THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE HEMPSEED. 51

cages, the monkey, and the basket with the cat, were
also placed there. Turnspit seated himself at Olympia’s
feet, for it was the dog who naturally became the guardian
of the entire establishment. The prince, while piling and
heaping around as well as he could the broken boughs of
fir and cedars, at the foot of the elm, so as to hide the hol-
low, did not forget to leave a small opening, through which
Turnspit might look forth, both right and left.

What a touching picture was afforded by that trunk of
an ancient tree, concealed by masses of green leaves, and
permitting a glimpse, behind the foliage, of the head of a
dog in listening attitude, the shining plumage of a parrot,
the glossy neck of a pigeon, and a portion of the rosy
countenance of a beautiful child!

Little Prince Hemp-
~ seed, without fears for
~ his sister or the ani-
aS , mals, and mounted on
¥~ Patience, who seemed
surprised at having
* only one load to
: carry, took the road
==> — to Ivry.
Nerja... . InhalfanhourOlym-
L. SSS = SS = pia fell asleep to the
chirping of the birds that carolled on the still pendant top
of the old tree, while the canaries, concealed in the hollow
trunk, responded to those mirthful lays.

Prince Hempseed was very punctual. The two hours
had not passed away, and he was again with his sister.

Turnspit had also done his duty faithfully. At the foot
of the tree was a great snake, writhing in horrible con-
vulsions, and which he had strangled.

That reptile had endeavoured to creep into the hollow
of the tree, to bite Olympia while she slept. ;

“ Good dog,” said the Prince, patting Turnspit’s large

D