“Where did you get it?” exclaimed the elf.
“In the Reception Hall,” the boy replied, as he deposited his burden on the floor. “The Hall was empty, and it was the only thing I could find that might do. I broke one of the other tables and brought these two pieces of board to steer with. What fun it would be to see the old King when he discovers it! I bet he’ll say something worse than ‘hummyslash!’ or whatever the word is. Now, old man, let me slide this thing into the water.” And turning the table bottom side up, he carefully launched it.
“Tight as a drum, and floats like a cork!” he cried delightedly. “Let me try my weight upon it. All right! it bears beautifully. I’ll put the food in the bow, and you can sit in the stern, and steer with that short piece of board; and I’ll sit in the middle and use that longer board, to keep the craft from turning around or running against the sides of the tunnel. All aboard! Off we go, then!”
The little lantern-box had been tied to one of the front table-legs in such a way as to keep the light from shining in their eyes and yet light up the tunnel ahead of them. The only trouble they had was to keep their improvised boat from drifting sidewise; but a little practice enabled them to overcome that tendency, and they were soon floating easily and gently down the stream.
“Isn’t this jolly!” exclaimed Harry. “We’re running along at a good pace now, you can tell by looking at the sides of the tunnel.”
“Our speed has been increasing a great deal for the last few moments,” said Kitey. “You know we moved quite slowly when we started. Listen, Prince! do you hear anything?”
“I hear nothing unusual,” replied Harry, putting his hand to his ear.
“Listen again!” said Kitey; “it is growing louder every second.”
Harry did so. “Why,” said he, “it seems to me I do hear some kind of a noise ahead. A kind of a roaring sound. Say, Kitey, old man, it sounds like a waterfall!”
By this time they were being carried along at a terrific pace, but the water was smooth and glassy, with only an occasional ripple to indicate how rapidly it was gliding downward.