"Stick your fingers in the holes to keep the water in," he shouted through the trumpet.
Brownies either poked their fingers through the openings or held their hands against them to prevent the escape of water. The hose got away from those who were holding it, and the terrific stream drenched the Dude, Chinaman, and Indian who were directly in its path, sweeping them off their feet. In another moment the Brownies regained their mastery of it, and once more the water was directed full at the blazing lava.
Such efforts were bound to achieve results, and these King Stanislaus noted with great satisfaction.
"We're gaining on it!" he announced exultantly. "Just keep it up, boys, and we'll soon have the fire out."
Thus encouraged, higher and higher flew the Brownies on the handles of the engine, while others continued to play the hose upon the descending lava, which hissed, steamed, and bubbled as the water struck it.
As the lava cooled off it formed a composition resembling asphalt, and upon this the Brownies could walk, unwinding as they did so more and more hose, and all the while getting nearer and nearer to the volcano.
Finally they were directing the stream down the crater's mouth, which gurgled, gasped, and then instead of flame began to emit smoldering smoke which grew less and less in volume.
"I guess that settles Mr. Volcano!" triumphantly cried King Stanislaus, as he wiped beads of perspiration from his royal brow.
"It's a pity the palace was destroyed," remarked the Student.
"It's Dragonfel's own fault," said the king, "and he has only himself to blame. I wouldn't have that man's mean disposition, no, not for all the jewels and mines he possesses."
"Even if he has lost his palace," said the Dude, "he's got a fine new macadamized road to the volcano. With a jitney-bus he can make a lot of money from tourists."
The fire was practically extinguished, and all danger from it had passed. It was well that this was so, for the first rays of the sun were beginning to appear in the brightening east, and the mystic powers of the Brownies which come at night were fast being exhausted.
When the valiant fire-fighters at last had the volcano under control, Prince Florimel gazed anxiously around for Queen Titania, Dame Drusilda, Violet, and Daffodil, but none of them was in sight.