"may the Red Dragon make his next meal
of thee, and use thy bones for chopsticks! my life is of no value to me,
on account of thy tormentings. Am I never to be left in peace?"

The boy, smiling sweetly, was about to reply; but at that moment a
woman, who was passing by, happened to look up, and caught sight of the
two red silk handkerchiefs in the air, with Nibble and Brighteyes on
them. Me they could not see, nor the seven Winds, but the children were
plainly visible, and very funny they must have looked.

"Hop-Wang!" cried the woman. "Look up quickly, and see these strange
things in the sky! it is some fearful sign from the gods, I fear."

Hop-Wang looked up, and started; but instead of being frightened, he
showed every sign of delight.

[Illustration]

"The Red Dragon! the Red Dragon!" he cried. "Do you not see the
fluttering of his wings?" (Indeed, the Winds were blowing the corners of
the handkerchiefs, which were almost as large as small tablecloths, in
every direction, to screen the two children, so that they really did
look rather like flapping wings.) "I have prayed to the Big Idol," he
continued, addressing the woman, "ever since this imp of wickedness here
set fire to my beautiful pig-tail and burned it off, to send one of his
strong dragons to carry off my tormentor. And now my prayers are
answered, and the Red Dragon, strongest of all, is here! Hokkaloo!
hokkaloo!" and he danced with delight.

But his joy was shortlived. The boy, as soon as he heard the words "Red
Dragon," and saw the fluttering wings, turned three somersaults in
succession, and was out of sight in the twinkling of a satellite; and I,
thinking that distance would lend enchantment to the view, and to be out
of danger, begged the Winds to blow the handkerchiefs up a mile or so.
Accordingly the bright vision receded gradually from the sight of the
disappointed Chinaman, and finally vanished, leaving him very
disconsolate, and once more at the mercy of his tormentor.

[Illustration]

"Mr Moonman!" said Brighteyes, as we rose slowly through the clear air.

"Well, Mouse Brighteyes!" I said, "what is it?"

"Was that Pun-Chin?"

"That was Pun-Chin!" I replied.

"I thought so!" said Brighteyes. And she was silent for some time,
thinking, perhaps, of the tail-feathers of the sixty-five parrots.

"How delightful it will be," said Nibble; "to tell Uncle Jack and the
twinnies about this wonderful ride. Just think how surprised they will