"But do the Mifkets ill-treat you in any way?" asked John.
"Oh, no; until now they have done me no real injury whatever," the Princess answered, "but their tempers are so hateful that I am in constant fear of them. You must meet the Mifkets, of course, since you cannot leave this island; and you must obey them as we all do. But perhaps Mr. Dough, being made of gingerbread, will be treated with more respect than human beings are."
"Or with less," said John, with a shudder. "Nevertheless, we will meet the Mifkets boldly, and I am not going to make myself unhappy by being afraid of them."
"Nor I," said Chick. "They're only beasts."
"Then, if you will please follow me, I will lead you to the king's village," said the girl; "and there you may see my father and mother."
"Very well," agreed John. "But I must tell you that we have already encountered three of these creatures, and defeated them easily."
"I pounded 'em like sixty," added the Cherub, with a nod and a laugh.
THE KING OF THE MIFKETS