"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.