PETER PIPKINS AND FUNGUS THE FERRYMAN. 89

“Come, come,’ said the ferryman. ‘It is very natural for
little people to like to sleep, and this little man shall soon have a
bath and a snug bed, and a nice breakfast. Now you must all
come up to the Castle as fast as possible. It is quite easy if you
go the right way. Hach child must catch hold of one or two of
the hairs of my beard, and I'll pull you up without difficulty.”

‘““ But——” began Primrose, opening her eyes very wide.

“No buts, my pretty lttle miss; trust me, and you'll soon
see that I am right. Here, grip hold of this long black hair.
Fear nothing; you'll soon be at the top.”

As Fungus spoke he put a long hair from his flowing beard
into the hand of each child.

The moment the children’s fingers touched these hairs they
seemed to change into small steel chains or cables.

“Take a hard grip,” said the ferryman, “and now follow me.”

He walked on in front as he spoke, and the children clinging
to the hairs of his beard, found that they could easily mount the
steep rock which led to the Castle.

They soon gained the entrance, which was all made of white
marble, and looked very lovely with the first rays of the morning
sun gilding it.

Four ladies came down to meet the children.

“My name is Dragon-flower,” said one of them; she was
dressed in many gay and rich colours and had long raven black
hair which flowed back over her shoulders—her eyes were bright,
her smile radiant. She bent over the tired children and kissed
them affectionately.

“ Dear little ones,’ she said, “let me introduce you to my
three sisters. This one in rose colour is called Poppy; this lovely
darling all in pure white is Silver-wings, and this sister in grey
with the dark eyes and the tender smile is known at Castle
Dangerous by the name of Moonlight. Here we all are, ready to
welcome you, and make you as happy as the day is long. Take
my hand, dear little Primrose—you see I know your name before-
and follow me, all of you, to the room with the marble baths.”

 

hand