shapes like wreaths of vapor arising from
below.

The Shadow Witch turned pale, and caught Prince Ember by the arm to draw
him back. "Go no farther!" she cried in warning. "Go no farther, I beg
of you! Yonder is certain destruction for us both! It is the Pit of
Fumes! Those dread and yellow mists carry poison in their breath!"

"Though that be so, yet I must conquer them, for behind us lies your
prison," the Prince replied to her. "To it we must not return."

"Never shall you risk such danger for my sake," the Shadow Witch
answered firmly. "Better an endless prison for me than such dreadful
peril for you. I speak of what I know--none but my brother has ever dared
to enter yonder place. You shall not go."

"And when this place is passed," demanded the Prince, "what lies
beyond?"

"What matters it what lies beyond, when destruction lies between?" she
murmured sadly. "Were the way ever so open when the Pit is passed, it is
closed to us who stand upon this side."

"What lies beyond?" demanded he again. "Answer me truly, for I must
know."

Then the Shadow Witch knew that she must tell him. She covered her face
with her hands, and her tears fell fast. For a moment she could not
speak.

Prince Ember dried her tears with a tender hand. "What lies beyond?" he
insisted gently.

The Shadow Witch clung to him desperately. "The way to the Cave Hall,"
she admitted. "But, oh, I cannot let you venture where the Pit lies. No,
no! Many times have I heard my brother boast to his neighbors that none
but himself can draw nigh to it."

"Listen, dear Shadow Witch," said the Prince consolingly, "yonder is a
place of terror, in very truth, yet we shall pass it safely, in spite of
that. There is good magic which can put to naught even this evil Pit of
your brother's. Look--I will show you."

He thrust his hand into his breast, and took out a small round box which
was hidden there. "This is the gift of him who is oldest and wisest in
all the Kingdom of the Fire," he told her. "When he gave it, he assured
me that when the dangers of the way were greatest, when the way itself
seemed closed beyond all hope, that this which my box contains will
conquer the danger and make the road to safety plain."

Opening the box he took out the piece of charcoal that lay within.

"Stay you here," he bade her, "until I have prepared the way."

But she was not willing that he should go without her. "Whatever comes,
we meet it side by side," she dec