boat below. He was hardly seated, with the oars in his hands, when
the white ship passed by, all sails spread, and Queen Celeste sitting
upon a golden throne on deck. Robin followed. There was darkness as
he entered, and he felt bewildered and even eerie. But it was only for
a moment, for the white ship ahead became aglow with many brilliant
colored stars, and, with the silver boat behind, it glided into a land
whose beauty and marvellousness no pen can describe.

The sky was of entrancing azure, lit up by twelve mellow suns, making
perpetual day; the fields were like rich velvet carpets of green; and
the rivers, winding in fantastic shapes, widening into blue lakes and
forming dashing cascades, were pure as crystal. There were also plains
of gold dust, fine as flour, where butterflies enriched their tender
wings; great forests, where birds of gay plumage built peculiar nests
and sang in choirs most glorious songs; high hills, with rocks of red
ruby and blue lazuli, on which gilded reptiles basked and whistled;
lovely valleys full of fragrance and of luscious fruits; cool grottoes,
and sombre ravines; picturesque villages; busy towns, and majestic
castles.

All the animals could speak and sing and dance, and every one was a
pet. Nay more, they were useful. Squirrels ran messages, and
calculated like schoolboys; foxes drew out plans as architects; tigers
drove waggons pulled by zebras; and lions built bridges, which pretty
parrots wreathed with flowers.

Children played and laughed everywhere, dressed in the quaintest and
prettiest styles. None ever quarrelled, except in fun, as kittens do.

There was no time to see all that could be seen, so Robin was wafted
over a part of this wonderful land in a crimson silk balloon, with
Queen Celeste at his side, pointing out what was most interesting, till
his eyes were almost sore with gazing and gazing. Then they descended
into a field of gorgeous flowers, among a number of animal pets that
were leaping, racing, resting and talking. Robin was charmed and
amazed.

"Oh," said he, "if I could only get mine to speak like that I should be
happy, and what is it I would not teach them to do?"

The Queen was delighted because her guest was delighted.

Then Robin turned to her and said with a smile full of entreaty:

"Will your Majesty not aid me? Please help me, at least with my pretty
black squirrels I love so much."

"It shall be done," said the Queen, with a grac