'
'My grandmother is in no danger,' said Irene, smiling.
'Here, Curdie, take the princess while I get on my horse,' said the
king.
Curdie took the princess again, and both turned their eyes to the
globe of light. The same moment there shot from it a white bird,
which, descending with outstretched wings, made one circle round
the king an Curdie and the princess, and then glided up again. The
light and the pigeon vanished together.
'Now, Curdie!' said the princess, as he lifted her to her father's
arms, 'you see my grandmother knows all about it, and isn't
frightened. I believe she could walk through that water and it
wouldn't wet her a bit.'
'But, my child,' said the king, 'you will be cold if you haven't
Something more on. Run, Curdie, my boy, and fetch anything you can
lay your hands on, to keep the princess warm. We have a long ride
before us.'
Curdie was gone in a moment, and soon returned with a great rich
fur, and the news that dead goblins were tossing about in the
current through the house. They had been caught in their own
snare; instead of the mine they had flooded their own country,
whence they were now swept up drowned.
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