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Then the snow would melt before you could get back," said the deer. "You

must wait until spring, Claus."

Claus sighed. "Had I your fleet feet," said he, "I could make the journey in a

day."

But you have not," returned Glossie, looking at his own slender legs with

pride.

Perhaps I could ride upon your back," Claus ventured to remark, after a

pause.

Oh no; our backs are not strong enough to bear your weight," said Flossie,

decidedly. "But if you had a sledge, and could harness us to it, we might draw

you easily, and your pack as well."

I'll make a sledge!" exclaimed Claus. "Will you agree to draw me if I do?"

Well," replied Flossie, "we must first go and ask the Knooks, who are our

guardians, for permission; but if they consent, and you can make a sledge and

harness, we will gladly assist you."

Then go at once!" cried Claus, eagerly. "I am sure the friendly Knooks will

give their consent, and by the time you are back I shall be ready to harness

you to my sledge."

Flossie and Glossie, being deer of much intelligence, had long wished to see

the great world, so they gladly ran over the frozen snow to ask the Knooks if

they might carry Claus on his journey.

Meantime the toy-maker hurriedly began the construction of a sledge, using

material from his wood-pile. He made two long runners that turned upward

at the front ends, and across these nailed short boards, to make a platform. It

was soon completed, but was as rude in appearance as it is possible for a

sledge to be.

The harness was more difficult to prepare, but Claus twisted strong cords

together and knotted them so they would fit around the necks of the deer, in

the shape of a collar. From these ran other cords to fasten the deer to the

front of the sledge.

Before the work was completed Glossie and Flossie were back from the Forest,

having been granted permission by Will Knook to make the journey with Claus

provided they would to Burzee by daybreak the next morning.

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus