84 THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE HEMPSEED.

the prince’s daughter, and had joined her brother, to
implore him to protect her.

Poor dear child! What could he do against two hun-
dred men, all armed from head to foot, and who were
occupied in eating, swearing, rioting, and drinking until
they became furious.

Olympia and Hempseed left the castle, proceeded
through the darkness, and hid themselves in the park, where
they spent the night. It was not until next day that they
heard from a shepherd-boy who was friendly towards them,
that their father and mother had been conducted to a for-
tress, under pretence that they had favoured rebels, and
given refuge to the king’s enemies, who, it was said, had
been found concealed on the lands of Orfano-Orfana. All
these charges formed a great crime called high treason, and
was punishable by the seizure of the culprit’s property, his
disgrace, and perhaps his death.

Prince Hempseed and his sister fainted when they heard
this account, which they did not believe; for, children
though they were, they knew full well that their father
loved his king.

When they re-
covered, they heard
the drunken songs
of the soldiers, who
seemed capable of -%
laying waste the “2
whole estate. The
wretcheseven threat-

   

pavilions and stables,
and tosack the castle.

Until night-fall
again did the two
children hear those
oaths, those shouts,