CHAPTER IV

THE CAVE IN THE MOUNTAIN

As the "Prince of the Highway" finished the first part of his story and asked for a fresh drink of water before continuing, there was a wild, scampering foot-race between the two largest boys as they hastened away to the well, straining every muscle and nerve in the struggle to see who might have the pleasure of honoring the wanderer with a drink.

All the children that were seated upon the grass about the Vagabond, began working closer and closer toward him, forgetful now of the cool and almost unkind manner in which they had turned a deaf ear to his request for a drink when first he paused in the centre of the hot, dusty road. The little girls took off their bright colored sun-bonnets in order that they might not lose a single word that fell from the lips of the dust-covered story-teller.

"Mercy!" exclaimed one of the boys, as if just awakening from the scene that fancy had painted in his little brain. "Mercy!" again he exclaimed. "What a terrible climb! Isn't it a wonder that the two children could hold on so long?"

As the words fell from the lips of the little speaker, the assembled children seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, for they well remembered that the two children were safe on the side of the mountain.

Back over the lawn came the two boys bearing the water; and after the thirsty Vagabond had refreshed himself, he blinked his little black eyes and smacked his dry lips with evident delight, as thus he continued his story:

"'Aunt Twaddles' and the children, by this time, were well rested; and rising from the ground she took them by the hands and went slowly up through the mountain woodland.

"The effort was not nearly so tiresome as the long struggle on the face of the cliff had been, and for some time they made rapid progress; for the mountain rose in a gentle slope and the way was closely shaded by tall trees, that some weeks before had unfolded their bright foliage to the blue sky of spring.

"If nothing greater was to be expected, the journey was a delight in itself; and it was fully an hour before they paused in a merry group on the very top of the mountain.

"As their feet reached the level soil of the mountain crown, 'Aunt Twaddles' dropped her big bag of herbs for a moment of rest, and turning to the children, she exclaimed:

"'There, darlings, at last! Now gaze about you on the great underworld and see if this isn't worth all the trouble and toil that we had on the face of the cliff?'

"Almost dumb with surprise, the children turned about to gaze upon the world that lay far beneath them.

"For some time they stood looking upon familiar scenes, dwarfed now by the distance. The two children, both seeming to think of this fact, were wondering in their little minds how they would ever get down the side of the mountain, for they were really so high that it made them quite dizzy to look below.

Illustration: _"Almost dumb with surprise, the children turned about to gaze upon the world that lay far beneath them."_

"Way down in the deep valley, like the houses of so many pygmies, nestled the village of Harpers Ferry, where the foot-bridge appeared like a narrow strand of dark tape, stretching across a snow-white stream.

"Far to the westward, the long winding path of the Potomac River glistened in the bright sunlight like a spotless streamer of snow-white ribbon, sweeping with many a graceful curve far away into a narrow trail.

"Nearer by, dashing with loud, rumbling roar against the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains on the very top of which they were standing, the foaming, frolicking Shenandoah could be seen here and there, leaping between the tall rocky cliffs with merry, gamboling shout that arose like a song to their ears.

"Green wheat-fields, like so many squares of bright velvet carpet that good farmers had laid out in the sunlight to air, were plainly in view up the broad valley; and the blossoming peach-trees on the far distant hillsides, that stood bathing in the full glory of the day, looked to them like so many tiny rose bushes just bursting into full bloom.

"Nearer by on the mountain ridge, a stray mocking-bird sat in a tree top, testing his ruffled throat by bursting forth in a wild, beautiful chant, but changing the notes every moment or so to mock the sweet song of some one of his feathered acquaintances.

"Now sweet and low he was singing the song of the linnet and calling them all about him from their busy labor of nest building. Now he was causing the blue bird to flutter forth in jealous anger by softly coaxing away its mate. Then, uttering a loud shrill whistle, he sank into silence, waiting a reply to his eloquent call from some greatly deceived 'Bob White' that was eating its dinner far off in a bramble of mountain shrubs.

"Now sweet and low, he sang a song all his own; so sweet that the linnet and thrush grew silent; so tremulous and low that it called back his faithless mate from its wanderings. Then growing bold and defiant, with frantic effort, he carolled forth music wild and shrill, as if challenging the rest of the song birds to a relentless vocal war.

"A gray squirrel barked high up in the top of the tall chestnut tree under which they were standing, and far down in a deep, cool hollow below, they heard a plumed pheasant drumming his battle tune unchallenged upon a log.

"'Come, children,' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles,' 'let us go!'

"They followed the ridge of the mountain for some time; but the journey was made so delightful and charming by the wonderful scenes beneath them that the two children did not seem to notice just how far they had travelled, although they had gone a great distance and everything about and beneath them seemed new and changed.

"Suddenly they turned to the left from the mountain ridge and passed down into a dark ravine, the sides of which were so very high that 'Aunt Twaddles' said the sun never shone anywhere within its dark bounds, not even during the noon hours of midsummer.

"It was a dark and gloomy place indeed, filled with great pitfalls of slimy, green liquid, from which arose an unpleasant odor; while there was barely enough light for them to see that the steep sides of the ravine were covered with a damp mould.

