my footprints are not
stained with blood."

Soon the children observed, not far off, a party of youths rowing on
the bosom of a lake. They sat in a rocking, unsteady little bark, but
were in gay spirits, blowing bubbles, watching idle clouds, and
throwing up empty shouts to be caught up and echoed by the hills.

"I wish we had not seen these happy people," sighed Despard; "for, if
you can believe me, sister, I really feel as if I must pelt them with
my arrows."

So saying, little Despard began to fire his poisonous darts at random.

"Why, brother," cried Goldilocks, in alarm, "are you possessed by the
furies? Take care how you aim, or you will surely do mischief."

Even as she spoke, several of the gay youths dropped to the bottom of
the boat, apparently wounded. Their companions pushed for the shore;
and Goldilocks almost flew, to pour into the red wounds her brother
had made the smooth healing oil from her flask.

"Poor dears," said she, pitying their pain, "I have done my best; and,
see! these ugly gashes are almost healed. I cannot promise you,
though, that they will not leave scars."

The youths thanked the sweet girl, and assured her it was almost a
pleasure to be wounded, if one might be nursed by such gentle hands as
hers. But as for Despard, it was hardly strange that they should look
upon the poor boy as a wicked little highwayman; or, at best, a saucy,
careless fellow.

Some of the older youths, however, patted him on the shoulder, and
said, "For your sweet sister's sake we can even endure your pranks."

"Do not despise me," said the boy, sadly; "for as I am moved, so must
I do. Not for the whole world would I fire a poisonous arrow, if the
mighty Jove did not compel me."

As they walked on, Despard, against his will, flung into the air a
quantity of winged torments, which he found stowed away in his wallet,
such as gnats, wasps, and flies.

"There, now," said sweet Goldilocks, ready to weep, "why could you not
look before you, and see those pretty children playing yonder in that
fragrant meadow?"

"I saw them," said Despard; "but what good did that do?"

"O brother, I wish the Golden Age would come again, and then you
would cease scattering mischief and trouble."

The little ones, suddenly stopped in their play by the army of
insects, ran hither and thither over the meadow, screaming with pain.
But Goldilocks appeared in the midst of them, with her shining hair,
violet eyes, and laugh like