CHAPTER23
CurdieandHisMotherCurdiewentupthemountainneitherwhistlingnorsinging，forhewasvexedwithIrenefortakinghimin，ashecalledit;andhewasvexedwithhimselfforhavingspokentohersoangrily。Hismothergaveacryofjoywhenshesawhim，andatoncesetaboutgettinghimsomethingtoeat，askinghimquestionsallthetime，whichhedidnotanswersocheerfullyasusual。Whenhismealwasready，shelefthimtoeatit，andhurriedtotheminetolethisfatherknowhewassafe。Whenshecameback，shefoundhimfastasleepuponherbed;nordidhewakeuntilhisfathercamehomeintheevening。
’Now，Curdie，’hismothersaid，astheysatatsupper，’tellusthewholestoryfrombeginningtoend，justasitallhappened。’
Curdieobeyed，andtoldeverythingtothepointwheretheycameoutuponthelawninthegardenoftheking’shouse。
’Andwhathappenedafterthat？’askedhismother。’Youhaven’ttoldusall。Yououghttobeveryhappyathavinggotawayfromthosedemons，andinsteadofthatIneversawyousogloomy。Theremustbesomethingmore。Besides，youdonotspeakofthatlovelychildasIshouldliketohearyou。Shesavedyourlifeattheriskofherown，andyetsomehowyoudon’tseemtothinkmuchofit。’
’Shetalkedsuchnonsense’answeredCurdie，’andtoldmeapackofthingsthatweren’tabittrue;andIcan’tgetoverit。’
’Whatwerethey？’askedhisfather。’Yourmothermaybeabletothrowsomelightuponthem。’
ThenCurdiemadeacleanbreastofit，andtoldthemeverything。
Theyallsatsilentforsometime，ponderingthestrangetale。AtlastCurdie’smotherspoke。
’Youconfess，myboy，’shesaid，’thereissomethingaboutthewholeaffairyoudonotunderstand？’
’Yes，ofcourse，mother，’heanswered。’Icannotunderstandhowachildknowingnothingaboutthemountain，oreventhatIwasshutupinit，shouldcomeallthatwayalone，straighttowhereIwas;
andthen，aftergettingmeoutofthehole，leadmeoutofthemountaintoo，whereIshouldnothaveknownastepofthewayifithadbeenaslightasintheopenair。’
’Thenyouhavenorighttosaywhatshetoldyouwasnottrue。Shedidtakeyouout，andshemusthavehadsomethingtoguideher：whynotathreadaswellasarope，oranythingelse？Thereissomethingyoucannotexplain，andherexplanationmaybetherightone。’
’It’snoexplanationatall，mother;andIcan’tbelieveit。’
’Thatmaybeonlybecauseyoudonotunderstandit。Ifyoudid，youwouldprobablyfinditwasanexplanation，andbelieveitthoroughly。Idon’tblameyoufornotbeingabletobelieveit，butIdoblameyouforfancyingsuchachildwouldtrytodeceiveyou。Whyshouldshe？Dependuponit，shetoldyouallsheknew。
Untilyouhadfoundabetterwayofaccountingforitall，youmightatleasthavebeenmoresparingofyourjudgement。’
’Thatiswhatsomethinginsidemehasbeensayingallthetime，’
saidCurdie，hangingdownhishead。’Butwhatdoyoumakeofthegrandmother？ThatiswhatIcan’tgetover。Totakemeuptoanoldgarret，andtrytopersuademeagainstthesightofmyowneyesthatitwasabeautifulroom，withbluewallsandsilverstars，andnoendofthingsinit，whentherewasnothingtherebutanoldtubandawitheredappleandaheapofstrawandasunbeam！Itwastoobad！Shemighthavehadsomeoldwomanthereatleasttopassforherpreciousgrandmother！’
’Didn’tshespeakasifshesawthoseotherthingsherself，Curdie？’
’Yes。That’swhatbothersme。Youwouldhavethoughtshereallymeantandbelievedthatshesaweveryoneofthethingsshetalkedabout。Andnotoneofthemthere！Itwastoobad，Isay。’
’Perhapssomepeoplecanseethingsotherpeoplecan’tsee，Curdie，’saidhismotherverygravely。’IthinkIwilltellyousomethingIsawmyselfonce—onlyPerhapsYouwon’tbelievemeeither！’
’Oh，mother，mother！’criedCurdie，burstingintotears;’Idon’tdeservethat，surely！’
’ButwhatIamgoingtotellyouisverystrange，’persistedhismother;’andifhavingheardityouweretosayImusthavebeendreaming，Idon’tknowthatIshouldhaveanyrighttobevexedwithyou，thoughIknowatleastthatIwasnotasleep。’
’Dotellme，mother。Perhapsitwillhelpmetothinkbetteroftheprincess。’
’That’swhyIamtemptedtotellyou，’repliedhismother。’Butfirst，Imayaswellmentionthat，accordingtooldwhispers，thereissomethingmorethancommonabouttheking’sfamily;andthequeenwasofthesameblood，fortheywerecousinsofsomedegree。
Therewerestrangestoriestoldconcerningthem—allgoodstories—butstrange，verystrange。WhattheywereIcannottell，forI
onlyrememberthefacesofmygrandmotherandmymotherastheytalkedtogetheraboutthem。Therewaswonderandawe—notfear—
intheireyes，andtheywhispered，andneverspokealoud。ButwhatIsawmyselfwasthis：Yourfatherwasgoingtoworkinthemineonenight，andIhadbeendownwithhissupper。Itwassoonafterweweremarried，andnotverylongbeforeyouwereborn。Hecamewithmetothemouthofthemine，andleftmetogohomealone，forIknewthewayalmostaswellasthefloorofourowncottage。Itwasprettydark，andinsomepartsoftheroadwheretherocksoverhungnearlyquitedark。ButIgotalongperfectlywell，neverthinkingofbeingafraid，untilIreachedaspotyouknowwellenough，Curdie，wherethepathhastomakeasharpturnoutofthewayofagreatrockontheleft—handside。WhenIgotthere，Iwassuddenlysurroundedbyabouthalfadozenofthecobs，thefirstI
hadeverseen，althoughIhadheardtellofthemoftenenough。Oneofthemblockedupthepath，andtheyallbegantormentingandteasingmeinawayitmakesmeshuddertothinkofevennow。’
’IfIhadonlybeenwithyou！’criedfatherandsoninabreath。
Themothergaveafunnylittlesmile，andwenton。
’Theyhadsomeoftheirhorriblecreatureswiththemtoo，andI
mustconfessIwasdreadfullyfrightened。Theyhadtornmyclothesverymuch，andIwasafraidtheyweregoingtotearmyselftopieces，whensuddenlyagreatwhitesoftlightshoneuponme。I
lookedup。Abroadray，likeashiningroad，camedownfromalargeglobeofsilverylight，notveryhighup，indeednotquitesohighasthehorizon—soitcouldnothavebeenanewstaroranothermoonoranythingofthatsort。Thecobsdroppedpersecutingme，andlookeddazed，andIthoughttheyweregoingtorunaway，butpresentlytheybeganagain。Thesamemoment，however，downthepathfromtheglobeoflightcameabird，shininglikesilverinthesun。Itgaveafewrapidflapsfirst，andthen，withitswingsstraightout，shot，slidingdowntheslopeofthelight。Itlookedtomejustlikeawhitepigeon。Butwhateveritwas，whenthecobscaughtsightofitcomingstraightdownuponthem，theytooktotheirheelsandscamperedawayacrossthemountain，leavingmesafe，onlymuchfrightened。Assoonasithadsentthemoff，thebirdwentglidingagainupthelight，andthemomentitreachedtheglobethelightdisappeared，justasifashutterhadbeenclosedoverawindow，andIsawitnoMore。ButIhadnomoretroublewiththecobsthatnightoreverafter。’
’Howstrange！’exclaimedCurdie。
’Yes，itwasstrange;butIcan’thelpbelievingit，whetheryoudoornot，’saidhismother。
’It’sexactlyasyourmothertoldittometheverynextmorning，’
saidhisfather。
’Youdon’tthinkI’mdoubtingmyownmother？’criedCurdie。
’Thereareotherpeopleintheworldquiteaswellworthbelievingasyourownmother，’saidhismother。’Idon’tknowthatshe’ssomuchthefittertobebelievedthatshehappenstobeyourmother，Mr。Curdie。TherearemothersfarmorelikelytotellliesthanthelittlegirlIsawtalkingtotheprimrosesafewweeksago。IfsheweretolieIshouldbegintodoubtmyownword。’
’Butprincesseshavetoldliesaswellasotherpeople，’saidCurdie。
’Yes，butnotprincesseslikethatchild。She’sagoodgirl，Iamcertain，andthat’smorethanbeingaprincess。Dependuponityouwillhavetobesorryforbehavingsotoher，Curdie。Yououghtatleasttohaveheldyourtongue。’
’Iamsorrynow，’answeredCurdie。
’Yououghttogoandtellherso，then。’
’Idon’tseehowIcouldmanagethat。Theywouldn’tletaminerboylikemehaveawordwithheralone;andIcouldn’ttellherbeforethatnurseofhers。She’dbeaskingeversomanyquestions，andIdon’tknowhowmanythelittleprincesswouldlikemetoanswer。ShetoldmethatLootiedidn’tknowanythingabouthercomingtogetmeoutofthemountain。Iamcertainshewouldhavepreventedhersomehowifshehadknownit。ButImayhaveachancebeforelong，andmeantimeImusttrytodosomethingforher。I
