CHAPTER V

THE PALACE OF THE MOUNTEBANKS

Prince Filderkin stood gazing
upon the glittering buildings, the
gates were suddenly thrown
open, and a procession issued
forth from the palace. It was headed
by a dwarf, or hump-backed mountebank,
mounted upon a black goat, which he be-
strode with much dignity, and which marched
with a slow and stately step as if it knew

 

the importance of the moment. The rider

was clad entirely in a vestment of light

blue with yellow stripes, and his body

appeared to be so round as to present the

appearance of an orange with head and legs

- to it, his neck being so short as to be
K