Part 12
“The straining ropes of the rigging hummed and sang with them as if the ships were mighty harps; and they held their way steadily down the channel in spite of the frantic winds, to meet Torquillon; and what they were to do with him, they hadn’t an idea, but they were sure Castor and Pollux would show them when the time came.
“That was a tremendous spill Torquillon had, just as he thought he had the two ships that had defied him, where he could crush them the next minute. So he was furiously angry when he gathered himself together at the foot of the rock; but at least he had taught them he was not to be trifled with! He took himself off, far down the channel; and there he sulked and made himself perfectly miserable because he couldn’t decide whether he would rather have the ships come back, so that he could crush them, or have them so frightened they never would try it again, nor let any one else.
“He had fallen into a sulky sleep when the watching winds cried, ‘WhiiiissssssshhhhhhooooouuuueeeEEE—!’ and he wakened and raised his head as the winds from beyond him rushed by to meet the two ships.
“He gave a scream of mingled rage and joy that called the winds to him, and, springing up, caught the floating banner that hung, always ready, over his head, and came whirling down the channel, black and furious and terrible to see! And the two ships came on steadily, never swerving.
“The Sea-fire ran up and down, in and out of the folds of his trailing robes in streaks of pale light, and curled on the edges of the waves that foamed about his feet. So they came nearer and nearer—and then they were so close he towered above them, higher than the tops of the masts—and the next instant it would have been too late—when Castor darted like a dragonfly to the fore-royal yard of the Reindeer, and pointed to the left with his spear, and at the same moment Pollux mounted to the fore-royal yard of the Jane Ellen, and pointed to the right with his spear, and the two ships turned to the right and the left, and Torquillon went straight on to pass between them before he could stop or turn himself.
“And as they swept by, the Twins raised their arms; and each held in his hand a curious-shaped flask, filled with a liquid, clear as crystal.
“They flung it out, over Torquillon! and as it came from the mouth of the flask, it spread and pushed and billowed, on and on, pulsing and crowding in clouds of vapor; and the air grew cold—cold—so chill it seemed no living thing could stand against it.
“The winds cried: ‘Ughhhhhoooouuuuughhhhhh-h—’ and fled back to their caves. But they carried some of the cold with them, and the monkeys and cockatoos shivered and sneezed in the trees as the frost-needles pricked them. And some of them had bad colds the next morning.
“And as the ships swept by, almost within reach, and the vapor poured over him, Torquillon shrieked with rage and loosed his hands from his banner, to catch them. It floated off; and Taffy, looking back from the Jane Ellen, and every one on the two ships saw their enemy stand, his hands still lifted above his head, and the drapery of his robes hanging stiff about him—shining and glittering in the calm moonlight like diamonds and emeralds and sapphires—no longer a terrible Waterspout, but a glorious Iceberg, frozen to his hot, angry heart!
“And all the air was full of finest diamond frost-needles—drifting—floating—slowly settling about him and over the two ships—until every spar and rope was coated with hoar-frost, and the sails and decks shone like silver; but the Star Twins were gone.
“Then all the clouds drifted away, and the dark blue sky of the tropic night arched over Torquillon’s Lair, with the throbbing stars looking down; and the most beautiful thing they saw was that wonderful Iceberg—all his rage gone—calm and shining in the tranquil sea.”
The Princess’s voice ceased. There was no sound, only a long-drawn breath through the room, as if great music had just come softly to a close.
She began again in a different voice—talking: “But the Captain knew it never would do to leave him there; for he would melt in the hot sun and be as bad as ever; though he was frozen harder than any ice he ever had seen. So they didn’t wait even for morning, but fastened ropes around him and set off to tow him North. They didn’t mind if it took a month—it was such a good thing to do. They carried him far up toward the North Pole, and left him frozen fast in the ice. And he will never get away!
“Now ships pass freely through the wide channel that was Torquillon’s Lair; and since he has gone the clouds have left too, and the Rock Man has forgotten to frown, and if the Lion roars, it is a roar of welcome. The little winds caper and frisk around the ships until the channel seems the pleasantest spot in the ocean, and they are sorry to leave it.”
