g archway. Sure never had such a drumming of
hoofs, such a padding of paws and feet been heard on its old pavement!
The horses started and looked scared at the echo of their own steps;
some halted a moment, some plunged wildly and wheeled about; but they
were soon quieted, and went on. Some of the Little Ones shivered, and
all were still as death. The three girls held closer the infants they
carried. All except the bears and butterflies manifested fear.

On the countenance of the woman lay a dark anxiety; nor was I myself
unaffected by the general dread, for the whole army was on my hands and
on my conscience: I had brought it up to the danger whose shadow was
now making itself felt! But I was supported by the thought of the coming
kingdom of the Little Ones, with the bad giants its slaves, and the
animals its loving, obedient friends! Alas, I who dreamed thus, had not
myself learned to obey! Untrusting, unfaithful obstinacy had set me at
the head of that army of innocents! I was myself but a slave, like any
king in the world I had left who does or would do only what pleases him!
But Lona rode beside me a child indeed, therefore a free woman--calm,
silent, watchful, not a whit afraid!

We were nearly in the heart of the city before any of its inhabitants
became aware of our presence. But now windows began to open, and sleepy
heads to look out. Every face wore at first a dull stare of wonderless
astonishment, which, as soon as the starers perceived the animals,
changed to one of consternation. In spite of their fear, however, when
they saw that their invaders were almost all children, the women came
running into the streets, and the men followed. But for a time all of
them kept close to the houses, leaving open the middle of the way, for
they durst not approach the animals.

At length a boy, who looked about five years old, and was full of the
idea of his mother, spying in the crowd a woman whose face attracted
him, threw himself upon her from his antelope, and clung about her neck;
nor was she slow to return his embrace and kisses. But the hand of a man
came over her shoulder, and seized him by the neck. Instantly a girl ran
her sharp spear into the fellow's arm. He sent forth a savage howl, and
immediately stabbed by two or three more, fled yelling.

"They are just bad giants!" said Lona, her eyes flashing as she drove
her horse against one of unusual height who, having stirred up the
little manhood in him, stood ba