1] THE LOST PRINCE. 39

 

mal was none other than their diminutive friend, but a
few words from him at once showed them that this
was the fact, and they became more than ever con-
vinced of his power to help them in the matter which
they had so much at heart. So they patted the little
fellow with much kindness, called him ‘ Pincher,’
according to his expressed desire, and forthwith
entered the Giant’s country with this faithful coun-
sellor at their heels.

They had not proceeded far down the side of the
hill which they now had to descend, before they per-
ceived several persons standing and sitting about upon
the rocks some little way in front of them, apparently
awaiting theircoming. A whine from Pincher warned
them to be on their guard, and they accordingly ad-
vanced quietly along the track into which they had
come, and which led them directly towards the spot
upon which these individuals had placed themselves.
As the Princesses drew near, the persons in question
all stood in the roadway, and an ill-looking set of
fellows they were. Begrimed with coal-dust, un-
shaven, most of them in their shirt-sleeves, they were
not exactly the description of persons whom delicately
nurtured princesses would have desired to encounter.
Still the sisters resolutely proceeded down the road,
and such was the dignity of their appearance and
manner, that the men instinctively recoiled before
them. However, one of the party, who wore a red
sash round his waist and appeared to be in a position
of authority, stepped forward in front of the rest and
accosted the travellers.

‘Hallo! my wenches!’ he cried, ‘Who be ye