mountain where we live is only one of many that are
called the Fire Mountains, because their rocks are so red, and because
they are all full of forges. Here we dwarfs used to live happily enough,
for our good King Fireheart was so rich and strong that no one dared to
make war on us, and we were left in peace to do what we would.

"King Fireheart, however, was not contented, for he wanted to see the
world, so one day he set out on a journey, no one knew whither, leaving
the country in the charge of his foster-brother.

"While he was away the Ice-Queen came with all her white spearsmen and
attacked the country and conquered it. Then she set us all to work, for
she knew that in all the world there were no such smiths as the dwarfs
of the Fire King's country, and not until we have forged her the magic
chain that binds all but one's self will she set us free to go about out
own affairs again.

"That is why we are all working to forge the links, and if we could but
make one that would stand so much as a touch of her finger we would have
hopes of making it, but so far not one has been made but what flies into
pieces at her lightest touch.

"But there," he added; "we must set to work, for the days are all too
short for what we have to do."

"Wait a bit," said Teddy, "I should like to have a stroke at that chain
myself. Will you lend me a hammer and let me try?"

"No, no," cried the dwarfs, shaking their heads. "We have no time to
waste in lending out hammers and anvil."

"Look!" said Teddy, taking off his ruby girdle and holding it out to
them. "You shall have this if you will let me try."

The dwarfs' eyes glittered, and they took the girdle and all crowded
around to look and handle it, for they had never seen such fine rubies
before, not even down in the middle of the earth; and at last they told
Teddy that they would lend him their hammers awhile in exchange for the
ruby girdle. "Though what can you do with them?" they said, "for look
at your hands; they are white and smooth, and not hairy and strong like
ours."

"Never you mind," said Teddy, "for sometimes white, smooth hands can
do the work that others can't," and he took one of their hammers in his
hand as he spoke.

"What will you have to work with?" they asked.

"Oh, anything at all," said Teddy, "if it is no more than an old nail,
so that it is something to begin with."

The dwarfs laughed, and picking up an old nail that was on the floor
they laid it up