YiX

CIVIV*

BOSTON
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
 TRAVELS AND ADVENTURES

LITTLE BARON TRUMP

AND

HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER

BY

INGERSOLL LOCKWOOD

ILLUSTRATED BY

GEORGE WHARTON EDWARDS

BOSTON 1890
LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS
IO MILK STREET NEXT “OLD SOUTH MEETING HOUSE”
NEW YORK CHARLES T. DILLINGHAM
7lS AND 720 BROADWAY
 Copyright, 1889 ,

BY
INGERSOLL LOCKWOOD.

&r\
PZ7
rLWTr
 TO

Master EDWARD GOLD JOHNES

ONE OF

LITTLE BARON TRUMP’S

EARLIEST ADMIRERS

THIS BOOK IS GRATEFULLY INSCRIBED.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.
Page.
Brief Account of the Little Baron’s Famous Ancestor,
the u Armless Knight,” 7

CHAPTER II.

Something about the Elder Baron, the Little Baron’s

—
Father How the Elder Baron made the Ascent of
—
the Mountains of the Moon Wonderful Escape of
the Elder Baron and Baroness from the Impenetra-
ble Fog, 12

CHAPTER III.

Birth of Bulger and the Little Baron in the Land of

—
the Melodious Sneezers How the Little Baron was
Rescued from Death by His Faithful Bulger The —
—
Elder Baron’s Return to Europe His Trouble with
the Little BaroiPs Tutors, 19

CHAPTER IV.

How the Elder Baron and Baroness, the Household Ser-

vants, and the Horses and Cattle, of the Baronial
Estates, all lost Flesh in consequence of the Elder
Baron’s Worrying about the Investment of the Little
Baron’s Fortune —How the Little Baron Solved the
Problem —How the Elder Baron Objected to the
Little Baron’s setting out on His Travels—"Steps
taken by the Little Baron to Overcome this Opposi-
tion, -
30

CHAPTER V.
The Little Baron’s First Voyage to Southern Seas,
with a Brief Account of how He Triumphed over
the Terrors of Port jNo Man’s Port and Rescued his
 ——

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Vessel from the Terrible Calm—His and Bulger’s

Wonderful Experience with that Strange Folk, the
—
Wind Eaters Their Attempt to Slay Him and, Bul-
;
ger’s timely Arrival, 39

CHAPTER VI.
The Elder Baron’s Gift of a Copy of a Roman News-
— —
paper The Strange Story it contained How the
Little Baron, upon reading it, was moved to set sail
—
in Search of the Sculptors’ Isle His Sojourn in the
Land —
of the Slow Movers Its Effect upon Little
—
Baron His narrow escape from becoming a Slow
Mover Himself. 103

CHAPTER VII.

Journey of Bulger and the Little Baron to Central

— —
Asia Bene-aga, the Blind Guide Their Passage
through the Great Gloomy Forest and their Perilous
Flight down the Rocky Steps of Boga-Drappa

in the Dominion of King Ga-roo, ....

Adventures among the Umi--Lobas or Man Hoppers,
133

CHAPTER VIII.

Visit of the Little Baron to Neptune’s Caldron How—

a Fearful Storm drove them on the Coast of China
His and Bulger’s Adventures in the Kingdom of the
Sun, including an account of Bulger’s Arrest and
— ------
Trial Although defended by the Little Baron, he
is sentenced to Death, 210

CHAPTER IX.

How the Little Baron again left Home contrary to

—
Bulger’s Advice Some Account of the Awful Storm
—
which cast them on the Island of Go-gu-lah Adven-
—
tures among the Roundbodies who inhabited it Mar-
riage of the Little Baron to Princess Rola-Bola
Utterly Incredible Manner in which the Little Baron
and Bulger made their Escape from the Domain of
King Bo-goo-goo, - - 260
 TRAVELS AND ADVENTURES

LITTLE BARON TRUMP

* AND

HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER.

CHAPTEK I.

Short account of one of the little Baron’s most celebrated ancestors,

called “ The Armless Knight.” His wonderful strength and bravery.
How he followed Cceur de Lion to the Orient. His brilliant exploits
on the battle-field, under the walls of Joppa. His marriage in the
presence of Saladin and Coeur de Lion.

I come from one of the most

ancient and honorable families of
—
North Germany famous for its valor
and love of adventure.
One of my ancestors, when just
entering the twenties heard at his
father’s table one morning, that Eng-
land’s great King Coeur de Lion was
about to lead an army against the infi-
dels.
“ Gracious parent,” cried the young
man starting up from his seat, his
eyes on his cheeks ablaze, “ May
fire,

I join the Crusaders and nid in the

destruction of the enemies of our
holy religion ? ” “ Alas, poor boy ” !

SWORD STIRRUPS OF MY replied his father, casting a pitying

ANCESTOR, THE FAMOUS ARMLESS glance at the youth, who, through
KNIGHT.
some strange freak of nature had
been born armless, “thou wert not intended for ter-
rible conflicts such as await our cousin Coeur de Lion. Thou
8 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
lackest every means of weilding the battle sword, of couching
the lance. ’Twould be murder to set thy defenceless body before
the uplifted cimeter of the merciless Moslem My dear son, !

banish such thoughts from thy mind and turn thee to poesy
and philosophy, thou shalt add new lustre to our family name
by thy learning “ Kay gracious parent, hear me ” urged the
.’
7
!

youth with eloquent eye: “true, nature has denied me arms,

but she has not been so cruel as might be supposed for, as com-
pensation, she has given a giant’s strength to my lower limbs.
Dost not remember how last month, I slew a wild boar with one
blow from the heel of my hunting-boot ? ” “I do,” answered
the grim old Baron with a smile, “but ” “Pardon my inter-—
ruption noble father” came from the young man, “I shall go
into battle doubly armed, for to each stirrup shall I affiix a
sword and woe betide the Mussulman who dares meet me on
the battle-field.”
“ Go then my son ” cried the old Baron as the tears trickled
!

down his battle-scarred cheeks, “ go, join our royal cousin Coeur
de Lion and if thou, armless, canst withstand the fury of the
another glory will be added to the name of Trump, and in
infidel,
this * shall hang a portrait of the
ancestral hall Armless 4

Knight,’ upon which for all time the lovers of valiant deeds
shall rest their wondering eyes.”
The joy of my young ancestor knew no bounds.
Scarcely staying to make needful preparations for his jour-
ney, with a handful of trusty retainers, he rode from the castle
yard amid the plaudits of thousands of fair women who had
gathered from the neighboring city to wish God speed to the
44
Armless Knight.”
’Twas not until the famous battle under the walls of Joppa
that my ancestor had an opportunity to give an exhibition of
his bravery, his extraordinary strength, and the resistless fury
of his onslaughts.
Not one, not five, not ten common soldiers dared face the

“Armless Knight.”
Whole squadrons recoiled in terror before this mysterious
avenger of the wrongs of Christendom, who, without hands,
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 9

struck down the Moslem warriors, as the grain falls before the
blast.
Again and again, Saladin sent the flower of his men against
the “Armless Knight,” whose strength and valor had already
made his name a terror to the superstitious soldiery. Little
realizing the terrible; fate awaiting him, the Moslem warrior
would rush upon my ancestor with uplifted cimeter, when with
one blow of his sword-armed stirrup the “Armless Knight”
would cleave the breast of his foeman’s horse, and then trample
the infidel to death as he rolled upon the ground.
It was now high noon.
Upon an eminence, Saladin, watching the tide of battle, saw
with anxious eye the appalling slaughter of the very flower of
his army.
Already the name, rank, and nationality of my young ancestor
had been made known to the Moslem leader.
“La, il la Mahomed ul Becullah !” he cried, stroking his beard.
!

“ Blessed is the man who can call that Christian warrior his son !

How many of the Prophet’s children has he slain this day ? ”

“ Six hundred and fifty-nine ” was the answer given.
!

“ Six hundred and fifty-nine,” echoed Saladin, “ and it is but

noonday !” When nightfall came the number had been in-
creased to one thousand and seven.
Upon hearing of the terrible day’s work of the “Armless
Knight,” Saladin’s great heart bled, and yet he could not with-
hold his admiration for such wondrous skill and bravery.
“Go!” cried the magnanimous infidel Chieftain, “go, take
from my
household that beauteous slave Koliilat, her with orbs
of lustrous black, the very blossom of grace and flower of
queenly beauty. Lead her to the “Armless Knight,” with
royal greeting from Saladin; his valor makes him my brother,
Giaour though he be Away !”
!