"With a feeling of relief they emerged from this horrible place to find themselves entering a beautiful and heavily wooded glen.

"'Aunt Twaddles' informed them that the gloomy ravine through which they just passed was called 'The Valley of Dry Bones,' for the reason, as she said, that the bird or animal once entering it scarcely ever came out alive, and that what few did escape death were mere skeletons.

"'And how is it that we are not skeletons, Aunt Twaddles, now that we have passed through the valley?' exclaimed Arthur, with an inquiring glance.

"'Because we have used the power of reason, my dear, which no bird or animal except man possesses,' she replied. Then, pausing to glance back, she continued: 'Knowing the dangers of the valley, I used the power of reason and laid my course. If you do not use the power of reason, my boy, you will often find yourself in the Valley of Dry Bones as you journey along through life.'

"Arthur would have questioned 'Aunt Twaddles' further, but they were now in a beautiful glen; and as they journeyed along he turned about to behold the lovely creations of nature that lay on every hand.

"The glen was not very wide, and the leafy branches of the tall, overhanging trees were so mingled together that the bright sunlight could not break through, while the beautiful wild flowers seemed striving to outdo each other in spreading their perfume about on the balmy air. Yet search as they might, there was not a spray of pennyroyal anywhere to be seen.

"A second glance over the glen proved it to be a most picturesque spot indeed; for the rocks that arose here and there from the flower-covered soil were not dark and weather-stained like those along the Shenandoah River, and the wild ferns and perfumed flowers tempted the observing children to stay their steps.

"'Now,' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles,' as they walked slowly along, 'this beautiful glen, my darlings, is called Temporary Delight, which means short pleasures; for, as you see, we are near its end.'

"Looking up, the children were surprised to behold in front of them a mountain of solid stone.

"They had not met with a greater surprise during their entire journey than this towering cliff of rock that now barred their way; and little Maud, suddenly hushed, dropped her flowers upon the ground and turned with a troubled look to 'Aunt Twaddles' as she said in a trembling voice:

"'Aunt Twaddles, the flowers are beautiful, but, see, they fade as quickly as they are plucked, and are not worth carrying. Besides, I do not see any pennyroyal. How shall we ever get beyond this great mountain?'

"'Aunt Twaddles' was standing on the top of a rock, the summit of which she had reached with a mighty bound; and as she noticed the troubled look on the faces of the children, she laughed until her fat sides fairly shook, when she said to little Maud in reply:

"'The pleasures of life, like these flowers, are never very lasting, my dear. Never mind, you shall have your pennyroyal. Just learn to wait and be patient, for all things require time.'

"She made an effort to whistle, but her fat cheeks refused to make other than a low hissing sound.

"It was enough. There was an answering warble from far off in the woodland, then a sudden flutter of swift crimson wings among the near-by branches. In another second a beautiful Red Bird came sailing down the dark glen and, greatly to the surprise of the two children, lighted upon one of 'Aunt Twaddles'' shoulders where it began to sing a most beautiful song.

"In the excitement of the moment, Arthur dropped the handful of withered flowers he had gathered for his little sister, and with hands half raised, shouted for her to turn quickly that she might behold the wonderful bird; but the startling cry of the boy was hushed as he beheld the Red Bird drop from its slender claw a bright golden key into the outstretched hand of 'Aunt Twaddles', and then sail away into the woodland.

"'Aunt Twaddles' stepped toward the cliff and, turning to the surprised children, she waved the golden key in the air, as she said in her usually kind way.

"'Now, children, listen. I know the old one-legged miser who keeps the Inn at the Ferry and have known him ever since he was an ill-tempered boy who respected not the will of his parents. I knew your brave father, too, let me say, many years before he marched gallantly away to the war from which he never returned. Often have I given your sweet mother a bite of my candy, long, long before she went to live with the angels. And now, for the love of yourselves, as well as for the memory and respect that I bear your dear, dead parents, I am going to give you that moment of peace and joy that the cross old miser so begrudges you down at the Inn.'

"With that she faced the mountain and placed the golden key in a deep crevice of the rock, at the same time repeating some strange and mysterious words.

"There was a deep, rumbling roar within, that sounded like the angry roll of distant thunder and greatly frightened the children; when, with a tearing crash, the tall mountain parted at the centre.

"Pieces of bursting rock went flying through the air in every direction.

"Great columns of smoke rose upward and spread over the entire sky like a mighty cloud.

"The severed cliff rolled away to the side and there before them stood the entrance to a deep, dark cave that looked gloomy and filled with danger.

"At first, little Arthur and Maud drew back in affright and stood ready to fly up the glen for their lives; but 'Aunt Twaddles,' turning toward them, exclaimed in calm, easy tones:

"'Fear not, my children! Fear not, for I am your friend!'

"Then without another word she entered the mouth of the dark cave and at the chiming sound of a deep-toned bell, the cavern became filled in a second with a million bright and glowing lights, the like of which no mortal eye had ever beheld.

"The two little children, now overcome with amazement, stood for the moment speechless and motionless in the presence of the strange scene that lay before them.

