Page:Morning-Glories and Other Stories.djvu/63

54 All this frightened Brier so much, that when the crowlets fell to reproaching each other, and began a fresh quarrel, she flew away as if some fearful thing was after her, and never stopped till a wide marsh lay before her. It was quite dark now, and a heavy dew began to fall; but the elf had nowhere to go, and sat weeping underneath a dilapidated mushroom, wondering what would become of her. Presently a brilliant light came dancing over the marsh, and a voice cried out: "Come hither! come hither! I will show you a safe, warm place. Trust to me, and follow." Gladly Brier obeyed, and hastened after the friendly light, which flitted hither and thither, now gleaming brightly, now flickering like a dim candle in the wind. The tired fairy followed till her wings gave out, and she was forced to ask if they were not nearly at the journey's end. Then the false light vanished with a mocking laugh, and Brier fluttered down upon the damp moss, where she lay faint with weariness and fear. The tempting Will-o'-the-wisp danced round her again, evil-eyed snakes looked out from their coverts, strange plants nodded in their sleep, noisome vapors filled the air, and hoarse-voiced frogs came hopping up to touch the shuddering elf with their clammy fingers, and bid her come and play with them among the green pools of the fen.

"O go away, and leave me to die in peace!" cried Brier. "Do not hurt me, for I am a lost, unhappy elf, who has no friend in the wide world to save her now."

"Do not fear, poor little creature! for we will befriend you, though we are but small and weak," whispered sweet voices from the moss. "Lie here and rest till