suddenly stopped short, making a deep well, over which hung an old oak
tree, leafless now, but still strewing the ground with dry acorns.
Right at the foot of this tree was an upright gray stone, apparently
part of a rock deeply sunk in the hillside. Beside this stone the
jackdaw paused, and, turning to nod reassuringly at Ned, picked up a
pebble about the size of an acorn and dropped it into the well, at the
same time knocking gently on the flat stone with his bill.
In a moment the rock opened in the middle, and there stood a little old
woman, as withered as a spring apple and as bright as a butterfly,
dressed in a scarlet bodice covered with spangles and a black petticoat
worked in square characters with all the colors of the rainbow.
Ned thought she was not nearly as attractive as the fairies whom he had
but lately left, although she had on more colors than even the Queen
Fairy.
On seeing the jackdaw she made a low bow, and in a shrill eager voice
invited them in. Ned hesitated, but the little old woman snatched his
hand and pulled him in, asking in a whisper, "Dost thou fear for thyself
when visiting the King of the Gnomes?"
Then, opening a low door in the side of the cavern, she beckoned them to
follow. In the middle of a still larger vault stood an arm chair
fashioned from beryl and jasper, with knobs of amethyst and topaz, in
which sat Ned's friend, the Gnome.
He was dressed in a robe of velvet, green and soft as forest moss, and a
ring of gold lay on his grizzled hair. His little eyes shone keen and
fiery, and his hands, withered and brown, were now covered with
glittering jewels.
About the cave a hundred little men, smaller than he, were busy in a
hundred ways. Some stirred kettles of smoking broth; others sliced fresh
vegetables for crisp salads. Some spread a table, with golden plates
and crystal goblets; three turned huge pieces of meat on a spit before a
fire at the end of the cavern, while a dozen more watched the simmering
pots.
The jackdaw hopped gravely past all this toward the chair of the Gnome
King, who stretched out his sceptre, a tall bulrush of gold, and touched
the jackdaw, who at once turned into a dwarf.
Making a low bow to the Gnome King, he turned to Ned and said:
"I was forced to take the form of a jackdaw for twenty years because I
once said that gold was not as yellow as buttercups nor so bright as
sunshine. This made the Gnomes angry, because their belief is that gold
is the most beautiful thing in the world. My punishment is now over and
I need never return to the earth again. But I would do a favor to the
poor peasant children who were so good to me."
"What favor would you ask for the poor peasant children?" asked the
Gnome King.
"I would send them a Magic Basket filled with food," answered the dwarf.
No sooner had he spoken, than the Gnome ordered his subjects to fill a
Magic Basket with all kinds of good things to eat. There was a golden
bowl of smoking stew, a crystal goblet of wine, a golden dish of mashed
potatoes and another of rice pudding.
And when the Magic Basket was covered with a damask napkin, it was
handed to a dwarf messenger to take to the poor woodcutter's children,
while all the little dwarfs stood around him and sang:
"In this basket they will find
Food and drink of magic kind.
Never will it empty grow
And no hunger they shall know."
"Hereafter," said the Gnome King, looking kindly at Ned, "a bluebird
shall be your companion and will show you many and curious things. I can
spare no more time, for my people must be governed, and while I have
given you more attention than any other mortal because of your great
fondness for fairy tales, I must now leave you in the care of this
bluebird, unless, perchance, you wish to return to earth at once."
To which Ned answered eagerly that he would much rather see more of
Gnomeland before again returning to the everyday routine of grammar
school and lessons.
"Good luck to you, then!" cried his friend, as he shook Ned warmly by
the hand.
The door opened and Ned once more found himself by the side of the great
flat stone in the hillside, where rippling waters of the little stream
flowed into the pool at the foot of the great oak tree, on which sat a
lovely bluebird.
Following the bluebird, Ned turned to one side to avoid climbing the
hill, and continued his journey for some time, keeping ever in sight the
bluebird's beautiful form.
It was almost dark when they were confronted by a dense forest. This was
not particularly reassuring to Ned, especially as the bluebird flew back
and settled herself on his shoulder, evidently not wishing to enter the
woods at so late an hour. For in a deep, black forest, with all sorts of
strange shadows and ghostly trees, one never knows what may be lurking
about, and the same Ned who, with his two stout fists, in broad daylight
would have undertaken to keep any living boy or man from doing serious
mischief, felt his teeth set hard and his heart stand still as he came
into the shadow of the great trees.