think，father，Ihavegotonthetrackatlast。’
’Haveyou，indeed，myboy？’saidPeter。’Iamsureyoudeservesomesuccess;youhaveworkedveryhardforit。Whathaveyoufoundout？’
’It’sdifficult，youknow，father，insidethemountain，especiallyinthedark，andnotknowingwhatturnsyouhavetaken，totellthelieofthingsoutside。’
’Impossible，myboy，withoutachart，oratleastacompass，’
returnedhisfather。
’Well，IthinkIhavenearlydiscoveredinwhatdirectionthecobsaremining。IfIamright，IknowsomethingelsethatIcanputtoit，andthenoneandonewillmakethree。’
’Theyveryoftendo，Curdie，asweminersoughttobeverywellaware。Nowtellus，myboy，whatthetwothingsare，andseewhetherwecanguessatthesamethirdasyou。’
’Idon’tseewhatthathastodowiththeprincess，’interposedhismother。
’Iwillsoonletyouseethat，mother。Perhapsyoumaythinkmefoolish，butuntilIamsurethere，isnothinginmypresentfancy，Iammoredeterminedthanevertogoonwithmyobservations。justaswecametothechannelbywhichwegotout，Iheardtheminersatworksomewherenear—Ithinkdownbelowus。NowsinceIbegantowatchthem，theyhaveminedagoodhalf—mile，inastraightline;andsofarasIamaware，theyareworkinginnootherpartofthemountain。ButInevercouldtellinwhatdirectiontheyweregoing。Whenwecameoutintheking’sgarden，however，I
thoughtatoncewhetheritwaspossibletheywereworkingtowardstheking’shouse;andwhatIwanttodotonightistomakesurewhethertheyareornot。Iwilltakealightwithme—’
’Oh，Curdie，’criedhismother，’thentheywillseeyou。’
’I’mnomoreafraidofthemnowthanIwasbefore，’rejoinedCurdie，’nowthatI’vegotthispreciousshoe。Theycan’tmakeanothersuchinahurry，andonebarefootwilldoformypurpose。
Womanasshemaybe，Iwon’tsparehernexttime。ButIshallbecarefulwithmylight，forIdon’twantthemtoseeme。Iwon’tstickitinmyhat。’
’Goon，then，andtelluswhatyoumeantodo。’
’Imeantotakeabitofpaperwithmeandapencil，andgoinatthemouthofthestreambywhichwecameout。IshallmarkonthepaperasnearasIcantheangleofeveryturningItakeuntilI
findthecobsatwork，andsogetagoodideainwhatdirectiontheyaregoing。Ifitshouldprovetobenearlyparallelwiththestream，Ishallknowitistowardstheking’shousetheyareworking。’
’Andwhatifyoushould？Howmuchwiserwillyoubethen？’
’Waitaminute，motherdear。ItoldyouthatwhenIcameupontheroyalfamilyinthecave，theyweretalkingoftheirprince—
Harelip，theycalledhim—marryingasun—woman—thatmeansoneofus—onewithtoestoherfeet。Nowinthespeechoneofthemmadethatnightattheirgreatgathering，ofwhichIheardonlyapart，hesaidthatpeacewouldbesecuredforagenerationatleastbythepledgetheprincewouldholdforthegoodbehaviourofherrelatives：that’swhathesaid，andhemusthavemeantthesun—womantheprincewastomarry。Iamquitesurethekingismuchtooproudtowishhissontomarryanybutaprincess，andmuchtooknowingtofancythathishavingapeasantwomanforawifewouldbeofanygreatadvantagetothem。’
’Iseewhatyouaredrivingatnow，’saidhismother。
’But，’saidhisfather，’ourkingwoulddigthemountaintotheplainbeforehewouldhavehisprincessthewifeofacob，ifheweretentimesaprince。’
’Yes;buttheythinksomuchofthemselves！’saidhismother。
’Smallcreaturesalwaysdo。Thebantamistheproudestcockinmylittleyard。’
’AndIfancy，’saidCurdie，’iftheyoncegother，theywouldtellthekingtheywouldkillherexceptheconsentedtothemarriage。’
’Theymightsayso，’saidhisfather，’buttheywouldn’tkillher;
theywouldkeepheraliveforthesakeoftheholditgavethemoverourking。Whateverhedidtothem，theywouldthreatentodothesametotheprincess。’
’Andtheyarebadenoughtotormentherjustfortheirownamusement—Iknowthat，’saidhismother。
’Anyhow，Iwillkeepawatchonthem，andseewhattheyareupto，’
saidCurdie。’It’stoohorribletothinkof。Idaren’tletmyselfdoit。Buttheyshan’thaveher—atleastifIcanhelpit。So，motherdear—myclueisallright—willyougetmeabitofpaperandapencilandalumpofpeasepudding，andIwillsetoutatonce。IsawaplacewhereIcanclimboverthewallofthegardenquiteeasily。’
’Youmustmindandkeepoutofthewayofthemenonthewatch，’
saidhismother。
’ThatIwill。Idon’twantthemtoknowanythingaboutit。Theywouldspoilitall。Thecobswouldonlytrysomeotherplan—theyaresuchobstinatecreatures！Ishalltakegoodcare，mother。
Theywon’tkillandeatmeeither，iftheyshouldcomeuponme。Soyouneedn’tmindthem。’
Hismothergothimwhathehadaskedfor，andCurdiesetout。
Closebesidethedoorbywhichtheprincessleftthegardenforthemountainstoodagreatrock，andbyclimbingitCurdiegotoverthewall。Hetiedhiscluetoastonejustinsidethechannelofthestream，andtookhispickaxewithhim。Hehadnotgonefarbeforeheencounteredahorridcreaturecomingtowardsthemouth。Thespotwastoonarrowfortwoofalmostanysizeorshape，andbesidesCurdiehadnowishtoletthecreaturepass。Notbeingabletousehispickaxe，however，hehadaseverestrugglewithhim，anditwasonlyafterreceivingmanybites，someofthembad，thathesucceededinkillinghimwithhispocket—knife。Havingdraggedhimout，hemadehastetogetinagainbeforeanothershouldstopuptheway。
Ineednotfollowhimfartherinthisnight’sadventures。Hereturnedtohisbreakfast，satisfiedthatthegoblinsweremininginthedirectionofthepalace—onsolowalevelthattheirintentionmust，hethought，betoburrowunderthewallsoftheking’shouse，andriseupinsideit—inorder，hefullybelieved，tolayhandsonthelittleprincess，andcarryheroffforawifetotheirhorridHarelip。
CHAPTER24
IreneBehavesLikeaPrincessWhentheprincessawokefromthesweetestofsleeps，shefoundhernursebendingoverher，thehousekeeperlookingoverthenurse’sshoulder，andthelaundry—maidlookingoverthehousekeeper’s。
Theroomwasfullofwomen—servants;andthegentlemen—at—arms，withalongcolumnofservantsbehindthem，werepeeping，ortryingtopeepinatthedoorofthenursery。
’Arethosehorridcreaturesgone？’askedtheprincess，rememberingfirstwhathadterrifiedherinthemorning。
’Younaughty，naughtylittleprincess！’criedLootie。
Herfacewasverypale，withredstreaksinit，andshelookedasifsheweregoingtoshakeher;butIrenesaidnothing—onlywaitedtohearwhatshouldcomenext。
’Howcouldyougetundertheclotheslikethat，andmakeusallfancyyouwerelost！Andkeepitupalldaytoo！Youarethemostobstinatechild！It’sanythingbutfuntous，Icantellyou！’
Itwastheonlywaythenursecouldaccountforherdisappearance。
’Ididn’tdothat，Lootie，’saidIrene，veryquietly。
’Don’ttellstories！’criedhernursequiterudely。
’Ishalltellyounothingatall，’saidIrene。
’That’sjustasbad，’saidthenurse。
’Justasbadtosaynothingatallastotellstories？’exclaimedtheprincess。’Iwillaskmypapaaboutthat。Hewon’tsayso。
AndIdon’tthinkhewilllikeyoutosayso。’
’Tellmedirectlywhatyoumeanbyit！’screamedthenurse，halfwildwithangerattheprincessandfrightatthepossibleconsequencestoherself。
’WhenItellyouthetruth，Lootie，’saidtheprincess，whosomehowdidnotfeelatallangry，’yousaytome\"Don’ttellstories\"：itseemsImusttellstoriesbeforeyouwillbelieveme。’
’Youareveryrude，princess，’saidthenurse。
’Youaresorude，Lootie，thatIwillnotspeaktoyouagaintillyouaresorry。WhyshouldI，whenIknowyouwillnotbelieveme？’
returnedtheprincess。ForshedidknowperfectlywellthatifsheweretotellLootiewhatshehadbeenabout，themoreshewentontotellher，thelesswouldshebelieveher。
’Youarethemostprovokingchild！’criedhernurse。’Youdeservetobewellpunishedforyourwickedbehaviour。’
’Please，MrsHousekeeper，’saidtheprincess，’willyoutakemetoyourroom，andkeepmetillmyking—papacomes？Iwillaskhimtocomeassoonashecan。’
