THE LAND OF THE AFTER-GLOW. 135

“Tf all were wise, my little friend, there
would be no occasion for the ‘Laws of the
Woods. We have them to straighten out
matters,” answered Judge Owl.

“ There is no time to lose,” said the owl who
had so obligingly conducted the brown beetle
thither, “and if thou sayest so, I will take thee .
to the land of the After-glow.”

“With all my heart,’ replied the brown
beetle, and, tightly clutching the owl’s thick
feathers with his prickly little feet, they were
once more soaring through the air at a rapid
flight.

On his expedition went the brown beetle,
sailing high over the tallest trees and brooks
and meadows,-the moon shining steadily and
patiently to light him on his way, until the
owl alighted on a tree that grew on the west-
ern side of the Blue Hill.

“ Now, good little beetle, I can do no more
for thee. I must do much work before daylight.
But I wish thee all success;” and away flew the
owl without waiting for thanks.

The brown beetle found himself alone on
the great hill. Not a living creature was in
sight, and the beetle felt smaller and more