THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE HEMPSEED. 13

favour at the court. But, as it always happens in such
cases, he was the last to learn his disgrace, which was only
to be made known to him in a manner terrible indeed.

Before we relate the consequences of that disgrace, let
us draw up a short but very necessary list of those animals
towards which Prince Hempseed showed so much kindness
—a kindness that was speedily to be put to a harsh test!

There is a close and touching connexion between the
history of Prince Orfano-Orfana, whom false friends be-
trayed, and that of his son, who did not forsake those poor
animals, whose good friend he was.

To tell the truth, he loved all well-behaved animals,
and took care of all. Beautiful swans, with plumage as
soft as satin, swam in ponds the margins of which were
made of porphyry; and on the same pieces of water were
seen sweet little birds from Barbary, Asia, and America,
with feathers the colour of gold, and eyes like garnets. The
prince was compelled to take more care of those animals
which, not having cost much to purchase, were considered
of little value by the servants, and were therefore worse
treated than the rest.

We shall name a few of those less fortunate creatures,

against which Rol showed the greatest spite.
First of all was the castle
dog—a faithful animal, but
not particularly handsome.
How could he have been,
indeed, constantly teased,
- beaten, pulled by the ears,
and shaken by the Tyrolese
Rol? And yet he was faith-
ful, a good watcher, never
sleeping with both eyes at a time, and so sagacious that he
‘could guess the very thoughts of little Prince Hempseed .
at the least sign which he made.

This dog was neither called Cesar, nor Ponto, nor Tray;