Everyonestaredatthesewords。Uptothismomenttheyhadallregardedheraslittlemorethanababy。
Butthehousekeeperwasafraidofthenurse，andsoughttopatchmattersup，saying：
’Iamsure，princess，nursiedidnotmeantoberudetoyou。’
’IdonotthinkmypapawouldwishmetohaveanursewhospoketomeasLootiedoes。IfshethinksItelllies，shehadbettereithersaysotomypapa，orgoaway。SirWalter，willyoutakechargeofme？’
’Withthegreatestofpleasure，princess，’answeredthecaptainofthegentlemen—at—arms，walkingwithhisgreatstrideintotheroom。
Thecrowdofservantsmadeeagerwayforhim，andhebowedlowbeforethelittleprincess’sbed。’Ishallsendmyservantatonce，onthefastesthorseinthestable，totellyourking—papathatYourRoyalHighnessdesireshispresence。Whenyouhavechosenoneoftheseunder—servantstowaituponyou，Ishallordertheroomtobecleared。’
’Thankyouverymuch，SirWalter，’saidtheprincess，andhereyeglancedtowardsarosy—cheekedgirlwhohadlatelycometothehouseasascullery—maid。
ButwhenLootiesawtheeyesofherdearprincessgoinginsearchofanotherinsteadofher，shefelluponherkneesbythebedside，andburstintoagreatcryofdistress。
’Ithink，SirWalter，’saidtheprincess，’IwillkeepLootie。ButIputmyselfunderyourcare;andyouneednottroublemyking—papauntilIspeaktoyouagain。Willyouallpleasetogoaway？Iamquitesafeandwell，andIdidnothidemyselfforthesakeeitherofamusingmyself，oroftroublingmypeople。Lootie，willyoupleasetodressme。’
CHAPTER25
CurdieComestoGriefEverythingwasforsometimequietaboveground。Thekingwasstillawayinadistantpartofhisdominions。Themen—at—armskeptwatchingaboutthehouse。TheyhadbeenconsiderablyastonishedbyfindingatthefootoftherockinthegardenthehideousbodyofthegoblincreaturekilledbyCurdie;buttheycametotheconclusionthatithadbeenslaininthemines，andhadcreptouttheretodie;andexceptanoccasionalglimpseofaliveonetheysawnothingtocausealarm。Curdiekeptwatchinginthemountain，andthegoblinskeptburrowingdeeperintotheearth。Aslongastheywentdeepertherewas，Curdiejudged，noimmediatedanger。
ToIrenethesummerwasasfullofpleasureasever，andforalongtime，althoughsheoftenthoughtofhergrandmotherduringtheday，andoftendreamedaboutheratnight，shedidnotseeher。Thekidsandtheflowerswereasmuchherdelightasever，andshemadeasmuchfriendshipwiththeminers’childrenshemetonthemountainasLootiewouldpermit;butLootiehadveryfoolishnotionsconcerningthedignityofaprincess，notunderstandingthatthetruestprincessisjusttheonewholovesallherbrothersandsistersbest，andwhoismostabletodothemgoodbybeinghumbletowardsthem。Atthesametimeshewasconsiderablyalteredforthebetterinherbehaviourtotheprincess。Shecouldnothelpseeingthatshewasnolongeramerechild，butwiserthanheragewouldaccountfor。Shekeptfoolishlywhisperingtotheservants，however—sometimesthattheprincesswasnotrightinhermind，sometimesthatshewastoogoodtolive，andothernonsenseofthesamesort。
AllthistimeCurdiehadtobesorry，withoutachanceofconfessing，thathehadbehavedsounkindlytotheprincess。Thisperhapsmadehimthemorediligentinhisendeavourstoserveher。
Hismotherandheoftentalkedonthesubject，andshecomfortedhim，andtoldhimshewassurehewouldsomedayhavetheopportunityhesomuchdesired。
HereIshouldliketoremark，forthesakeofprincesandprincessesingeneral，thatitisalowandcontemptiblethingtorefusetoconfessafault，orevenanerror。Ifatrueprincesshasdonewrong，sheisalwaysuneasyuntilshehashadanopportunityofthrowingthewrongnessawayfromherbysaying：’I
didit;andIwishIhadnot;andIamsorryforhavingdoneit。’
SoyouseethereissomegroundforsupposingthatCurdiewasnotamineronly，butaprinceaswell。Manysuchinstanceshavebeenknownintheworld’shistory。
Atlength，however，hebegantoseesignsofachangeintheproceedingsofthegoblinexcavators：theyweregoingnodeeper，buthadcommencedrunningonalevel;andhewatchedthem，therefore，morecloselythanever。Allatonce，onenight，comingtoaslopeofveryhardrock，theybegantoascendalongtheinclinedplaneofitssurface。Havingreacheditstop，theywentagainonalevelforanightortwo，afterwhichtheybegantoascendoncemore，andkeptonataprettysteepangle。AtlengthCurdiejudgedittimetotransferhisobservationtoanotherquarter，andthenextnighthedidnotgotothemineatall;but，leavinghispickaxeandclueathome，andtakingonlyhisusuallumpsofbreadandpeasepudding，wentdownthemountaintotheking’shouse。Heclimbedoverthewall，andremainedinthegardenthewholenight，creepingonhandsandkneesfromonespottotheother，andlyingatfulllengthwithhiseartotheground，listening。Butheheardnothingexceptthetreadofthemen—at—armsastheymarchedabout，whoseobservation，asthenightwascloudyandtherewasnomoon，hehadlittledifficultyinavoiding。Forseveralfollowingnightshecontinuedtohauntthegardenandlisten，butwithnosuccess。
Atlength，earlyoneevening，whetheritwasthathehadgotcarelessofhisownsafety，orthatthegrowingmoonhadbecomestrongenoughtoexposehim，hiswatchingcametoasuddenend。Hewascreepingfrombehindtherockwherethestreamranout，forhehadbeenlisteningallrounditinthehopeitmightconveytohisearsomeindicationofthewhereaboutsofthegoblinminers，whenjustashecameintothemoonlightonthelawn，awhizzinhisearandablowuponhislegstartledhim。Heinstantlysquattedinthehopeofeludingfurthernotice。Butwhenheheardthesoundofrunningfeet，hejumpeduptotakethechanceofescapebyflight。
Hefell，however，withakeenshootofpain，fortheboltofacrossbowhadwoundedhisleg，andthebloodwasnowstreamingfromit。HewasinstantlylaidHoldofbytwoorthreeofthemen—at—arms。Itwasuselesstostruggle，andhesubmittedinsilence。
’It’saboy！’criedseveralofthemtogether，inatoneofamazement。’Ithoughtitwasoneofthosedemons。Whatareyouabouthere？’
’Goingtohavealittleroughusage，apparently，’saidCurdie，laughing，asthemenshookhim。
’Impertinencewilldoyounogood。Youhavenobusinesshereintheking’sgrounds，andifyoudon’tgiveatrueaccountofyourself，youshallfareasathief。’
’Why，whatelsecouldhebe？’saidone。
’Hemighthavebeenafteralostkid，youknow，’suggestedanother。
’Iseenogoodintryingtoexcusehim。Hehasnobusinesshere，anyhow。’
’Letmegoaway，then，ifyouplease，’saidCurdie。
’Butwedon’tplease—notexceptyougiveagoodaccountofyourself。’
’Idon’tfeelquitesurewhetherIcantrustyou，’saidCurdie。
’Wearetheking’sownmen—at—arms，’saidthecaptaincourteously，forhewastakenwithCurdie’sappearanceandcourage。
’Well，Iwilltellyouallaboutit—ifyouwillpromisetolistentomeandnotdoanythingrash。’
’Icallthatcool！’saidoneoftheparty，laughing。’Hewilltelluswhatmischiefhewasabout，ifwepromisetodoaspleaseshim。’
’Iwasaboutnomischief，’saidCurdie。—
Buterehecouldsaymoreheturnedfaint，andfellsenselessonthegrass。Thenfirsttheydiscoveredthatthebolttheyhadshot，takinghimforoneofthegoblincreatures，hadwoundedhim。
Theycarriedhimintothehouseandlaidhimdowninthehall。Thereportspreadthattheyhadcaughtarobber，andtheservantscrowdedintoseethevillain。Amongsttherestcamethenurse。
Themomentshesawhimsheexclaimedwithindignation：
’Ideclareit’sthesameyoungrascalofaminerthatwasrudetomeandtheprincessonthemountain。Heactuallywantedtokisstheprincess。Itookgoodcareofthat—thewretch！Andhewasprowlingabout，washe？Justlikehisimpudence！’Theprincessbeingfastasleep，shecouldmisrepresentatherpleasure。
