108 The Catskill Fairies.

rescue. The radish troops were more spirited than the carrots
or beets had been, perhaps because radishes are so peppery. Pe-
ter charged at their head, this time using a silver sword, with an
edge like a razor, and a shield against which blows fell harm-
less. The three Princes fled before the valiant radishes; but
the latter withered in the hot sun, after the victory, before they
could seek the forest shade, and lay in rows along the highway
—nothing but wilted radishes.

“«They were radishes,’ said General Rub-a-dub, scornfully.
The Emperor patted the commander’s shoulder graciously.

“<Tf vegetable soldiers can defend my dominions so bravely
without loss of human life, I shall always employ them. I im- .
plore you not to use beets in the future, and deprive me of my
favorite salad. I make you chief for life.’

“<«Tf it please your majesty, I must now return home,’ said
Peter, bowing low before the throne. ‘ Your army can be made
of real men by General Rub-a-dub.’

“Then Peter crossed the seas once more, and lived in the
very cottage where he was born. He hung the green belt on

the peg behind the door; and if
you had happened to pass the
place, you would have seen a
quiet old man, with a squirrel
perched on his shoulder. The
_squirrel had diamond clear eyes.”

The Winter Fairies clustered

against the frosted pane like

 

snow-flakes.