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before him. That day he visited the Wood-Nymphs and related his adventure
to Queen Zurline and Necile.
"
"
The Awgwas have become your enemies," said the lovely Queen, thoughtfully;
so we must do all we can to protect you from their power."
"
It was cowardly to bind him while he slept," remarked Necile, with
indignation.
"
The evil ones are ever cowardly," answered Zurline, "but our friend's slumber
shall not be disturbed again."
The Queen herself came to the dwelling of Claus that evening and placed her
Seal on every door and window, to keep out the Awgwas. And under the Seal
of Queen Zurline was placed the Seal of the Fairies and the Seal of the Ryls
and the Seals of the Knooks, that the charm might become more powerful.
And Claus carried his toys to the children again, and made many more of the
little ones happy.
You may guess how angry the King Awgwa and his fierce band were when it
was known to them that Claus had escaped from the Forest of Ethop.
They raged madly for a whole week, and then held another meeting among the
rocks.
"
It is useless to carry him where the Knooks reign," said the King, "for he has
their protection. So let us cast him into a cave of our own mountains, where
he will surely perish."
This was promptly agreed to, and the wicked band set out that night to seize
Claus. But they found his dwelling guarded by the Seals of the Immortals and
were obliged to go away baffled and disappointed.
"
Never mind," said the King; "he does not sleep always!"
Next day, as Claus traveled to the village across the plain, where he intended
to present a toy squirrel to a lame boy, he was suddenly set upon by the
Awgwas, who seized him and carried him away to the mountains.
There they thrust him within a deep cavern and rolled many huge rocks
against the entrance to prevent his escape.
Deprived thus of light and food, and with little air to breathe, our Claus was,
indeed, in a pitiful plight. But he spoke the mystic words of the Fairies, which
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