Azurma led the way back over the same route by which they had come, and in due time they arrived at the village, without further accidents.
The girl clasped Leo lovingly by the arm when they neared the palace, and Dick and Martin Haypole, who saw them coming, flung their caps in the air and uttered a cheer that brought out almost every soul in the village.
“Well, I’ll be everlasting ding-wizzened if ther boy isn’t alive an’ well as any of us! An’ ter think that he passed through both fire an’ water without gettin’ a scratch! ’Tain’t fer him to die in this country—that’s certain.”
And Dick! The boy could hardly express his joy at finding his cousin alive.
Queen Olive, who could not help hearing the commotion, came outside and nodded when she saw what caused it, as though she was well satisfied with Azurma’s success.
“I knew that if he was alive she would find him,” said she to Dick.
“All that I can say is that I am glad of it,” was the reply.
“Azurma is a very brave girl,” said Leo. “Had it not been for her I would never have found my way to this place again. I don’t know how I shall ever repay her.”
“Oh, that is easy,” returned Azurma; “promise to become my lord and master when the proper time arrives.”