nts one very badly,' replied Peronnik, 'as he
declares that all his grain and all the fruit in his garden at Kerglas
are eaten up by the birds.'

'And how are you going to stop that, my fine fellow?' inquired the
korigan; and Peronnik showed him the snare he had prepared, and remarked
that no bird could possible escape from it.

'That is just what I should like to be sure of,' answered the korigan.
'My apples are completely eaten up by blackbirds and thrushes. Lay your
snare, and if you can manage to catch them, I will let you pass.'

'That is a fair bargain,' and as he spoke Peronnik jumped down and
fastened his colt to a tree; then, stopping, he fixed one end of the net
to the trunk of the apple tree, and called to the korigan to hold the
other while he took out the pegs. The dwarf did as he was bid, when
suddenly Peronnik threw the noose over his neck and drew it close, and
the korigan was held as fast as any of the birds he wished to snare.

Shrieking with rage, he tried to undo the cord, but he only pulled the
knot tighter. He had put down the sword on the grass, and Peronnik had
been careful to fix the net on the other side of the tree, so that it
was now easy for him to pluck an apple and to mount his horse, without
being hindered by the dwarf, whom he left to his fate.

When they had left the plain behind them, Peronnik and his steed found
themselves in a narrow valley in which was a grove of trees, full of
all sorts of sweet-smelling things--roses of every colour, yellow broom,
pink honeysuckle--while above them all towered a wonderful scarlet pansy
whose face bore a strange expression. This was the flower that laughs,
and no one who looked at it could help laughing too. Peronnik's heart
beat high at the thought that he had reached safely the second trial,
and he gazed quite calmly at the lion with the mane of vipers twisting
and twirling, who walked up and down in front of the grove.

The young man pulled up and removed his cap, for, idiot though he was,
he knew that when you have to do with people greater than yourself, a
cap is more useful in the hand than on the head. Then, after wishing all
kinds of good fortune to the lion and his family, he inquired if he was
on the right road to Kerglas.

'And what is your business at Kerglas?' asked the lion with a growl, and
showing his teeth.

'With all respect,' answered Peronnik, pretending to be very frightened,
'I am the servant of a lady who is a friend