When the beautiful Kohilat was led into the presence of

my young ancestor, and the announcement made to him that
Saladin had sent her as a present to him, the “Armless Knight,”
with royal greeting as a token of his respect for one so young,
and yet so valiant, the first thought of the Christian youth
was to wave her indignantly from his presence.
 :

10 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

At that moment, however, Kohilat raised her large and lus-
trous eyes, and fixed them full upon the young man’s face.
It was more than human heart could stand.
Motioning her retinue to leave his tent, he advanced to her
side, with respectful mien, and said:
“ Kohilat, a strange fate has sent thee to me. The messen-
ger of the great Saladin imparts to me knowledge of thy good-
ness, thy amiability, and thy gifted mind, which holds within
its store most delightful imagery and useful knowledge as well.
He informs me that thou standest in the direct line of descent
from that famed princess of your land, Scheherezada, who for
a thousand and one nights held the thoughts of the Sultan
of the Indies so enthralled by the play of her brilliant fancy,
as to turn him aside from his terrible project of vengeance.
Dost think, Kohilat, that thou canst forget thy false god and
love only the true one ?”
“ Ay, my lord,” murmured the gentle Kohilat, “ if such be my
lord’s pleasure.”
A smile spread over the handsome face of my young ances-
tor. He would fain have met with more resistance in con-
verting the fair infidel to the true faith, but though he searched
that beautiful face long and closely for any sign of subtility,
yet saw he none.
“ Tis well, Kohilat.” he continued,
?
“and now answer me, and
speak from thy heart. Art thou willing to become my wife,
according to the rites of the Christian church and the laws of
my native land?”
Again the beautiful Kohilat replied
“Ay, my lord; if such be thy pleasure.”
The following day a truce was proclaimed, and in the presence
of the two great leaders of the opposing armies, Coeur de Lion
and Saladin, both surrounded by the most glorious retinue, my
young ancestor and the princess Kohilat were joined together
as man and wife by the royal confessor, the “Armless Knight”
towering above the surrounding multitude in his glittering
coat of mail like a column of burnished silver. When he
advanced to meet his dark-eyed bride, with the marriage ring
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. II

held between his a mighty shout went up from both armies.

lips,
Saladin stroked his beard. Coeur de Lion made the sign of
the cross. In a short half hour the leaders had returned to
their camps, and war had resumed its awful work of destruction.
To this union of my renowned ancestor, the “Armless
Knight/’ with the Moslem maid, I attribute my possession of
an almost Oriental exuberance of fancy.

PORTRAIT OF MY FAMOUS ANCESTOR, THE “ARMLESS KNIGHT/*

WITH HIS MARRIAGE RING BETWEEN HIS LIPS.
 —

12 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

CHAPTER II.

The elder Baron uncertain as to the exact locality of my birth. Reasons

why will be given later. My parents traveling in Africa at this time.
The elder Baron’s remarkable ascent of the Mountains of the Moon.
Miraculous escape from the impenetrable fog. How accomplished.
In the land of the Melodious Sneezers. All that happened there.
How the King of the Melodious Sneezers conducted my parents in
great honor to his palace, and liOw they were treated by him.

While it lies within my

power to gratify the curios-
ity of my readers as to what
part of the world it was in
which I first saw darkness
for I was born in the night
yet, as to the nature of the
immediate spot on which I
was born, unfortunately I am
able to do more than repeat
my father’s words when ques-
tioned as to this point.
“ My son, if I were on my
death-bed I could only say
that thou wert either born in
THE MUZZLED MULES. the centre in a great lake, on
an island, upon a peninsular
or on the top of a very high mountain, as I have often ex-
plained to thee.”
Let it suffice, then, gentle reader, for the present, for me to
inform you that at the time of my birth, my parents were
traveling in Africa that my father had just successfully
;

accomplished one of the most wonderful feats in mountain

climbing, namely, the ascent of the loftiest peak of the Mount-
ains of the Moon that his guides had abandoned him upon his
;

reaching a particularly dangerous spot in the ascent but that ;

he had pushed forward without them, and reached the summit

after several days of terrible privation, suffering both hunger
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 13

and thirst, — it being a peculiarity of the atmosphere after pass-

ing a certain height that the muscles of the face and throat
became paralyzed and the unfortunate traveler either perishes
from, hunger or thirst while in the very presence of delicious
fruit and cool, limpid water.
Upon rejoining my mother, who had accompanied him as
far up the mountain side as the best-trained and most sure-
footed mules could find a foot-hold, they proceeded to make
their way, as they supposed, to the valley from \Y^ich they had
first set out.

An inpenetrable fog now shut them in and they soon found

themselves hopelessly and helplessly wandering about.
On the morning of the third day the fog had even increased
in thickness, closing around them like a pall, almost shutting
out the light of day.
While groping about my father had come into contact with
the two beasts of burden which had served him in the easier
parts of the ascent. They were quietly and unconcernedly
browsing upon the sweet and tender shrubs which grew on the
mountain side.
Suddenly an idea came to my father. It was born of that
desperation which makes a man think long and hard before
lying down to die.
It was thus he reasoned If these animals are permitted to
:

eat their fill whenever their appetites demand, they will be

quite willing to stay where they are, especially when they find
themselves surrounded by such excellent pastures, and, in
addition thereto, quite relieved from all toil. Let them, how-
ever, feel thepangs of hunger, or better yet, starvation’s tooth
at their vitals and their thoughts will at once revert to their
homes, their masters, their feeding-troughs and they will lose
no time in setting out for the village where they belong. With
the energy of despair, my father hurriedly bound a piece
of canvass over their mouths so that they could neither graze
nor drink and awaited the results of his experiment, with bated
breath, for the tears and groans of my poor mother, whose
strength was fast ebbing away, smote him to the very soul.
14 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
After a few hours the animals rose to their feet and became
very restive, and in another hour their hunger had so increased
that they were making frantic efforts to feed, as my father could
easily tell from the jerking of the line which he had been care-
ful to attach to their headstalls.
After the fourth hour there was a long silence, during which
the animals seemed to be deliberating as to what course they
should pursue.
The fifth hour came.
My mother had sunk to rest, weak and weary, in my father’s
arms. Suddenly there was a tightening of the guiding lines.
Gently my father aroused his sleeping mate, whispering a
few words of comfort.
Again the lines tightened.
My parents were now on their feet, peering into the depths
of the impenetrable fog which shrouded them about and made
them even invisible to each other.
Hist the animals move again with a sudden impulse, as
! !

if their minds had at last solved the problem which had been

bewildering them for several hours, the beasts, with violent

snortings turned from the spot, pushing through the shrubbery
and causing my parents to face quite about.
Evidently there was a complete accord between the conclu-
sions reached by their intelligence or instinct, for not once did
they pull apart or come to a halt, except when restrained by
my father. And thus my dear parents were saved All that !

day and part of the next did they pursue their dreary way.
The fog at last lifted, and it was at once apparent to my father
that, although the animals were guiding them towards human
habitations, yet it was not the land he had quitted upon start-
ing out upon the journey to the mountain peak. The path
now became so plainly visible that my father removed the
improvised muzzles from the two animals and allowed them to
satisfy their hunger, which they proceeded to do with the
keenest relish. So worn out was my mother that she sank
helpless to the ground. Refreshing her with a draught of
spring- water and the juice of some wild grapes, my father
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 15

hastily prepared a bed of soft foliage, upon which they were

both glad to throw themselves after their long and weary tramp.
They had soon fallen into a deep and most delightful sleep.
How long they lay on their leafy bed, wrapt in their refreshing
slumber, they knew not.
It certainly was for many a long hourfor when they awoke,
;

hunger was gnawing at their stomachs. Fain would they have

at once proceeded to gather fruit, had not their ears been
suddenly saluted with most extraordinary noises,, " They rubbed
their eyes and looked about and at each other, deeming them-
selves the sport of some merry jack-a-dreamer.
But, no ; they were wide awake and in full possession of their
senses. Again the strange sounds are heard and this time they
are nearer and clearer.
There is a rise and a fall, a swelling out and then a dying
away.
The sounds are jerky and snappy like and there is a singular
music in them.
Nearer and still nearer they come. Louder and still louder
they grow. “ Wild beasts ? ” whispered my mother half inquir-
ingly.
“Nay!” falls from my father’s lips. “Not unless human
beings may be so wild as to merit the name of beasts.”
“ Hark again ” murmured my mother.
!

There was no mistaking the sounds any longer, for, like a

chorus of many voices, shrill and piping, deep and grumbling,
soft and musical, harsh and gutteral, yet all in a sort of rude
and wild harmony, mingling in one mighty strain, now low and
scarcely audible and now breaking out with a fierce and seem-
ingly threatening vigor, the singers, chanters, howlers or what
they might be, rushed into the valley below us in a wild and yet
half regulated disorder.
They were human beings in savage garb, with painted faces
and clubs swung lightly across their shoulders. Whether
pausing or advancing they still kept up their wild and mysteri-
ous chant, choppy, jerky and snappy for all the world like a
thousand people who had just drawn plentifully from a thous-
and snuff boxes.
 ” ” ;

16 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

“ Save me, husband ” cried my mother with pallid face. “We
!

shall be put to some awful torture by these wild children of the

forest.” A smile so gentle, and yet so calm, that it could not fail
to be reassuring spread over my father’s features.
“ Never fear !” said he, “ I know them, I’ve been seeking them !

What has been denied many a traveler stronger and bolder than
I, has been accorded to a member of the Trump family in the

most miraculous manner. 7

W
hen we return to Europe every
Monarch, every learned society, will hasten to bind a medal on
my breast, for, dear wife, your husband is the first white man
to enter the land of the —
“The — ?” echoed my mother leaning forward and grasping
her husband’s arm.
“ Melodious Sneezers ” !

“ Melodious Sneezers ?” repeated my mother with wide-opened

eye, and amusement seated in every feature.
“ Melo—
“ But she could get no further. To my father’s infinite amuse-
ment, she fell a-sneezing most violently. In such rapid suc-
cession did the sneezes flow that it sounded exactly like a dimin-
utive engine under full headway.
At last the fit seemed to have passed. “ Melo —” but in vain
she could not reach the second syllable.
And now, in his turn, my father started off, slow at first but
going faster and faster.
Strange to say their sneezing soon began to catch the ways
of the country and blended thoroughly, keeping time in spite
of their efforts to check it.

“Know then, dear wife,” cried my father pantingly when

his fit was“that those strange people stretched on the
over,
greensward below are the “ Melodious Sneezers that they
are not only perfectly harmless, but gentle, kind and peaceable
to an astonishing degree. Fear them not Their clubs are !

