New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-10

CHAPTER Y.
Only those who have experienced the pleasure Of
being borne through the air by a fight Of birds,
fully realize the delight OF the princess and
Count Ohio
For quite ave minutes they said not a word TO
each other. so curious were their sensations as
the doves mounted higher and higher into the air.
So steady their flight that the hammock hardly
swayed.
The sun shone down warmly from the cloudess
blue sky. but the canopy Of leaves threw shade
over them. and the soft whirr the birds wings
raised a gentle breeze around them
One snowy feather aoated into the hammock.
and this The princess placed in her golden hair for
the hood had fallen back long ere now; then a
second few down from doves wing. and Count
Ohio stuck it jauntily into the jcwelled clasp Of
his cap
But the doves never paused in their flight. Up.
up they scared unwearyngly; up. until the treetops
were left Ear below; up until the sky seemed TO
grow more radiant blue. and the atmosphere
clearer and colder.
The fields like green toy meadows seen in
the pages OF a picture book, and the stream wind
ing in and out among the sedges appeared TO be
only q thin line OF silver.
The princess leaned out over her side of the ham
mock and Ohio his side. so that there
risk q its being overbalanced There was much
TO see. 1t like travelling in foreign lands.
amid fresh scenes such they had never dreamed
or The clear air made them very hungry and
presently the princess and Ohio opened the little
deloatei- frosted with sugar dark brown in color,
and though quite small. small indeed. that they
looked as Il they might be eaten in three bites,
they We're nevertheless large enough satisfy the
cllildren's hunger.
The princess wished to crurnble one Of her cakes
for the doves, until Ohio reminded her that there
was no ground on which TO strew the crumbs.
and the doves steadily pursued their way
Hardly had the princess finished the last morsel
OF her cake when she saw that the birds in
oreasing their speed, flying higher still straining
rhe wing If in fear Of pursuit
What is the matter. 1 wonder" exclaimed Otho
they seem frightened. princess"
The princess put her long hair back from her
eyes. the speed at which they We're travelling had
caused the breeze blow it over her face in wild
confusion
Then she uttered cry Of terror and covered her
eyes with her hands
What IS IL princess?" asked Ohio ga gerlv
What do you see?'
Princess Nerissa erect and pointed to a white
speck in the distance far behind them speck that
scinullated in the sunlight like silver. flashing
nearer every moment
And still Count Ohio did not understand
TT is the white hawk" said the princess pale
snd trembling
mot the great white bird that took Prince Noel
sway?" cried Ohio
The wicked fairy. Golconda," said the princess
land they say that hawks swoop down on doves
and kill them"
Little by little the silver speck grew larger;
swiftly few the doves with their burden until the
long strands Of green ribbon were strained TO the
nttermost and the princess held her breath as she
watched the struggle.
Otho's face too. pale and troubled for II
seemed that there was escape from their wicked
pursuer. Closer siu came the great white bird
until the sunlight caught the glitter OF ruby ana
gold and they thought they saw the yellow ewes
cleaning with triumph The wide fapping wings
seemed 10 be Overshadowing them and there an
peared TO be no loophole of escape when. with a
whirr OF wings the doves darted downward down
Gown, down, toward a wooded bank beside q river
The air whstled and sang in the cbidren's aars
and the long golden locks Of the princess streaned
far above her head, for in the rapid descent the
leSfy canopy had been carried away and no longer
covered them
when they opened them again the hammock was
resting upon the green turf, and the hawk was
soaring away uttering shrin cries Of vexation.
The poor doves were quite exhausted and their
Danger had indeed been imminent for on the white
breast OF the leading dove was a single drop OF
blood like ruby.
The princess few out Of the hammock and knelt
beside the wounded bird caressing her while Cour+
Ohio ran 10 dip his handkerchief in the strean,
The dove showed her gratitude by nesting her
head against the cheek OF the princess and cooipg
softly and contentedly. The other doves rested on
the grass while Ohio crumbled one or two of his
cakes for them
The princess wondered why there should be sucb
peace and safety in this green SPOT; there was no
sign Of tho wicked fairy. and the doves were preen
ing their ruied feathers and losing their looks OF
terror.
Her woaderment was soon to be satisfied Inst
as she was wishing that the doves could talk TO
her, they talked with their old friend there
came buzzing OF wings beside her. and six great
dragon hies, gauzy and glittering few along az a
rapo pace and took up their position in the midst
OF the circle OF doves. They We're large and
naughty dragon flies apparently aIled with their
own Importance, for they strutted to and fro in a
manner that made Count Otho want to laugh
But the largest and fercest dragon fly was looking