Part 48 (2/2)
”Indifferently good, your Highness: your Highness forgets that the animal was already exhausted by your a.s.sault.”
”Why, there is something in that; but it was neatly done, man; it was neatly done. You are fond of the sport, we think?”
”I have had some practice, but illness has so weakened me that I have given up the forest.”
”Pity! and on a second examination we observe that you are no hunter.
This coat is not for the free forest; but how came you by the pike?”
”I am travelling to the next post town, to which I have sent on my luggage. I am getting fast to the south; and as for this pike, my servant got it this morning from some peasant in a brawl, and was showing it to me when I heard your Highness call. I really think now that Providence must have sent it. I certainly could not have done you much service with my riding whip. Hilloa! Essper, where are you?”
”Here, n.o.ble sir! here, here. Why, what have you got there? The horses have jibbed, and will not stir. I can stay no longer: they may go to the devil!” So saying, Vivian's valet dashed over the underwood, and leaped al the foot of the Prince.
”In G.o.d's name, is this thy servant?” asked his Highness.
”In good faith am I,” said Essper; ”his valet, his cook, and his secretary, all in one; and also his Jagd Junker, or Gentilhomme de la Cha.s.se, as a puppy with a bugle horn told me this morning.”
”A merry knave!” said the Prince; ”and talking of a puppy with a bugle horn reminds us how unaccountably we have been deserted to-day by a suite that never yet were wanting. We are indeed astonished. Our bugle, we fear, has turned traitor.” So saying, the Prince executed a blast with great skill, which Vivian immediately recognised as the one which Essper George had imitated.
”And now, my good friend,” said the Prince, ”we cannot hear of your pa.s.sing through our land without visiting our good castle. We would that we could better testify the obligation that we feel under to you in any other way than by the offer of an hospitality which all gentlemen, by right, can command. But your presence would, indeed, give us sincere pleasure. You must not refuse us. Your looks, as well as your prowess, prove your blood; and we are quite sure no cloth-merchant's order will suffer by your not hurrying to your proposed point of destination. We are not wrong, we think, though your accent is good, in supposing that we are conversing with an English gentleman. But here they come.”
As he spoke, three or four hors.e.m.e.n, at the head of whom was the young huntsman whom the travellers had met in the morning, sprang into the glade.
”Why, Arnelm!” said the Prince, ”when before was the Jagd Junker's ear so bad that he could not discover his master's bugle, even though the wind were against him?”
”In truth, your Highness, we have heard bugles enough this morning. Who is violating the forests laws we know not; but that another bugle is sounding, and played; St. Hubert forgive me for saying so; with as great skill as your Highness', is certain. Myself, Von Neuwied, and Lintz have been galloping over the whole forest. The rest, I doubt not, will be up directly.” The Jagd Junker blew his own bugle.
In the course of five minutes, about twenty other hors.e.m.e.n, all dressed in the same uniform, had arrived; all complaining of their wild chases after the Prince in every other part of the forest.
”It must be the Wild Huntsman himself!” swore an old hand. This solution of the mystery satisfied all.
”Well, well!” said the Prince; ”whoever it may be, had it not been for the timely presence of this gentleman, you must have changed your green jackets for mourning coats, and our bugle would have sounded no more in the forest of our fathers. Here, Arnelm! cut up the beast, and remember that the left shoulder is the quarter of honour, and belongs to this stranger, not less honoured because unknown.”
All present took off their caps and bowed to Vivian, who took this opportunity of informing the Prince who he was.
”And now,” continued his Highness, ”Mr. Grey will accompany us to our castle; nay, sir, we can take no refusal. We will send on to the town for your luggage. Arnelm, do you look to this! And, honest friend,” said the Prince, turning to Essper George, ”we commend you to the special care of our friend Von Neuwied; and so, gentlemen, with stout hearts and spurs to your steeds, to the castle.”
CHAPTER III
The cavalcade proceeded for some time at a brisk but irregular pace, until they arrived at a less wild and wooded part of the forest. The Prince of Little Lilliput reined in his steed as he entered a broad avenue of purple beeches, at the end of which, though at a considerable distance, Vivian perceived the towers and turrets of a Gothic edifice glittering in the suns.h.i.+ne.
”Welcome to Turriparva!” said his Highness.
”I a.s.sure your Highness,” said Vivian, ”that I view with no unpleasant feeling the prospect of a reception in any civilised mansion; for to say the truth, for the last eight-and-forty hours Fortune has not favoured me either in my researches after a bed, or that which some think still more important than repose.”
”Is it so?” said the Prince. ”Why, we should have thought by your home thrust this morning that you were as fresh as the early lark. In good faith, it was a pretty stroke! And whence come you, then, good sir?”
”Know you a most insane and drunken idiot who styles himself the Grand Duke of Johannisberger?”
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