—
only for game.” “ But why ?” asked my mother warily lest
another fit should take her.
“I understand thee,” was the reply. “Listen. Know, that
in this valley and in the greater ones below, the air is always
 ”

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 17

filled with myriads upon myriads of insects of infinitessimal

size only the strongest microscope can give proof to your sight
;

of their actual existence. For countless generations, these

peaceable barbarians here have been subjected to the tickling
sensations which you and I have —
Again my poor parent fell a-sneezing in regular and musical
cadences, up and down, deep and shrill, now fast and faster, now
slow and slower until silence reigned again.
“ Just experienced,” resumed my father, “until it has ren-
dered the effort of sneezing quite as easy as breathing, and tak-
ing advantage of results which they soon discerned could not be
avoided, these children of nature were not slow to lay aside
their usual speech and literally talk by sneezes ” !

“With them, a sneeze is capable of so many intonations, so

many inflections, that they find no difficulty in expressing all
—
the necessary feelings and sensations, at least necessary for
them in their simple lives, as you shall see later on.”
Fain would my poor mother here express her passing won-
der but she dare not open her mouth. “ Come, dearest mate,”
cried my father gayly. “ Courage Let us descend into this
!

beautiful valley, for as yet we are only standing upon the bor-
ders of the “Land of the Melodious Sneezers” called in their
soft and musical tongue La-aali-chew-la.”
The pronunciation of this word again threw my poor par-
ents into a perfect whirlwind of sneezes ;
but nothing daunted,
they advanced to meet the natives, who at first sight fell pros-
trate on their faces and for several moments kept up a low
plaintive hum of sneezes, with their noses thrust into the grass.
By degrees however, my father succeeding in convincing
them that he was quite as peaceably inclined as they were.
Whereupon the Melodious Sneezers performed a most singu-
lar and withal pleasing dance of joy, their feet keeping perfect
time with their chorus of sneezing.
As my father afterwards learned, the dance was to express
their intense gratitude to the “white spirits” for not having
eaten them alive.
The march homeward was now entered upon, my father
18 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
walking hand in hand with the King Chew-chew-lo, and my
mother escorted by a score or more of his wives, the favorite
of the royal house being named Chew-la-ara-a-a and each suc-
cessive one according as she occupied a less lofty place in the
King’s affections having a shorter name until at last Chew -la
signified little better than a mere serving maid.
My father found that the villages of the Melodious Sneezers,
on account of the frequency and the violence of inundations
from the network of rivers which completely shut in their
land, consisted of houses or habitations built in the trees or
upon lofty piles.
He and my mother were lodged in one of the most commodi-
ous of the royal dwellings and so many slaves and attendants
were assigned to care for their wants that there was little or
no room to move about.
To their great sorrow, my father proceeded to dismiss several
hundred in order that he might get close enough to my mother
to converse without holloaing and then sent word to King
Chew-chew-lo that both he and my mother would need at least a
w eek
r
of perfect rest and quiet to regain their health and
strength after their terrible sufferings on the slopes of the
Mountains of the Moon.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 19

CHAPTER III.

My birth. The elder Baron reads my horoscope. Birth of Bulger. The

elder Baron puts on mud-shoes and goes out for a walk. What he
discovers. My wonderful precocity. My love for Bulger. My terrible
fall into the lake of mud. How the Melodious Sneezers in their mud-
shoes attempted to rescue me. Their failure. Bulger comes to their
assistance. How I was dug out and restored to my mother. Remark-
able effect of the warm mud on my head and brain. The Melodious
Sneezers are afraid of me. My fondness for arithmetic and languages.
Our farewell to the Melodious Sneezers, and return home. How I
discharged my tutors, and how the elder Baron forced them to pay
for the instruction I had given them.

At this point my hand

trembles and the ink flows
unsteadily from my pen.
I am about to record certain
events which, I feel assured
the reader will agree with me
in considering to be the most
interesting of my strange and
varied life. Possibly I should
say interesting to me for,
;

gentle reader, one of these

“ certain above re-
events”
ferred to a no less import-
is

ant occurence than my birth

into this grand and beautiful
—
world a world which has
proven to be full of wonderful
things and of more wonderful
beings, as you shall see as I go
BULGER on with my story.
WITH HIS MUD SHOES ON. I was born in midsummer.
It was the night season.
Ten thousand stars twinkled over the cradle of that wretched,
little, helpless, lump of clay but brighter than all, like a c rim-
;

son torch flaming in the skies, Sirius, the dog star, shone
down upon me !
 :

20 ADVENT LIKES OF LITTLE BAKON TRUMP,

My father looked up at the heavens and smiling, murmured :

“ Litile stranger, thou shalt ever be a lover of dogs. Thy smile

shall be joy to them, thy words music and in some four-footed
beast of their race shalt thou find thy best, thy faithfulest,
thy truest friend. ”
As if to set the very stamp of truth upon my father’s words
at that very instant a cry of a mother dog was heard in an
adjoining room and oue of the Royal household Chew-la-a, came
running into my presence with a basket of tiny puppies. My
father laughingly seized the wicker cradle of this newly
arrived family and holding it up to me, cried out
“ Choose, little baron, choose thee a friend and companion.”
I put out my tiny baby hand and it rested upon one with a
particularly large head. “ Ha ha ” laughed my father, “ thou
! !

hast well chosen, little baron, for him thou hast chosen hath so
much brain that his head doth fairly bulge with it.”
And when my infant tongue came to wrestle with that word,
it was twisted into “ Bulger. ” And thus it was that Bulger and
I started out on life’s journey at almost the same moment ’

Upon the following day my father made discovery that the

waters had begun to recede in the night, and as he looked down
from our lofty dwelling, he saw that it now stood apparently
in the centre of quite an extensive island. After breakfast,
in accordance with the custom of the country, my father put
on a pair of King Chew-chew-lo’s wooden shoes which were
worn by all of the Melodious Sneezers when attempting to
move about on the surface of the soft mud occasioned by the
inundation.
These wooden shoes are extremely light although quite as
long and as broad as snow shoes. The soles being polished, the
wearer is enabled to glide over the mud which, from the nature
of the soil is very oily, with the same rapidity as a runner upon
snow shoes.
After an excursion of several hours up hill and down dale my
father returned with this piece of strange intelligence, namely,
that their habitation had undoubtedly, prior to the falling of
the waters been situated in a lake ;
but that by degrees, as
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER, 21

the waters had receded, an island had been formed, which

somewhat had been transformed into a peninsula, which
later
in its turn by a still further sinking of the waters, had been
changed into the crown of a mountain with gently sloping
sides so that, as he reported to my mother, to his dying day
it would be impossible for him to say whether his son had been

born in a lake, on an island, upon a peninsula or on a mountain

top, a fact which pained him extremely, for, like all the mem-
bers of his family, he took the greatest pride „ in recording
important events with scrupulous exactitude, even to the small-
est detail.
Unlike most babes, who seem content to pass the first half
year or so of their lives eating, sleeping and crying, I from
the very outset displayed a most astonishing precocity.
When only a few weeks old, although I could not talk, yet I
had learned to whistle for Bulger, whose development in mind
and body seemed to keep even pace with mine and who passed
most of his time looking up into my childish face with an
expression which meant only too plainly
“ Oh, I shall be so glad when that little tongue is unloosed
so that you may call me Bulger and bid me do your will.”
Nor had he long to wait.
The one thing, which, at this early period of my life gave
me most joy, was the sunlight.
Within doors, I was fretful, peevish, irritable, but once out
in the open air, my whole nature changed. I drank in the soft,
balmy atmosphere with a vigor and a satisfaction that
delighted my My face brightened, my eyes traveled from
father.
valley to from mountain-top to sky.
hill,

Into such an ecstacy of pleasure did this sight of* the great
world throw me, that my mother became anxious lest it presaged
some great evil that was to happen unto me.
But the stately Baron only smiled. “Fear nothing, wife, it
only means that within that little head dwells a most wonder-
fully active mind for a child of its months.”
Whenever Bulger heard his little master crying out in joy-
ful tones at sight of the beautiful world, he was sure to be
22 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
seized with a fit of violent harking, during which he sprang
around about me with the wildest and most extravagant mani-
festations of sympathy.
Without a doubt, there was a wonderful bond of affection
between us.
To my mother’s —
I had almost said horror, I, one day while
she was walking with me in her arms, upon the broad veranda,
which encircled Chew-cliew-lo’s palaces, attempted to throw
myself from her arms, crying out in German Los Los : ! (Let
!

