CHAPTER XIII
NEPTUNE STILLS THE WAVES
Up and down like corks bobbed the Brownies on the angry waves when theirraft was so suddenly demolished by the storm. The blackness of the nightwas so intense that even with their supernatural vision they could notsee each other save in those vivid streaks of lightning that came oftenand for a brief moment made all around as bright as day.
The wild wind and waves bore them farther and farther apart from eachother, so that it was every one for himself, which was against allprinciple in a band that delighted in mutual help.
But in this case they could not give it. The water got in their nosesand mouths, causing them to gasp, choke, and splutter, while their earsrang, and their eyes were nearly blinded.
Desperately they clung to the splintered pieces of debris, to thedog-house that spun over and over, to the gate that turned upside down,or straddled logs that kept rolling with Brownies first up and thenunder like teetotums.
And others, not so fortunate, with strength fast leaving them, stillswam the waters seeking and groping in vain for some object to sustainthem.
Then, right in the midst of all their terrible danger, when hope wasfast departing from all hearts, a wonderful thing happened.
There came a sudden radiance that was not the lightning's flash,illuminating old Father Neptune and a bevy of lovely-faced dryads in agolden chariot that furiously galloping seahorses drew across the waves.
In a brief space no longer than a second the God of the Sea and hisbeauteous attendants passed on out of sight, but almost with theirdisappearance the lightning and thunder ceased, as did the rain, thewind died down, the stars once more shone out, and the water grew assmooth as glass.
When buffeted no longer by boisterous winds and waves the chance theBrownies had to save themselves increased immeasurably.
They could now see and hear each other, and when some one swimming inthe water called for help there were those on debris who reached overand pulled their exhausted comrade on board.
They shouted at each other in the dark, and by using their feet aspaddles contrived at last to bring whatever they floated on closetogether. Then King Stanislaus, who with Prince Florimel was a-straddleof 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 thismisfortune in itself was enough to dampen their spirits, for thecompanion who had been carried off by the gigantic bird was very muchbeloved.
"Aye, aye!" growled the Sailor, cocking his weather-eye out through theslats 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 bothhands and feet for paddles, and adopting many ingenious devices tocomplete the voyage so disastrously begun.
And a day dawned, then another, but at nightfall of the second theyglimpsed far off a shore-line with a single towering mountain which theyknew to be Dragonfel's enchanted country.
They were neither hungry nor thirsty, for Brownies if need be can gowithout food or water a long time.
Much heartened by what they beheld, they redoubled their efforts toreach the shore, which grew plainer and plainer, until finally theycould distinguish an immense glittering structure that looked more likea prison than a palace, built as it was in the gloomy shadow of themountain.
Though it gleamed and flashed and shone in a thousand and one differentplaces, 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 hiscountry was lying at anchor well in toward the shore, with no oneevidently on board, but not feeling sure of this the Brownies made awide detour, choosing for a landing a sheltered cove that would screenthem from observing eyes.
As they drew closer to the land some strange companions had they--queercreatures who had obtruded themselves upon the Brownies during thestorm, and forced their society upon unwilling hosts--a motley gatheringfrom air, sea, and undersea that occupied choice places upon the flotsamand jetsam to which the little fellows so precariously clung withamazing vim.
There were comical-looking, long-legged, long-billed cranes and herons,and squat-flappered, web-footed penguins. The walrus and seal werethere, as well as formidable members of the finny tribe, some of whichhad swords so sharp that the discreet Brownies kept a most respectfuldistance from them. Crustaceans too were represented, with here alobster slyly nipping a sprite's toe with his claws, and there a turtletweaking another's cap.
But when the Brownies reached shoal water, and some began to wade towardshore, these false whilom friends deserted them, and dived into thedeep, 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 thesluggish blood once more pulsing through their veins.
King Stanislaus stood apart from all the rest, and watched their joyousantics with an expression of deep thought on his august countenance. Itwas plain to be seen that he was greatly troubled in his mind.
