<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
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<p class="st">NEPTUNE STILLS<br/>
THE WAVES</p>
<p class="cap"><span class="upper">Up</span> 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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>But in this case they could not give it. The water got in
their noses and mouths, causing them to gasp, choke, and splutter,<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</SPAN></span>
while their ears rang, and their eyes were nearly blinded.</p>
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<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i129a.png" width-obs="448" height-obs="254" alt="They clung to the debris" title="" /></div>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i129b.png" width-obs="327" height-obs="251" alt="Straddled logs" title="" /></div>
<p>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.</p>
<p>And others,<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</SPAN></span>
not so fortunate, with strength fast leaving them, still swam
the waters seeking and groping in vain for some object to sustain
them.</p>
<p>Then, right in the midst of all their terrible danger, when
hope was fast departing from all hearts, a wonderful thing
happened.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i130.png" width-obs="458" height-obs="310" alt="A wonderful thing" title="" /></div>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</SPAN></span>
did the rain, the wind died down, the stars once more shone
out, and the water grew as smooth as glass.</p>
<p>When buffeted no longer by boisterous winds and waves the
chance the Brownies had to save themselves increased immeasurably.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Aye, aye!” growled the Sailor, cocking his weather-eye out<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</SPAN></span>
through the slats of the hen-coop. “We’re all here, even to
Euphrosyne’s dove!”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>They were neither hungry nor thirsty, for Brownies if need
be can go without food or water a long time.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</SPAN></span>
which the little fellows so precariously clung with amazing vim.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i132.png" width-obs="445" height-obs="257" alt="These false whilom friends" title="" /></div>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>King Stanislaus stood apart from all the rest, and watched<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</SPAN></span>
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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>The problem confronting the Brownie band was one that
required the most careful consideration. A single false step
might ruin all.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>The Policeman involuntarily had pointed his club toward it,
and the Sailor was trying to get a better view through his spy-glass.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>But it was not this bird, remarkable in itself, that created
such intense excitement on the part of all.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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<p>Grasped firmly by the coat-tails, with face downward, and
legs and arms spread out like a Maltese cross, was the immaculate<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</SPAN></span>
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.</p>
<p>Lower and lower settled the great bird, and the anxious<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</SPAN></span>
watchers now realized that its offices toward the Dude in time
of danger had been of a most heroic nature.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>The Dude came hurtling through the air, landing safely in
the net, while the bird sailed off, and was soon gone from
sight.</p>
<p>As soon as the Dude got on his feet he started to dust off
his clothes with a tiny whisk-broom.</p>
<p>“I shouldn’t care to go up in an aeroplane!” he said.</p>
<p>He looked infinitely relieved when one of the overjoyed
Brownies who crowded around in congratulation handed him
his opera-hat box.</p>
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<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i134.png" width-obs="333" height-obs="221" alt="The Fairies attempted to follow their queen" title="" /></div>
<p>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<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</SPAN></span>
dangers, they were glad to get back
to their own shore in safety.</p>
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<p>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<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</SPAN></span>
thought of Queen Titania, and he was in a fever of impatience
to rush at once to her rescue.</p>
<p>“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?”</p>
<p>King Stanislaus gazed at the highly expensive but forbidding-looking
edifice toward which Florimel pointed.</p>
<p>“Maybe so,” was his guarded response.</p>
<p>“Then let us storm it, and force him to surrender the queen
and her companions!”</p>
<p>“Yes, yes!” cried all the Brownies.</p>
<p>But King Stanislaus shook his head in a very decided manner.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Have you anything to propose?”</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>King Stanislaus motioned to the Brownies, who drew closer<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</SPAN></span>
to give respectful heed to what he might have to say to them.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Well,” His Majesty asked, “have you found out anything?”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“Your Majesty,” he panted, as he came up out of breath,
“I have just made a remarkable discovery.”</p>
<p>“What is it, officer?” asked King Stanislaus, anxiously.</p>
<p>“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!”</p>
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<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i136.png" width-obs="177" height-obs="64" alt="Ducks" title="" /></div>
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