Above them in the dark shaft
An iron cage was slung ;

Within which, placed to raise it,
A squirrel-wheel was hung.

They walk around inside it,
And rise by slow degrees ;
The hedgehog takes his part too,
The only one at ease.

Soon water from the summit
Is helping them, they feel,
By turning round the paddles

Which stand beyond the wheel.

116

 

)

At last their journey ended,
They reach a spacious cave;

‘ Above, Jack, is our cottage :
Welcome, my son so brave !

The hedgehog up will burrow,
And show you where to go ;
Your head and arms the loose soil

Can clear away, I know.’

Jack was a pushing fellow,
He gropes, and oh, what joy!
When, near the surface sighted,
He sings out, ‘Land ahoy!’

(See sequel, ‘ Fack the Giant-Killer,; page 131.)

_—_—_—->
: >

Charlie.

Lo

S it owing to water, or owing to tea,
That it’s half the seas over with Charlie ?