86 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

fragrant green burdens they bore on their
shoulders. Throwing to the ground the
boughs they had collected, the gnomes skil-
fully fashioned a litter, over which the elves
scattered bright and fragrant wild flowers.

When the task was completed, the gnomes,
at the bidding of King Rondo, gently lifted
the hunter’s little maid on to the soft litter,
and some of the strongest of the band raised
it from the ground and carefully bore it up
the hill, followed by the rest of the troupe.

Slowly and cautiously went the little gnomes
up the rough hillside, until they reached the
rocky wall that formed the entrance to their
cave. King Rondo gave the signal, the heavy
door rolled back, and the procession entered
the cavern.

“Welcome, welcome, maiden dear,
Never mortal entered here.
Beloved by all our fairy band,

We welcome thee to Fairyland.
But ope thy eyes and gaze around,
And see how fair ’tis underground.”

At these words the maiden’s eyes unclosed,
and she gazed about her. The brilliant light
of the torches, reflected a thousand-fold by the