Whenheheardthis，thecaptain，althoughhehadconsiderabledoubtofitstruth，resolvedtokeepCurdieaprisoneruntiltheycouldsearchintotheaffair。So，aftertheyhadbroughthimroundalittle，andattendedtohiswound，whichwasratherabadone，theylaidhim，stillexhaustedfromthelossofblood，uponamattressinadisusedroom—oneofthosealreadysooftenmentioned—andlockedthedoor，andlefthim。Hepassedatroublednight，andinthemorningtheyfoundhimtalkingwildly。Intheeveninghecametohimself，butfeltveryweak，andhislegwasexceedinglypainful。Wonderingwherehewas，andseeingoneofthemen—at—armsintheroom，hebegantoquestionhimandsoonrecalledtheeventsoftheprecedingnight。Ashewashimselfunabletowatchanymore，hetoldthesoldierallheknewaboutthegoblins，andbeggedhimtotellhiscompanions，andstirthemuptowatchwithtenfoldvigilance;butwhetheritwasthathedidnottalkquitecoherently，orthatthewholethingappearedincredible，certainlythemanconcludedthatCurdiewasonlyravingstill，andtriedtocoaxhimintoholdinghistongue。This，ofcourse，annoyedCurdiedreadfully，whonowfeltinhisturnwhatitwasnottobebelieved，andtheconsequencewasthathisfeverreturned，andbythetimewhen，athispersistententreaties，thecaptainwascalled，therecouldbenodoubtthathewasraving。Theydidforhimwhattheycould，andpromisedeverythinghewanted，butwithnointentionoffulfilment。Atlasthewenttosleep，andwhenatlengthhissleepgrewprofoundandpeaceful，theylefthim，lockedthedooragain，andwithdrew，intendingtorevisithimearlyinthemorning。
CHAPTER26
TheGoblin—MinersThatsamenightseveraloftheservantswerehavingachattogetherbeforegoingtobed。
’Whatcanthatnoisebe？’saidoneofthehousemaids，whohadbeenlisteningforamomentortwo。
’I’vehearditthelasttwonights，’saidthecook。’Iftherewereanyabouttheplace，Ishouldhavetakenitforrats，butmyTomkeepsthemfarenough。’
’I’veheard，though，’saidthescullery—maid，’thatratsmoveaboutingreatcompaniessometimes。Theremaybeanarmyoftheminvadingus。I’veheardthenoisesyesterdayandtodaytoo。’
’It’llbegrandfun，then，formyTomandMrsHousekeeper’sBob，’
saidthecook。’They’llbefriendsforonceintheirlives，andfightonthesameside。I’llengageTomandBobtogetherwillputtoflightanynumberofrats。’
’Itseemstome，’saidthenurse，’thatthenoisesaremuchtooloudforthat。Ihaveheardthemallday，andmyprincesshasaskedmeseveraltimeswhattheycouldbe。Sometimestheysoundlikedistantthunder，andsometimeslikethenoisesyouhearinthemountainfromthosehorridminersunderneath。’
’Ishouldn’twonder，’saidthecook，’ifitwastheminersafterall。Theymayhavecomeonsomeholeinthemountainthroughwhichthenoisesreachtous。Theyarealwaysboringandblastingandbreaking，youknow。’
Ashespoke，therecameagreatrollingrumblebeneaththem，andthehousequivered。Theyallstartedupinaffright，andrushingtothehallfoundthegentlemen—at—armsinconsternationalso。
Theyhadsenttowaketheircaptain，whosaidfromtheirdescriptionthatitmusthavebeenanearthquake，anoccurrencewhich，althoughveryrareinthatcountry，hadtakenplacealmostwithinthecentury;andthenwenttobedagain，strangetosay，andfell—fastasleepwithoutoncethinkingofCurdie，orassociatingthenoisestheyhadheardwithwhathehadtoldthem。HehadnotbelievedCurdie。Ifhehad，hewouldatoncehavethoughtofwhathehadsaid，andwouldhavetakenprecautions。Astheyheardnothingmore，theyconcludedthatSirWalterwasright，andthatthedangerwasoverforperhapsanotherhundredyears。Thefact，asdiscoveredafterwards，wasthatthegoblinshad，inworkingupasecondslopingfaceofstone，arrivedatahugeblockwhichlayunderthecellarsofthehouse，withinthelineofthefoundations。
Itwassoroundthatwhentheysucceeded，afterhardwork，indislodgingitwithoutblasting，itrolledthunderingdowntheslopewithabounding，jarringroll，whichshookthefoundationsofthehouse。Thegoblinswerethemselvesdismayedatthenoise，fortheyknew，bycarefulspyingandmeasuring，thattheymustnowbeverynear，ifnotundertheking’shouse，andtheyfearedgivinganalarm。They，therefore，remainedquietforawhile，andwhentheybegantoworkagain，theynodoubtthoughtthemselvesveryfortunateincominguponaveinofsandwhichfilledawindingfissureintherockonwhichthehousewasbuilt。Byscoopingthisawaytheycameoutintheking’swinecellar。
Nosoonerdidtheyfindwheretheywere，thantheyscurriedbackagain，likeratsintotheirholes，andrunningatfullspeedtothegoblinpalace，announcedtheirsuccesstothekingandqueenwithshoutsoftriumph。
Inamomentthegoblinroyalfamilyandthewholegoblinpeoplewereontheirwayinhothastetotheking’shouse，eacheagertohaveashareinthegloryofcarryingoffthatsamenightthePrincessIrene。
Thequeenwentstumpingalonginoneshoeofstoneandoneofskin。
Thiscouldnothavebeenpleasant，andmyreadersmaywonderthat，withsuchskilfulworkmenabouther，shehadnotyetreplacedtheshoecarriedoffbyCurdie。Astheking，however，hadmorethanonegroundofobjectiontoherstoneshoes，henodoubttookadvantageofthediscoveryofhertoes，andthreatenedtoexposeherdeformityifshehadanothermade。Ipresumeheinsistedonherbeingcontentwithskinshoes，andallowedhertoweartheremaininggraniteoneonthepresentoccasiononlybecauseshewasgoingouttowar。
Theysoonarrivedintheking’swinecellar，andregardlessofitshugevessels，ofwhichtheydidnotknowtheuse，proceededatonce，butasquietlyastheycould，toforcethedoorthatledupwards。
CHAPTER27
TheGoblinsintheKing’sHouseWhenCurdiefellasleephebeganatoncetodream。HethoughthewasascendingtheMountainsidefromthemouthofthemine，whistlingandsinging’Ring，dod，bang！’whenhecameuponawomanandchildwhohadlosttheirway;andfromthatpointhewentondreamingeverythingthathadhappenedtohimsincehethusmettheprincessandLootie;howhehadwatchedthegoblins，howhehadbeentakenbythem，howhehadbeenrescuedbytheprincess;
everything，indeed，untilhewaswounded，captured，andimprisonedbythemen—at—arms。Andnowhethoughthewaslyingwideawakewheretheyhadlaidhim，whensuddenlyheheardagreatthunderingsound。
’Thecobsarecoming！’hesaid。’Theydidn’tbelieveawordItoldthem！Thecobs’llbecarryingofftheprincessfromundertheirstupidnoses！Buttheyshan’t！thattheyshan’t！’
Hejumpedup，ashethought，andbegantodress，but，tohisdismay，foundthathewasstilllyinginbed。
’Nowthen，Iwill！’hesaid。’Heregoes！Iamupnow！’
Butyetagainhefoundhimselfsnuginbed。Twentytimeshetried，andtwentytimeshefailed;forinfacthewasnotawake，onlydreamingthathewas。Atlengthinanagonyofdespair，fancyingheheardthegoblinsalloverthehouse，hegaveagreatcry。Thentherecame，ashethought，ahanduponthelockofhisdoor。Itopened，and，lookingup，hesawaladywithwhitehair，carryingasilverboxinherhand，entertheroom。Shecametohisbed，hethought，strokedhisheadandfacewithcool，softhands，tookthedressingfromhisleg，rubbeditwithsomethingthatsmeltlikeroses，andthenwavedherhandsoverhimthreetimes。Atthelastwaveofherhandseverythingvanished，hefelthimselfsinkingintotheprofoundestslumber，andrememberednothingmoreuntilheawokeinearnest。
Thesettingmoonwasthrowingafeeblelightthroughthecasement，andthehousewasfullofuproar。Therewassoftheavymultitudinousstamping，aclashingandclangingofweapons，thevoicesofmenandthecriesofwomen，mixedwithahideousbellowing，whichsoundedvictorious。Thecobswereinthehouse！
Hesprangfromhisbed，hurriedonsomeofhisclothes，notforgettinghisshoes，whichwerearmedwithnails;thenspyinganoldhunting—knife，orshortsword，hangingonthewall，hecaughtit，andrusheddownthestairs，guidedbythesoundsofstrife，whichgrewlouderandlouder。
Whenhereachedthegroundfloorhefoundthewholeplaceswarming。
Allthegoblinsofthemountainseemedgatheredthere。Herushedamongstthem，shouting：
’One，two，Hitandhew！
Three，four，Blastandbore！’
