is done by crouching on the
+ground with all four paws tucked underneath, laying the head sideways,
+and emitting a long, loud, melancholy howl). So they got off and the
+bear sprang up and went swiftly away, and they never found another.
+It was the time of the annual migration of bears to the country of
+slug-nuts, and that is why so few bears were seen on this trip.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span></p>
+
+<p>It was a long journey and both children got very tired; Gorbo had at
+last to carry Sylvia pick-a-back, while Joe had to carry the puppy, who
+was getting his pads sore with so much travel. But just when it seemed
+to them that there would never be any end to the journey, to their
+great joy they saw from a slight eminence a cluster of high-peaked red
+roofs, which Gorbo told them (rather unnecessarily I think) was the
+town.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-15">
+<h4>The Town</h4>
+
+<p>As none of the children had ever been seen in the town before, the
+arrival of Joe and Sylvia was the signal for a good deal of fuss and
+feathers. Snergs rushed out of their houses into the street and swarmed
+on the roofs and climbed about, and babies were held on high so that
+they might see. Some clever ones rushed to the town belfry and rang a
+peal, others got busy with strips of coloured cloth and had them rigged
+across the street in no time. The four brightest got out the town drums
+and went to meet them.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd became dense, and considerate persons shouted “Stand back!
+Give them air!” Joe and Sylvia felt rather shy and uncomfortable at
+all the display, but Gorbo stepped out proudly for he was beginning to
+think this was a far, far better thing than he had ever done. And so,
+amid the shouts of the populace, with music before them, they went up
+the street.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo was full of hope that the King would see great merit in this his
+doing and that he would get a decoration for it. Nearly everybody had
+one of some sort or another, and though he did not go so far as to
+expect one of the best he <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a><a id="Page_40"></a>[Pg 40]</span>hoped he would at least get the Order of
+the Brazen Nutmeg. He was soon undeceived. The Master of the Household
+came up to him with a stern look and bade him follow him to the King’s
+presence and explain what was his little game. Then he gave a hand to
+each of the children and led them to the Royal House.</p>
+
+<div class="img-full-page">
+  <img alt="A drawing of two children and some snergs walking in a parade." src="images/i_p-039.png">
+</div>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-16">
+<h4>The Royal House</h4>
+
+<p>The Royal House is the only building in the town that stands without
+being propped up by another building, and naturally this gives it an
+imposing appearance. Picture to yourself columns of quaintly carved
+oak surrounding an audience chamber on the ground floor and supporting
+the spreading-out part of the stories above. On the first floor are
+the private apartments, the dining-hall (with a sufficient minstrel’s
+gallery giving elbow room for four minstrels to perform the most
+energetic pieces) and the room where the regalia is kept in a padded
+box. On the floor above live the Court officials, three of them, and
+on the third or attic floor, are rooms for the domestic staff and
+one large room containing odd matters that are bound to collect in
+any large household, such as chairs wanting a leg, damaged pieces of
+armour, swords with loose hilts, old pairs of bellows, and the like.
+The kitchen is in another building, connected to the dining-hall by an
+overhead passage which is covered in so that the victuals will not get
+chilled on the way. Altogether a neat and commodious dwelling for a
+king in a small way of business.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-17">
+<h4>The King of the Snergs</h4>
+
+<p>The King, Merse II, was quite an agreeable looking man, with the
+typical chubby face of the Snergs framed in a fringe of black whiskers
+that resembled chinchilla. He was fully four feet in height, broad and
+inclined to stoutness. He bade the children be seated on either side of
+him and spoke to them kindly, hoping that they were not too tired with
+the journey and inquiring politely after the health of Miss Watkyns and
+the other ladies. Joe and Sylvia were rather shy but very <span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span>pleased;
+it now seemed to them that they had acted quite wisely in making this
+absurd expedition.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of two children sitting in a bench with a king in
+the middle of them." src="images/i_p-041.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>Then the King turned to Gorbo, who stood cap in hand, still holding on
+to his bundle and other matters. I will endeavour to give as literal a
+translation of the talk as possible.</p>
+
+<p>“Hail, Gorbo, cleverest and brightest of the Snergs we don’t think,”
+said the King.</p>
+
+<p>“Hail, King. May your shadow be ever a wide one.” (This is the formal
+reply to a Royal salutation.)</p>
+
+<p>“And what doest thou here with these young ones, O Ornament to the race
+the other way round?”</p>
+
+<p>“I met them in the woodland, O King,” replied Gorbo, now getting very
+nervous.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. And in what part of that wide address didst thou find them, thou
+first-class brain perhaps not?”</p>
+
+<p>“Er—just this side of Toadstool Hollow, O King.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ha! And had’st thou, thou nimble lout, any hand in inducing them to
+wander further from their home?”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo went down upon his knees, as a good safe position. “No, O King,
+not at all. They said they were coming here, so I—I showed them the
+way.”</p>
+
+<p>“Excellent! And it did not occur to thee, thou farthing rascal, to lead
+them back to their little home by the sea?”</p>
+
+<p>“N—no, O King, I—I didn’t think.”</p>
+
+<p>“That we believe, thou worse than worm.”</p>
+
+<p>The King crossed his legs and meditated, with his chin resting on
+his hand. “And what,” he asked at length, turning to Joe, “will Miss
+Watkyns (on whom be peace) think of these thy wanderings?”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know, O King,” replied Joe, hoping he was saying <span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span>it
+correctly. “We just scooted. For fun,” he added to make it sound more
+reasonable.</p>
+
+<p>“For fun, sayest thou, small man! And had’st thou wandered with this
+golden-haired babe into parts where the trees are locked like twisted
+serpents and there is no light, wouldst thou then have found thy fun?”</p>
+
+<p>Joe wriggled and felt horribly uncomfortable. The King then turned to
+the Master of the Household, who was standing by the kneeling Gorbo,
+contemptuously snipping at his ears.</p>
+
+<p>“And what thinkest thou of this strange matter?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“I think,” replied the officer, “that it were a good excuse for a
+feast.”</p>
+
+<p>“Excellently said!” exclaimed the King. “So be it. We will first
+dispatch fleet messengers to Miss Watkyns to calm her fears, and then
+celebrate the visit of these tiny ones” (they were nearly as tall as he
+was) “by a banquet of the best. But,” he added, pointing the finger of
+scorn at Gorbo, “give to this all but black-beetle a courteous loving
+invitation to stay away from it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Please, O King,” began Sylvia timidly. Then she stopped suddenly, for
+everybody had turned to look at her.</p>
+
+<p>“Speak on, pretty one,” said the King, encouragingly, laying his hand
+upon her curls. “What hair!”</p>
+
+<p>“Please, it wasn’t Gorbo’s fault,” went on Sylvia. “You see—er—O King,
+Joe and I ran away—for fun—and Gorbo found us when we were hungry and
+he gave us lots to eat. And he got some milk from a deer for us, and
+found us a bear to ride part of the way.”</p>
+
+<p>“Gorbo’s a jolly good sort, O King,” added Joe.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, then that alters the case,” said the King briskly. (He <span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span>was rather
+impulsive). “Rise, Gorbo. We cancel the invitation and command you to
+feast with us this day—but not too near us. The safe arrival of these
+little ones across the forest,” he added in a general way to everybody,
+“together with the discovery of a gleam of sense in that varlet, make
+this indeed a day of strange happenings.”</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia and Joe were then taken charge of by the Queen, a fat, smiling
+person who came into the audience chamber at this point. They had
+first a good wash, and then a toothsome little snack of bean fritters
+mixed with honey, and a cup of milk, to carry on with until the time
+of the feast, and Tiger had a large plate of bread sop with meat in
+it, after which he went to sleep for hours. While they were eating the
+Queen came with a comb and fluffed out Sylvia’s hair and put some fancy
+extra curls in it. Then, after a little rest, they went to watch the
+preparations outside.</p>
+
+<p>It was an interesting sight. The people had not had a feast for more
+than a week and it came as a welcome change. Men were staggering about
+with tables and joining them end on in the proper way, and placing
+stools and benches in position. There were 38 tables altogether and
+each one was about 12 feet long—38 × 12 = 456 feet—so you will see
+that a noble spread it was going to be; it reached from the Royal House
+to as far as beyond the market-place. From every kitchen came the smell
+of savoury baked meats. At the open windows little stout women could
+be seen rolling out pastry. Grave, responsible Snergs measured the
+mead into jars and placed them at the proper intervals on the tables.
+Harpers put new strings to their harps. The Court jester went to his
+attic and got out a little secret volume from beneath the mattress and
+mugged up some merry jests.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-18">
+<h4>The Feast</h4>
+
+<p>At the appointed hour horns sounded and all sat down to table in the
+calm evening light. At the head were the King and Queen, side by side.
+To the right and left sat Sylvia and Joe, and after them came the best
+people, then the ordinary Snergs in order of importance. At the extreme
+end of the table, somewhere in the suburbs, sat Gorbo. That’s what they
+thought of <i>him</i>.</p>
+
+<p>I am happy to report that the Queen kept a careful watch on what the
+two children ate or else there might have been serious trouble for them
+later, the food being of a very grown-up sort. They were given each a
+very tiny mug of mead and she told them to go slow with it. (The Snerg
+youngsters, by the way, can put away an imperial pint and still behave.
+Use is everything). It was all very jolly for them to find themselves
+treated with so much pomp and circumstance, and they felt that they
+had some glorious things to tell the other kids when they arrived
+home. There occurred one unfortunate incident, however, which helped
+to reduce any tendency towards swelled heads. They had heard before
+that the Snergs considered it shocking bad form to feed dogs when at
+table—every race has its own peculiar ideas on behaviour—but when
+two nice friendly dogs, rather like retrievers, came one on each side
+of Sylvia and watched every mouthful that she took, she was greatly
+tempted to give them a bit, especially as their mouths watered so much
+that she could actually hear the drips. It was when one of them began
+a gentle moaning sound that she could stand it no longer, so just when
+she thought the King and Queen were looking the other way she slipped
+a piece of <span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span>meat into his mouth. He snapped it up and lashed the floor
+with his tail; the other dog instantly sprang up and put two paws on
+her lap and gazed into her eyes. In an instant all the talk had stopped
+and everybody stared at her.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a child giving a piece of meal scrap to a dog." src="images/i_p-046.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>It was a horrible moment, and she became crimson. But the King came
+to her aid with true politeness. He cut a piece of knuckle end of
+lamb and flung it to his favourite hound, and the situation was
+saved. (The Prince of Wales, I believe, once took a good swig out of
+his finger-bowl to put an unpolished guest at his ease.) But it was
+necessary to have all dogs removed after this, as they came crowding
+up, full of hope.</p>
+
+<p>There was some good music from harps, and the jester <span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span>asked some clever
+riddles, one of which was new. A young Snerg who had a really fine
+tenor voice sang, “Give me thy gold, I ask no more,” very movingly. But
+perhaps the most delightful (though slightly embarrassing) moment was
+when, at a given signal, the whole push stood up and drained a cup of
+mead to “Our Guests.”</p>
+
+<p>The declining sun shone round a corner of the street; the scene was
+now in mellow light and shade. Snergs began to loll against each other
+and reach lazily for the nut-crackers. From the end of the table, 486
+feet away, came shouts of unseemly mirth: Gorbo, that ass, had made a
+bet that he would stand on his head on a pyramid of mead pots, and the
+crash was terrific. The King sent a stern word that there was to be
+not so much of it. The sudden discovery that Joe and Sylvia were both
+sound asleep in their little arm-chairs caused no particular break in
+the proceedings. They were carried to the Royal House by motherly old
+Snergs and tucked up in bed, and the feasting and joviality went on.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-19">
+<h4>A Morning Walk</h4>
+
+<p>Will it be thought by the readers at this point that the promised
+moral lesson is long in coming? It is not improbable. So far I have
+chronicled a comparatively glorious result of the two children’s
+mutinous behaviour. They had arrived safely, after a journey which,
+though tiring, was full of interest, and had been received, dined, and
+wined in the manner of foreign potentates, and to their simple minds it
+seemed that all they had to do now was to go comfortably home and brag
+about it. But read on; the moral lesson is coming.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span></p>
+
+<p>It was one of the quaint old customs of the Snergs to rise an hour or
+two later on the day after a feast. Consequently, when Joe and Sylvia
+woke up refreshed and happy, and with none of the sense of guilt
+befitting children who had wantonly run away from wise and kind rule,
+they found the whole place very quiet, the only sounds being those of
+swallows outside the open lattice of their room, and from the adjoining
+room (the Royal bedchamber), two different kinds of snores.</p>
+
+<p>They crept downstairs and found a smiling old female person sifting
+cinders outside the kitchen door, and they asked her if she could
+please tell them when breakfast would be ready. She said it would
+not be for a long time but she could get them something to help them
+wait, and she took them into the kitchen and gave them each a warm
+cake, rather like a rusk only softer, and some milk. They talked about
+whales, in which she was much interested for she had never seen the
+ocean; few of the female Snergs ever travel.</p>
+
+<p>They went for a walk down the deserted street and suddenly, in the
+paved yard where the pump is, they saw Gorbo. He had just soused his
+head and was drying it on a little coarse towel. They greeted joyfully
+and sat down on three buckets that happened to be there and talked of
+the news while Gorbo combed his wild head with a piece of comb that he
+had.</p>
+
+<p>The news was this. A Snerg messenger had come on the run from Miss
+Watkyns late in the evening, saying that they had disappeared and would
+the King please turn all hands out at once to hunt for them, taking
+something to eat and a bottle of milk in case. Vanderdecken’s men in
+the meantime were ranging along the seashore, poking into caverns and
+places to see if they could find them, and sweeping the horizon for
+anything new, such as a raft flying the black flag—for they believed
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span>almost anything possible of Joe. Apparently there was great trouble
+and excitement over the matter at Watkyns Bay, and both children were
+very proud to be the cause of it all. They would be; they were just
+that kind.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, as the fleet messengers dispatched by the King must have
+arrived and calmed Miss Watkyns’ fears by this time, there was no need
+to bother any more, and it had been arranged that Joe and Sylvia were
+to leave some time after breakfast on two domestic bears, with an
+escort of six Snergs who would carry four small blankets, two pillows,
+a kettle, a frying-pan, and some provisions; all these of course
+because they would have to spend the night in the forest. Joe felt
+rather upset that the adventures were coming to an end, but Sylvia was
+pleased. She had had a good deal of fun out of the trip and she felt
+it would be nice to get back again and be pardoned and petted in due
+course and tell all the other kids what a riotous time they had had.</p>
+
+<p>They went for a walk with Gorbo across some fields, with Tiger
+careering ahead of them, for his long rest had done his paws good
+and he was feeling refreshed and full of prunes. Gorbo pointed out
+various objects of interest, such as the mill that belonged to his
+half-brother, and the hillside where the last dragon was killed, long
+ago when he was a tiny fellow. He remembered quite well some men
+rushing back and calling out “More arrows! More arrows!” when they
+had the dragon badly wounded and unable to fly, and how they went
+dashing back with the fresh supply of arrows and all shot at it until
+it looked like a pincushion and they could get near enough to stick
+it with spears and finish it. More than a hundred Snergs lost their
+lives on that occasion. He was too young to remember the fierce fights
+that took place when a wandering band of <span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span>Kelps (possibly a corruption
+of Kelpies) came through the country, setting fire to the woods and
+robbing and slaying, but he took them on to rising ground and showed
+them the dark line that crossed the trees a mile or so away and which
+marked the deep river, and pointed out more or less the spot where the
+last battle had been fought. The Kelps had made a stand on a high rock,
+but the Snergs had gone solidly for them and pierced them with showers
+of arrows and cut them to bits with swords and pitched the rest into
+the river. And that, as Gorbo said, was that.</p>
+
+<p>The most interesting feature of the forest land, he said, was the
+region of twisted trees, which reached to within a short distance
+of the town. It was not healthy to go too far in among these trees,
+but if they liked he would show them a few just on the outskirts, as
+breakfast wouldn’t be ready for at least another hour. The children
+were delighted at the chance of seeing these strange natural objects,
+so off they went into the woods.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-1-20">
+<h4>The Twisted Trees</h4>
+
+<p>It did not take long to reach the spot where the first few twisted
+trees were growing. They were wonderful things, with thick smooth grey
+trunks and smooth grey branches that touched the ground here and there
+like great quiet serpents. Leaves grew only on the higher parts, but
+they were thick and matted like a thatch and made it rather dark and
+creepy underneath. Gorbo led them along to where there were more and
+much better specimens of this wonderful flora, and Sylvia and <span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span>Joe were
+proud that they of all the children had had a chance of seeing them.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo said it was time to get back and he turned and led the way.
+Suddenly he stopped and looked about under the writhing grey branches
+and over them; then he turned in another direction. Again he stopped,
+and this time he had a particularly silly smile.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing two children and a snerg in front a tree with many roots." src="images/i_p-051.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“I’d better be careful,” he said, “or we’ll get lost.”</p>
+
+<p>He went on again and the children followed him, hoping that he would
+find the way out soon, as breakfast was a thing they wanted quickly.
+But it was getting dark; the sky was now hidden by a roof of matted
+leaves, and on all sides and above them the thick smooth branches
+twisted and crossed and locked together. The air was damp and smelt
+of mould and old moss, and there was a horrid silence. A great
+leather-skinned bat flickered past them, almost brushing against
+Sylvia’s hair, so that she ducked and gave out a little squeal.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span></p>
+
+<p>Gorbo at last swarmed up one of the bigger trees and, after a lot of
+struggling, managed to force his way out through the leaves, disturbing
+numbers of bats that came flopping and wheeling about. Joe had to put
+his arms round Sylvia’s head and hide it as well as he could until the
+foul things had gone to settle elsewhere. A minute or two later, Gorbo
+came sliding down.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all right,” he said. “I couldn’t see much else but leaves, but I
+saw the sun so I know which way to go now. The sun is just over”—here
+he stopped and thought and scratched his head. “Yes, I <i>think</i>
+it’s over that way. You see I got twisted round a bit coming down.”</p>
+
+<p>They followed him again, working their way over and under the branches.
+After a time he stopped and thought again, and then began climbing and
+creeping in another direction—it was all climbing and creeping now.
+Then he stopped and looked at them in dismay. The horrible writhing
+grey trunks surrounded them on all sides like an ugly giant net, in
+a gloom so deep that their shapes were lost to the eye a dozen yards
+away. Gorbo, the clever one, the woodsman, had done this thing. They
+were lost.</p>
+
+<p>He did not look at them for long; the sight of Sylvia’s scared face as
+she crept from under one of the grey limbs roused him up.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all right, Sylvia,” he said. “They’ll find we’re missing, and
+this is the first place they’ll look for us in. You see they’ll start
+shouting and yelling, and then we’ll start shouting and yelling and
+work our way to where we hear them. It’s quite easy. But won’t the King
+go for me! No Brazen Nutmeg for poor old Gorbo. There’s a little bigger
+space over there; let’s go and see if we can find a place to sit down
+comfortably.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span></p>
+
+<p>They worked their way on, and sure enough there was a little space
+ahead that was more open owing to there being a huge tree which had, so
+to speak, pushed all smaller ones out of its way. It was gloomy enough,
+but there was at least room to stand upright and move about if they
+felt like it.</p>
+
+<p>“Look!” said Sylvia and Joe suddenly, both together.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo turned and then stared. In the big tree was a door about four
+feet high, a queer looking door with mighty iron hinges and clasps, all
+red with rust or green with moss. In the deep shadow and at a little
+distance away it was difficult to distinguish it from the trunk.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo scratched his head and continued to stare. “I’ve never heard of
+any door,” he said at length. “The Kelps never made any door; they
+hadn’t sense enough; all biting and screaming and killing, I’ve heard.
+And it’s ever so much too small for Golithos.”</p>
+
+<p>“Who’s Golithos?” asked Joe quickly.</p>
+
+<p>“Golithos’ an ogre,” replied Gorbo, truthfully, but like the silly fool
+he was. Sylvia gave a scream and clutched hold of Joe.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all right, Sylvia,” said Gorbo in a hurry. “He <i>was</i> an
+ogre, but he’s not now. He’s reformed. Besides, he’s been on the other
+side of the river for ever so long. Don’t be frightened.”</p>
+
+<p>He went to the door and gave a good pull at a great iron knob. The door
+swung open quite easily. He poked his head inside.</p>
+
+<p>“Very dark and smells of cheese,” he said after a moment.</p>
+
+<p>He went in a little way. “No, it’s not quite dark; there’s a light
+coming from somewhere. There’s a little flight of steps going down.
+Come and look.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span></p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a snerg using his body to hold a door." src="images/i_p-054.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>Joe picked up Tiger and, taking Sylvia by the hand, stepped with her
+inside the door.</p>
+
+<p>“See,” said Gorbo, “there’s the steps. Shall we go down and see what we
+can see?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” said Joe eagerly. “Let’s!”</p>
+
+<p>“N—n—no,” said Sylvia at the same time. “I don’t like it.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Anyway,” went on Gorbo, “we’ll make sure that the door doesn’t shut
+behind us. I’ll push it wide open and then——”</p>
+
+<p>He did not finish what he was going to say, for the door had gently
+closed. He flung himself furiously at it, but, strong as he was, made
+no more impression on it than if it had been a stone wall.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo, that lout, had really done it this time.</p>
+</section>
+</section>
+
+<hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<section class="break" id="part-2">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a><a id="Page_57"></a>[Pg 57]</span></p>
+
+  <h3><i>Part II</i></h3>
+
+<section id="part-2-21">
+<h4>Trouble at Watkyns Bay</h4>
+
+<p>Bitter was the grief and deep the perplexity of Miss Watkyns and all
+the ladies when news came by other fleet messengers that Sylvia and
+Joe had disappeared again, and this time in a quite unaccountable way.
+A little while later King Merse II himself came to Watkyns Bay and
+explained how bands of responsible Snergs had been sent to explore
+everywhere and especially in the region of twisted trees, taking with
+them little sacks of lime to mark their trails, and how they had
+shouted and yelled until they were hoarse, but without avail, since no
+answer had come from anywhere, and they had returned home with sore
+hearts and sore throats. He tried to cheer them up by saying that the
+children would certainly be found in time, but he did not say anything
+about his real fear, which was that they had somehow got mixed up with
+one or other of the magic snares which, tradition had it, were very
+plentiful among the twisted trees. He quoted old sayings to comfort
+them, such as it is best not to meet trouble half-way, and that care
+killed the cat when there was really nothing amiss with the animal.
+He added that as Providence looked after fools there was cause for
+cheerful hopes, since Gorbo was the biggest fool even among the Snergs,
+who, though having many good qualities, are not celebrated for brain
+waves.</p>
+
+<p>These kind efforts had some effect in restoring confidence <span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span>and the
+ladies were able to discuss the matter with comparative calm. Miss
+Gribblestone had at first wondered whether by some untoward combination
+of chances the children had slipped back to the scene of their former
+life, and she drew a pathetic picture of Sylvia and Joe wandering
+about the streets of London with bare legs and only slinkers on their
+feet, and possibly starving, and she suggested the advisability of
+her instant departure for London with a bundle of warm underthings
+and two woolly coats. Miss Watkyns reproved her with some sharpness,
+pointing out the impossibility of such a thing: leaving out fifty other
+reasons the moon was only a quarter full and the air currents would
+be in opposition, and this alone made the suggestion absurd. Miss
+Scadging advanced an even wilder theory that the children had suffered
+such mental anguish from the reproof and punishment given that they
+had wandered away and died of broken hearts, and at this Miss Watkyns
+begged her to consider the extravagance of such a suggestion applied
+to either Sylvia or Joe and to give her energies to a more practical
+solution of the problem.</p>
+
+<p>When the rest of the children heard the news they were slightly
+awe-struck but not immoderately grieved, for their experience of Joe
+and Sylvia had led them to believe they were capable of coming safely
+out of any trouble, and the general opinion was that they were having a
+continuation of their surprising and interesting adventures somewhere
+and would return in due time, full of glory and slightly swollen
+headed. Poor things, they knew little of the harsh, real world; they
+had forgotten what happened to them in the past; as has been said, the
+air of the place was grand for forgetting.</p>
+
+<p>The King next went over to see Vanderdecken and had a long conference
+with him, and then returned across the forest <span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span>with his retinue. He
+had left word with Miss Watkyns that he and a band of picked men would
+leave next day on an expedition, but for the present he preferred not
+to say where to, in order to avoid raising either fears or hopes. On
+his arrival at the town he made a short speech, and then personally
+superintended preparations. Swords and axes were sharpened, quivers
+were stuffed with arrows, steel casques had old dents knocked out,
+cuirasses had the buckles put in order, provisions were packed into
+little wallets. The air smelt of war, as in the brave days of old.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing os several snergs and soldiers leaving a city." src="images/i_p-059.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>Miss Watkyns, pacing with knitted brow on her verandah, was disturbed
+by the sound of shrieks and expletives. Looking up in anger, she
+saw Vanderdecken and all his men coming up the path, the foremost
+seaman bearing the parrot’s cage—this accounting for the noise,
+for the bird was enraged. All had their sea-boots on, and they bore
+muskets, powder-horns, pouches with slugs and bullets, cutlasses
+and snickersnees; each man had also a bag containing pickled beef,
+biscuits, a cake of tobacco, and a small bottle of Schnapps.
+Vanderdecken said that they were going away for an indefinite period
+and asked <span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span>Miss Watkyns if she would kindly give an eye to the camp in
+their absence and see that things were aired occasionally and the weeds
+kept down in the garden. Also, if it was not too much trouble, would
+she see to it that the Snergs did at least half an hour’s pumping of
+the old ship every morning and evening. He then handed over the parrot
+with a request that it be supplied with nuts and fruit, and a bit of
+sulphur in its water to prevent it getting scaly feet, and begged
+her to pardon any of its verbal lapses. She agreed readily to these
+requests, and they departed across the forest and joined King Merse and
+his men on the following morning. An hour later they were all trooping
+together over the hillside beyond the town.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-22">
+<h4>Beyond the Door</h4>
+
+<p>While Gorbo was battering himself against the heavy little door, which
+had closed so gently and firmly as if pushed to from without, Sylvia
+clung to Joe and hid her face and trembled. Joe held her tight without
+speaking; he, too, tough and adventurous as he was, had received a
+shock.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo turned round at last, and in the faint light that came from
+somewhere below they could see a badly scared look on his face, and
+it was all twisted as if he were going to cry. He was thinking of the
+horrid mess he had got the little ones into.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve done it this time,” he said. “So the old woman was right after
+all.”</p>
+
+<p>“Which old woman?” asked Joe.</p>
+
+<p>“An old woman who told my mother that she would only <span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span>have one son and
+that he would be the biggest fool among the Snergs.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then it isn’t your fault,” said Joe, to comfort him. “If it was all
+settled before you were born.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s so!” exclaimed Gorbo. “I must be a fool not to think of that
+before. But then if I had thought of it,” he added mournfully, “I
+wouldn’t be a fool and the old woman would have been wrong; so it works
+out all right.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you’re sometimes quite sensible,” said Joe. “Isn’t he, Sylvia?”</p>
+
+<p>“Y—y—yes,” agreed Sylvia. “But I wish we could get out.”</p>
+
+<p>“It seems to me,” said Gorbo, “—not that <i>I</i> am much of a man to
+listen to—that we should see what we can see down these steps.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we can’t stay here for ever,” said Joe, “so let’s go.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll go ahead,” said Gorbo. “If there are any fierce things that bite
+below, they can have first bite at me and serve me right.”</p>
+
+<p>With this cheerful remark he started off. Joe went next and Sylvia came
+close behind him. The way was very narrow and so low that their heads
+nearly touched the roof, small as they were. And they went down and
+down and down, and the more they went down the lighter it got with a
+sickly yellowish-green light that seemed to come from a little growth
+on the walls, like fungus. There was absolutely nothing to see but
+steps and walls, very neatly cut out of solid rock. It must have been
+an awful job for those who did all this work, whoever they were.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you think these steps go on for ever and ever?” asked Joe after a
+time.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span></p>
+
+<p>“No,” replied Gorbo, stopping suddenly. “They’ve come to an end.” He
+was standing in a little flat place, from which five narrow passages
+branched out like the fingers of a hand. The question of which passage
+to take was indeed a hard one.</p>
+
+<p>“We’d better start with the first one,” said Gorbo. “Then if it’s a
+wrong one we’ll try the next, and so on.”</p>
+
+<p>“But suppose we go miles and miles before we find it’s a wrong one,”
+objected Joe. “We’d be hours over it, wouldn’t we?”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo scratched his head. “That sounds sound,” he observed.</p>
+
+<p>“I know!” cried Joe. “We’ll see which one is ‘out.’ Let Sylvia try. She
+knows all the out poems.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right.” Sylvia began to take great interest in the matter now.
+“Which one shall I try it with?”</p>
+
+<p>“Try the cat one,” suggested Joe, after consideration.</p>
+
+<p>So Sylvia pointed her finger at the little tunnels one after the other
+and repeated:</p>
+
+<blockquote class="poetry">
+  <p>
+    <span>“If you want to stroke a cat</span>
+    <br>
+    <span>Lay it flat upon a mat.</span>
+    <br>
+    <span>Hold it firmly by the tail</span>
+    <br>
+    <span>Smack it if it starts to wail.</span>
+    <br>
+    <span>If it starts to spit and shout</span>
+    <br>
+    <span>Pick it up and throw it <span class="allsmcap">out</span>.”</span>
+  </p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>She stopped with her finger pointing at the fourth tunnel and she
+looked excitedly at the others, because it was becoming like a game.</p>
+
+<p>“Here we go,” said Gorbo, making his way into the fourth tunnel.</p>
+
+<p>They went on and on and on along the tunnel, and just at the exact
+moment when they agreed that it would never <span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span>have any end, they fetched
+up against a blank wall. But on either side was a passage going at
+right angles, and the question was of course, which was the right one
+to take?</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia repeated her little mystic rhyme, and “out” was the left-hand
+turning, so they went along it. After a dozen steps it turned to the
+right, and a little further on to the left; then it went straight on
+until it came to an end, with a smooth wall in front and on both sides.
