o the very mouth of
the cave. Then appeared a band of Little People in green coats and red
caps, each with a white feather at the side.

They marched slowly, a band of musicians at the head playing upon tiny
instruments which made high, sweet music no louder than the shrilling
of gnats. Following the musicians came the King and Queen with little
gold crowns on their heads and wearing robes with trains borne by
pages. Then came eight stout fellows carrying two golden thrones which
they placed on a little eminence.

The King and Queen seated themselves, and the fairy band, after
marching once around the rock, formed in a hollow circle. The King
clapped his hands and rose, whereupon the musicians ceased playing, and
there was complete silence. The King was taller than the others by half
a head; his beard was long and tawny, and his presence royal. Said the
King:

"The moon is high and the night still. It is a fitting time and place
for our revels. Let the musicians play."

The musicians struck up a slow stately dance, and the King, taking the
Queen by the hand, advanced to the middle of the circle and with her
stepped a minuet. When the music ceased, all the Little People clapped
their hands in applause, and the King and Queen reseated themselves,
smiling graciously.

"The rabbit-step," commanded the King, and immediately the musicians
began so lively a tune that Andy and Hortense found it difficult not to
join in, which would have spoiled everything. At once, all the Little
People began to skip like rabbits, in the moonlight. Around and around
they went, dancing like mad, and Hortense and Andy grew dizzy watching
them.

Again the music changed, and the Little People danced a square dance,
after which they formed in rings within rings and whirled around faster
and faster until they seemed only rollicking circles of green in which
not one face could be distinguished from another.

A shadow as of a cloud fell upon the dancing Little People, and
Hortense, looking up, saw what seemed to be a dark spot on the moon.
Larger and larger it grew until she could distinguish it to be a pair
of horses ridden by figures only too familiar.

"It's Jeremiah and Grater!" she whispered to Andy.

The fairy King had also seen. Suddenly he clapped his hands and the
music and dancing ceased.

"Away!" the King shouted, and in a twinkling not a fairy was to be
seen. The shadow grew larger and larger until it wholly obscured the
moon.