“Before exhibiting to you the mysterious objects which have acquired for me the name of magician,” said the old man, “I will briefly give you my history.  I was, in youth, they termed an idle dreamer—­ever on the alert for new discoveries—­and was more laughed at than encouraged in my pursuit of rare inventions.  More than fifty years ago I ascertained that steam might be made to propel machinery.  I attempted to explain the principles of this discovery to my fellow-men, and to convince them of the vast benefits that might result from it.  I was not heeded—­nay, I was insulted by their indifference—­and made a solemn vow that its advantages should never be reaped through my instrumentality.  In secret I constructed a small steamboat, and having placed on board such materials as might be required, and secured the assistance of a requisite number of artisans, I came hither, resolved to prosecute my experiments to my own satisfaction in solitude, where the taunts of skeptics could not reach me.  Follow, and you shall behold what has been the result of my unrestrained researches.”  The old man arose, and conducted our hero across the yard to a curtained shelter on one side of the inclosure.

“La! if that ain’t its foot!” exclaimed Joe, who joined our hero, and observing a large foot, resembling in shape that of the swan, under the folds of the curtain, while the old wizard paused a moment before unveiling the curious object.  It was as Joe surmised:  when the canvas was withdrawn, an artificial swan of monstrous dimensions, though perfect in all its proportions, was revealed to their wondering gaze.  A little beyond, another curtain was drawn aside, and an eagle, holding in its beak a bloody crown, and in its talons a silken banner of stripes and stars, stood before them in the attitude of springing up in the air.

“Which will you try first?” demanded the fire-wizard, while a proud smile played on his lips.

“Can either of them be set in motion by your art?” asked Glenn.

“Both!” exclaimed the wizard.  “If you will tarry till the ice is gone, the swan shall rush through the strongest current as swiftly as the wild horse careers over the prairie; or the eagle shall even now dart beyond the clouds, and transport you in a few brief hours to where you will see the briny waves rolling against the distant Atlantic coast!”

Glenn was incredulous, and his unbelief was betrayed by a smile, in spite of his efforts to the contrary.

“Bring hither a lamp!” said the wizard to the attendant and was quickly obeyed.

“Oh, don’t make him mad!  He’s going to do something now!” whispered Joe to Glenn.  The wizard touched a spring; the breast of the eagle flew open, and within could be seen polished wheels and other portions of a complicated machinery.  The old man next applied the blaze of the lamp to some spirits within, and in a very few minutes particles of steam could be seen to escape from the eagle’s nostrils.  The wizard touched another spring, and the enormous bird strode out and paused in the centre of the area.