me go Let me go
! I was but two months old and the loud
! )

and vigorous tone in which I pronounced this first word which

I had spoken in my mother’s tongue fairly startled her.
I had, up to that time, apparently been more interested in the
soft and musical language of my royal nurse, Chew -la, in which
I could make myself understood very easily. About this time
an accident happened to me which, although it did not bring
about, it greatly hastened the release from parently restraint,
so ardently desired, both by Bulger and by me, for from my
very entrance into this world something told me that I should
be a famous child, not a mere, precocious youth who is made use
of by his parents at social gatherings to bore people already
in poor spirits, by mounting upon chair or table and declaim-
ing verses, parrot-like, with half a dozen woodeny, jerky ges-
tures but a genuine hero, a real traveler, not afraid to brave
;

a tempest, face a wild beast or bully a barbarous people into

doing as he wanted them to do.
It was my mother’s custom in the cool of the day to sit with
me on the broad veranda while she darned my father’s stock-
ings for, although of gentle birth, she had been so accustomed
;

when a girl to exericse German thrift in all things that now,

even though she had become the wife of a real baron, she could
not forego the pleasure of doing things in those good old ways.
And thus she saved my father many a pfennig which
the good man bestowed upon the worthy poor and went down to
the grave loaded with their blessings.
At such a time it was that a sudden fit of sneezing seized my
mother and to her unspeakable horror she let me slip from her
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 23

arms. Down, down I fell, striking in the soft mud and disap-
pearing from sight.
The poor woman dropped to the floor like lead.
The stately baron rose to his feet and the color fled from his
manly cheek.
But Chew-chew -16, who fortunately was paying a visit to
my father, only smiled.
“ Unfeeling barbarian !” roared the great baron, “ hast no
respect for a father’s tears, a mother’s anguish? Out upon
thee ! Would to heaven I had never entered thy domain !”
Chew-chew-lo spake not a work. Turning with imperious mien
and right royal manner towards a crowd of retainers, he waved
his hand.
Quicker than thought the band of Melodious Sneezers
sprang to their wooden shoes.
Away, away, they darted like black bats on the wing.
The baron saw that in his terrible grief lie had let his better
judgment slip away, and with pallid face and bended head
stood supporting the fainting form of his wife.
He felt, he knew, that his presence among the Melodious
Sneezers at this moment would only disconcert them, impede
their progress, and possibly so confuse them that all their
efforts might be in vain. They, from their childhood, were
so accustomed to wear those huge wooden shoes, to move about
on the surface of this treacherous mud, that if it were pos-
sible for human hands to restore his son to his arms, theirs
would do it.
And so he spoke a few words of encouragement in my
mother’s ear, and continued to stand like a statue, with his
gaze riveted upon the long files of Melodious Sneezers, as they
wound around the crest of the mountain to gain the spot where,
as they judged, I had disappeared.
Armed with their light, broad, wooden shovels, their dusky
arms rose and fell with wonderful precision and regularity,
keeping time with the musical notes of their sneezing now soft;

and low, now breaking out into a wild and galloping measure.
Down Down Down
! ! !
24 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

rHB.EE PORTRAITS SHOTTING THE WONDERFUL GROWTH OF TIT BRAIN.

 ! ! :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 25

And yet they delved in vain!

No sign of me was there to gladden the hearts of my poor,
grief -stricken parents.
But hark
What is that shrill cry ?

It is not human !

No for it is Bulger’s bark, or rather it is Bulger’s yelp.

;

He had been watching the band of Melodious Sneezers, as

their white shovels rose and fell all in vain, with his head
thrust through the railings of the veranda.
No one was there with mind and heart enough to catch the
meaning of that poor yelp.
Ohew-chew-lo saw that his men were standing, leaning on
their shovels, with looks of doubt and hesitation in their eyes.
The King was silent.
It was the great baron who spoke
“ Oh, let them not give o’er My life, ! my wealth, my all, are
thine, good, kind Chew-Chew ”
A lit of sneezing cut short his appeal.
Again Bulger’s cry was raised, and this time the King
heeded it.

An attendant saw the royal nod, and hastening to bind broad

wooden cups upon the dog’s feet, he was turned loose upon the
surface of the mud.
What is man, with his boasted intelligence ?

They were ten paces or more distant from the point where
I had disappeared.
Yelping, barking, and whining by turns, my dear Bulger
hurried to the spot where his unerring scent told him that his
beloved little master had gone down.
Again the band of Melodious Sneezers set to work with .

renewed vigor, their white shovels hashing with strange effect

against the inky blackness of the mud.
Bulger encouraged them with loud and joyful barkings.
Suddenly a clear, ringing, melodious “chew” rent the air.
They had caught sight of me
With rare foresight for one of my months, I had closed my
 ! ! :

2G ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

nostrils with one hand before reaching the mud, and had thus
saved my lungs from tilling up.
But how uselesswould have been this precaution, had not
my faithful Bulge]’ come to my rescue
His joy now knew no bounds.
I thought that I caught a glimpse of a smile on the old
baron’s tear-stained cheek, as his boy was borne to the veran-
da, more like an animated lump of earth than aught else, for
the air had revived me. My eyes were not only wide open, but
they were the only clean place on my whole body.
Utterly regardless of my filthy condition, my fond mother
clasped me convulsively to her breast, and I verily believe that
she would have pressed her lips upon my mud-covered head
and face, had she not seen the baron’s broad palm held in
suspicious proximity, while her mother’s heart was emptying
itself out in words. A few basins of warm water, and I was
myself again.
No, I was never myself again. My bath in the warm mud of
La-aah-chew-la effected a most remarkable change in me; it
checked the growth of my body and turned all my strength
upwards into my head and brain.
In one short month my head almost doubled in size.
My baby face and expression were gone
And ere another moon had filled her horns I had grown to
be a living wonder !

Not only was the size of my head something remarkable, but

from my eyes beamed an astonishing intelligence.
The poor women of La-aah-chew-la Land crouched in front of
me as if I were a being from another world and then tapping
their foreheads they approached my mother and whispered
u Most gracious Chew-la-a-a-a-a-a the Great Spirit has made
a mistake and put two souls in there instead of one ”
!

And then they bent their graceful bodies till their foreheads
touched my mother’s feet and withdrew, going out backwards
like the best regulated court ladies, each leveling her finger at
me and opening wide her eyes as she disappeared through the
door.
 : -

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 27

The whole scene was so grotesque that I burst out into a

shout of laughter.
Upon hearing which, the poor creatures tumbled headlong
over each other in their mad efforts to get outside of the house,
shrieking at the top of their voices
“ Save us save us! He will bewitch us ”
! !

“ Little Baron ” said my father in a tone of mock anger,

!

“ you should not have frightened the ladies of King Chew-chew

Id’s Court v!

Chew-pa Chew-pa
! (Idiots Idiots !) I replied, looking
!
!

up from my slate upon which I was working out an example

in arithmetic, for I was very fond of figures.
In fact, my father had already taught me addition by show-
ing me how to trade off worthless glass beads for valuable
ivory, and division, by taking away ninety cents from every
dollar I made. Long before I could read or write, I knew the
letters of several languages by name, and could spell any
word which had no silent letter in it. No one took more delight
in my wonderful accomplishments than Bulger.
He seemed to know instinctively that his little master was
no ordinary being and respected him accordingly. We now
bade adieu to the Land of La-aah- chew-1 a and the Melodious
Sneezers.
King Chew-chew-lo with a mighty band of retainers accom-
panied us to his frontier, making the forests resound with their
melodious chew-chew-a-ing. Standing on the old baron’s
shoulders, I waved them a last goodbye to which they answered
with such a perfect whirlwind of Chew-chew-a’s that Bulger
fairly howled with delight.
Any special honor paid to his master was always a personal
matter to him. The elder baron had intended to penetrate
still further into the heart of Africa; but the fact is, that the

continual growth of my mind was so wonderful that it engrossed

his attention from morn till night. He endeavored to hide this
from me; but all to no purpose.
Before was two years old my brain had grown so heavy
I
that my mother was obliged to sew pieces of lead in the soles
28 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
of my shoes to keep me right end upwards, and yet, in
spite of this precaution, I was often found standing upon
my head working out difficult mathematical problems by
making use of my toes, as the Chinese do their counting
machines.
The first thing which my father did upon reaching home w asT

to take me to a phrenologist in order to have a chart made of

my head.
The examination lasted a month.
At length, upon the completion of the chart, it was found
that I possessed thirty-two distinct bumps.
Well-developed ones, too !

was, therefore, at once determined to engage thiry-two

It
learned tutors, each tutor to have charge of a separate bump
and to do his utmost tc enlarge it even if it grew to be a horn.
My father was resolved to leave nothing undone in order
to develop my mental powers to the utmost limit. I said
nothing either for or against the scheme.
In one short year I had learned all that the thirty -two tutors
could teach me, and, what is more, I had taught each one of
them fifty things which he had not known before, and which
I had learned while traveling in foreign lands with my parents.
One fine morning to the great surprise of my thirty-two tutors
I discharged the whole of them.

The elder baron at my suggestion now sent a bill to each

tutor for services rendered him by me.
Each tutor refused to pay.
The elder baron, at my suggestion, now caused legal process
to be served upon each one of them.
The court upon hearing my testimony rendered an opinion
which covered five thousand pages of legal cap paper and
required a whole week to read, in which they held that each
thing which I had taught to each one of my thirty-two tutors
was so remarkably strange and peculiar that in the eye of the
law it was worth at least one hundred dollars. That made
the bill of each tutor amount to five thousand dollars, or one
hundred and sixty thousand dollars in all.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 20

The court then adjourned for a year, all three judges being
so worn out mentally and physically as to need a twelve
months’ rest before taking up any other business.

THE THREE WEARY JUDGES AS THEY APPEARED AT THE CLOSE OF MY SUIT

AGAINST MY TUTORS.
 30 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP.

CHAPTER IV.

How the elder Baron lost flesh worrying about the investment of
my
money. Effect ot his anxiety on the rest of the household. I take
the
matter in hand and devise ways to increase my fortune. I
become
tremely wealthy. When eight years of age I am seized with ex- an
uncontrolable desire to visit faraway lands, and begin to
I he elder Baron objects. How I set to work to
pack up
get his consent. Wild
doings ot my playfellows. How we stormed the castle, broke up
hawking, ruined the fox hunt, summoned the ten doctors, and set the
fire
to the neighboring fields. The elder Baron grows weary of
and consents to let me go. My delight and Bulger’s joy.
my doings

The question which now

occupied my father’s mind to
the exclusion of all other
thoughts was how to invest
this large sum of money, so
that upon my attaining my
twenty-first year I would be
provided with a sufficiently
large income to live as a baron
—
should particularly when he
belonged to so famous a fam-
ily as ours.

