The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum

to crush a man's bones in their coils. A few yards away crouched a savage panther, its glaring red eyes fixed full on the helpless Claus. One of those monstrous spotted spiders whose sting is death crept stealthily toward him over the matted leaves, which shriveled and turned black at its very touch.
    But Claus had been reared in Burzee, and was not afraid.
    "Come to me, ye Knooks of the Forest!" he cried, and gave the low, peculiar whistle that the Knooks know.
    The panther, which was about to spring upon its victim, turned and slunk away. The python swung itself into the tree and disappeared among the leaves. The spider stopped short in its advance and hid beneath a rotting log.
    Claus had no time to notice them, for he was surrounded by a band of harsh–featured Knooks, more crooked and deformed in appearance than any he had ever seen.
    "Who are you that call on us?" demanded one, in a gruff voice.
    "The friend of your brothers in Burzee," answered Claus. "I have been brought here by my enemies, the Awgwas, and left to perish miserably. Yet now I implore your help to release me and to send me home again."
    "Have you the sign?" asked another.
    "Yes," said Claus.
    They cut his bonds, and with his free arms he made the secret sign of the Knooks.
    Instantly they assisted him to stand upon his feet, and they brought him food and drink to strengthen him.
    "Our brothers of Burzee make queer friends," grumbled an ancient Knook whose flowing beard was pure white. "But he who knows our secret sign and signal is entitled to our help, whoever he may be. Close your eyes, stranger, and we will conduct you to your home. Where shall we seek it?"
    "'Tis in the Laughing Valley," answered Claus, shutting his eyes.
    "There is but one Laughing Valley in the known world, so we can not go astray," remarked the Knook.
    As he spoke the sound of his voice seemed to die away, so Claus opened his eyes to see what caused the change. To his astonishment he found himself seated on the bench by his own door, with the Laughing Valley spread out before him. That day he visited the Wood–Nymphs and related his adventure to Queen Zurline and Necile.
    "The Awgwas have become your enemies," said the lovely Queen, thoughtfully; "so we must do all we can to protect you from their power."
    "It was cowardly to bind him while he slept," remarked Necile, with indignation.
    "The evil ones are ever cowardly," answered Zurline, "but our friend's slumber shall not be disturbed again."
    The Queen herself came to the dwelling of Claus that evening and placed her Seal on every door and window, to keep out the Awgwas. And under the Seal of Queen Zurline was placed the Seal of the Fairies and the Seal of the Ryls and the Seals of the Knooks, that the charm might become more powerful.
    And Claus carried his toys to the children again, and made many more of the little ones happy.
    You may guess how angry the King Awgwa and his fierce band were when it was known to them that Claus had escaped from the Forest of Ethop.
    They raged madly for a whole week, and then held another meeting among the rocks.
    "It is useless to carry him where the Knooks reign," said the King, "for he has their protection. So let us cast him into a cave of our own mountains, where he will surely perish."
    This was promptly agreed to, and the wicked band set out that night to seize Claus. But they found his dwelling guarded by the Seals of the Immortals and were obliged to go away baffled and disappointed.
    "Never mind," said the King; "he does not sleep always!"
    Next day, as Claus traveled to the village across the plain, where he intended to present a toy squirrel to a lame boy, he was suddenly set upon by the Awgwas, who seized him and carried him away to the mountains.
    There they thrust him within a deep cavern and rolled many huge rocks against the entrance to prevent his escape.
    Deprived thus of light and food, and with little air to breathe, our Claus was, indeed, in a pitiful plight. But he