The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-30

WV = a. AAO 0aN Wv $3.50 ~"0 49,
mand a ransom"
Il ha We given the pirate chief all the
diamonds l had" said John.
Then you shall surely boil in oil!'
shouted the bandit, soowling fearfully.
Seize them, my men, and away with them
10 the fiery furnace"
But just then came q futter OF wings,
and the our famingoes few down n
sailed along just over the heads Of the
prisoners. Instantly the bear clutched the
end of n cord and was drawn upward by
one Of the birds. John Dough grasped
the foot OF another fiamingo with his right
hand. and was also raised high above the
heads of the astonished pirates and bandits,
while Chick coolly sat within the loop Of
string dangling from the two remaining
birds and sailed into the sky with admirable
composure and grace.
Meantime the robbers shook their fists
and yelled at the escaped prisoners in q
frenzy of helpless age
Wait a minute" Para Bruin called to the
fiamingo which was carrying him: for he
observed that just beneath hin was h form
Of the dreadful person who had called him.
self Sport. The bird obeyed. remaining
poised In the air; and at once the bear curled
himself into a ball, let 60 the cord and fell
downward toward the ground.
Tn ball Of rubber. rapidly descending,
struck the surprised Sport and smashed him
fiat upon the ground. Then up into the air
bounded the bear again and caught onoe
more the cord hat was attached to the
iamingo's foot.
well donel' called the Cherub. while the
pirates and bandits were rushing to assist
the helpless Sport.
That was a noble deed, my good Paral'
said the gingerbread man.
"Oh, I'm a bouncer. all right" answered
the bear proudly. But now let US get away
as quickly as possible"
So the h~amihgoes flew swiftly across the
sea with them, and John Dough found that
he sailed more easily while clutching the
birds foot than when the cord had been
fastened around his body. Chick also rode
with perfect comfort, but Para Bruin was
obliged TO wrap the cord several times
around his fat to prevent il from slip
ping out of his grasp.
BLAND AND LoLAND.
After q long and stea dy fight the birds
reached another island, larger than the first
and much more beautiful. The advent
urers looked down upon green valleys
and vine covered hills. patches Of stately
forest and fields OF waving grain. But
aside from the scattered famhouses they
saw no cities OF villages until they were
over the exact centre OF the island, where
a most curious sight met their view.
Tn island was divided into two halves
by q high and strong wall OF stone, that
ran from ocean 10 ocean, passing exactly
tn rough the centre Of the land. In he
middle of the island the dividing wall was
broken by a great castle, which looked upon
both sides of the wall, and had many i'm
posing towers and turrets and spires stretch
ing high into the air.
Clustered near the castle and upon the
east side of the wall were many tall and
narrow buildings, some of them rising to a
height of three or four stories. The win
dows in these buildings were tall and mar
row, and the doors were tall and narrow,
and the chimneys were tall and narrow. IL
was quite a city in size. but the houses all
Iooket as if they were set upon stills, while
the streets we're also narrow.
On the west side OF the wall, adjoining the
castle, was also a city, but of a quite different
sort, for the houses we're low, none being
OF more thar one story, and the " indows and
doors in them were 50 broad and Low that
they were wider than they were high. As
for the streets, they were remarkably
broad. TIT cities upon both sides of the
wall were pretty and well built, and there
were many beautiful parks and pleasure
grounds scattered about.
Our friends had not much lime 10 observe
these things closely, for at Johns request
the fiamingoes alighted upon the top Of the
great wall, near the castle.
We must leave you now = said one Of the
birds, "for We are obliged TO hurry home
again. But / an sure you will be quite safe
in this beautiful country
"Good-by,' said John, and thank you
very much for bringing US here"
Chick and the bear also thanked the kind
namingoes, and then the birds new into the
air and soon disappeared.
What a lovely place TO bounce said
Para Bruin. leaning over the edge Of the
wall nearest to the tall houses and gazing
ard into the street.
-It's a good way down. said Chick.
you'd better be careful"
"Nonsensel' replied the bear, soornfuIly.
THE higher the wall the finer the bounce
With that he made a ball of himself and
rolled of the wall. John and Chick leaned
over and saw the rubber bear strike the
pavement far below and then bound upward
again. When he was on q level with the
top OF the wall he reached out his paws,
caught the edge of the stones and drew him
self up beside them.
-G~reat-wasn't itf' he asked, proudly.
Yes; but l advise you TO be careful" said
the gingerbread man. w know nothing
OF the people who inhabit this country, and
IL YOU should chance to miss the wall when
you bound upward you would become a
prisoner, and be at the mercy OF those who
captured you
That's true" agreed the bear. IN be
more careful until we get better acquainted.
| What shall We do now?'
Let's try to find a way into the CASTLE
suggested Chick. Its the only way to get
of this wall, for l can't bounce as you do,
Para Bruin."
Nor can L. added John. How strange
it il that the island should be divided by this
great wall. And how queer 10 nave every
thing short on one side and tall on the other.
But perhaps the people in the castle can eI-
plain it all"