Alas, that bravery and valor do not always win! It was useless for him
to fight against so experienced a swordsman as the King, and in short
time the prince was wounded and his sword thrown from his grasp.
"Little gamecock!" cried his conqueror, "you must needs grow larger
spurs before you tackle an old rooster like me! And since you remind me
of one, a rooster you shall be," and in five short seconds the little
prince was changed into a young gamecock.
"Out into the courtyard!" cried the King; "a castle is no chicken
house," and the little prince found himself unceremoniously thrown under
the big pine tree.
"Have pity!" cried the little princess. "Is there no pity for a little
orphan princess?"
"Enough," answered the King, with a stamp of his foot. "Go to your
room, else you may find yourself also changed into a bird, or a tree,
or a pretty butterfly."
So the unhappy little princess went up the stairs, crying bitterly, to
her own chamber. Closing the door, she leaned out of the window and
sobbed as if her heart would break.
For a moment she did not notice that the topmost branch of the pine tree
was close to her casement. In fact, she would not have noticed it for
some time probably, as her face was buried in her hands, had not the
branch brushed against her fingers.
As she withdrew her hands from her face she heard the giant's voice,
very much subdued, speaking to her.
"Ned says not to despair, for he feels sure that his little friend, the
bluebird, will yet find a way to liberate us all."
THE MAGIC BALLOON
Ned leaves the Magic Soap Bubble.
[Illustration]
THE MAGIC BALLOON
GREAT was the grief of the little bluebird as she skimmed over the
waters of the moat, realizing how impossible it was for her to regain
the lost ring.
She had not the heart for the moment to return to the castle to inform
Ned of his loss; so she perched herself disconsolately on a bush which
grew close to the margin of the moon-lit water, wondering what was best
to do.
Suddenly the speckled trout rose to the surface, and, seeing how
despondent was the pretty bluebird, inquired the cause of her grief.
"Ah, me!" she sighed in answer. "I have lost a magic gold ring, and I
know not what to do, nor how to recover it."
At this the speckled trout flapped his silvery tail gleefully, and
answered: "Worry no more, pretty bluebird, for I have it safely tucked
away inside of me."
"If that be the case, Sir Trout," joyously chirped the happy bird, "swim
at your greatest speed and deliver the ring to her majesty, the
Waterfall Fairy, Queen of the Lake. Tell her that Ned, her little mortal
friend, is in dire peril and that he needs her aid."
"That will I gladly do," answered the speckled trout, and without more
delay he darted off down the moat toward the dam at the farther side,
over which the water ran in a clear stream into the purling brook,
which finally led to the lake, where lived Ned's friend, the Fairy
Queen. Down the silvery cascade he glided and whirled away through the
running water, frightening the minnows and miller's thumbs lying among
the stones in the shallow places, and startling the crawfishes and
little fresh water lobsters hidden under the hollow banks.
Faster and faster he swam, like a courier with important dispatches,
down the clear stream running over its pebbly bed, with the luscious
meadow sweet and the large blue geranium blooming all about its banks,
and the wild rose on its bushes.
Nor did he pause until with a loud splash he dived over the waterfall
safely into the lake and rose to the surface close to the palace of the
Queen of the Lake.
A big black spider was busily at work mending the suspension bridge
which spanned the water at this narrow point, for the heavy drops of
dew had broken the slender strands in several places.
He stopped his work to look at the speckled trout, who at once addressed
him.
"I am the bearer of a most important dispatch for her highness," he
began.
"Well, and I am engaged in the most important duty of repairing her
highness' bridge," replied the spider.
"So, I see," answered the trout, "but----" At this very moment the Queen
herself, hearing voices at so early an hour outside her window, peeped
out. Catching sight of her the trout called out boldly:
"Listen to me, I beg of you, most gracious Queen. I have brought you the
gold ring from Ned, who sorely needs thy aid!"
[Illustration: "HERE IS THE RING," SAID THE TROUT.]
At this the Queen quickly withdrew her head, and in a short time
emerged from the doorway of her castle.
Hastily running to the water's edge, she leaned over, grasping hold of a
stalk to keep her from falling.
"Here is the ring," said the trout, holding it in his teeth and swimming
as close to the bank as he was able.
