ED TO THE PRINCESS OF ROOT-VALLEY, AND
TAKES POSSESSION OF THE NUTFIELD.--THE BIRDS
DEPART.--WHAT ILL COMES OF IT.--WEDDING AND PARTING 19

CHAPTER THE FIFTH.

THE PUPPET-KINGDOM IS SET IN ORDER.--HAUGHTINESS OF
NUTCRACKER, HIS WIFE, AND SUBJECTS.--ANTIPATHY OF THE
TWO PEOPLES.--THE ROOT-KING ABDICATES HIS
CROWN.--NUTCRACKER A TYRANT.--PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN
ROOT-VALLEY.--THE WAR.--HARLEQUIN'S DEATH.--FLIGHT AND
DESTRUCTION OF THE PUPPET-KINGDOM.--NUTCRACKER'S
DEATH.--THE PRINCESS SAVED 22

CHAPTER THE SIXTH.

THE BIRDCATCHER AND HIS FAMILY.--HOW THE CHILDREN RETURN
HOME WITH RARE TREASURES.--NUTCRACKER'S DEAD BODY.--THE
LITTLE MAIDEN IN THE STORK'S NEST, AND WHO SHE
WAS.--AFFECTING RECONCILIATION ON THE
NUTFIELD.--THREATENING DANGER TO THE
ROOTMEN.--EMIGRATION OF THE ROOTMEN 28

[Illustration: First Chapter.]

The King of Root Valley

AND

His Curious Daughter.

CHAPTER THE FIRST.

THE ROOT-VALLEY AND ITS INHABITANTS.--THE STORY-TELLING
GUESTS.--THE KING OF ROOT-VALLEY AND HIS CURIOUS
DAUGHTER.--THE AERIAL CHARIOT.--FESTIVITIES IN THE
TOWN.--RETURN THROUGH THE AIR FROM THE ROOF OF THE
TOWN-HOUSE.--WHIMS OF THE PRINCESS.

The road between Nuremberg and Leipsic ran in former times, in one
part, along the edge of a dark forest, which stretched into the
country far over the mountains. In the middle of this forest the
rocks enclosed a deep green valley, bordered by almost impenetrable
hedges, so that neither man nor beast could enter it. Here dwelt at
that time the merry little people of the Rootmen. They were pretty
little creatures, in form and look like human beings,--the tallest
about six inches high, and the smallest as long as your little
finger. In summer they lived in mossy bowers and under the leaves
of the tall fern; in winter they nestled among the roots of trees,
in the holes of some gnarled old trunk, and crept into the clefts
in the rocks. Their dress was fine and elegant: the little men wore
coats and hose of moss, and the little women dresses of pretty
variegated flowers, leaves, and gossamer, according as the weather
was warm or cold. They never felt the time long, having always
plenty of employment; they had to keep their roads in order, gather
in their stores, and the like; their favouri