was growing smaller
by the second. The valley could be cradled in two hands; the mountains
on either side looked like wrinkles in gray cloth. Now he could see
plains in the distance, and little silver threads of rivers. As he
looked, the whole world began to revolve slowly. The Phoenix was
soaring in a wide circle.

"Well, my boy," it called over its shoulder, "whom shall we visit
first?"

"It's really up to you, Phoenix," David shouted back, "but how about
the--the--Biffens or Whiffens, or whatever you called them?"

"You mean the Gryffins, Gryffons, and Gryffens, my boy? Very well. We
shall visit the Gryffins only, however. It is best to leave the others
alone."

The Phoenix swung around and began to fly toward the morning sun with
such tremendous speed that David had to crouch down to avoid being
blown off. The wind screamed past his ears, tore at his shirt and
hair, and made his eyes brim over with tears. It was cold, but he was
too excited to care. Below them, plains, rivers, forests, and cities
rushed across the face of the earth.

"This is wonderful, Phoenix!" David shouted.

The Phoenix's reply was not clear. "... normal speed ... air stream ...
prime days of my youth ..." were the only words David caught, but he could
tell from the tone that the Phoenix was pleased.

The view below was not to last long. Within half an hour they had run
into a heavy overcast, and for a long time it was like flying through
very wet, cold cotton. David glanced down, hoping to see the fog thin
out. Suddenly he caught sight of a black object rocketing up toward
them. Before he could call out a warning, the thing hurtled by, so
close that its backwash very nearly knocked him from the bird's back.
The Phoenix reduced speed; and the black object, after banking in a
wide curve, came cruising up alongside. David was amazed to see that
it was a pale but beautiful lady, dressed all in black, sitting on a
broom.

"Hello, Phoenix!" she cried in a teasing voice. "I haven't seen you in
_ever_ so long."

[Illustration]

"Good morning, I am sure," the Phoenix replied stiffly, staring
straight ahead.

"Phoenix," the lady continued coaxingly, "I'm awfully bored. Won't you
race me? Please?"

"Idle hands find mischief to do," said the Phoenix severely. "_We_ are
making good use of our time, and I suggest that _you_ do the same."

"Don't be so stuffy, Phoenix." She pouted. "Come and race with me.
I've got a new broom, and I want to