andwitheveryrhymehecamedownagreatstampuponafoot，cuttingatthesametimetheirfaces—executing，indeed，asworddanceofthewildestdescription。Awayscatteredthegoblinsineverydirection—intoclosets，upstairs，intochimneys，uponrafters，anddowntothecellars。Curdiewentonstampingandslashingandsinging，butsawnothingofthepeopleofthehouseuntilhecametothegreathall，inwhich，themomentheenteredit，aroseagreatgoblinshout。Thelastofthemen—at—arms，thecaptainhimself，wasonthefloor，buriedbeneathawallowingcrowdofgoblins。For，whileeachknightwasbusydefendinghimselfaswellashecould，bystabsinthethickbodiesofthegoblins，forhehadsoonfoundtheirheadsallbutinvulnerable，thequeenhadattackedhislegsandfeetwithherhorriblegraniteshoe，andhewassoondown;butthecaptainhadgothisbacktothewallandstoodoutlonger。Thegoblinswouldhavetornthemalltopieces，butthekinghadgivenorderstocarrythemawayalive，andovereachofthem，intwelvegroups，wasstandingaknotofgoblins，whileasmanyascouldfindroomweresittingupontheirprostratebodies。
Curdieburstindancingandgyratingandstampingandsinginglikeasmallincarnatewhirlwind。
’Where’tisallahole，sir，Nevercanbeholes：
Whyshouldtheirshoeshavesoles，sir，Whenthey’vegotnosouls？
’Butsheuponherfoot，sir，Hasagraniteshoe：
Thestrongestleatherboot，sir，Sixwouldsoonbethrough。’
Thequeengaveahowlofrageanddismay;andbeforesherecoveredherpresenceofmind，Curdie，havingbegunwiththegroupnearesthim，hadelevenoftheknightsontheirlegsagain。
’Stampontheirfeet！’hecriedaseachmanrose，andinafewminutesthehallwasnearlyempty，thegoblinsrunningfromitasfastastheycould，howlingandshriekingandlimping，andcoweringeverynowandthenastheyrantocuddletheirwoundedfeetintheirhardhands，ortoprotectthemfromthefrightfulstamp—stampofthearmedmen。
AndnowCurdieapproachedthegroupwhich，intrustinginthequeenandhershoe，kepttheirguardovertheprostratecaptain。Thekingsatonthecaptain’shead，butthequeenstoodinfront，likeaninfuriatedcat，withherperpendiculareyesgleaminggreen，andherhairstandinghalfupfromherhorridhead。Herheartwasquaking，however，andshekeptmovingaboutherskin—shodfootwithnervousapprehension。WhenCurdiewaswithinafewpaces，sherushedathim，madeonetremendousstampathisopposingfoot，whichhappilyhewithdrewintime，andcaughthimroundthewaist，todashhimonthemarblefloor。Butjustasshecaughthim，hecamedownwithalltheweightofhisiron—shodshoeuponherskin—shodfoot，andwithahideoushowlshedroppedhim，squattedonthefloor，andtookherfootinbothherhands。Meanwhiletherestrushedonthekingandthebodyguard，sentthemflying，andliftedtheprostratecaptain，whowasallbutpressedtodeath。Itwassomemomentsbeforeherecoveredbreathandconsciousness。
’Where’stheprincess？’criedCurdie，againandagain。
Nooneknew，andofftheyallrushedinsearchofher。
Througheveryroominthehousetheywent，butnowherewasshetobefound。Neitherwasoneoftheservantstobeseen。ButCurdie，whohadkepttothelowerpartofthehouse，whichwasnowquietenough，begantohearaconfusedsoundasofadistanthubbub，andsetouttofindwhereitcamefrom。Thenoisegrewashissharpearsguidedhimtoastairandsotothewinecellar。Itwasfullofgoblins，whomthebutlerwassupplyingwithwineasfastashecoulddrawit。
Whilethequeenandherpartyhadencounteredthemen—at—arms，Harelipwithanothercompanyhadgoneofftosearchthehouse。
Theycapturedeveryonetheymet，andwhentheycouldfindnomore，theyhurriedawaytocarrythemsafetothecavernsbelow。Butwhenthebutler，whowasamongstthem，foundthattheirpathlaythroughthewinecellar，hebethoughthimselfofpersuadingthemtotastethewine，and，ashehadhoped，theynosoonertastedthantheywantedmore。Theroutedgoblins，ontheirwaybelow，joinedthem，andwhenCurdieenteredtheywereall，withoutstretchedhands，inwhichwerevesselsofeverydescriptionfromsaucepantosilvercup，pressingaroundthebutler，whosatatthetapofahugecask，fillingandfilling。Curdiecastoneglancearoundtheplacebeforecommencinghisattack，andsawinthefarthestcorneraterrifiedgroupofthedomesticsunwatched，butcoweringwithoutcouragetoattempttheirescape。Amongstthemwastheterror—strickenfaceofLootie;butnowherecouldheseetheprincess。SeizedwiththehorribleconvictionthatHareliphadalreadycarriedheroff，herushedamongstthem，unableforwrathtosinganymore，butstampingandcuttingwithgreaterfurythanever。
’Stampontheirfeet;stampontheirfeet！’heshouted，andinamomentthegoblinsweredisappearingthroughtheholeinthefloorlikeratsandmice。
Theycouldnotvanishsofast，however，butthatmanymoregoblinfeethadtogolimpingbackovertheundergroundwaysofthemountainthatmorning。
Presently，however，theywerereinforcedfromabovebythekingandhisparty，withtheredoubtablequeenattheirhead。FindingCurdieagainbusyamongstherunfortunatesubjects，sherushedathimoncemorewiththerageofdespair，andthistimegavehimabadbruiseonthefoot。Thenaregularstampingfightgotupbetweenthem，Curdie，withthepointofhishunting—knife，keepingherfromclaspinghermightyarmsabouthim，ashewatchedhisopportunityofgettingoncemoreagoodstampatherskin—shodfoot。Butthequeenwasmorewaryaswellasmoreagilethanhitherto。
Therestmeantime，findingtheiradversarythusmatchedforthemoment，pausedintheirheadlonghurry，andturnedtotheshiveringgroupofwomeninthecorner。Asifdeterminedtoemulatehisfatherandhaveasun—womanofsomesorttosharehisfuturethrone，Hareliprushedatthem，caughtupLootie，andspedwithhertothehole。Shegaveagreatshriek，andCurdieheardher，andsawtheplightshewasin。Gatheringallhisstrength，hegavethequeenasuddencutacrossthefacewithhisweapon，camedown，asshestartedback，withallhisweightontheproperfoot，andsprungtoLootie’srescue。Theprincehadtwodefencelessfeet，andonbothofthemCurdiestampedjustashereachedthehole。Hedroppedhisburdenandrolledshriekingintotheearth。Curdiemadeonestabathimashedisappeared，caughtholdofthesenselessLootie，andhavingdraggedherbacktothecorner，theremountedguardoverher，preparingoncemoretoencounterthequeen。
Herfacestreamingwithblood，andhereyesflashinggreenlightningthroughit，shecameonwithhermouthopenandherteethgrinninglikeatiger’s，followedbythekingandherbodyguardofthethickestgoblins。Butthesamemomentinrushedthecaptainandhismen，andranatthemstampingfuriously。Theydarednotencountersuchanonset。Awaytheyscurried，thequeenforemost。
Ofcourse，therightthingwouldhavebeentotakethekingandqueenprisoners，andholdthemhostagesfortheprincess，buttheyweresoanxioustofindherthatnoonethoughtofdetainingthemuntilitwastoolate。
Havingthusrescuedtheservants，theysetaboutsearchingthehouseoncemore。Noneofthemcouldgivetheleastinformationconcerningtheprincess。Lootiewasalmostsillywithterror，and，althoughscarcelyabletowalkwouldnotleaveCurdie’ssideforasinglemoment。Againheallowedtheotherstosearchtherestofthehouse—where，exceptadismayedgoblinlurkinghereandthere，theyfoundnoone—whileherequestedLootietotakehimtotheprincess’sroom。Shewasassubmissiveandobedientasifhehadbeentheking。
Hefoundthebedclothestossedabout，andmostofthemonthefloor，whiletheprincess’sgarmentswerescatteredallovertheroom，whichwasinthegreatestconfusion。Itwasonlytooevidentthatthegoblinshadbeenthere，andCurdiehadnolongeranydoubtthatshehadbeencarriedoffattheveryfirstoftheinroad。
Withapangofdespairhesawhowwrongtheyhadbeeninnotsecuringthekingandqueenandprince;buthedeterminedtofindandrescuetheprincessasshehadfoundandrescuedhim，ormeettheworstfatetowhichthegoblinscoulddoomhim。
CHAPTER28
