ng.
"Take the ring," he said, slipping it over her glossy neck, after she
had informed him of what she had seen. "If you can manage to touch him
with it, this wicked man will find that he has no power whatever to harm
us."

"I will make haste," replied the little bird, "for they must by this
time have reached the drawbridge."

So saying she flew swiftly away and reached the other side of the moat
just as the cavalcade set foot upon the bridge.

Awaiting her opportunity to touch the wicked stepfather of the princess
with the magic ring, she alighted quietly on the tip of a spear which
one of the horsemen carried.

As they neared the center of the drawbridge the king, as if suddenly
aware of an unseen power, exclaimed: "I feel there is danger near!"

Then the horseman shook his spear defiantly and so startled the little
bluebird that she nearly lost her footing, and alas! what was much more
serious, caused her to loosen her hold upon the little magic gold ring,
which slipped from between her bill and fell into the waters of the
moat.

Like a falling star, it shivered and glimmered in the rays of the moon
as it descended, attracting the attention of a speckled trout, who
opened his mouth and swallowed it as it splashed upon the silvery
surface of the water.

"Your trusty spear has done me good service in times gone by," exclaimed
the wicked king, not knowing that its owner had unknowingly been the
cause of saving him at the present moment.

On came the cavalcade, the wicked attendants of the king inside the
castle opening the gates and allowing him and his men to enter the
courtyard.

Ned looked down from his window and wondered what had become of the
bluebird. He did not feel afraid, but at the same time he realized that
he was not in friendly hands. The giant, on hearing the gates open, had
quickly drawn in his feet and was struggling to get his shoes on when
Ned appeared at the door.

"It's all up!" said the big fellow, with a wry face and a catch in his
gruff voice. "I can feel already the pine-needles beginning to stick out
all over me."

"Oh, that's gooseflesh, you're so scared!" replied Ned, smiling in spite
of the gravity of the situation. "It may not be as bad as you think!"

Just then a great pounding on the front doors told them that the King
was seeking admittance. "Who has locked the doors?" he shouted.

"Wait a minute," said the sweet voice of the princess; "we did not
expect you so late," a