Adventures of Prince Lazybones, and Other Stories

by Mrs. Molesworth

  CHAPTER XII

  THE FAIRY'S STORY CONTINUED

  "Sooner than he had supposed, Arthur heard the soft little twitter ofhis new friend.

  "'I have flown really quite a distance, and had the good-fortune to seethe elf who has charge of these woods. He is very much vexed with you,and will not listen to any excuse; though knowing so little about thematter, I hardly knew what to offer. I pleaded your youth, however, andmade bold to promise your good behavior in the future, and while I wasspeaking one of the lesser elves twitched my wing a little, andwhispered,

  "'"Promise him something he likes as a ransom, and perhaps he willanswer your request."

  "'"But I do not know what he likes," I replied. "Can you suggestanything?" I added, in the same whisper.

  "'"He is very much in need of some sea-weed. I heard him say the otherday that he wanted some iodine, and that he would have to send a partyof us off to the sea-shore to get sea-weed, from which we make iodine.Now, if your friend can get it, he would be so much pleased that I amsure he would be willing to forgive him, and restore him to his propercondition."

  "'After hearing this, I made the offer in your name, and received afavorable reply. You are to get two pounds of sea-weed in less than afortnight. It is to be laid on the large flat rock which you will seelower down the stream, under the chestnut-tree. You are to leave itthere, and by no means to remain there, but return here, and yourreward will await you.'

  "Arthur thanked the little bird warmly, but inwardly despaired ofaccomplishing anything so difficult.

  "The little bird hopped restlessly about. 'You will try to do this, willyou not?' she asked.

  "'Of course I will try,' said Arthur, rather ashamed, and striving toput a bold face on the matter. 'I will try, but I do not know exactlywhat to do first.'

  "'Streams run into rivers, and rivers to the sea,' twittered the bird.

  "'Yes; but I hardly think frogs swim in deep water. I will have tocontrive a boat or a float of some sort.'

  "Just then a huge trout sprang up after a fly and missed it. Quick as aflash the little bird darted up, caught the fly, dropped it into thetrout's open mouth, and twittered something unintelligible to Arthur. Heheard, however, a curious sound of words from the trout.

  "'Jump on my back, jump on my back, and be off, alack!'

  "'Go,' said the bird, quickly.

  "Arthur made a bound, and found himself on Mr. Specklesides's back inan instant.

  "'Good-bye,' sang the little bird, loudly, for already the trout hadflashed away into a dark pool beneath a cascade, where the fallingwaters made a deafening noise. In another instant he made another dart,and quick as lightning they were in broad, shallow water. Again theywere whirled from eddy to eddy, and already the stream had widened intoa little river. The bending trees, the weeds, and grasses, were mirroredin its cool depths, as now with long, steady stroke the trout swam on.

  "Suddenly another shape darkened the glassy surface of the water. It wasthe figure of a man in slouched hat and high boots, and long taperingrod in hand. He seemed to be quite motionless, but far out near themiddle of the stream, just where the trout was swimming, danced abrilliant fly. A leap, a dash, and then began such a whirling mad rushthrough the water that Arthur knew he would be overthrown. The trout hadseized the fly, and the fisherman, rapidly unreeling his line, waitedfor the fish to exhaust himself. Before this was done, however, Arthurwas thrown violently off the trout's back, and by dint of desperateefforts reached the shore, where for a long while he lay motionless.

  "When he revived he found himself in long sedgy grass, well shieldedfrom observation. The trout was nowhere to be seen, and Arthur knew thatit was idle to search for him. Poor fellow! his fate had found him, andno doubt he was lying quietly enough now in the fisherman's basket.

  "'"Streams run into rivers, and rivers to the sea," and I must look forsome other method than the trout's back.'

  "He hopped about wearily, ate a few flies, and then, quite worn out,fell fast asleep. When he awoke it was dark. Fire-flies flashed abouthim brilliantly; stars beamed so brightly that they seemed double, halfabove in the sky, and half below in the water. From some overhangingboughs came a dismal hooting.

  "'Hush!' cried Arthur, impatiently. 'Why do you want to spoil the nightwith such wailing?'

  "'I have lost three lovely little owlets,' was the response. 'Darlinglittle fluffy cherubs! Never had an owl-mother three such beauties!'

  "'Where are they?' asked Arthur.

  "'Devoured by a horrible night-hawk,' sobbed the owl.

