The Toad Family. 65

boys formed a ring around her, shouting,‘ You are a witch-
child! Let’s catch her.’

“She sprang high in the air with one bound, spread her
wings, and flew away before their eyes.

“The people were greatly excited; they ran about gazing
up at the little bird-like form in the sky much as we now
look at a balloon; then they ran to the ravine where the beau-
tiful white tent still stood. While they observed it the tent
vanished.

“ «She is an Indian witch, cried the boys.

“«Tt is all Rapp and his Gnomes,” said an old woman.

“ The boys flung burning brands on the spot where the tent
had stood, and the witch-child watched the flames kindle as she
hovered far above. There was nothing to be done further with
the old home; she must search for her own people, and follow
them wherever they had gone. She swept along through the
air with a delightfully easy motion, and did not mind traversing
miles any more than steps on the ground.

“At a great distance from these mountains a toad family
lived at the root of an elm-tree. They were yellow and brown
and ugly, but according to their own ideas the young lady-
toads were quite beautiful. They came forth in the evening
to take the air.

“«Bless my spectacles! cried the toad mother. ‘Here is a
witch-child in a winged jacket. Be very pleasant in your man-
ners, children. We shall see if my Lord Rapp is always to
have his own way!’

“ Then she hopped to the stranger's feet, she having alighted
for the night, and said blandly:

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