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In the end he called upon Peter Knook for assistance, for Peter's heart is as
kind as his body is crooked, and he is remarkably shrewd, as well. And Peter
agreed to furnish strips of tough leather for the harness.
This leather was cut from the skins of lions that had reached such an
advanced age that they died naturally, and on one side was tawny hair while
the other side was cured to the softness of velvet by the deft Knooks. When
Claus received these strips of leather he sewed them neatly into a harness for
the ten reindeer, and it proved strong and serviceable and lasted him for many
years.
The harness and sledge were prepared at odd times, for Claus devoted most of
his days to the making of toys. These were now much better than the first
ones had been, for the immortals often came to his house to watch him work
and to offer suggestions. It was Necile's idea to make some of the dolls say
"
papa" and "mama." It was a thought of the Knooks to put a squeak inside
the lambs, so that when a child squeezed them they would say "baa-a-a-a!"
And the Fairy Queen advised Claus to put whistles in the birds, so they could
be made to sing, and wheels on the horses, so children could draw them
around. Many animals perished in the Forest, from one cause or another, and
their fur was brought to Claus that he might cover with it the small images of
beasts he made for playthings. A merry Ryl suggested that Claus make a
donkey with a nodding head, which he did, and afterward found that it
amused the little ones immensely. And so the toys grew in beauty and
attractiveness every day, until they were the wonder of even the immortals.
When another Christmas Eve drew near there was a monster load of beautiful
gifts for the children ready to be loaded upon the big sledge. Claus filled three
sacks to the brim, and tucked every corner of the sledge-box full of toys
besides.
Then, at twilight, the ten reindeer appeared and Flossie introduced them all to
Claus. They were Racer and Pacer, Reckless and Speckless, Fearless and
Peerless, and Ready and Steady, who, with Glossie and Flossie, made up the
ten who have traversed the world these hundreds of years with their generous
master. They were all exceedingly beautiful, with slender limbs, spreading
antlers, velvety dark eyes and smooth coats of fawn color spotted with white.
Claus loved them at once, and has loved them ever since, for they are loyal
friends and have rendered him priceless service.
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