[Illustration: FIG. 58.--Gossamer's Balloons.]
"I am the person you seek," said Heady, stepping forward.
"If you will pardon me a moment, Sir," said the stranger, "and give me some help in getting my comrades anchored, I will deliver my message."
The second of these little voyagers of the air reached a position above the fort, and cast out cords and grapnels. He soon anchored. Then another and another followed until five had safely landed.
The interest of the fort Pixies in these æronauts had now quieted the passions that had been so near fatal explosion. Here was news from their missing officers. All would now be well! By common consent both parties put up their weapons and gathered around the messenger.
"There is nothing secret in my orders, Sir, I think," said the balloonist who had first landed, "My name is Lycosa. Here are my credentials. My orders I will give when you are ready for them."
"Say on, then!" said Heady, "You couldn't have come with them at a luckier time. What news from our chiefs."
"Good news," answered Lycosa; "they crossed the bridge, raided the Brownie camp, seized two of the Nurses--the Commodore's daughter and the Boatswain's--and have them safe on the island to hold as ransom for your safe and quiet departure."
This news was received with unbounded favor and applause, not hearty, ringing cheers such as Brownies give, but a noisy clatter of fangs. The applause ceased and Lycosa resumed.
"The capture of these prisoners was a masterly stroke. The chiefs stole into the Brownie camp, seized their captives from the very headquarters, and made off with them. A scream from one of them aroused the camp. The hue and cry was raised, and by the barest chance Spite and Hide got off to sea on board a smuggler's yacht."
"Yes, all safe. They are in limbo now, ready to be exchanged if need be. But the Captain hopes to keep them for another and worse difficulty than the present."
[Illustration: FIG. 59.--Spite Sends off Lycosa and his Balloon Corps.]
"Humph!" grunted Heady, "that would be hard to find, I fancy. Go on!"
"He sends word by me that the old suspension bridge is passable; that a few cables stretched across spans Nos. 1, 2 and 4, will make it a quite good route. I am here with my companions, not only to bring the message, but to do this work of repair."