+There was nothing for it but to go back and take the other turning.
+They wondered why the people who had done all this work had made
+this extra blind passage. Joe said they had done it to make it more
+interesting and adventurous. Sylvia said they had done it because they
+were pigs. Gorbo said it was merely because they were worse fools than
+he was and it quite cheered him up.</p>
+
+<p>The other road soon began to turn gently to the left; then without
+rhyme or reason it turned gently to the right; then to the right and
+left alternately in very sharp turns. And just when they were convinced
+that it would go on turning idiotically for ever and ever they came
+suddenly into what appeared to be a mighty cavern, lighted by the same
+yellowish-green light of the tunnels, only more so, and full of monster
+mushrooms.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-23">
+<h4>The Mushroom Cavern</h4>
+
+<p>When I say that the mushrooms were monsters, it hardly gives a correct
+idea of their size. Under the moderately small ones the three could
+stand upright, and the large ones were as high as a good-sized cottage
+and reached nearly to the roof of <span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span>the cavern. The floor was hard and
+dry and perfectly flat, and the huge stalks of the mushrooms could
+be seen like a forest of giant skittles, going into the far distance
+on all sides. Above, the pink underneaths of those strange specimens
+showed like an unnecessarily large assortment of giant fancy umbrellas,
+opened. These, of course, accounted for the cheese-like smell that
+Gorbo had observed when he first put his head in the little door and
+sniffed. (It was not exactly like cheese, of course, but cheese is near
+enough.)</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo showed himself a man of resource in a way. He said that, after
+all, mushrooms were mushrooms and good breakfast food, and that they
+might at least have a meal, whatever else happened afterwards. This
+cheered up Sylvia tremendously and she helped to gather heaps of dried
+stalks from the floor, and Gorbo got out his flint and steel from his
+bundle—he rarely went anywhere without his little bundle of tools
+and other matters and his bow and arrows—and soon had a fire going
+(to those who may object that mushroom stalks do not burn I have only
+to say that these did). With the aid of his useful trowel he provided
+an appetizing series of mushroom steaks, which they all enjoyed
+tremendously.</p>
+
+<p>They found that the smaller ones were on the whole of a better flavour,
+and it was while they were searching for some tiny specimens, scarcely
+as high as a table, in order to cook some more, that they all got a
+sudden shock. They found that certain mushrooms had large semicircular
+pieces bitten out of them; the mouth that did it must have been a foot
+wide, with tremendous teeth. A very disturbing discovery you will say.
+They looked about them fearfully; and then they heard what sounded like
+heavy, shuffling footsteps, and a satisfied purring, as of a giant cat.</p>
+
+<div class="img-full-page">
+  <img alt="A drawing of two children and a snerg hiding from a walrus-like
+creature in a mushroom forest." src="images/i_p-065.png">
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span></p>
+
+<p>Gorbo put the children behind him in a hurry and fitted an arrow to
+his bow (the Snergs’ bows are on the small size, but they can send
+an arrow through a two-inch board at close range). Then to their
+horror appeared an animal that I can only describe as resembling a
+blonde four-footed walrus walking on its hind legs. It was covered
+with sleek, ginger-coloured hair, and it had goggling eyes, a mouth
+that corresponded closely with the estimate they had formed of it
+from the big bites, and a white drooping moustache. Strange to say,
+it was a marsupial—that is to say, it had a pouch—but no young ones
+were peeping out of the pouch as in the case of kangaroos and other
+marsupials. No, it seemed full of large chunks of mushroom, and the
+animal was walking upright because it was evidently the only way he
+could carry them in his pouch without tipping them out. He waddled
+clumsily up to one of the biggest mushrooms, sniffed at it, purred
+horribly with delight, bit a large section out of it, and bent his head
+carefully so as to place it in his pouch. And then Sylvia let out a
+loud scream.</p>
+
+<p>I do not blame her; perhaps I should have screamed myself if I had
+been there. But the effect was marvellous. The animal turned its head
+smartly and stared at them, its fore-paws held up as if in fear and
+astonishment. The big mouth drooped, giving it a weak appearance;
+bits of mushroom dribbled from the corners. Then, with a sound like
+a roaring sob, the animal turned and scuttled away on all fours,
+scattering sections of mushroom from its pouch as it went.</p>
+
+<p>The sounds of scuttling feet and sobs died away in the far distance and
+all was silent as before. Gorbo put his arrow back into his quiver.
+“There’s a cowardly custard for you,” he remarked, using an expression
+he had heard from the children. <span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span>They went back to the fire and had
+some more breakfast, greatly relieved to find that the denizens of this
+strange part, so far as they could judge from this sample, were not
+ferocious ones.</p>
+
+<p>Joe was apparently the bright one: he discovered that there was
+something like a path going more or less straight through the forest of
+monstrous fungi, and suggested that it would be a wise idea to follow
+it. They did so, walking on and on until they were weary of the sight
+of the thick white stalks, and a good long time afterwards. Strange,
+is it not, that here Nature should be so lavish of mushrooms, while in
+England they are so rare that hard-worked men are forced by their wives
+to rise from their beds before they have had their fill of sleep in
+order to gather a few poor specimens?</p>
+
+<p>The path came to an end at a blank face of rock. They had reached the
+other side of the cavern. Sylvia repeated her little poem again, and
+“out” was to the left, so to the left they went. This time they did
+not go so very far before they were rewarded by the strange sight of a
+stone seat, and in front of it, a stone table, both very neatly carved.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of two children and a snerg looking a very large table." src="images/i_p-067.png">
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span></p>
+
+<p>What was it doing here? What strange forgotten race had gone to the
+trouble of chopping a stone seat and table out of hard rock—and not
+only chopping them out but carving some strange figures on them and
+smoothing the legs down? They all looked carefully at the carvings; so
+far as they could judge they were intended to represent rabbits walking
+upright. Why?</p>
+
+<p>“This cheers me up,” said Gorbo. “I <i>can’t</i> be the biggest fool.
+When I consider that people have gone to the length of making this
+difficult table and bench and carving rabbits on it for the sole
+purpose—apparently—of eating mushrooms in this dismal cavern, I feel
+that there is hope for me.”</p>
+
+<p>“But <i>we</i> don’t think you’re a fool, Gorbo,” said Sylvia
+soothingly.</p>
+
+<p>“No, Sylvia,” replied Gorbo with a sigh. “But you haven’t seen me at my
+best.”</p>
+
+<p>“But there must be some way out close by here!” exclaimed Joe. “Of
+course they’d put this table near the coming-in place, wouldn’t they?”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve got it, Joe,” said Gorbo. “Unless the people who did it were
+much worse than me.”</p>
+
+<p>Joe was right; at a very little distance away they found a tunnel. It
+was as narrow as the tunnel they had passed through on the other side
+and it was just as smooth, but it had this difference, that it sloped
+upwards, on a gentle slope. They went up it until they were sick and
+tired of the monotony, and at last they had to sit down, for Sylvia was
+getting very tired.</p>
+
+<p>When they started off again Gorbo picked up Sylvia in his arms and
+carried her. “This beastly tunnel’s going on like this for about five
+miles,” he said, as he walked on with her. After about twenty steps he
+put her down again.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span></p>
+
+<p>“We get fooled every time,” he observed bitterly. They had arrived at a
+little flat place, like a room. Two passages branched out from it, and
+there was a stone bench on either side, highly finished and each with
+what appeared to be a pig carved on it.</p>
+
+<p>“Pigs, you see,” remarked Gorbo. “However, I suppose they couldn’t help
+it.”</p>
+
+<p>Again Sylvia repeated the rhyme and they took the right-hand passage.
+It went winding about with bold curves for a long distance and then
+came to a sudden end, but this time, to their great joy, it ended in a
+small door, iron bound and rusty; like the one they had unfortunately
+found under the twisted trees. They raised a shout of joy, for surely
+their long strange journey was over—that is, the underground part of
+it.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo pushed at the door, but it did not move. Then he pushed harder.
+Then he put his shoulder to it and shoved with all his might. And still
+the door remained shut hard and fast.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll do it!” he cried. “Luckily there’s plenty of room for a run.”
+With that, he ran and hurled himself at the door with a mighty crash.
+And he might as well have flung himself against Westminster Abbey.
+He sat down and looked mournfully at the children and they looked
+mournfully back at him.</p>
+
+<p>There seemed nothing for it but to try what the left-hand passage would
+show them. So they went back and followed it through devious twists and
+turns until it ended in a small bare chamber, on the walls of which
+were carved what was undoubtedly meant to represent goats. There was
+absolutely nothing else to see.</p>
+
+<p>“Goats this time,” said Gorbo sourly. “Well, well, well! Yes, it’s
+clear to me that I’m not the worst.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span></p>
+
+<p>They sat down on the floor and thought melancholy thoughts, for the
+adventure was beginning to have a very black look. Sylvia hugged the
+small dog to her, feeling very unhappy. At last Gorbo sprang up and
+said he was going to have another try at that door if he broke his back
+at it.</p>
+
+<p>He examined the door all over very carefully. In the sickly greenish
+light he could see huge iron hinges and plates; certainly it was a very
+massive type of door for its size. He bent down and put his eye to a
+tiny chink on one side.</p>
+
+<p>“I can see daylight,” he cried excitedly. “We’ve <i>got</i> to get out!
+Just watch me this time.”</p>
+
+<p>He took a good long run and then came against it with a terrific smash.
+Then he did it again. After that he did it again. It takes a good deal
+of bumping to hurt a Snerg, but Sylvia was frightened that he would
+overdo it.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t, Gorbo!” she cried. “You’ll hurt yourself badly.”</p>
+
+<p>“I deserve it,” said Gorbo. “Yes, I <i>am</i> the worst.” He sat down
+and buried his face in his hands.</p>
+
+<p>“I wonder whether——” began Sylvia. Then she stopped and thought.</p>
+
+<p>“You wonder what?” asked Joe.</p>
+
+<p>“Just an idea of mine. Perhaps—yes I’ll try.”</p>
+
+<p>She got up and went to the door and grabbed hold of a piece of
+iron-work where it stuck out a little. Then she pulled as well as she
+could with her little fingers.</p>
+
+<p>The door opened inwards smoothly and sweetly, and a flood of daylight
+poured in.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo looked up, and then smote his head with his clenched fist.</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind,” said Sylvia, going up to him and stroking his head
+tenderly. “<i>Poor</i> old Gorbo!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-24">
+<h4>The Other Side of the River</h4>
+
+<p>The first glance that Gorbo gave as he came out into the warm sunlight
+showed him that they were now (as the reader will have guessed from the
+heading of this piece) on the other side of the river.</p>
+
+<p>This was more serious news to him than to Sylvia or Joe. To them it
+meant daylight, freedom from the subterranean gloom; possibly the
+prelude to new adventures (it was). To him it meant trouble and danger
+and the fear of unknown things. The wide deep river, rushing far below
+between steep cliffs, had been a barrier keeping the Snergs secure
+from a horror-haunted land, a land of distressful legends of dragons
+and other fierce monsters, of Kelps and giants, and a ruthless king
+who tyrannized over his people. No wonder he gazed sadly at the fair
+green woods on the other side and wished—chiefly for the sake of the
+children—that he was less of a fathead.</p>
+
+<p>“It isn’t such a nice part on this side,” said Sylvia, looking about at
+a dull landscape, dotted here and there with patches of coarse grass
+and clumps of thorny trees. “But it’s jolly to get out of that dark
+place.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, isn’t it,” agreed Joe contentedly. At his age the present time
+lasts quite a good bit. “I’m jolly glad we got here. Perhaps we’ll have
+some real adventures now.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m thinking we will,” said Gorbo.</p>
+
+<p>They went on a little way and, coming to the top of a gentle slope,
+saw before them a round grey tower some half-mile or so away. It was
+surrounded by a high outer wall and looked very lonely and dreary.
+Gorbo stared long and hard at it.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” he said at length, “that’s old Golithos’ tower. I <span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span>can see him
+outside, doing something to the wall. I know him by his whiskers.”</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of two children and a snerg looking down on a
+valley."
+src="images/i_p-072.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Then,” said Joe logically, “we’d better scoot. Come along, Sylvia!”</p>
+
+<p>“No, don’t scoot,” said Gorbo; “it’s safe enough. Golithos is quite
+harmless now because he’s reformed. We’d better go over and see if he
+can tell us how to get back. Don’t be frightened, Sylvia, I’ve heard
+he’s quite kind-hearted now. In fact they say he’s rather overdoing it.”</p>
+
+<p>Though they were not exactly at their ease (what child is at the
+thought of visiting an ogre?) they were impressed by Gorbo’s
+confidence, and they went on hand-in-hand with him towards the tower,
+Joe carrying the puppy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-25">
+
+<h4>Golithos the Ogre</h4>
+
+<p>A huge man, about seven feet high, was working with a heap of mortar
+and some big stones, repairing a loose part of the wall. As they drew
+near he turned and saw them; then he smacked his hands together to
+knock the mortar off and rubbed them in his hair and waited for them
+with a friendly but weak-looking smile. He had a great silly face and
+coarse hair and whiskers like bits of a cheap goatskin rug. His dress
+was the usual shabby dress of ogres in books. It is perhaps slightly
+unfair to call him an ogre, for as Gorbo had said, he was reformed. Not
+a child had passed his lips for years, and his diet was now cabbage,
+turnip-tops, cucumbers, little sour apples and thin stuff like that.</p>
+
+<p>“Aha!” he said as they came up, “you are all heartily welcome. It is
+long since I had any nice visitors. How are <i>you</i>, my little maid?
+And <i>you</i>, my little man? And you also, my dear Snerg? Let me see,
+have I had the pleasure of meeting you before?” He shook hands with
+them in a very friendly way.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t think so,” replied Gorbo. “You see,” he added delicately, “I
+was quite a boy when they—I mean when you—well, when you changed your
+address.”</p>
+
+<p>“Exactly,” said Golithos, with a conscious blush. “Well, come inside
+and make yourselves at home.”</p>
+
+<p>There seemed nothing for it but to go on through his door, though all
+Gorbo wanted was to ask the way back across the river, not to make
+morning calls. When they were inside Golithos slammed the heavy door
+and locked it.</p>
+
+<p>“I get so nervous if I leave it open,” he explained. “But <span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span>come in and
+I’ll have a meal ready for you. You must be tired and hungry after your
+long journey from wherever you have come.”</p>
+
+<p>“Look here,” said Gorbo, “we don’t want to trouble you too much. All we
+want to know is how to get back across the river.”</p>
+
+<p>“To get back across the river,” replied Golithos, bending down and
+placing a hand affectionately on his shoulder, “is easier than you
+think. Much easier. In fact I think I am right in saying that however
+easy you think it is it will prove to be easier still.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I’m glad of that,” said Gorbo.</p>
+
+<p>“Naturally you would be. But come inside and make yourselves at home.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thanks, but I should really like to know the way.”</p>
+
+<p>“The way?” Golithos looked a bit puzzled.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, the way across the river of course.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes, of course. What am I thinking of? Well, it’s perfectly easy.
+All you have to do is to—but one thing at a time. Come inside and make
+yourselves at home.”</p>
+
+<p>He led the way up some steep steps to a door in the wall of the tower
+and into a large round room which took the whole of one story. It was
+big enough, but the most comfortless room possible. At one side was a
+great four-foot post bedstead, and in the middle was a big heavy table
+and one big heavy chair. And that was all the furniture, unless you
+count an accumulation of mixed litter—old clothes and gardening tools
+and pots and pans and sacks and barrels and so forth scattered on the
+floor. Some wooden steps led to a trap-door in the ceiling and in the
+stone floor was another trap-door, with a big iron ring to lift it by,
+which led apparently to a <span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span>cellar. There was only one window, with
+little round panes of dull green glass.</p>
+
+<p>“This is my kitchen-dining room,” he said with a look of pride. “I
+sleep here too—that structure over there is my bed—so it is a bedroom
+as well. Please take chairs—I mean, one of you take the chair and the
+others sit on the floor. But whatever you do, make yourselves at home.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thanks,” said Gorbo. “But what about the way across the river?”</p>
+
+<p>“The river?” Golithos did not seem to grasp his meaning.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, the river outside. All that wet stuff over there. We want to get
+back.”</p>
+
+<p>“Undoubtedly. Well, you needn’t worry about <i>that</i>, because it’s
+a very simple matter. I’ll show you how it can be done in the easiest
+way. But first let’s see about dinner.” He picked up a pan and a knife
+and rushed blunderingly down the steps.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve heard it said that he’s getting very slow since he reformed,”
+said Gorbo after a minute’s thinking, “but he’s worse than I expected.
+Somehow or other he makes me feel that I want to contradict him. And
+I’m not like that usually.”</p>
+
+<p>“But he’s going to give us something to eat,” Joe observed.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Joe. But I don’t think it will be very strengthening. That’s the
+worst of reformed people. Here he comes.”</p>
+
+<p>Golithos came in like a mighty bumble bee, bumping against things
+and getting his feet entangled with things on the floor and dropping
+vegetables about and stooping to pick them up and dropping others as
+he did so. “I’m going to give you the feed of your lives,” he said,
+chopping up lettuce <span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span>and smiling in his feeble way. “I always think
+there’s nothing so appetizing as fine fresh lettuce and raw onions,
+especially if they have lots of salt.”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-26">
+
+<h4>Dinner with Golithos</h4>
+
+<p>In a minute or so he placed a large pan on the table, and then he got
+two empty barrels and laid a plank across them to make a seat for the
+children. Sylvia whispered rather anxiously to Gorbo, who had been
+watching their host with a discontented expression, and indicated that
+Tiger’s contour was losing its curves.</p>
+
+<p>“Look here, Golithos,” said Gorbo, “can you give this little dog
+something to eat?”</p>
+
+<p>Golithos scratched his head. “Let me see—I suppose he doesn’t eat
+salad?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, he doesn’t. He’s a dog, not a grasshopper. Haven’t you got any
+bread?”</p>
+
+<p>“I may have some odd bits in a sack somewhere. You see I don’t eat
+bread very much. I find its heating to the blood. But I’ll try to find
+some nice bits for him later. In the meantime, let us eat heartily.
+Would you like the chair or do you prefer standing?”</p>
+
+<p>“Chair for me, thanks,” replied Gorbo, seating himself. “Look here,
+Golithos, this is all very kind and considerate and jolly of you, but
+these young ones will want something a bit solider than this.”</p>
+
+<p>“No solids here,” said Golithos quickly. “It wouldn’t do.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you’ve got a cow outside. Why don’t you give them some milk?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span></p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of two children and a snerg sitting at a table
+waiting for a man to serve them a meal."
+src="images/i_p-077.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Milk? Yes, but do you think it would be good for them? It’s rather
+heady stuff.”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo clapped the table smartly. “You hop out and milk that old cow of
+yours!” he said loudly. “These children want milk. They can’t live on
+lip and lettuce.”</p>
+
+<p>Golithos looked fearfully abashed. “Yes, yes, I’ll go,” he said. “Don’t
+be violent.” He blundered out and down the steps.</p>
+
+<p>“Can’t quite make him out,” said Gorbo. “He was a wicked old rascal
+once, but if he was rough he was ready—and a bit interesting if you’re
+not too particular. But I think the watercress diet has weakened his
+brain.”</p>
+
+<p>He felt his responsibility in the matter keenly; if he had <span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span>not been a
+born fool he would not have got the children into this mess; and his
+easy-going disposition seemed to have suddenly disappeared with regard
+to his host. After a minute he jumped out of the big chair and ran to
+the window and poked his head out. “Golithos!” he called in a warning
+voice. “Waiting!”</p>
+
+<p>Golithos appeared, bearing a pitcher of milk and looking highly
+flustered. “Shall I put some water in it?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Give it to me,” ordered Gorbo, taking the pitcher. He looked round the
+littered table and found two earthenware mugs. “Wash them,” he said,
+passing them over his shoulder to Golithos. “Dear, dear, this is barely
+decent!”</p>
+
+<p>The milk at any rate was nice and warm, and the children felt greatly
+refreshed by it. A small bowlful was given to Tiger, who lapped it
+up and then went to sleep on a sack. Then all set to on the salad,
+Golithos standing by and pressing them to take more whenever they
+paused. Gorbo took his portion in a dissatisfied way, sometimes looking
+at a morsel with scorn before putting it into his mouth (I may mention
+that they were eating with their fingers; there were no forks in this
+disgusting ménage). After a time he made a crude attempt at polite
+conversation.</p>
+
+<p>“Doing well here, Golithos?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Pretty well, thank you. Oh, yes. It’s lonely, of course; people seem
+to shun me so. But I have plenty of time to meditate on my past sins.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah, that ought to fill in the time. Keeping pretty fit, Golithos?”</p>
+
+<p>“Tolerably so, thank you. I suffer from stomach trouble occasionally.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Only occasionally, eh? That’s strange. Sleep well, Golithos?”</p>
+
+<p>“Fairly well, I thank you. I have nightmares sometimes.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you expect? This all you’re going to give us, Golithos?”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m really afraid I haven’t anything else—Yes, I have! I can give you
+a fine fresh young cucumber.”</p>
+
+<p>“Keep it, Golithos.” Gorbo stretched himself and yawned and turned to
+the children. “Well, Sylvia, what do you think of <i>this</i> for a
+hole?”</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia glanced at the feeble though gigantic face of the once
+child-eater and felt some pity for him. “Oh, it’s very nice,” she
+answered, though not, I am afraid, very truthfully. “Isn’t it, Joe?”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s fine,” said Joe. Then he put his hands before his mouth and
+spluttered, for his manners were not good. Their host looked very
+unhappy.</p>
+
+<p>“Just fancy it on a rainy day,” went on Gorbo. “Well, Golithos, what’s
+the country like in these parts?”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know very much about it, because I don’t go about very much,
+but I’ve heard it’s very bad. You see there’s the land of King Kul not
+so very far off, and he’s got a very bad character.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, we’ve heard of him. What does he do especially?”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, he persecutes the people. You see he makes a hobby of it.
+And from what I’ve heard they’re the sort of people who ought to be
+persecuted. But I don’t really know much about them because I don’t
+often see any of them. And when I do I lock myself up tight until
+they’ve gone. Old Mother Meldrum comes over to see me sometimes and she
+tells me about the goings-on.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span></p>
+
+<p>“And who’s old Mother Meldrum?”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, she’s a witch, that’s what she is. She says nothing will go
+right until King Kul is laid out, and she keeps trying to get me to go
+for it. But somehow or other I don’t feel up to violent exercise since
+I got reformed.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’re losing your nerve, Golithos. But why doesn’t somebody else try
+to do him in?”</p>
+
+<p>“I think it’s because they’re afraid. It’s risky, you see. Mother
+Meldrum says that his castle is three-quarters dungeons. And he keeps
+six headsmen busy all the time except on Saturday afternoons and
+Sundays.”</p>
+
+<p>“That fits in with what I’ve heard of him myself,” said Gorbo, looking
+anxiously at Sylvia and Joe, who were taking all this in. “But cheer
+up, Sylvia, we’ll soon get out of it. Now, Golithos, what about how to
+get across the river?”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-27">
+
+<h4>Golithos Explains</h4>
+
+<p>The giant took Gorbo by the arm and led him to the window. “Do you see
+that tree?” he asked, pointing out a tall pine standing far off.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Golithos.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, that tree’s close by the river, and I pointed it out because
+it’s quite useless your trying to get across the river at that point.
+Or for the matter of that, at any other point, if you understand me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I don’t, if you understand me. I can tell you fifty ways how
+<i>not</i> to get across the river. Rouse your wits, Golithos!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span></p>
+
+<p>“You make me nervous. And if you do that you’ll drive all the
+fine ideas out of my head. You see the fact is that you don’t get
+<i>across</i> the river at all. But, notwithstanding, it’s a perfectly
+easy matter to get to the other side if you know the way how. Now do
+you see my point?”</p>
+
+<p>“I thought I was something of a born fool, Golithos, but since I’ve met
+you I’m quite proud of myself.”</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Don’t</i> speak to me like that; it gives me the all-overs. Look
+here, all you have to do is to go <i>under</i> the river. You go
+through a little door.”</p>
+
+<p>“I thought so. You’ve been a long time coming to it, Golithos. As a
+matter of fact we came that way, but the little door shut up tight as
+soon as we got out of it. And there’s another door on the other side.
+How do we get them open?”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s quite easy. But I don’t quite remember how it’s done—now don’t
+get violent! You see it’s not exactly difficult; it’s only something to
+do with some little magic spells. You make a circle on the ground and
+divide it into six parts—or sixteen parts, I forget which. And then
+you bring some simple little charms—twenty-eight altogether, I think.
+I know one of them is the toe-nail of the seventh son of a seventh son
+born on a Friday. And then you repeat something out of a book—oh, if
+you’re going to look at me like that I shall get thoroughly nervous and
+forget the rest.”</p>
+
+<p>“Look here, Golithos,” said Gorbo, “do you think Mother Meldrum has
+more sense than you?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes, she’s got ever so much more! <i>She</i> knows the way to get
+the door open.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, does she? Then where can we find her?”</p>
+
+<p>“She may come here at any time. You see she comes because I amuse
+her—at least that’s what she says—and if you <span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span>wait here a day or two
+she’s bound to turn up. I can give you a lovely room upstairs. I’ll
+move the turnips to one side and give you some nearly clean straw to
+sleep on. I’d give my own bed to the little ones, but I’m afraid the
+mattress is rather bumpy; I think some brickbats must have got into
+it. You see I air the mattress every November, and last November I was
+doing some building, and as there were a few holes in it, you see——”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t worry, Golithos, we’ll take your upstairs room. So come and move
+the turnips.”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-28">
+
+<h4>The Upstairs Room</h4>
+
+<p>The upstairs room was much worse than the one below, which is saying
+something. It was furnished chiefly with turnips and sacks of lime, and
+these Golithos began to move to one side in a muddle-headed way, while
+Gorbo sat on the window-ledge and watched him. At length there was a
+clear space for the straw, which was spread out in the manner advocated
+for sick horses.</p>
+
+<p>“There!” said Golithos proudly, resting on his hay-fork,
+<i>“There’s</i> a bed for you!”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo only snorted and said nothing, and there was silence for a time.</p>
+
+<p>“Those are dear little children,” remarked Golithos, trying to be
+amiable and interesting.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” said Gorbo shortly.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a long time since I saw any. In my bad old days I saw plenty, as
+you know, but I thought it best—after I reformed—to keep away from
+them for a good long time.”</p>
+
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span></p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a snerg sitting on a window pane and looking at
+a man."
+src="images/i_p-083.png">
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Sound idea.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, wasn’t it? But as I say, these are very dear little things,
+especially the little girl. Do you know,” he went on chattily, “it used
+to be a saying amongst us in the bad old days that the lighter the hair
+the tenderer the meat—however, I don’t suppose that interests you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not a bit.”</p>
+
+<p>“Of course not. But I have taken quite a strong liking to these little
+ones. The little girl is very pretty, and they are both well formed.
+Not fat exactly. I should describe them as well filled out. Chubby, if
+you understand my meaning.”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo slipped down from the window and went down the ladder in a
+leisurely way. “Tidy up the place properly,” he ordered as he went.</p>
+
+<p>Golithos obediently went on messing about, crooning a little song about
+a rose that loved a butterfly and faded away.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-29">
+
+
+<h4>Gorbo’s Doubts</h4>
+
+<p>It will probably occur to the thoughtful reader at this point that a
+change had come over the character of Gorbo. A sense of responsibility,
+mingled with self-reproach, had brought forth qualities hitherto
+unsuspected, and though he was to some extent losing his natural desire
+to please all whom he met by conciliatory speech and helpful ways,
+he was gaining in ability to make quick decisions, as also in verbal
+fluency and a capacity for what is known among our famed comedians as
+back-chat.</p>
+
+<p>He found the children in the cabbage patch trying to amuse themselves
+with Tiger, but not succeeding very well <span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span>because they were getting
+very tired of this dismal place. Their surroundings were horrible—all
+nettles and cheap-looking vegetables and rank grass and stones, and
+a high wall (on which were lots of snails) shutting out everything
+but the sky. Sylvia took the puppy to show to the cow, which was the
+only nice thing in the place and which lived in a rotten old shed in a
+corner, and Gorbo then had a chance to talk to Joe.</p>
+
+<p>“Joe,” he said, “I don’t want to frighten Sylvia, but you’re a man like
+me. It seems to me that this is not a healthy place to stay in very
+long. In the first place we’ll get bored to screaming fits, and in the
+second place I’m having doubts of old Golithos.”</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a girl holding a dog and looking at a cow."
+src="images/i_p-085.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Oo-er!” said Joe, now thoroughly startled.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I’m beginning to think he’s not so reformed as he thinks he is.
