Part 18 (2/2)

He endeavored to provide amus.e.m.e.nts for which they had no heart, and was a sorry host at best. In his crude efforts to entertain them he welcomed all ideas for sports and diversions, so when on one occasion they were all together, and his prisoners seemed unusually depressed, he sat upon his throne knitting his brows in trying to think of something that might cheer them up a bit.

In the midst of his unsuccessful cogitations the Demon Usher half skipped, half flew, to him, and prostrated himself at his feet.

”Kind master!” he cried, in a flutter of excitement.

”What is it?” asked Dragonfel.

”A band of wandering minstrels outside humbly crave permission to play before you.”

”What, another?” said Dragonfel. ”Show them in!”

The words he used were hospitable enough, but the tone of his voice boded little good for the daring musicians.

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CHAPTER XIII

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 s.p.a.ce no longer than a second the G.o.d of the Sea and his beauteous attendants pa.s.sed 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 gla.s.s.

When buffeted no longer by boisterous winds and waves the chance the Brownies had to save themselves increased immeasurably.

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