134 PRINCE FILDERKIN

the cordial cheers of the by-standers testi-
fied to the popularity of the spectacle.

As the procession passed near the spot
on which Prince Filderkin stood, he thought
he could not do better than mingle with
the crowd which followed it, and take his
chance of what might happen. He had
forgotten for the moment, however, the
magical powers which Feeble John had
informed him were possessed by the King of
the hump-backed mountebanks, and as the
chariot of the latter passed him, he was
alarmed as well as surprised to see the King
start suddenly up, and look right and left of
him as if he was aware that all was not as
it should be.

The procession stopped at the same
moment, and the Prince felt that he was in
an awkward position, and might at any
moment be discovered. Under these circum-
stances, he felt that he must at once decide
upon one of two courses: either to face the
matter out with the help of his banjo, and
try the power of its melody once more, or
place the instrument itself under his left arm
and see whether, according to the words of
the wise man, he should thus become