62 PRINCE PRIGIO.

 

That a reward of Five THousAND PURSES
will be given to whomsoever brings the said
prince, alive, to our Castle of Falkenstein.

Groenio R.

And here is the second proclamation :

REWARD.
THE FIREDRAKE.
Whereas,
Our dominions have lately been devastated
by a Firedrake (the Salamander Furiosus of
Buffon) ;

This is to advise all,

That whosoever brings the horns.and tail of
the said Firedrake to our Castle of Falken-
stein, shall receive FivE THousaND PURSES,
the position of Crown Prince, with the usual
perquisites, and the hand of the king’s niece,
the Lady Molinda.

Groenio R.

“H’m,” said the prince; ‘‘I did not think
his majesty wrote so well;” and he would
have liked to say, ‘‘ Don’t you think we might
join the ladies?”

“But, sir,” said the ambassador, “the streets
are lined with soldiers; and I know not how
you have escaped them. Herve, under my roof,
you are safe for the moment; but a prolonged
stay—excuse my inhospitality—could not but
strain the harmonious relations which prevail