The Enchanted Island of Yew by L. Frank Baum


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Page 9

"By my powers as a mortal," she said, marveling even then at the
strange speech, "I command you to become a brave and gallant
youth--handsome, strong, fearless! And such shall you remain for the
space of one year.

As she ceased speaking the fairy was gone, and a slender youth, dark-eyed
and laughing, was holding her hand in his and kissing it gratefully.

"I thank you, most lovely maiden," he said, in a pleasant voice, "for
giving me a place in the world of mortals. I shall ride at once in
search of adventure, but my good sword is ever at your service."

With this he gracefully arose and began to buckle on his magnificent
armor and to fasten the sword to his belt.

Seseley drew a long, sighing breath of amazement at her own powers,
and turning to Berna and Helda she asked:

"Do I see aright? Is the little fairy really transformed to this youth?"

"It certainly seems so," returned Helda, who, being unabashed by the
marvels she had beheld, turned to gaze boldly upon the young knight.

"Do you still remember that a moment ago you were a fairy?" she inquired.

"Yes, indeed," said he, smiling; "and I am really a fairy now, being
but changed in outward form. But no one must know this save
yourselves, until the year has expired and I resume my true station.
Will you promise to guard my secret?"

"Oh, yes!" they exclaimed, in chorus. For they were delighted, as any
children might well be, at having so remarkable a secret to keep and
talk over among themselves.

"I must ask one more favor," continued the youth: "that you give me a
name; for in this island I believe all men bear names of some sort, to
distinguish them one from another."

"True," said Seseley, thoughtfully. "What were you called as a fairy?"

"That does not matter in the least," he answered, hastily. "I must
have an entirely new name."

"Suppose we call him the Silver Knight," suggested Berna, as she eyed
his glistening armor.

"Oh, no!--that is no name at all!" declared Helda. "We might better
call him Baron Strongarm."

"I do not like that, either," said the Lady Seseley, "for we do not
know whether his arm is strong or not. But he has been transformed in
a most astonishing and bewildering manner before our very eyes, and I
think the name of Prince Marvel would suit him very well."

"Excellent!" cried the youth, picking up his richly graven
shield. "The name seems fitting in every way. And for a year I shall
be known to all this island as Prince Marvel!"



5. The King of Thieves


Old Marshelm, the captain of the guard, was much surprised when he saw
the baron's daughter and her playmates approach her father's castle
escorted by a knight in glittering armor.

To be sure it was a rather small knight, but the horse he led by the
bridle was so stately and magnificent in appearance that old Marshelm,
who was an excellent judge of horses, at once decided the stranger
must be a personage of unusual importance.

As they came nearer the captain of the guard also observed the beauty
of the little knight's armor, and caught the glint of jewels set in
the handle of his sword; so he called his men about him and prepared
to receive the knight with the honors doubtless due his high rank.

But to the captain's disappointment the stranger showed no intention
of entering the castle. On the contrary, he kissed the little Lady
Seseley's hand respectfully, waved an adieu to the others, and then
mounted his charger and galloped away over the plains.

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Books | Photos | Paul Mutton | Fri 10th Jan 2025, 18:26