So strive, dear maid, to play your part,
With noble aim and deed;
Let sweetness ever sway your heart,
And so I give you speed.
While Maudie was pondering over the meaning of these words, she was suddenly lifted off her feet, and, when she recovered from the shock, found herself with Willie in a balloon, while down below the Zankiwank was fondly embracing the Jackarandajam, who had just arrived with a whole army of odd-looking people, including Jack-the-Giant-Killer, Tom Thumb, Blue Beard, and all his wives, with Sister Anne, Dick Whittington, and his black cat, and Tom Tiddler, and about three thousand four hundred and five goblins and sprites, who all commenced running a race up and down the valley from which they were fast speeding.
"Keep the pot a-boiling; keep the pot a-boiling," bawled the Zankiwank, and away they all went again, helter skelter, in and out, and up and down, like skaters on a rink.
Gradually the balloon altered its course, and instead of going up it went straight ahead to a large inpenetrable wall that seemed to threaten them with destruction; while, to the annoyance of both Maude and Willie, they could hear the revellers down below dancing and singing as though they were in no jeopardy. And if the words had been correct they would have declared that it was the Mariners of England who were singing their own song:—
You sleepy little mortals,
High up in a balloon,
You soon will pass the portals,
Beyond the crescent moon.
Then Shadowland will come in view,
A dream within a dream;
So keep in your sleep
While we keep up the steam;
While the midnight hours are all a-creep,
And we are all a-beam.
The spirits of the fairies
This eve are very bright,
For in your nest the mare is
Who only rides by night.
Into a magic sphere you go,
A dream within a dream.
So keep in your sleep,
While we keep up the steam,
For Shadow Land is deep and steep,
And we are all a-beam.
With a bump, and a thump, and a jump, the balloon burst against the wall, and Maude and Willie felt themselves dropping, dropping, dropping, until the Zankiwank bounced up and caught them both in his arms, saying as he rushed forward:—
"Quick, the gates are only open for five seconds once a week, and if we don't get inside at once we shall be jammed in the door-way."