“You’re wonderful!” cried Pompa, eying Peg gratefully. “How can I ever thank you?” “Better get your sword ready,” said Peg practically, “for we may run into that giant any minute now.” Even Kabumpo and Wag had stopped making jokes and were straining their eyes toward Ev. “Let’s all stand together!” gasped Wag breathlessly. Before Peg or Pompa had time to plan, or Kabumpo to reply, the Runaway Country stepped off the desert and swept over the border and into the Kingdom of Ev, making straight for a tall purple mountain. “Do you see anything that looks like a giant, or a palace?” asked Peg, leaning forward. “Oh, help!” screamed Wag just then, while Kabumpo gave an earsplitting trumpet. Peg grasped Pompa and Pompa clutched Peg and no wonder! Directly in front of them were the legs and feet of the most terrible and tremendous giant they had ever imagined. He was sitting on the mountain itself and only a part of him was visible, for his head and shoulders were lost in the clouds. [Illustration: Kabumpo gave an ear-splitting trumpet] “What’s the matter? What’s the matter?” rumbled the Runaway Country, tilting forward slightly so it could see. One look was enough. With a frightened jump, that sent the four travelers hurtling through the air, it began running backwards and in a moment was out of sight. Peg was the first to recover her senses. Being wood, bumps didn’t bother her. She rose stiffly and gazed around her. Pompa’s feet were waving feebly from a small clump of bushes. Kabumpo stood swaying near by, while Wag lay over on his side with closed eyes. “Oh, you poor dears!” murmured Peg, and running over to the bushes she pulled out the Prince of Pumperdink and settled him with his back against a tree. He was much shaken by his high dive from the island, but pulled himself together and patted Peg’s wooden hand kindly. By this time Kabumpo had gotten his bearings and came wabbling over. “You’ve got a black eye, I see,” wheezed the Elegant Elephant bitterly. “Not so very black,” said Peg cheerfully. “Are you hurt, Kabumpo?” The Elegant Elephant felt himself all over with his trunk. “Well, I’m not used to being flung about like a bean bag,” he said irritably. Then he lowered his voice hastily, as he caught another glimpse of those dreadful giant feet. “I’ll go help Wag,” he whispered, backing away quickly. It took some time to rouse the giant rabbit, but finally he opened his eyes. “I shought I thaw a giant,” he muttered thickly. “Hush!” warned Kabumpo. “He’s over there.” He waved his trunk in the direction of the mountain and began dragging Wag firmly away. “C’mon over here,” he called in a loud whisper to Peg and Pompa. Leaning heavily on Peg Amy the Prince came. Then he gave a cry of distress. “My sword!” he gasped, staring around a bit wildly. “I’ll find it,” said Peg obligingly. “You sit still and rest.” “Where’s the Magic Box?” coughed Kabumpo, with an uneasy glance in the giant’s direction.