"The great flood of light that poured from the cavern illumined the scene with a strange beauty, that, falling upon the clear, crystal-like rocks of the glen, seemed to make them glow with sparkling radiance like so many diamonds; and the wild flowers of the woodland and the foliage of the trees hung trembling beneath the magic glare that the flood of fire cast upon them from the mouth of the enchanted cave.

"Both Arthur and Maud seemed enchanted too. They could have remained upon the spot perfectly contented, for a long time, had not 'Aunt Twaddles' broken the spell by calling them. Taking each by the hand, she led them into the cavern.

"Instead of the rough, rude, unpolished walls of dark stone that the two children had expected to find, they were surprised to see the beautiful crystallized formations that hung everywhere from the roof of the cavern. The whole place seemed to be one living blaze of light. The floor was as smooth as a piece of glass and so polished that it might have answered the purpose of a mirror.

"They stood gazing about the great cave for some time, when 'Aunt Twaddles' hurried them on their journey, exclaiming:

"'Come, children, for we have far to go!'

"They walked rapidly on through the cavern for some distance, not failing, however, to take time to explore its most interesting parts.

"It was not long before they came to a broad river that, with its swift current, dashed through the great cave with mighty roar. 'Aunt Twaddles,' realizing that in order to proceed upon their journey they had to cross this stream in some manner, paused with the two children on the shore. They stood at the edge of the water, gazing far out over the tide and wondering what they were going to do, when, at a wave of command from 'Aunt Twaddles,' a water sprite rose slowly from the tide and in another instant stood bowing and scraping before them.

"He was a most curious-looking creature indeed; and, although bearing little or no resemblance to the people of the earth, he was not at all bad to look upon.

"His face beamed constantly with a broad smile, that spread his wide mouth with its thin lips almost from ear to ear; while, in addition to a good pair of arms, and hands with long, bony but webbed fingers, he had, on either side of his shoulder blades, broad fins like a fish, which, no doubt, he used in his progress through the water.

"His head ran up to a very sharp point on the top—not a bad feature at all for diving, as it was sharp like a boat. His eyes, instead of setting crosswise in his head, as the eyes of most everything do, set straight up and down with an eyebrow running along on either side of his nose, the sight of which caused little Arthur almost to laugh in his face.

"As he thus stood smiling and bowing before them, 'Aunt Twaddles' turned to the two children and said:

"'I left a boat here on this side of the river but this mischievous creature has taken it away. We had him sent to this underground river because one night he cut off the beautiful hair of a mermaid and made it into a wig for himself. I wish you could have seen him when he appeared the next day with his false golden locks and dark skin. He really looked as ridiculous as some of those women who have yellow hair and black eyebrows.'

"With that she made a movement of the hand and the sprite leaped straight upward into the air, almost as high as the roof of the cavern; then, turning a somersault in mid air, he landed head first in the water with a splash and was gone.

"It was not long before a big boat came swiftly across the stream. No one was in it, no one was pushing it, and no one was pulling it, so far as anyone could see. It came rapidly on and landed with great care directly in front of 'Aunt Twaddles' and the children, and without visible aid, bore them swiftly across the stream and landed them safely on the other side of the river, where they resumed their journey.

"As they walked slowly along under the glaring light, the children beheld long rows of shelves covering one entire side of the cavern. When Arthur inquired of 'Aunt Twaddles' what they might be, they paused for a moment while she informed them that this great cavern was the Store House for the seeds of all the flowers and fruits that grew in 'Beauty Valley.'

"Although Arthur wanted to inquire further about 'Beauty Valley,' for he had never heard its name mentioned before, his inquisitive nature was silenced; for, scarcely had 'Aunt Twaddles' finished telling about the wonderful places to be found in the enchanted cave, when they came to its end and found themselves stopped by the presence of a great stone door.

"For a moment, 'Aunt Twaddles' stood before this door, waving her fat arms in a strange, frantic manner, as if she had entirely gone out of her mind. In a low tone she uttered many strange words, which the children did not understand; and you can imagine their surprise as they beheld the stone door move quickly but silently to one side, and a flood of golden sunlight sweep into the cave.

"They were now very anxious indeed to know what new wonder might lie before them.

"As the stone door rolled away, the enchanted cavern again became dark and the children wanted to hasten out into the sunshine at once; but the voice and hand of 'Aunt Twaddles' caused them to stay their steps, as in earnest tones she exclaimed:

"'Wait, darlings! We must wait until the Red Bird comes back with a message before we dare step upon this sacred soil.'

"And before she had finished speaking, a beautiful Red Bird flew into the mouth of the cavern and lighted upon 'Aunt Twaddles' shoulder. She whispered some strange words into its ear and it darted rapidly away.

"And now while 'Aunt Twaddles' and the children are waiting the return of the magical Red Bird in the mouth of the great cave, we will wait here for a moment of rest while the boys bring some fresh water from the well, for I know some of you are quite thirsty."

And the Vagabond, wiping the perspiration from his dusty brow, sank into silence and began fanning himself with his tattered black hat.