Curdie’sGuidejustastheconsolationofthisresolvedawneduponhismindandhewasturningawayforthecellartofollowthegoblinsintotheirhole，somethingtouchedhishand。Itwastheslightesttouch，andwhenhelookedhecouldseenothing。Feelingandpeeringaboutinthegreyofthedawn，hisfingerscameuponatightthread。Helookedagain，andnarrowly，butstillcouldseenothing。Itflasheduponhimthatthismustbetheprincess’sthread。Withoutsayingaword，forheknewnoonewouldbelievehimanymorethanhehadbelievedtheprincess，hefollowedthethreadwithhisfinger，contrivedtogiveLootietheslip，andwassoonoutofthehouseandonthemountainside—surprisedthat，ifthethreadwereindeedthegrandmother’smessenger，itshouldhaveledtheprincess，ashesupposeditmust，intothemountain，whereshewouldbecertaintomeetthegoblinsrushingbackenragedfromtheirdefeat。Buthehurriedoninthehopeofovertakingherfirst。Whenhearrived，however，attheplacewherethepathturnedoffforthemine，hefoundthatthethreaddidnotturnwithit，butwentstraightupthemountain。Coulditbethatthethreadwasleadinghimhometohismother’scottage？Couldtheprincessbethere？Heboundedupthemountainlikeoneofitsowngoats，andbeforethesunwasupthethreadhadbroughthimindeedtohismother’sdoor。Thereitvanishedfromhisfingers，andhecouldnotfindit，searchashemight。
Thedoorwasonthelatch，andheentered。Theresathismotherbythefire，andinherarmslaytheprincess，fastasleep。
’Hush，Curdie！’saidhismother。’Donotwakeher。I’msogladyou’recome！Ithoughtthecobsmusthavegotyouagain！’
Withaheartfullofdelight，Curdiesatdownatacornerofthehearth，onastooloppositehismother’schair，andgazedattheprincess，whosleptaspeacefullyasifshehadbeeninherownbed。Allatoncesheopenedhereyesandfixedthemonhim。
’Oh，Curdie！you’recome！’shesaidquietly。’Ithoughtyouwould！’
Curdieroseandstoodbeforeherwithdowncasteyes。
’Irene，’hesaid，’IamverysorryIdidnotbelieveyou。’
’Oh，nevermind，Curdie！’answeredtheprincess。’Youcouldn’t，youknow。Youdobelievemenow，don’tyou？’
’Ican’thelpitnow。Ioughttohavehelpeditbefore。’
’Whycan’tyouhelpitnow？’
’Because，justasIwasgoingintothemountaintolookforyou，I
gotholdofyourthread，anditbroughtmehere。’
’Thenyou’vecomefrommyhouse，haveyou？’
’Yes，Ihave。’
’Ididn’tknowyouwerethere。’
’I’vebeentheretwoorthreedays，Ibelieve。’
’AndIneverknewit！Thenperhapsyoucantellmewhymygrandmotherhasbroughtmehere？Ican’tthink。Somethingwokeme—Ididn’tknowwhat，butIwasfrightened，andIfeltforthethread，andthereitwas！Iwasmorefrightenedstillwhenitbroughtmeoutonthemountain，forIthoughtitwasgoingtotakemeintoitagain，andIliketheoutsideofitbest。Isupposedyouwereintroubleagain，andIhadtogetyouout。Butitbroughtmehereinstead;and，oh，Curdie！yourmotherhasbeensokindtome—justlikemyowngrandmother！’
HereCurdie’smothergavetheprincessahug，andtheprincessturnedandgaveherasweetsmile，andhelduphermouthtokissher。
’Thenyoudidn’tseethecobs？’askedCurdie。
’No;Ihaven’tbeenintothemountain，Itoldyou，Curdie。’
’Butthecobshavebeenintoyourhouse—alloverit—andintoyourbedroom，makingsucharow！’
’Whatdidtheywantthere？Itwasveryrudeofthem。’
’Theywantedyou—tocarryyouoffintothemountainwiththem，forawifetotheirprinceHarelip。’
’Oh，howdreadful’criedtheprincess，shuddering。
’Butyouneedn’tbeafraid，youknow。Yourgrandmothertakescareofyou。’
’Ah！youdobelieveinmygrandmother，then？I’msoglad！Shemademethinkyouwouldsomeday。’
AllatonceCurdierememberedhisdream，andwassilent，thinking。
’Buthowdidyoucometobeinmyhouse，andmenotknowit？’askedtheprincess。
ThenCurdiehadtoexplaineverything—howhehadwatchedforhersake，howhehadbeenwoundedandshutupbythesoldiers，howheheardthenoisesandcouldnotrise，andhowthebeautifuloldladyhadcometohim，andallthatfollowed。
’PoorCurdie！tolietherehurtandill，andmenevertoknowit！’
exclaimedtheprincess，strokinghisroughhand。’Iwouldhavecomeandnursedyou，iftheyhadtoldme。’
’Ididn’tseeyouwerelame，’saidhismother。
’AmI，mother？Oh—yes—IsupposeIoughttobe！IdeclareI’veneverthoughtofitsinceIgotuptogodownamongstthecobs！’
’Letmeseethewound，’saidhismother。
Hepulleddownhisstocking—whenbehold，exceptagreatscar，hislegwasperfectlysound！
Curdieandhismothergazedineachother’seyes，fullofwonder，butIrenecalledout：
’Ithoughtso，Curdie！Iwassureitwasn’tadream。Iwassuremygrandmotherhadbeentoseeyou。Don’tyousmelltheroses？Itwasmygrandmotherhealedyourleg，andsentyoutohelpme。’
’No，PrincessIrene，’saidCurdie;’Iwasn’tgoodenoughtobeallowedtohelpyou：Ididn’tbelieveyou。Yourgrandmothertookcareofyouwithoutme。’
’Shesentyoutohelpmypeople，anyhow。Iwishmyking—papawouldcome。Idowantsototellhimhowgoodyouhavebeen！’
’But，’saidthemother，’weareforgettinghowfrightenedyourpeoplemustbe。Youmusttaketheprincesshomeatonce，Curdie—
oratleastgoandtellthemwheresheis。’
’Yes，mother。OnlyI’mdreadfullyhungry。Doletmehavesomebreakfastfirst。Theyoughttohavelistenedtome，andthentheywouldn’thavebeentakenbysurpriseastheywere。’
’Thatistrue，Curdie;butitisnotforyoutoblamethemmuch。
Youremember？’
’Yes，mother，Ido。OnlyImustreallyhavesomethingtoeat。’
’Youshall，myboy—asfastasIcangetit，’saidhismother，risingandsettingtheprincessonherchair。
Butbeforehisbreakfastwasready，Curdiejumpedupsosuddenlyastostartlebothhiscompanions。
’Mother，mother！’hecried，’Iwasforgetting。Youmusttaketheprincesshomeyourself。Imustgoandwakemyfather。’
Withoutawordofexplanation，herushedtotheplacewherehisfatherwassleeping。Havingthoroughlyrousedhimwithwhathetoldhimhedartedoutofthecottage。
CHAPTER29
MasonworkHehadallatoncerememberedtheresolutionofthegoblinstocarryouttheirsecondplanuponthefailureofthefirst。Nodoubttheywerealreadybusy，andtheminewasthereforeinthegreatestdangerofbeingfloodedandrendereduseless—nottospeakofthelivesoftheminers。
Whenhereachedthemouthofthemine，afterrousingalltheminerswithinreach，hefoundhisfatherandagoodmanymorejustentering。Theyallhurriedtothegangbywhichhehadfoundawayintothegoblincountry。TheretheforesightofPeterhadalreadycollectedagreatmanyblocksofstone，withcement，readyforbuildinguptheweakplace—wellenoughknowntothegoblins。
Althoughtherewasnotroomformorethantwotobeactuallybuildingatonce，theymanaged，bysettingalltheresttoworkinpreparingthecementandpassingthestones，tofinishinthecourseofthedayahugebuttressfillingthewholegang，andsupportedeverywherebytheliverock。Beforethehourwhentheyusuallydroppedwork，theyweresatisfiedtheminewassecure。
Theyhadheardgoblinhammersandpickaxesbusyallthetime，andatlengthfanciedtheyheardsoundsofwatertheyhadneverheardbefore。Butthatwasotherwiseaccountedforwhentheyleftthemine，fortheysteppedoutintoatremendousstormwhichwasragingalloverthemountain。Thethunderwasbellowing，andthelightninglancingoutofahugeblackcloudwhichlayaboveitandhungdownitsedgesofthickmistoveritssides。Thelightningwasbreakingoutofthemountain，too，andflashingupintothecloud。Fromthestateofthebrooks，nowswollenintoragingtorrents，itwasevidentthatthestormhadbeenstormingallday。
Thewindwasblowingasifitwouldblowhimoffthemountain，but，anxiousabouthismotherandtheprincess，Curdiedartedupthroughthethickofthetempest。Eveniftheyhadnotsetoutbeforethestormcameon，hedidnotjudgethemsafe，forinsuchastormeventheirpoorlittlehousewasindanger。Indeedhesoonfoundthatbutforahugerockagainstwhichitwasbuilt，andwhichprotecteditbothfromtheblastsandthewaters，itmusthavebeensweptifitwasnotblownaway;forthetwotorrentsintowhichthisrockpartedtherushofwaterbehinditunitedagaininfrontofthecottage—tworoaringanddangerousstreams，whichhismotherandtheprincesscouldnotpossiblyhavepassed。Itwaswithgreatdifficultythatheforcedhiswaythroughoneofthem，anduptothedoor。