+Of course it may be only my fancy, but I’m not going to take any risks,
+and you and Sylvia must keep close by me always. We’ll have to stay
+here a little while because, though it’s plain that he won’t be able
+to tell us how to get those little doors open, that old witch may come
+along at any <span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span>time, and then I can get it out of her. I’ll give her my
+drinking-horn to tell us how; it’s the only thing I’ve got that’s worth
+anything, but it’s got silver on it and perhaps it’ll do. But if it’s
+not enough I’m afraid Sylvia will have to give over her little coral
+necklace. I don’t know what witchs’ charges are, but I should say the
+two together would be plenty.”</p>
+
+<p>“But won’t it be awfully risky staying here?” asked Joe. This was
+becoming rather more of an adventure than he had bargained for.</p>
+
+<p>“Not so much, because you won’t go out of my sight and I’ve always
+got my bow tucked under my arm. Of course I could make it quite safe
+by sending an arrow through his hairy old throat, but somehow I don’t
+quite like to do it until I’m dead certain sure. But don’t you worry,
+Joe. And don’t let Sylvia know.”</p>
+
+<p>The day wore on. They had a light supper of cold sliced turnips and
+some of the milk that was left over from the midday feast. They gave
+a third part of the milk to Tiger in order to moisten some very hard
+crusts that Golithos found for him. Tiger did not worry, it was
+quantity he wanted, not quality, and his little abdomen began to take
+on bold curves again.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-30">
+<h4>Golithos is Tempted</h4>
+
+<p>The night passed without trouble. The children slept soundly on their
+straw; Gorbo had made his bed on top of the trap-door so they felt safe
+enough. But in the morning there was more than a hint that some good
+old-fashioned trouble was coming.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span></p>
+
+<p>Said Golithos to Gorbo (taking him quietly aside by the arm), “Would
+you oblige me by keeping these dear little children always close by
+you?”</p>
+
+<p>Said Gorbo to Golithos (removing his arm), “I’m going to. But not
+particularly to oblige you. What’s the little game?”</p>
+
+<p>“It is no little game; it is something more serious. You see I have a
+horrid fear that I may go back to my old disgraceful ways. The sight of
+these dear little plump things is a very, very great temptation to me,
+and I want you to help me to fight against it. I don’t want you to go
+away, because if I don’t have the temptation there will be no credit in
+conquering it—and I really hope and believe that I will be able to. Do
+you know that last night I wanted to have a look at them asleep, but I
+couldn’t open the trap-door. There seemed to be something heavy on it.”</p>
+
+<p>“There was,” said Gorbo.</p>
+
+<p>“I thought so. And then, do you know, I came down and sat thinking
+about them, and after a time I found myself sharpening a big knife in
+an absent-minded way. It gave me quite a shock. Now promise me that you
+will help me to overcome this temptation.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I’ll help you,” replied Gorbo.</p>
+
+<p>He called to Sylvia and Joe to come down and to bring Tiger, and then
+he went with them down the steps to the door in the outer wall.</p>
+
+<p>“Come and open this door, Golithos,” he called.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, you’re surely not thinking of leaving me!” exclaimed Golithos,
+clumping down after them. “I shall be greatly upset if you run away
+like that.”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo jerked out an arrow and laid it on his bow.</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll be more upset in a moment perhaps,” he said, “if <span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span>that door
+isn’t opened before I count ten there’ll be three of these sticking out
+of your silly fat head.”</p>
+
+<p>Golithos jumped for the door and had it open just as Gorbo had counted
+up to six. As the children passed out, shrinking away from him, he bent
+down and held out his hand to them.</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a man running towards a door."
+src="images/i_p-088.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Good-bye, little dears,” he said. “Won’t you shake hands with an old
+reformed person? Oh, this <i>is</i> unkind!”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo put his arrow back in the quiver and stood for a moment looking
+up at him. “You stick to watercress,” he said tauntingly. “Watercress
+and cold water. A slice of mangel-wurzel for Christmas. That’s about
+your form.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span></p>
+
+<p>“You have hurt me,” said Golithos, drawing himself to his full height
+(seven feet, one inch). His tone was not without a certain dignity.</p>
+
+<p>“Get inside!” shouted Gorbo, slipping out an arrow again. “I’m not so
+sure I shan’t——”</p>
+
+<p>But Golithos had scuttled in and banged the door and locked it. They
+walked along a narrow stony track that led towards some rising ground.
+Looking back, they saw the head of Golithos peeping over the top of his
+wall. So far as they could judge at that distance it had a wistful look.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-31">
+
+
+<h4>Beyond the Tower</h4>
+
+<p>When they had got to the other side of the rising ground and the tower
+was hidden from view, Gorbo paused in order to take off his cap and
+tear his hair a little. Then he embraced both children remorsefully,
+and they gave him such words of comfort as occurred to them.</p>
+
+<p>“The next question,” he said, rousing himself, “is the question of
+what we are to do next. If I knew where Mother Meldrum lived, we’d go
+straight there at once. But I don’t know, and it’d be hopeless my going
+back to ask Golithos. I’ve scared what little wits he had clean out of
+him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps we’ll meet somebody if we go on walking,” suggested Sylvia.
+“Then we can ask where she lives.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, let’s,” said Joe. “I’d like to meet a witch. We’ve just had one
+nice adventure and perhaps we’ll have another. Think of it, Sylvia!
+We are the only two kids in the world who have ever been in an ogre’s
+castle—I mean the only two <span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span>who have ever got out of it afterwards.
+Won’t the others be jealous!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Joe, but I wish we could go back to them. It’s getting too
+beastly like one of those tales Norah told me.”</p>
+
+<p>They walked on and on and on, over a plain which was dotted here and
+there with clumps of trees but which showed nothing else of interest,
+until they came to what looked like a road, and this they followed for
+a couple of hours. Then, suddenly, they saw coming across the plain
+a man on a horse. The strange thing was that both man and horse were
+shining all over in the bright morning sun, and they stopped and looked
+in wonder.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a knight!” Joe exclaimed. “Look, Sylvia! Look at his shining
+armour and his long lance! I’ll bet it’s swift and keen.” (Miss Watkyns
+used to sing “I fear no foe” at the Saturday evening concerts.)</p>
+
+<p>“I hope his heart is pure,” said Sylvia, rather anxiously. (Miss
+Ffolijambe used to recite “Sir Galahad”.)</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo said nothing, but he tried his bowstring to see if it was all
+right.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-32">
+
+<h4>The Knight-Errant</h4>
+
+<p>The man in armour pulled up his horse when he reached the road a
+little way ahead and waited for them. Both children found him rather a
+disappointment when they came near for he did not seem quite up to the
+standard of knights in books. It is true that he had shining armour and
+the lance as long as a barge pole and so forth, but it seemed that his
+mail suit had not been made to measure. The breastplate was tied on to
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span>the back part with what looked like bootlaces, and they did not join
+well; bits of cloth showed at the sides. The armour on his legs was on
+the large size and rattled whenever he moved. His helmet also was much
+too big and it wobbled. The plume, though not a bad plume, should have
+been smaller to give a good effect. The horse was big and white and
+hairy, and had a thing like a spiked saucepan lid on its brow.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of two children and a snerg staring at a knight, who also stares
+at them."
+src="images/i_p-091.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>As they came near he raised the visor of his helmet and stared
+haughtily at them. From what they could see of his face he had peepy
+eyes, a long nose and rather puddingy cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>“Who are ye?” he asked in an important way, “and wherefore come ye——”
+here his voice was cut off suddenly, for the visor had slipped down
+like a trap and he had to struggle with it.</p>
+
+<p>He got it up at last: “As I was saying, wherefore come ye <span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span>thus
+unattended on the King’s ways, two children and a dwarf?”</p>
+
+<p>“Who are you calling a dwarf?” said Gorbo disagreeably. “Dwarf
+yourself!”</p>
+
+<p>The knight gave him a long contemptuous stare in reply, a stare that
+might have lasted a long time if the visor had not come down again and
+put an end to it.</p>
+
+<p>“Temper!” said the knight sharply when he had got his visor open.
+“But we will let it pass. Tell me, have you any wrongs to redress?
+Sir Percival am I, sworn to succour damsels, to slay giants, wasters,
+caitiffs and perishers, to rescue——”</p>
+
+<p>“As I was saying,” he went on lifting his visor again and propping it
+up with one hand, “I am sworn to rescue the oppressed, to right wrongs,
+and to—well, to generally make things happy all round.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s very nice of you,” said Gorbo. “Then perhaps you’ll kindly tell
+us the way to the witch——”</p>
+
+<p>“Which witch?” interrupted Sir Percival.</p>
+
+<p>“Mother Meldrum. If you’ll kindly——”</p>
+
+<p>“Ay, she is known as a parlous witch. She lives in the dark woods where
+fly the large black bats, all alone with her large black cats, and she
+gathers herbs o’ moonlight nights and brews foul potions to harm honest
+folk. Which means that I am not going there with you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Who asked you to?” said Gorbo. “I only want to know the way there.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then in that case you had better travel with me, for I am going within
+a mile or so of the dark woods. And if anybody should try to oppress
+you on the way, why, I shall be there to defend you.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span></p>
+
+<p>“That will be jolly,” said Gorbo. “Many thanks. But what about these
+little ones? Can’t you give them a lift—one in front and one behind?”</p>
+
+<p>“H’m!” The knight thought over this for a time. “I’d like to oblige, of
+course—especially as I am sworn to do good deeds—but wouldn’t that
+make me look rather ridiculous?”</p>
+
+<p>“Not a bit,” said Gorbo. “As a matter of fact you’d look rather sweet.
+Come Sylvia, I’ll lift you up.”</p>
+
+<p>Before Sir Percival could make any further objection he found that
+Sylvia had been hoisted up and placed in front of him. The saddle was a
+roomy one and well padded, so it made quite a comfortable seat for her.</p>
+
+<p>“Catch hold of his belt,” said Gorbo. “Then you’ll be quite safe. Now
+then, Joe.”</p>
+
+<p>Joe, as a circus-trained boy should, took a run and a flying leap on to
+the horse’s crupper, where he sat at his ease.</p>
+
+<p>“I say,” said Sir Percival peevishly, “aren’t you rather taking
+liberties with me?”</p>
+
+<p>“I beg your pardon?” replied Gorbo, who was busy with Sylvia, making a
+comfortable pair of stirrups for her out of some odd bits of straps on
+the saddle.</p>
+
+<p>“I said, ‘Aren’t you rather taking liberties with me?’”</p>
+
+<p>“No, not a bit. Are you quite comfortable, Sylvia?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, it’s lovely,” replied Sylvia.</p>
+
+<p>“And you, Joe?”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m fine. This is a <i>real</i> adventure!”</p>
+
+<p>“I hope this is not incommoding you at all,” said Gorbo politely,
+struck with a sudden idea.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, no,” replied Sir Percival with bitter irony. He couldn’t hold
+his lance properly and he had to reach right round Sylvia to handle
+the reins. “Who <i>would</i> be incommoded <span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span>by a little thing like
+this?” Then his visor fell down again and he roared angrily, though in
+a muffled way. But Sylvia’s handy little fingers soon propped it open
+again, and she asked Gorbo to find a little bit of stick and sharpen it
+with his knife. Then she deftly wedged the stick between the visor and
+the helmet.</p>
+
+<p>“There,” she said, patting his steel-cased cheek, “now it will keep up
+nicely. But what you really need is some large hooks and eyes.” She had
+seen, with the unerring instinct of childhood, that not only was Sir
+Percival’s heart pure but that his head was rather soft.</p>
+
+<p>His perhaps excusable irritation was soothed by this attention, and he
+smiled at her.</p>
+
+<p>“If any enemies come,” she explained, “all you have to do is to pull
+out this bit of stick and there you are, ready for battle.”</p>
+
+<p>Sir Percival was aroused at the mention of battle. “If any caitiffs
+should oppress you, little golden-haired maid,” he said proudly,
+“I will show you how great a man with his hands is Sir Percival.
+Evil-doers shake at the mention of my name.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t believe you,” said Sylvia, giggling. The child was actually
+trying on with this belted knight the same ways that had tempted Joe
+to such flagrant acts of folly and disobedience, and to which their
+present position might be directly traced. Minx.</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose you can’t find room for this little dog?” said Gorbo,
+holding up Tiger.</p>
+
+<p>“No,” replied Sir Percival with stern decision. “I draw the line at
+little dogs.” He then shook the reins and the big white horse started
+off at a quick comfortable walk.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-33">
+
+
+<h4>Sir Percival’s Job</h4>
+
+<p>Sir Percival seemed to have settled down to inconvenience and (I must
+own) grotesque appearance due to his having children fore and aft of
+him on the saddle, and he was quite ready to talk about himself. He was
+out looking for adventures because he had become enamoured of a young
+lady, and she had told him that if he would go forth as a knight-errant
+for one year and conquer a reasonable number of knights and caitiffs
+and slay some dragons and the like, she would have something to say
+to him, but she did not say what. So far he had not conquered anybody
+because he hadn’t met anybody who would fight, and as for dragons he
+really believed they had all left the country. One man, a miller, had
+told him where there was a dragon, but it turned out that the ribald
+fellow meant his own wife, who used to go for him with ferocity, and
+probably with plenty of reason. But he told them he had now great
+hopes, for he was on his way to a castle he had heard about as being
+likely—though he didn’t know whose it was—for in a castle there were
+always knights, and knights were always spoiling for a fight. This
+was very good news to Gorbo because he worked it out that in a castle
+there was always something to eat, and the children were delighted when
+he told them this, for the sun was now getting high and they had had
+nothing to eat since last night’s turnips.</p>
+
+<p>In time they came to nice wooded country, which was a pleasant change
+from the rather bare plain. Then they caught sight of battlemented
+towers peeping above the tree-tops, and a little later they halted
+by the outer wall of a small cosy castle, all alone by itself. There
+seemed to be nobody about, <span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span>inside or outside, and everything was very
+peaceful and sunny and still. And hanging on the outer gate was a
+slug-horn like the one outside the Dark Tower that Childe Roland came
+to.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-34">
+
+
+<h4>The Mysterious Castle</h4>
+
+<p>“I am going to wind this horn,” said Sir Percival to Gorbo (he meant,
+to blow it). “And if you will oblige me by pretending to be my squire,
+I shall think it very nice of you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I’ll be your squire,” replied Gorbo, quite interested. He lifted
+Sylvia down to get her out of the way in case battle should take place
+suddenly. “I’d like to—Jump down, Joe—I’ll tell them you’ll take on
+any six of them and——”</p>
+
+<p>“Not so brisk, please,” said the knight. “What I want you to do is to
+say that I am the famed Sir Percival and—and so on and so forth. Give
+them the idea that I am something of a terror. Don’t know what fear is,
+and that sort of thing. You see I don’t want to injure anybody if it
+can be avoided, and if any knight prefers to give in without fighting,
+why, let him do so by all means and save needless bloodshed. Do you get
+the idea?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I think so. Hot stuff, as it were. Now blow hard.”</p>
+
+<p>Sir Percival blew at the small end of the slug-horn and a long
+melancholy note came out of the other end. Then there was silence for
+a time; but at length they heard the sound of slow shuffling footsteps
+coming to the gate.</p>
+
+<p>“Nothing to-day, thank you kindly,” said a weak and quavering voice.</p>
+
+<p>“Open, varlet!” cried Sir Percival angrily. “What discourtesy<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span> is this
+to keep a champion waiting at your gate? Open, I say, lest I believe
+that the knights of this castle fear to meet me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Save you, good sir!” replied the quavering voice, “here are no
+knights, none at all, nor indeed anybody but me and my old dame Margery
+who look after the castle while the family are away visiting cousins,
+though we should be glad if they had taken us too for a change of air
+would do us both good who have been in this same castle until we are
+sick and tired of the shape of it, to say nothing of the damp which has
+settled in old Margery’s bones so that she goes ever doubled up and——”</p>
+
+<p>“Look here,” interrupted Gorbo, putting his hands to his mouth and
+shouting through the keyhole, “this is the valiant Sir Percival, who
+has slain so many knights that he has forgotten how many, to say
+nothing of dragons and such like. And I am his valiant squire, Gorbo,
+who is famed for a big appetite, and we have with us two children and
+a little dog who are also hungry, and the question is whether you are
+going to be a sport and give us something to eat or whether you are
+simply going to drive us into smashing up this castle.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nay, be not rash, good squire,” replied the voice. “I’ll open the gate
+and let you in, for my master hath bidden me give food and drink to
+wayfarers that need it and especially to those who are liable to damage
+his stronghold if it be denied them.”</p>
+
+<p>The door opened, and to their astonishment there appeared before
+them, not a doddering old henchman, but a pert young man dressed in
+the brilliant and fantastic costume of a jester, with one leg of his
+tights red and the other yellow, and who <span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span>seemed, from his immoderate
+laughter, to be having the time of his life.</p>
+
+<p>“Ha, ha!” he cried, joyously, leaping out and slapping Sir Percival on
+the nose with a bladder tied to the end of a stick. “Did I not befool
+thee, thou pumpkin face? Even now your jaw is dropped and your eyes
+goggle with wonder and you have a general resemblance (saving your
+presence) to a parboiled codfish. Laugh, thou jingling hundredweight
+of ill-fitting harness”—hitting him again—“and grant this to be a
+pleasing jest.”</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a court jester."
+src="images/i_p-098.png">
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-35">
+
+<h4>Sir Percival’s Annoyance</h4>
+
+<p>Sir Percival recovered from his astonishment and prepared to do what
+seemed the only fitting thing to in a case like this. He heaved up his
+lance to smite this gay young man to the earth.</p>
+
+<p>“For shame!” The young man had dexterously leapt out of the way and
+crouched down with Sylvia and Joe caught to his bosom. “Would you
+strike a child?”</p>
+
+<p>“Malapert insect!” said Sir Percival. “Unhand those young ones that I
+may cudgel you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Listen to reason!” bellowed the other, now grovelling on the earth.
+“This castle is deserted, and I alone know where the larder is. Without
+my help you will go away an hungered!”</p>
+
+<p>“There is something in that,” said Sir Percival, lowering his lance.</p>
+
+<p>“There is a whole lot in it,” shouted Gorbo. “Don’t hit the poor man!”</p>
+
+<p>The jester bounded up like a tennis ball and flew at Gorbo, enfolding
+him in his arms. “By this kiss” (kissing him daintily on the top of his
+head) “I swear eternal friendship.”</p>
+
+<p>“Lead on, thou nimble loon,” said Sir Percival. “I pardon you if you
+will take us to the larder without delay.”</p>
+
+<p>The jester turned swiftly to the children. “You see yonder door,” he
+said, pointing to a small open door in the main building of the castle,
+“I’ll give you a start of half-way and race you there. Are you ready?
+<i>Go!</i>”</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia and Joe went off at top speed, and when they were half-way the
+jester gave a shrill whoop and flew after them, catching up with them
+just as they reached the door.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-36">
+
+
+<h4>The Castle Kitchen</h4>
+
+<p>“This is glorious!” cried the jester, taking a hand of each and leading
+them into a large comfortable kitchen. Then he turned and looked
+anxiously at the top of the open door. “No, there’s no time to make a
+booby-trap. Come along and put on aprons.”</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia and Joe, both highly delighted with these joyous happenings,
+were soon dressed in little aprons and caps made out of napkins and
+busily helping their new friend. He sliced up a ham and got two large
+frying-pans going, while they put stools round a big table in the
+middle of the floor and laid plates and mugs and so on.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you think forty eggs will be enough?” asked the young man.</p>
+
+<p>“I think it will be almost more than enough,” replied Sylvia, doing a
+quick sum in her head. “It will be eight each.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll make it fifty then,” said the strange being, breaking them thick
+and fast into the frying-pans.</p>
+
+<p>A heavy clanging sound without indicated that Sir Percival was coming;
+he and Gorbo had been attending to the horse, supplying it with hay and
+so forth. As the knight entered the door, the jester turned with an egg
+poised ready to throw at his head. But he hesitated; then broke it into
+the pan instead. “I dare not,” he said to Joe. “<i>What</i> a pity!”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo paused as he came in and stood sniffing the delicious smell. He
+went across to the jester. “Bend low towards me,” he said. And when the
+other had done so Gorbo kissed him on the top of <i>his</i> head. “I
+also swear a friendship. What are you going to give us to drink?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I have here,” replied the other, making a flying leap over the table
+to a rough sideboard, “both milk for these little ones and beer for us
+men. Kindly pledge me,” he added, filling up two mugs.</p>
+
+<p>While these two sportsmen were clinking their mugs and gossiping,
+Sylvia, standing on a stool by the stove, was dripping hot butter on
+the eggs to give them a choice flavour, and Joe was on another stool
+pronging out the slices of ham and laying them on a hot dish. They were
+very happy, because this was a really superior adventure, with food
+and cheerful things taking place. The castle, too, judging from the
+kitchen, was a self-respecting place, clean and well kept, and a nice
+change from the beast of a tower they had spent the night in.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-37">
+
+
+<h4>Breakfast</h4>
+
+<p>Sir Percival was given a stool at one of the tables and Sylvia was put
+at the other—to serve the food, as she was the only lady present. The
+ham and eggs were perfect, and they had in addition buttered toast and
+a pot of damson preserve which the jester said they really must taste
+as he had made it himself. Tiger had a large plateful of everything and
+was busily engaged in putting his shape as it should be. (It may be
+noticed that almost all the news I have to give of this little dog is
+of the rotundity or otherwise of his stomach.)</p>
+
+<p>“Tell me,” said Sir Percival at length, coming to business, “to whom
+does this castle belong?”</p>
+
+<p>“It belongs to my master,” replied the jester. “One Gunthorn, a fierce
+and rather unscrupulous baron who is something<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span> of a scourge to the
+countryside. I am his privy jester—Baldry is my name—and I ought to
+know. Many knights have come here, striving to joust with him—but they
+have all gone, alas!”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! Where did they go to?”</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a knight with his visor raised sitting at
+a table."
+src="images/i_p-102.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Not far, sir knight. There is a graveyard some furlong or so beyond
+these walls, and there they lie at peace, to each his little headstone.
+Will you pass your plate for another morsel of ham and some extra egg?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, thank you,” answered Sir Percival. “I seem to have lost my
+appetite. And where is the baron Gunthorn at this moment?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Why, sir knight, he may be many, many long leagues from here, and——”</p>
+
+<p>“If I can change my mind,” interrupted Sir Percival cheerfully, “I
+think I could eat another rasher.”</p>
+
+<p>“And on the other hand,” continued Baldry, passing up the plate, “he
+may come home at any moment. He went off this morning to look for a
+wandering knight he had heard about, taking with him his men-at-arms
+and his cook and household varlets, as is his quaint custom. He left me
+in charge of his stronghold, knowing that no man dare set foot within
+these walls, so famed is he for ruthlessness. He has another quaint
+custom of sneaking in by the postern gate, so that he may observe if
+all is kept well in his household when he is away. But you do not eat,
+sir knight.”</p>
+
+<p>Sir Percival pushed away his plate and thought deeply. “And what will
+he do if he finds you entertaining guests during his absence?”</p>
+
+<p>“Good sir,” said Baldry earnestly, “I prithee talk of cheerful things
+while we may. Were he to—but pardon me a moment, <i>did</i> I hear
+sounds?”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-38">
+
+<h4>A Terrible Moment</h4>
+
+<p>He sprang to his feet and stood an instant anxiously listening. Then he
+bounded over to a door in the corner of the kitchen, flung it open, and
+disappeared up a spiral stone staircase.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later they heard the distant clanking of mail and a harsh
+roaring voice raised in anger. The sounds came nearer and nearer and
+they heard mighty feet descending the <span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span>stone stairs. Gorbo snatched
+up his bow and pushed the children towards the door. Sir Percival was
+struggling to get his helmet on, and making heavy weather of it.</p>
+
+<p>“Good, my lord,” they heard the voice of Baldry saying, “if you will
+but listen to reason——”</p>
+
+<p>“Reason me no reason,” interrupted the roaring voice. “If I find
+unbidden guests in my kitchen I’ll first flay them and afterwards slay
+them——”</p>
+
+<p>The door was flung open and Baldry appeared alone, sweetly smiling and
+smiting together two pot-lids to imitate the tread of mailed feet.</p>
+
+<p>“Be seated, I pray you,” he said with a ringing laugh. “Now was not
+this a pretty jest?”</p>
+
+<p>“Ay, a right joyous jape,” said Sir Percival, pulling his helmet
+off with violence and displaying a pale and angry face. “Thou art
+altogether a choice merry varlet. Though how you manage to go on day by
+day without getting slain passes my understanding.”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-39">
+
+<h4>More Trouble</h4>
+
+<p>“Look!” exclaimed Baldry, suddenly pointing through the open doorway.
+They could see across the courtyard to the door in the outer wall, and
+this having been left open showed a perspective of white road leading
+through the woods. And not so very far along the road horsemen could be
+seen coming up.</p>
+
+<p>“Now this is no jest at all,” continued Baldry, “for here comes the
+ruthless baron. Let us all go far away and quickly.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m on,” said Gorbo, grabbing Sylvia’s hand. “But what do <i>you</i>
+want to go for if you belong to the place?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Alas! I never saw or heard of the place before this morning,” said
+Baldry sadly. “I was a-tramping the high road, when by ill-chance I
+saw that door open and nobody about, and I had just gone in and helped
+myself to a snack when up comes this valiant knight, thundering at the
+door and blowing the horn—But all is well!” he cried joyfully, leaping
+into the air. “He will protect us! Come along, little ones, and let’s
+find a nice spot to see from. Now for the shock of steeds! Now for
+splintering of lances! Oh, this is heavenly!”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I don’t know so much about that,” said Sir Percival
+disagreeably. He had now managed to get his helmet fixed on and was
+leading his horse through the door in the outer wall. “You see I don’t
+want to take an unfair advantage of this Gunthorn. He is tired from his
+journey, belike, and there is no honour in conquering a man who is not
+fresh and lively. Nay, that were a coward’s deed!” He blundered about,
+trying to mount his horse.</p>
+
+<p>“But, sir knight,” pleaded Baldry piteously, throwing himself in front
+of him, “why spoil the fun? Here is my dear friend Gorbo, who would
+love to see a jousting. And these little ones, too, see their eager
+faces! Come, sir, here hangs the horn. One blast and Gunthorn will come
+spurring up to give you your heart’s desire!”</p>
+
+<p>“I know my job better than you,” said Sir Percival coldly. “Stand
+aside, fellow, you will not induce me to take advantage of a weary
+man—And <i>now</i> you’ve done it!” he wailed, for Baldry had jumped
+for the horn and let out a blast that made the echoes ring.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later they saw a man detach himself from the little group of
+approaching horsemen and speed towards them, handling the longest kind
+of lance in a manner that bespoke <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106"></a><a id="Page_107"></a>[Pg 107]</span>both strength and dexterity. Sir
+Percival muttered something that sounded like an oath (though I hope it
+was not) and by a desperate effort managed to get into the saddle. He
+went in a bumping and jangling gallop in one direction under the trees,
+and Gorbo and Baldry and Sylvia and Joe and the puppy went swiftly in
+the opposite direction.</p>
+
+<div class="img-full-page">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a knight on horseback with a lance, charging to the left
+side of the picture."
+src="images/i_p-106.png">
+</div>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-40">
+
+<h4>The Sorrows of Baldry</h4>
+
+<p>They heard distant shouts, as of annoyed people, which naturally
+encouraged them to keep up a good speed. Gorbo and Baldry helped the
+children along with great leaps and bounds, and they were soon deep
+in the silent woods, far from risk of pursuit. There they rested on a
+mossy bank and took things easily for a time.</p>
+
+<p>“That was a jolly breakfast, you know,” said Baldry, to start the talk
+well.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, it was,” agreed Gorbo. “But what will this Gunthorn person say
+when he finds out about your making so free with the place?”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know. And another strange thing about it is I don’t care. And
+his name’s not Gunthorn—at least I don’t suppose it is. You see I just
+made it up suddenly.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s quite a good name for a pretence baron,” said Sylvia.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, isn’t it?” Baldry was highly pleased at this remark. “It sounds
+so ruthless. I’m rather good at making up things.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m glad of that,” Gorbo said, “because perhaps you can make up some
+way of getting out of this mess. Do you know the way to get across the
+river?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span></p>
+
+<p>“No, I don’t. And I don’t know anybody who knows. And I don’t know
+anybody who knows anybody who knows. I wish I did, because I’d like to
+go with you and see Life. It’s very dull in these parts; the people
+have no sense of humour. And that makes it so difficult for me,” he
+added sadly. “I’m always misunderstood.”</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind, poor thing,” said Sylvia, who had taken a great liking to
+him.</p>
+
+<p>“The hollow world,” continued Baldry, with a suspicion of tears in
+his eyes, “believes a jester’s job to be all jollity; but little do
+they think that there may be an aching heart beneath what I must term
+superficial gaiety.”</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia stroked his hand soothingly.</p>
+
+<p>“But on the other hand,” he went on in a brighter tone, “there may not
+be. There isn’t in my case at any rate; though I have had a peck of
+trouble lately. You see, only yesterday I was the King’s High Jester,
+and now I am wandering the earth with only three friends to love me.
