“‘I’ve no idea,’ said Cassiopeia. ‘But we must find him and bring him
back. We can’t let the silly old thing go wandering about, nobody knows
where. Perseus!’ she called. ‘You and Andromeda come and help.’
“They were so interested in some scheme of their own they weren’t
noticing what was going on. But as soon as they did, they were just as
much concerned as anybody, ‘Major gone!’ they said. ‘Why, where can he
be?’
“‘I thee him!’ called Draco, excitedly. He had flown up to look about.
Now he dropped again. ‘He’th almotht to Orion’th garden, and going
Thouth ath fatht ath ever he can!’
“‘Run, Perseus. You’re young,’ said Cassiopeia; and off he started, with
Andromeda after him. She and Perseus very easily ran faster than the
other Star People who followed: Cepheus and Cassiopeia, with Draco, half
flopping his wings and half running on his short crooked legs, like a
dachshund’s, and after them Hercules and Little Bear. Hercules picked
him up and put him on his shoulder, and came after the others—all racing
down toward the Southern Sky, to find Major and bring him back home.
“Cassiopeia was not much of a runner; but Hercules came up and put his
hand under one arm, and Cepheus put his under the other, to help her
along, so they made pretty good speed; though, of course, not so good as
Perseus and Andromeda. So they weren’t surprised, when they finally came
in sight of Major, to see that the young people had caught up with him,
and they and Orion were going along by his side.
“For Major wasn’t noticing them, nor stopping to listen to their talk.
He kept straight on, lifting his great paws high and throwing them out
as he trotted—not as a bear usually runs, and not getting along so very
fast, either.
“When he was actually in sight Cassiopeia declared she couldn’t go
another step without resting. So she sat down; and Perseus, who saw
them, came racing back with Andromeda after him, of course.
“‘Guess what he thinks!’ he called, when he came within hearing
distance. ‘He thinks he’s a wagon!’ cried Andromeda, in the same breath.
“‘A _wagon_!’ said everybody.
“‘Yes, he does,’ said Andromeda. ‘Orion ran out after him when he went
by the garden, and Major made him look out for the wheels. He thinks his
legs are wheels, and he will run over any one who’s in the way.’
“‘Did you ever hear more?’ said Cepheus. ‘I’d like to know how such an
idea came into his addled old head.’
“‘I’d just like to know how to put it _out_!’ said Cassiopeia.
“‘How’ll you stop him, if you don’t?’ asked Hercules. ‘He’ll keep on
forever—now he’s started.’ And that was perfectly reasonable, certainly,
and quite observant for a person who didn’t pretend to be bright.
“‘I can thtop him,’ said Draco.
“‘How?’ asked Perseus.
“‘You wait and thee. We’ll catch up with him thoon. He doethn’t go very
fatht.’”
The Princess stopped, and looked off, over the sea. Then she looked back
at the Others, all waiting for her to go on.
“It’s terribly exciting, Dearie,” said Phyllisy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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