The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-12-29
BY L. FRANK BAUM.

its glaring red eyes fixed full on the
helpless Claus. One of those mon
strous spotted spiders whose sting is
death crept stealthily toward him over
the matted leaves, which shriveled and
turned black at it's very touch.
But Claus had been reared in Burzee
and was. not afraid.
Come to me, We Knocks of the For.
est" he cried, and gave the low, pecul-
lar whistle that the Knocks know.
The panther, which was about to
spring upon its victim, turned and
skunk away. The python swung itself
into the tree and disappeared among
the leaves. The spider stopped short
in it's advance and hid beneath a rot
ting log.
Claus had no time to notice them,
for he was surrounded by a band of
harsh featured KNOCKS, more crooked
and deformed in appearance than any
he had ever seen.
"Who are you that call on us?" de-.
handed one, in a gruff voice.
''The friend Of your brothers in Bur-
zee," answered Claus. II have been
brought here by my enemies, the Avg
was. and left to perish miserably Yet
now I implore your help to release me
and to send me home again"
'Have you the sign:" asked another.
Eyes" said Claus
They cut his bonds and with his free
arms he made the secret sign of the
KNOCKS.
Instantly they assisted him to stand
upon his feet, and they brought him
food and drink to strengthen him.
'Our brothers of Burzee make queer
friends" grumbled an ancient KNOCK
whose flowing beard was pure white
But he who knows our secret sign and
signal IS entitled to our help, whoever
he may be- Close your eyes, stranger
and we will conduct you to your home.
Where shall we seek it:'
"'Tis in the Laughing Valley" an
swered Claus, shutting his eyes.
'There is but one Laughing Valley in
the known world, so we cannot go
astray,' remarked the KNOCK.
AS he spoke the sound Of his voice
seemed to die away, SO Claus opened
his eyes to see what caused the change
To his establishment he found himself
seated on the bench by his own door,
with the Laughing Valley spread out
before him. That day he visited the
Wood Nymphs and related his adven-
ture to Queen Zurline and Necile
'The AWgwas have become your en-
emies," said the lovely Queen thought
fully, $50 we must do all we can to
protect you from their power"
ut was cowardly to bind him while
he slept" remarked Necile, with indig-
nation
The evil ones are ever cowardly,"
answered Zurline, "but our friends
slumber shall not be disturbed again.
The Queen herself came to the dwell
ing of Claus that evening and placed
her Seal on every door and window,
to keep out the Awgwas, and under
the Seal of Queen Zurline We're placed
the Seal of the Fairies and the Seal of
the Ryls and the Seal Of the Knocks,
that the charm might become more
powerful.
And Claus carried his toys to the
children again and made many more of
the little ones happy.
You may guess how angry the King
Awgwa and his fierce band We're when
it was known to them that Claus had
escaped from the Forest of Ethop.
They ragged madly for a whole week,
and then held another meeting among
the rocks.
1T is useless to carry him where the
KNOCKS reign" said the King ''for he
has their protection. So let us cast
him into cave of our own mountains.
where he will surely perish
This was promptly agreed to, and
the wicked band set OUT that night to
seize Claus. But they found his dwell
ing guarded by the Seals Of the I'm.
mortals and were obliged to go away
baftled and disappointed.
"Never mind" said the King, che
does not sleep always
Next day, as Claus Travelled to the
village across the plain, where he in
tended to present toy squirrel to a
lame boy, he was suddenly set upon by
the Awgwas, who seized him and car
ried him away to the mountains.
There they thrust him within deep
cavern and rolled many huge rocks
against the entrance to prevent his es-
cape.
Deprived thus Of light and food, and
with little air to breathe, our Claus was
indeed in a pitiful plight But he spoke
the mystic words of the Fairies, which
always command their friendly aid,
and they came to his rescue and trans
ported him to the Laughing Valley in
the twinkling Of an eye
Thus the Awgwas discovered they
might not destroy one who had earned
the friendship of the immortals, so the
evil band sought other means of keep
ing Claus from bringing happiness to