+Four to be exact, because I include this little dog.”</p>
+
+<p>“Did you get turned out?” asked Joe.</p>
+
+<p>“No, not exactly; I ran too fast for that. And yet,” he went on, with a
+return to melancholy musing, “it was a quaint conceit, one that might
+have pleased. Who would have thought that the King was so obtuse. But
+that is the worst of tyrants, you never know how they’ll take things.”</p>
+
+<p>“Tell us about it,” said Gorbo, “then you’ll feel better.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, it was merely a little idea of mine to brighten up Court life,
+which has a tendency to become dull and stuffy sometimes. You see it is
+the King’s custom to walk alone <span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span>through the streets on the day before
+his birthday so as to show himself to his subjects, and to show that
+he is willing to unbend from State ceremonial, and so forth. It also
+serves to brisken their memories with regard to presents.”</p>
+
+<p>“What does he do?” asked Sylvia.</p>
+
+<p>“He just walks along, wearing a crown and in his best robes. And he
+speaks to people here and there—in a dignified way, of course—and he
+pats children on the head and asks their mothers how old they are, and
+if they had mumps—and all that sort of thing.”</p>
+
+<p>“He seems quite a nice king,” Sylvia observed.</p>
+
+<p>“You wait,” said Baldry, with dark meaning. “It’s only once a year
+that he bothers about mumps. Well, to go on with my unhappy story, I
+thought out a scheme for making the whole affair brighter. Though I
+am young and thin and have no hair to my chin, and though the King is
+middle-aged and fat and has a flowing beard, I so padded myself up with
+straw and so painted and behorsehaired myself that when I appeared in
+the public ways, clad in furred and tinselled robes and wearing a brass
+crown, there were none that did not take the jester for the king.”</p>
+
+<p>“I say, this sounds rather good!” Gorbo exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, it was very good. But listen. In lieu of the customary stately
+strut of His Majesty, I proceeded in a lively dance, which I have
+invented myself and which I have named ‘The fawn at play.’ There is in
+it a great deal of fanciful gesture and nimble leg work. In my right
+hand I bore a six-hooped pot; my left hand held my robe on high to
+give free play for my gambols. And thus, with shrill whoops of joy, I
+pranced among the amazed citizens.”</p>
+
+<p>“Did they laugh?” asked Joe.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Some few of the keener spirits did; but the general expression was of
+stolid wonder. I redoubled my efforts. Suddenly, on the completion of
+a series of backward somersaults, I found myself face to face with the
+King himself. There was that in his countenance that caused me to turn
+and flee, but I tripped over my robe and fell. In another instant I was
+seized by the guards and hurried to a dungeon.”</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a happy king, dacing and holding a mug."
+src="images/i_p-110.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“What beasts!” exclaimed Sylvia.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Sylvia, that’s what they were. And when my gossip, the jailer,
+told me that the King was frothing at the mouth and had sent for his
+High Executioner, it seemed to me a <span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span>choice moment to leave his service
+if it could be done. My prison was in a tower which had, by great good
+luck, a drain-pipe outside the window, so I washed off all traces of
+my kingly colour and slipped down. I reached the ground without other
+mishap than a rasping of my knees and knuckles and fled afar. Better to
+roam the cold world than to await the vengeance of a tyrant. So here I
+am, alone with you dear things in the greenwood. And very nice too.”</p>
+
+<p>“Is the King <i>very</i> ruthless?” asked Sylvia anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>“Ruthless! Oh, my! However, I’m not going to go into details because
+that would only frighten you and serve no useful purpose.”</p>
+
+<p>“We’ve heard that things are pretty bad on this side,” said Gorbo. “And
+Golithos said the same.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes, dear old Golithos. You told me you’d stayed a night with him.
+I’ve never seen him myself, but I thought of paying him a visit.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t you do it,” said Gorbo. “He’ll bore you stiff—and there’s
+nothing to eat at his place but the stuff rabbits eat.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then that settles <i>that</i>,” said Baldry. “Well, where shall we go?”</p>
+
+<p>“We’d better try to find Mother Meldrum somehow. She’ll be able to tell
+us how to get back home.”</p>
+
+<p>“Dear old Mother Meldrum!” exclaimed Baldry. “Yes, let’s go and find
+her; she lives somewhere in the dark woods, which are somewhere about
+here. I’ve always wanted to meet that dear old lady, and now I shall!”</p>
+
+<p>“Is she nice then?” asked Sylvia, rather relieved at his enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I wouldn’t go as far as that. She’s a witch, and <span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span>she’s rather
+noted for blighting crops and injuring folks generally and she makes a
+fairly good living by selling curses and nobody of any sense will go
+near her. But she may have her good points. Let’s go at once!”</p>
+
+<p>“Look here, my dear friend,” said Gorbo, “this is all very well for you
+and me, but what about Sylvia and Joe? You stay here and look after
+them and I’ll go and see her. There’s no need for all of us to come.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, Gorbo,” cried Sylvia, “we’re going where you go.”</p>
+
+<p>“Of course we are,” said Joe. “Besides, it’d be rather fun to meet a
+real witch.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s my way of looking at it,” said Baldry. “Fun is the correct
+word. Come along, Joe, let’s look for the dark woods. I’ll race you to
+the top of that tree.”</p>
+
+<p>He ran to an enormous tree a little distance away and Joe ran after
+him. In another minute the two disappeared among the leaves. Then cries
+of joy were heard from aloft.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s lovely up here,” called Joe. “Swinging about like Billy O!”</p>
+
+<p>“And the dark woods!” called Baldry. “Miles and miles and miles
+and miles of dark woods. Oh, this makes life really worth living!”
+(Certainly he seemed the kind that is easily pleased.) “Come down, Joe,
+we’ll show them the way.”</p>
+
+<p>The two came scrambling down, and they all went on and on until the
+trees came to an end at a wide stretch of turf that sloped gently away
+before them. And about half a mile or so away there were other woods,
+stretching as far as they could see on either hand. Undoubtedly the
+dark woods, for nothing in the shape of woods could be darker or more
+dismal looking.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-41">
+
+<h4>The Dark Woods</h4>
+
+<p>They went on and soon reached the edge of the sombre trees on the
+opposite side, and then the question was, of course, which way were
+they to go. Gorbo was of opinion that they had better go as straight
+as they could and keep their eyes open for anything like a witch’s
+house, but Baldry suggested that they should sit down comfortably and
+shout for Mother Meldrum at intervals and see if she would turn up. And
+considering the vast extent of the dark woods both proposals seem to me
+ridiculous.</p>
+
+<p>The question was settled for them by the sudden appearance of a man who
+came walking out from the wood. He was dressed in a woollen jerkin and
+hose and instead of a hat he had a hood with a cape to it, as in the
+pictures of the cheaper sorts of mediæval people, and he carried in his
+hand a little packet done up in leaves. From the expression of his face
+they judged he was not a nice man. He stared at them for an instant and
+then spoke angrily:</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes, a man can’t buy a little curse without a lot of busybodies
+following him about! I’m not going to use it on <i>you</i>, am I?”</p>
+
+<p>“We hope better things of you, sweet chuck,” replied Baldry. “All we
+want is the way to Mother Meldrum’s place.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, then all you have to do is to follow this little path.” The man
+appeared to be greatly relieved. “But she’s out of curses; I got the
+last one. You see there’s been rather a run on them lately.”</p>
+
+<p>“We’ve only come for a couple of blessings,” said Baldry, <span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span>as he took
+Sylvia’s hand and ran along the little path, followed by the others.
+They heard the man shouting that in that case they were going to the
+wrong shop, but they did not stop to argue the matter, and in a few
+minutes they found themselves deep in the shadow of tall mournful trees
+that shut out all but little chance glimpses of the sky. On either hand
+they could see patches of black swampy water, but the track was fairly
+plain (giving a hint that Mother Meldrum did a brisk business) and
+they went along at a good rate. There were no birds or cheerful little
+animals in this horrid place, but there were—as they soon became
+aware—bats.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of two children and a snerg, being
+harassed by bats."
+src="images/i_p-114.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>Compared to these the bats of the twisted trees were little pets.
+These measured six feet or more across the wings and they had beaks
+of enormous size, from which issued hoarse <span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span>bubbling sounds. Sylvia,
+who liked bats as much as she liked black-beetles, pulled her napkin
+cap over her eyes (she still wore this little stolen head-dress) and
+shuddered; but it was too late to think of turning back now however
+much she would have liked to. She kept close under Gorbo’s arm, and in
+time she began to be more used to them; after all they only flopped
+about and bubbled, and did not bite, which is the main thing.</p>
+
+<p>At length, late in the afternoon, after a journey that was very tiring
+to the young ones, they came to a part where the forest seemed a little
+clearer and lighter and not so swampy. The track went on for another
+half-hour’s travel and then they saw before them a house which they
+knew must be Mother Meldrum’s, if only because nobody but a witch would
+select it for a home.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-42">
+
+
+<h4>Mother Meldrum’s House</h4>
+
+<p>There was a little shabby patch of grass in front of the house, but
+behind and at the sides it was closely surrounded by trees and thick
+bushes. It seemed to be mostly roof—an untidy roof of thatch that
+reached nearly to the ground in some places and twisted up into gables
+here and there over ugly little windows like eyes. Although it was by
+no means a big house it looked somehow as if it had rather a lot of
+little lopsided secret rooms, and it had what I may call a generally
+wicked appearance. One could not imagine kind silver-haired people
+living in it and doing good deeds to the poor. It had its effect on
+Sylvia, who hung back a little as they came near; and even Joe showed
+no anxiety to get inside.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I think we’d better tie Tiger up in one of these napkins,” said
+Sylvia. “You see Sir Percival said she had black cats, and if Tiger
+takes to chasing them about she may get angry.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Sylvia,” said Gorbo. “That’s a good idea. We must keep her in a
+good temper.”</p>
+
+<p>So the puppy was tied up carefully in a napkin, with only his nose out,
+and carried in Sylvia’s arms. Then Baldry—who suggested that he should
+be the spokesman because of his ready wit—rapped smartly at the door.</p>
+
+<p>“Who knocks?” called a disagreeable voice.</p>
+
+<p>“I, good mother, Baldry the King’s High Jester. And I have with me my
+dear old friend Gorbo and my dear little friends, Sylvia and Joe, to
+say nothing of their small hound. And we have come a long, long way to
+pay our respects to you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Pull the string of the latch and come in,” said the voice.</p>
+
+<p>Baldry did as he was told and they all went into a fairly large
+low-ceilinged room which looked like a kitchen. At the chimney-place a
+tall old woman was standing, stirring up a pot. She turned and looked
+at them, and Sylvia gave a little squawk at the sight of her face,
+which was indeed horrible.</p>
+
+<p>“Here we are again!” cried Baldry, cutting a swift caper and then
+striking an attitude calculated to put anybody into a good humour.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean by ‘again’?” asked the old woman with a scowl.
+“You’ve never been here before.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, good dame, it means—well, it means ‘Here we are and let’s be
+jolly’ or words to that effect. It’s an expression in common use among
+jesters,” he added lamely, for the old woman merely turned round and
+went on stirring the pot.</p>
+
+<p>“So that’s what it means.” She tasted a spoonful of soup <span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span>from the pot
+in a leisurely way. “I see. And does the King laugh when you say that?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes—sometimes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah!” she said, “I’ve heard he’s not quite in his right mind.”</p>
+
+<p>Now this was an unsatisfactory reception, and they all four felt very
+uncomfortable standing in the middle of the kitchen, with the old
+woman’s back turned to them as she went on stirring. The room was very
+dark, for there was only one small window at one end, shaded with
+thatch, and there was not too much light outside owing to the trees.
+But every now and then the fire would flicker up and give them glimpses
+of articles such as a witch would be likely to have about her—bundles
+of herbs that looked poisonous and a stuffed alligator hanging from the
+rafters, and so forth. Poor Sylvia need not have worried about Tiger
+chasing the witch’s cats, for things were the other way about. Six or
+seven of the biggest and blackest cats that ever lashed a tail came
+crawling out of corners and rubbing themselves against her so that she
+could hardly keep her feet, all the while purring like horrible snores,
+their green eyes fixed on the napkin that held the shivering Tiger.</p>
+
+<p>After a couple of minutes or so the old woman turned round and seated
+herself on a stool and looked at them. “Are you the one who squealed
+just now?” she asked Sylvia.</p>
+
+<p>“Ye—yes, Mrs Meldrum,” replied Sylvia faintly.</p>
+
+<p>“You’d better not do it again. Now then, one of you! What do you want?”</p>
+
+<p>“We only want to know how to get back across the river, please, Mum,”
+said Gorbo politely.</p>
+
+<p>“Ah, you’re a Snerg, I see. How did you get here?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span></p>
+
+<p>Gorbo gave her a brief account of the result of his fatheadedness, and
+Mother Meldrum chuckled.</p>
+
+<p>“What will you give me if I tell you?” she asked after a while.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo brought out his silver-tipped horn and laid it on the table. “If
+this little christening present will do, Mum——”</p>
+
+<p>“What else?”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m afraid I haven’t anything else really valuable, Mum. But Sylvia
+here has a little coral necklace——”</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s see your necklace, Sylvia,” said Mother Meldrum.</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia took it off and gave it to Gorbo, who handed it to the old
+woman. She glanced contemptuously at it and threw it on the table.</p>
+
+<p>“What else?”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s all we’ve got, Mum—except clothes.”</p>
+
+<p>She looked at the clothes of all of them in a general way. Then she
+reached out her arm and fingered the material of Sylvia’s frock. Then
+she sniffed.</p>
+
+<p>“This little lot,” she said, nodding at the horn and necklace, “will
+just about pay a tenth part of what I want to show you the way.”</p>
+
+<p>There was an unpleasant silence for a time. Even Baldry appeared to
+have mislaid his blithe disposition. Though he had expressed a desire
+to meet the witch, now that he had the opportunity he did not seem
+to enjoy it. The truth is he was overwhelmed by what is known as the
+personality of the old lady.</p>
+
+<p>“Make me laugh,” she said, suddenly turning to him.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-43">
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span></p>
+
+<h4>More Sorrow for Baldry</h4>
+
+<p>“Er—laugh, good mother?” he replied. “Oh, yes, of course. Would you
+like——”</p>
+
+<p>“I want to be amused,” she interrupted angrily rapping on the table.
+“It’s your job, isn’t it? Don’t stand there like a pump but say amusing
+things!”</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a jester in front of a table opposite to an old woman."
+src="images/i_p-119.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“I’ll do my best, dame,” said Baldry, rousing himself. “Perhaps a few
+rib-tickling conundrums will please you. If so, tell me the difference
+between an unripe gooseberry——”</p>
+
+<p>“Shan’t!” shouted Mother Meldrum.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh—then would you like a merry song?”</p>
+
+<p>“Not a bit.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh—then perhaps—perhaps a jolly tale would please you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s hear your jolly tale,” she said, after a moment’s consideration.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, then, good dame,” said Baldry, making a special <span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span>effort, “there
+was once an honest collector of the King’s taxes who——”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t believe it.”</p>
+
+<p>“But this one <i>was</i> honest,” pleaded Baldry.</p>
+
+<p>“Then why didn’t you say he was a freak? Go on.”</p>
+
+<p>“And this collector of taxes was on his way home after the day’s toil,
+riding on his ass, when he met three beggars, who begged of him——”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, that’s what they usually do, isn’t it? What’s there funny about
+that?”</p>
+
+<p>“Nothing very much,” replied Baldry. “But it will get better as I go
+on.”</p>
+
+<p>“Go on, then, what are you waiting for?”</p>
+
+<p>“And so, good dame, being charitable as well as honest, he gave to the
+first beggar a penny, to the second a piece of sausage, and to the
+third a small loaf of bread. But the first beggar, having had a full
+meal some half-hour before——”</p>
+
+<p>“Excuse me for stopping you,” interrupted Mother Meldrum, “but I don’t
+think I care to hear any more. You say it <i>is</i> meant to be a funny
+tale, don’t you?”</p>
+
+<p>“It is generally so considered,” replied Baldry sulkily.</p>
+
+<p>“To <i>me</i>,” said the old woman, “it’s about as funny as a bilious
+attack.”</p>
+
+<p>To those who know from experience—as I confess I do—how painful it
+is to have one’s verbal efforts to be sparkling received with cold,
+unappreciative looks or smiles in which pity lurks behind a mere
+pretence at mirth, will appreciate how Baldry suffered from this
+really pointed rudeness. He stood looking miserably at the venomous
+old person, too distressed to notice that Sylvia was endeavouring to
+console him by patting his hand. His profession was to make laughter,
+to <span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span>spread good humour, to (at meal times) set the table in a roar; yet
+he was roaming the earth, an outcast, because of the ill-success of his
+late jest with the King, and now he had failed again. Was he losing his
+power to captivate? That is what troubled him.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-44">
+
+
+<h4>A Change of Tone</h4>
+
+<p>Mother Meldrum got up and went back to her cooking, leaving them
+standing, with Sylvia still knee deep in black cats.</p>
+
+<p>“Look here, Mum,” said Gorbo, after an uncomfortable interval of
+silence, “Golithos told me you’d be kind enough to tell me——”</p>
+
+<p>“Golithos?” The old woman turned round smartly. “So you saw Golithos,
+did you?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Mum, we stayed one night at his place. He said you came to see
+him sometimes, and he told us to wait there for you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then what made you leave him?”</p>
+
+<p>“Because—well, because——” Gorbo felt that perhaps, if she was
+friendly to Golithos, she might not think highly of his offer to send
+three arrows through his head.</p>
+
+<p>Mother Meldrum went to her stool and sat thinking and thinking, with
+her eyes wandering from Gorbo to the children. Suddenly she gave a
+tremendous chuckle that made them all jump. Then she jumped up briskly
+and patted Sylvia on the shoulder and told her to sit down.</p>
+
+<p>“And sit down, all of you,” she went on. “What are you all standing
+for? There are stools enough. You must be <span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span>hungry too, but I’ll soon
+have some dinner ready. I wouldn’t like you to go away saying that old
+Mother Meldrum didn’t feed you properly.”</p>
+
+<p>Though they did not understand this very decided change of manner
+(who would?) it was very welcome. Gorbo put his bundle and his bow
+and arrows in a corner, and got a basin of water for the children to
+wash in. Then he washed his own piece of comb and gave it to Sylvia to
+put her hair in order, and when she had done this Joe had a turn at
+the comb. Tiger was put by Mother Meldrum’s advice in a little coarse
+basket and hung up on a hook in the ceiling, and there he sat moaning a
+little while the fierce black cats roamed to and fro and looked up at
+him with shining green eyes and sniffed as if he smelt good to them.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-45">
+
+
+<h4>Dinner With a Witch</h4>
+
+<p>In a little while Mother Meldrum began to slap platters on the table,
+and into each platter she put two large ladle-fulls of stewed hare,
+with potatoes, carrots, peas and onions, which had a most delicious
+smell, and told them to pitch in. A flask of wine—of a rather harsh
+flavour but not bad—was placed on the table for the grown-ups, and the
+children were given a little taste in water. Mother Meldrum was now
+quite kind and considerate: when Joe spilled a lot of his stew on the
+table she said it didn’t matter, that these things would happen. Baldry
+plucked up his spirits with the good food and drink and the agreeable
+change of manner, and told a couple of short tales which were well
+received by all present, Mother Meldrum being especially tickled.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span></p>
+
+<p>When dinner was over the bits were given to the cats, who gnawed and
+growled like lions, and to Tiger, who had his ration aloft in the
+basket. The children offered to help by washing up, and they and Baldry
+were soon busy outside with a small tub of water and some kitchen
+cloths, putting a polish on the plates and things.</p>
+
+<p>“And now let’s talk,” said Mother Meldrum to Gorbo. “You want to get
+back across the river. Very well, I’ll settle it for you. What’s more
+I’ll only charge you that horn and that measly little necklace for
+doing it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, thank you, Mum!” cried Gorbo gratefully.</p>
+
+<p>“I always like to help when I can. But before I can do it you’ll have
+to give me a hand. I’m clean out of mandrakes, and I’ll need six or
+eight to work the spell, so you’ll have to go and get me some to-night,
+because you can only get them when the moon’s shining. The place is
+about a couple of miles from here.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll bring you back a barrow load of them,” said Gorbo, who did not
+know what they were. “Just show me the place and——”</p>
+
+<p>“Not so fast,” said the old woman snappishly. “Mandrakes don’t grow
+like bluebells. You’ll likely have to spend all the night looking for
+them. You see they’re little roots shaped like persons, but there’s the
+true mandrake and the spurious mandrake. <a id="sic"></a>There’s about ten thousand of
+the real ones to one of the others.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! Then how do I tell the difference, Mum?” asked Gorbo.</p>
+
+<p>“When you pull them up. The real ones squeak.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh!” Gorbo did not relish the idea of a night alone in the moonlight
+in these distressful woods, pulling up things <span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span>that squeaked. But there
+was no way out of it. “Very well, Mum,” he said. “And what shall I do
+with Sylvia and Joe?”</p>
+
+<p>“They can stay here with me. The funny man can stay too and look after
+them. Your job is to come back in the morning with at least six nice
+lively mandrakes. It’s rather a swampy place where they grow, but you
+won’t mind that. If any things come and look at you don’t be worried,
+but don’t speak if you can help it because it’s best not to.”</p>
+
+<p>“What sort of things?” asked Gorbo.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, mostly things rather like people, only with big ears and
+slobbering mouths. Oh, and take a stick with you on account of the
+bats. As a rule they’re harmless, but they’ve been known to bite when
+you’re not looking—stooping and so forth. As it’s getting on to night
+you’d better get ready to go now, so here’s a basket. I’ll go with you
+and show you the place.”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo shivered and took the basket, but he did not look enthusiastic.</p>
+
+<p>“None of your sulky looks!” cried the old woman with sudden fury. “Just
+put on those airs and I won’t do a thing for you!”</p>
+
+<p>“I didn’t mean to be sulky, Mum,” said Gorbo. “I’ll go at once.
+You’ll—you’ll look after the little ones, won’t you?” The poor chap
+felt very doubtful about leaving them for the night; Baldry and he had
+sworn a friendship, but he did not have much belief in his power to
+protect them. But there really seemed no way out of it.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s better,” said Mother Meldrum. “Yes, I’ll look after them very
+nicely. You come with me and I’ll show you where they are to sleep;
+then you’ll feel easy in your mind.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-46">
+<h4>The Spare Bedroom</h4>
+
+<p>She called the others and then took a candle and went to a door in the
+darkest corner of the kitchen, which led to a flight of narrow stairs,
+and then to a dark passage above. There were two or three little closed
+doors on either side of the passage, but there were no windows anywhere
+and they had to be careful how they walked, for the floor was very
+uneven and at one place there were two steps up and at another three
+steps down. At the end it turned round a corner, and there was another
+door which led to another narrow flight of stairs and up to a big room,
+full of what seemed to be bundles of herbs hanging from the rafters,
+and with only one tiny window high up near the roof. She went quickly
+over to a door at one end of the room and slammed and locked it, as if
+there was something inside that she didn’t want to come out, then she
+took them to another door at the other end and told them to come in.</p>
+
+<p>They found themselves in a little room, dark like every other part
+of this horrible house, as it had only a small window half hidden by
+creepers and thatch. There was absolutely no furniture in it but a
+four-post bedstead, and a little pair of steps to use when going to
+bed, so high was it from the floor. From the window they could see only
+the gloomy tree-tops fading away in the dusk that was coming on, and a
+glimpse of the moon peeping out from a stormy cloud.</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia stood with Tiger in one arm and held tightly to Gorbo. Baldry
+was doubtfully swinging his bladder stick which with the exception of
+his clothes was his only possession. Nobody looked cheerful except old
+Mother Meldrum, who was quite brisk.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Now you dear little things can go to bed at once,” she said. “There’s
+enough moonlight for you to see by. This funny man can have a bed in
+the kitchen and the Snerg will come with me for a little walk.”</p>
+
+<p>“Are you going to leave us alone, Gorbo?” asked Sylvia in a whisper.</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a woman pointing to an open door."
+src="images/i_p-126.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Yes, Sylvia,” he replied, putting his arms round her, “but I’ll be
+back early in the morning. You see I’ve got to go and help Mother
+Meldrum get some things she wants to help us get across the river and
+back home, so you do as she says and go to sleep.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, come along with you!” cried Mother Meldrum impatiently. “I can’t
+stay here all night. Tumble into bed, both of you!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span></p>
+
+<p>It really seemed that there was nothing else to do. Sylvia took off
+her slinkers and then looked round to see if there was anything in the
+shape of a nightie; but there wasn’t, and the old woman let out such a
+snarl at the delay that both children bolted into bed, all standing,
+as sailors say. Gorbo tucked them up with a patchwork quilt and kissed
+them both very sorrowfully and put the puppy at the foot of the bed;
+then he went out after the others.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s <i>your</i> bed,” said Mother Meldrum to Baldry, pointing to a
+large box with straw in it in the corner of the kitchen. “Curl up and
+go to sleep. Dream of some funny things for to-morrow.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s full of cats,” said Baldry discontentedly, as he looked into the
+box.</p>
+
+<p>“Heave them out then, you helpless loon!” shouted Mother Meldrum.</p>
+
+<p>Baldry sighed deeply and began removing cats. They all growled and spat
+at him, and one bit him finely in the fleshy part of the thumb. Gorbo
+whispered to him to keep a good look out for the children, and then
+picked up his bow and basket and so forth and went out after the old
+woman.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-47">
+
+<h4>What Happened in the Night</h4>
+
+<p>Strange to say, the children dropped off to sleep almost at once. They
+were tired with the long walk and the bed was fairly comfortable, and
+Joe, who, as I have said, was always the true optimist, had comforted
+Sylvia by cheering remarks about everything coming out all right even
+if it was a beast of a house.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span></p>
+
+<p>Joe woke out of a sound sleep with a start. It seemed to him that he
+had heard a loud crack somewhere. He sat up and looked about him,
+wondering where he was. Then he remembered the shape of the little
+window, through which the moonlight was now streaming brightly, just
+touching Sylvia’s curls as she slept peacefully beside him with the
+puppy curled up in a ball behind her neck. He lay down again, and was
+just dropping off again into a delicious sleep when he heard another
+crack, and this time he was out of bed with a jump, for there was a
+dark shadow at the window and the lattice was wide open.</p>
+
+<p>“Joe!” called a whisper, “it’s me, poor old Baldry. Don’t make a sound.”</p>
+
+<p>“What’s wrong,” whispered Joe, creeping to the window.</p>
+
+<p>“Everything. Wake up Sylvia and tell her to come quietly.” Baldry was
+climbing carefully through the window. “We’ve got to get away quickly.”</p>
+
+<p>Joe was a sensible boy (in some ways) and he wasted no time in
+questions but shook Sylvia carefully and then put his hand over her
+mouth and whispered to her not to speak. She rubbed her eyes and stared
+at Baldry. Then she became fully awake.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Joe,” she said, not trembling very much, “I’ll be a sport.” She
+jumped out of bed and put on her slinkers (there were the elements of
+greatness as well of flirtatiousness in that child). Baldry put his
+arms about them so that he could whisper what he had to say.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s a man that’s come in with Mother Meldrum—a giant—and they’re
+down below talking. And I’m pretty sure it’s Golithos.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oo—er!” said Joe with a jump.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span></p>
+
+<div class="img-full-page">
+  <img alt="A drawing of woman looking with surprise at a man, while a jester
+witness this from a window."
+src="images/i_p-129.png">
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Yes, it’s a great big man with lots of hair and whiskers and a great
+silly face, just as you told me. They came in through a back door
+somewhere, so that they wouldn’t wake me I suppose, and they sat
+talking and talking in a back room. So I crept up and looked through a
+little chink and I saw him quite plain, Joe. Horrid sight. And she got
+furious with him and called him a cowardly lubber and said if he didn’t
+do it he shouldn’t have a single bite at them.”</p>
+
+<p>“What did she mean?” asked Joe.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I don’t know what she wanted <i>him</i> to do. But about the
+biting, Joe, I think she meant you and Sylvia.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s scoot!” said Joe.</p>
+
+<p>In a minute or two they had the sheets torn into long strips and
+knotted together, and Sylvia was tied with this handy rope under the
+arms and lowered gently out of the window, holding Tiger tightly to
+her. Joe in the meantime was going down by way of a big creeper that
+grew against the wall, and by which Baldry had climbed up to them. As
+soon as he was on the ground Baldry’s red and yellow legs shot out of
+the window, and in another minute he was down beside them.</p>
+
+<p>“Come along,” he said, grabbing a hand of each one, and running with
+them into the trees, “there’s enough moonlight to find the path, I
+think. But in any case we’ve got to get somewhere else quick.”</p>
+
+<p>“But what about Gorbo?” asked Joe, stopping suddenly. “What’ll he say
+when he finds we’re gone?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, we can’t leave Gorbo behind,” cried Sylvia. “Oh, what are we to
+do?”</p>
+
+<p>“We’ve <i>got</i> to go,” said Baldry. “Golithos has come after you,
+that’s plain. And I’m afraid I’m not much use in a fight; <span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span>I’ve only
+got my little bladder stick. But Gorbo’s a hard little man with lots of
+fight in him, and he’s got his bow and arrows. He’ll be able to look
+after himself all right, and when he finds we’re gone he’ll chase after
+us, you can be sure of that. We’ll go on and hide just outside these
+beastly woods and wait for him to come.”</p>
+
+<p>This seemed reasonable enough, and they started off again at a run.
+But though the moonlight was bright enough when it shone on the path
+there were long stretches where it was quite dark, and Baldry had often
+to walk ahead of the children and feel the way. They moved on slowly,
+sometimes running a bit but more often crawling along, always with the
+thought that they might at any moment hear that dreadful couple coming
+after them and shouting to them to stop; and it shows what a plucky
+girl Sylvia was that she could keep up without a murmur, even though
+her little heart was heavy with fear.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a jester leading two children though
+a forest."
+src="images/i_p-131.png">
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span></p>
+
+<p>At last they found the moonlight giving place to the grey light of
+dawn, and they were filled with joy and thankfulness, for things that
+are terrible in the night seem almost harmless when the day comes. And,
+feeble though the light was yet, it enabled them to pick the path much
+more easily: however bright the moon shines it casts black shadows, but
+the light of day gets behind things.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you think they will come after us?” asked Joe. With the little bit
+of light and the extra speed they were making he felt that the subject
+was at least bearable.</p>
+
+<p>“No,” replied Baldry, “not yet awhile I think. Old Mother Meldrum’s too
+busy jawing and Golithos is too busy eating.”</p>
+
+<p>“What is he eating?” asked Joe, struck with a sudden idea. “Salad?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, Joe, he’d got a lot of big beef bones in his bag and he was biting
+hard at them while he listened to that old beast.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, he’s killed that nice cow!” cried Sylvia. And though she had borne
+all the terrors so bravely she burst out crying at the fate of the
+patient animal that had been so friendly to them and given them milk in
+their sore need.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-48">
+
+
+<h4>The Green Ride</h4>
+
+<p>When at last they came to the end of the dark woods the sun was over
+the tree-tops and everything looked delightfully bright and cheering.
