Quick, or I'll bite off your head!''


But the bad boy only laughed and said: ``You 'll
bite off my head, will you! Go away from here
just as fast as you can, or you shall feel these nut-
shells,'' and he shook his fist at the little man.

The Nutcracker grew red with rage. He pulled
up his pigtail, snapping his jaws together,--CRACK,
--and the bad boy's head was off.


THE PUMPKIN PIRATES

A TALE FROM LUCIAN

BY ALFRED J. CHURCH (ADAPTED)

Once upon a time, one Lucian the Greek was
filled with a desire to see strange countries, and
especially to discover whether there was any
opposite shore to the ocean by which he lived.

So having purchased a vessel, he strengthened
it for a voyage, that he knew would without doubt
be long and stormy. Then he chose fifty stout
young fellows having the same love of adventure
as himself, and next he hired the best captain that
could be got for money, and put a store of provisions