DISASTER TO DRAGONFEL
[Illustration]
Dragonfel's mine was flooded, and as the water kept pouring in from all
sides, there was no escape for the unfortunates who were in its
chambers.
The passage which was mainly used in a descent to the mine had become a
raging river impossible to withstand so deep was it and with a current
so strong.
The way by which the Brownies had entered the mine was blocked by the
giant boulder which could only be removed by the pressure of a secret
spring from the outside. The boulder had brought captivity to the band,
and now it threatened even direr results, for those several tons of
stone stubbornly barred the way to safety.
It was evident that the violent disturbances deep down in the earth
which had caused the earthquake and volcano were likewise responsible
for the flood.
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The water came in streams from the entrances, cracks, and fissures until
the main-shaft was transformed into a lake that constantly grew deeper,
and through this with shrieks and screams all plunged, fleeing hither
and thither, but with no definite point in their dazed minds.
Dragonfel and his followers in particular lost their heads, and their
fear and cowardice were indeed pitiable. All their bravado had deserted
them, and from the blustering bullies they had been they became sorry,
trembling wretches vainly beseeching help and voicing the terror at
their hearts in wild, unearthly cries.
But, though the Brownies were alarmed like all the rest, they still
retained their presence of mind, and under the cool-headed direction of
King Stanislaus they at once set about to do certain things, with the
hope that a way would afterward be found to get them out of all danger,
helping hands were busy.
Prince Florimel assisted Titania, Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil to
a ledge that was still out of the reach of the advancing waters,
charging them most earnestly to remain there, after which he ran back,
and added his efforts to those of his companions.
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The little mine-sprites were most in need of aid, and to them the
Brownies devoted the work of rescue. They were all in great peril of
drowning, and though it seemed that such a fate could only be delayed
for a time, they started to remove the poor, frightened creatures to
places as far beyond the rapidly encroaching waters as possible.
Brownies scaled the walls and lodged themselves in a pocket up to which
they hauled with great effort a number of mine-sprites in one of the
large baskets that were used in loading the jewels before they were
carted away.
Others of the terrified sprites sought refuge by climbing over the
Brownies' willing backs to a temporary refuge high among the rocks.
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The Irishman, Scotchman, and German put three in a wheelbarrow, and
started to trundle them off, but to their great dismay it turned over,
and spilled them out. Assistance, however, was quickly rendered, and
with the mine-sprites back in the wheelbarrow they continued on their
way.
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Still the waters rose, and the excitement increased.
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Dragonfel in the most abject terror stormed and shouted at his
followers, issuing angry commands for them to exert themselves to do
something, but they were all helpless, and his words were wasted on the
air to no purpose.
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They were too frightened to be of assistance, even if it had been
possible to render it, though in cases where one was overcome there were
those who attempted the work of resuscitation.
The wicked enchanter ran about like a maniac, with little or no thought
of where he was going, until suddenly with a shriek of fright he plunged
into a circular pit that had been dug deep into the earth for a distance
of perhaps fifty feet.
There was sufficient water at the bottom of the pit to break his severe
fall, which was fortunate for him, as otherwise it would have resulted
in his end.
He was stunned and dazed, but in nowise injured beyond some bruises, and
he frantically reached up and clutched a jagged point of rock by which
he pulled himself out of the water that was nearly to his neck and
promising him more.
The horror of his situation was at once made plain to him. Beyond this
rock there was nothing by which he could maintain even the slightest
hold, and the waters which were steadily rising would soon submerge him
and end all.
His evil scheming had led to his own undoing, and in causing misfortune
to so many he had brought upon himself the most terrible misfortune of
all.
Looking up helplessly he could see a number of the Brownies trying to
peer down at him through the darkness. They lay flat on their stomachs,
and leaned as far out over the hole as prudence would permit.
"Help! help!" screamed Dragonfel, in a frenzy of fear. "Save me! save
me!"
His piteous cries were heard by all the Brownies, and they looked
at each other in doubt and uncertainty. When the monster whom they
had every reason to fear had met with the mishap which now made him
powerless it was not to be gainsaid that a feeling of great relief was
experienced by one and all. No matter what harm might come to them from
other sources, certainly his power to injure them was gone.
"Why should we help him?" said one of the Brownies. "He has harmed us
all he could."
"If he drowns," said another, "he will never have a chance to do so
again." But King Stanislaus looked very grave.
"No matter how much he has wronged us," he said decidedly, "he needs our
help, so we must give it."
"But he is our enemy," objected the Policeman.
"That makes no difference," said His Majesty. "He will drown if we do
not aid him."
"If we save him," said Uncle Sam, "he will only make trouble for us
again."
"We must not think of that," said King Stanislaus. "He's in distress,
and doesn't need to advertise it. That's where the Brownies step in."
He gave his orders, and the Brownies with the realization that there was
not a moment to be lost ran with all possible speed for the long rope
which they had used in hauling up the mine-sprites in the basket. This
they brought to the opening, tripping and sprawling over it in the
eagerness and anxiety they displayed.
They stood in a line, and lowered the rope down into the pit.
"Slip the noose at the end of the rope under your arms," shouted King
Stanislaus to Dragonfel, "and we will pull you up."
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The water was nearly over Dragonfel's head by this time, and he had
ceased his cries for help, for whenever he opened his mouth he choked
and strangled. He heard the welcome words of the king as in a dream,
but half unconscious as he was he reached out, and caught the rope,
tightened his grip upon it. He discovered the slip-noose at the end,
and with his senses fast leaving him had just enough strength left to
adjust this under both his arms. When the Brownies felt the rope grow
taut they began to haul away with might and main. Around the pit now
there were willing minds and itching fingers. Some fell over with
their exertions, but in a trice they were up again to contribute all
the strength they had to the work. "Pull away, boys!" shouted King
Stanislaus encouragingly, with his own royal digits wound tightly
around the rope. "A long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together!
That's the ticket! Hurray! We'll soon have him up."
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His words incited them so that through undue effort they suddenly lost
their balance and sprawled over backward like ten-pins.
Like a shot Dragonfel fell back into the water again, almost dragging
after him a half-dozen Brownies who still clung to the rope. But others
quickly grasped them by the legs, and prevented them from going over
into the pit until a fresh hold of the rope was secured, and another
attempt was made.
"Avast there, messmates!" cried the Sailor. "Give an old salt a chance
at the fore-clutch on the hawser, and the old pirate will soon come up
from the bottom of the sea!"
This time the Brownies were successful, and they pulled Dragonfel to the
brink, and rolled him over to a place of temporary safety.
Water poured from his drenched form, and with a groan he relapsed into
unconsciousness.
The Brownies looked first at him, and then at each other. Though no one
said a word, all had the same thought.
Soon Dragonfel would revive, and then what would happen? They had saved
their foe, but to what purpose? If by any chance they should escape the
present dreadful danger they were in they would still be in the wicked
enchanter's power.
How would he use it?
[Illustration: NEARING A FINISH.]