108 BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS.

“I'll remember,” he said, “you may trust me”; and he began
to row rapidly back to Castle Dangerous.

Primrose was not long in reaching the dark wood. At another
time she would have felt very much alarmed at finding herself
under the shadow of those thick trees. The path which led to the
wood was bright, but the moment Primrose got under the trees
she found herself in a land which, even in broadest daylight, was
grey, and at night must have been black indeed.

When she got accustomed to the gloom, Primrose noticed that
the gates of the Dark Men’s Country were exactly facing her.

These gates were very high, and had an imposing and terrifying
appearance. ‘They were made of wrought iron, which had grown
dark with age, and were so tall that not even a glimpse of the
Country could be seen from over their tops. The gates were sup-
ported by enormous pillars of stone; on the top of each pillar was
mounted a dragon, cut also out of the solid rock. A high wall ran
round the Country to right and left.

“T wonder I am not afraid,’ murmured Primrose to herself.
“This is a terrible place. Oh, to think of my sweet little Buttercup
being in danger of coming here! But he shall never go in; of that
I am determined. I feel strong—I feel brave—I will, I must
deliver him!”

It still wanted an hour to sunset, but Primrose did not find the
time very long. She paced slowly up and down within sight of
the gates, her brown hat covering her little sunny head, the other
five hats clasped tightly in her arms.

There was perfect stillness around her: not a bird sang, not an
insect chirped or hummed. It was quite plain to Primrose that
none of the happy living creatures of earth would go near the
dreadful gates of the Dark Men.

The sun set presently, and almost immediately afterwards the
little girl heard the splashing of oars, and gay voices singing the
sweetest music as they approached. The sound of the splashing
oars, and the sweet notes of the children’s song, came nearer and
nearer, until at last Primrose could recognise each word. ‘The tears