"Glancing into the faces of the children, he winked his big, sleepy eye with a sound like the clapping of hands that caused both of the children to laugh in his face. Then he turned slowly about and repeated the Queen's request in thunderous tones. "There was an instant pause of the dolphins in the distance; then a bright gleam of sunlight flashed from their tails as they lifted them from the lake in sportive glee. The shrill voice of an answering mermaid came from far over the waves; then they continued their journey and were soon lost to sight. "The Queen turned to the children with a bright smile upon her pretty face and, giving each of them a sweet kiss, she said softly: "'It won't take them long, dear ones. It won't take them long. We shall have to wait but a few moments.' "So now, while the beautiful Queen with the children are waiting on top of the rock for a boat to come for them, we will wait here under this tree for a fresh drink of water, that the dear ones gathered about me may keep comfortable and cool." The Vagabond cast a smile over the excited and anxious faces in the circle, as he brushed the sweat from his brow and ceased speaking. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER VIII THE ISLAND OF DREAMS "I wonder if my papa knows Kimbo, the Giant?" exclaimed the little one who was seated at the Vagabond's side. "He knows everybody. He knows Santa Claus, and Rip Van Winkle; and I heard him say that he once ate dinner with Jack the Giant Killer." She paused and with a sweet smile looked up into the Vagabond's face. "Your father must be quite a traveller himself!" he exclaimed in reply; to which the little girl quickly responded: "He is." Then she pushed herself over and without invitation climbed on to the Vagabond's knee, which he carefully brushed with his old hat to receive her. The merry group gathered closer and closer, and the circle gradually became smaller and smaller until now it was an all around squeeze; when one of the little girls somewhat relieved the crowded condition by pushing herself out from the rest and taking the place at the Vagabond's side that had just been vacated by the little maiden for the preferable seat on his knee. Half a dozen of the boys arose, took up the old oaken bucket and hurried away to the well. All the children were in great haste for the story to continue, and it did not take long for the boys to return with the water. The sun was shining down red hot, although it was quite comfortable under the tree; and after the water had been passed around the circle and the faithful water carriers were seated in their respective places, the Vagabond went on with his story.