As you will remember, they had nearly reached their destination when they were savagely attacked by the Desert Fairies; but, with the timely aid of the Shower Fairies, the enemy was successfully routed; and the tale concluded by telling how, rested and refreshed, they all set out upon their final march, singing as they went.
When in the early afternoon they arrived at the site of the Magic Well, a halt was called; and for a little time everybody rested. Then, taking a company of working Fairies to the top of the hill, the Prince directed them to remove the grass tussocks he and his friends had planted to hide the opening to the Well from sight, and to dig down until they were told to stop.
These instructions they faithfully carried out; the Prince, meantime, watching their work with the utmost interest. [[36]]
When, as he judged, they had gotten to within a few inches of the flat brown stones which formed the trap-door entrance to the Well, he ordered them to retire; and calling to those friends who on the previous occasion had seen it opened, he placed them in charge pending further orders. He then instructed one of his Officers to parade the entire Company close to the Well upon its Eastern side. This done, standing upon some of the freshly thrown out earth, he told them that in a few minutes they should witness a most engaging sight. In clear-cut language he followed this statement with a brief narrative of the finding of the Well; its fascinating history as related to him by his father; and an outline of his intentions with regard to the building of the Fairy City. In this project, he added, he expected to receive their willing co-operation and assistance; an expectation which his confidence in them led him to believe, would be fully realised!
As might have been expected, the speech was received with vociferous applause, which applause almost reached a roar, when, at a wave of his hand, amidst the greatest curiosity and excitement, his trusty officers within the Well, opened the door, and a great stream of clear, cool, crystal water shot fountain-like into the air!
If they had dared, they would at once have broken from their ranks and rushed pell-mell to the side of the Well to see from whence the Water came; but, too thoroughly trained to break discipline, they waited the command to dismiss.
Before dismissing them, however, the Prince ordered the cooks and kitchen assistants to retire and prepare an extra special open air supper. This, he said, was not only to indicate his pleasure at the fact that at last they had arrived at the scene of their future operations, but in token of his admiration of the way in which they had borne themselves throughout the trials and terrors of their long and arduous march. They were then released from duty; and whilst the meal was preparing, occupied the time in a most minute examination of the Well and its surroundings.
Just as supper was about to be served, and when everyone was in place, the Prince rose and said: “Before partaking of the dainty viands now before us, I wish you all, on this historic and maybe sacred [[37]]occasion, to rise and drink with me, in the waters of the Magic Well, all success and enduring prosperity to the greatest enterprise ever initiated in Austral Fairy Land ‘The Building of the Fairy City!’ ” Immediately all stood up, and with cheers that almost reached the sky, quaffed a fairy flagon of clearest water to the Prince’s Toast.
A “Fairy flagon,” you should know, is made up of Gum leaves put into moulds, points up, and pressed into the shape required. To hold the leaves together, and to make the flagon retain its shape, a kind of cement is used, made from an extract of black ants’ milk and beeswax. It is very binding, and in addition, takes on a most beautiful polish, through which the gum leaves shine as clearly as do fruits or flowers that are preserved in ice.
Now the waters of the Well have a very singular and happy effect upon all who drink of them; for though the Prince had not said a word about it, they contain certain life-giving properties which bring to those who drink them the most enchanting results. It is because of these peculiar properties that the Well is a Magic Well; its waters work wonders in a way that cannot be seen. Thus, shortly after drinking of them, the Fairies found themselves greatly stimulated and exhilarated in spirits. But their prime quality lies in their power to rejuvenate those who partake of them. That is to say they have the effect of making one young, and strong, and active again, no matter how tired or worn out one may have been beforehand.