The Kitten had her foot already off the edge of the couch, but she stopped, because the Princess leaned forward, with her finger up, to say one more word, and mischief began to dance in her eyes. “And,”—said the Princess, “if any one asks Taffy if he ever saw a Waterspout, his eyes shine and his white teeth, and he says, ‘_Sure!_’”
Then she opened her arms and the Kitten ran into them.
“I’ll ask him,” she said. “Will he tell me? Will he come soon?” She asked it so quickly, it was all one question, and her arm around the Princess’s neck pulled her head forward where the glow from the burned-down fire was on her face. It grew suddenly like a rose.
“I shouldn’t be one bit surprised if he did,” she answered.
“But, Dearie-_Dearest_,” said Phyllisy, perched on the arm of the chair and playing with the Princess’s fingers, “I wish you’d just explain this: You said it was so long ago—Taffy and all—nobody can remember when. I thought it was—not exactly ‘Ancient,’ you know, but ‘Once upon a time’?”
“That is perfectly true,” said the Princess, soberly. “But you know—”
“Yes?” prompted Miss Phyllisy.
“You know, Taffy had a young heart? It seems to me, he must have been always.”
That kept everybody silent for a moment, thinking about it. Then Pat’s voice came from among the pillows in the dusky corner of the couch: “Well—I hope to goodness he’ll like us!”
“I don’t see how he could help it,” said the Princess.
EPILOGUE
_Come back, Little Katharines, still for a time to our glamour-world, Ere our ship’s prow touches the daylight shore, And her sails are furled. The sun has gone on his way o’er the mountain’s rim; The mighty Earth-shadow creeps slowly up from the East, And the heavens grow dim. See, in the soft gloaming the stars steal forth into sight, Till over the dun Earth-plain broods the deep blue vault Of the jeweled night. They are there, dear hearts; each one of our Star Folk blest Faithful and motionless stands, borne on by the firmament’s Ceaseless roll to the West. They listen, they wait, expectant. For what? In the vast, Deep hush of the night their heart-beats throb in the stars. At last,— In the Northern heavens a gleam of wavering light Floats upward—dies. Then again—pulsing up, ever stronger, More bright._
_With the first, faint gleam, a shadow of sound—a sigh As a breath over harp-strings—sets trembling the stars As it passes through Earth and Sky. (Too fine for our bodily ears, little sisters, but clear To the blessed to whom all beauty is one. Only look; You shall hear!) Fuller toned now, and deeper, as broadening pennons of light Uprush from below the horizon; the heavens are alive— Filled with splendor the night!_
_What do the Star People see that is hid from our eyes, Where the ramparts of hills rise black in the North ’Gainst the flame of the skies? Ranks beyond ranks of radiant Spirits! They stand In dazzling circles;—a golden censer swinging From each one’s hand. From the Shining Ones’ censers, soft swinging, there float and ascend Streams of pure radiance; and one with their rhythm, the deep Swelling harmonies blend. Like music heard faintly in dreams—first afar—it draws near, Till the triumphant chant sweeps into the Star People’s hearts; Then, joyous and clear:— “The Heavens declare the glory—” There follows a gush, A bursting in spray of the sound, as it pours like a wave In its o’erwhelming rush! The splendor ineffable blinds them; their hearts fill with awe And reverence—they know not for what; all the Power that they know Is their Law. Yet Law is obedient to this Nameless One, Whose glory all Creation sings; and shall be While the Ages run! “Might, Power, Dominion—” Still the censers swing; The Heavens declare, in light upsurging still, The glory of the King._
_May not the Star Folk, little sisters mine, Faint shadows though they be—and still obedient To Law divine— Declare His glory, Whom they may not know; And in the Northern Lights His worship see, As we below?_
=The Riverside Press=
CAMBRIDGE . MASSACHUSETTS
U . S . A
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
1. P. 230, added EPILOGUE heading. 2. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. 3. Retained anachronistic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed. 4. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. 5. Enclosed blackletter font in =equals=.