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At the very first blow came a splash from the water beneath, but ere he could heave a third, a creature like a tapir, only that the grasping point of its proboscis was hard as the steel of Curdie's hammer, pushed him gently aside, making room for another creature, with a head like a great club, which it began banging upon the floor with terrible force and noise.
'As soon as we get home, said the king, 'Irene and I will search out the warmest one to be found, and send it by one of the gentlemen. 'Yes, that we will, Curdie! said the princess. 'And next summer we'll come back and see you wear it, Curdie's mother, she added. 'Shan't we, king-papa? 'Yes, my love; I hope so, said the king.
Another moment and it would have been aloft in the waves of rosy light it was just bending its little legs to spring: that moment it fell on the path broken-winged and bleeding from Curdie's cruel arrow. With a gush of pride at his skill, and pleasure at his success, he ran to pick up his prey. I must say for him he picked it up gently perhaps it was the beginning of his repentance.
Not one man but two or three had appeared from behind the rocks of the hills, and the heart of Wee Willie Winkie sank within him, for just in this manner were the Goblins wont to steal out and vex Curdie's soul. Thus had they played in Curdie's garden, he had seen the picture, and thus had they frightened the Princess's nurse.
It much increased Curdie's feeling of the strangeness of the whole affair, that, the next morning, when they were at work in the mine, the party of which he and his father were two, just as if they had known what had happened to him the night before, began talking about all manner of wonderful tales that were abroad in the country, chiefly, of course, those connected with the mines, and the mountains in which they lay.
'She talked such nonsense' answered Curdie, 'and told me a pack of things that weren't a bit true; and I can't get over it. 'What were they? asked his father. 'Your mother may be able to throw some light upon them. Then Curdie made a clean breast of it, and told them everything. They all sat silent for some time, pondering the strange tale. At last Curdie's mother spoke.
'We are the king's own men-at-arms, said the captain courteously, for he was taken with Curdie's appearance and courage. 'Well, I will tell you all about it if you will promise to listen to me and not do anything rash. 'I call that cool! said one of the party, laughing. 'He will tell us what mischief he was about, if we promise to do as pleases him. 'I was about no mischief, said Curdie.
In the morning, however, Derba came to him in great agitation, and said they had fastened up the door, so that she could not get out. Curdie rose immediately and went with her: they found that not only the door, but every window in the house was so secured on the outside that it was impossible to open one of them without using great force. Poor Derba looked anxiously in Curdie's face.
But it brought me here instead; and, oh, Curdie! your mother has been so kind to me just like my own grandmother! Here Curdie's mother gave the princess a hug, and the princess turned and gave her a sweet smile, and held up her mouth to kiss her. 'Then you didn't see the cobs?'asked Curdie. 'No; I haven't been into the mountain, I told you, Curdie.
But he had uttered enough to let Irene know who he was. 'It's Curdie! she cried joyfully. 'Hush! hush! came Curdie's voice again from somewhere. 'Speak softly. 'Why, you were singing loud! said Irene. 'Yes. But they know I am here, and they don't know you are. Who are you? 'I'm Irene, answered the princess. 'I know who you are quite well. You're Curdie.
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