our eyes when on our return we
came out at the head of the pass on yonder mountain and looked over the
valley. At first we thought we must surely have lost our way and come
upon some strange barren place, but on looking about we saw certain
familiar landmarks which made it clear to us that a hurricane must have
swept our kingdom away, and of course all our possessions.

"'We rode on, trying to find some trace of our house, but nothing could
be seen on the bare sands but a clump of bushes and a few small trees
which had somehow escaped the force of wind and water.

"'On reaching this spot we thought it better to stay and camp for the
night, as the day was fast fading and we would have to wait until
daylight to go back through the mountains.

"'Fortunately we had plenty of food left, and after tying our horses
and giving them their supper I went to gather some dead twigs to make a
fire while my wife unpacked our camp outfit.

"'While we were thus engaged I thought I heard a sound of crying. We
both listened, and it came again. Leaving our tasks we followed the
sound and behind a scrubby willow tree came upon a most beautiful young
woman crouched on the ground weeping and moaning, and at the same time
digging into the earth with a small wand as if in search of something.
She did not appear to heed our approach.

"'"What have you lost, my dear? Is it money?" asked my wife, thinking
that she like ourselves was homeless on account of the storm. She
jumped and looked at us in a startled manner, then rising to her feet
answered sadly:

"'"No, it is not money, but something much more precious. It is a
little black seed, and I am afraid I shall not find it again."

"'"Oh, if that is all, perhaps you can get another," I said, thinking
that misfortune had probably affected their reason.

"'"Come," I continued, "we will have to remain here to-night, but in
the morning we will help you to find it if it can be found," and I left
my wife to comfort her while I went back to see to my fire. We soon
had our kettle boiling and supper laid out, and the strange young lady
seemed very grateful for our hospitality. After supper she sat and
looked into the flames for a long time in silence while we discussed
our plans for the future.

"'By and by we too became quiet, and then she spoke.

"'"I am not a mortal like yourselves," she said, "I am the fairy who is
called 'Peaceful,' and my home is in the island of Laurels, far fro