Themomenthishandfellonthelatch，throughalltheuproarofwindsandWaterscamethejoyouscryoftheprincess：
’There’sCurdie！Curdie！Curdie！’
Shewassittingwrappedinblanketsonthebed，hismothertryingforthehundredthtimetolightthefirewhichhadbeendrownedbytherainthatcamedownthechimney。Theclayfloorwasonemassofmud，andthewholeplacelookedwretched。Butthefacesofthemotherandtheprincessshoneasiftheirtroublesonlymadethemthemerrier。Curdieburstoutlaughingatthesightofthem。
’Ineverhadsuchfun！’saidtheprincess，hereyestwinklingandherprettyteethshining。’Howniceitmustbetoliveinacottageonthemountain！’
’Italldependsonwhatkindyourinsidehouseis，’saidthemother。
’Iknowwhatyoumean，’saidIrene。’That’sthekindofthingmygrandmothersays。’
BythetimePeterreturnedthestormwasnearlyover，butthestreamsweresofierceandsoswollenthatitwasnotonlyoutofthequestionfortheprincesstogodownthemountain，butmostdangerousforPeterevenorCurdietomaketheattemptinthegatheringdarkness。
’Theywillbedreadfullyfrightenedaboutyou，’saidPetertotheprincess，’butwecannothelpit。Wemustwaittillthemorning。’
WithCurdie’shelp，thefirewaslightedatlast，andthemothersetaboutmakingtheirsupper;andaftersuppertheyalltoldtheprincessstoriestillshegrewsleepy。ThenCurdie’smotherlaidherinCurdie’sbed，whichwasinatinylittlegarret—room。Assoonasshewasinbed，throughalittlewindowlowdownintheroofshecaughtsightofhergrandmother’slampshiningfarawaybeneath，andshegazedatthebeautifulsilveryglobeuntilshefellasleep。
CHAPTER30
TheKingantheKissThenextmorningthesunrosesobrightthatIrenesaidtherainhadwashedhisfaceandletthelightoutclean。Thetorrentswerestillroaringdownthesideofthemountain，buttheyweresomuchsmallerasnottobedangerousinthedaylight。Afteranearlybreakfast，PeterwenttohisworkandCurdieandhismothersetouttotaketheprincesshome。Theyhaddifficultyingettingherdryacrossthestreams，andCurdiehadagainandagaintocarryher，butatlasttheygotsafeonthebroaderpartoftheroad，andwalkedgentlydowntowardstheking’shouse。Andwhatshouldtheyseeastheyturnedthelastcornerbutthelastoftheking’stroopridingthroughthegate！
’Oh，Curdie！’criedIrene，clappingherhandsrightjoyfully，’myking—papaiscome。’
ThemomentCurdieheardthat，hecaughtherupinhisarms，andsetoffatfullspeed，crying：
comeon，motherdear！Thekingmaybreakhisheartbeforeheknowsthatsheissafe。’
Ireneclungroundhisneckandheranwithherlikeadeer。Whenheenteredthegateintothecourt，theresatthekingonhishorse，withallthepeopleofthehouseabouthim，weepingandhangingtheirheads。Thekingwasnotweeping，buthisfacewaswhiteasadeadman’s，andhelookedasifthelifehadgoneoutofhim。Themen—at—armshehadbroughtwithhimsatwithhorror—strickenfaces，buteyesflashingwithrage，waitingonlyforthewordofthekingtodosomething—theydidnotknowwhat，andnobodyknewwhat。
Thedaybefore，themen—at—armsbelongingtothehouse，assoonastheyweresatisfiedtheprincesshadbeencarriedaway，rushedafterthegoblinsintothehole，butfoundthattheyhadalreadysoskilfullyblockadedthenarrowestpart，notmanyfeetbelowthecellar，thatwithoutminersandtheirtoolstheycoulddonothing。
Notoneofthemknewwherethemouthoftheminelay，andsomeofthosewhohadsetouttofindithadbeenovertakenbythestormandhadnotevenyetreturned。PoorSirWalterwasespeciallyfilledwithshame，andalmosthopedthekingwouldorderhisheadtobecutoff，fortothinkofthatsweetlittlefacedownamongstthegoblinswasunendurable。
WhenCurdieraninatthegatewiththeprincessinhisarms，theywereallsoabsorbedintheirownmiseryandawedbytheking’spresenceandgrief，thatnooneobservedhisarrival。Hewentstraightuptotheking，wherehesatonhishorse。
’Papa！papa！’theprincesscried，stretchingoutherarmstohim;
’hereIam！’
Thekingstarted。Thecolourrushedtohisface。Hegaveaninarticulatecry。Curdiehelduptheprincess，andthekingbentdownandtookherfromhisarms。Asheclaspedhertohisbosom，thebigtearswentdroppingdownhischeeksandhisbeard。Andsuchashoutarosefromallthebystandersthatthestartledhorsesprancedandcapered，andthearmourrangandclattered，andtherocksofthemountainechoedbackthenoises。Theprincessgreetedthemallasshenestledinherfather’sbosom，andthekingdidnotsetherdownuntilshehadtoldthemallthestory。ButshehadmoretotellaboutCurdiethanaboutherself，andwhatshedidtellaboutherselfnoneofthemcouldunderstand—exceptthekingandCurdie，whostoodbytheking’skneestrokingtheneckofthegreatwhitehorse。AndstillasshetoldwhatCurdiehaddone，SirWalterandothersaddedtowhatshetold，evenLootiejoininginthepraisesofhiscourageandenergy。
Curdieheldhispeace，lookingquietlyupintheking’sface。Andhismotherstoodontheoutskirtsofthecrowdlisteningwithdelight，forherson’sdeedswerepleasantinherears，untiltheprincesscaughtsightofher。
’Andthereishismother，king—papa！’shesaid。’See—there。Sheissuchanicemother，andhasbeensokindtome！’
Theyallpartedasunderasthekingmadeasigntohertocomeforward。Sheobeyed，andhegaveherhishand，butcouldnotspeak。
’Andnow，king—papa，’theprincesswenton，’Imusttellyouanotherthing。OnenightlongagoCurdiedrovethegoblinsawayandbroughtLootieandmesafefromthemountain。AndIpromisedhimakisswhenwegothome，butLootiewouldn’tletmegiveithim。Idon’twantyoutoscoldLootie，butIwantyoutotellherthataprincessmustdoasshepromises。’
’Indeedshemust，mychild—exceptitbewrong，’saidtheking。
’There，giveCurdieakiss。’
Andashespokeheheldhertowardshim。
Theprincessreacheddown，threwherarmsroundCurdie’sneck，andkissedhimonthemouth，saying：’There，Curdie！There’sthekissIpromisedyou！’
Thentheyallwentintothehouse，andthecookrushedtothekitchenandtheservantstotheirwork。LootiedressedIreneinhershiningestclothes，andthekingputoffhisarmour，andputonpurpleandgold;andamessengerwassentforPeterandalltheminers，andtherewasagreatandagrandfeast，whichcontinuedlongaftertheprincesswasputtobed。
CHAPTER31
TheSubterraneanWatersTheking’sharper，whoalwaysformedapartofhisescort，waschantingaballadwhichhemadeashewentonplayingonhisinstrument—abouttheprincessandthegoblins，andtheprowessofCurdie，whenallatonceheceased，withhiseyesononeofthedoorsofthehall。Thereupontheeyesofthekingandhisgueststurnedthitherwardalso。Thenextmoment，throughtheopendoorwaycametheprincessIrene。Shewentstraightuptoherfather，withherrighthandstretchedoutalittlesideways，andherforefinger，asherfatherandCurdieunderstood，feelingitswayalongtheinvisiblethread。Thekingtookheronhisknee，andshesaidinhisear：
’King—papa，doyouhearthatnoise？’
’Ihearnothing，’saidtheking。
’Listen，’shesaid，holdingupherforefinger。
Thekinglistened，andagreatstillnessfelluponthecompany。
Eachman，seeingthatthekinglistened，listenedalso，andtheharpersatwithhisharpbetweenhisarms，andhisfingersilentuponthestrings。
’Idohearanoise，’saidthekingatlength—’anoiseasofdistantthunder。Itiscomingnearerandnearer。Whatcanitbe？’
Theyallhearditnow，andeachseemedreadytostarttohisfeetashelistened。Yetallsatperfectlystill。Thenoisecamerapidlynearer。
’Whatcanitbe？’saidthekingagain。
’Ithinkitmustbeanotherstormcomingoverthemountain，’saidSirWalter。
ThenCurdie，whoatthefirstwordofthekinghadslippedfromhisseat，andlaidhiseartotheground，roseupquickly，andapproachingthekingsaid，speakingveryfast：
