Prince Ricardo of Pantouflia

ardo and a

psides with," said Ricardo, at breakfast

"I am always noticing it. You mean, I suppose, that there is one enemy of t

istory," said Ricardo. "You must have

t is told us about him," said the

rels about whom our ancestors inform us, who escaped the d

studies, he could speak, when he chose, like a pr

iendly Mermaid could do for them was to turn them into a pair of beautiful trees which intertwine their branches. Not much use in that, sir! And nothing wa

al Sword of Sharpnes

indeed: a common small sword

; "and besides, I have heard something of a diamond s

shabby little miscreant; however, I'll ris

the door, he heard Dick come in and order a pair of rose-coloured spectacles, with which he was at once provided. The people of Pantouflia

glass, Herr Spex," said Di

said the king to himself, knowing the nat

a Dandie Dinmont terrier, named Pepper, and the king, who

purchase of crocodiles' eggs, which can rarely be got quite fresh. When Jaqueline had made the crocodiles' eggs, with

d this he put in his pocket for future use. With plenty of egg sandwiches and marmalade sandwiches, and cold minced-collop sandwiches, he pricked forth into the wilderness, making for the country inhabi

es, buffeting it with his pocket-handkerchief whe

Wishing Cap, sat down before the magic crystal ball, and kept his eye on the proceedings, being ready to wish the right thing to help Ricardo at the

hat this showed the neighbourhood of Jaunia, or Daunia, the country of the Yellow Dwarf. He therefore drew bridle, placed his rose-coloured spectacles on his nose and put spurs to his horse, for th

t was knocked off by a well-aimed orange from a nei

Blink

sitting sucking an orange in the tree, swinging his w

ou doing on my grounds? You're a prince, by your lo

t you are," said Ricardo; "and let me catch you, and

en seen through rose-coloured

e you doing here? Are you an ambassador, maybe come to propose a match for me? I'm not proud, I'

down your orange-tree!" and he wished he had brought the Sword of S

h a detestable grin; while Ricardo turned quite white with anger,

ss Frutilla, did not behave very nice, and I had to avenge my honour; in fact, I'm open to any offers, however humble. Going at an alarming sacrifice! Co

n injured saint; and as for the lady whom I shall not name in your p

uised as a wasp) she heard Dick say he was her knig

'm not afraid of six of you. Yah! mammy's brat! Look here, young Blinkers, I don't want to hurt you. Just tu

said Ricardo. "But why do I band

either," said the Dwarf, provokingly.

his horse, leaving Pe

uched the ground th

ighbouring potato-patch and made for Ricardo. These were not ordinary lions, history avers, each having two heads, e

the lions. This is a dainty which lions can never resist, and running greedily at it, with four tremendous snaps, they got

k in the affa

. To leap on its back, while Ricardo sprang on his own steed, was to the active Dwarf the work of a moment. Then clapping spurs to its sides (his spurs grew naturally on his bare heels, horrible to relate, like a cock's spurs

ardo's life, was just about to wish the dwarf at Jericho, when through the open window, with a trem

again turned his eyes on the crystal ball only a parent's heart can know. Should he see Ricardo bleeding at the feet of the abominable dwarf? The king scarcely dared to look; never befo

he instinct of his race, sprang at its neck, just behind the head-the usual place,-a

ted up the whole scene, and yelling taunts. Pepper was flying at his heels,

the ankle. "Call off your dog, you coward, a

dusty, mad with pain, the dwarf was a s

and so dazzling was the sheen of the diamond sword, that he put his hand in his po

, and made a lunge in seconde at Dick which no mortal blade could have parried. The prince (thanks to his

as about to make a thrust in tierce which must infallibly have been fatal, when

n, the dwarf dropped the diamond sword, sucked hi

he passed thrice through the body of the Yellow Dwarf. Squirming fearfully, t

Gig-

he diamond blade clean

n pensively looking at his fallen foe, "Peace

at the two lions were stiff and dea

looking in the crystal ball,

l articles. The first time was of no great importance, and I could not know that the boy would start on an expedition without giving me warning. But, in to-day's affair he owes his safety entirely to himself and Pepper," for he had

falling interrupted the king. He looked all a

said the king; and, of course, she has died i

discovered the dead body of the wicked fairy lying on the sofa

cannot ring for the servants and make th

pyramid, in the Egyptian desert, and

ow removed from Ricardo's path in life," sa

th. The poor, trembling people of the country came out of their huts and accompanied Dick, cheering, and throwing roses which had been yellow roses, but blushed red as soo

mself, "but much more exciting and

ng felt how great was his debt to Jaqueline. But they did not think i