The Brownies: Their Book Part 6

THE BROWNIES' BALLOON.

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WHILE rambling through the forest shade, A sudden halt some Brownies made; For spread about on bush and ground An old balloon at rest they found, That while upon some flying trip Had given aeronauts the slip.

And, falling here in foliage green, Through all the summer lay unseen.

The Brownies gathered fast to stare Upon the monster lying there,

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And when they learned the use and plan Of valves and ropes, the rogues began To lay their schemes and name a night When all could take an airy flight.

"We want," said one, "no tame affair, Like some that rise with heated air, And hardly clear the chimney-top Before they lose their life and drop.

The bag with gas must be supplied, That will insure a lengthy ride; When we set sail 't is not to fly Above a spire and call it high.

The boat, or basket, must be strong, Designed to take the crowd along; For that which leaves a part behind Would hardly suit the Brownie mind.

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The works that serve the town of Bray With gas are scarce two miles away.

To-morrow night we'll come and bear, As best we can, this burden there; And when inflated, fit to rise, We'll take a sail around the skies."

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Next evening, as the scheme was planned, The Brownies promptly were on hand; For when some pleasure lies in view, The absentees are always few.

But 't was no easy task to haul The old balloon, car, ropes and all, Across the rocks and fallen trees And through the marshes to their knees.

But Brownies, persevering still, Will keep their course through every ill, And in the main, as history shows, Succeed in aught they do propose.

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So, though it cost them rather dear, In scratches there and tumbles here, They worked until the wondrous feat Of transportation was complete.

Then while some busy fingers played Around the rents that branches made, An extra coil of rope was tied In long festoons around the side, That all the party, young and old, Might find a trusty seat or hold.

And while they worked, they chatted free About the wonders they would see.

Said one: "As smoothly as a kite, We'll rise above the clouds to-night, And may the question settle soon, About the surface of the moon."

Now all was ready for the gas, And soon the lank and tangled ma.s.s Began to flop about and rise, As though impatient for the skies; Then was there work for every hand That could be mustered in the band, To keep the growing monster low Until they stood prepared to go; To this and that they made it fast, Round stones and stakes the rope was cast;

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But strong it grew and stronger still, As every wrinkle seemed to fill; And when at last it bounded clear, And started on its wild career, A rooted stump and garden gate, It carried off as special freight.

Though all the Brownies went, a part Were not in proper shape to start; Arrangements hardly were complete, Some wanted room and more a seat, While some in acrobatic style Must put their trust in toes awhile.

But Brownies are not hard to please, And soon they rested at their ease; Some found support, both safe and strong, Upon the gate that went along, By some the stump was utilized, And furnished seats they highly prized.

Now, as they rose they ran afoul Of screaming hawk and hooting owl, And flitting bats that hooked their wings At once around the ropes and strings,

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As though content to there abide And take the chances of the ride.

On pa.s.sing through a heavy cloud, One thus addressed the moistened crowd: "Although the earth, from which we rise, Now many miles below us lies, To sharpest eye, strain as it may, The moon looks just as far away."

"The earth is good enough for me!"

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Another said, "with gra.s.sy lea, And shady groves, of songsters full.-- Will some one give the valve a pull?"

And soon they all were well content, To start upon a mild descent.

But once the gas commenced to go, They lost the power to check the flow; The more they tried control to gain, The more it seemed to rush amain.

Then some began to wring their hands, And more to volunteer commands; While some were craning out to view What part of earth their wreck would strew, A marshy plain, a rocky sh.o.r.e, Or ocean with its sullen roar.

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It happened as they neared the ground, A rushing gale was sweeping round, That caught and carried them with speed Across the forest and the mead.

Then lively catching might be seen At cedar tops and branches green; While still the stump behind them swung, On this it caught, to that it hung, And, as an anchor, played a part They little thought of at the start.

At length, in spite of sweeping blast, Some friendly branches held them fast: And then, descending, safe and sound, The daring Brownies reached the ground But in the tree-top on the hill The old balloon is hanging still, And saves the farmers on the plain From placing scare-crows in their grain.

THE BROWNIES CANOEING.

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AS day in shades of evening sank, The Brownies reached a river bank; And there awhile stood gazing down At students from a neighboring town, Whose light canoes charmed every eye, As one by one they floated by.

Said one, "We'll follow, as they go, Until they gain the point below.

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There stands a house, but lately made, Wherein the club's effects are laid; We'll take possession after dark, And in these strange affairs embark."

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They all declared, at any cost, A chance like this should ne'er be lost; And keeping well the men in sight They followed closely as they might.

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The moon was climbing o'er the hill, The owl was hooting by the mill, When from the building on the sands The boats were shoved with willing hands.

A "Shadow" model some explored, And then well-pleased they rushed on board; The open "Peterboro'," too, Found its supporters--and a crew.

The Indian "Birch-bark" seemed too frail And lacked the adjunct of a sail, Yet of a load it did not fail,-- For all the boats were in demand; As well those which with skill were planned

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By men of keenest judgment ripe, As those of humbler, home-made type.

And soon away sailed all the fleet With every Brownie in his seat.

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