CHAPTER XIV
NO sooner had the Earth Fairy beheld the sudden downfall of the Wizard than she immediately fled from the Cave of Darkness taking Princess White Flame with her.
Flying Soot, much crestfallen over the way in which matters had turned out, kept a little way behind them, for he was not anxious to speak with the Earth Fairy until her anger had had time to cool. When they were well outside the Cave, however, he drew nearer, and began as usual to make excuses and suggest new plans.
The Earth Fairy listened to him most ungraciously. “Speak no more of these friends of yours,” she exclaimed, “for I have lost all faith in them.”
“As you will,” said Flying Soot, with a shrug of his black shoulders, “but you make a grave mistake if you do not try the Wind in the Chimney.”
“I have no reason to believe that he will do any better than those others of whom you boasted so loudly,” retorted the Earth Fairy.
But Flying Soot was not to be discouraged. He continued to sing the Wind’s praises, until finally the Earth Fairy consented to give him a trial.
“You have but to wait here in concealment near the mouth of the Cave until the Prince comes forth,” directed Flying Soot, before he took his leave of her. “Then cause the Princess to lead him to the Chimney yonder, and you will soon see that the Wind is one whose magic is not to be despised.”
He gathered his black mantle about him and departed, and the Earth Fairy hid herself and Princess White Flame in a deep cleft close by, from whence she should be able to see Prince Radiance the moment that he issued from the Cave.