NEPTUNE STILLS THE WAVES
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Up and down like corks bobbed the Brownies on the angry waves when their
raft was so suddenly demolished by the storm. The blackness of the night
was so intense that even with their supernatural vision they could not
see each other save in those vivid streaks of lightning that came often
and for a brief moment made all around as bright as day.
The wild wind and waves bore them farther and farther apart from each
other, so that it was every one for himself, which was against all
principle in a band that delighted in mutual help.
But in this case they could not give it. The water got in their noses
and mouths, causing them to gasp, choke, and splutter, while their ears
rang, and their eyes were nearly blinded.
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Desperately they clung to the splintered pieces of debris, to the
dog-house that spun over and over, to the gate that turned upside down,
or straddled logs that kept rolling with Brownies first up and then
under like teetotums.
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And others, not so fortunate, with strength fast leaving them, still
swam the waters seeking and groping in vain for some object to sustain
them.
Then, right in the midst of all their terrible danger, when hope was
fast departing from all hearts, a wonderful thing happened.
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There came a sudden radiance that was not the lightning's flash,
illuminating old Father Neptune and a bevy of lovely-faced dryads in a
golden chariot that furiously galloping seahorses drew across the waves.
In a brief space no longer than a second the God of the Sea and his
beauteous attendants passed on out of sight, but almost with their
disappearance the lightning and thunder ceased, as did the rain, the
wind died down, the stars once more shone out, and the water grew as
smooth as glass.
When buffeted no longer by boisterous winds and waves the chance the
Brownies had to save themselves increased immeasurably.
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They could now see and hear each other, and when some one swimming in
the water called for help there were those on debris who reached over
and pulled their exhausted comrade on board.
They shouted at each other in the dark, and by using their feet as
paddles contrived at last to bring whatever they floated on close
together. Then King Stanislaus, who with Prince Florimel was a-straddle
of a log, with much anxiety began to take an inventory of the band.
To his infinite relief no one was missing but the Dude, but this
misfortune in itself was enough to dampen their spirits, for the
companion who had been carried off by the gigantic bird was very much
beloved.
"Aye, aye!" growled the Sailor, cocking his weather-eye out through the
slats of the hen-coop. "We're all here, even to Euphrosyne's dove!"
Thus on they went without further mishap, a queer-looking flotilla,
keeping in as close proximity to each other as they could, using both
hands and feet for paddles, and adopting many ingenious devices to
complete the voyage so disastrously begun.
And a day dawned, then another, but at nightfall of the second they
glimpsed far off a shore-line with a single towering mountain which they
knew to be Dragonfel's enchanted country.
They were neither hungry nor thirsty, for Brownies if need be can go
without food or water a long time.
Much heartened by what they beheld, they redoubled their efforts to
reach the shore, which grew plainer and plainer, until finally they
could distinguish an immense glittering structure that looked more like
a prison than a palace, built as it was in the gloomy shadow of the
mountain.
Though it gleamed and flashed and shone in a thousand and one different
places, where its myriad jewels caught the light, it seemed a cheerless,
inhospitable place, and they were depressed by the sight of it.
The galleon that Dragonfel had used to convey his captives to his
country was lying at anchor well in toward the shore, with no one
evidently on board, but not feeling sure of this the Brownies made a
wide detour, choosing for a landing a sheltered cove that would screen
them from observing eyes.
As they drew closer to the land some strange companions had they--queer
creatures who had obtruded themselves upon the Brownies during the
storm, and forced their society upon unwilling hosts--a motley gathering
from air, sea, and undersea that occupied choice places upon the flotsam
and jetsam to which the little fellows so precariously clung with
amazing vim.
There were comical-looking, long-legged, long-billed cranes and herons,
and squat-flappered, web-footed penguins. The walrus and seal were
there, as well as formidable members of the finny tribe, some of which
had swords so sharp that the discreet Brownies kept a most respectful
distance from them. Crustaceans too were represented, with here a
lobster slyly nipping a sprite's toe with his claws, and there a turtle
tweaking another's cap.
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But when the Brownies reached shoal water, and some began to wade toward
shore, these false whilom friends deserted them, and dived into the
deep, or flew off in the air.
Then when they were safe at last on land they stretched their weary,
stiff, cramped legs and arms, or raced about the sand to get the
sluggish blood once more pulsing through their veins.
King Stanislaus stood apart from all the rest, and watched their joyous
antics with an expression of deep thought on his august countenance. It
was plain to be seen that he was greatly troubled in his mind.
Now that they had succeeded in reaching Dragonfel's country what steps
should be taken in the effort to recover Queen Titania and her
companions? It was not to be conceived that the wicked enchanter would
give them up without a bitter struggle.
