"I'm glad we brought this, aren't you?" Beaming with satisfaction and pleasure, Philador rolled up the marvelous jumping rope and put it back in the basket. The medicine man, again bethinking himself of the witch's cap and to be sure they were still going in the right direction, put it gravely on his head.
"The way lies over those mountains," he observed after a short pause. A quick walk through some fields brought them to the foot of the first mountain and, undaunted by its height and cragginess, they began to ascend, pulling themselves upward with the help of small saplings and bushes. The mountain side was covered with heather so that it was as purple as the witch's forest. Half way up, there was a small plateau and, weary from their stiff climb, the two adventurers stopped to rest.
"Whew!" puffed the little Prince, taking off his crown and looking ruefully at a long rent in his blue cloak. "I hope there are not many more mountains like this one!"
"There aren't!" The answer was so loud and emphatic Philador jumped nearly a foot, and Herby, after one astonished glance at the speaker, threw open his chest and began rummaging wildly among its contents.
"What's he doing?" asked the stranger, as Herby clapped a dozen lozenges into his mouth.
"Taking his medicine. It's just a habit he has," answered the little Prince, eyeing the newcomer apologetically.
"I was taking a laugh lozenge, if you must know," announced the medicine man, slamming his chest.