ped Hilda and Harold to a seat on two
of the largest leaves, while he himself clung to the stem; and so away
they went through the forest merrily. As they advanced the heavy grey
cloud which had overcast all the heavens since Rumpty-Dudget's rule
began was rolled back like a mighty scroll; and the pure sky, lit up
with the fresh sunshine of the early dawn, smiled above the mysterious
forest. Then the forest too awoke to life and joyousness; the birds
sang in the branches, and fragrant flowers, sparkling with dew, glowed
in the happy glades with mingled tints of white, blue, and red. So on
they went, carrying with them the freshness and perfume of the
morning and of spring; and in a wonderfully short time the Golden Ivy
had brought them to the gates of Rumpty-Dudget's tower.

'Jump down now,' said Tom, 'and leave the Golden Ivy to do the rest.'

Down they all jumped accordingly, and stood at one side, near the
castle gates. But the Golden Ivy kept on, and threw itself across, the
moat, and clambered over the portcullis, and forced its way into the
courtyard, and writhed along the passages and up the staircases, until
(in less time than it takes to write about it) the Ivy had reached the
room with the hundred-and-one corners. In the midst of this room stood
Rumpty-Dudget, having fled to it for safety; for it was defended by
enchantments which only the Golden Ivy could have overcome. There he
stood, trembling in his shoes, as well he might; and in all the
corners round about, with their faces to the wall and their hands
behind their backs, stood the poor little children that Rumpty-Dudget
had caught.

But they were not to stand there much longer, for Rumpty-Dudget's hour
had come! He tried to run away, but the terrible Golden Ivy ran after
him and caught him, and bound down his arms, and tied together his
legs, and clutched him around the throat, and squeezed him round the
body, and fastened its coils upon him tighter and tighter, until all
the mischief was squeezed out of him. But, since Rumpty-Dudget was
entirely made of mischief, when all the mischief was squeezed out of
him of course there was no Rumpty-Dudget left--no, not so much as one
of his shoe-buckles!

And when Rumpty-Dudget had ceased to exist of course all the children
who had been made prisoners by his spells became free; and they came
racing and shouting out of the grey tower, with little Prince Hector
at their head. But when Hector saw his brother and