THE ELDER BARON AND BARONESS The fact of the matter is,

GREW VERY THIN. my permitted this

father
question to prey upon his peace of mind to such an extent that
he lost flesh perceptibly.
My mother, too, seeing his lamentable condition began to fret
and worry to such a degree, that she likewise became greatly
emaciated. With their loss of flesh naturally their appetites
dwindled and little or no food was provided; or, anyway, no
more than was just sufficient to satisfy Bulger’s and my wants.
Wr hereupon the servants began to lose flesh, both the indoor
and outdoor ones and in their desperate attempt to keep body
;

and soul together, the horses and cattle were fed upon short
rations, and the consequence was, they, too, soon began to fall
away.
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 31

So it grew to be quite a serious sight to see my poor father

and mother reduced to mere skin and bones, driven about the
country by mere shadows for coachman and footman, and
drawn by four horses whose bones fairly rattled under their
skins when they were coaxed or beaten into a lazy trot.
Bulger and I alone retained our plumpness and good spirits.
At length I determined to interfere and put a speedy end to

OUR FAMILY COACHMAN BECOMES NOTHING BUT SKIN AND BONE.

I exacted from the elder baron

this deplorable state of affairs.
a solemn promise that he would follow my directions to the
letter and not raise any objections, no matter how wild or
unreasonable they might appear to him, or to my mother.
Then bidding him to partake of some good, succulent food,
retiro early and get a nice long sleep, I saluted him respect-
fully and said
 :

32 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

“ Baron, until to-morrow morning ” !

had scarcely finished my breakfast when my door opened

I
and the elder baron walked into the room.
He looked much refreshed. The color had returned to his
cheek, the gleam to his eye.
He was already a different man.
“Here, gracious Sir,” I began, handing him a parchment
roll, “ is a list of all the best known almanac makers in our land.

Have interviews with them at once and purchase from them

the right to furnish weather prognostications for the coming
year ” !

The elder baron began to expostulate. “ Baron ” I re- !

marked sternly, raising my hand, “ a true Knight has but one

word to give ” !

He was silent and motioned me to continue.

I did so as follows
“ Respected parent, when you have secured this right from
each of them, return to me. ”
In a few days my father had accomplished his mission.
He entered my room and put into my hands the needful
concessions from every noted almanac maker in the land.
Again I bade him refresh himself thoroughly, get a good
night’s rest and see me in the morning.
As Bulger and 1 were returning from breakfast the elder
baron presented himself at the door of my apartments.
He looked strong and well. His face had filled out again and
his step had recovered its old-time elasticity.
Again I placed a roll of parchment in his hands, and said
to him :

“ Scatter the contents of that parchment evenly and plenti-

fully throughout each almanac, on the pages devoted to the
months of November, December, January, and February.”
He looked at me inquiringly, and his lips began to move.
“Noble Sir !” said I, ere a sound had issued from his month,
“ in our family, knights have always been without fear and

without reproach.” He bent his lofty form in silence and

withdrew.
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 33

Possibly the reader may have a little curiosity to know the

contents of the parchment roll which I placed in the hands of
the elder baron on this occasion.
If brevity be the soul of wit, it was witty. If a fair round
hand be the garb of truth, it was truthful. Be this as it may
choose to be, the words which my pen had traced on that parch-
ment roll, read as follows
“ All signs point toan extremely cold Winter .” “ Indications
are that the coming Winter will be the severest for half a cen-
—
tury.” “ Forecasts all give the same answer a Winter of
exceptional length and bitter coldness.” “ Most skilled prognosti-
cators agree in predicting a degree of low temperature rarely
reached in these latitudes.” “ About this time expect unusual
cold.” “ Protect plants.” “ Now look well to your winter veg-
etables.” “ Secure them from the extreme frost.” “ Double
your supply of winter fuel.” “Now look for fierce snow-
storms.” “ Expect bitter cold weather during all this month.”
“ Prepare for most unusual hail storms.” “ Be on your guard
for sudden and penetrating north winds.” “House cattle
warmly for all this month.” “Beware of deadly blizzards,
they will come with a furious onset.”
After a few days’ absence, my father returned to the manor
house. His arrival was duly announced to me by Bulger, to
whom I said “ Go, good Bulger, and conduct the Baron to jny
:

apartment. ”
Away he bounded with many a sportive leap and bark, and
soon returned, ushered in the elder baron with the joyous
manner so common to him when active in serving me.
“ I have obeyed thee, my son ” murmured the elder baron
!

with a stately arc in his bending form.

“ ’Tis well ” I replied, motioning him
! to be seated.
“And now honored guide of my childhood’s uncertain feet,
give heed to my words Our task is almost done. In a few
:

days the investment of this money, which has occasioned thee

so much anxiety, fairly robbing thee of thy heart’s service,
will be complete ay, complete; and, what is better still, so
;

fortunately invested that thou shalt be enabled to call thyself

the father of one of the richest children in the Kingdom.”
34 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
“ Hearken, Baron. Go now into the leading markets of the
land and put every fur merchant under written contract to
deliver unto thee in early Autumn all the pelts, dressed,
undressed, or on the hacks of the owners, of which they will
guarantee the delivery under their hands and seals. ”
The words had scarcely fallen from my lips ere the elder
baron had risen from his chair and caught me warmly to his
breast.
“My son !” he cried as he stroked my protuberant brow, it
is a master stroke! It is worthy of a governor of a province !

I long to begin the good work. Permit me to set out this very
night ” “ Wait baron ” said
! ! I, leading him to his chair and

gently constraining him be seated.

to “Wait, Baron; there
is somewhat yet to be said. When thou hast completed the
purchase of all the pelts, which are expected to enter the
Kingdom this year, expend the rest of the money in purchasing
all the wood, coal and peat thou canst find, not that I would

draw profit from the poor man’s slender store but simply to
;

keep others from wronging him by combining against him,

as they would surely do upon the first publication of the
weather predictions ” “ Ah, little Baron !” exclaimed my
father, “how thoughtful for, as thou sayest, we must not lay
;

a burden on the poor man’s shoulders ” !

Such was the diligence with which my father carried my

plans to completion, that in a single month I had bought and
sold again the entire product of the fur market, at a small
advance, it is true, but large enough to make me an extremely
rich man.
It was so gently and skillfully done, that no one ever sus-
pected the clever ruse by which I was enabled to acquire
riches enough to set out upon my travels just as my inclina-
tion might prompt, and to know that were I to be captured
and held for ransom by the most grasping freebooters, my
bankers would have gold enough to ransom me.
Upon the completion of my eighth year I was seized with
an uncontrolable desire to enter at once upon the fulfill-
ment of my long cherished plans, to visit faraway lands inhab-
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 35

ited by strange and curious people. My own home, my own

language, my own people, wearied me and wore upon me.
In sleep I paced the deck of staunch vessels, shouted my
my
orders, crowding sail in calm and reefing in threatening
weather. I passed my time from morn till night, packing
cases with suitable articles for traffic with the savages, so
that I might be able to penetrate into interiors never visited
by civilized man, and ascend rivers closed since the world
began to the white-winged messengers of trade a$d commerce.
But, strange to say, my father urged thereto, possibly, by the
entreaties of my mother, firmly and resolutely set his face
against my project of leaving home.
I was beside myself with disappointment. I entreated, I
implored, I threatened. For the first time in — pains
my life it

me even now to make the confession —I was guilty of a certain

disrespect to the authors of my being.
Bulger, after studying the situation for several days, reached
the conclusion that the elder baron was in some w ay the cause
T

of my unhappiness, and it required, at times, my sternest com-

mand to restrain him from setting his teeth in the calves of
the elder baron’s legs as he quitted my apartment after some
stormy inerview.
“ What !
” cried I, in tones tremulous with grief, “ am I
doomed to waste the splendid gifts with which nature has
endowed me, shut within the walls of this petty town, whose
most boisterous scenes are the brawls of its market places,
whose people never witness a grander pageant than the pass-
ing of a royal troop of horse ? It must not, it shall not be.
Thou hast said, thyself, that I am no ordinary child to be
amused with ball and top, and entertained with picture books. ”
But the elder baron had hardened his heart, and all my plead-
ing was to no purpose.
And yet I did not despair of gaining my point in the end.
The continual dropping of water finally wore away the rock.
I made up my mind now to move the elder baron to acquiesce
in my project of leaving home by resorting to entirely different
tactics. Said I to myself
36 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
“ He
wishes me to be a child I’ll be one : And forthwith 1
!

set about making friends with every mischievous little rogue

in the town. '

Not a single juvenile ne’er-do-well escaped my attentions.

The more rampant, active, and tireless his power of mischief,
the closer I wrapped him in my affections.
From gray dawn to dewy eve these chums and boon com-
panions of mine flocked about the castle. Tlie}T worshipped
me as their leader and yielded an implicit obedience to my
commands as were I possessed of some mastery over them.
The elder baron saw the gathering cloud and bent his head
as if to meet the coming storm with better chance of resisting it.

