e his advice as to peace or war,
had looked like a baby, as long as he spoke with the knowledge and sense
of a full-grown man. But, alas! with the outward form of an infant, he
had taken on its helplessness and foolishness, and there was no one who
could train him to better things. The end of it all was, that before a
month had passed the population had died out, and the fairy Dindonette,
ashamed and grieved at the effects of her folly, had left the island for
ever.

Many centuries after, the fairy Selnozoura, who had fallen into bad
health, was ordered by her doctors to make the tour of the world twice
a week for change of air, and in one of these journeys she found herself
at Fountain Island. Selnozoura never made these trips alone, but always
took with her two children, of whom she was very fond--Cornichon, a boy
of fourteen, bought in his childhood at a slave-market, and Toupette, a
few months younger, who had been entrusted to the care of the fairy by
her guardian, the genius Kristopo. Cornichon and Toupette were intended
by Selnozoura to become husband and wife, as soon as they were old
enough. Meanwhile, they travelled with her in a little vessel, whose
speed through the air was just a thousand nine hundred and fifty times
greater than that of the swiftest of our ships.

Struck with the beauty of the island, Selnozoura ran the vessel to
ground, and leaving it in the care of the dragon which lived in the hold
during the voyage, stepped on shore with her two companions. Surprised
at the sight of a large town whose streets and houses were absolutely
desolate, the fairy resolved to put her magic arts in practice to
find out the cause. While she was thus engaged, Cornichon and Toupette
wandered away by themselves, and by-and-by arrived at the fountain,
whose bubbling waters looked cool and delicious on such a hot day.
Scarcely had they each drunk a deep draught, when the fairy, who by this
time had discovered all she wished to know, hastened to the spot.

'Oh, beware! beware!' she cried, the moment she saw them. 'If you drink
that deadly poison you will be ruined for ever!'

'Poison?' answered Toupette. 'It is the most refreshing water I have
ever tasted, and Cornichon will say so too!'

'Unhappy children, then I am too late! Why did you leave me? Listen,
and I will tell you what has befallen the wretched inhabitants of this
island, and what will befall you too. The power of fairies is great,'
she added, when she