As the path was very narrow, Rudolf walked first, sword drawn,
and Ann trotted behind him, trying not to think of what queer things
might be waiting behind the trees to jump out at them, trying only to
think of her naughty Peter, and how glad she would be to see him
again.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
CHAPTER XII
ENTER THE KNIGHT-MARE
At first it was easy enough for the children to follow the narrow
winding path which the Sandman had pointed out, but soon they came to
a part of the wood where the underbrush grew thicker and their path
lost itself in a network of other little paths spread out as if on
purpose to confuse them. Rudolf and Ann hurried along as fast as they
could go, but it was hard work to make their way through the tangled
undergrowth where the twisted roots set traps for their feet--and
caught them, too, sometimes--while overhead the tall trees met and
mingled their branches. From these hung down great masses of trailing
vines and spreading creepers like long, lean, hairy arms stretched
out to bar their way. Rudolf had to stop now and then to hack at these
arms with his sword before he and Ann could pass through. Worst of
all--the thick growth of trees made the wood so dark that they could
not see more than a few feet ahead of them.
"Oh, Ruddy, I'm sure we're not on the right path any more," said Ann
at last.
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