162 PRINCE RICARDO.

 

whom I soon hope to lead to a glorious victory,
followed by a peaceful and prosperous reign, I
am acquiring a difficult art. I’m practising
walking without stockings, too, to harden my
feet,’ he said, in a more familiar tone of voice.
“TI fancy there are plenty of long marches
before me, and I would not be a spear’s length
behind the hardiest Highlander.”

“By Jove! I respect you,” said Dick,
with the greatest sincerity; “but I don’t
think, with me on your side, you will need
to make many marches. It will all be plain
sailing.”

“Pray explain your plan,” said Prince
Charles. ‘The task of conquering back the
throne of my fathers is not so simple as you
seem to suppose.”

““T’ve done a good many difficult things,”
said Dick, modestly.

“The conqueror of the magician, Gorgon-
zola, and the Giant Who never Knew when
he had Enough, need not tell me that,”
said Prince Charles, with a courteous allusion
to two of Ricardo’s most prodigious adven-
tures.

“Oh! I’ve very little to be proud of, really,”
said Dick, blushing; ‘‘anyone could do as
much with my fairy things, of which, no doubt,
you have heard. With a Sword of Sharpness
and a Cap of Darkness, and so forth, you have
a great pull over almost anything.”