+They raced across the wide stretch of turf that separated them from
+the nice friendly-looking forest on the other side, and they were soon
+resting in a warm spot <span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span>just at the outskirts of some spreading oaks,
+far from the horrible house and the haunted woods.</p>
+
+<p>Baldry said it was best to stay exactly where they were and keep a good
+look out for Gorbo, who would certainly chase after them as soon as he
+came back and found they were gone. Of course if Golithos or the old
+hag came out first it would be necessary to hide closer, and he looked
+round and found a nice place, deep in a thicket of bracken, where fifty
+people could be safely hidden, and to which they could do a bolt at a
+moment’s notice.</p>
+
+<p>But now that they had their minds at rest to some degree, the
+conversation turned on things to eat and drink; there is nothing like
+exercise and fright to give one an appetite. Sylvia said how nice it
+would be to have a hot cup of tea with plenty of milk, and Baldry, who
+belonged to mediæval times and therefore did not know of tea, asked if
+it was anything like hot spiced ale. This led the talk to hot ham, to
+eggs cooked in various ways, and buttered toast. And the result was
+they got ravenous.</p>
+
+<p>Baldry was knitting his brow over the question of how to get breakfast
+when suddenly they heard clanging sounds and the clump of horses’ feet.
+And looking about them they saw a cavalcade of some ten or twelve
+men-at-arms, coming along the green ride with much pomp and glittering
+of steel and high stepping of fine horses. Baldry stared earnestly at
+them and then he gave a satisfied chortle.</p>
+
+<p>“These blokes,” he said (blokes is not the word he used of course, but
+it is the nearest I can get to it in translation), “are the same ones
+who rode up to the castle yesterday and frightened dear Percy away. But
+they didn’t see us, because we got away so quickly, so I think we had
+better see if they <span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span>can spare us a trifle. Men-at-arms generally have
+some bits of food about their persons—cold fried fish and sausage and
+the like—and they’re generally good-natured on a fine morning. And
+if they give us some little pieces of money instead we can buy some
+breakfast somewhere—if there’s a house anywhere in these wild parts.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right,” said Joe, starting up. “Come along, Sylvia.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, wait a bit,” said Baldry, “this wants thinking out. To make this
+thing a success we have to appeal to them in some quaint way. I’ve got
+it! You go first, Joe, turning somersaults; that will make them stop
+and wonder. Then you go next, Sylvia, and drop a nice little curtsey
+and smile at them; that will put them in a good humour. Then I’ll come
+along walking on my hands, and that will make it a sure thing and they
+should unbelt at once. First of all let’s make ourselves look nice.”</p>
+
+<p>The children were highly interested and Sylvia asked him if he had a
+comb. But he had not, so she fluffed out her curls with her fingers
+and then knelt over a little forest pool close by to make sure that
+she looked rather fetching. (She was her mother’s daughter all right
+enough.) Joe tucked his shirt in neatly and tightened his belt, and
+Baldry practised an expression of attractive mirth.</p>
+
+<p>The horsemen approached at an easy walk and they could see the face
+of the leader, an able-looking person whose well-fitting and polished
+mail and golden spurs proclaimed him a knight in a prosperous line of
+business. He rode with his visor raised, talking to one whose plain
+steel spurs and armour devoid of fancy trimmings showed that he was as
+yet but a squire. In the still morning air their voices came clearly to
+the little waiting group.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span></p>
+
+<p>“In sooth, good Baldwin,” he was saying, “there is now little chance of
+honourable adventure in the land. But yester morn I had hope of running
+a course with the scurril Sir Percival, who has dared to raise his
+lobster eyes to my mistress and to brag forsooth that she has sent him
+forth seeking advancement to grace her name. But the pestilent knave
+fled and my hope was dashed to the ground—which is a pity, because
+that’s what I meant to do to him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Good, my lord,” said the squire, “’tis likely that the Lady Gwendoline
+did but tell him to chase himself. So at least went the gossip at the
+buttery hatch.”</p>
+
+<p>“My lady has a pretty wit, and perchance she put her answer in such
+wise that the moth-eaten rascal has construed it to his own undoing—or
+at least to his grievous waste of time. But what mummery have we here,
+good Baldwin?”</p>
+
+<p>It was Joe, turning brisk somersaults, and the leader halted his horse
+and stared down at him. Joe sprang at him and clasped his mailed leg
+with his arms, as Baldry had told him to, and loudly asked for charity.</p>
+
+<p>“Unhand my left leg, thou wanton!” cried the leader. “Who told you to
+behave like this?—But whom else have we here?”</p>
+
+<p>This was Sylvia, who came tripping up and dropped a dainty curtsey,
+smiling very prettily at him.</p>
+
+<p>“By my hilt, a right winsome little lass! Is she not, Baldwin?”</p>
+
+<p>“Ay, my lord, she has hair like ripe corn and merry blue eyes, and her
+cheeks are like rose leaves in the morn. A pretty maid—and a saucy, I
+warrant me.”</p>
+
+<p>“You silly thing!” said Sylvia, pretending to be coy; “I <span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span>don’t believe
+you.” (This sort of behaviour came quite naturally to her.)</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a knight on horseback looking down on a child."
+src="images/i_p-136.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Nay, little lass,” said the leader, smiling good-humouredly, “for the
+sake of your pretty looks I have here a silver groat”—he pulled off
+his mailed glove and fished about in a <span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span>little steel pocket in his
+<i>cuisses</i>, or thigh armour—a quaint little pocket that shut with
+a spring. “I <i>know</i> I had a groat somewhere—Ah, here we have it!”
+He bent down and placed the coin in Sylvia’s little palm and patted her
+cheek. “And if you are hungered my good squire has half a fat capon
+which he borrowed—But whom <i>else</i> have we here?”</p>
+
+<p>Whom else they had was of course Baldry, who came along, walking
+upside-down and singing “When woods are green and foules sing,” a truly
+difficult feat before breakfast you will say. When opposite the knight
+he sprang right side up and cut a dexterous caper—and then stared in
+horror.</p>
+
+<p>“Scurril rogue!” roared the knight, catching him by the collar with a
+grip of iron. “At last we have thee who dared to put so scandalous a
+jest upon His Majesty! Ho, there, seize me this knave and loose him not
+till he be safe in the royal dungeon.”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-2-49">
+<h4>Captives</h4>
+
+<p>Words cannot describe the dismay and mental confusion of Joe and Sylvia
+at this unhappy change of fortune, or I should certainly try for it.
+Their pleadings that Baldry be allowed to remain with them met with no
+satisfactory response from the leader, and when they exclaimed against
+his conduct in taking away their companion and protector and leaving
+them alone in the forest, he merely stated that all this talk was
+unnecessary for they were coming along too. I will pass briefly over
+their indignation at this new tyranny; of how Joe in the first flush
+of his wrath called the knight “Blighter!” or how Sylvia stroked his
+mail-clad hand and implored him not to be <span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span>a beast. Suffice it to say
+that all was of no avail and that they were lifted up and placed each
+in front of a stalwart man-at-arms, while Baldry was ordered to mount a
+spare horse they had with them.</p>
+
+<p>Strange to say, now that Baldry was captured and there was no way out
+of it, he took the matter with more philosophy than might be expected.
+He climbed up on the horse as he was told, loudly calling all to
+witness that he was doing so under protest, and seated himself facing
+the tail; and when the squire, Baldwin, sternly reproved him for his
+folly he apologized in such ironical terms that the men-at-arms were
+forced to turn away their heads to hide a smile. Encouraged by this he
+broke loudly into song, but here the knight took a hand in the matter
+and ordered them to tie his mouth up with a kerchief. Then he placed
+himself at the head of his men, gave an order, and the troop turned
+round and went back over the green ride.</p>
+
+<p>Truly a bitter result of the children’s folly and disobedience to find
+themselves borne far from their faithful friend Gorbo, to become the
+captives of a king of ruthless fame.</p>
+
+<p>And as the troop rode on, two and two, old Mother Meldrum was standing,
+out of breath, at the edge of the dark wood, glaring at them from under
+her hand and muttering deep curses.</p>
+</section>
+</section>
+
+<hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<section class="break" id="part-3">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span></p>
+
+  <h3><i>Part III</i></h3>
+
+
+<section id="part-3-50">
+<h4>The Doings at Home</h4>
+
+
+<p>It will be well at this point of the narrative to return to the land
+of the Snergs and consider the doings of King Merse II and his friend
+Vanderdecken.</p>
+
+<p>During their conference they had come to the decision that the children
+and Gorbo must have got by some strange chance to the other side of the
+river and were wandering about in the unknown country beyond, where not
+even a Snerg had penetrated, or, for the matter of that, ever wished
+to penetrate. There was nothing for it, therefore, but to devise some
+means of following them there in force and rescuing them; though from
+what dangers they were to be rescued no man could say.</p>
+
+<p>Vanderdecken had considered carefully and asked whether, as the river
+must reach the sea at some point, they could go along the coast and
+cross it at its mouth. But King Merse told him that not only was it
+very far to where the river came to the sea, but the country between
+was all chasms and inaccessible cliffs, or else wild, matted jungle
+coming down to the shore (which was full of quicksands) and that it
+would take a week’s hard travel to get half-way there—that is to say,
+to the part where it began to be really difficult—which put the lid on
+that suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>Then Vanderdecken asked if there was any narrow part of <span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span>the river, and
+he was told there was one point, some league or so from the town, where
+the cliffs were not so very wide apart. But to make up for that they
+were very high, and more than steep because they leaned over the river,
+which rushed fiercely below almost in darkness, so far down was it.
+Short of flying over, said the King, there was no way to pass there.</p>
+
+<p>But Vanderdecken asked him to step out on the ground what he thought
+would be about the distance across, and when this was done he nodded in
+a satisfied way. Then he asked if there were trees on the farther side,
+and being told there were many trees on both sides, growing close to
+the edge of the cliffs he said, “This will be like drinking Schnapps,”
+and (his own words reminding him) took the King in to have some. After
+a little more conference, he arranged to meet him at the town on the
+following morning as I have already related.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of two men sitting on chairs drinking from chalices."
+src="images/i_p-140.png">
+</div>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-51">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span></p>
+
+
+<h4>The Ingenuity of Vanderdecken</h4>
+
+<p>In addition to their weapons and personal belongings the Dutchmen had
+taken some ship’s gear with them. It consisted of the following:</p>
+
+
+<ul>
+  <li>1 long stout rope (spare topsail halyard).</li>
+  <li>1 coil of thin rope.</li>
+  <li>1 small anchor (belonging to the longboat).</li>
+  <li>1 stout iron bar (spare handle of deck pump).</li>
+  <li>1 strong net of rope (used for hoisting out of the hold).</li>
+  <li>2 saws.</li>
+  <li>3 axes.</li>
+  <li>4 adzes.</li>
+  <li>1 two-inch auger.</li>
+  <li>1 big hammer.</li>
+  <li>1 bag of nails and other small matters.</li>
+</ul>
+
+<p>On arriving at the narrow part of the river, Vanderdecken walked to
+and fro with his mate, looking at all points. At length he stopped and
+said, “This is where we get busy.”</p>
+
+<p>The opposite cliff was not very far away (possibly about two hundred
+feet) and there were many trees about, growing close to the edge, as
+the King had said. Far below could be seen flashes of white where the
+torrent broke into foam as it roared on in the gloom.</p>
+
+<p>A tall young tree, of a springy character, was cut down and the
+branches were lopped off. Two sides were then cut away until it looked
+something like a very long thick plank; the Snergs working at it with
+great fury, so that the air was full of chips. Then they....</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span></p>
+
+<p>No, on second thoughts I consider it inadvisable to give a detailed
+description of the device which Vanderdecken made. It would be to turn
+from a narrative of adventure (with a moral) to a cheap treatise on
+mechanics. Let it suffice to say that with great labour of all hands he
+made a fairly good imitation of a Roman <i>balista</i>, which was so
+useful in inducing besieged peoples to be reasonable by heaving tons of
+rock at them. This shows the advantage of a classical education.</p>
+
+<p>Instead of rock he was going to heave the anchor, with the rope
+attached to it and neatly coiled up, to the other side of the river.
+The other end of the rope was tied to a tree, and all that had to be
+done was to cut another rope that acted as the trigger of this deadly
+arrangement.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-52">
+
+<h4>How they Passed Over the River</h4>
+
+<p>Vanderdecken carefully inspected the completed arrangements and, after
+warning some enthusiastic Snergs to stand a little further off, drew
+his cutlass. One dexterous slash and the rope parted, there was a
+terrific jarr that shook some of the lighter Snergs off their feet,
+and the anchor flew across the river like an ungainly bird, the rope
+uncoiling in the air behind it, and crashed into the trees on the
+opposite side. The Snergs raised a joyful cheer, but the Dutchmen,
+being phlegmatic, did not. Instead, they grabbed the rope and hauled it
+in. A dozen pairs of extra hands had it in a moment, and hauled with a
+will to the tune of “Fifteen men.” The rope grew taut—then slipped.
+They hauled away, and it caught again—slipped <span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span>once more, and caught
+again. And this time it had caught firmly, for all hands were pulling
+and the rope was as taut as a rod. It was belayed smartly round a tree
+and lashed securely, and a moment later a Snerg was hanging on to it
+and going across with swift jerks.</p>
+
+<p>He disappeared in the foliage (the first Snerg to arrive on the other
+side; he got a decoration for it). A minute later he came running to
+the edge of the cliff and shouted that all was well; the anchor had
+caught firmly, with each fluke round a small but sufficient tree trunk.
+The job was done. Here was a road to the unknown land quite good enough
+for seamen, and more than good enough for Snergs, who can climb like
+startled cats.</p>
+
+<p>Vanderdecken expressed his satisfaction at the successful result, for
+if the anchor trick had proved a failure it would have been necessary
+to pad a Snerg up with lots of straw and shoot him across with a line
+attached so that he could haul the rope over after arrival. There was a
+great deal of resource and determination about this sea captain.</p>
+
+<p>It was waxing late, for the construction of the device had taken the
+greater part of the day, and there was no time to be lost if they
+were all to get over before night. The rope was only as thick as a
+fair-sized broom handle so it was decided that they would have to pass
+over at long distances apart in order not to put too great a strain on
+it, but they were told to move in lively fashion. Vanderdecken and the
+King went first, and then the others—thirty-three Dutch seamen and two
+hundred and one Snergs (the odd one was the trumpeter)—each carrying
+his weapons and kit securely lashed to him because the position of
+travel was of course upside-down, and it was quite dark before the
+last one got over. Camp fires were <span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span>soon burning brightly and each
+man prepared his bed, of chopped-up ferns. Sentries were posted in an
+orderly way, steel casques and breastplates being compulsory. Then,
+after a hasty supper, they turned in for the night.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-53">
+
+<h4>Boot and Saddle</h4>
+
+<p>This heading is not quite correct because, though they had boots they
+had no saddles, but it means that they were off. The trumpet blew a
+full hour before daybreak, and by the time the dawn came they had
+had some breakfast and were all ready. King Merse, who had something
+of Napoleon’s ability, left full directions with a crowd of fifty
+Snergs who had remained for the night on the Snerg side of the river.
+They were to divide into two lots, one for each side, and the lot on
+the enemy side was to dig a deep semicircular trench and make a high
+semicircular wall to defend the point where the rope was anchored. The
+lots were to change places every third day. And until they saw the
+Expeditionary Force returning they were to send a daily messenger to
+the town to say that all was well—meaning that nothing had happened
+so far—and this message was to be forwarded on to Miss Watkyns by
+a special runner. It is indeed terrible to think that all this fuss
+should be caused by the folly and disobedience of two shrimps like
+Sylvia and Joe.</p>
+
+<p>The force started off in the direction of some rising ground, from
+which they would be able to reconnoitre the country. Four agile
+Snergs went some quarter of a mile ahead, and behind came the main
+body, in fours, led by Vanderdecken <span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span>and the King. The former wore
+wide boots with tops like buckets and a sea-cap of fur, and carried
+a long deadly-looking musket. The latter wore an inlaid cuirass and
+steel casque and a sword of proof. In his hand he swung a double-edged
+battle-axe and altogether he looked very serviceable for his size. The
+Snergs that remained behind watched them marching away into the unknown
+land, until the trees hid them from view and they could be seen no
+more, and even the clumping of the Dutchmen’s sea-boots died away.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-54">
+
+<h4>The First Day’s March</h4>
+
+<p>It was late in the afternoon when the Expeditionary Force halted on a
+hill and surveyed with interest a little distant cluster of towers.
+It was the first sign of habitation they had met with in a long, hard
+march.</p>
+
+<p>Their preliminary inspection of the country in the morning had shown
+them only gently rolling plains, with patches of dense woods here
+and there, which seemed to be quite uninhabited, so it was a toss-up
+which way they should take. Vanderdecken had said that since they did
+not know the proper course to steer it was best to make one and stick
+to it; even if it led them away from the lost ones the same might be
+said of any course, and they had to go somewhere. So they selected
+sou’west-by-west and tramped it steadily for many hours, marvelling at
+the strange absence of natives or roads or houses. Nor were there signs
+of dragons or unicorns or other fierce fauna rumoured to be in the land
+beyond the river. The fiercest thing they saw was a huge rabbit, with
+<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span>claws; and all that it did was to make a nasty face at them and run
+away.</p>
+
+<p>The course was changed after a midday rest and they went
+sou’east-by-south, Vanderdecken having given his opinion that since
+they had met with nothing to guide them in the search it would be
+best to go about on the other tack, which means to go zigzag. And so
+at last they came to the hill-top and saw the distant towers, deep in
+waving woods. The direction was taken, and they went down and through
+the trees, and another couple of hours’ march brought them to the same
+compact little stronghold in which, two days before, the wanderers they
+were searching for had made themselves so much at home.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of two men with a gun looking a fleeing rabbit."
+src="images/i_p-146.png">
+</div>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-55">
+
+<h4>The Mysterious Castle Again</h4>
+
+<p>King Merse did not leave things to chance. He sent Snergs ahead in
+pairs, as is advocated by militarists, and the main body came behind.
+The scouts reported that the castle, though prosperous-looking, did not
+appear to be a scene of activity. With the exception of smoke coming
+from what they thought (and hoped) was a kitchen chimney, there was no
+sign of life about it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span></p>
+
+<p>The Dutchmen re-primed their muskets and the Snergs got their bows
+ready, and all approached and halted by the door in the outer wall;
+then King Merse ordered his trumpeter to blow the horn which hung
+outside.</p>
+
+<p>I may mention that it had been decided that, to save time and
+provisions, the country should be treated as an enemy country until the
+contrary was proved.</p>
+
+<p>The trumpeter blew (not inaptly) the Snerg equivalent of “Come to the
+cookhouse door,” and after a brief interval a face appeared looking
+down at them from the wall. It was a fat, pompous face, to which all
+hands took an instinctive, but perhaps slightly unreasonable, dislike.</p>
+
+<p>“What want ye, my masters?” said the face, looking contemptuously at
+them.</p>
+
+<p>“It would take too long to tell all we want,” replied King Merse, “but
+just at this moment we want to come in and eat. We will tell you the
+rest later.”</p>
+
+<p>“And that may not be,” said the man, “for my lord is away and he has
+given me strict orders to admit no one except on business.”</p>
+
+<p>“But eating is right good business,” replied the King. “Come, good
+fellow, do not keep us waiting.”</p>
+
+<p>“I fear you will have to eat elsewhere,” the man said. “This castle
+seems to be getting too popular with vagrants. But two days agone
+some scurril knaves came in my temporary absence and ate a few scores
+of eggs and a ham and left me to wash up after them. Be advised,
+therefore, and go before I become an angered.”</p>
+
+<p>King Merse, who was not the sort to waste time in unprofitable chat,
+turned to his men.</p>
+
+<p>“Burst me open this door,” he said.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Nay, if you be so hardy in your ways,” cried the man with a sudden
+change of tone, “I’ll even open to you. But I warn you that my lord is
+terrible in his wrath.”</p>
+
+<p>The door opened and there appeared before them a stout person, wearing
+a long gown and a chain and carrying a wand of office, who was
+evidently the steward of the castle. “Ay, terrible,” he went on. “If
+he comes back and finds you here—oh, well, if you won’t listen, you
+won’t.” He concluded on a peevish note, for the King and Vanderdecken
+were going ahead of their men towards the wide stone steps that led to
+the main door of the building, which stood open.</p>
+
+<p>Within they found a commodious hall furnished with long tables and
+benches, and with a raised dais at the end on which was a table of
+superior finish and several carved arm-chairs.</p>
+
+<p>“And now, good fellow,” said the King, after removing his steel
+headpiece and seating himself at his ease, “to whom does this castle
+belong?”</p>
+
+<p>“To the famed Sir Bevis, Lord of the King’s marches,” replied the
+steward, who had followed him in and who now seemed to think this a
+case for discretion. “He guards the land against chance attack from the
+fierce and cruel Snergs, who live on the other side of the deep river.
+And now I must ask who you are and why——”</p>
+
+<p>“And now tell me if you have seen two children wandering in these
+parts, or if you have heard of two children wandering here. They should
+be with a man of about my size.”</p>
+
+<p>“I have seen no dwarf—I mean, no gentleman of your size. But I have
+seen two children this very morning.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where?” demanded the King, starting up.</p>
+
+<p>“In the woods, gathering berries. But perchance it were an error to
+call them children, for the youngest is sixteen and <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149"></a><a id="Page_150"></a>[Pg 150]</span>a stout varlet
+for his age, and the other is some two years older and has a slight
+beard. They are the sons of my gossip Hugh, the miller, and idle
+vagabonds both as I have often said to Hugh and advised him to try what
+rods will do, for if a child——”</p>
+
+<div class="img-full-page">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a cleric speaking with a king, with several
+soldiers watching."
+src="images/i_p-149.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Forget them,” interrupted the King, seating himself again. “Now, good
+fellow, tell me where your ruler lives, and how far it is from here.”</p>
+
+<p>“His Majesty, King Kul lives (as all men should know) at Banrive, which
+is a day’s march from here. And now I must insist——”</p>
+
+<p>“Then we will rest here to-night and leave on that day’s march by dawn
+to-morrow. In the meantime we would eat.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nay, fair sir, that I cannot allow. If my lord——”</p>
+
+<p>“We will need,” said the King, “some good meaty matter (such as pork)
+as a groundwork. And as beans go well with pork let there be beans
+also.”</p>
+
+<p>“And some beer,” suggested Vanderdecken.</p>
+
+<p>“<i>And</i> some beer of course. So see to it, for we would eat
+quickly, and rest. And talking of rest, where is your lord’s
+bedchamber?”</p>
+
+<p>“It is here,” said the steward, opening a door and displaying a large
+room with two canopied beds in it. “But I fear I cannot allow you to
+use my lord’s best beds, for if——”</p>
+
+<p>“You take that one,” said the King to Vanderdecken, pointing to the
+largest bed. “It looks very comfortable.”</p>
+
+<p>“No,” replied Vanderdecken politely, “<i>you</i> take it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I should really like you to have it,” said the King.</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s flip for it,” suggested Vanderdecken, producing a piece of
+eight. “Sudden death.”</p>
+
+<p>“Heads!” said the King.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Tails,” said Vanderdecken, displaying the coin. “Sorry, old chap.” He
+got into bed (with his sea-boots on) to see how it felt. “Very nice.
+We’ll have a good sleep to-night anyhow.”</p>
+
+<p>They went back to their men and directed proceedings. Some men went out
+to fetch straw to sleep on, others went to the kitchen and instructed
+by Vanderdecken’s cook (whose soup was the cause of all these
+adventures) prepared some choice food (he was very good at sea-pie),
+and drew off many gallons of strong beer to wash it down. The steward
+followed them about with a pen and ink-horn and a piece of parchment,
+entering against each item taken what he conceived to be the highest
+tavern rates. A faithful fellow, but something of an ass.</p>
+
+<p>When the meal was over sentries were posted on the walls and the others
+lay down on the straw. The King and Vanderdecken retired to their beds
+after giving orders that they were to be roused an hour before the dawn.</p>
+
+<p>“I say, this <i>is</i> comfort,” said Vanderdecken, plumping up a
+feather pillow. “By the way, let’s hope we find those youngsters pretty
+soon.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” agreed the King. “Because if we don’t, we’ll be forced to
+introduce battle, murder and sudden death into these parts, and I want
+to avoid that if I can.”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-56">
+
+<h4>How Gorbo Gathered Mandrakes</h4>
+
+<p>When at last Gorbo desisted from his damp job of looking for mandrakes,
+the dawn was breaking. It seemed to him that his back was breaking
+also, for he had stooped and stooped and pulled at roots almost without
+pause throughout the dismal <span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span>night. He rested awhile on a fallen log
+and tried to rest his spine, taking quick looks behind him at intervals.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a snerg gathering mandrakes while bats fly over him."
+src="images/i_p-152.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>It <i>had</i> been a night. Not only were the true mandrakes extremely
+rare—after hours and hours of search he had only got six that he was
+pretty sure of—but he had been worried by his surroundings. Leaving
+out the bats, who were troublesome enough, he had been in continuous
+doubt of the things that lurked in the black shade of the trees round
+about, things rather like men, but with little furious faces and big
+pointed ears and mouths that slobbered, who gibbered and pointed at
+him in the moonlight. There was one fat pale thing, who if he was not
+a ghoul was extremely like one, and he had come and sat under a holly
+bush, staring earnestly at him for hours and hours, and occasionally
+shrieking with laughter. Gorbo was not superstitious in the ordinary
+sense of the word, but the night had left him nervy, if I may be
+allowed the expression; <span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span>especially as he had been warned not to speak
+while at the job and he wanted so much to relieve his feelings by
+saying things. In fact if cold fingers had touched him on the back of
+the neck while he was resting on the log, I think he would have jumped
+to quite a height; and I do not blame him, for I know that I should
+have done very much the same.</p>
+
+<p>However, here he had six mandrakes in the basket and the night was
+past. He got up and made his way along the trail back to Mother
+Meldrum’s house, and hoped that part of his troubles were over, as she
+could now get busy with spells and the like, and so get the little
+doors open. There would be, of course, the wood of twisted trees to
+pass on the other side; but he had hopes that he would not find this
+too difficult, since he had learned quite a lot of common sense in the
+last two or three days and he would apply it. Let him but get to the
+other side of the river, he thought, and he would soon find a way to
+get the children safely home.</p>
+
+<p>He called out for Sylvia and Joe as he came near the house; but there
+was no reply, no running of little feet to greet him. He went quickly
+to the kitchen door and pushed it open, but there was nobody there. He
+called again loudly and anxiously, and then a door at the side of the
+fireplace opened and Golithos came out, stooping almost double to get
+through.</p>
+
+<p>“Hullo,” he said in an unfriendly tone, “what do <i>you</i> want?”</p>
+
+<p>“Where are those children?” demanded Gorbo, as soon as he had recovered
+from his surprise.</p>
+
+<p>“Children? How should I know? I’m not a nursery-maid.”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo dropped his basket and switched his bow round to have it handy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Oh, leave that bow of yours alone!” cried Golithos, changing his tone.
+“You’re always making me nervous with the beastly thing. The little
+ones went away in the night along with the funny man, Mother Meldrum
+says, and <i>I</i> don’t know where they are. How should I?”</p>
+
+<p>“Where’s she gone to?” said Gorbo after a miserable moment. “Quick!”</p>
+
+<p>“She ran out to look for them. Oh, do put it down! It’s not my fault,
+is it?”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo stood with his face all twisted with dismay, staring up at the
+other. What had happened now? He thought and thought, but could make
+nothing of it.</p>
+
+<p>“Sit down and make yourself at home,” said Golithos after a moment,
+taking a seat on a stool by the fireplace. “She’ll be back soon I
+expect.”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo sat down after a moment or two and stared at the fire and
+thought. Golithos looked awkwardly at him from time to time, but did
+not speak. And so they sat in silence until a brisk step was heard
+without and Gorbo started up.</p>
+
+<p>The door opened with a crash and Mother Meldrum appeared, looking
+horribly gaunt and ugly and angry in a long outdoor cloak and a high
+peaked hat.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, so you’re back, are you?” she said.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Mum. But where’s Sylvia and Joe?”</p>
+
+<p>“They’re gone—the little fools!”</p>
+
+<p>“Gone <i>where</i>?” cried Gorbo.</p>
+
+<p>“You keep civil!” shouted the old woman. “Don’t you bellow at me!”</p>
+
+<p>“No, Mum, I won’t,” said poor Gorbo. “But where have they gone
+to—please?”</p>
+
+<p>“King Kul will have them by to-night. Them and the <span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span>funny man. I ran
+after them when I found they’d gone, but I was just too late. The funny
+man was on one horse—with his mouth tied up, which shows they’ve got
+some sense—and those fool children were each sitting in front of a
+rider. Now perhaps they’re wishing they hadn’t run away from old Mother
+Meldrum.”</p>
+
+<p>“Which way did they go?” cried Gorbo, making for the door. “I’ll catch
+them up——”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, will you? Well, if you think you can catch mounted men when
+they’ve got a two hours’ start, or if you think you could do anything
+if you <i>did</i> catch up with them, you’re a bigger fool than you
+look—and that’s saying a good deal.”</p>
+
+<p>“But—but what did they run away for?” asked Gorbo, struck with a new
+doubt.</p>
+
+<p>“How do I know? I was sitting talking to this harmless old bunch of
+nerves” (indicating Golithos) “who’d come to pay me a neighbourly
+visit, when I thought I’d give a look at them to see that they were
+quite comfortable. And when I got up there the room was empty and the
+window was open and they’d gone. And the funny man was gone too. So I
+just went after them, and got sight of them just too late. King Kul’s
+got them all right. I suppose the funny man told them to go. He’s
+noodle enough for anything. But if you really want to save them, I’ll
+tell you the only way how.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, thank you, Mum!” exclaimed Gorbo.</p>
+
+<p>“But first I’m going to have breakfast.” She threw off her cloak and
+began clattering the pots and pans about. “I’m not going to starve for
+those brats.”</p>
+
+<p>“If I hadn’t been all the night getting those mandrakes,” said Gorbo,
+tearing at his hair, “I wouldn’t have lost them. Oh, I <i>am</i> the
+biggest fool after all!”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span></p>
+
+<p>“You’re near it at any rate.” Mother Meldrum had stopped in her work
+and picked up the basket he had brought. “Is this what you call
+mandrakes?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Mum,” replied Gorbo humbly. “It seemed to me they squeaked a
+little when I pulled them up.”</p>
+
+<p>“Common swamp parsnips!” said Mother Meldrum with bitter scorn,
+flinging them out of the door. “So that’s all the good <i>you</i> are.
