132 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

“Where can I find him?” asked the brown
beetle.

“ By the two large chestnut trees: in yonder
wood,” answered the owl.

“ Then the sooner I start on my journey the
better,” said the brown beetle, “for I go but
slowly, and the night is already far
gone. I would that my wings were
as long and strong as thine ;” and
the patient little beetle sighed as
he glanced admiringly at
the strong wings of his
companion,

“Sit on my back and
thou wilt soon be there,”
said the owl obligingly.

The brown beetle has-
- tened to take advantage

i of this kind offer, and they
were soon rushing through the air at a speed
that quite took away the beetle’s breath. They
were soon over the spot where the two large
chestnuts stood, and the owl descended in
graceful circles, and alighted on a branch of
the largest tree.

Seated in solemn dignity in a crotch of the