The problem confronting the Brownie band was one that required the most
careful consideration. A single false step might ruin all.
While the monarch pondered over what was best to be done his eye
abstractedly roved to the Brownies who now had gathered in a circle on
the beach, and who were scanning with much interest something in the
sky.
The Policeman involuntarily had pointed his club toward it, and the
Sailor was trying to get a better view through his spy-glass.
The royal eye at once turned upward in the direction in which all the
others were gazing, and like everyone else was held spellbound with
surprise.
Far overhead there was an immense bird slowly dropping with stationary
wings outspread down toward them. It stood out clearly outlined in
silhouette against the dark night-sky.
But it was not this bird, remarkable in itself, that created such
intense excitement on the part of all.
Its great sharp talons held in a firm grip an object that they
recognized at once, with the result that delight and consternation were
mingled on their faces.
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Grasped firmly by the coat-tails, with face downward, and legs and arms
spread out like a Maltese cross, was the immaculate Brownie Dude, and
he still was clutching in his right hand the cane that was his most
treasured possession outside of his monocle. The Brownies watched this
most extraordinary spectacle as though they were fascinated, and their
pop-eyes almost popped out of their heads.
Lower and lower settled the great bird, and the anxious watchers now
realized that its offices toward the Dude in time of danger had been of
a most heroic nature.
With great haste some secured a net, which they held outspread. When the
bird was still some distance above, it cocked its eye as though it were
making some nice calculation and suddenly let go of its burden.
The Dude came hurtling through the air, landing safely in the net, while
the bird sailed off, and was soon gone from sight.
As soon as the Dude got on his feet he started to dust off his clothes
with a tiny whisk-broom.
"I shouldn't care to go up in an aeroplane!" he said.
He looked infinitely relieved when one of the overjoyed Brownies who
crowded around in congratulation handed him his opera-hat box.
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It may here be mentioned, that the Fairies, who had been left behind,
made a desperate attempt to follow their Queen, and the Brownies, across
the sea. But, after great difficulties, and dangers, they were glad to
get back to their own shore in safety.
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But though Florimel, like all the rest, was delighted beyond measure
that the Dude had been so miraculously restored to them, so they were
now once more complete, he could not restrain his tortured feelings when
he thought of Queen Titania, and he was in a fever of impatience to
rush at once to her rescue.
"We only waste time here while Titania may be in danger," he said, with
a strong trace of irritation in his tone. "Is not that Dragonfel's
palace over yonder?"
King Stanislaus gazed at the highly expensive but forbidding-looking
edifice toward which Florimel pointed.
"Maybe so," was his guarded response.
"Then let us storm it, and force him to surrender the queen and her
companions!"
"Yes, yes!" cried all the Brownies.
But King Stanislaus shook his head in a very decided manner.
"My son, you're too impulsive," he said kindly but reprovingly. "Judging
from what you've told me, for I've never seen any of them, each of those
fellows must stand full six times as high as one of us, and there may be
six times as many besides. We must exercise caution."
"Have you anything to propose?"
"Nothing just now," said King Stanislaus. "We must reconnoitre a bit,
and get the lay of the land, before considering any plan whatever. An
open attack would be entirely out of the question. They'd have the
advantage of us in size and maybe numbers. No, no, my boy, we must use
Brownie cunning." Reluctantly Florimel was obliged to admit the force of
the shrewd old monarch's reasoning.
Concerned as he was in mind to rescue Titania as soon as he could, he
had no desire by any rash act to imperil or, even worse still, destroy
the entire band.
King Stanislaus motioned to the Brownies, who drew closer to give
respectful heed to what he might have to say to them.
"I want each of you to go out and see what you can learn," he
instructed. "But, as you value your life, and the lives of your fellows,
you must not allow yourselves to be seen or heard by anyone. When a
half-hour has elapsed we will assemble here." Following His Majesty's
directions, the willing band immediately dispersed, Florimel choosing a
way to take alone, as did each other, and so careful were they all that
no one in the neighborhood would have suspected they were near.
When the half-hour was up King Stanislaus was back on the same spot, and
the Brownies began to pop up in the dark around him from all sides.
"Well," His Majesty asked, "have you found out anything?"
Then one after another was obliged to confess that he had not, and while
he was questioning them in turn he ascertained that neither Florimel nor
the Policeman had returned.
The fact that both were missing worried him not a little, but, even
while he was wondering what had kept them, he beheld the Policeman
returning with incredible speed, leaping and bounding with his long,
tapering feet over the sand.
"Your Majesty," he panted, as he came up out of breath, "I have just
made a remarkable discovery."
"What is it, officer?" asked King Stanislaus, anxiously.
"If I told you," said the Policeman, "I'm afraid you wouldn't believe
me. I want you all to come and see for yourselves!"
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