Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16
UNDER LAND AND WATER

in the forest. The gingerbread man is to
be eaten. understand; so there's likely to
be an end of all of you very soon.
rs there no way to escape?' asked Jonn.
None that l can think Of" said the
bear. But you can depend upon my as
sistance.. If there is anything I can do.
How well the princess looks today"
Yes answered John. proudly; she's
been eating some of my gingerbread"
Hearing this, Para Bruin gave John a
grateful hug; and then he Rugged the prin-
cess and even Chick, so happy did the
bear feel at the girls recovery.
Then he bounced for them several times,
rolling himself down hill against the fiat
rock, and then bounding high into the
air. But the little princess was worried
and anxious about her parents, so the party
soon babe goodbye to Para Bruin, and
started to return to their dwellings.
The forest seemed very quiet and peace
full as they walked along. and they had
almost forgotten their fears. when, just
as they reached the banks Of the brook a
sudden sound of shouting fell upon their
ears. mingled with the wall of human
voices
"Oh, dear!" cried the little princess,
wringing her hands in great fear; the
Mifkets have attacked my dear parents
1 am sure and they will both be killed
John strove to comfort her. but he sus-
pected that the princess had guessed truly,
and that her parents were In great danger
They dared not return to the Seashore for
that would mean their own destruction; so
they remained hidden in the forest. while
the princess sobbed as if her heart was
broken and John wiped away her tears
with her handkerchief He had one of his
own; but 1t was gingerbread and would
not stand the dampness
Suddenly they heard pattering footballs,
and the white rabbit crouched at their feet
He was painting from a hard run and his
eyes were big and bright.
They are gone!" said he, as soon as he
could speak.
"Who are gomez" asked John. anxiously.
1.-The red-whiskered man and the woman
with the corkscrew curls." replied Pity
pat. 1.-THE Mifkets chased them to the
shore. but they jumped into the boat and
rowed away IN time to escape. The Milf
kets threw sticks at them. and Black Ooboo
screamed with rage; but the father and
mother of our princess got away without
being hurt in the least
This good news greatly pleased the girl
and her anxiety was much relieved. But
the gingerbread man had become thought
full and asked Pittypat:
What are the Mfkets doing now?'
"They are getting ready to search the
forest for you and Chick and the princess"
This is certainly unpleasant news" re-
marked the gingerbread man. Did the
gray owl tell you how we may escape?"
1.-The owl sent me to the King of the Fairy
Beavers" replid tn rabbit, land he has
consented to hide you in his palace. 1t
is rare favor. 1 assure you; but the Milf
kets cannot reach you there"
"a Fairy Beaver!' cried Crick, gleefully;
and the princess asked, wonderingly: Can
a beaver be fairy?'
"Why not?" inquired Pittypat. 'All the
animals have their fairies, just as you
human folks do; and it is lucky for us that
the Fairy Beaver lives on this very island.
There is only one danger-that the Milf
kets find you before 1 can lead you to the
Beaver King. So follow me at once, i'm
plore you, before 1t is too Later!