228 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

nervous, and it is needless to say gave the mis-
chievous elf great satisfaction.

In this manner the two proceeded until they
reached the top of Mt. Washington, when the
giant paused before the cave in which his two
prisoners were confined. They, hearing the
giant’s approach, set up a clamor to be released,
and at the sound of the voices the giant
smiled with great satisfaction.

“ Now, my little man,” said the giant, taking
off his hood and carefully picking Toto up
between his forefinger and thumb, “we will
put thee in a place of safety, whence thou
canst see what passes. The dwarf prince is so
small and full of tricks that he may escape us,
if we are not on our guard.”

So saying, King Cloudcatcher placed Toto
the Slim upon a fir tree that grew near
by, and began to move away cautiously the
great stone that stood before the mouth of
the cave. ;

When a small opening was effected, Cloud-
catcher bent over and looked into the cave.
It was very dark within, but he could discern
the rover’s little maid standing ready to come
out as soon as the stone was removed. While