They found the boys awaiting them and were soon floating along together. They saw little farmers plowing the fields; little millers tending the mill and putting the snowy flour into sacks; tiny cattle grazing in the pastures, lying in the shade to rest, or standing knee-deep in the sparkling streams to cool their feet, while on the hill-tops the tiny windmills spun in this and in that direction with the shifting of the wind. [Illustration: ALL THE CHORUSES ARE HEAVENLY AND HARMONIOUS (p. 178) ] “Isn’t this the cutest isle you ever saw? There is a toy representative of everything we have on Earth even to threshing machines and automobiles,” said Ione. “It certainly is a most enchanting place. These wee people go about their business as if they were large men and women,” said the Prince. “Yes, and they seem as independent as Punch or a pig on ice in the way they go about it,” answered Harold. “What are you going to show us next, Mercury, dear, in this storehouse of space?” questioned the Princess. “I think I shall take you to the island where all the animals come when they die.” “Oh, do!” said Ione. “Perhaps I can then see the pets I used to love.” “Very well, when I say three, all wish yourselves on the island called Isle of Pet Animals and we will be there.” CHAPTER XIV. Grazing on the sunny hillsides, lying asleep under the shade trees, or frolicking about the meadows they saw, literally, the lion and the lamb lying down together, for on this peaceful island, where no cruel man’s gun had ever been fired or angry master’s whip been used, animals of all kinds lived as peacefully as if belonging to the same happy family. The island was very large and all changes of climate were common to it as well as every kind of animal known to man, from the polar bear of the frigid zone to the hippopotamus of torrid climes, but the most wonderful thing about all these animals was that they could talk, though each had a language characteristic of its particular breed as well as a language common to all, so that each could make his wants or needs known to any and all about him. When our young people heard this they were delighted beyond expression. “I was never so glad of any one thing in all my life as to know that a time has come when animals can talk and make themselves understood,” said Ione. “I have always felt that they could and would some day because the expression of their eyes is so intelligent, and from the pathetic looks they have often given us, I have been sure they knew our minds and comprehended our troubles even though they could not tell us so.” “Let us show ourselves to them without our magic robes, and see if any of our old-time pets are here and will recognize us,” said the Prince. “Bow-wow-wow!” barked a dog behind Ione and turning she saw a noble Saint Bernard with eyes beaming with love and tail wagging with joy. “Oh, Hero! you old darling, how are you?” cried Ione.