32 THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE HEMPSEED.

The little prince started from his reflections, rose, and
looked anxiously around him. The castle was filled with
soldiers !

Scarcely had he thus discovered what was taking place,
when he saw the armed men advance in large numbers
towards the banqueting-room, and guard all the doors.

In a short time he heard the stern voice of their captain,
saying, “ Prince Orfano-Orfana, you are the king’s prisoner!
You and your wife must accompany us! If you resist, you
shall die!”

The young prince, alarmed by this exclamation, rushed
forward, threw himself amongst: the soldiers, and tried to
prevent them from
touching his father.
But the men drove
him back, and were
deaf to his prayers,
as well as regardless
of his threats.
Prince Orfano-Or-
_ fanaandthe princess
were dragged out of
the castlé, taken to
the opposite shore
of the lake, placed in
a carriage which was
= waiting, and borne
away as fast as four
horses could convey
them.

One half of the troops went as a guard with the two
noble prisoners; and the other half remained at the castle,
to take possession of it in the king’s name.

Thus, Prince Orfano-Orfana was not only a prisoner;
but his property was also seized by the crown.

Guards were posted all over the castle; and many of