VALENTINE AND ORSON. 479

Orson tore the meat off the spit with his hands, and devoured
it greedily : and espying a cauldron of water, he put his head
into it, and drank like a horse.

In the morning, Valentine resumed his journey, leading
Orson as before. On arriving at the city, the inhabitants shut
their doors, and ran into the highest rooms to gaze upon the
wild man. Being come to the outer court of King Pepin’s
palace, the porter in a great fright barred the gate with heavy
chains and bars of iron, and would not be prevailed upon to open
it. After soliciting admittance for some time, and being still

 

 

 

 

 

 

denied, Valentine made a sign to Orson, who, tearing up one of.
the large stone posts that stood by, shattered the gate to pieces.
The queen, the princess Eglantine, and all their attendants,