THE COUNTRY OF THE DARK MEN. 107

are going to do a very wicked deed; but I am here to prevent
it. You have now got to obey me.”

“Yes, little Princess, Pl do anything in the world you wish,”
said Fungus the ferryman.

“The first thing you are to do is this. You are to take me
in your ferry-boat to the gates of the country where the Dark
Men live.”

“But you are not going inside? I can’t promise that even
the hats will save you there.”

“Don’t fear for me: take me to the gates—those are my
present orders—do you hear?”

The ferryman bowed, and bringing the boat to the edge of
the stream helped Primrose to get in. She stepped lightly into
the stern and sat down, keeping her own hat on her head, and
holding the other hats firmly on her knees.

She need not have been at all afraid that Fungus would touch
them, however, for he looked at them with the greatest horror and
dread, and kept as great a distance as he possibly could between
himself and them. :

It took him nearly an hour to row down the stream ; but at
last he drew the boat to shore and told Primrose to step out.

“Do you see that wood?” he said, “about a quarter of a mile
from here. Just inside the wood, where the trees are thickest, are
the gates which lead to the Country of the Dark Men. Walk
straight from here to the woods; the minute you enter them you
will see the gates.”

“Thank you,” said Primrose.

“And now, what else can I do for you?” asked Fungus.

“Nothing more. J’ll promise not to hurt you, and Ill keep
my word. You are not to tell anyone what you have done for me.
You are to obey the sisters in all particulars, and you are to bring
the children to the gates of the Dark Men’s Country at sunset. Now
go. Remember, if you fail me, that I have power to kall you if I like.”

Little Fungus stepped away and pushed his boat into the middle
of the stream.