You must go right ahead, right into the thick of the woods.
Follow that path on the other side of the glade. You needn't be afraid
you'll miss those Bad Ones--they'll be on the lookout for you, I'm
afraid."
The children thanked Sandy for all his kindness, and turned to leave
him. "One moment," he cried, and he ran ahead of them to draw aside
the wall of prickly bushes and show them the little path he had spoken
of which wound from the Good Dreams' glade toward the heart of the
wood.
"Keep right on," said Sandy, "and don't be afraid. Remember--they're a
queer lot, those fellows, but they can't hurt you if you are careful.
Don't answer 'em back and don't ask 'em too many questions. One thing
in particular--if they offer you anything to eat, don't taste a
mouthful of it. If you do it'll be the worse for you!"
Rudolf and Ann thought of Peter and his passion for "refreshments",
and they started hastily forward.
"Just _one_ thing more," called Sandy after them. "About that
consignment of your aunt's, you know! I'll hold that over till you get
back, and we'll see what can be done. Maybe we can fit you in yet,
somehow. Now good-by, and good luck to you!"
"Good-by, and thank you!" Rudolf and Ann called back to him, and then
they plunged into the path. The wall of bushes sprang back again
behind them, and cut them off from the shelter of the Good Dreams'
glade.
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