11/21 As he did so it flashed upon his pickaxe, lying by the side of the queen, whose hand lay close by the handle of it. 'Hold my torch, and don't let the light on their faces.' Irene shuddered when she saw the frightful creatures, whom she had passed without observing them, but she did as he requested, and turning her back, held the torch low in front of her. Curdie drew his pickaxe carefully away, and as he did so spied one of her feet, projecting from under the skins. The great clumsy granite shoe, exposed thus to his hand, was a temptation not to be resisted. He laid hold of it, and, with cautious efforts, drew it off. |