But to the infinite delight and astonishment of all a strange thing happened, that made the eyes pop in from every head.
The arrow struck the base of the rock, which at the moment of contact burst into hundreds of jagged pieces that flew up into the air. As these fell they formed a series of steps that were as good as any mason could have planned.
They ascended these steps with all possible haste up into the open, where the blue sky was above them, and where they could breathe freely the air that never before had seemed so sweet and pure.
Looking around they could note the ravages of the flood, for with it there had come a mighty tidal wave from the sea, with abnormally high water that had changed the low marshlands into lakes, and had swollen the small creeks to roaring, rushing rivers.
Just then a vivacious little mine-sprite found an opportunity to whisper to the Policeman:
“This is leap-year, officer, and, to speak freely, I loved you at first sight.”
“Well,” said the Policeman, with his usual composure, “to speak even more freely, your love at second sight is not returned.”
“I would be willing,” she said, “to fly with you to parts unknown.”