The little bird nestled close to his cheek and refused to leave his
shoulder.
Ned, indeed, felt that he must now look out for himself, and though his
heart beat high, he bravely trudged forward.
It was very unlike the woods to which he had been accustomed to go with
his schoolmates at home, where bright green maples, beeches and birches
made a leafy bower overhead. Instead, there were solemn pines and
hemlocks, and as he entered deeper, great caverns appeared in the rocks
and narrow gulleys, into which one might easily fall and break one's
neck.
Through this dismal place he trudged along, with his knees shaking, but
with a brave heart, until he came to a great pine, which evidently had
been struck by lightning, for it stood up white and tall, lifting its
bare arms to the sky, like some specter giant crying for vengeance.
Luckily he had placed the bluebird in his pocket, fearing that the low
hanging branches would sweep it from his shoulders. Had he not done so
before arriving at this spot the opportunity would not have presented
itself again.
Right at the foot of the pine, on a decaying log, sat a little old man,
who was altogether the ugliest looking object that Ned had ever seen. He
was about half the size of ordinary men, though the whiteness of his
hair and beard showed plainly that he would never be any taller, and
though his body was short and crooked to the last degree, his face was
long and pale, but was lighted up by wonderfully brilliant eyes.
These were fixed on Ned from the moment he came in sight, and, piercing
through the darkness, it is no wonder that they chilled the poor boy's
blood and failed to quicken his pace. Indeed, it is not quite certain
that he would have gone forward at all if the greater part of the forest
had not been behind him, though there seemed to be a spell in the
strange eyes that drew the boy on in spite of himself.
"Come along! What are you afraid of?" cried the dwarf in a little, dry
voice, that sounded like the cracking of a dry twig beneath one's foot.
Ned hesitated, and, as if seeking the comfort of something alive and
friendly, thrust his hand into his pocket alongside of the little
bluebird.
"Come on! Come on, little master," repeated the dwarf. "Here I have been
waiting more than an hour to tell you some good news, and now that you
are here you would hinder me because you are such a coward."
"I don't know you," said Ned, as an excuse.
"Well, well, no matter for that. I know you well enough. Would you read
about gnomes and then be so cowardly that you would fear to associate
with them?"
As he finished speaking, he arose, disclosing a doorway in the trunk of
the pine tree behind him.
At that moment, a beautiful dwarf maiden emerged therefrom, and, as if
having heard the conversation, said: "He is no coward, father. See, he
will shake hands with me!"
Ned put out his hand, but drew it back just in time to escape having the
gold ring which the Fairy Queen had given him, slipped off his finger by
the dwarf maiden.
"Selfish mortal," she cried, "'tis nothing but a little gold band. Give
it to me. See, I will exchange this beautiful diamond for it," and she
held out a sparkling stone set in a gold ring.
Ned drew back in alarm, more especially as the dwarf himself advanced
with a threatening attitude.
Continuing to step back, Ned kept his eyes upon the dwarf, who advanced
now with upraised fist. Seeing this, Ned quickly threw off his coat and
picking up a stout stick, prepared to defend himself.
It would have gone ill with him, for the dwarf was surprisingly strong
and agile, had not relief come from an unexpected quarter.
[Illustration: NED THREW OFF HIS COAT.]
The little bluebird had quietly slipped out of Ned's pocket, and flying
up to him, received the gold ring about her neck in accordance with the
command of the Fairy Queen, which Ned remembered suddenly and luckily
in time.
Off flew the bird to the great tall pine and touched it with the magic
ring. In an instant it changed into a giant, who stretched forth one of
his great hands, and catching up the dwarf, hurled him headlong down the
side of the ravine close by.
The dwarf maiden, with a cry, rushed after him, climbing down the sides
with wonderful agility.
The giant now turned to Ned, saying: "Little Master, I owe it to you
that I am once more my natural self. An evil spirit transformed me into
yonder tree, but the magic of your ring has restored me once more to my
natural shape. I will henceforth serve you while the occasion lasts,"
and with these words he knelt before Ned most humbly.