Now that they had succeeded in reaching Dragonfel's country what stepsshould be taken in the effort to recover Queen Titania and hercompanions? It was not to be conceived that the wicked enchanter wouldgive them up without a bitter struggle.
The problem confronting the Brownie band was one that required the mostcareful consideration. A single false step might ruin all.
While the monarch pondered over what was best to be done his eyeabstractedly roved to the Brownies who now had gathered in a circle onthe beach, and who were scanning with much interest something in thesky.
The Policeman involuntarily had pointed his club toward it, and theSailor was trying to get a better view through his spy-glass.
The royal eye at once turned upward in the direction in which all theothers were gazing, and like everyone else was held spellbound withsurprise.
Far overhead there was an immense bird slowly dropping with stationarywings outspread down toward them. It stood out clearly outlined insilhouette against the dark night-sky.
But it was not this bird, remarkable in itself, that created suchintense excitement on the part of all.
Its great sharp talons held in a firm grip an object that theyrecognized at once, with the result that delight and consternation weremingled on their faces.
Grasped firmly by the coat-tails, with face downward, and legs and armsspread out like a Maltese cross, was the immaculate Brownie Dude, andhe still was clutching in his right hand the cane that was his mosttreasured possession outside of his monocle. The Brownies watched thismost extraordinary spectacle as though they were fascinated, and theirpop-eyes almost popped out of their heads.
Lower and lower settled the great bird, and the anxious watchers nowrealized that its offices toward the Dude in time of danger had been ofa most heroic nature.
With great haste some secured a net, which they held outspread. When thebird was still some distance above, it cocked its eye as though it weremaking some nice calculation and suddenly let go of its burden.
The Dude came hurtling through the air, landing safely in the net, whilethe bird sailed off, and was soon gone from sight.
As soon as the Dude got on his feet he started to dust off his clotheswith 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 whocrowded around in congratulation handed him his opera-hat box.
It may here be mentioned, that the Fairies, who had been left behind,made a desperate attempt to follow their Queen, and the Brownies, acrossthe sea. But, after great difficulties, and dangers, they were glad toget back to their own shore in safety.
But though Florimel, like all the rest, was delighted beyond measurethat the Dude had been so miraculously restored to them, so they werenow once more com
plete, he could not restrain his tortured feelings whenhe thought of Queen Titania, and he was in a fever of impatience torush at once to her rescue.
"We only waste time here while Titania may be in danger," he said, witha strong trace of irritation in his tone. "Is not that Dragonfel'spalace over yonder?"
King Stanislaus gazed at the highly expensive but forbidding-lookingedifice toward which Florimel pointed.
"Maybe so," was his guarded response.
"Then let us storm it, and force him to surrender the queen and hercompanions!"
"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. "Judgingfrom what you've told me, for I've never seen any of them, each of thosefellows must stand full six times as high as one of us, and there may besix 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. Anopen attack would be entirely out of the question. They'd have theadvantage of us in size and maybe numbers. No, no, my boy, we must useBrownie cunning." Reluctantly Florimel was obliged to admit the force ofthe shrewd old monarch's reasoning.
Concerned as he was in mind to rescue Titania as soon as he could, hehad no desire by any rash act to imperil or, even worse still, destroythe entire band.
King Stanislaus motioned to the Brownies, who drew closer to giverespectful heed to what he might have to say to them.
"I want each of you to go out and see what you can learn," heinstructed. "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 ahalf-hour has elapsed we will assemble here." Following His Majesty'sdirections, the willing band immediately dispersed, Florimel choosing away to take alone, as did each other, and so careful were they all thatno one in the neighborhood would have suspected they were near.
When the half-hour was up King Stanislaus was back on the same spot, andthe 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 whilehe was questioning them in turn he ascertained that neither Florimel northe Policeman had returned.
The fact that both were missing worried him not a little, but, evenwhile he was wondering what had kept them, he beheld the Policemanreturning 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 justmade a remarkable discovery."
"What is it, officer?" asked King Stanislaus, anxiously.
"If I told you," said the Policeman, "I'm afraid you wouldn't believeme. I want you all to come and see for yourselves!"