THE ADVENTURES oF” PRINCE: HEMPSEED. 53

Chatterbox, the magpie, exclaimed on ‘her' part} “A: half-
penny! a halfpenny!” |

The two children laughed with all their’ heart} -for’ joy
now went along with them:

Towards evening: they stopped 'to dine for the ‘last’ time
in sight of Piedmont. Nature was not now so smiling’
around: them as before; grey mists hovered above their
heads, and cold winds from time to time swept by, warning
them that they were quitting Italy—the soil of ‘flowers, the
land of the sun!’

They had finished their frugal repast on the top ofa
little hill, which separated’a ravine covered with wild ‘plum-
trees, from’ a' wood. of chesnuts, when Prince Henipseed,
having risen for the purpose of bringing back Patienée,
who had. wandered’ too far’ from head-quarters, thought he’
heard voices in the ravine. He stooped down, went upon
all fours, and climbed gently up to near the top of’ the hill.

Three men were am
conversing.

He listened ! — : =f

One said, “It is SSS : Ss
just as I told you at 2238S f .

Ivry! They are no &

doubt the children of “=3&
Prince Orfano-Orfana,
that great lord whose
estates are seized, -and
who, having been made
a'prisoner, is perhaps
at’ this very’ nioment pie lae
about'to die upon the scaffold. Yes, those are his children,
disguised ‘as beggars. I have seen them several times at
their father’s castle; and I knew Prince Hempseed, directly,
by his' pretty little hands, which ate too delicate and white.
for'a sweep. Depend upon it they have plénty of gold
about them, being the children of a'prince and princess!”

D2