GHOSTS. 55

He never was more mistaken! The Smoke had
said from the first he would tell tales, but no-
body believed him. He meant what he said,
however, stole quietly downstairs, made his way
into the supper-room, and told everybody there, as
plain as any words could have spoken it, that the
ball-room was on fire.

There was a terrible commotion, as you may
suppose. All the guests jumped up from their
chairs, and were rushing for to see what was to be
seen. But some sensible man stopped the ladies,
and kept them quiet. downstairs, The fire-ghosts
would have had them all otherwise. Meanwhile
barrels of water from the pond were being poured
upon the flames. And if the fire and air ghosts
had been noisy before, what do you think hap-
pened now, when water-ghosts joined in the mélée?
~ Well, hissing was added to roaring ; for between
fire and water the struggle is always deadly, and
no quarter is given ; one or other must perish.

What became of the Fire, then; do you ask?
The Water got the better and put him out; so,
instead of his being master, there was an end of