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;o MOONFOLK.
and began to talk to one of them. He was not a bit
frightened, but, when I
asked him who he took me to
be, said, as coolly as possible :
" '
One of the outside barbarians from Gulliver Land.
We had him here once, and didn't think much of him
finally.'
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'Why, you little wretch,' said I, 'I could eat you
at one mouthful.'
" '
So could a buffalo eat a rat if he got the chance,'
said the saucy little manikin. With that he threw a
handful of dust in my eyes, blinding them so that I
roared with pain. When I had rubbed them open
again, I saw that the whole air was filled with little
balloons, most of them of a bright red color, with cars
hanging beneath, each car filled with people, who sailed
up close to my head, but just so far above it that I could
not reach them. From that safe distance they shot tiny
darts at my face and eyes, each one stinging like a wasp
as it touched me. The worst of all was, that, as every
shaft was darted, the whole crowd would roar with
laughter, as if I were the most ridiculous object in the
world. Indeed, I began to feel myself so. I can tell
you, Chimney-Elf, these little folks are pretty formidable
enemies, even to a wonderful traveller and a smart fellow
like me."
" But how did you get their king to bring home ? "
asked the Chimney-Elf, nodding.
" Why, there was a little management needed there.