"'Hannibal,' whispered the West Wind.
"The picture changed to a succession of views,—battle-fields swathed in smoke; soldiers moving across the plain, their arms glittering in the sunlight, their banners fluttering; a city burning in wreaths of flame against a northern sky; a nation crowning their chief with laurels.
"'Napoleon,' whispered the West Wind again.
"Then the boy saw travellers exploring unknown regions, statesmen and authors toiling over vast schemes.
"'Could I be like these, lady?' he asked.
"'Yes.'
"'Would I be happy?'
"'That is for you to decide. Fame is a greater gift than that of my sister here: any fool can be rich. But every man cannot have what these men possessed, because God gave them what gold never can buy,' said the West Wind, her proud eyes brightening.
"'I should only be a cripple, and men would laugh at me,' sighed Neil, taking up the third peach, and opening it.
"The lining was composed of opals, quivering in tremulous rays of purple and pink more beautiful than words can describe.