THE BROWN BEETLE UNDERTAKES A MISSION. 125

Meanwhile Wassa’s cries still continued, but
not a plan for her rescue could the beetle
devise. Suddenly he bethought himself of
the spirit of the dell. She was so powerful,
might she not be able to assist him?

No sooner did this thought take form in the
brown beetle’s mind than he set off at once, tired
although he was, to seek an interview with the
spirit of the dell.

Through the dark, wet meadow flew and
crawled the good little beetle, bent on his
errand of mercy, often stopping to rest.

“Good Will-o’-the-wisp, wilt thou not light
me on my way? The night is very dark,”
called out the beetle.

But the selfish and waggish wisp refused to
aid the beetle, and he continued his journey
alone.

At last the beetle met a glowworm, wrig-
gling his shining body through the meadow
grass, and he begged him to lend him his light ;
but the glowworm refused when he was told
for whom his assistance was needed.

“Tf it were to help the hunter’s little maid,
I would willingly assist thee,” replied the glow-
worm, “but I will not loan my light for Wassa,