WHERE TO LAY THE BLAME

Then suddenly the roaring and bellowing ceased, and
all was as still as death, though the darkness was as thick
and black as ever.

“Now,” said the old magician—for such he was—
“now we are about to take a journey such as no one ever
travelled before. Heed well what I tell you. Speak not
a single word, for if you do, misforfune will be sure to
happen.”

“ Ain’t I to say anything ?” said the fisherman.

“No.”

“Not even ‘boo’ to a goose ?”

“ah No.”

“Well, that is pretty hard upon a man who likes to say
his say,” said the fisherman.

“And moreover,” said the old man, “I must blindfold
you as well.”

Thereupon he took from his pocket a handkerchief, and
made ready to tie it about the fisherman’s eyes.

“ And ain’t I to see anything at all?” said the fisher-
man.

SONOw

“Not even so much as a single feather?” —

HNO”

“Well, then,” said the fisherman, “I wish I’d not
come.”

But the old man tied the handkerchief tightly around
his eyes, and then he was as blind as a bat.

“Now,” said the old man, ‘throw your leg over what
you feel and hold fast.”

The fisherman reached down his hand, and there felt
the back of something rough and hairy. He flung his leg
over it, and whisk! whizz! off he shot through the air

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