Came there a dinner party, the choicest Bur guild}' was

found to have been spirited away and the bottles filled with
common claret. Did the elder baron meet his friends in the
fields for a trial with the hawks, it was only to, discover that
they had been so overfed as to sit stupidly placid when the
hood was removed. Let the cook be told that guests were
expected, and that he must be careful to have the little dump-
lings of his soup extra delicate, to the elder baron’s horror,
a cherry stone would be found in the centre of each little
dumpling.
One of my coadjutors was venturesome enough to pilfer
the elder baron’s snuff box and fill it with pepper. The result
may be imagined, Another took good care to pour water into
all the tinder boxes before the guests called for their pipes.
Upon attempting to rise from the table, here and there a queue
would be found securely tied to the back of the chair.
One of my favorite exploits was to station myself on the first
landing of the stairway and “hold the bridge like Horatius
Codes of old,” my wild band of two dozen young barbarians
rushing madly up the staircase with screams, yells and vocif-
erations which would have done credit to any horde of real
savages I have ever visited, while I, with my wooden sabre,
beat down their sticks, occasionally rapping too bold a young-
ster on the knuckles and sending him bawling to the foot of the
stairway, to Bulger’s infinite amusement, as he always insisted
upon taking part in the fray and gloried in my prowess.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 37

At last to my great joy, I noticed that the elder baron showed

signs of surrender.
Like a prudent general I ordered an attack all along the line.
There was to be a fox hunt the next day. I directed one of
my trusted lieutenants to feed the hounds all the raw meat they
could swallow, about an hour before the start.
Ten others, most fleet-footed and glib-tongued, I dispatched
to the houses of the ten leading physicians and surgeons of
the town and its immediate neighborhood, with the same mes-
sage to each, namely, that every man, woman and child at the

THE TEN BOTTLES OF MEDICINE BROUGHT BY THE TEN DOCTORS.

manor house had been taken violently ill, and that the greatest
haste must bemade to come with their medicine chests so that
the epidemic might be checked.
The ten doctors galloped into the courtyard at nearly the
same moment, only to find the elder baron and his friends
gathered on the platform and holding a whispered consulta-
tion over the strange actions of the hounds. The angry dis-
ciples of Galen refused to prescribe for the poor" animals,
and galloped away again with their well-filled holsters thumping
against their legs.
Meanwhile I had not been idle.
To the claws of a score or more of the elder baron’s fowls
I tied a kind of fuzee of my own invention, so inflammable that
the slightest friction would cause it to burst into flame, and
then I turned them loose in the fields and garden adjoining the
family hall.
38 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
They had been cooped up all the Summer, and were over-
joyed at the prospect of a good, comfortable scratching time
’mid the dry leaves and stubble of the open fields.
The gamekeepers by this time had succeeded in arousing
the hounds somewhat from their stupor, when the cry of “ fire !

fire !” went up. The hunting party hastily dismounted and

joined the servants in the mad rush for buckets of water.
I was sitting calmly in my apartment, with Bulger by my side,
when the alarm was raised.
The elder baron at first was inclined to think that although
my workmanship was plainly visible in the fabrics of mischief,
which consisted hounds and summoning the
in overfeeding the
ten doctors to themanor house on a wild goose chase, yet the
breaking out of the fire in the neighboring gardens and fields
was really something with which I had nothing to do. The
return of a venerable old Dominick rooster, which had been
either too feeble or too lazy to explode the fuzees attached to
his claws, settled the matter, however.
The elder baron’s mind was now clear as to who had con-
ceived the crime in which his poor fowls had so unwittingly
become the accomplices.
That night Bulger and I went to bed with light hearts.
The elder baron had at last consented to us set out on
let
our journey in quest of strange adventures among the
first
curious people of far-away lands.

THE FOWLS THAT WOULDN’T SCRATCH, AND SO BETRAYED ME.

 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 39

CHAPTER Y.

Preparations for my first voyage. The elder Baron selects the port from
which I Description of port No Man’s Port. How I escaped
am to sail.
its quicksands, Whirlpool and Thor’s Hammer. Becalmed on the
Southern Seas, I rescue my ship in a wonderful way. Land ho!
Something about a beautiful Island. I leave my ship and start for
the interior. How I fell in with some most extraordinary beings. Des-
cription of them. They leave me to go and request permission of their
chief to present me at his court. How I thought myself attacked by a
band of gigantic beings. My strange mistake. They prove to be the
same beings I had met the day before. What had caused the trans-
formation. The land of the Wind Eaters. I am conducted to the
court of Ztwish-Ztwish. More about the curious people. The Chief’s
affection for me. The bursting of the babies. Go- Whizz becomes my
enemy. I grow thin. Queen Phew-yoo wants me to marry Princess
Pouf-fah. To regain my flesh I teach the Wind Eaters to catch fish.
Terrible accident resulting from a fire I had kindled. Go-Whizz
demands my death. Ztwish-Zt wish refuses. The furious brawler tries
to slay the Chief and is himself slain, by Ztwish-Ztwish. To avoid
the marriage with Pouf-fah, I send Bulger back to the ship, and then
escape in the night. Too weak to bear the fatigue, I am overtaken.
Enmeshed in the nets of the Wind Eaters and nearly beaten to death.
Bulger rescues me. The relief party from my ship come up with me.
I reach the coast, and after a short rest, sail for home.

I threw myself now heart

and soul into the task of mak-
ing ready for my first voyage.
Bulger was not slow to
understand what all the hur-
ry-skurry meant.
He was delighted at the
prospect of a trip to distant
lands where life had less
monotony about it. By the
hour he would sit and watch
me at my labors and, from
BULGER HELPS ME WITH MY PACKINC. time to time, to please him,
I pointed out articles lying here and there about the room and
bade him fetch them, which he invariably did, with many man-
ifestations of pleasure at being permitted to help his little
master.
40 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
In fact, everybody lent a hand most kindly, so that, to my
great satisfaction, I was left more time for the study of naviga-
tion.
My poor mother, the gracious baroness, would not permit
anyone else to mark my clothing. With her own slender, white
fingers she worked the crest and initials of my wardrobe.
There was a matter which I turned over in my thoughts for
several da} s, to wit
r
:What national garb I should adopt.
After long and mature deliberation I resolved to attire myself
in Oriental dress. I did so for several reasons. It had been a
favorite garb of mine.
Its picturesque grace appealed to my love of the beautiful,
while on the other hand, its ease and lightness made it very
agreeable to one of extreme suppleness of limb and elasticity of
step. While the old manor house was being literally turned
topsy-turvy and everybody, from cook to chambermaid, set by
the ears, the elder baron was by no means idle. He took good
care, among other things, that I was well provided with whole-
some reading matter, and brought me several books of maxims,
precepts, reflections, thoughts and studies, which he requested
me to thrust into the empty corners of my chests, “ for,” said he,
and that, too, with a great show of reason, “ thou wilt have
many idle hours on thy hands in calm weather. It behooves
thee to feed thy mind lest its wonderful development be checked
and thou become as an ordinary child, with no thoughts above
games and picture books.” My poor mother, the gracious bar-
oness, added to this stock of good literature by presenting me
with a small volume entitled :
“ The Straight Road to Good

Health or, Everybody His Own Doctor.” As to my medicine

$

chest, I gave that my personal supervision, for I was always

skilled in the art of reading all kinds of symptoms and was
gifted with the rare faculty of knowing almost instinctively
what remedy to give for a certain ailment, without first experi-
menting upon the patient by trying one thing after another, as
is the custom with most people who pretend to heal sickness.
Everything was going well now, and I was in the best of
spirits, when the elder baron came to me with a proposal which,
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 41

TRUE PORTRAITS OF RT7LGER AND ME ; I AS I APPEARED IN MY ORIENTAL DRESS.

 : !

42 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

for some reason, I can hardly tell why, displeased me, although
it would seem that it ought to have had the opposite effect.
He proposed to precede me, by a week or ten days, to the North
Sea, in some port of which I intended to purchase and fit out a
swift, staunch vessel, purchase the vessel himself, give his per-
sonal attention to fitting her out and shipping a crew of picked
men.
What could I do?
If I refused his offer, it would have been tantamount to a
confession of distrust on my part.
Can he have in mind any project to thwart my scheme ?

O, perish the thought

But I must confess that I did not accept his proffered
services without serious misgivings.
This sudden anxiety on the part of the elder baron to hurry
my departure, after having opposed it so long and so vigor-
ously, made me a little uneasy in my mind.
Before setting out for the North Sea to purchase a ship for
me, the elder baron entered my apartment, and spoke as
follows
“ Pardon me, little baron, for interrupting thy labors, for I
perceive that thou art deep in the study of navigation.”
“Speak, Baron,” said I, looking up, Avith a mischievous smile,
“that right belongs to thee.”
“I have a last request to make,” he continued, in his usual
calm manner, “nor is it a matter of very great importance.
Rather is it a whim, more than aught else. Thou knowest
from my lips, and from the perusal of our family chronicles,
that we were in ancient time very large land owners on the
coast of the North Sea. We controlled several ports, were
extensively engaged in trade, sending out at least a score of
ships in a twelvemonth. One of the ports of our domain was
a famous one, famous for the extraordinary character of its

inlet and outlet currents, channel, etc. It was said of this

port that it was more dangerous than the open sea, that ves-
sels were really safer out of it than in it. I know not how
much of truth may be in all this, but I do know that one
 ;

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 43

man, an ancestor of ours, not only sailed into it, but safely
out again, for thou must know that the channel by which a
vessel gained admission to this port could not be used to
leave it again, as the irresistible current always flowed the one
way, namely, from the sea into this mysterious basin. To
leave it, the bold mariner must trust his bark to another
channel, and therein lurked the danger.
It would gratify me greatly, little baron, if thou couldst
prove to the world that, no matter how difficult Other captains
once found, and now find it, to sail out of this port, yet to thee
it offered no insurmountable obstacles, and therefore, am I

come to ask thee to set sail from this port ” !