  "'Where has the night-hawk flown?'

  "'Far down the river after prey.'

  "'Why do you not go after him and punish him?'

  "'It is too far, and I am too sorrowful.'

  "'You have no spirit. _I_ would peck his eyes out were I in your place.'

  "'Ah! you are young and strong and brave.'

  "'Take me on your back, and we will fly after him.'

  "'Come, then, and do battle for me, noble friend.'

  "Down flew the owl, and up jumped Arthur quickly on its back, inwardlywondering how a frog could be a match for a night-hawk, but quiteresolved to aid the poor owl if he could. With a delightful sense offreedom and glorious liberty, such as he had never before even imagined,they rose high above the tree-tops.

  "The moon had now risen, and the air seemed transparent silver.

  "Keeping near the border of the river, which had greatly widened, theyemerged from one forest only to enter another.

  "The wild cries of loons saluted them; herds of deer, cooling themselvesin the water, glanced up with startled gaze as they passed.

  "A dark bird flapped low over the water as a fish leaped from the waves.

  "'It is my enemy,' whispered the owl.

  "'Pursue him,' returned Arthur.

  "'My heart sinks within me; the memory of my owlets subdues allrevengefulness. Though I should make him suffer, it would not return tome my children.'

  "'But if we kill him he can do no further mischief.'

  "'True, true; but he is a fearful fellow. What weapons have you withwhich to meet him?'

  "'None but my eyes and legs; a frog is a poor despicable wretch undersuch circumstances. Our weight together might sink him. You must fly athim with one tremendous blow, get him down in the water, and all the fishwill assist to punish him, for all owe him a grudge. Or stay: fly closeto him, and I will leap upon him; the weight will surprise and annoyhim, and you must then make a dash for his eyes. Pluck them out if youcan; it will be worse than death for him.'

  "'Barbaric torture! But the memory of my owlets hardens my motherlyheart; it pulsates with tremendous force; their loss is the world'sloss. I hasten to the combat.'

  "They swept down low as the hawk swooped for fish; Arthur sprang uponits back; the owl darted at the creature's eyes, and with a furiousblow, first at one then at the other, made her enemy sightless. Thehawk, with a cry of pain, fell into the water. Instantly an enormousfish dragged him beneath, and it was only by wonderful dexterity on thepart of the owl and of the frog that the latter was unhurt. He nestledonce again among the owl's soft feathers, and they sought the shore.

  "'Now how shall I repay you, my brave friend?' asked the owl, as Arthurleaped upon land.

  "'I do not wish for any reward,' replied Arthur.

  "'Nevertheless, you will not refuse to grant a sorrowful and strickenmother the little balm which her grateful spirit seeks in the return oracknowledgment of so vast a favor as you have conferred upon me.'

  "Arthur thought a moment, and then told the owl of his journey anderrand to the sea-shore. 'Perhaps, as you are so famous for wisdom,Mother Owl, you may be able to give me some advice which will assist meto get the sea-weed, and return as speedily as I can,' he said, as hefinished his narration.

  "'I will consider,' replied the owl, bending her searching gaze towardsthe earth. After a few moments' reflection, in which she rolled herluminous and cat-like eyes about, ruffled her feathers, and ut
tered afew soft 'to-whit to-whoos,' she murmured, 'I have it. Seldom do Irequire to deliberate so anxiously, but parental anguish has clouded myactive brain; the recent combat, also, has exhausted my nervous system.I have the happy thought at last, though, and you shall be assisted. Wewill fly to the nest of an old friend, a celebrated kingfisher. He livesnot far from here; he knows the coast well, and will aid us. Come, mountupon my willing back, and we will fly at once.'

  "This was no sooner said than done. They flew swiftly over the now broadexpanse of water, rolling in a powerful stream, bordered by a wild andharsh-looking forest. A few tall and leafless trunks in a clustercontained, high among the bare boughs, a huge nest. From it, arousedfrom his sleep, sullenly flapped a large bird.

  "'Wait a moment, my friend,' called the owl, in her most beseechingmanner. 'I have a favor to ask. I wish to appeal to your intelligentgeographical, topographical, and comprehensive intellect for guidance.You know the coast; lead us to it before the dawn of day.'

  "'A most unwarrantable request, upon my word,' was the answer, in agruff voice. 'Why should you thus disturb my slumber, and demand of methis journey in the night?'"