+Yah!”</p>
+
+<p>She turned away and went on with her cooking.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo sat down and buried his face in his hands. Blow after blow. Not
+only had he lost the children, but he had lost them while searching
+throughout a hard disagreeable night for a few worthless specimens of
+the common swamp parsnip (<i>Avacabolis communis</i>). Life really did
+not seem worth living to him.</p>
+
+<p>“Liven up!” said the old woman after a while. “I’ll show you the way to
+save them, as I said; you trust to old Mother Meldrum. Meantime you’d
+better eat.”</p>
+
+<p>She dished up a huge platter of kidneys, small sausages and bacon, and
+an omelette. The exquisite savour of these, together with her proffer
+of help, brought some cheer to the sore heart of Gorbo and he drew up
+his stool to the table and ate gratefully. The kidneys were cooked to
+perfection, the omelette had been made by the hand of an artist. Mother
+Meldrum was wicked and cruel and ugly and feared by all, but there was
+that in her which goes far to redeem the character of the vilest—she
+<i>could</i> cook.</p>
+
+<p>“Golithos only eats grass and such like,” she said with a fiendish
+laugh, “so he can finish up this bit of raw cabbage. Eat hearty,
+Golithos.”</p>
+
+<p>Golithos drew up his stool with a discontented look and <span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span>picked
+daintily at the cabbage, eating with his front teeth only as if he
+had no appetite for it. He looked longingly at the mixed grill, but
+his fear of Mother Meldrum was great and he kept silent. She told him
+(while drawing a pot of foaming beer for Gorbo) that he would find all
+the water he wanted and more in the water-butt outside.</p>
+
+<p>Breakfast being over she sat and considered awhile, casting an
+occasional glance at Golithos. It was evident that she desired him out
+of the way; and it is usually a delicate matter to convey to a third
+person that he is what the French call <i>de trop</i>. But she managed
+it.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a snerg being served a meal."
+src="images/i_p-157.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Golithos,” she said suddenly, “get to blazes out of this. Go outside
+and stay by that tree stump over there so that I can see you’re not
+listening.”</p>
+
+<p>Golithos got up and moved blunderingly out of the door and stood where
+she had told him to, looking sulkily about him.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-57">
+
+<h4>The Cozening of Gorbo</h4>
+
+<p>“He’s a slow-witted one if ever there was one,” Mother Meldrum
+remarked. “You’re not much, but you’re better than he is. Now what
+I have to tell you is this. Those children are in deadly peril—now
+don’t start interrupting me, or I’ll leave you to settle it yourself.
+You don’t know about King Kul, but I do. If I were to tell you only
+half the things he’s done it would make each one of those coarse hairs
+of yours stand up, and as that wouldn’t be a pretty sight I won’t do
+it. But I’ll tell you he’s the fiercest and cruellest beast that ever
+brandished a sceptre. Now the only way to save those children from a
+horrible fate—at the least having their heads cut off as obtrusive
+foreigners—is for you to kill him. I’m not counting the funny man at
+all; he’s a goner in any case.”</p>
+
+<p>“But—but surely, Mum,” said Gorbo in great horror, “no man would kill
+two harmless little things like them! Why, it simply isn’t done!”</p>
+
+<p>The old woman laughed scornfully. “Poor innocent old Foozelum. Why, he
+does things like that for fun. It’s a saying of his that he loves to
+see a little head bounce off its stalk. Of course you haven’t heard
+about the infants’ class at the Sunday School. However, don’t let’s go
+into disagreeable details; the main thing is that somebody has got to
+finish him off. I’ve tried to get Golithos to do the job, but he hasn’t
+any pluck now and I’m tired of arguing with him. Now, will you do it?
+Remember it’s the only possible way of saving those little ones.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Mum,” replied Gorbo, springing up. “You just <span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span>show me the way
+there and I’ll see what I can do with my little bow.”</p>
+
+<p>“You needn’t trouble about your little bow. In the first place you’d
+never be able to get through the guards so as to have a shot at him.
+There’s only one way to do it surely, and it’s lucky you’ve got an
+experienced witch to tell you how.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll do it any way you say, Mum; so long as I can do it quick.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the sort of man I like,” she said approvingly. “Just wait here
+a bit.”</p>
+
+<p>She went out, and Gorbo sat in a state of horror and dismay. Here was a
+terrible result of his fatheadedness! To know that the innocent little
+ones were in the power of a tyrant who loved to see small heads bounce
+off—to know that if he had not tempted them to visit the twisted trees
+they would have been long ago safe in their own home—to realize that
+his name would be held for ever in execration among the Snergs as the
+fool who led the two children to captivity and death! No wonder he
+bowed his head and moaned in anguish and wept.</p>
+
+<p>Mother Meldrum returned with a long thin bundle under her arm. “Now
+then, waterworks,” she said, in coarse allusion to his tears, “sit up
+and pay attention for there must be no mistake here.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Mum.” Gorbo sat up and listened eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>“First, you’ll have to get into the King’s palace without being seen.
+And the only way to do that is to wear a cap of invisibility. Here
+it is” (producing a seedy looking article). “It is seven hundred
+years old, which accounts for its being a bit out of fashion, but it
+works all right. Take it and be careful<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span> never to put it on until you
+actually need it, because it only works once with one person. If you
+were to put it on now you would be invisible for about ten minutes.
+Then its power—with you—would be gone for ever. Do you understand?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Mum. You mean I must only use it when I get into the palace.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve got it. You’re improving a bit. Now the next thing is
+<i>this</i>.” She produced a long whippy sapling and swished it in the
+air.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Mum. And what do I do with that?”</p>
+
+<p>“This,” she said impressively, “is a sword of sharpness. The instant
+you smite with it it turns into a sword, and any person you smite will
+be cut into two halves. It belonged originally to a cousin of Queen
+Mab; he used it to clear up some family trouble. But remember that when
+you have smitten it once it becomes a sapling again and its power goes
+for ever—that is, as far as you are concerned.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Mum. You mean that if I swot the King with it he will be cut into
+two bits.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s it. And it will look rather well; sorry I won’t be there to
+see it. Now when you have done this there will probably be more than a
+little excitement and it will be advisable for you to get out of the
+way for a time. You see when the tyrant is dead the people will rise up
+in their power and celebrate by freeing all the unhappy prisoners and
+so forth, and that, of course, will save those dear little children.
+But <i>you</i> had better go for a little run.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Mum. But how do I manage it?”</p>
+
+<p>“These” (producing a very shabby pair of slippers) “are shoes of
+swiftness. The moment you have done the deed, <span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span>slip these on and run.
+But I advise you not to run too much or you may find yourself in
+Mesopotamia or in the middle of the ocean or somewhere. Just a few
+brisk steps will be enough, and even then it will take you half the
+night to walk back, because these, like the cap and sword, only work
+once. When you get back again you will be hailed as a great and good
+man and the dear little things will be delivered over to you safe and
+sound. Also your friend the funny man, if you really need him. So
+here’s everything, nicely wrapped up. Do exactly as I’ve told you, and
+remember that if you make a mess of it, the children’s ghosts will
+haunt you—carrying their little heads under their arms.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll start now,” cried Gorbo, taking the bundle containing the
+wonderful treasures and his bow and other matters and making for the
+door. “Just tell me the road.”</p>
+
+<p>“Turn to the left when you get out of the wood and go along the green
+drive for a mile or two. Then you’ll hit the high road which leads
+straight to the town. So go to it!”</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a snerg walking away from a cottage into a forest."
+src="images/i_p-161.png">
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span></p>
+
+<p>Gorbo thanked her briefly but fervently and darted off down the path.
+Mother Meldrum watched him disappear in the trees and then went back
+and sat down and laughed until she shook with horrid merriment.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-58">
+
+<h4>A Fearful Bargain</h4>
+
+<p>After a few minutes’ enjoyment of her secret jest she called to
+Golithos to approach, and he came in looking very sulky and seated
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>“Where have you sent that Snerg to?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Ah,” she replied, “that’s telling.” And she went on chuckling.</p>
+
+<p>“Now,” she said after a time, “let’s get to business. Are you going
+to take my offer or not? I may as well warn you (if you haven’t found
+it out yet) that I’m a bit short-tempered, and if you get obstinate
+with me I’ve ways of making all kinds of trouble for you. I’m not an
+experienced witch for nothing.”</p>
+
+<p>Golithos scratched his head in a discontented way. “It’s so dangerous,”
+he said at length.</p>
+
+<p>“So it is to make me annoyed. Now then, answer up! Will you kill the
+King if I get those young ones for you?”</p>
+
+<p>“But you haven’t got them to give.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yah! I can get them back easily enough if I make up my mind to do
+it—and if you make it worth my while.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but—but why didn’t you get that Snerg to kill him. He’s fool
+enough.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, he is—a bit worse than you in some ways, and that’s why I sent
+him out of the way. But the reason is that I’ve <span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span>found out by black
+magic that if the King is killed at all it will be done by an ogre, and
+you’re the only one left in these parts. So now you know.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh! So that’s it, is it?—And does your magic say what will happen to
+the ogre?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, it says he’ll live happy ever after.”</p>
+
+<p>Golithos scratched his head again. In spite of his belief in Mother
+Meldrum he had doubts whether she was telling the exact truth here.</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose I must do it,” he muttered sullenly. “But I want to be sure
+of those little ones first. You bring them here and keep them safe for
+me first. Then I’ll go and do it.”</p>
+
+<p>The old woman glared furiously at him. “Yes, you’re trying to get me
+annoyed,” she said. “Very well, then, <i>I’ll</i> show you.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, wait, please! You see if I could just <i>see</i> them it would
+put me in such good heart for the job. I’ve been living on lettuce and
+stuff like that so long that I’m not as brave as I was; and though I’ve
+eaten my cow it doesn’t encourage me like my own natural food. You
+<i>must</i> see that. It’s so reasonable.”</p>
+
+<p>She looked at him partly in rage and partly in doubt. “H’m!” she
+sniffed, “you’re the flabbiest thing in ogres I’ve ever met, and I’ve
+met a few in my time. Do you mean to say that if I’d shown them to you
+this morning you’d have done the King in?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” he replied eagerly, “that’s it. Just a glimpse of those
+nice little well-filled-out children—which you promised me so
+faithfully—would have made me quite anxious to do it. But I never even
+got a peep at them,” he went on pathetically. “You must own it’s hard
+on me.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span></p>
+
+<p>“I’ll get even with the funny man,” growled Mother Meldrum. “Well,
+suppose I bring them both back? Will you go straight off at once as
+soon as you’ve had a look at them and do what I want?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes! I’ll just have one good look at them and I’ll go at once.
+Of course if I could have a piece of one first, just to encourage me
+properly, so to speak——”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you won’t. You’ll see them when I’ve got them safely here and
+then you’ll be off, or you’ll see what I’m like when really annoyed.
+Did you bring your axe with you?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I’ve got it here.” He went to a corner of the kitchen and
+produced a mighty battle-axe and balanced it in his hand. “Many’s the
+stout man-at-arms I’ve laid out with this in the old days.”</p>
+
+<p>“The days when you had some pluck, you mean.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, that’s it. But my pluck’s coming back. And if you give me a nice
+roast pig for dinner, it’ll come back more. And when I see those dear
+little children waiting for me, it’ll fix it for keeps.” His eyes
+were rolling and his teeth were showing fiercely now, and he handled
+the axe, which any other man could scarcely lift, as if it were a
+medium-sized chopper.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” said Mother Meldrum, after watching him for a moment, “I think
+that’s the way it will have to be. I see you need some practical
+encouragement, being the worm you are, so wait here until I come back
+with them. Keep your courage up by thinking about them. It’s taken a
+long time to work you up to this, Golithos,” she went on with a fierce
+laugh, “but I think I’ve done it at last. You’ll get what you want, and
+I’ll get what <i>I</i> want—<i>Revenge</i>!”</p>
+
+<p>She sprang up and did a hideous dance of joy round the <span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span>kitchen,
+footing it with an agility that seemed marvellous considering her
+years. Golithos, whose long dormant savagery was awakening fast,
+laughed long and boisterously. Truly a terrible scene. Let us not
+linger over it.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-59">
+
+<h4>Captives on the Road</h4>
+
+<p>It is fortunate for children (and for grown-ups too if they can
+manage it) when they do not concern themselves greatly about the
+future possibilities of a calamity. Sylvia and Joe were of this
+kind—especially Joe—and what chiefly troubled them as they rode along
+in front of their guards was the separation from their friend Gorbo,
+who if he could not have actually saved them from this happening, would
+at least have been comfort to them on the road; the fact that they were
+being carried captives to a monarch of whom they had heard distressing
+accounts seemed less of an evil, for its troubles were connected with
+the future, and the future is always some distance ahead.</p>
+
+<p>They were not treated badly, and they were allowed to talk with the
+men-at-arms with whom they rode, but in a low voice because otherwise
+it would have been bad for discipline. Baldry rode at some distance
+from them so they got no chance to speak to him. The leader had allowed
+him to go unmuzzled after a time on the condition that he did not talk,
+and Baldry passed the time singing quietly to himself songs about cruel
+fate and other melancholy subjects. He had evidently resigned himself
+to whatever might befall.</p>
+
+<p>The leader—whose name they learned was Sir Giles—asked <span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span>the children
+some questions as to how they came to be with the King’s jester, but
+though they answered him truthfully and told him all about Watkyns Bay
+(which he had never heard of) and the Snergs (of whom he had heard very
+little and that little not good) and their strange adventures, he could
+make nothing of it; and he finally said that it defeated him entirely
+and that abler heads than his must solve the mystery.</p>
+
+<p>As they went on the country became rather more populated; there were
+farms and windmills and so forth, and here and there a small castle or
+moated grange. They halted for about half an hour at an inn to rest the
+horses and have breakfast; Sir Giles told the host to send the bill in
+to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sylvia and Joe had each a plate of
+little hot fish, rather like sardines, and a bowl of milk, and this
+cheered them up greatly. Baldry interrupted his sad crooning to eat two
+chops and drink a pot of ale. Then he went on with a new song about his
+being Fortune’s toy. Baldry wanted some understanding.</p>
+
+<p>It was well on in the afternoon when they came round the corner of a
+thick wood and saw the town close at hand. It reminded the children of
+a picture of a mediæval town on a coloured calendar that Miss Scadging
+had brought from London last year. The houses had heavy crossed timbers
+and high pitched roofs, and the streets were paved with huge cobble
+stones like grey footballs. They passed through a gate with big towers
+and by quaint little shops and taverns where people sat outside on
+benches and drank out of large pots, or else leaned against posts.
+There seemed to be a good deal of spare time in the town, and people
+came clustering round to stare at the children; but when Baldry was
+recognized (he had for some reason seated himself facing the horse’s
+tail as <span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span>soon as they reached the town) there was great excitement, and
+they called other people to come and see. But Sir Giles ordered them
+to stand back like good fellows and make way for the King’s men, and
+the procession went clattering down the street until it halted in the
+courtyard of the royal palace.</p>
+
+<p>It was indeed an anxious moment for Joe and Sylvia as they were lifted
+down and led through into a lofty hall. At first they had only a
+confused impression of brilliant costumes and high pointed head-dresses
+of ladies and the crimson legs of small pages and general gorgeousness.
+Compared to the palace of King Merse II this was as a house in Park
+Lane, W. is to a maisonnette in Poplar, E., and they felt very small
+and untidy and of no importance at all as they went with Sir Giles
+(Sylvia carrying the puppy) through these high-class surroundings and
+halted before a throne on which was seated one who wore a kingly crown.
+At last they were in the presence of the dreaded monarch.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-60">
+
+<h4>King Kul I</h4>
+
+<p>It would be well here to point out to my readers (and especially the
+younger ones) that rumour is more often contradicted than confirmed by
+experience, and to enlarge on the moral conveyed. The reason against
+my doing so at length is the fear that I may become a little tedious,
+so I will merely state that, to the great surprise and relief of the
+children, there were no signs of ruthlessness about the King.</p>
+
+<p>He was of great girth and he had a flowing grey beard, and in these
+particulars he bore out Baldry’s description of him. But his expression
+was one of benevolence and good <span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span>humour and he smiled on the children
+with what, if it had not been blent with a touch of native majesty,
+might have been described as a sort of fatuous fatherliness.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a king sitting on a throne with guards on both sides."
+src="images/i_p-168.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>He was richly though tastefully arrayed. His doublet was of three (or
+four) piled velvet, green and embroidered with gold, and his hose were
+shrimp pink, a colour he much affected. From his shoulders hung a
+sky-blue robe lined with ermine, and the crown on his partially bald
+head was decorated with fine repoussé work. Never had the children
+conceived such magnificence in a man’s dress, and they stared in wonder
+and admiration.</p>
+
+<p>“Welcome, Sir Giles,” he said, ignoring Baldry, who went down on his
+knees beside the children. “Tell me who are these little ones and how
+came you to bring them together with this rudesby.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span></p>
+
+<p>“‘Rudesby’ is rather good,” observed Baldry in an interested tone.</p>
+
+<p>“I found them travelling with the knave, sire,” replied Sir Giles. “And
+as I could not leave them alone in the forest I brought them also. But
+I can make nothing of their tale, sire. It appears to me such as might
+be told by a minstrel who had been too long at the wine-pot. A tale of
+a certain Countess Watkyns in that terror-haunted land beyond the deep
+river, and of many millions of other children, and of Snergs who are
+friendly with them. I leave it to your Majesty to judge, for I can make
+nothing of it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah, you’re slow, that’s what’s the matter,” remarked Baldry.</p>
+
+<p>“Silence, thou villain!” roared the King.</p>
+
+<p>Baldry clapped both hands over his mouth with a look of extreme terror.</p>
+
+<p>“Snergs, did you say?” went on the King. “Could it be possible that
+these little innocents know aught of that fierce and cruel race?”</p>
+
+<p>“Please, sir,” said Joe, who felt that he must defend his friends,
+holding up one hand according to the custom of Watkyns Bay in class
+time. “Please, sir, we’re all very fond of the Snergs. They’re not
+fierce at all.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not fierce, say you, little man! Nay, that passes understanding. There
+must be more in this than meets the eye.”</p>
+
+<p>“You mean the ear, of course,” said Baldry.</p>
+
+<p>“Remove me this pestilent ass!” cried the King. “We will judge his case
+at a fitter time.”</p>
+
+<p>Four men-at-arms surrounded the jester and, at a word of command from
+Sir Giles, marched out with him. His really incredible folly caused
+him to drop on all fours and go out <span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span>creeping swiftly between them;
+doubtless he gathered some encouragement from the smothered laughter of
+the more thoughtless courtiers.</p>
+
+<p>Put to some extent at his ease by the King’s kind manner, Joe told
+the tale of their wanderings and adventures. He explained as well as
+he could and with Sylvia’s assistance, the way of living at Watkyns
+Bay, the general nature of the country beyond the deep river, and the
+amiable character of the Snergs, with whom the Society lived on such
+satisfactory terms. The King listened in deep wonder.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a jester wlaking on all fours between two rows
+of soldiers."
+src="images/i_p-170.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Can it be,” he said, turning to the court, “that we have been in
+ignorance of the true nature of things beyond the river?—that we have
+accepted without question the traditions handed down to us, and are now
+to be corrected by these babes? Can it be——” He went on moralising in
+most approved fashion, and the courtiers made acquiescing murmurs, as
+was expected of them.</p>
+
+<p>“But one thing is clear,” he went on. “We must pay instant attention to
+this Golithos, who appears to give indications<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span> of becoming a menace,
+and also to Mother Meldrum. She has had a good deal of rope in the
+past, and perchance it is the time to give her a bit more, though in a
+different sense of the word. They must be brought here for judgment at
+once. That shall be your next job, Sir Giles.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, very well, sire,” replied Sir Giles, but not very heartily.</p>
+
+<p>“And that reminds me,” said the King. “Your betrothed, the Lady
+Ermyntrude, can look after these little ones, for the hour is late,
+and we would have them to sit at our evening meal. So fair damsel,” he
+continued to a young lady standing nearby, “take charge of this little
+golden-haired maid and this sturdy male infant and see that they be
+given a change of raiment and also (for they <i>are</i> a bit grubby)
+the refreshment of the bath.”</p>
+
+<p>The young lady, who was richly dressed, and extremely pretty (her
+one defect was a touch of indefinable sauciness) came forward and
+curtseyed. She then gave a hand to each of the children and led them
+forth.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-61">
+
+<h4>A Change of Clothes at last</h4>
+
+<p>With the assistance of a couple of maids, Sylvia and Joe were soon
+tubbed and scrubbed and then seated, each wrapped in a sheet, awaiting
+the decision of the Lady Ermyntrude, who took clothes seriously. In
+time she selected what she considered suitable from the royal wardrobe
+(things that the royal children had grown out of) and began to dress
+them up. When she had finished with them the effect was startling.
+Sylvia had on a dress of white silk adorned with flowers and bees
+worked in <span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span>gold, and little red shoes with pom-poms on them. Her hair
+was all fluffed out beneath a snow-white cap like a sugar loaf leaning
+backwards. Joe had a bright crimson doublet and hose and a cap with a
+white feather on it. His shoes wanted some getting used to for the toes
+were so pointed and long that they had to be fastened to his knees with
+tiny gold chains. In his belt he had a little dagger in an embroidered
+sheath, and this he liked more than anything. He told Sylvia that he
+had told her all along that things would come out all right and that
+she needn’t worry.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you think of Sir Giles?” asked the Lady Ermyntrude when the
+children’s toilet was complete and they were sitting opposite to her on
+two footstools.</p>
+
+<p>“He’s not bad,” replied Joe. (After all, Sir Giles had looked after
+them pretty well and given them breakfast.)</p>
+
+<p>“He’s bossy,” said the lady (not the word she used of course, but the
+nearest I can get to it).</p>
+
+<p>“Is he, Miss?” Sylvia asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, with most people. But not with me.” Here she laughed scornfully.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re going to marry him, aren’t you, Miss—I mean, my Lady?” asked
+Sylvia timidly.</p>
+
+<p>“In August.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, so soon?” Sylvia got greatly interested. “Bridesmaids?”</p>
+
+<p>“Six. Would you like to see my wedding-dress—as far as it’s gone?”</p>
+
+<p>“I should <i>love</i> it!”</p>
+
+<p>So Joe had to wander about the room for half an hour while these two
+thoroughly feminine females went into close details.</p>
+
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-62">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span></p>
+
+
+<h4>Another Meal with Royalty</h4>
+
+<p>The evening meal was a matter of some ceremony and observance of old
+customs. The public was admitted in moderate numbers on payment of
+a small fee (which went to the poor) and it was quite the thing for
+people who wanted to give country friends a treat to take them to the
+palace in order to see from behind a railed-off space the royal party
+feeding. Those who came on this particular evening had no reason to
+complain that they had not had their money’s worth.</p>
+
+<p>The jovial character of the King made him sometimes impatient of
+ceremony, and once the trumpets had sounded to announce that he had
+removed his outer robe and taken his seat, he would adopt a free
+and easy manner calculated to put nervous guests at their ease. I
+do not mean that Joe and Sylvia were nervous. They had been guests
+of honour at the table of King Merse II and knew something of the
+ways of courts—though this of course was on a much more magnificent
+scale—and, in addition, they were upheld by the consciousness that
+they were fitly attired. Those who know—as I confess I do—the great
+gain in ease and self-respect due to a new suit of clothes will readily
+understand this.</p>
+
+<p>While the meal proceeded the King expressed sympathy with them for
+their mislaying of Gorbo and comforted them by saying that he would
+undoubtedly turn up safe and sound. He said he would have inquiries
+made at once.</p>
+
+<p>“It is indeed a gratification,” he said, “to hear that the Snergs are
+nice and harmless and not at all fierce. I must try and arrange some
+way of meeting their king, who I have no doubt is a very worthy man in
+his way. It would be to clear <span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span>up the misunderstandings of ages. And
+I should especially like to see your faithful friend Gorbo. I trust I
+shall shortly. In the meantime,” he went on with hospitable smiles,
+“have another of these, Sylvia” (handing her a plate of confections
+rather like muffins with fruit inside). “Little girls should build up
+their systems with plenty of food, and these are full of vitamines.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you, sire,” said Sylvia, taking one.</p>
+
+<p>“But these are cold,” went on the King as he bit into another. “Let me
+give you a hot one.” Then, for as I have said he despised ceremony in
+small things, he rose and reached for a huge silver dish (with a hot
+water arrangement beneath it) where the muffins were heaped.</p>
+
+<p>I ask you to note that, the dish being at some distance from him, he
+leant forward until he was almost prone on the table, the muffin he had
+bitten to test its temperature being still between his teeth.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-63">
+
+<h4>A Stinger</h4>
+
+<p>At that instant fearful shouts were heard, and to the bewildering
+surprise and joy of Sylvia and Joe, they saw Gorbo bounding up the
+hall. He wore instead of his close-fitting Snerg cap, a strange one of
+filthy appearance. In his left hand he bore a pair of ragged shoes, and
+in his right he held aloft a long whippy sapling.</p>
+
+<p>He did not see them; even if he had he would not have recognized in
+these splendidly-dressed children his travel-stained young friends; he
+had eyes only for the alleged tyrant whose<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_175"></a><a id="Page_176"></a>[Pg 176]</span> gold crown revealed his
+identity and whose attitude as he leaned across the table was excellent
+for the user of a magic sword. He leapt forward—remember all this
+occupied but one or two seconds—and brought the sapling down on the
+King’s person with a juicy smack that rang through the hall.</p>
+
+<div class="img-full-page">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a snerg pointing a stick at a man, while a surprised
+crowd watches."
+src="images/i_p-175.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>To say merely that things moved briskly after this is to confess—as
+I must—inability to cope in words with so strange a situation. I
+will, however, do my best to give a general impression of subsequent
+happenings.</p>
+
+<p>The King bounced upright—nay, more than upright—and with eyes
+goggling and utterance impeded by the muffin in his mouth, glared
+maniacally at his assailant. And all present were so paralysed with
+amazement that for an instant there was utter silence. O moments big as
+years!</p>
+
+<p>The thoughts of Gorbo in that bitter speck of time might be expressed
+as follows:—</p>
+
+<p>“I have been cozened. This cap is not a cap of invisibility, because
+everybody is looking at me. This sapling is not a sword of sharpness,
+because just look at what’s happened! Therefore, for the love of Mike,
+let these be shoes of swiftness, for I need them!”</p>
+
+<p>He flung away the sapling, sprang into the shoes, and ran.</p>
+
+<p>He ran into the arms of about twenty soldiers, each of whom grabbed a
+bit of him somewhere.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s Gorbo!” cried Sylvia in agony. “Oh, poor old Gorbo!”</p>
+
+<p>“Gorbo, is it?” roared the King, sweeping away with his arms those who
+rushed to tend him, and literally gnashing his teeth. “So <i>that’s</i>
+your Gorbo? Harmless, eh? Not fierce at all! Oh——!”</p>
+
+<p>Here I must cease writing down his words.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-64">
+<h4>The Morning after</h4>
+
+<p>When the children woke next day the events of the evening came to them
+with a shock. They had not been thrown into a dungeon, as they had not
+unreasonably feared would be the case, but had been rather hurriedly
+bundled out of the way by the Lady Ermyntrude and put to bed in a
+fairly comfortable back room with two beds and told to go to sleep at
+once, which they felt was rather a difficult thing to do under the
+circumstances. They felt that they were losing their popularity, and
+besides, they were greatly worried about their friend. Speculation as
+to why he had behaved as he had and what would be his probable fate
+kept them whispering for hours.</p>
+
+<p>But when they were dressed by a maid (who brought them an early cup of
+milk) and had gone downstairs, they found the situation easier. The
+King had passed a good night. He had no temperature and was able to eat
+a hearty breakfast. He did not express a wish to see the children, and
+they were glad of this because they felt it would have been so awkward.
