The crimson fairy book . along, hand in hand, till the prince trippedover something which lay across the path. He could notsee what it was, but stooped down and tried to lift it. Thething was very heavy, and he thought his back would breakunder the strain. At last with a great heave he moved itout of the road, and as it fell he knew it was a hugerock. Behind the rock was a cave which it was quiteclear was the home of some robbers, though not one ofthe band was there. Hastily putting out the fire which burned brightly atthe back, and bidding his mother come in and keep verystill, the prince beg
The crimson fairy book . along, hand in hand, till the prince trippedover something which lay across the path. He could notsee what it was, but stooped down and tried to lift it. Thething was very heavy, and he thought his back would breakunder the strain. At last with a great heave he moved itout of the road, and as it fell he knew it was a hugerock. Behind the rock was a cave which it was quiteclear was the home of some robbers, though not one ofthe band was there. Hastily putting out the fire which burned brightly atthe back, and bidding his mother come in and keep verystill, the prince began to pace up and down, listening forthe return of the robbers. Bat he was very sleepy, andin spite of all his efforts he felt he could not keep awakemuch longer, when he heard the sound of the robbersreturning, shouting and singing as they marched the singing ceased, and straining his ears he heardthem discussing anxiously what had become of their cave,and why they could not see the fire as usual. This imist. l2 THE STRONG FRINGE 149 be the place, said a voice, which the prince took to be thatof the captain. Yes, I feel the ditch before the forgot to pile up the fire before we left and ithas burnt itself out! But it is all right. Let every manjump across, and as he does so cry out Hop ! I am will go last. Now begin. The man who stood nearest jumped across, but he hadno time to give the call which the captain had ordered,for with one swift, silent stroke of the princes sword, hishead rolled into a corner. Then the young man criedinstead, Hop ! I am here. The second man, hearing the signal, leapt the ditchin confidence, and was met by the same fate, and in afew minutes eleven of the robbers lay dead, and thereremained only the captain. Now the captain had wound round his neck the shawlof his lost wife, and the stroke of the princes sword fellharmless. Being very cunning, however, he made noresistance, and rolled over as if he were as dead as th
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisherlondon, bookyear190