At the same time the bluebird handed Ned his magic ring, and with this
faithful little friend, his gold ring, and the giant for a servant, Ned
felt that he had nothing further to fear while traveling in Gnomeland.
"Thank you, my good friend," said Ned, placing his hand upon the bowed
head of the giant. "You are certainly grateful for what I have done for
you, which is more than can be said of many mortals. But had I not had
the magic ring and the assistance of my little companion, the bluebird,
you would still be the tree you were. Let us, therefore, the three of
us, pledge allegiance to one another and set out upon our journey of
adventure."
As he finished speaking the giant arose and carefully placing Ned upon
his shoulder, started off at a rapid stride.
The little bluebird flew ahead, and in a short time the three comrades
emerged from the forest.
In the distance could be seen the turrets of a stately castle, which
looked down from a high point of land upon a beautiful river that wound
in and out like a silver ribbon through the meadow.
"Who lives in yonder castle?" asked Ned, unconsciously adopting the
style of language of Gnomeland.
"I know not," answered the giant, "but with a few more steps we will be
able to inquire at the postern gates."
It was indeed a stately castle, and upon reaching the drawbridge Ned was
surprised to find that it was not lowered for them to cross over,
although they waited for some time.
"I think I'll blow upon my policeman's whistle," said Ned, hunting
through his pockets. "I certainly had it when I left home."
"Blow hard," advised the giant as Ned brought it forth, "blow hard, that
those within may think us worthy of admittance."
Upon which Ned let out a blast that would do justice to any Knight of
the Round Table. He was himself surprised at the volume of sound, but
was too much interested in what was about to happen to realize that the
touch of his magic ring had made it possible for the small nickel-plated
whistle to create such a sound.
Presently the drawbridge began slowly to descend, and when the creaking
chains ceased their noise, our three comrades crossed over to the castle
gates. These were thrown wide open, and just as the giant placed Ned
upon his feet in front of the castle doors, they opened, disclosing a
beautiful princess on the threshold.
"Welcome, Ned, to you and your two friends."
Whereupon the giant bowed very low, and the little bluebird flew over
and nestled on her shoulder.
Ned was too delighted to speak for a moment, for up to this time his
experiences had been most trying, but here at last it seemed that
fortune smiled upon him.
So he and the giant followed her into the stately hall, the latter
finding it necessary to stoop each time he entered a doorway, for
although the castle was built on magnificent lines it had not occurred
to the architect that a giant would ever be a guest.
When they were all seated, except the giant, who sprawled on the floor,
as there was no chair large enough to accommodate him, the beautiful
princess said:
"I would ask you to spend the night here, but my wicked stepfather
returns tonight, and I fear he will do you some injury."
"I fear nothing," answered Ned courageously, standing up to appear more
dignified, "and if I can be of any service to you, say but a word, for I
have a trusty friend in the giant, and also a clever one in my little
bluebird, to say nothing of the magic of this ring," and he touched the
gold band about his finger and bowed again to the beautiful princess.
"My stepfather is very crafty," said the princess, looking at Ned
intently, as if weighing the possibilities of his assistance. "He once
changed a giant into a pine tree!" At these words, the giant began to
shake and tremble so that the cut glass chandeliers rattled all over the
castle.
"Remember, I have the magic ring," Ned whispered, leaning over to where
the giant lay upon the floor; "nothing can harm us with that in our
possession."
"What would you have me do?" asked Ned, turning again to the beautiful
princess, for he felt that she was unwilling to ask him the favor,
fearing it might prove of harm to him.
Still the beautiful princess remained silent until the bluebird began to
sing a sweet song, perching meanwhile upon her shoulder, as if intending
the song for her ears especially.
Then tears fell from her eyes.
"'Tis the song my brother was wont to sing," she said, "but now"--and
hiding her face in her hands, she wept more bitterly than before--"he
has been sent away and hidden by my cruel stepfather I know not where."
"We will find him for you, princess," cried Ned. "Fear not, for I have
confidence in my two comrades and in myself. Give us all something to
eat that we may have strength to undertake this adventure."
The princess immediately ordered a great feast to be set before them,
and when our three comrades had eaten their fill they once more set out
upon their journey, with the prayers of the beautiful princess for their
safety and successful return.
