All was harmony between them, and the industrious animals went on with their task of gathering bones without caring whether the Brownies were near or far.
So on they fared with light hearts that had never a care. The country grew less wild and mountainous, till there were emerald fields, green copses, and flowers blooming everywhere. The sweet, caressing air had just a soft reminder of the sea in it.
And, while they hid away one day in a leafy covert, while the birds in the branches round them were pouring their hearts out in gladness, piercing screams suddenly rent the air, and caused all great alarm. “Let us make haste!” cried Florimel, springing to his feet. “There is danger in that cry!”
But when he started King Stanislaus tried to hold him back. “Have a care, Florimel!” he warned. “It may be a decoy to entrap us!” “Let me go!” said Florimel, struggling.
He broke from King Stanislaus’s kindly, well-meant grasp, and ran with might and main in the direction from which the terrifying sounds still came. The Brownies looked at each other in great dismay. Into what danger had their beloved Prince Florimel so recklessly plunged, and would they ever see his face again?
CHAPTER VIII
QUEEN TITANIA’S
GREAT PERIL