The Prince and the Pauper Mark Twain (readict books .TXT) đ
- Author: Mark Twain
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Hugo was overjoyed. He had already tried to make the king steal, and failed; but there would be no more trouble of that sort, now, for of course the king would not dream of defying a distinct command delivered directly from headquarters. So he planned a raid for that very afternoon, purposing to get the king in the lawâs grip in the course of it; and to do it, too, with such ingenious strategy, that it should seem to be accidental and unintentional; for the King of the Gamecocks was popular now, and the gang might not deal over-gently with an unpopular member who played so serious a treachery upon him as the delivering him over to the common enemy, the law.
Very well. All in good time Hugo strolled off to a neighboring village with his prey; and the two drifted slowly up and down one street after another, the one watching sharply for a sure chance to achieve his evil purpose, and the other watching as sharply for a chance to dart away and get free of his infamous captivity for ever.
Both threw away some tolerably fair-looking opportunities; for both, in their secret hearts, were resolved to make absolutely sure work this time, and neither meant to allow his fevered desires to seduce him into any venture that had much uncertainty about it.
Hugoâs chance came first. For at last a woman approached who carried a fat package of some sort in a basket. Hugoâs eyes sparkled with sinful pleasure as he said to himself, âBreath oâ my life, anâ I can but put that upon him, âtis good-den and God keep thee, King of the Gamecocks!â He waited and watchedâ âoutwardly patient, but inwardly consuming with excitementâ âtill the woman had passed by, and the time was ripe; then said, in a low voiceâ â
âTarry here till I come again,â and darted stealthily after the prey.
The kingâs heart was filled with joyâ âhe could make his escape, now, if Hugoâs quest only carried him far enough away.
But he was to have no such luck. Hugo crept behind the woman, snatched the package, and came running back, wrapping it in an old piece of blanket which he carried on his arm. The hue and cry was raised in a moment, by the woman, who knew her loss by the lightening of her burden, although she had not seen the pilfering done. Hugo thrust the bundle into the kingâs hands without halting, sayingâ â
âNow speed ye after me with the rest, and cry âStop thief!â but mind ye lead them astray!â
The next moment Hugo turned a corner and darted down a crooked alleyâ âand in another moment or two he lounged into view again, looking innocent and indifferent, and took up a position behind a post to watch results.
The insulted king threw the bundle on the ground; and the blanket fell away from it just as the woman arrived, with an augmenting crowd at her heels; she seized the kingâs wrist with one hand, snatched up her bundle with the other, and began to pour out a tirade of abuse upon the boy while he struggled, without success, to free himself from her grip.
Hugo had seen enoughâ âhis enemy was captured and the law would get him, nowâ âso he slipped away, jubilant and chuckling, and wended campwards, framing a judicious version of the matter to give to the Rufflerâs crew as he strode along.
The king continued to struggle in the womanâs strong grasp, and now and then cried out in vexationâ â
âUnhand me, thou foolish creature; it was not I that bereaved thee of thy paltry goods.â
The crowd closed around, threatening the king and calling him names; a brawny blacksmith in leather apron, and sleeves rolled to his elbows, made a reach for him, saying he would trounce him well, for a lesson; but just then a long sword flashed in the air and fell with convincing force upon the manâs arm, flat side down, the fantastic owner of it remarking pleasantly, at the same timeâ â
âMarry, good souls, let us proceed gently, not with ill blood and uncharitable words. This is matter for the lawâs consideration, not private and unofficial handling. Loose thy hold from the boy, goodwife.â
The blacksmith averaged the stalwart soldier with a glance, then went muttering away, rubbing his arm; the woman released the boyâs wrist reluctantly; the crowd eyed the stranger unlovingly, but prudently closed their mouths. The king sprang to his delivererâs side, with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, exclaimingâ â
âThou hast lagged sorely, but thou comest in good season, now, Sir Miles; carve me this rabble to rags!â
XXIII The Prince a PrisonerHendon forced back a smile, and bent down and whispered in the kingâs earâ â
âSoftly, softly, my prince, wag thy tongue warilyâ ânay, suffer it not to wag at all. Trust in meâ âall shall go well in the end.â Then he added to himself: âSir Miles! Bless me, I had totally forgot I was a knight! Lord, how marvellous a thing it is, the grip his memory doth take upon his quaint and crazy fancies!â ââ ⊠An empty and foolish title is mine, and yet it is something to have deserved it; for I think it is more honor to be held worthy to be a spectre-knight in his kingdom of Dreams and Shadows, than to be held base enough to be an earl in some of the real kingdoms of this world.â
The crowd fell apart to admit a constable, who approached and was about to lay his hand upon the kingâs shoulder, when Hendon saidâ â
âGently, good friend, withhold your handâ âhe shall go peaceably; I am responsible for that. Lead on, we will follow.â
The officer led, with the woman and her bundle; Miles and the king followed after, with the crowd at their heels. The king was inclined to rebel; but Hendon said to
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