"My ears burn," complained the Vegetable Man, as the Hungry Tiger struggled through the flaming torrent toward the shore.
"What's that?" questioned Betsy, sniffing the air suddenly. At the same moment they were simply covered with a shower of crisp white flakes.
"My ears!" moaned the Vegetable Man, in grief-stricken tones. "They've popped!" This on top of all the other shocks was almost too much, and when the tiger had dragged himself out of the fiery stream and scrambled up the steep bank, they all dropped down upon the steaming rocks and simply panted with exhaustion.
"First time I ever came down a fire-fall," puffed Reddy, gazing fearfully at the tumbling torrent of flames.
"Well, it's the last time I ever come down one," growled the Hungry Tiger. "If it hadn't been for that ruby of yours we'd all have been nicely toasted by now. As it is—" The Hungry Tiger looked sorrowfully at the Vegetable Man.
"The best ears I ever had," groaned Carter, feeling the husks that were left to him.
"Did it hurt?" asked Betsy sympathetically. But the Vegetable Man made no reply.
"He can't hear you," explained the Hungry Tiger gloomily. "If I had that Gnome King I'd eat him."
"He didn't turn out very well," admitted Betsy sadly. "But never mind. Reddy has another ruby and we're in the upstairs world again."