Flying Soot saw that he must interfere at once. He bent down and whispered quickly to the Earth Fairy, “Do not tarry here an instant longer. You have made an enemy of the Giant. In another moment he will destroy us all. Come, let us go in quest of the Prince, for I have other friends who may serve you better than the Giant.” The crafty Earth Fairy perceived that he was right, and yielded herself at once to his advice. Away she fled with Flying Soot across the Wide Grey Plain, taking with her the sorrowing Princess, and soon the Giant and his rage, and the Seven Hills of Ash lay far behind them. At last Flying Soot checked the Earth Fairy’s flight. “Let us stop here while I tell you what I mean to do,” he said. The Earth Fairy was willing. She rested her Green Wand, and Princess White Flame ceased to go forward, but her captor made sure that the Princess was not near enough to herself and Flying Soot to overhear anything that might be said. “The Prince as you know, has escaped by the work of a magic coal,” began Flying Soot. “Against such a fairy weapon the Giant’s wondrous Cloak is powerless. But come--I will take you to one who will be proof against this--one whose weapons are such that the Prince cannot even approach him to injure him. This powerful friend of whom I speak is the Great Black Dragon, and his haunt is yonder in the Gloomy Vale. From here, as you see, it is not far distant. I will go at once to bespeak his aid. Go you, on your part, and find the Prince, and when you have brought him to the Dragon, you may be sure that you will find him ready to serve you. Then shall you discover also that I have not boasted of the Dragon’s power in vain.” Glad was the Earth Fairy to consent to what promised so well for her purpose, and presently they parted, each to go upon the errand set. [Illustration] CHAPTER X In the Gloomy Vale the Great Black Dragon lay asleep with his head between his paws. Around him, on all sides, stretched the black hillsides, with apparently no living creature but the Dragon to be seen. Yet as Flying Soot entered the valley on his mission for the Earth Fairy, dull-hued toads hopped away from his feet, and strange animals of hideous shapes left the nooks where they had lain sleeping to creep away and drowse again in a more distant spot. Occasionally he saw fierce eyes glare out upon him from a dim thicket, or beheld the sharp claw or lashing tail of some evil creature whisking itself away from his view. Flying Soot knew them all, and feared them not. He passed unmolested on his way, and stopped within a yard of the Dragon, but so profound was the monster’s sleep that he did not stir. “Awake, Sir Dragon!” cried Flying Soot, drawing nearer, “Awake!” The Dragon moved one claw a little in his slumber, but gave no other heed. Flying Soot drew nearer still. “Awake, Sir Dragon! Awake!” he shouted in his very ear. Then the Dragon gave a great yawn, and his eyelids slowly rose.