“‘I’LL SOON CARRY YOU OVER THE MOUNTAIN AND THE RIVER INTO THE KINGDOM OF IX.’”
“Suppose we go to Queen Zixi, and ask her to protect us?” the princess suggested.
“That’s all right, if she doesn’t bear us a grudge. You know we knocked out her whole army,” remarked Bud.
“Quavo the minstrel says she is very beautiful, and kind to her people,” said the girl.
“Well, there’s no one else we can trust,” Bud answered gloomily; “so we may as well try Zixi. But if you drop either of us on the way, Aunt Rivette, I’ll have to call in the lord high executioner.”
“Never fear,” replied the old woman. “If I drop you, you’ll never know what has happened. So each one of you put an arm around my neck, and cling tight, and I’ll soon carry you over the mountain and the river into the kingdom of Ix.”
Chapter XX.
IN THE PALACE OF THE WITCH-QUEEN.
Bud and Fluff were surprised at the magnificence of the city of Ix. The witch-queen had reigned there so many centuries that she found plenty of time to carry out her ideas; and the gardens, shrubbery, and buildings were beautifully planned and cared for.
The splendid palace of the queen was in the center of a delightful park, with white marble walks leading up to the front door.