“ It is called ? ” I asked carelessly, as I turned to a chart of

the North Sea.
“ Port No Man’s Port, ” replied the baron.
“ I like its name, ” said I. “ Order my ship to await me
there!”
The elder baron arose, and bending his body with stately
grace, withdrew. I accompanied him to the door and dismissed
him with most respectful obeisance.
“ Port No Man’s Port, ” I answered. “ Ah, here is the chart ”
!

The descriptive text reads as follows :

Abandoned for many years ingress easy egress so danger-

; ;

ous as to mean fatal injury, if not destruction, to sailing craft

outer channel blocked by a fearful whirlpool and swinging
rock called “ Thor’s Hammer ” inner basin extremely danger-
;

ous from constantly shifting sands closed by order of the

;

Royal Ministry of Commerce and Marine.” Upon finishing

the reading of these words I sprang up and began to pace
the floor, wildly and half unconsciously.
The blood rushed in upon my brain. I was obliged to halt
and cling to the back of a tall oak chair, or I should have stag-
gered and fallen to the ground.
Bulger was greatly alarmed and sent up a suppressed howl
of grief. I spoke to him as calmly as I could to comfort him.
After a few moments the vertigo passed off and my mind
cleared up completely.
 ! ! ! !

44 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

“ Nay, it is impossible. ” I whispered “ the elder baron could
,

not be guilty of bad faith to me ! Away with such a thought

He errs through thoughtlessness and lack of experience. He
little knows the terribly dangerous character of the task he
is setting me. To him, the talks of shipwreck and death within
Port No Man’s Port
are but the legends of old-time sailor-
life. He
has not the faintest suspicion that his request, so
lightly made, exposes his only child, son and heir to a princely
fortune and honored name, either to be engulfed by these
shifting sands, sucked down to destruction by this fearful
whirlpool, or crushed by a blow from Thor’s Hammer.”
And yet why murmur ?
Already the elder baron has pro-
It is too late to protest.
claimed to the world the, to him proud piece of news, that his
son was about to renew the old-time glories of his family !

I must do one of two things Face these dangers like a man:

of cool, calm courage, or condemn myself to a life of dull and

listless activity, the magnate of a province and not the hero
of two worlds
No ! the die is cast
I and it is as good as done
have said it !

My ship sails from Port No Man’s Port, or this little body

feeds its fish that day!”
Doubtless my eyes brightened, and my cheeks took on a glow
of crimson hue, for Bulger, who had been listening to my solil-
oquy with a most pained expression on his face, as he vainly
tried to get at the meaning of my words, now broke out into
a very lively succession of barks, bounding and springing
about the room in the wildest merriment. He knew only too
well that some terrible struggle had been going on in my mind.
Now he realized that all was well. Faithful creature, if
he could only tell his love, how he would put all human lovers to
blush
As the hour drew near for me to bid adieu to the baronial
hall, my mother, sud-
that good lady, the gracious baroness,
denly thought of a thousand and one things which she deemed
of the very greatest importance to me. She warned me that I
 ;

AND HIS WONDERFLL DOG BULGER. 45

was not to sleep in a draught ;

not to partake of freshly-baked
bread ;
not to drink cold water while overheated ;
not to cut
my not to sleep with my mouth open
finger nails too short ;

not to wear my underclothing longer than one week not to ;

neglect to brush my teeth not to fail to have my hair cut with

;

the new moon ;

my eyes reading by a poor light
not to strain
not to swallow my
food without thoroughly chewing it; not
to laugh while I had food in my mouth not to attempt to stop ;

a sneeze not to neglect to pare my corns not to^ pick my teeth

; ;

with a metal point not to examine the end of my nose without

;

a looking-glass not to eat meat without pepper, or vegetables

;

without salt not to exert myself after a hearty meal not to

; ;

stand upon my leg while it was asleep not to walk so fast as ;

to get a pain in my side not to go to sleep until I had first

;

rested on my right side not to fail to take a pill if I saw flashes

;

in the dark not to neglect to tie a stocking around my neck

;

in case my throat felt sore,

etc., etc., etc. When the moment
came to take leave of the gracious baroness, my good mother,
I was deeply moved. All the servants and retainers, from
indoors and out, filed in front of me, kissed my hand and
showered blessings on me.
I may safely say that the only being present not moved to
tears was Bulger. He was so anxious to get under way that
he passed an hour or so racing from the manor house to the
carriage and back again in a piteous endeavor to get the pro-
cession started.
Start we did, at last.
A hundred hands waved us a fond farewell.
The stately trees that shut in the baronial hall swa} ed sol- r

emnly. I was glad when we rolled out of the court yard for
I needed rest and quiet.
My nerves had been on such a stretch for the past month
that a change of scene brought me balm and relaxation.
My journey to the North Sea was quiet and uneventful.
I found my ship safely anchored in Uort No Man’s Port, and
the elder baron there in charge of her. He introduced me to
the sailing-master, pressed me in his own loving arms, and
 ! : :

46 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

with a gracious smile and stately wave of the hand, seated
himself in the family coach. His only adieu was
“ My son, thy wisdom comes to thee by inheritance. Thou
couldst not have acquired it. Therefore, make a noble use of
so noble a gift. Farewell !”
I bent my head in silence. The carriage rolled away. I
stood alone. Nay, a true and loving friend was there. He
looked up with his large, lustrous eyes, as if to say
“ Don’t be sad, little master. No matter who goes, I’ll stay

by thee forever !”
Turning to my sailing-master, I ordered the ship’s launch
to be manned, and began at once a survey of the mysterious
port in which my ship lay anchored.
I found it roomy basin, shut in by a rock-bound
to be a
shore. In places the waters slept beneath black and glassy
surfaces in others, all was movement and commotion. Its
;

waves came boiling and bubbling against the launch with

swirling masses of white sand, shifting hither and thither, as
if condemned to perpetual unrest.

The fact that my men, while fishing in different parts of

the bay, often caught deep-sea fish, proved to me that Port
No Man’s Port was traversed by a channel from four to six
fathoms in depth.
The only difficulty would be to fix the boundaries of this
constantly shifting path long enough to sail across the basin.
I next turned my attention to the whirlpool. It marked
the junction of the outer channel with the basin of Port No
Man’s Port.
Having purchased a number of condemned hulks for the pur-
pose of testing the strength and fury of the whirlpool, I
caused a strong hawser to be rigged to a capstan^on shore,
and was in this way enabled to let the launch approach within
a ship’s length of the whirlpool with perfect safety. In truth,
it was, when roused to the full measure of its fury by the

intrusion of any large floating body, a sight to strike terror

to the stoutest heart
With a deep booming and rumble, its waters rose in tumultu-
 ! ! ! !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER, 47

ous commotion, boiling, bubbling, seething, till snow-white

foam covered the pool like a mantle of bleached linen, then
lifting the intruder, Avhich in this case was one of the hulks
that I had ordered to be launched upon them, these angered
waters whirled it completely around. In an instant, as if
exhausted by this tremendous effort, a mysterious calm sank
upon the pool. The foam-sheet, broken in shreds, danced
gently on the rippling bosom of the waters. All was peace,
save that the hulk still lay trembling like an affrighted being
in the lap of this resting monster !

For, look !aroused again. Faster and faster it whirls

It is
its prey. Deeper and deeper its now wide-opened jaws draw
down the ill-fated hulk
A terrible roar tells that the end is near !

’Tis gone
Ay, but wait It will give up its prey again
:

Even now bits of plank float seaward, dancing on the

rushing waters.
Soon the crumpled, broken, crushed remnants of that strong
hulk will follow.
This watery monster doth not feed upon what he swallows
He destroys for the mere love of destruction. Night had
come now. I returned to my ship. The shifting sands and
the whirlpool had uncovered their horrors. But I feared
them no more Like the horse-tamer when he has at last
!

succeeded in thrusting the steel bit between the champing and

gnashing teeth of the wild young steed, I now felt that they
were conquered.
“ And now for Thor’s Hammer !” was my cry, as I sat down
beside Bulger for a brief moment’s reflection.
The first streak of gray light in the east found me on deck.
“ Thor’s Hammer ” was a huge shaft of black, flinty rock, pro-
jecting about twenty feet out of the water and ending in a
hammer-shaped head. guarded the channel where it reached
It
the sea, standing exactly in the middle, thus forcing a vessel to
pass on one side or the other of it.
Beneath the waters, this dread sentinel must have ended
48 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
in a gigantic ball, which, in the flight of time had worn a socket
for itself in the bed rock of the channel ;• for it swung loose and
free, moved by every powerful billow from side to side, threat-
ening swift destruction to any passing craft.
To speak frankly, the sight of this terrible engine of destruc-
tion appalled me How shall I escape the vigilance of this
!

gigantic sentinel, who knows no

sleep, no rest, whose blows fall
with like fury on friend or foe ? How shall I lull him to repose
for a few brief moments ?
Determined to study closely the strength, the rapidity, and
the character of the blows struck b}7 “ Thor’s Hammer,” I
caused several huge structures of plank and timber to be erected
near the position of this mighty sentinel of rock. One after
the other I ordered them to be thrown into the channel.
At first, I was fairly paralyzed upon discovering that even the
slight vortex caused by the drifting by of one of these wooden
structures set the swinging rock in violent vibration and always
towards the passing object.
Judging from the effect of Thov’s Hammer upon these
floating masses of plank and timber, a single blow would suffice
to crush the very life out of my ship in spite of her unusual
staunchness.
I stood transfixed with dread forebodings. I could feel the
beads of perspiration break from my forehead and trickle down
my cheeks. Must I give up and return home, broken in spirits,
humiliated, the butt of ridicule, the target of village wit, the
subject of mirth and laughter in every peasant’s cottage ?
Oh, no It can not, it must not be
! !

