Smaly and Redy had been watching with all their eyes, and they observed that two sentinels, instead of taking their departure with the crowd, stayed behind to guard the three sides of the garden which were in the country of the Wigs. The fourth side gave upon the frontier and was marked off by a long ridge of rock, several feet in height. It was from this rock that Smaly and Redy sat looking into the gardens. They could have already spoken to the three girls, but Smaly advised that they should wait until the time of the next siesta had arrived. * * * * * From their rock Smaly and Redy could see quite clearly the roof of the Historian's house. Directly they saw the Flying-Fish enter to announce the time for siesta Smaly meant to speak to the young girls. "Let us hang our red flag up there," said Redy to Smaly, pointing to an old tree. [Illustration: DIRECTLY THEY SAW THE FLYING-FISH ENTER] "Are you managing affairs or am I?" demanded Smaly severely. "Nevertheless," he added more kindly, "I will consider any advice you have to give, and may follow it ... if it is good...." [Illustration: THEIR TWO LITTLE HEADS APPEARED SIDE BY SIDE] Now the Flying-Fish began to fly low over the town, and two of them entered the house of the Historian. The whole country slept. It was evident that even the two sentinels slept heavily. When Smaly and Redy were sure that all was safe, they crept forward to the edge of the rock. Their two little heads appeared side by side before the astonished eyes of the three young girls, and since their beaks had disappeared for good and all, the two little people were certain they would make a good impression. And, indeed, the three young girls saw at once that these were the heads of human beings, real human beings, not creatures made of sugar and cake. When they heard these two human beings speak, the young girls were seized with intense emotion. Smaly and Redy whispered: "We've come to save you." Kisika, Laptitza, and Fritilla held up their arms towards them, while the tears ran down their cheeks for joy. They all began to speak at once; but Smaly and Redy each placed a finger on their lips with a mysterious air, to command silence. "We are going to take you away with us," whispered Redy. "Silence," said Smaly, standing on the point of his toes to appear taller. And he continued, "No one must speak until Kisika, Laptitza, and Fritilla have each made a little stairway by which they can climb up to where we are." "What a splendid idea," cried Redy. Smaly took no notice of her; but said, with an air of great importance, "Let the young girls begin at once to make the stairways." * * * * *