The Queen reached out and took it safely from him.
"I will make you king of my fishes, noble Sir Trout," she cried, "for
what you have this day accomplished. Remain here in my lake henceforth,
and now, to the rescue!"
In an incredibly short time she was mounted on her swiftest robin and
with her three ladies in waiting flew away toward the castle, where Ned
and the beautiful princess, her brave brother and the giant were held
prisoners by the magic of the wicked king.
Now, the little bluebird, as she saw her friend, the trout, swim away,
suddenly thought of her former master, the King of the Gnomes, and
decided to seek aid from him. So, whirling around in a circle to get her
bearings, she darted off swiftly through the air toward the cave in the
forest.
She made rapid progress until she reached the thick foliage of the
woods, and here, in her eagerness, she nearly lost her way.
Indeed, in the uncertain light that struggled through the thick boughs,
it was not easy to make out certain familiar landmarks which would guide
her to her destination.
At length, just at dawn, she found herself at the foot of the hill
wherein was the cave of the King of the Gnomes.
Worn out with her arduous journey, she fluttered down to the edge of
the bubbling fountain and drank of its refreshing waters.
Then, picking up a pebble, she dropped it into the little gravelly
basin, hopped painfully over to the great flat stone, and tapped upon it
three times with her beak.
No one replied, but the rock opened in the middle, and there stood the
King of the Gnomes himself.
On seeing the little bluebird, he stretched out a kindly hand for her to
rest upon, and carried her into the inner room.
It was his breakfast hour, for gnomes are early risers. Seating himself
at the table, he ordered that the little bird be served with breakfast
at once, for well he knew that a hungry bird's first wish must be for
food.
The King had scarce given this order before several nimble little men of
the forest placed seeds and grains of wheat and a goblet of golden
fruit juice before the bluebird.
Soon she was sufficiently revived to address the gnomes, and it took her
but a few moments to tell him all.
"Come, let us hasten," he said, as she finished, and, slipping into his
pocket his magic pipe and little pieces of soap, he left the cave and
walked rapidly toward a small clearing.
Leaning over a little pool in the hollow of the grassy earth, he filled
his pipe, rubbed the soap about the rim, and in a moment more blew a
large soap bubble.
Taking the little bluebird in his hand, he opened a small door and
entered the magic balloon. Up and up it went, until it was well above
the tops of the trees.
Then it took a course toward the east, where the rising sun was gilding
the sky with its golden fingers.
Faster and faster it sailed, overtaking in a short time the Fairy Queen
and her three ladies-in-waiting, mounted on their friendly robins.
In the distance could be seen the turrets of the castle, gleaming in the
morning sun like bayonets thrust up from the earth in monster guns.
"Now, little bluebird," said the Gnome, opening the little door and
thrusting her out upon his hand, as the big Soap Bubble hovered above
the castle, "fly down and tell Ned that deliverance is near at hand. So
also inform the beautiful Princess, who, I see, is still sitting at her
window, but asleep!"
Off flew the bluebird on her happy errand.
"Your Majesty," cried the Gnome, addressing the Fairy Queen, as she drew
rein at the doorway of the soap bubble, "I would suggest that you touch
with the Magic Ring only the cage wherein is confined our friend Ned,
instructing him, while still in the form of a cockatoo, to fly up to the
topmost branch of the pine tree. Also for the Princess' brother, while
he is still a gamecock, to do likewise. After I have brought the bubble
close to the window ledge, so that the beautiful Princess may step
easily inside, I will cause it to rise to the treetop, from which
advantageous position Ned and the Princess' brother can step within. But
what to do with the Pine Tree Giant," said the Gnome, scratching his
beard reflectively, "gets me! However, one thing at a time, as my old
grandfather used to say when I was a boy, 'one thing at a time!'"
As the bluebird whispered in the ear of the beautiful Princess, the
Magic Soap Bubble approached the window ledge.
Rubbing her eyes, but making no outcry, although she was very much
startled, she obeyed the bluebird's command to "step softly," and
entered the Bubble. It then ascended till it was on a line with the
topmost branch, where it swayed in the gentle morning breeze, like a
barnyard weather cock, the game rooster on one side and the cockatoo on
the other!
The Fairy Queen touched them with the ring as they hopped into the
bubble, and they regained immediately their natural shape.
