"The island is inhabited by ill-tempered dwarfs who kill those who cause them inconvenience, and, on the other hand, to those who appear amiable they grant whatever they are asked. So, gentlemen, I recommend moderation."
This they promised him, and in a little while the boats touched dry land.
They disembarked, running the boats aground so that the surf should not break them up, and penetrated into the island.
They had gone scarcely a mile when they saw some little white houses of brick, white as snow, and of a singular shape. They looked like jars turned upside down. All the houses had very small windows and a small door.
"This must be," said the captain, "the dwarfs' city. Be very careful now, because this is a dangerous moment."
"But where are the brilliants?" asked a sailor.
"They are on that mountain which begins at the side of the town. It is quite inaccessible except by a narrow path whose entrance is carefully and strongly defended by the dwarfs."
At this moment a kind of bugle sounded and an arrow appeared from each little window. They had given the alarm and the dwarfs hastened to the defence.
The captain tied a handkerchief to the end of a stick, and with this improvised flag made signals that his intentions were pacific.
Then a committee of dwarfs came out to talk matters over with them, making themselves understood by signs, and at last agreed to let the shipwrecked men enter the town, but blindfolded.