71 LOST SPL-AAR.

some dayvs among the mountains, for it was i the wind-clouds on their brows the spear had disappeared. Tt was on the fourth day of his wanderings that, whilst he was gazing down into the depths ol a brewn pool, a “ butcher-bird 7 fell

THE HERDSMAN UVHREW HIS ASSEGAL.

at his feet, clutching in jts talons a tiny green frog. The frog cried for help, and Zandilli succeeded in frichtening the bird away,

T'he frog expressed its gratitude, and said “ I ever you arc in trouble, and think I can help you, close your eves and call to mind this brown pool, and I shall come to vour assistance.”

Zandilh thanked the kind frog. who then disappeared in the water.

A little further on he saw alarge black and

yellow butterfly impaled upon a thorn of

prickly-pear. He released it, and the butterlly satd : —

“ 1 was thrust upon that thorn by a pair of

tiny brown hands belonging 1o a lictle mail with large black eyes. She was cruel. You arc kind, and I am grateful. If ever vou are - difficulty or danger call me, and 1 shall he at your serviee,”

Then the glorious inscet spread its wings, and flew away to play with its mates among the crimson orchids.

Night was approaching on the fifth dav, and still the lost spear had not been found. It was a warm summer’s night, and the moon

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rose, agreat ball of erimson fire, from out the fog in the cast. Zandilli was anxious to find some shelter

for the night, and to that end entercd narrow gorge, through which wickled a tiny stream. Tt was very dark in this ravine. Its

walls were very high, and he fell into deep

water - holes, and stumbled over slippery boulders: but Zandilli persevered, knowing how often small caves are found in these ravines. A such a cave at last he came upon. The moon, now clear of the fog, had floated up mmto the heavens, and shone into the gorge, lighting up its western wall. Into a large cavity her light fell in a broad path- way of silver,

Zandillt entered boldly 3 he, who had lived among the mountains all his life, knew no fear. The light of the moon did not enter very far mto the cave, and he was too tired o explore the darkness beyond, so he lay down to rest, with his spear close at hand.

He awoke to find the cave in total dark- ness, and e strange soft music grected his cars. It was music sweceter than that of the turtle-dove calling to her mate, softer than the murmur ol the wind among the grass-hells., [ts sound thrilled the listener’s heart, and made him long to look upon the being

whose voice could discourse such sweet music. Zandilli arose, and crept with steps

as noiscless as the leopard’'s towards the place whence the music came. Nearer and nearer 1t grew, and as he advanced the cave grew broader and higher, and a pale hight

scemed to flood the walls.

Louder grew the music at each step, loftier the walls, and more brilliant the heht,