"As the Queen and the children were walking along on a back street of the village, they met Mr. Sleepy Head again. His harp was hanging far over to one side, and his head was resting heavily upon his breast; while the sound of his loud snoring told them he was fast asleep. Once in a while he would snore so loudly that he wakened himself, when he would again lunge on.
"He had not gone very far when he stumbled head first into a tree with a bang that must have hurt him badly; for as he came to with a sudden start, they noticed he rubbed his head with his hands and looked dazedly about as if he had lost his way. Starting forward again, he changed his course and journeyed on toward his master.
"As they passed out of the village, the children were surprised to see a great stream of water, shooting hundreds of feet into the air and tossing its snowy spray about in a wickedly wasteful manner, while the stream seemed to be coming straight up out of the ground.
"As they stopped to look at it, Arthur said he had often seen a waterfall falling down, but had never seen one fall up before. The children were more than delighted with this strange wonder of nature.
"The Queen smiled at Arthur's remark, and turning to the children, said:
"'You know, children, somewhere, way down in the ground, there is a chemical laboratory, the great chemist in charge of which is Mr. Nature. There are not many places where he displays his wonderful ability in such an unusual fashion, but here he seems to have outdone all his other attempts. This is Soda Water Fountain, where day after day, and year after year, he sends forth his exquisite drink to quench the thirst of all weary travellers who visit the Island of Dreams.'
"'Soda Water Fountain!' exclaimed little Maud.
"And before they could half realize either the immensity of its height or its volume, the Queen led them to where they could drink to their hearts' content.
"As they stood drinking and watching the tall stream shoot high into the air, they could not help but ask questions; and, turning to the Queen, little Maud wanted to know what sent it up so high.
"'I believe the people of the world call such a display a geyser,' said the Queen. 'Several of them are to be found in various parts of the earth. When you have had all you wish to drink, and while we walk slowly back to the landing, I want you to tell me, if you can, where they are located.'