ade in the hedge; for, if we are
different from the rest of the world, it is better that we remain in
seclusion."

"I think it is right you should do that," replied Prince Marvel. "Yet
I do not regret that I cut a hole in your hedge."

"It was the hedge that delayed us in coming more promptly to your
assistance," said Terribus; "for we had hard work to find the hole you
had made, and so lost much valuable time."

"All is well that ends well!" laughed the prince. "You certainly came
in good time to rescue us from our difficulties."

They turned into a path that led to Auriel, which Nerle had heard
spoken of as "the Kingdom of the Setting Sun."

Soon the landscape grew very pleasant to look upon, the meadows being
broad and green, with groups of handsome trees standing about. The
twilight of the Land of Twi was now replaced by bright sunshine, and in
the air was the freshness of the near-by sea.

At evening they came to a large farmhouse, where the owner welcomed
them hospitably and gave them the best his house afforded.

In answer to their questions about the Kingdom of Auriel, he shook his
head sadly and replied:

"It is a rich and beautiful country, but has fallen under great
misfortunes. For when the good king died, about two years ago, the
kingdom was seized by a fierce and cruel sorcerer, named Kwytoffle, who
rules the people with great severity, and makes them bring him all
their money and valuable possessions. So every one is now very poor
and unhappy, and that is a great pity in a country so fair and fertile."

"But why do not the people rebel?" asked Nerle.

"They dare not rebel," answered the farmer, "because they fear the
sorcery of Kwytoffle. If they do not obey him he threatens to change
them into grasshoppers and June-bugs."

"Has he ever changed any one into a grasshopper or a June-bug?" asked
Prince Marvel.

"No; but the people are too frightened to oppose him, and so he does
not get the opportunity. And he has an army of fierce soldiers, who
are accustomed to beat the people terribly if they do not carry every
bit of their wealth to the sorcerer. So there is no choice but to obey
him."

"We certainly ought to hang this wicked creature!" exclaimed Wul-Takim.

"I wish I had brought my Fool-Killer with me," sighed King Terribus;
"for I could have kept him quite busy in this kingdom."

"Can not something be done to rescue these poor people from their sad
fate?" asked the lovely Hig