"Yes," returned Iona joyously, and they ran up the bank towards the orange flower.
"Come, little flower-guard, near or far,
Wapsipinicon, 'rah, 'rah, 'rah."
shouted Pierre, but though they hunted all over the bush no little, green-clad fairy appeared. The children looked at one another blankly. What if now that they had the precious key, the guard failed to keep his promise?
Suddenly Pierre laughed. "It is our fault," he said, recalling the proud and important look of the guard. "He doesn't know that he is small. I remember now what he told us," so Pierre called,
"Come, brave flower-guard, near or far,
Wapsipinicon, 'rah, 'rah, 'rah."
and at once the guard with his flashing eye, his green uniform, and with his hand on the hilt of his sword, stood before them.
"Look!" cried Iona, showing the key. "It was woven into the side of a magpie's nest. I gave him one of my curls for it."
The guard seemed pleased and nodded. "You have done well," he said, "and now if you remember your letter and number we will be off."