“Never mind,” said Jack Frost kindly. “I dare say it will turn out all right, like the farmer’s wagon that met the automobile. Anyway, here comes the Geography Fairy. He ought to have some tidings.” Looking over the edge of the cliff, Billy saw Nimbus approaching. He explained afterward that the crater which he and the Evening Star had followed, led right through the volcano and out of the cliff at the bottom. Jack Frost hailed him, and Nimbus climbed up, bidding his train of Meteors wait until he returned. He and Jack Frost shook hands cordially, and Nimbus inquired: “Have either of you seen anything of the Evening Star? I lost track of her when we got out of the crater.” “Gracious!” said Billy, “I thought she was with you.” “So she was,” said Nimbus, “but she said she thought she’d like to fly once more, and sailed off to pay the Moon a visit.” Jack Frost looked up quickly. “That’s where the Equator’s gone, then,” he said. “Has the Equator left the top of the volcano?” asked Nimbus excitedly. “He has,” said Jack Frost. “He was just about to destroy this little boy when I stopped him. He’s afraid of me.” “More than of any one else in the whole world,” said Nimbus. “But where do you suppose he is now?” “I don’t suppose,” said Jack Frost; “I can only suspect.” “And what do you suspect?” “That he’s trailing the Evening Star, and if he finds her----” “But he must not find her,” cried Nimbus. “No,” said Jack Frost, “he must not.” Out of the darkness above them shone a bright speck that grew larger and larger. As it drew nearer Billy saw that it was a Meteor, a new Meteor which he had never seen before. “Hey, there!” shouted Nimbus, who had seen him the same moment Billy did; “any message for me?” “Yes,” puffed the Meteor, who was not within easy talking distance. “Miss Evening Star is being chased by the Equator, and has only got about a thousand miles’ start.” “Which way are they going?” asked Nimbus and Jack Frost in a breath. “Gee whiz!” said the Meteor, “I forgot to ask.” THE COMPASS CHAPTER VIII THE COMPASS “Strange that you fellows never forget to ask for your meals,” said Jack Frost tartly. “Your memory never fails you there.” “Let us not waste time scolding them,” said Nimbus. “The important thing is to find where the Equator and the Evening Star have gone.” “Very true,” said Jack Frost. “We’ll establish headquarters immediately, and send out scouts.” Then he led the way to a little clump of palms which was at the foot of a hill just below them. The Meteors, like a great flock of fireflies, followed along in their wake, and when they stopped they lined up for orders. “Now,” said Nimbus, addressing them, “how many points of the compass are there?” “It depends entirely on the compass,” said one of the Meteors. “He’s right,” said Jack Frost. “A large compass would have more points than a small one. There’s more room on it.” “I can box the compass,” chirruped another Meteor proudly.