As they wound their way through the pleasant valley, every so often the
little bluebird would sing her song, loud and sweet, and then would
pause, with folded wing, to listen, as if expecting an answer.
So they went on for many miles, until, as they approached a cottage by
the roadside, Ned thought he heard a familiar air. Indeed, he was sure
that something important was about to happen, for the bluebird was
whirring around in circles and singing as if her life depended upon the
way she trilled and warbled.
"Why, there is a bluebird in that wicker cage!" exclaimed Ned, pointing
toward the cottage porch, from which swung a bird cage.
It was, indeed, true, and in another moment Ned's bluebird was perched
on the railing close by.
Scrambling down from the giant's friendly shoulder, Ned touched the
cage, and, to his amazement, the little door flew open and out walked a
handsome young prince, about his own age.
"Who are you?" cried Ned, but before he could reply the giant exclaimed:
"He must be the brother of the princess! We have, indeed, completed our
adventure, or nearly so," he added, remembering they had yet to deal
with the crafty stepfather.
"How can I ever repay you?" cried the little prince, who was at first
unable to speak from the joy of it all. "I am free! I am free!" And he
almost cried with delight, flinging his arms about Ned's sturdy form
and patting the leg of the giant.
"Come, little bluebird, and let me thank you, too," he added, as the
pretty bird circled in the air and alighted on Ned's shoulder. Indeed,
it was a happy moment for all.
"And now," said Ned, "let us think of the best way to return to the
castle, so that the princess may receive her long-lost brother."
"The easiest way is the best way," said the giant. "Both you boys climb
up on my back, and in 500 short seconds we'll be back at the castle, or
I have forgotten my early training on the cinder path."
All of which goes to show that even in Gnomeland there are sports,
although few fairy tales tell us anything about them.
When Ned and the prince had seated themselves comfortably on the great
shoulders of the obliging giant, he set off at a tremendous rate, and
soon they were ascending the hill on which stood the castle of the
beautiful princess.
THE MAGIC RING
The Unhappy Little Princess leaned out of the window and sobbed.
[Illustration]
THE MAGIC RING
NED followed the beautiful princess and her brother into the castle,
while the giant, who had to stoop nearly to the floor in order to enter
the doorway, brought up the rear.
As it was late, everyone decided to go to bed. Besides, they were all
well tired out after their exciting day.
You would have laughed to see the giant ascend the stairway to the royal
bedchambers, for the steps were too small for his feet, and it was with
great difficulty that he managed to get a foothold with the toes of his
boots.
When at last he was safely inside his bedroom, the largest in the
castle, it was found that the bedstead was not nearly long enough for
him.
So the princess gave orders that two cot beds be placed ends together,
and in this way the giant, by allowing his feet to project through the
open window, could lie down at full length. His feet nearly reached the
tree that grew just outside, on which the little bluebird had perched
for the night, and it was lucky, indeed, that it was midsummer, for
otherwise our big friend might have caught a severe cold.
After bidding the giant goodnight the little bluebird had a few minutes'
talk with Ned while he undressed himself.
[Illustration: THE STEPS WERE TOO SMALL FOR THE GIANT.]
She agreed to act as sentinel during the night, to keep a vigilant
lookout from the treetop, and in case of approaching danger instantly to
awaken Ned and the giant.
Gradually the great castle grew quiet, until nothing was stirring, "not
even a mouse."
At times the night wind rustled the leaves in the tree where the little
bluebird sentinel sat winking and blinking, and the big yellow moon
glistened fantastically on the big toe of the giant.
Toward midnight a faint sound in the distance, like the beat of horses'
hoofs, startled the bluebird.
Hastily flying toward the castle entrance she gazed out upon the roadway
that wound up from the valley below.
At some distance she made out dimly the figures of a number of horsemen.
Returning swiftly to the castle, she tweaked the giant's big toe. That,
you can easily imagine, awoke him with a start.
"What's the matter?" he asked in a frightened whisper which, although
only a whisper, was enough to make the castle tremble, thereby awakening
Ned and the princess herself.
"The crafty stepfather of the princess is coming," answered the
bluebird.
"Then it's all up with me," cried the giant, "for he'll change me again
into a pine tree."
The bluebird made no reply, but hastened to find Ned. On entering his
bedroom through the half open window she found him already dressing.
