Part 17 (1/2)

”Well, I wouldn't consent to that anyhow,” said Jimmieboy. ”I love the major too much to----”

”So do we all,” interrupted the sprite. ”Why even I love the major and I wouldn't let anybody eat him for anything--no, sir!--not if I were offered a whole vanilla eclaire would I permit the major to be eaten.

But my scheme is the only one possible. I will turn myself into a giant twice as big as Fortyforefoot; I will place you and the major in my pockets and then I will call upon him. He will be so afraid of me that he will do almost anything I ask him to, but to make him give us the very best things he can make I would rather deal gently with him, and instead of forcing him to make the peaches and cherries I'll offer to trade you two fellows off for the things we need. He will be pleased enough at the chance to get anything so good to eat as you look, and he'll prepare everything for us, and he will put you down stairs in the pantry. Then I will tell him stories, and some of the major's jokes, to make him sleepy, and when finally he dozes off I will steal the pantry key and set you free. How does that strike you, general?”

”It's a very good plan unless Fortyforefoot should find us so toothsome looking that he would want to eat us raw. We may be nothing more than fruit for him, you know, and truly I don't want to be anybody's apple,”

said Jimmieboy.

”You are quite correct there, general,” said the major, with a chuckle.

”In fact, I'm quite sure he'd think you and I were fruit because being two we are necessarily a pear.”

”It won't happen,” said the sprite. ”He isn't likely to think you are fruit and even if he does I won't let him eat you. I'll keep him from doing it if I have to eat you myself.”

”Oh, of course, then, with a kind promise like that there is nothing left for us to do but accept your proposition,” said the major. ”As Ben Bullet says:

'When only one thing can be done-- If people only knew it-- The wisest course beneath the sun Is just to go and do it.'”

”I'm willing to take my chances,” said Jimmieboy, ”if after I see what kind of a giant you can turn yourself into I think you are terrible enough to frighten another giant.”

”Well, just watch me,” said the sprite, taking off his coat. ”And mind, however terrifying I may become, don't you get frightened, because I won't hurt you.”

”Go ahead,” said the major, valiantly. ”Wait until we get scared before talking like that to us.”

”One, two, three!” cried the sprite. ”Presto! Change!

'Bazam, bazam, A sprite I am, Bazoo, bazee, A giant I'd be.'”

Then there came a terrific noise; the trees about the little group shook to the very last end of their roots, all grew dark as night, and as quickly grew light again. In the returning light Jimmieboy saw looming up before him a fearful creature, eighty feet high, clad in a magnificent suit embroidered with gold and silver, a fierce mustache upon his lip, and dangling at his side was a heavy sword.

It was the sprite now transformed into a giant--a terrible-looking fellow, though to Jimmieboy he was not terrible because the boy knew that the dreadful creature was only his little friend in disguise.

”How do I look?” came a bellowing voice from above the trees.

”First rate. Horribly frightful. I'm sure you'll do, and I am ready,”

said Jimmieboy, with a laugh. ”What do you think, major?”

But there came no answer, and Jimmieboy, looking about him to see why the major made no reply, was just in time to see that worthy soldier's coat-tails disappearing down the road.

The major was running away as fast as he could go.

CHAPTER XII.

IN FORTYFOREFOOT VALLEY.

”You've frightened him pretty well, Spritey,” said Jimmieboy, with a laugh, as the major pa.s.sed out of sight.

”Yes,” returned the sprite. ”But you don't seem a bit afraid.”

”I'm not--though I think I should be if I didn't know who you are,”