Through the fire (3)

Through the fire (3)

" Little man, " said Jack coaxingly, " Take me with you and show me Fireland. "

" I don't see how it can be done, " answered the little man.
" Besides you'd he frightened. "

" I wouldn't ! I wouldn't indeed ! " said Jack.

" Wait a minute, then, " and the little red figure disappeared the brightest part of the fire. In a few seconds he appeared again, carrying a little red cap and suit and boots.

" Put these on, " he said, throwing them into Jack's lap.

No sooner had Jack touched them than he found himself growing smaller and smaller, until the clothes seemed the right size for him, and he easily slipped into them.

" Now, " said the fire man.
" Climb over the bars and see how you like it. "

Jack scrambled over the fender, and helping himself with the fire-irons, climbed on to the first bar.  

 

The red man leant down and gave him his hand to help him.
What a hot hand it was ! It burned like flames.
Jack scrambled over the bars right into the midst of the fire.

He stood in the middle of rich, red-growing hills, from which spouted jets of flame, like trees.
Here and there was a black mountain which smoked and hissed.

" Well, " said the red man, " how do you feel now ? "

" It's warm, " murmured poor Jack.

" If you can't bear this, you won't be able to stand Fireland, " said the fairy.

(3/15)