"Take the ring," he said, slipping it over her glossy neck, after she
had informed him of what she had seen. "If you can manage to touch him
with it, this wicked man will find that he has no power whatever to harm
us."
"I will make haste," replied the little bird, "for they must by this
time have reached the drawbridge."
So saying she flew swiftly away and reached the other side of the moat
just as the cavalcade set foot upon the bridge.
Awaiting her opportunity to touch the wicked stepfather of the princess
with the magic ring, she alighted quietly on the tip of a spear which
one of the horsemen carried.
As they neared the center of the drawbridge the king, as if suddenly
aware of an unseen power, exclaimed: "I feel there is danger near!"
Then the horseman shook his spear defiantly and so startled the little
bluebird that she nearly lost her footing, and alas! what was much more
serious, caused her to loosen her hold upon the little magic gold ring,
which slipped from between her bill and fell into the waters of the
moat.
Like a falling star, it shivered and glimmered in the rays of the moon
as it descended, attracting the attention of a speckled trout, who
opened his mouth and swallowed it as it splashed upon the silvery
surface of the water.
"Your trusty spear has done me good service in times gone by," exclaimed
the wicked king, not knowing that its owner had unknowingly been the
cause of saving him at the present moment.
On came the cavalcade, the wicked attendants of the king inside the
castle opening the gates and allowing him and his men to enter the
courtyard.
Ned looked down from his window and wondered what had become of the
bluebird. He did not feel afraid, but at the same time he realized that
he was not in friendly hands. The giant, on hearing the gates open, had
quickly drawn in his feet and was struggling to get his shoes on when
Ned appeared at the door.
"It's all up!" said the big fellow, with a wry face and a catch in his
gruff voice. "I can feel already the pine-needles beginning to stick out
all over me."
"Oh, that's gooseflesh, you're so scared!" replied Ned, smiling in spite
of the gravity of the situation. "It may not be as bad as you think!"
Just then a great pounding on the front doors told them that the King
was seeking admittance. "Who has locked the doors?" he shouted.
"Wait a minute," said the sweet voice of the princess; "we did not
expect you so late," and she ran down the stairs and opened the door
herself.
"I have two visitors upstairs," she said, as the angry monarch stepped
inside.
"What!" he shouted hoarsely, "bring them to me. How do I know but that
they are enemies?"
"Indeed they are not," she replied, "as you will see in 500 short
seconds."
"Ned, come down!" she called, "bring your friend with you, for I would
have you meet the King!"
Ned turned to the giant, whose big face was twitching with terror.
"He'll recognize me as sure as eggs is eggs!" he groaned.
"What! is that thunder?" exclaimed the King below, mistaking the giant's
moan for a thunderclap, but before his question was answered Ned and his
friend appeared at the head of the stairway.
After shaking hands with Ned in quite a friendly way the wicked King
turned to the giant. "Ha, ha!" he cried, "have I not had the pleasure of
meeting you before, my fine friend?"
The giant said nothing, for what could he say?
"Have I not met you before?" repeated the King, with a fierce gesture.
"Methinks you would look better as a pine tree than a hulking giant,"
and before the words were fairly out of the King's mouth a stately pine
tree was standing in the courtyard, through which the wind of the early
morning made a moaning noise much like the pitiful groan of the poor,
late giant.
"And you, my little cockatoo," continued the wicked King, turning
quickly to Ned, "would look better in a cage!"
And in another minute Ned found himself in a wicker cage, suspended from
the lowest limb of the pine tree.
"And now," cried the wicked King, "where is your third guest?" The
princess paused a moment. "Oh, the little bluebird!" she exclaimed,
"where has it gone?"
"No, not the little bluebird, but he that was the bluebird."
At this the poor princess became very pale. She had hidden her brother
the evening before when they had gone to bed in a closet in her room,
hoping to have the opportunity of disguising him and sending him away
with Ned and the giant the first thing in the morning. But, now, alas,
her wicked stepfather undoubtedly suspected something. For else why
should he ask for him?
She was in despair, for she knew not what to say. And where was Ned's
little friend, the bluebird herself, all this time? Had she deserted her
friends, the little princess asked herself?
"Answer my question!" cried the King, grasping hold of her wrist.
The princess screamed with terror and her brother, hearing her cry,
rushed forth from the closet and down the stairs.