The Princess threw her arms around her dear brother and hugged Ned, so
great was her delight.
Ned ran over to his little friend, the Gnome, and thanked him again and
again for his aid, and was about to lean out of the doorway to also
thank the Fairy Queen when the Gnome restrained him.
"Not so fast, Ned, my boy! All is not yet over."
"No, indeed," answered Ned, "we must rescue the giant."
"Aye, there's the rub," replied the Gnome. "How are we ever to get him
in the bubble, either as a tree or as a giant?"
At this point the Fairy Queen joined in the conversation, kissing Ned at
the same time as he attempted to thank her.
"Let me first change him into his natural form," she said. "Then he can
walk across the courtyard and out upon the drawbridge. From there he can
easily step off into the bubble, which your majesty can lower to the
right height above the water of the moat."
"Good!" said the Gnome. "Go and do your part and I will attend to the
bubble."
Just as the bubble cleared it the pine tree became once more the
friendly giant, who immediately strode across the courtyard.
Quickly lowering the drawbridge he hastened out upon it.
The creaking of the chains, however, had aroused the wicked King, who
looked out of his window to see what was the cause of the noise. In
another moment he was rushing toward the gates at the head of the castle
guard.
"Quick!" shouted the Gnome to the giant. "Get in!"
But, alas! The doorway was too small. In vain the giant wiggled and
squirmed. In vain Ned and the princess' brother pulled his arms. His
great shoulders could not be forced through the doorway. Finally, with a
tremendous shove he managed to go half way in, but no further, for at
this point his head was against the opposite side of the bubble.
On came the wicked King and his castle attendants, who, seeing the
predicament of the giant, fitted arrows to their strong bows, preparing
to shoot the hapless fellow.
"Blow the bubble larger!" shouted Ned. "Put the pipe in his mouth and
tell him to blow like thunder."
The Gnome placed the pipestem between the lips of the giant and
commanded him to blow for his life, and before an arrow left a bow the
bubble widened sufficiently to enable the giant to crawl inside.
Slamming the door shut the Gnome cried out exultingly: "We are safe!"
Away sailed the Magic Soap Bubble, with the Fairy Queen and her little
robin perched securely on the top, and her three ladies in waiting
standing close by on their own little feathered steeds.
Back to the beautiful Waterfall Lake, where the Fairy Queen bade Ned
goodby; back to the friendly Gnome's cave in the woods, where he said
farewell to Ned; back to Big Man's Land, where lived the Giant with his
kind old mother; back to the castle where lived the beautiful Princess
and her brother before the wicked King had kidnapped them, and back at
last to Ned's own home, where it left him in the old easy chair by the
window, from which he had started out to visit Gnomeland.
Well, well, little reader, here we are, you and I, at the end of the
book. What shall we do, for we have grown to be such good friends while
you have been reading this story of mine.
Listen, I will tell you another story, it's called "The Iceberg
Express"--it is one of The Little Journeys to Happyland books. So come
with me on the Iceberg Express.
Yours for a story,
DAVID CORY.
LITTLE JOURNEYS TO HAPPYLAND
By DAVID CORY
* * * * *
=Profusely Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers.=
* * * * *
Printed in large type--easy to read.
For children from 6 to 8 years.
* * * * *
A new series of exciting adventures by the author of the LITTLE JACK
RABBIT books. This series is unique in that it deals with unusual and
exciting adventures on land and sea and in the air.
THE CRUISE OF THE NOAH'S ARK
This is a good rainy day story. On just such a day
Mr. Noah invites Marjorie to go for a trip in
Noah's Ark. She gets aboard just in time and away
it floats out into the big wide world.
THE MAGIC SOAP BUBBLE
The king of the gnomes has a magic pipe with which
he blows a wonderful bubble and taking Ned with
him they both have a delightful time in Gnomeland.
THE ICEBERG EXPRESS
The Mermaid's magic comb changes little Mary
Louise into a mermaid. The Polar Bear Porter on
the Iceberg Express invites her to take a trip
with him and away they go.
THE WIND WAGON
Little Hero stepped aboard the Wind Wagon and
started on a journey to many wonderful places and
had a delightful time.