+The Lady Ermyntrude gave them their breakfast and then took them out
+for a walk in the garden, and Tiger had a run with some puppies that
+belonged to her.</p>
+
+<p>The King attended a council at which were discussed various suggestions
+made by the nobles as to the ceremonies to be observed in the cutting
+off of Gorbo’s head. It was finally decided that it should be done in
+the market-place at 11.30, and, this being settled, the King proposed
+(for the basis of his method of government was strict justice) that the
+villain should receive a fair trial.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo was brought in, loaded with an almost unnecessary <span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span>length of
+chain, and stood before the Lord Chancellor, who was to conduct the
+case.</p>
+
+<p>“Your name, prisoner?” asked the Lord Chancellor.</p>
+
+<p>“Gorbo, so please you, sir,” replied the unhappy Snerg.</p>
+
+<p>“Your age, Gorbo?”</p>
+
+<p>“Two hundred and seventy-three, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“Your occupation, Gorbo?”</p>
+
+<p>“Potter, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“And why, Gorbo, did you leave the harmless calling of potting to come
+to this land and give a fleshy cut to the King’s Grace?”</p>
+
+<p>“Because——” He could say no more.</p>
+
+<p>“The reason is inadequate, Gorbo. Think, for your time on earth is
+short if you give no better bid for life.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mother Meldrum told me to,” said Gorbo, his wits roused by the
+extremity.</p>
+
+<p>“Aha, now we get near it! But even then, Gorbo, the reason seems no
+full one. Is it the foul custom of the Snergs to smite all, however
+exalted, at the chance word of a witch?”</p>
+
+<p>“She—she said that the King was a grievous tyrant—and that he needed
+killing badly. But the chief reason was she said that if I didn’t kill
+him, he’d kill Sylvia and Joe.”</p>
+
+<p>The Lord Chancellor turned to the King. “In truth, sire, we seem to
+have secured, at the cost of a stinger to your Majesty’s person, the
+biggest numskull the world has ever known.”</p>
+
+<p>“It would seem so,” agreed the King, with a half pitying look at Gorbo.
+“I suggest, my lords, that he be allowed to tell his tale in his own
+fashion and we will then see if it agrees in substance with the tale of
+those little ones.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span></p>
+
+<p>“A noble idea and worthy of your Majesty’s brain capacity,” said the
+Lord Chancellor. “Come, fellow, your tale, plainly told.”</p>
+
+<p>With much faltering and stammering (for he feared he had proved the
+truth of the prophecy that he was the biggest fool) Gorbo began his
+account of all that had happened since he left Watkyns Bay. He warmed
+up as he proceeded and got more at his ease, for he saw that all
+listened with deep interest. He diplomatically stopped at the point
+where he arrived at the palace gates on the previous evening.</p>
+
+<p>“All agrees well with the tale of the children,” said the King. “I
+think, my lords, we must let this oaf keep his head for the present.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sire,” said the Lord Chancellor, “and in my opinion——”</p>
+
+<p>But his opinion was lost to the world, for at that instant there was
+heard a clamour without and a sounding knock at the door.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-65">
+
+<h4>The Invasion</h4>
+
+<p>The door opened smartly and the Captain of the City Guard appeared
+framed in the doorway, a stoutly-built man in a full suit of mail, with
+a beard like a pound of coarse-cut tobacco and a rough but not unkindly
+face.</p>
+
+<p>“My liege,” he said, making a leg, “pray pardon my pushing in, but a
+strange armed force has appeared suddenly, demanding the surrender of
+the two foreign children and the Snerg.”</p>
+
+<p>“An armed force, fellow!” cried the King with justifiable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span> anger.
+“Demanding of <i>me</i>—I mean us! You are surely talking through your
+morion.”</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a guard in front of an arch."
+src="images/i_p-180.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Nay, sire, it is but too true. Some two score of large men in quaint
+boots and some ten score or more of small dwarfish men who may be
+Snergs. They say that if the three they demand be given to them
+uninjured they will go in peace.”</p>
+
+<p>The King rose to the occasion with true dignity. “Admit them to the
+City,” he said. “We will talk with their leader.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, sire,” said the Captain of the Guard, with a not unnatural
+embarrassment, “the fact is, they have admitted themselves. You see, it
+happened that I was athirst, and——”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span></p>
+
+<p>“We will look into that later,” interrupted the King with a stern look.
+“In the meantime, invite this force into our hall as soon as I have
+taken my seat on the throne.”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-66">
+
+<h4>An Historic Meeting</h4>
+
+<p>The force was drawn up in an orderly way in the hall; Snergs on
+the right flank, four deep, and the Dutchmen on the left flank.
+Vanderdecken knew something of the art of war—so useful to seamen
+of his day—and he had trained his crew to do some simple military
+exercises, including musketry drill. On the whole the Expeditionary
+Force, with Snergs in half armour and the sailors carrying their
+muskets at the slope, looked hard and efficient.</p>
+
+<p>King Kul left his throne and advanced six steps. King Merse came
+forward, looking every inch a king, though small.</p>
+
+<p>“Welcome, our cousin of Snerg.”</p>
+
+<p>Their hands met. King Kul took the arm of the other and led him to
+a seat by the throne. There was a murmur of satisfaction from the
+assembled courtiers, while the two exchanged the friendly, but not
+necessarily very deep, remarks which characterize the conversation of
+princes or presidents who meet for the first time.</p>
+
+<p>It is of course not very probable that any of my readers will visit
+this land, but if by chance they should do so I recommend them to
+take special note of the fresco which was painted to commemorate this
+historic scene, for it well repays inspection. It is in the vaulted
+corridor on the left of the hall, next to the cloak-room.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-67">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span></p>
+
+
+<h4>Necessary Explanations</h4>
+
+<p>Formalities were soon over, and King Kul ordered that the two children
+be brought to greet their friends. In the meantime, he stood, his
+hands lightly clasped behind him, talking to Vanderdecken, who had
+been presented to him with due ceremony and whose sterling qualities
+he could both discern and appreciate. Though but a merchant adventurer
+Vanderdecken was of good family; he had as we know some knowledge of
+the classics, he spoke easily and well, there was no hesitation or
+<i>mauvaise honte</i> about the man; though his dress was rough and
+perhaps ill-fitted to the brilliant scene, he bore himself with proper
+pride. As the late Lord Buscoe said to one who expostulated with him
+for coming to dinner in plus-fours, you cannot disguise a gentleman.</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia and Joe, in their fine and fancy garb, were brought into the
+hall by the Lady Ermyntrude and affectionately greeted and kissed by
+King Merse. They instantly told him that he must demand the release of
+Gorbo, for he had been put in a dungeon.</p>
+
+<p>“By the way, your Majesty,” said King Merse, turning to his brother
+monarch, “what about my subject, Gorbo? I hear he is in trouble.”</p>
+
+<p>“You shall see him,” replied the other with a touch of sternness (with
+two kings conversing the reader will have sometimes to judge their
+identity by the matter of their speech). “Ho there! bring hither that
+fellow!”</p>
+
+<p>Metallic sounds caused all to look towards the council chamber where
+Gorbo had been left with his guards. He came forward, carrying his
+chain with difficulty and occasionally <span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span>stumbling over it. He looked at
+his liege lord with a sheepish smile.</p>
+
+<p>“Hail, Gorbo,” said King Merse, amid a deep silence.</p>
+
+<p>“May your shadow ever be a wide one,” murmured Gorbo.</p>
+
+<p>“You seem to have got tangled up with some iron, Gorbo. What is it this
+time?”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo gave no reply, but only toyed with a link of his chain.</p>
+
+<p>“Let me ask you, our cousin,” said King Kul impressively. “Suppose an
+utter stranger were to come into your hall unannounced and hand you one
+of the very best with a stout sapling while you were reaching across
+your own supper-table, what would you say?”</p>
+
+<p>King Merse thought diligently for a moment; then he shook his head. “I
+give it up,” he said. “But,” he added half-unconsciously touching the
+hilt of his sword, “I might be able to tell you what I would <i>do</i>,
+if that is of any use to you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Exactly!” said King Kul; “that is just my point. This subject of yours
+did so behave to us. And you can scarcely credit what a stinger he gave
+us. I ask you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, Gorbo,” said King Merse after a serious pause, “to put it in the
+very mildest way, you are not improving. Can you make anything of this
+strange case?” he asked of Vanderdecken.</p>
+
+<p>Vanderdecken did not reply in words; he merely grasped his beard and
+shook his head slowly from side to side as one who is utterly defeated.</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose,” went on King Merse, “it were too much to expect that the
+fellow had some dim shadow of a reason, at the back of what for want of
+a better word we must call his brain, for this outrage?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Oh, we have found reason enough!” cried King Kul, with a slight
+tendency to rave. “He did it, he says, to save these little children
+from execution at our hands! These—<i>these</i> whom we were at the
+moment stuffing with muffins! Oh——” here his sense of the bitter
+indignity overcame him again and he could only articulate words which I
+prefer to represent by dashes.</p>
+
+<p>“This is a blow to me,” said King Merse, sadly. “I had hoped that when
+I found Gorbo I would also find that his mind had been broadened by
+foreign travel; it is said to have that effect. But what hope now?”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all very well,” said Gorbo sullenly, “but if you’d heard what
+Golithos said about the King, and what Mother Meldrum said about him,
+perhaps you’d have made a little mistake too. And Baldry said——” here
+he stopped suddenly, for Baldry was his sworn friend and he felt that
+to go on would not be cricket.</p>
+
+<p>“Baldry!” exclaimed King Merse. “Ah, now the matter is clearing. Tell
+me what that reprobate said about me.”</p>
+
+<p>But Gorbo remained silent.</p>
+
+<p>“Bring hither our one-time jester,” said the King to an officer. “I
+think, cousin, we may find some extra reason for this matter.”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-68">
+
+<h4>Baldry’s Sentence</h4>
+
+<p>Baldry was brought in, chewing a straw. There were straws sticking in
+his hair and more on his clothes. He stood before the King with his
+eyes cast down and his hands clasped before him, a dejected figure.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Thou insolent!” said the King, after regarding him for a moment. “Thou
+impertinent one! Think not to trick me by this show of sorrow. Tell me,
+have you said aught to this stranger that would lead him to believe me
+a tyrant?”</p>
+
+<p>Baldry took the straw from his mouth, dried it carefully and deposited
+it within the bosom of his doublet. He placed his hand daintily over
+his mouth and coughed a little cough. Then he spoke:</p>
+
+<p>“My liege lord and master, it is true that I did in some sort induce
+my dear friend Gorbo to believe you more despotic than is perhaps
+the case. But in my defence I must say that I had some good reason
+for it, namely, to wit”—here he checked off the items on his
+fingers—“Firstly, the idea occurred to me a choice one. Secondly,
+it seemed to be full of humour. Thirdly, I was highly amused at it.
+Fourthly, it tickled me greatly. Fifthly——”</p>
+
+<p>“Silence me that lewd mouth!” cried the King to the jailor. A kerchief
+was hastily whipped round Baldry’s mouth and held while they waited
+further orders.</p>
+
+<p>“Listen to my words,” said the King sternly, “for you will hear but few
+again. We can pardon much levity in a professional fool, but this more
+than reaches the limits of our patience. Go forth from our presence and
+from our palace and from our City—and keep on going. Know all,” he
+continued, turning to the court, “that Baldry is henceforth exiled from
+our dominions.”</p>
+
+<p>Baldry started violently and stared at him as if he could not
+comprehend. Then, as the bitter truth dawned upon him, he turned, and
+with bowed head, paced slowly forth. But after some four or five steps
+he paused, placing his hand upon his heart as if with a sudden pang.
+Then, raising his <span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span>hands aloft with a gesture of despair, he swayed,
+and fell at full length on his face, as falls a tree.</p>
+
+<p>There was general consternation, and all rushed forward. One, skilled
+in leechcraft, knelt down and, bending his head sideways, listened
+carefully. Then he rose. “I cannot hear his heart beat,” he said sadly.
+“He is dead.”</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a king looking at a downed jester."
+src="images/i_p-186.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>They made way for the King, from whose countenance the stern look had
+faded, giving place to one of deep sorrow. He stood looking down at
+the prostrate figure and heaved a deep sigh, almost a groan. At length
+he spoke—in blank verse, for nothing less could express his bitter
+feelings:</p>
+
+<blockquote class="poetry">
+<p>
+  <span>“Alas, poor fool! is’t thus that comes the end,</span>
+<br>
+  <span>The terminus of all your antic ways?</span>
+<br>
+  <span>Could not the fate which spares the grim tom-cat</span>
+<br>
+  <span>That yesternight did rack my harmless slumbers,</span>
+<br>
+<span>Making the moonlight tremble with his yells,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span></span>
+<br>
+  <span>Have spared thee too? Can’st ne’er again</span>
+<br>
+  <span>Devise thy lightsome jests, thy bonnetings,</span>
+<br>
+  <span>Thy traps of booby poised on half-op’d door,</span>
+<br>
+  <span>Or juggle with the table furnishings?</span>
+<br>
+  <span>No, thou art dead, and I without my fool</span>
+<br>
+  <span>Am left to mourn the law inscrutable</span>
+<br>
+  <span>That gives us chiefly what we would not have.</span>
+<br>
+  <span>The violet withers while the rhubarb thrives,</span>
+<br>
+  <span>The buttered slice falls ever upside-down,</span>
+<br>
+  <span>The horse we back does seldom find a place,</span>
+<br>
+  <span>The horse we back not comes a romping in.</span>
+<br>
+  <span>Too late, poor fool, this unavailing woe!</span>
+<br>
+  <span>I loved thee more than thou did’st ever know.”</span>
+</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>“Then in that case,” said Baldry, turning smartly over on to his back,
+“why are you making things so difficult?”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-69">
+
+<h4>Royal Clemency</h4>
+
+<p>It was characteristic of Baldry that he always (in seafaring phrase)
+sailed pretty close to the wind, and it was lucky for him in this case
+that the King’s satisfaction in knowing that he was not dead after all
+slightly outbalanced his new rage at finding that not only had he been
+tricked, but that he had wasted some rather superior blank verse. But
+Baldry dexterously twisted himself out of reach of the King’s itching
+foot and fled to where Sylvia and Joe were standing (both rather
+perplexed with these happenings) and embraced them with ardour.</p>
+
+<p>“Ah, our cousin of Snerg!” said the King with a mournful<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span> smile, “well
+has the poet said that beneath a monarch’s crown there is often a sore
+head. But now let me recount to you what other reasons this Gorbo of
+yours gave for his behaviour. It will take some believing.”</p>
+
+<p>King Merse, after hearing full details of how Gorbo had been cozened
+into perpetration of the outrage, gave his opinion that, the man being
+the ass he was, it would be best to pass the matter over as an error of
+judgment.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s one way of looking at it,” said King Kul rather peevishly. “Of
+course it was I who got the stinger, not you. But,” he added with true
+nobility, “the quality of mercy is not strained like cabbage. Ho there,
+guards! unchain that extraordinary person. He is free.”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo’s fetters were instantly removed and carried away in a basket.
+He murmured some inarticulate thanks to the King and then went over to
+his brother Snergs, who were ranged against the wall and who greeted
+him with affection mingled with scarcely dissembled mirth. But he was
+cheered by the sudden impact of two small bodies; Sylvia and Joe had
+flung themselves at him and were hugging him tight.</p>
+
+<p>King Kul watched the scene for a moment with a benevolent smile; then
+he turned to King Merse and Vanderdecken.</p>
+
+<p>“Come,” he said, “to my privy chamber, where a stoup of wine and a
+mixed biscuit awaits us. The Master of the Buckhounds will see to it
+that your men are cared for. Pray mind the step.”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-70">
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span></p>
+
+<h4>The Next Day</h4>
+
+<p>The next day passed happily and to the contentment of all except Sir
+Giles, who instead of walking for hours in the gardens with the Lady
+Ermyntrude, as he hoped to do, had to mount and away in order to bring
+Golithos and Mother Meldrum up for judgment. He started early and went
+off at great speed with his men. Since the job had to be done he would
+get it over quickly.</p>
+
+<p>The Snergs and the Dutchmen were well entertained by the townspeople.
+They visited some public places, such as the building of Science and
+Arts, and were present at the ceremony of unveiling a new horse-trough
+in the market-place. A good spread, at which the Mayor presided, was
+given to them in the Town Hall.</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia and Joe enjoyed themselves to the full. They went out shopping
+with the Lady Ermyntrude, who needed some lining and a piece of narrow
+insertion, and they roamed about with Gorbo afterwards and each bought
+a little china mug and saucer as a souvenir. They were very happy for
+it had been on the whole a most successful and interesting expedition;
+though they were to start on the homeward journey on the next day but
+one (a Snerg had been sent post haste to let Miss Watkyns know they
+were safe) and they would have preferred to stop a little longer, they
+were also looking forward to the time when they would be back with the
+other children and telling them all about it. And they really wanted to
+know what Miss Watkyns and the other ladies would think of it all.</p>
+
+<p>There was a ball that night at the palace. Among those <span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span>present were
+Joe and Sylvia, but only for a short time because the King said they
+were too young for dissipation. They went to sleep, soothed by the
+distant music of rebecs, psalterys and viols de gamboys. Truly a happy
+time.</p>
+
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-71">
+<h4>And the Day after that</h4>
+
+<p>“Aha!” said King Kul, striking his hands lightly together as he glanced
+round the breakfast table, “what good things have we to eat this
+morning? I see kidneys—kippers—a dressed ham—pies of various sorts.
+Come, our cousin of Snerg, let me recommend the grouse pie.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you,” replied King Merse, helping himself to a good deal. “Are
+grouse plentiful here?”</p>
+
+<p>“Very plentiful. When you come again we must get up some hawking
+parties. Mynheer Vanderdecken, this wine is a good breakfast vintage.
+Let me fill your goblet—But where are our little guests? I heard their
+merry prattle from my window long ago, when I was having my early
+hippocras and sandwich.”</p>
+
+<p>Before anyone could answer, the Lady Ermyntrude came rushing into the
+hall holding her skirts some six inches from the ground to facilitate
+her movements.</p>
+
+<p>“Sire,” she panted, “the children cannot be found! I left them about an
+hour ago in order to powder my—I mean to arrange my coiffure—and they
+have gone!”</p>
+
+<p>“Gone where?” exclaimed both monarchs, rising to their feet.</p>
+
+<p>“Alas, I cannot say. The household varlets have searched <span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span>the gardens
+and called to them, but they cannot be found. The guards at the palace
+gates have not seen them pass. But they are lost!”</p>
+
+<p>“Tut, tut!” said King Kul, “that seems impossible. They are playing
+some prank on you. Have you searched the herbaceous borders?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sire, everywhere. But they cannot be found.”</p>
+
+<p>Amid general consternation the Captain of the Gate was sent for and
+came on the run, bolting a crust and brushing crumbs from himself.</p>
+
+<p>“Come, come!” said the King angrily, “you must learn to eat in your own
+time. We like not this munching in our presence. Now tell me if those
+children passed the gates this morning.”</p>
+
+<p>The Captain made an effort and bolted what was left of the crust. “No,
+sire,” he replied. “Only serving-men have passed in or out on your
+Majesty’s affairs. They and one old man.”</p>
+
+<p>“What manner of old man?”</p>
+
+<p>“Of very indifferent manner, sire. He came early this morning to offer
+fat boiling fowls for your Majesty’s kitchen. He had a thin grey beard
+and he wore a high peaked hat and a cloak and he rode an ass.”</p>
+
+<p>“That does not help us very much,” remarked the King, pondering deeply.</p>
+
+<p>“Not at all, sire. We were glad to see him pass out, for when he had
+sold his fowls he brought forth bagpipes from under his cloak and
+played most execrable music. He went out a-riding his ass, with his
+feet disposed on his two covered baskets that hung on either side, and
+there were none that did not stop their ears as he passed. My own ears
+still ding with the fearsome squealing.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span></p>
+
+<p>“Enough of this old man and your ears,” said the King impatiently. “Now
+let my soldiers search——”</p>
+
+<p>He was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Gorbo, who darted out
+from the throng and flung out his arms before him.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s Mother Meldrum!” he cried, “The old man was Mother Meldrum! She’s
+got them after all!”</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a man with a pointed cap riding a donkey."
+src="images/i_p-192.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“Got them <i>where</i>?” roared the King and a few other people.</p>
+
+<p>“In the baskets! She popped them in the baskets and played bagpipes so
+that people wouldn’t hear them screaming! Oh!”—here he flung his cap
+on the ground and jumped on it and tore his hair.</p>
+
+<p>There was a momentary silence of astonishment. That Gorbo, already
+widely known in these parts as the prize fool <span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span>of the strange race of
+Snergs, should find the solution of the mystery came as a bit of a
+shock. King Merse stared at him as if he were experiencing something of
+a miracle.</p>
+
+<div class="img-60">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a guard explaining something to a king."
+src="images/i_p-193.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>“He is right,” exclaimed King Kul. “If this toss-pot and muncher had
+had the sense to see what is plain to us all” (he forgot that he hadn’t
+seen it himself until it was shouted at him) “those children would not
+be now in the power of that wretch. Let no one rest until they are
+found, or avenged—Ha, here comes one who may help us,” he went on.
+“Welcome back, Sir Giles. Have you any news?”</p>
+
+<p>“Ay, your Majesty, lots,” replied that capable knight, clanking up the
+hall. “But I have not found Golithos. His tower is empty except for
+miscellaneous rubbish, and the doors swing idly in the wind. He has
+flown.” His voice was hoarse with weariness and his mail showed signs
+of hard travel.</p>
+
+<p>“Flown, has he? And Mother Meldrum?”</p>
+
+<p>“She also has flown—probably on a broomstick. Her house <span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span>is dismantled
+and deserted, and doubtless the foul things of the haunted woods will
+hold their revels there to-night. Ugh!” He shuddered, for though he was
+dauntless where a reasonable number of caitiffs were concerned he had
+no taste for the supernatural.</p>
+
+<p>“Strange,” said the King musingly. “The plot thickens—But you are
+weary, Sir Giles. Pray seat yourself beside us while we consider the
+matter.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thanks, sire, but I prefer standing. I have sat some score of hours or
+more.”</p>
+
+<p>“I fear you will have to sit some more, good knight, for you must mount
+and lead your men again. Come, sirs, let us consider what course we are
+now to take.”</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-72">
+
+<h4>Captives again</h4>
+
+<p>In a wood of scattered and stunted trees many miles from Banrive,
+Mother Meldrum was urging on her heavily loaded ass with the assistance
+of a cudgel. Beside her strode the gigantic form of Golithos, with a
+big bundle tied to his shoulders and carrying his mighty axe. There
+was a kind of horrible contentment about the two as they went along
+in silence only broken by an occasional chuckle from Golithos and the
+thumping of the cudgel as it came down on the animal’s ribs. Round
+about them walked seven large black cats.</p>
+
+<p>“We can take it a bit easier now,” said Mother Meldrum at length. She
+had taken off her cloak and in her man’s dress and with the false beard
+removed she looked a particularly <span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span>hideous figure; the beard had at
+least hidden part of her face. “It’s not far now to the barren rocks
+and nobody ever comes as near to them as this. Everything’s going very
+nicely.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, isn’t it,” he said. “Do you know I got very worried, waiting
+outside the town with your bundles and the cats. I thought you’d never
+come. I was afraid something had happened and you couldn’t find the
+little ones.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s because you’re a fool,” she said with her usual candour. “I got
+them almost at once, as I knew I would. Don’t you start complaining
+about me!”</p>
+
+<p>“No, of course not. But the cats worried me so much—snarling and
+rolling about and getting their ropes entangled. And when I tried to
+sort them out they simply bit pieces out of me. Look at my hands.”</p>
+
+<p>“Glad they did; I wish they’d done more to you. You lost one of my
+cats, too, you lout! If it doesn’t come along soon, I’ll remember it
+when we settle up.”</p>
+
+<p>“But it really wasn’t my fault,” he said quickly. “I just untied it a
+moment to disentangle it and it clawed me and bolted off. It’ll come
+along all right.”</p>
+
+<p>“There’ll be trouble for you if it doesn’t. Now let’s stop a bit and
+see how things are.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, let’s,” said Golithos eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>“You keep away! No touching.” She lifted up the lid of one of the
+baskets on the ass and untied the neck of a coarse sack within. “Aha,
+you’re tired of grizzling now, are you? That’s a good thing for you.”</p>
+
+<p>The head of Joe came out and stared at her, white and horrified.</p>
+
+<p>“Get out and walk!” she ordered. “No, wait a bit: I’ll have to tie your
+hands behind you.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span></p>
+
+<p>She tied him up and lashed the rope to the huge bundle that formed
+the principal load of the ass. Then she went to the other basket and
+liberated Sylvia.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Sylvia’s eyes were swollen with weeping and her face showed a
+stunned horror. She shook with fear as she got out, her pretty silk
+dress with the golden flowers and bees all crumpled and stained with
+the filthy sack she had been tied in, and looked up in the old witch’s
+face.</p>
+
+<p>“Keep apart,” she shouted, for Joe had got close to Sylvia to give her
+what consolation he could, which was not very much. “One on each side.
+Now march!”</p>
+
+<p>They started off again, Joe and Sylvia walking in a dazed way on either
+side of her, Golithos coming behind with his load and leading the ass,
+and the cats surging about them like a pack of grim black hounds.</p>
+
+<p>“You were clever to get them, the way you did,” said Golithos, to put
+her in a good humour. “You seem to manage everything the way you want
+it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I’m clever enough. I just went in with my half-dozen fat hens
+and offered them for next to nothing, and I talked to the fat old
+cook about things in general until I saw these brats coming along and
+looking for something new. They got something new all right enough. I
+just gave them good morning and asked them if they knew of a nice quiet
+place in the garden where I could turn a little rabbit loose, because
+it was so cruel to keep a rabbit cooped up and it’d be much happier in
+the garden. And they took me to very nice quiet place, all thick bushes
+and the like. Ho, ho, ho! I had them twisted up in two sacks before
+they could begin to think what was happening. And by the time they’d
+started to yell I had them in the baskets and hopped on top of the ass
+and started the<span class="pagenum"  id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span> bagpipes. And some gardeners and people came running
+up and out but I went a-galloping and blowing the pipes and all they
+wanted was to see the last of me. And out in the street some stared at
+me and some pitched carrots and things at me, but I didn’t stop blowing
+until I was clear out of Banrive. Ho, ho, ho!”</p>
+
+<div class="img-full-page">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a man and an old woman leading two children, tied to
+a donkey."
+src="images/i_p-197.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>Golithos laughed hideously and the children cowered as they stumbled
+along. Mother Meldrum jerked furiously at the ropes that held them and
+told them to step out smartly if they didn’t want some extra trouble.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t make them walk too fast,” said Golithos. “Poor things, it won’t
+do to get them too tired! Children <i>do</i> get thin so easily,” he
+added with a touch of pathos.</p>
+
+<p>“They’ll walk and you’ll walk and I’ll walk just as long as it suits
+me!” she shouted with one of her sudden changes to fury.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, yes, of course,” he said hastily. “I was merely suggesting——”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, don’t. You’ve got your job to attend to before you need worry
+whether they’re thin or fat. As soon as we get beyond the barren rocks
+you’re finished with them until you’ve done your job.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I’ll do it all right,” he said, twirling his gigantic axe. “The
+sight of them has done me ever so much good. I’ll go back and just hide
+near Banrive until I get my chance. It won’t take long because you tell
+me the King goes out hawking every other day or so and it won’t be at
+all difficult to creep up when he’s sitting on his fat old horse and
+staring up in the sky. I’ll have him hacked to bits in no time. And
+if any twenty of his men come up I’ll cut them all down, as I used to
+do in the fine old days.” He roared with laughter <span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span>and made the air
+whistle as he swung the axe over his head.</p>
+
+<p>“At last I’m getting part of what I want,” said Mother Meldrum as she
+watched him approvingly. “Only part, because there’s others in the
+town I’m going to get square with. Wait till we’re comfortably settled
+beyond the barren rocks and we’ll be able to do quite a nice lot of
+damage one way and another. When they find their little children
+disappearing every now and then they’ll wish they’d left me alone in my
+comfortable little town business and not got the King to turn me out.”</p>
+
+<p>Golithos did an ungainly dance of joy at the mention of a good supply
+of his natural food. “I suppose,” he said when his transports had
+calmed down a little, “there’s no chance of their finding the way
+through the rocks?”</p>
+
+<p>“Not a bit of chance. The way through is by a hole just near the top of
+the big cliff, and even if they found the hole they’d lose their way
+in two minutes if they tried to follow the road. There’s fifty little
+tunnels branching in all directions and I’m the only one who knows
+the right one. Besides, they wouldn’t dare to follow us in: there’s
+other things there besides bats and darkness. No, we’ll be comfortable
+enough. There’s an old tower which you can take for your very own, and
+there’s a little house in the trees that will just suit me and I’ll
+settle down very comfortably with my cats.”</p>
+
+<p>They trudged on in contented silence for a time. Sylvia and Joe were,
+luckily for them in one way, too stupefied with horror to realize the
+hideous fate that had come upon them and they went on as well as they
+could, Mother Meldrum occasionally hinting by a ferocious pick at the
+ropes that they were not walking fast enough.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-73">
+
+<h4>The Barren Rocks</h4>
+
+<p>Half an hour later Mother Meldrum gave a grunt of satisfaction. “Here
+we are at last,” she said. “Look up, little dears, and see where you’re
+going to climb to.”</p>
+
+<p>They had passed out of the thicker part of the stunted trees into an
+open space, and the shuddering children saw before them a deep ravine
+of dry and jagged rocks. On the farther side the walls rose in a cliff
+which, though not very much higher than they were standing, was very
+precipitous and evidently difficult to climb for anyone who did not
+know the path. Nowhere about the rocks was there any sign of life or
+vegetation. It was a new strange land on which a blight had fallen; a
+land over which a dull horror seemed to brood.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll go down a nice little path I know of,” said Mother Meldrum, with
+a deep chuckle, “and then we’ll go up a nice little path I know of.