’Please，YourMajesty，IthinkIknowwhatitis。Ihavenotimetoexplain，forthatmightmakeittoolateforsomeofus。WillYourMajestygiveordersthateverybodyleavethehouseasquicklyaspossibleandgetupthemountain？’
Theking，whowasthewisestmaninthekingdom，knewwelltherewasatimewhenthingsmustbedoneandquestionslefttillafterwards。HehadfaithinCurdie，androseinstantly，withIreneinhisarms。’Everymanandwomanfollowme，’hesaid，andstrodeoutintothedarkness。
Beforehehadreachedthegate，thenoisehadgrowntoagreatthunderingroar，andthegroundtrembledbeneaththeirfeet，andbeforethelastofthemhadcrossedthecourt，outafterthemfromthegreathalldoorcameahugerushofturbidwater，andalmostsweptthemaway。Buttheygotsafeoutofthegateandupthemountain，whilethetorrentwentroaringdowntheroadintothevalleybeneath。
Curdiehadleftthekingandtheprincesstolookafterhismother，whomheandhisfather，oneoneachside，caughtupwhenthestreamovertookthemandcarriedsafeanddry。
Whenthekinghadgotoutofthewayofthewater，alittleupthemountain，hestoodwiththeprincessinhisarms，lookingbackwithamazementontheissuingtorrent，whichglimmeredfierceandfoamythroughthenight。ThereCurdierejoinedthem。
’Now，Curdie，’saidtheking，’whatdoesitmean？Isthiswhatyouexpected？’
’Itis，YourMajesty，’saidCurdie;andproceededtotellhimaboutthesecondschemeofthegoblins，who，fancyingtheminersofmoreimportancetotheupperworldthantheywere，hadresolved，iftheyshouldfailincarryingofftheking’sdaughter，tofloodthemineanddrowntheminers。Thenheexplainedwhattheminershaddonetopreventit。Thegoblinshad，inpursuanceoftheirdesign，letloosealltheundergroundreservoirsandstreams，expectingthewatertorundownintothemine，whichwaslowerthantheirpartofthemountain，fortheyhad，astheysupposed，notknowingofthesolidwallclosebehind，brokenapassagethroughintoit。Butthereadiestoutletthewatercouldfindhadturnedouttobethetunneltheyhadmadetotheking’shouse，thepossibilityofwhichcatastrophehadnotoccurredtotheyoungmineruntilhehadlaidhiseartothefloorofthehall。
Whatwasthentobedone？Thehouseappearedindangeroffalling，andeverymomentthetorrentwasincreasing。
’Wemustsetoutatonce，’saidtheking。’Buthowtogetatthehorses！’
’ShallIseeifwecanmanagethat？’saidCurdie。
’Do，’saidtheking。
Curdiegatheredthemen—at—arms，andtookthemoverthegardenwall，andsotothestables。Theyfoundtheirhorsesinterror;
thewaterwasrisingfastaroundthem，anditwasquitetimetheyweregotout。Buttherewasnowaytogetthemout，exceptbyridingthemthroughthestream，whichwasnowpouringfromthelowerwindowsaswellasthedoor。Asonehorsewasquiteenoughforanymantomanagethroughsuchatorrent，Curdiegotontheking’swhitechargerand，leadingtheway，broughtthemallinsafetytotherisingground。
’Look，look，Curdie！’criedIrene，themomentthat，havingdismounted，heledthehorseuptotheking。
Curdiedidlook，andsaw，highintheair，somewhereaboutthetopoftheking’shouse，agreatglobeoflightshininglikethepurestsilver。
’Oh！’hecriedinsomeconsternation，’thatisyourgrandmother’slamp！Wemustgetherout。Iwillgoanfindher。Thehousemayfall，youknow。’
’Mygrandmotherisinnodanger，’saidIrene，smiling。
’Here，Curdie，taketheprincesswhileIgetonmyhorse，’saidtheking。
Curdietooktheprincessagain，andbothturnedtheireyestotheglobeoflight。Thesamemomentthereshotfromitawhitebird，which，descendingwithoutstretchedwings，madeonecircleroundthekinganCurdieandtheprincess，andthenglidedupagain。Thelightandthepigeonvanishedtogether。
’Now，Curdie！’saidtheprincess，asheliftedhertoherfather’sarms，’youseemygrandmotherknowsallaboutit，andisn’tfrightened。Ibelieveshecouldwalkthroughthatwateranditwouldn’twetherabit。’
’But，mychild，’saidtheking，’youwillbecoldifyouhaven’tSomethingmoreon。Run，Curdie，myboy，andfetchanythingyoucanlayyourhandson，tokeeptheprincesswarm。Wehavealongridebeforeus。’
Curdiewasgoneinamoment，andsoonreturnedwithagreatrichfur，andthenewsthatdeadgoblinsweretossingaboutinthecurrentthroughthehouse。Theyhadbeencaughtintheirownsnare;insteadoftheminetheyhadfloodedtheirowncountry，whencetheywerenowsweptupdrowned。Ireneshuddered，butthekingheldherclosetohisbosom。ThenheturnedtoSirWalter，andsaid：
’BringCurdie’sfatherandmotherhere。’
’Iwish，’saidtheking，whentheystoodbeforehim，’totakeyoursonwithme。Heshallentermybodyguardatonce，andwaitfurtherpromotion。’
Peterandhiswife，overcome，onlymurmuredalmostinaudiblethanks。ButCurdiespokealoud。
’Please，YourMajesty，’hesaid，’Icannotleavemyfatherandmother。’
’That’sright，Curdie！’criedtheprincess。’Iwouldn’tifIwasyou。’
ThekinglookedattheprincessandthenatCurdiewithaglowofsatisfactiononhiscountenance。
’Itoothinkyouareright，Curdie，’hesaid，’andIwillnotaskyouagain。ButIshallhaveachanceofdoingsomethingforyousometime。’
’YourMajestyhasalreadyallowedmetoserveyou，’saidCurdie。
’But，Curdie，’saidhismother，’whyshouldn’tyougowiththeking？Wecangetonverywellwithoutyou。’
’ButIcan’tgetonverywellwithoutyou，’saidCurdie。’Thekingisverykind，butIcouldnotbehalftheusetohimthatIamtoyou。Please，YourMajesty，ifyouwouldn’tmindgivingmymotheraredpetticoat！Ishouldhavegotheronelongago，butforthegoblins。’
’Assoonaswegethome，’saidtheking，’IreneandIwillsearchoutthewarmestonetobefound，andsenditbyoneofthegentlemen。’
’Yes，thatwewill，Curdie！’saidtheprincess。’Andnextsummerwe’llcomebackandseeyouwearit，Curdie’smother，’sheadded。
’Shan’twe，king—papa？’
’Yes，mylove;Ihopeso，’saidtheking。
Thenturningtotheminers，hesaid：
’Willyoudothebestyoucanformyservantstonight？Ihopetheywillbeabletoreturntothehousetomorrow。’
Theminerswithonevoicepromisedtheirhospitality。
ThenthekingcommandedhisservantstomindwhateverCurdieshouldsaytothem，andaftershakinghandswithhimandhisfatherandmother，thekingandtheprincessandalltheircompanyrodeawaydownthesideofthenewstream，whichhadalreadydevouredhalftheroad，intothestarrynight。
CHAPTER32
TheLastChapterAlltherestwentupthemountain，andseparatedingroupstothehomesoftheminers。CurdieandhisfatherandmothertookLootiewiththem。Andthewholewayalight，ofwhichallbutLootieunderstoodtheorigin，shoneupontheirpath。Butwhentheylookedroundtheycouldseenothingofthesilveryglobe。
Fordaysanddaysthewatercontinuedtorushfromthedoorsandwindowsoftheking’shouse，andafewgoblinbodiesweresweptoutintotheroad。
Curdiesawthatsomethingmustbedone。Hespoketohisfatherandtherestoftheminers，andtheyatonceproceededtomakeanotheroutletforthewaters。Bysettingallhandstothework，tunnellinghereandbuildingthere，theysoonsucceeded;andhavingalsomadealittletunneltodrainthewaterawayfromundertheking’shouse，theyweresoonabletogetintothewinecellar，wheretheyfoundamultitudeofdeadgoblins—amongtherestthequeen，withtheskin—shoegone，andthestoneonefasttoherankle—forthewaterhadsweptawaythebarricade，whichpreventedthemen—at—armsfromfollowingthegoblins，andhadgreatlywidenedthepassage。Theybuiltitsecurelyup，andthenwentbacktotheirlaboursinthemine。
Agoodmanyofthegoblinswiththeircreaturesescapedfromtheinundationoutuponthemountain。Butmostofthemsoonleftthatpartofthecountry，andmostofthosewhoremainedgrewmilderincharacter，andindeedbecameverymuchliketheScotchbrownies。
Theirskullsbecamesofteraswellastheirhearts，andtheirfeetgrewharder，andbydegreestheybecamefriendlywiththeinhabitantsofthemountainandevenwiththeminers。Butthelatterweremercilesstoanyofthecobs’creaturesthatcameintheirway，untilatlengththeyallbutdisappeared。
TherestofthehistoryofThePrincessandCurdiemustbekeptforanothervolume。