ARGON, on alighting, was encountered by Aunion, and the two were soon joined by Lamara. Argon bowed before her with a mortified look.
“I blundered from beginning to end,” he remarked.
“You did your best,” she replied; “none can do more, but the spirit rules the outcome. No just cause is lost through our effort to win it; it is gained, though in ways beyond our comprehension. The good we try to do may bless us even more through failure than success. It may be that to have brought these two lovers together before the appointed time would have delayed instead of hastening their final union.”
“I hoped to compensate for the mischief done by my sister,” he said dejectedly.
“That child has beguiled us all,” said Aunion. “I could almost wish that these visitors of ours had never come here. Strange influences create strange conditions, which disturb our ancient peace.”
“You are out of tune!” exclaimed Lamara. “If a new era awaits us, let us accept it with faith and joy. The birth of all good is preceded by travail. The destiny of the Saturnians cannot be separated from that of any others in the universe. If there be evil anywhere, isolation cannot heal it; it must be nursed back to health in the bosom of love. I do not regret our visitors; I welcome them, bring what they may!”
“Zarga has sinned beyond forgiveness,” declared Aunion sternly.
“I have already said that I find myself much to blame for her error,” returned Lamara quietly; “and judgement does not lie with us, old friend. Already her sin brings its own punishment. Jack’s constancy is inviolable; but we may remove him from her influence for both their sakes. Were you able to trace him?” she asked Argon.
“Torpeon and Zarga, working together, had made discovery difficult,” he said; “but I was close upon them when Miriam’s danger drew me aside. I believe I know where to find Jack and my sister. But the magician’s chamber is well guarded.”
“It is time those spells were broken,” said Aunion.
“Is the little lad, Jim, with them?” Lamara asked.
“I think not; I fear he has met with misfortune.”
“That child is very near my heart,” Lamara said. “Every thought and impulse in him is free from self. We must protect him with all our power. His love and loyalty are without stain; they shine through his quaintness like flame through a grotesque lantern.”
“Jim will play his part,” Aunion affirmed, with a smile. “It is my impression that he has found a powerful friend—Solarion himself!”
Argon had a hand to his ear. “Isn’t that the piping of the Nature people?” he exclaimed. “Yes—yonder they come! And Jim in the midst of them!”
“You are right—they are leading him in triumph!” rejoined Lamara gladly. “They feel the innocence and honesty of his soul; it is a high honor to win their affection. His goodness has found him out! But what can be his errand?”
“We shall soon learn; the imp has the gift of tongue,” observed Aunion amusedly.
The festive group drew nearer. Jim’s stature was not great; but he loomed large by contrast with his retinue. The little creatures came skipping and gamboling around him, all in high spirits, and evidently much pleased with their companion. Fauns and nymphs, hand in hand, danced and cut capers; satyrs were piping heartily on their reeds, interrupting themselves now and then to turn head-over-heels; the company had gathered flowers as they came, with which they made wreaths to decorate their new friend and themselves. Jim managed his crutch so deftly that the lack of a leg seemed to be no handicap; he hopped and pirouetted almost as nimbly as the others, and his jollity was as wholehearted as theirs. He greeted Lamara and her friends from afar, grinning wide.
“Hello, folks! What d’yer t’ink o’ dis bunch? But wait till I learns dem pipers ter play ‘Yankee Doodle’!”
“You find them good company?” asked Lamara smilingly.
Jim did a comprehensive gesture.
“Dis here hull joint is like de pantomimes down in de Bowery; when yer t’inks yer’s up ag’in trouble, de ceilin’ busts t’rough an’ down swoops de fairy wid de goods; or de stage splits up, an’ dey yanks down de vill’in out o’ sight. An’ de elf kids hops out of de bushes an’ give yer de glad hand. Yes, sir, yer has de game down fine! It’s sure some class, Sattum is; but lil, ol’ N’York has yer beat, at dat!”
While Jim thus expressed himself, his retinue withdrew a little, and watched the tall human creatures with shy curiosity.
Lamara stooped and gave the urchin a kiss. “And where are you going now?” she asked. Jim reddened and glistened under the tribute; but recovered himself.
“Me? I’s out fer blood!” he announced. “I leaves de boss ter tackle de yaller-haired kid, whilst I starts fer Torpy. I figgers you folks kin look out fer dis end of de line; but Torpy, ’tends ter him meself!”
“But how will you get to Tor” Argon asked.
“Don’ let dat worry yer, young feller! I ain’t much ter look at; but I meets up wid dat shiny gink—Sol Something he calls hisself—yer knows who I mean—he comes along, frien’ly like, an’ swots de big lizzud I was arguin’ wid; an’ after we’ve chinned fer a spell, he gives me crutch de once-over, see, an’ allows dere’s a hull kit o’ tools in her, what de fairies put dere; but I has a guess dat he done it hisself! Anyhow, she’s loaded fer bear, an’ when me an’ Torpy gits inter de ring, dere’ll be somp’n doin’, believe me!”
“Is this possible?” Argon asked Aunion in an undertone.
“I cannot interpret,” he replied, shaking his head.
“We may trust Solarion—he is of a higher order,” said Lamara. “Still, something disquiets me on the child’s account. But it is not for us to hold him back.”
“Well, folks, I’s on de war-pat’,” Jim said, handling his crutch in a peculiar manner, “an’ now I’s goin’ ter giver yer a s’prise! Kin’ly turn yer backs, all han’s, till I makes me prep-rations; an’ don’ look eroun’ till I gives de word! No peepin’ now! Abbry-cadabbry! Presto change! As yer was! What d’yer t’ink o’ dat?”
The others had indulged his humor, and now faced about again. How it had happened only Jim and perhaps the little Nature people could have told; but there Jim sat on a superb black stallion, which tossed its head, shook out its tail, and unfolded a pair of wings so wide and powerful that they seemed capable of bearing him from one end of the solar system to the other. The beautiful creature danced impatiently on its dainty hoofs, and seemed eager to be off.
“Well done, Jim! Good fortune! Safe return!” they cried; and the Nature people set up a joyful shout.
Jim settled himself in the saddle, and handled the reins with professional assurance. “Keep yer eye on de boss!” were his last words. He waved his hand, the horse gave a mighty sweep with his wings, and steed and rider bounded splendidly into the air.