THE MAGIC UMBRELLA
A little old man gave Jimmy the Magic Umbrella
which took him to Happyland, where he had many
adventures.
* * * * *
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
Little Jack Rabbit Books
(Trademark Registered)
By DAVID CORY
Author of "Little Journeys to Happyland"
* * * * *
Colored Wrappers With Text Illustrations.
* * * * *
A new and unique series about the furred and feathered little people of
the wood and meadow.
Children will eagerly follow the doings of little Jack Rabbit, and the
clever way in which he escapes from his three enemies, Danny Fox, Mr.
Wicked Wolf and Hungry Hawk will delight the youngsters.
LITTLE JACK RABBIT'S ADVENTURES
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND DANNY FOX
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND THE SQUIRREL BROTHERS
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND CHIPPY CHIPMUNK
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND THE BIG BROWN BEAR
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND UNCLE JOHN HARE
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND PROFESSOR CROW
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND OLD MAN WEASEL
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND MR. WICKED WOLF
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND HUNGRY HAWK
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND THE POLICEMAN DOG
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND MISS MOUSIE
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND UNCLE LUCKY
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND THE YELLOW DOG TRAMP
* * * * *
GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK
THE PUSS-IN-BOOTS, Jr. SERIES
By DAVID CORY
Author of "The Little Jack Rabbit Stories" and "Little Journeys to
Happyland"
* * * * *
=Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated.
Each Volume Complete in Itself.=
* * * * *
To know Puss Junior once is to love him forever. That's the way all the
little people feel about this young, adventurous cat, son of a very
famous father.
THE ADVENTURES OF PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR.
FURTHER ADVENTURES OF PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR.
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR. IN FAIRYLAND
TRAVELS OF PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR.
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR., AND OLD MOTHER GOOSE
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR., IN NEW MOTHER GOOSE LAND
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR., AND THE GOOD GRAY HORSE
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR., AND TOM THUMB
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR., AND ROBINSON CRUSOE
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR., AND THE MAN IN THE MOON
* * * * *
GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK
THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS SERIES
By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
* * * * *
Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated.
For Children 6 to 12 Years
* * * * *
This series presents early American history in a manner that impresses
the young readers. Because of George and Martha Washington Parke, two
young descendants of the famous General Washington, these stories follow
exactly the life of the great American, by means of playing they act the
life of the Washingtons, both in battles and in society.
THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS
Their thrilling battles and expeditions generally end in "punishment"
lessons read by Mrs. Parke from the "Life of Washington." The culprits
listen intently, for this reading generally gives them new ideas for
further games of Indian warfare and Colonists' battles.
THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS RELATIVES
The Davis children visit the Parke home and join zealously in the games
of playing General Washington. So zealously, in fact, that little Jim
almost loses his scalp.
THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS' TRAVELS
The children wage a fierce battle upon the roof of a hotel in New York
City. Then, visiting the Davis home in Philadelphia, the patriotic
Washingtons vanquish the Hessians on a battle-field in the empty lot
back of the Davis property.
THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS AT SCHOOL
After the school-house battle the Washingtons discover a band of gypsies
camping near the back road to their homes and incidentally they secure
the stolen horse which the gypsies had taken from the "butter and egg
farmer" of the Parkes.
THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS' HOLIDAYS
They spend a pleasant summer on two adjoining farms in Vermont. During
the voyage they try to capture a "frigate" but little Jim is caught and
about to be punished by the Captain when his confederates hasten in and
save him.
* * * * *
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
[Illustration]
_"Give me the bag," the Steward said,
A frown upon his face.
"I'll lock you in a dungeon deep
That you may know your place."_
[Illustration]
_"Help, help! The Polar Bears are left
Upon the Iceberg chill.
Turn back the Ark; we cannot leave
Them on that icy hill!"_
[Illustration]
_"Your Highness," cried the Polar Bear,
"The fast Iceberg Express
Has broken into smithereens;
Too bad, I must confess."_
[Illustration]
_When Little Hero met the Goose
He asked her what to do.
So, children, read the Wind Wagon
And learn how it came true._
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Page 70, opening quotation mark added ("As they rolled along)
Page 157, "Ed." changed to "Ned" (and taking Ned with him)