Stranica 233 [233]
OCR
KING BIZARRE AND PRINCE CHARMING dripping with blood, not without pleasure. Man is decidedly the king of wild beasts. The traitor’s death decided the fate of the day. The royal army, electrified by the heroism of its leader, soon dispersed the straggling battalions. The rebels, having nothing more to hope, sued for pardon, and their prayer was granted by the happy and clement king. An hour after quitting the camp where he had wished to die, Charming returned in triumph, bringing with him conquerors and conquered, all blended in the same ranks, the former loudly protesting their loyalty, the latter overpowering them with their enthusiasm. Nothing sharpens devotion so much as a little treason. X IN WHICH WE SEE THAT IT IS WRONG TO JUDGE ACCORDING TO APPEARANCES, AND THAT TONTO WAS NOT TONTO The king entered his tent to rest a moment, when the sight of Rachimburg reminded him of Tonto. “Is the page dead? he asked. “No, sire,” answered Rachimburg; “unfortunately for him, he is still living; he is hopeless. I ordered him carried to his aunt’s, the Countess de Castro s, close by here." “Ts he the countess’s nephew?” said the king. “I was never told of it.’ 191
