United States or Laos ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Fortunately it just barely reached the pup's flank, which it cut slightly, but quite enough to cause him to howl with anger and pain. Before the boar could repeat the operation, Bladud sent his club whizzing in advance of him. It was well aimed. The heavy head alighted just above the root of the boar's curly tail.
When the prince entered the booth of the commander-in-chief, he found that worthy with his hands on his sides, a tear or two in his eyes, and very red in the face. He frowned suddenly, however, and became very grave on observing Bladud. "I sent for you," he said, "to let you know my intended movements, and to ask what you mean to do. To-morrow I shall start for your father's town with all my men."
Bladud sighed deeply at this remark; but as he felt the truth of what Math said, he did not evince any displeasure at his plain speaking. He, therefore, mildly requested Math to recommend him to some master who would give him employment. Math happened to know an aged swineherd who was in want of a lad of Bladud's age to attend on his pigs.
It was some time before Bladud observed this; but when he did notice it, he jumped at once to the conclusion that he must have communicated leprosy to his unfortunate herds while rescuing the little pig.
"A strange way to mark his home-coming," muttered Captain Arkal, thrusting himself as near to the scene of action as possible, closely followed by Maikar, who, being little, kept easily in his wake. "He knows well what he's about," returned the little man, whose admiration for Bladud was great, and his belief in him unbounded.
"I am a chief," answered Bladud, proudly, "and this is my native land." "What is your name, then, and where come ye from?" demanded the king. "That I may not answer just now, but I am here, in your power, if what I say be not found true, you may do what you will with me. Meanwhile I ask permission to accept the challenge." At this point Gunrig, unable to restrain himself longer, sprang forward.
Of course there might have been more than a tremor if the caudal appendage had been at liberty instead of being sat upon. It was enough, however, to indicate a tendency to goodwill. "Come here, Browneyes," said Bladud, holding out his hand. But the pup was hardly prepared for such a complete and sudden concession as the invitation implied.
But Gunrig seized it again and hurled it a foot beyond that. "Well done," said the king. "Go on. It is the best in three heaves that wins." Bladud grasped the stone and hurled it back over his head with all his force. Up and up it went as if it had resolved to become an aerolite and visit the moon! Then down it came with a mighty thud ten yards beyond Gunrig's mark.
Poor Branwen! it was an unfortunate day for her when, in her youthful ignorance and recklessness, she took to the wild woods, resolved to follow Bladud to his destination and secretly wait there and watch over him like a guardian angel, as it were, until the terrible disease should lay him on his deathbed, when she would reveal herself and nurse him to the end!
For the first time in his life he felt an emotion of supernatural fear for there, in the flesh apparently, stood his friend Dromas. A smile from the latter reassured him. Leaping forward he seized his friend's hand, but the impulsive Greek was not to be put off thus. He threw an arm round the prince's neck and kissed his cheek. "Dromas!" cried Bladud, "can it be? Am I dreaming?"
Word Of The Day