Had there been many such mistakes the Daemons would have accomplished their evil
purpose and made the children unhappy. But the little friends of the absent Santa Claus
labored faithfully and intelligently to carry out their master's ideas, and they made fewer
errors than might be expected under such unusual circumstances.
And, although they worked as swiftly as possible, day had begun to break before the
toys and other presents were all distributed; so for the first time in many years the reindeer
trotted into the Laughing Valley, on their return, in broad daylight, with the brilliant sun
peeping over the edge of the forest to prove they were far behind their accustomed hours.
Having put the deer in the stable, the little folk began to wonder how they might rescue
their master; and they realized they must discover, first of all, what had happened to him and
where he was.
So Wisk the Fairy transported himself to the bower of the Fairy Queen, which was
located deep in the heart of the Forest of Burzee; and once there, it did not take him long to
find out all about the naughty Daemons and how they had kidnapped the good Santa Claus
to prevent his making children happy. The Fairy Queen also promised her assistance, and
then, fortified by this powerful support, Wisk flew back to where Nuter and Peter and Kilter
awaited him, and the four counseled together and laid plans to rescue their master from his
enemies.
It is possible that Santa Claus was not as merry as usual during the night that succeeded
his capture. For although he had faith in the judgment of his little friends he could not avoid
a certain amount of worry, and an anxious look would creep at times into his kind old eyes
as he thought of the disappointment that might await his dear little children. And the
Daemons, who guarded him by turns, one after another, did not neglect to taunt him with
contemptuous words in his helpless condition.
When Christmas Day dawned the Daemon of Malice was guarding the prisoner, and his
tongue was sharper than that of any of the others.
«The children are waking up, Santa!» he cried. «They are waking up to find their
stockings empty! Ho, ho! How they will quarrel, and wail, and stamp their feet in anger! Our
caves will be full today, old Santa! Our caves are sure to be full!»
But to this, as to other like taunts, Santa Claus answered nothing. He was much grieved
by his capture, it is true; but his courage did not forsake him. And, finding that the prisoner
would not reply to his jeers, the Daemon of Malice presently went away, and sent the
Daemon of Repentance to take his place.
This last personage was not so disagreeable as the others. He had gentle and refined
features, and his voice was soft and pleasant in tone.
Kidnapped Santa Claus, A
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