+And close to the top is a nice little tunnel I know of, and we’ll go
+ever so far through it until we come to a nice little house I know of.
+<i>Now</i> don’t you wish you hadn’t run away from dear old Mother——”</p>
+
+<p>She stopped and turned round and stared. Golithos, who had been
+grinning savagely at her words, stopped and looked quickly in the same
+direction.</p>
+
+<p>“I thought I heard Gubbins,” she said (Gubbins was the missing cat).</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I’m so glad!” he said, “I wouldn’t have liked you to lose him. He
+must have caught us up. Ah, there he is! I thought he wouldn’t be long
+in finding us.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, you fool!” snarled the old woman, choking with <span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span>rage. “And see
+who’s coming after him! This comes of trusting a lubber like you!”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s that Snerg again,” said Golithos uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>The children’s hearts gave a bound of joy and hope. A long way off,
+and far beyond the black cat that came trotting up, they saw a little
+figure running. It was Gorbo, and the dead weight of terror seemed to
+lift from them at the sight.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t seem able to shake him off somehow,” went on Golithos, not
+at all with the air of a man who was ready to do great deeds. “But he
+hasn’t seen us yet because we’re hidden by these trees. Let’s get into
+the thick part and hide until he comes up and then I’ll jump out and
+cut him down before he can shout.”</p>
+
+<p>“Come along, you brats, or I’ll murder you here!” shouted Mother
+Meldrum.</p>
+
+<p>She dragged fiercely at the ropes and they had to follow her into the
+trees. Golithos hauled on the leading rope of the ass, and the ass, as
+its nature taught it to do, hauled back. With a howl of rage he took a
+firmer grip of the rope and dragged the ass a few feet. Then the rope
+snapped and the animal turned and trotted back on the path they had
+come.</p>
+
+<p>“Now you’ve done it, you great lout!” screamed Mother Meldrum. “Now
+he’ll know we’re here! Oh, I’ll settle accounts with you, Golithos,
+once we’re out of this!”</p>
+
+<p>“But there’s no great harm done,” pleaded Golithos. “He’ll come along
+looking for us just the same. Oh, please keep quiet, he may be coming
+along now. If he hears us I won’t be able to jump out on him!”</p>
+
+<p>The old woman controlled herself sufficiently to keep silent, though
+her face was livid with rage. She dragged the children into a thicker
+part of the trees and pushed them over and <span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span>crouched down by them,
+surrounded by her cats, who stopped still at an order from her and lay
+quiet on the ground. Golithos stooped behind a tree with his axe ready.</p>
+
+<p>Gubbins, the missing cat, came trotting up. They could see him stop
+and sniff about. Then he looked back invitingly and saying “Me-reow!
+me-reow!” in a high and strong voice, came purring in among the trees
+and greeted his mistress and his brother cats. Mother Meldrum silenced
+him with a clump on the head and he too crouched down.</p>
+
+<div class="img-full-page">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a man watching a fleeing donkey."
+src="images/i_p-202.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>There was a dead silence for a minute or two. Then suddenly the witch
+gave a little grunt, for Gorbo came into view, walking with a silent
+tread and peering in all directions, with an arrow fitted to his bow.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-74">
+
+<h4>How Gorbo found the Way</h4>
+
+<p>The measures taken by King Kul to search for the children would
+have, by themselves, resulted in failure and a tragedy. Though of
+an estimable character he was not remarkable for handling difficult
+situations, especially those which for want of a better term we must
+call matters of police. His dominion had been peaceable so long that he
+had lost the knack of it; besides, his subjects, an amiable but rather
+muddle-headed offshoot of mediæval days, were of little assistance in
+the case, for no one could give information as to the road taken by the
+alleged old man with the ass and big baskets and bagpipes. The knights
+too—with the exception of Sir Giles, who had plenty of ginger in him
+(which is why he had secured the prettiest girl at court)—were rather
+lacking in practice owing to the decay of dragons, caitiffs, and other
+undesirable inhabitants, and they rather played at chivalrous doings
+than took any active interest in them. Consequently, though troops
+were sent searching in all directions, they went without definite
+instructions, and they merely wandered about, putting innocent people
+through severe cross-examinations, inspecting cock-lofts in lonely
+but peaceful farmhouses, and generally making themselves thoroughly
+disliked without obtaining any useful hints.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Giles, however, had hit on an idea which had some reason at the
+back of it. The far western border of the land was some half-day’s ride
+away and the country beyond, though no one knew anything definite about
+it, had a very unsavoury reputation. It was generally considered to be
+the part where the dragons and caitiffs and others had gone during the
+past <span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</span>few centuries, and he considered it probable that Mother Meldrum
+and Golithos had selected it as a suitable spot for their future home;
+therefore he had taken his squire and ten picked men and gone there at
+full speed. The idea, as I have said, was on the whole a good one. The
+one reason against its being a successful one was that Mother Meldrum
+and Golithos had gone in the opposite direction.</p>
+
+<p>While King Kul was discussing the situation and making suggestions,
+King Merse rushed off with Gorbo and collected his men, and
+Vanderdecken joined them with his immediately afterwards. But they,
+like the others, had little notion of which would be the best direction
+to take until Gorbo gave them a second shock by making a really
+practical suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>While the men were formed up and waiting for orders, with King Merse
+and Vanderdecken at their wits’ end to know what orders to give, Gorbo
+suddenly ran off and peered between the legs of some citizens who
+formed a little crowd near the ancient Cloth Hall. The citizens were
+looking at a cat of exceeding bigness and blackness which was engaged
+with a bone. There were none present who had visited Mother Meldrum
+professionally so no one recognized this as one of her cats; they were
+merely wondering at its appearance, the cats of Banrive being as a rule
+small and either fawn colour or grey with stripes.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo acted with a promptness inspired by his grief and his knowledge
+that time was flying. He rushed to a fish stall and demanded a pound
+of sprats on the King’s affairs and a straw-bag to put them in. He
+returned and, pushing his way through the crowd, offered the animal a
+sprat. It took it with a fierce growl and ate it, and then looked up
+hopefully for <span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</span>more. Gorbo did not give it another yet but patted and
+stroked it instead, allowing it to sniff at the bag.</p>
+
+<p>“Did ums old cats want um sprats?” he said soothingly. “Then um good
+old cats must work for um sprats.”</p>
+
+<p>The animal, though evidently intelligent above its kind, could not of
+course wholly understand. It got easily as far as understanding that
+this small man (whom it remembered seeing before) was one who had
+control of fish in a bag, and he set up a roaring purr and rubbed hard
+against him in the hope that he would do the decent thing and give him
+another.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo held out another sprat and walked backwards towards his brother
+Snergs, the cat following.</p>
+
+<p>“See!” he said to King Merse; “one of Mother Meldrum’s cats! Perhaps it
+can lead us to her.”</p>
+
+<p>King Merse stared at him in wonder at his penetration. Vanderdecken
+smote Gorbo on the shoulder. “This man of yours is improving,” he said.
+“We can but try it.”</p>
+
+<p>“We will,” said the King. “Go ahead, Gorbo, with your cat, and we will
+follow some way behind.”</p>
+
+<p>The inhabitants were ordered to clear the road and Gorbo, after giving
+a third sprat for encouragement, walked towards the town-gate. The
+cat followed him, chewing and growling. On arriving at a clear space
+beyond the walls Gorbo urged it by gestures to take the road. After a
+few moments it looked about and sniffed the ground; went on a bit and
+sniffed again. Gorbo looked on anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>“Home to mother then!” he said, holding up his bag. “Home to other old
+black cats.”</p>
+
+<p>The animal turned and looked at him and then, giving a terrific wail,
+started off at a trot. Gorbo followed and the <span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</span>cat, merely stopping an
+instant to make sure that the bag of fish was coming close behind, went
+on down a narrow trail that led to some woods.</p>
+
+<p>It went steadily on and Gorbo trotted steadily behind it. And a quarter
+of a mile or so behind them came the soft padding footsteps of the
+Snergs and the clumping of the Dutchmen’s sea-boots as they followed at
+the double.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-75">
+
+<h4>The Reform of Golithos</h4>
+
+<p>As Gorbo appeared in the open space beyond the trees, Mother Meldrum
+shook her fist fiercely at Golithos to encourage him, and for an
+instant had her attention taken away from the children. But this
+instant was enough for Joe, who had been working his hands loose from
+the rope (he had learned rope tricks in his circus life), and who now
+had them free. He quickly untied Sylvia’s hands and then very gently
+helped her to her feet. “Run,” he whispered close to her ear. And with
+a bound they were off, Joe holding her hand with a tight grip and
+hauling her along through the trees.</p>
+
+<p>They heard a savage yell from behind them; but they were out in the
+open and running up to Gorbo, who sprang forward to meet them with a
+shout.</p>
+
+<p>“Hide in the trees!” screamed Joe. “There’s Golithos coming!”</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo jumped and looked quickly round. Then in an instant he sprang
+with them into the shade of the trees on the other side of the open
+space. He gave a little sound of <span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</span>wonder and joy, something like a sob,
+and then faced round, again with his bow held ready. “Lie down and
+hide,” he said, without turning his head.</p>
+
+<p>“But there’s Golithos there!” wailed Sylvia. “Let’s run, Gorbo!”</p>
+
+<p>“Not me,” said Gorbo. “Just lie quiet.”</p>
+
+<p>There was a dead silence for a time. Then they heard the voice of
+Golithos hailing from the opposite side of the open spot.</p>
+
+<p>“Is that you, Gorbo?” he called.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s me,” replied Gorbo.</p>
+
+<p>“Look here,” went on the voice, “you go away and I’ll let you keep the
+little ones. There!”</p>
+
+<p>“Thanks,” said Gorbo.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, but do be reasonable. Let’s talk it over quietly; it’s no good
+being unfriendly. Just come out in the open and we’ll talk it over.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right,” said Gorbo. “You come too.” He walked to the edge of the
+trees and stood looking across at the other side.</p>
+
+<p>“But I can’t see you,” said Golithos. “You must really show some
+confidence in me, and then I’ll come.”</p>
+
+<p>“Will this suit you?” Gorbo walked out some half-dozen steps.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, that’s better, Gorbo. You see I don’t want to harm you.” (From
+their hiding-place the children could hear him blundering through the
+bushes and twigs.) “I’ve always rather liked you and if we can just
+talk over matters——”</p>
+
+<p>With a rush and roar he sprang out, his mighty axe swung up high.</p>
+
+<p><i>Whang.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</span></p>
+
+<p>Golithos stopped his rush within six feet of Gorbo and stood swaying.
+His axe fell crashing to the ground.</p>
+
+<p><i>Whang—Whang.</i></p>
+
+<p>Golithos toppled and fell headlong with a thump that shook the ground.
+Three arrows stuck out from behind his head.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a snerg with a bow looking at a downed man
+with arrows on his head."
+src="images/i_p-208.png">
+</div>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-76">
+
+<h4>Mother Meldrum goes</h4>
+
+<p>The children flung themselves at Gorbo and hugged him, and Sylvia was
+shaking with sobs. He squeezed them to him for just one instant and
+then jumped away. “Where’s Mother Meldrum?” he said quickly.</p>
+
+<p>“She’s in there,” replied Joe, pointing across.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo crept up cautiously, looking about him as he went. Suddenly he
+gave an exclamation. “Look!” he cried, pointing to the opposite side of
+the ravine.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</span></p>
+
+<p>The old witch was climbing, climbing up the rocks, and behind her
+came the black cats. Gorbo rushed to the edge of the ravine and shot.
+The arrow fell short. He shot again and again, but it was useless;
+the distance was too great for a bow. And Mother Meldrum climbed and
+climbed, with an agility and strength that appeared miraculous.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo turned again, for there was a mighty trampling behind him. Up
+came the Snergs and the Dutch seamen, headed by their leaders. The
+children and fallen body of Golithos took but an instant of their
+attention for Gorbo shouted that Mother Meldrum was escaping.</p>
+
+<p>The Snergs ranged along the edge of the ravine and shot thick and fast
+so that the air was full of arrows, but the old witch was well out of
+range and she knew it. She had reached a flat part near the summit of
+the cliff, and the tunnel that led through the barren rocks was close
+at hand. With a shrill screaming laugh that sounded horridly across the
+ravine she danced a fantastic dance of triumph, something between an
+Irish jig and a coranto. O hideous sight!</p>
+
+<p>But little did this hag of mediæval days know of the strides of
+science. The voice of Vanderdecken (who had so wisely trained his
+seamen in the part) rang out:</p>
+
+<p>“Musketeers, advance! Handle your muskets! Cock your muskets! Aim your
+muskets! <i>Fire!</i> Recover your muskets!”</p>
+
+<p>At the word “<i>Fire</i>,” three-and-thirty shots shook the air and
+echoed from the rocky crags. A dark cloud of smoke hung over the scene.</p>
+
+<p>The smoke drifted away.</p>
+
+<p>“Where,” said King Merse, “is Mother Meldrum?”</p>
+
+<p>Vanderdecken handed him his telescope. “There is something like bits of
+rags sticking on the rocks,” he said. “And <span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</span>I think I can see a hand
+hanging over the edge of the cliff. See what you can make of it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” agreed King Merse as he looked, “it is undoubtedly as you say.
+That is Mother Meldrum—or part of her.”</p>
+
+<p>Thus it was. When three-and-thirty muskets of the kind made in
+Vanderdecken’s day, loaded with double bullets and a half handful of
+buckshot, are fired simultaneously by expert marksmen at the same
+target the result is effective. Mother Meldrum had been blown to bits.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-77">
+
+<h4>All Troubles Over</h4>
+
+<p>There was a good deal of ringing of bells at Banrive when the joyous
+band of Snergs and Dutchmen arrived with the children safe and sound,
+and it was known that Golithos and Mother Meldrum had passed away.</p>
+
+<p>The ass had been found trying to rub its load off against a tree, and
+the Snergs had untied the bundles and selected whatever there was of
+value in them and thrown the rest away. Then they put Joe and Sylvia on
+the ass and started back, singing sea chanties which the Dutchmen had
+taught them. Sylvia soon got over the worst of her shock, and though
+she was a good deal worried about the crumpled and dirty state of her
+pretty new dress, she was able in time to join modestly in the chorus.
+Joe did not have so much shock to get over because he was the sort that
+does not trouble about troubles that are past and he sang lustily.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo was given the place of honour in front and he came along with
+a light step although he was carrying Golithos’ <span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</span>enormous axe, which
+was his according to the rules of war. He was the subject of a good
+deal of jovial badinage on account of the cat Gubbins, which had not
+gone to join its brother cats (now doubtless great hunters in the land
+of barren rocks) but had attached itself to him. It may have been
+that it liked Gorbo’s cast of countenance or it may have been that it
+considered a man with a bag of fish something to stay by, but I leave
+this for naturalists to decide; all I know is that it went ahead of
+him, with its tail well up, stepping rather in the manner of goats
+belonging to certain British regiments.</p>
+
+<p>King Kul embraced the children, almost with tears, and with his own
+hands gave Sylvia the puppy, which had been wandering disconsolately
+about looking for them. He made a speech thanking the Snergs and the
+seamen for their great service in his dominions. When King Merse
+told him that Gorbo had slain Golithos single-handed he merely said,
+“Indeed? And very creditable of him—considering.” He could never quite
+overcome his dislike of Gorbo.</p>
+
+<p>But nobler feelings prevailed. He went to his privy-chambers and
+rummaged in a little chest of drawers. Returning to the hall he bade
+Gorbo approach and kneel.</p>
+
+<p>“By this,” he said, placing round his neck a cherry-coloured ribbon
+with a medallion, “I make you a Companion of the Order of Errant
+Tinkers. See that you wear it worthily.”</p>
+
+<p>Amid a murmur of applause the blushing Gorbo rose and thanked him
+gratefully and retired backwards. He was filled with a pride and joy
+that left him dizzy. At last it was officially recognized that he had
+escaped from the reproach of being the biggest fool of the race of
+Snergs. Sylvia and Joe ran to him and demanded to see. The medallion
+was a tasteful thing, representing a man in full armour mending a
+saucepan (Sir <span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</span>Bors, a tinker knighted on the field of battle). The
+order was an ancient one and Gorbo had full reason to be proud. It
+carried with it the freedom of the City and the right to remove his
+boots (if they hurt him) in the presence of the King.</p>
+
+<p>The Lady Ermyntrude took charge of the children and told them to change
+into their Watkyns Bay uniforms (which had been washed and ironed)
+while their new clothes were sent to the dry cleaners. These were
+expeditious people and they promised to have them restored to their
+original beauty by noon on the following day; to the great joy of
+Sylvia, who loved her dress with the golden bees.</p>
+
+<p>It was a happy time for all. Sir Giles returned in a very peevish frame
+of mind at the ill-success of his journey, but when he heard that the
+children had been brought safely back he came clashing in and embraced
+them with ardour. He said that perchance now they would let him look
+forward to a good night’s rest. He changed from his travel-stained
+armour into a suit of murrey-coloured velvet in which he looked rather
+well, and he sat with the Lady Ermyntrude behind some curtains and
+held her hand, in spite of her warnings that people would see. Baldry
+(who I fear will never learn) tried to promote the gaiety of courts by
+creeping behind him and smiting him on the head with his bladder stick;
+but he had to flee from the palace and hide for the rest of the day,
+since the King refused to grant him protection, saying: “Now perhaps
+you’ll think before acting.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</span></p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-78">
+
+<h4>Back across the River</h4>
+
+<p>Another day passed and then, at an early hour, the homeward journey was
+begun. Cheerful farewells were exchanged and amid the shouts of the
+populace the Expeditionary Force passed out of the town-gate which they
+had entered with such doubtful anticipations a few days before, with
+Joe and Sylvia riding on small ponies (wearing their fancy clothes)
+and two sumpter-mules in the charge of responsible churls. One mule
+was laden with presents from King Kul for the royal house of Snerg and
+other presents for Miss Watkyns and her staff (including some curiously
+wrought silver cups and an antique carved unicorn’s horn suitable for a
+centre-piece), and the second mule bore two barrels of special wine for
+Vanderdecken.</p>
+
+<p>King Kul promised to visit the Snergs if something in the way of a
+bridge could be made across the deep river, and Vanderdecken said he
+would give thought to the matter and devise a substantial swinging
+bridge that would not wobble too much.</p>
+
+<p>They stayed for the night at the comfortable little castle of the Lord
+of the King’s Marches, who was at home when they arrived and who, they
+found, was an agreeable man though with a slight touch of pomposity,
+like his steward. He accepted apologies for their former invasion of
+his stronghold and occupation of his best beds, and was quite nice
+about it, telling them that he appreciated the urgency of the case and
+they were heartily welcome. He seemed on the whole rather relieved
+to find his job gone. Throughout a long life he had been (nominally)
+guarding the border against a chance attack of Snergs, and now they
+had proved to be a good-natured and <span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</span>friendly people and he might have
+just as well been attending to other matters. He said that in future he
+would devote his time to gardening, for which he had a passion.</p>
+
+<p>They bade him farewell in the morning and in a few hours were on the
+precipitous cliff that overhung the river, where they were greeted with
+great joy by the band of Snergs who had been left there to prevent any
+interference with the rope. They had made a little fort with a trench
+round it and they had sentries posted in the proper way. King Merse
+gave them a word or two of soldierly praise.</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia was sent across with Tiger in a large basket, which the seamen
+rigged up in the manner of life-saving devices, and arrived safely,
+though rather giddy and frightened owing to the terrific height over
+which she had passed. Joe declined to go in the basket and jerked
+himself across the rope at great speed, as did the Snergs and Dutchmen.
+The presents were then put in the basket and hauled across, and then
+came the two barrels of wine. Vanderdecken superintended the lashing
+up of these himself as he said he wasn’t going to take any silly risks
+with them. Gorbo swarmed over (amid cheers and laughter) with the cat
+clinging to his person, because they could not induce it to go in the
+basket.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-79">
+
+<h4>Back to the Town</h4>
+
+<p>It was only a league or a bit more to the town, where the news had
+already arrived. As the children drew near they noticed three figures
+conspicuous for their height among the small Snergs. Miss Watkyns,
+together with the Misses Scadging and Gribblestone, had come on good
+steady bears on the <span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</span>previous day to meet them, and there they had
+heard for the first time of their terrible final adventure.</p>
+
+<p>When they saw the children coming along in their beautiful costumes
+of a long bygone age, they burst into weeping. This, though something
+in accord with the character of two of these ladies, came rather as a
+surprise from Miss Watkyns, who loathed display of sentiment. But she
+did not weep much. With a stern word to the others to have done with
+sloppiness she asked both children whether they were, or were not,
+thoroughly ashamed of themselves. It occurred to both Sylvia and Joe
+at this point that perhaps they ought to be, and they said they were
+ashamed. I believe this to be true, though most of the feeling wore off
+in ten minutes.</p>
+
+<p>It is almost unnecessary to say that this was the occasion for a feast,
+and it must be noted that Gorbo no longer sat in the suburbs but was
+only seven places down from the King. In addition to the Order of
+Errant Tinkers (regarded rather enviously by many present) a brazen
+nutmeg glittered upon his breast, for King Merse felt that he had
+fairly earned it.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-80">
+
+<h4>Back to Watkyns Bay</h4>
+
+<p>It occurs to me here that there is some difficulty in proving a
+really useful moral from this tale, although I have almost boastfully
+referred to it as coming in due course for the instruction of my
+younger readers. For however reprehensible the children were in their
+disobedience and irresponsibility it cannot be denied that the general
+results of their conduct were beneficial. They were instrumental in
+bringing a swift finish to two persons who constituted a serious menace
+to the <span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</span>public. They had brought about the establishment of friendly
+relations between two countries, and removed doubts that had existed
+for centuries. Lastly, they had returned magnificently dressed and
+bearing expensive gifts. So perhaps the only definite moral that can
+be deduced is, if you by any chance meet an ogre who claims to be
+reformed, pretend to believe him until you have got a gun and then blow
+his head off at the first opportunity.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of two children with nobles' clothes walking
+between a crowd."
+src="images/i_p-216.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>On their arrival at Watkyns Bay the other children crowded round Sylvia
+and Joe with cries of delight and admiration, for nothing more gorgeous
+had been seen even in a picture-book, and there was at this point some
+danger of the swollen-headedness which Miss Watkyns had dreaded. But
+she soon put it right by ordering them both to change into their plain
+but serviceable two-piece garments, and stating that the others should
+be kept for very special occasions, such as fancy-dress affairs. This,
+by the way, led to the institution of fancy-dress <span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</span>dances and caused a
+great deal of extra needlework and ironing.</p>
+
+<p>Sylvia and Joe were very glad to get back to their little cots with the
+hop mattresses, and when at last they dropped off to sleep (very late,
+for there was a good deal of whispering because the other children
+wanted to hear more) lulled by the distant breaking of the sea and the
+light rubbing of cinnamon bears against the fence without, they felt
+very peaceful and happy and resolved to be really good for a reasonably
+long time.</p>
+</section>
+
+<section id="part-3-81">
+
+<h4>To finish up</h4>
+
+<p>Vanderdecken set to work and made a neat swinging bridge, light but
+strong, across the deep river, and King Kul made a visit to the Snergs
+and spent two days at Watkyns Bay. He distributed the prizes at the
+term end, and made one of those speeches about even little children
+having their responsibilities. Invitations had been sent to Joe and
+Sylvia and six other children to attend the wedding of Sir Giles and
+Lady Ermyntrude, but Miss Watkyns thanked His Majesty deeply and said
+she thought it inadvisable for them to go, as tending to unsettle their
+minds. She sent a wedding-present of a dainty tortoise-shell toilet and
+manicure-set, and the bride wrote to her on a piece of parchment that
+she considered it the most charming of all her presents. It was really
+good; it had been bought in Bond Street, at an expensive shop. Baldry
+overdid it at last at the wedding and got seven days. He had buttered
+the steps of the palace hall.</p>
+
+<p>Gorbo is passing the time quite nicely, occasionally doing <span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</span>a job of
+work but more often resting. Gubbins, the black cat, sticks close to
+him and travels with him everywhere. It has great ability for catching
+game, such as birds and young rabbits and the like, and has learned to
+retrieve quite well, so Gorbo has his hunting cat like the Egyptian
+kings of old. He goes now and then to visit at Banrive and see what new
+trouble Baldry has got into, and to pay his respects to the King. He
+never fails to say, “Oh, this corn of mine!” and pulls off one boot.</p>
+
+<p>The door in the region of twisted trees and the one on the other side
+were built up with masonry. It was agreed that though Gorbo and the
+children found enormous supplies of mushrooms in the cavern, there was
+a nasty flavour of magic about the place and it was as well to leave
+it alone. I never heard what happened in the dark woods after Mother
+Meldrum had gone and the bats and other grisly things had it all to
+themselves, because no one, I believe, ever went there, which shows
+sense.</p>
+
+<p>The knight Sir Percival gave up chivalrous doings on the day that he
+had the adventure at the castle. He did not slacken his anxious pace
+until he was back at his own little moated grange, and there he hung
+his armour and lance over the fireplace in the hall and decided to live
+quietly, and if he could not get a wife except by fighting for her,
+to go without. He went in for breeding a superior kind of pig and did
+rather well at it, taking several prizes.</p>
+
+<p>Vanderdecken and his men make special efforts every now and then to
+clean up the old ship for her voyage home; but there is so much to do,
+what with weeds and barnacles and the gear having to be rove afresh and
+so forth, that they generally get tired of it after a short spell and
+say to the effect that it <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_219"></a><a id="Page_220"></a>[Pg 220]</span>is no good overworking and it would be best
+to go for a day or two’s hunting with the Snergs. It is my belief that
+they never will go away. And there is no particular reason why they
+should; things are very well as they are.</p>
+
+<div class="img-80">
+  <img alt="A drawing of a snerg in front of a king, jester and courtiers."
+src="images/i_p-219.png">
+</div>
+
+<p>There is little more to tell now. It is possible that Joe and Sylvia
+may be sent to England if suitable new parents can be found for
+them, this being the usual thing after some years with the Society
+(but not of course years in the ordinary way), but I don’t know if
+anything definite has been done in the matter. It is my opinion
+that Miss Watkyns will not let them go for a long time because they
+certainly keep the place lively. She tried to make them have a sense of
+responsibility by giving them charge of a new arrival, a little girl
+who was very thin and weepy, but the result was she became a riotous
+handful and broke a window for fun.</p>
+
+<p>Tiger is doing well, though he had a touch of distemper last August.
+But nothing serious.</p>
+
+<p>Lack of space prevents me from going into details of costs, etc., of
+the S.R.S.C., which is to be regretted as I am sure they would prove of
+absorbing interest to my more serious readers. I will therefore merely
+state that the Society is flourishing and on a sound financial basis,
+and that Miss Watkyns and the other ladies have an immense amount of
+work to do, which keeps them fit, sundry improvements of buildings and
+extensions having been put in hand at Watkyns Bay. The children go on
+happily year after year, slowly increasing in numbers as fresh cases
+arrive, and they splash about in the sea and play their various games
+and roam the woods and fleet the time carelessly as they did in the
+golden world.</p>
+</section>
+</section>
+</section>
+
+<hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div id="printed-2">
+<p class="center uc">
+  Printed in Great Britain by<br>
+  The Edinburgh Press, 9 and 11 Young Street, Edinburgh
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="x-ebookmaker-drop">
+
+<div class="transnote" id="transcribers-notes">
+<header>Transcriber’s Notes</header>
+
+<ul>
+  <li>Clear typos and wrong punctuation were corrected.</li>
+  <li>In the chapter “<i><a href="#sic">Dinner with a Witch</a></i>” there is a passage that’s says “There’s about ten thousand of the real ones to one of the others.”
+      Based on context, the intention may have been “There’s about ten thousand of the spurious ones to one of the others.” but the original has been retained</li>
+  <li>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to
+      the public domain.</li>
+  <li>This book has several illustrations, some in the middle of paragraphs. To improve readability, these have been moved to either before or after
+      the paragraph they occur.</li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+
+<!--
+- Pg. viii
+    - Remove period after "King Kul I"
+
+- Pg. 1
+    - Add apostophre to "Watkyns" (ln 2)
+
+- Pg. 2
+    - Add comma after "parent" (ln 22)
+    - void -> avoid (ln 23)
+
+- Pg. 12
+    - Add period after "rudeness" (ln 4)
+
+- Pg. 33
+    - Add "him" after "kick him to make"
+
+- Pg. 61
+    - Add comma after "Gorbo" (ln 13)
+
+- Pg. 66
+    - Add apostophre after "Snergs" (ln 2)
+
+- Pg. 89
+    - Change period to comma after "walking" (ln 22)
+
+- Pg. 121
+    - Removed period after two-em dash (ln 19)
+
+- Pg. 164
+    - "I’ll get that" -> "I’ll get what"
+
+- Pg. 171
+    - Add period after "forth" (ln. 19)
+
+- Pg. 196
+    - Change period to comma after "you did" (ln 16)
+
+- Pg. 207
+    - Add period after "his head" (ln 3)
+
+- Pg. 218
+    - wide -> side (ln 11)
+
+NORMALIZATION OF HYPHENS
+
+bladder-stick -> bladder stick
+fluffed-out -> fluffed out
+hand in hand -> hand-in-hand
+seaboots -> sea-boots
+such-like -> such like
+town gate -> town-gate
+-->
+
+
+
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78120 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
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+This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for eBook #78120
+(https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/78120)
author	www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org>	2026-03-05 13:51:33 -0800
committer	www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org>	2026-03-05 13:51:33 -0800
commit	c463365b3a47c1e50a4aa3f58bfa1020511554f5 (patch)
tree	077e4f7c731cd4915bfb1aafe0a04cec46d1f48b