‘THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE HEMPSEED. 25

the terrace. Stifled cries were now heard; and the mag-
pie and parrot seemed about to breathe their last. They
were throttling each other by entangling the string with
their flutterings; for the more they tried to get loose, the
tighter they drew the string. The poor little canary birds
were hung by the feet, and were nearly killed with fits.

No one doubted who the author of this cruel amuse-
ment could be: the name of Rol, the Tyrolese, was on
every tongue.

At length, after having turned over and over a dozen
times, the red parrot, the magpie, and the two canaries, fell
heavily upon the terrace. It was a dreadful fall! But
Prince Hempseed ran to them, and with his fingers and
teeth separated or broke the string which was strangling
the poor birds.

It was indeed time!

The wretched magpie Chatterbox could scarcely utter
its favourite saying, “ A halfpenny! a halfpenny!” and the
parrot had a hoarse rattling in his‘ throat as he repeated,
* Walk in! pray walk in! walk in, sir! walk in, madam!”
As for the two little canaries, they were cold and still, as
if dead.

But they were not dead, as Prince Hempseed found
when he had warmed them in his hands and with his breath.
They moved their feet and wings a little—very little!
Still there was hope in the midst of so much grief!

And what added to Prince Hempseed’s grief, was the
coolness with which nearly all the persons upon the terrace
beheld that sad event.

His anger was so great at the moment, that he said to
his sister, who was so thoughtless that she could not prevent
herself from laughing, “Go away, miss.”

“Tt is for you to go away, sir,” exclaimed Prince Or-
fano-Orfana angrily. ‘‘ Retire, sir! you ought neither to
show such a great affection towards animals, nor so much
anger against your sister, who did nothing very wrong.”