1] ‘THE LOST PRINCE. 45

 

is that? I like not his looks—run me that cur through
with a spear, men!’

In another moment his order would have been
obeyed, had not Pettina remembered on the instant
how much might depend upon Pincher’s safety, and
how ungrateful it would be, if she did not, without the
delay of a second, interpose to save him.

‘Ri-too-ri-lal-lural!’ she hastily called out, looking
at the Giant as she did so; ‘that is my favourite dog,
sir, and I must beg of you not to have him hurt!’

Several men had already lifted their spears to
strike, when the younger Princess uttered the magic
word. On the instant every spear was stayed, whilst
the Giant put his hand to his forehead as if confused
by something, and muttered moodily to himself as he
gave the orders to march. Poor Pincher, meanwhile,
took the opportunity of following the Princesses into
the carriage and jumping into Pettina’s lap, where he
nestled down and made himself comfortable, though
she felt him tremble and his heart beat violently as
she patted him. When they had gone a few paces
further, they met the two men who had followed the
Princesses down the mountain, and the Giant, recog-
nising them as some of his border police, stopped to
ask for their report, which they accordingly gave.
Pattle-perry grinned from ear to ear when he heard
that the Princesses had claimed him for their uncle.

‘My charming nieces!’ he cried, ‘though I knew
it not before, I am delighted to own such relations—
you shall stay a long time with your old uncle, my
pets, that you shall!’ and he laughed and chuckled
_loudly to himself as he drove on.