“I was sent generally to carry messages from our King to the Queen of the Wind Fairies or the Herb Elves, or the Sylphs, sometimes to warn them of trouble or danger, sometimes to tell them that imps were rampaging or giants were about to make war, but oftener to inform them of some plan for assisting man, or some good to be done for a child:  in these things we delight.”

“How kind!” said Leo.

“Kindness has so much power, if people only knew it.  But you are waiting; I must not detain you.”  So, without further preface, thus began

PAZ’S STORY

“It was a time of trouble to mankind—­a year of strange events, and yet so stupid are ordinary mortals—­begging your pardon—­that none were making preparations either to meet or to avoid disaster.  The King of the Kobolds had been negotiating with our King for the purchase of some immense tracts of iron ore, and in the course of conversation said he had received news from Italy that there would soon be a volcanic outbreak, that the giants there were quarrelling fiercely, and had not hesitated to declare that unless matters were arranged to suit them they would bid Vesuvius pour forth its death-dealing fires.

“Now on the side of that well-known mountain were living some friends of our King—­two children, a girl and a boy, Tessa and Tasso, daughter and son of an Italian peasant.

“In their little vineyard one day our King’s son, an infant, was swinging in his leafy cradle; it looked like a bird’s nest, and so I suppose they thought it, but a rude playmate of theirs tried to tear it down from its airy height, and would have succeeded had not both Tessa and Tasso resolutely opposed him.

“First they sought to make him stop by appealing to his feelings, asking him how he would like to have his cottage ruined, his home desolated; but at this he only mocked and jeered.  Then they urged that birds had the same right to live and rear their young as had human beings; which having no more effect, they openly forbade his attempt, saying that the ground was theirs, the birds were their friends, and they should defend them.  Blows followed, Tessa and Tasso bearing their part bravely, and compelling the young ruffian to take himself off.  Little did they know whom they were defending.

“Our King heard of the occurrence, and vowed unending friendship; so when the King of the Kobolds told him of the danger impending at Vesuvius I was at once sent for to convey the information, and do what I could to save the lives of Tessa and Tasso.  It took but a whiff of my pipe to bring me to the desired place, but so calm and bright and peaceful was the scene that I found it hard to believe in the threatening evil.  Never had I seen a bluer sky reflected in a more silvery mirror than were the clouds and bay of Naples that day.  The people were merry and careless, tending their cattle, gathering their fruit, singing their songs, and as indifferent to their old enemy as if he had never harmed them.