The Indian with a flourish of his tomahawk came running to King Stanislaus, and imparted the surprising intelligence: "The dromedary's swallowed all the door-knobs, and the knobs are in his stomachs." "Which one of his stomachs?" "I don't know, Your Majesty." "Can't you see which looks the knobbiest?" Florimel could not but admire the shrewdness of King Stanislaus in disposing of all matters great and small, and he did not feel that he could ever reign and be as wise as he. The little monarch held his subjects under most admirable control, and in arguments that sometimes rose between them one word from his lips would effectually settle all dispute. And so they wandered on and on, hiding away from sight ere the first rays of the morning sun could strike them, and sallying forth again when the stars began to shine at night. Many a harmless prank they played, and helpful deed they did, in which Florimel took hearty part, and he grew to love them more and more, as they did him. One thing was a source of great surprise to him, yet, after he considered, it was not surprising, which was that all dumb creatures, whether of the fields or air, were the Brownies' friends, and loved them. In countless ways they all evinced delight whenever these good-natured little goblings were at hand, for they knew that they would help instead of harm them. Even the savage animals that had so lately thirsted for Florimel's blood proved tractable, and neither they nor the Brownies showed the slightest fear of each other. The beasts grovelled and rolled over with pleasure when the Brownies playfully yanked and pulled their tails. All was harmony between them, and the industrious animals went on with their task of gathering bones without caring whether the Brownies were near or far. [Illustration] So on they fared with light hearts that had never a care. The country grew less wild and mountainous, till there were emerald fields, green copses, and flowers blooming everywhere. The sweet, caressing air had just a soft reminder of the sea in it. And, while they hid away one day in a leafy covert, while the birds in the branches round them were pouring their hearts out in gladness, piercing screams suddenly rent the air, and caused all great alarm. "Let us make haste!" cried Florimel, springing to his feet. "There is danger in that cry!" But when he started King Stanislaus tried to hold him back. "Have a care, Florimel!" he warned. "It may be a decoy to entrap us!" "Let me go!" said Florimel, struggling. He broke from King Stanislaus's kindly, well-meant grasp, and ran with might and main in the direction from which the terrifying sounds still came. The Brownies looked at each other in great dismay. Into what danger had their beloved Prince Florimel so recklessly plunged, and would they ever see his face again? [Illustration] CHAPTER VIII QUEEN TITANIA'S GREAT PERIL [Illustration]