THE MASTER CRAFTSMEN
485
Wind,
this
time wearing a flapping scarf the color of meer–
schaum and a wreath of withered vine leaves.
"Signor Sirocco, the terror of the vineyards!" proclaimed
the Windmaster.
With a pirate's ring in one ear and his swarthy cheeks
puffed out, wheezing through his few teeth and slashing the air
with a Samurai sword, came the slant-eyed Typhoon.
"Khan Sandstorm!"
And everyone felt a blast of hot air. The wind entered
panting heavily, and licking his cracked lips with a dry, pallid
tongue. His piercing eyes were inflamed and on his shaven head
was a wreath of feather-grass and wormwood. He was followed
by the Tornado, the wind from the West Indies and prairies, in
a cowboy hat, clinking the spurs on his moccasins and twirling a
swishing lasso above his head. Then came the half-naked Fang,
a handsome brown-haired man with fiery eyes and a thin, dry
mouth-the destroyer of the Colchis mandarins. The curly
golden fleece was slung across his bronzed shoulders.
"Khamsin, Master of the desert!"
Into the courtroom staggered a scarecrow, as high as the
ceiling, roaring like a bull in fury, rolling his crazy eyes and
gnashing his sandy teeth; he was shaggy, red haired and dressed
in
tatters.
Finally, taking a deep breath as though about to chill the
I
I
whole world, the Windmaster announced: "His Royal Majesty,
King Vainglorious, Great Commander of the Winds!"
l
The organ bellows began to pump; puffing out their cheeks,
the musicians played a fanfare. Everything squeaked and howled.
The drafts flitted from corner to corner and a small eddy raced
across the courtroom shouting "Make way for the king!"
Vainglorious entered accompanied by the Chief Wind–
gauge, Once-Upon-a-Time, and a retinue of henchmen; he was
wearing a crown with a huge weathervane on top.
"Gentlemen of the Wind," began the king, "be seated!"
