For who would not a fierce bird dread, If it came flying at his head? And these were hungry, squawking things, With open beaks and flapping wings. They made the Brownies dodge and dip, Into the sea they feared to slip. The birds they viewed with chattering teeth, Yet dreaded more the foes beneath. The lobster, with his ready claw; The fish with sword, the fish with saw; The hermit-crab, in coral hall, Averse to every social call; The father-lasher, and the shrimp, The cuttle-fish, or ocean imp, All these increase the landsman's fright, As shores are fading out of sight. Such fear soon gained complete command Of every Brownie in the band. They looked behind, where fair and green The grassy banks and woods were seen. They looked ahead, where white and cold The foaming waves of ocean rolled, And then, with woful faces drew Comparisons between the two. [Illustration] Some blamed themselves for action rash Against all reason still to dash In danger's way, and never think Until they stood on ruin's brink. While others threw the blame on those Who did the risky trip propose. But meantime deep and deeper still The whale was settling down until His back looked like an island small That scarce gave standing-room to all. But, when their chance seemed slight indeed To sport again o'er dewy mead, The spouting whale, with movement strong, Ran crashing through some timbers long That lumbermen had strongly tied In cribs and rafts, an acre wide. [Illustration] [Illustration] 'Twas then, in such a trying hour, The Brownies showed their nerve and power. The diving whale gave little time For them to choose a stick to climb,-- But grips were strong; no hold was lost, However high the logs were tossed; By happy chance the boom remained That to the nearest shore was chained, And o'er that bridge the Brownies made A safe retreat to forest shade. [Illustration] THE BROWNIES' KITES. [Illustration] The sun had hardly taken flight Unto the deepest caves of night; Or fowls secured a place of rest Where Reynard's paw could not molest, When Brownies gathered to pursue Their plans regarding pleasures new. Said one: "In spite of hand or string, Now hats fly round like crows in spring, Exposing heads to gusts of air, That ill the slightest draught can bear; While, high above the tallest tower, At morning, noon, and evening hour, The youngsters' kites with streaming tails Are riding out the strongest gales. The doves in steeples hide away Or keep their houses through the day, Mistaking every kite that flies For bird of prey of wondrous size." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration: SUPERFINE FLOUR] [Illustration: NEWS]