agpie; and he spelt it over for her.

"Yes, the Multiphobus. What is a Multiphobus?"

"A creature that can do many things. He can live on the earth or in the
sea or in the air. He can run, swim, or fly, just as Rollo wishes. Rollo
is riding on the Multiphobus now. If you look up into the air you will
see him."

Lilla looked up, and perceived that what she had taken for a great
purple cloud sailing through the sky was in reality an extraordinary
animal, partly like a panther, partly like a hippopotamus, partly like a
bat and an eagle, for it had wings, claws, and feathers. And seated on
its breast, with one arm round its neck, and nestling close to it, was a
boy with a deerskin bound round him, and a crown of gay feathers on his
head.

Though the Multiphobus had an ugly face, yet he was evidently amiable,
and he and Rollo appeared to be talking together.

The Magpie nodded approvingly, but Lilla felt a little alarmed at so
enormous and nondescript an animal; and she trembled so much that the
box shook, and the words rattled violently inside.

"They want to get out," she said; "shall I open the lid?"

"Certainly not," replied the Magpie; "they will come out of themselves
when it is time. Stand still, and watch the Multiphobus descending."

It was easy to say "stand still," but not so easy for Lilla to do so;
she shook and shivered, and could only keep herself steady by supporting
herself against the trunk of a tall pine-tree.

Suddenly the Multiphobus ceased to work his wings, but he stretched them
out to their full extent, and then dropped quietly to the ground. When
he touched the earth, his wings fell off, and he looked like an ordinary
quadruped.

"He has only to say 'Wings,' and they come to him at once," explained
the Magpie.

But Lilla scarcely heard him; she was in a greater fright than ever. Not
only did the Multiphobus look more huge, but at that moment a
sharp-nosed Wolf appeared in sight, and Lilla's box rattled so loudly
that she was afraid he would hear it, and look round at her.

[Illustration: "ROLLO ... ADVANCED TO MEET HIM."]

She could not keep it still.

"No matter, no matter,
If it does make a clatter,"

said the Magpie.

"Will the Wolf hurt Rollo?" asked Lilla.

But the Magpie only whistled.

V.

And the Wolf, who walked slowly along, drew nearer and nearer to Rollo.
And Rollo, having taken off his feather crown, advanced to meet him.

"What tidings, friend Wolf?" sai