Like a flash of lightning, a thought flamed across the dark

horizon of my mind.
AmI not dreaming ? Was it really so ?
One of the wooden structures still remained. Controlling my
emotion with great difficulty, I ordered it thrown into the
channel and took up a favorable position to watch once again
the wrath of the towering sentinel In a few moments “ Thor’s
!

Hammer” felt the coming of the craft and bent itself in impo-
tent rage beating the air with blows which fell faster and
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 49

faster ! Ay, I once Thor’s Hammer had

was right ! When
begun its turned not from its task,
labor of death and ruin, it

so long as there remained any object for it to spend its fury

upon !

Nor was there any escape for the ill-fated craft until it had
been pounded into flinders Hanging over it, blow f ollowed
!

blow with fearful clash and clamor. Not until the poor rem-
nant had drifted seaward, did that black and flinty shaft cease
its furious swinging.
Turning to my sailing-master, who stood with his wonder-
ing eyes fixed full upon me, I called out in a calm and careless
tone :
“ In three days, skipper, if the weather is clear, we
leave Port No Man’s Port !”
A lump rose up in his throat, but he gulped it down, and
cried out merrily
“Ay, ay, sir.”
And what three busy days they were, too ! My men were
not long in catching something of the indomitable spirit of
their new commander.
I worked them hard, but I fed them
well, served out grog with a liberal, but wise hand, and saw
that all their wants were satisfied. In turn, their wonderment
became admiration, and their admiration affection.
The first day all the hands that could be spared were set to
work making fishing lines, with a good, stout hook at one end
and a cork float at the other. The lines were cut about three
fathoms in length, and the floats were painted a bright crim-
son. I then gave orders to rig three jury-masts, one midships,
and one fore and aft.
My men set to work with a will, but I caught them several
times in the act of tapping their foreheads and exchanging
significant glances. But if this last order threw them into a
brown study, my next had the effect of a bombshell exploding
in their midst.
Sailing-master and they stood staring at me as if they
all,

were only waiting for me to annihilate them.

My order was to rig a steering gear under the figure-head.
A coasting vessel, which I had sent for, now came sailing
50 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
No Man’s Port. I directed the skipper to
leisurely into Port
pay her crew three months’ extra wages, and discharge them.
This done, my men were ordered to lash the coaster on our
starboard side.
I verily believe that my whole plan, so carefully studied out,
was at this point only saved from utter failure by the wisdom
of my faithful Bulger.
The coaster had no sooner been lashedto our side than he
sprang lightly over the railing, and began to amuse himself
by gamboling up and down the clear deck. Suddenly he paused
near one of the hatches and broke out into a most furious
barking. I called to one of my officers to look sharp and see
what the matter was. He reported in a few moments that
one of the discharged seamen had been found concealed in the
hold. When I threatened to put him in irons, he confessed
that his design had been to cut the coaster loose as soon as
our ship had drawn near to the whirlpool.
It was a narrow escape.
Dear, faithful Bulger, how much we owe thee for that dis-
covery !

The third day dawned bright and fair.

The wind was most favorable, blowing strong off shore.
At the first glimmer of light, my men were astir and on the
lookout for my appearance.
They greeted Bulger and me with three hearty cheers.
They had made up their minds that what I didn’t know,
Bulger did At last all was ready
! !

I nodded to the sailing-master, and in a moment or so the

capstan began to revolve, and the merry “ Yo, heave O !” of
the men told me that the anchor had been started. Hundreds
of the lines and floats, well-baited, were now cast overboard.
Standing on the taffrail, glass in hand, I watched them closely
and anxiously.
Imagine my joy at seeing several of these crimson floats dis-
appear like a flash, rise again, and again vanish for an instant.
“ The first point is gained,” I cried out. “ I have found the
!”
channel
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 51

Passing word quickly to the sailing-master who was in

charge of the steering gear, my good vessel moved slowly out
of Port No Man’s Port, stern first. Again and again the baited
lines with their crimson floats were thrown overboard. The
deep water fish that swarmed the ever-shifting channel kept
steadily at work. As our ship advanced, they tugged at the lines
and thus kept the tortuous course plainly marked out. Glass
in hand, I watched the successful working of this part of my
plan, with tingling veins and a bounding heart. loud huzza A
from my men tell me that we have cleared the shifting sands.
Ay, true it is We have crossed the basin of Port No Man’s
!

Port Its dreaded quicksands swirl and roll in vain. It was

!

not fated that they should engulf the Little Baron’s ship !

But see The channel narrows

! The waters grow black,
!

and troubled. And hark !

Didn’t you hear that dull roar ? I spring down from the
taffrail I pass among my men and drop here and there a word
!

of encouragement. My perfect calmness impresses them. No

merry “ ay, ay, Sir !” goes up, but I see a response in their faces.
It is: “We trust you little captain, speak!” The dull roar
grows louder and louder.
The rapids catch us up and bear us along like chips on the
foaming tide of a mountain stream. Our staunch vessel rocks
like a toy boat. The coaster lashed to one side creaks and
groans in its wild efforts to break away.
Calling Bulger to me I pass the line around him and lash him
firmly to the main-mast, for I was fearful lest a sudden lurch
might hurl him overboard. On, on, we speed through the fright-
ened waters. The roar is deafening. I glance at my* seamen.
Their bronzed faces are blanched. They cling to the shrouds
and stays. Their eyes are riveted upon me.
Look the fearful whirlpool is dead ahead of us. It opens
!

its foam-flecked jaws like some terrible monster. We leap

into its very mouth. Are we lost ? How can it be otherwise ?
As if our staunch vessel were a nut-shell, the swirling, raging,
whirling, battling, boiling waters catch her up in their encir-
cling arms, lift her high above the sea level, turn her completely
 !

52 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

around and drop her with such terrific force that great walls
of water rise on all sides and threaten to engulf the frail wooden
thing. But most wondrous change mark how she floats upon a
;

glassy pool The foam dances in the sunlight on the rippling

!

waves. Allis peace where but a moment before nature raged

with demoniac fury. Quick as thought I leap into the mizzen
shrouds “ Cut away the jury-masts !” They fall overboard
:

with a crash. My men work with a mad earnestness. They

know too well that every instant may be their last. Our main-
sail already hoisted is sheeted home without a word or a cry.
We are too near death to sing See See The wind fills
! ! !

the great sail We move. The waters seem to scent our escape.
!

They are awaking to new fury. A deep rumble from the very
bowels of the earth calls upon them to arouse from their
lethargy.
They reach out for us.
Too late! too late
We sweep out of their reach. We are saved We are !

saved !A shout goes up from two score throats, from which

Fear now takes her hand !

Look back As if robbed of its prey, the whirlpool awakes

!

with redoubled fury.

A hundred arm-like streams of water gush forth and pour
around our good ship in vain effort to draw her back into
that terrible vortex.
We are drenched with clouds of spray and mist, as we
slowly but steadily keep on our course. Would that we were
safe upon the swelling tide of the open sea, for there is still
another danger to be met.
Our channel suddenly narrows. I could toss a biscuit to
the rocky wall, which shuts us in on both sides.
Again a deep silence falls upon ship and crew, broken only
by a strange sound of rushing waters, bursting out and dying
away as regularly as the swing of a pendulum. ’Tis Thor’s
Hammer, beating the frightened waters into foam, as it sways
from side to side.
In spite of my effort to appear calm, I can feel my heart beat
faster.
 ! !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 53

A benumbs my hands.
cold chill glance ahead startles me A
like a blow from an unseen hand. There, with the morning
sun resting on its hammer-shaped crest, swings that dreaded
shaft of flinty rock, threatening instant destruction to any ship
bold enough to attempt to pass it.

In accordance with my orders, every sail on the coaster had

been set, and her helm lashed, so as to pass to the right of
Thor’s Hammer.
“ Courage, men !” I cried. “ Stand by, all ! Cut away the
lashings ! Cast off the tender !”

Then waving my hand to the skipper, our mainsail came down

with a run. Everything worked like a charm. Our ship
slowed up, while the coaster shot ahead to her destruction.
See, how gallantly the doomed craft speeds on her way for the ;

breeze had freshened, and several gay streamers and flags,

which my men had run up to the topmast, fluttered in the
crisp morning air.
There Did you not hear that crash ?
!

Thor’s Hammer has struck her !

Blow follows blow

Crash Crash Crash
! ! !

Now is our time, or never !

I was not caught napping. The moment we were clear

of the coaster, I had ordered sails enough to be set to hold
our ship steady on her course.
Already we drew near to Thor’s Hammer, which is fast
battering the coaster to a shapeless mass. The sea is filled
with bits of plank and broken timber. Thor’s Hammer bends
to its dread work of destruction, unmindful of our presence.
What could withstand its terrible fury ?
Those sturdy timbers yield like twigs.
Another minute, and we have the monster and his victim in
our wake !

Now, now, we’re passing him Our sails tremble from the !

very force of his breath Our deck is strewn with splinters

! !

The roar and crash are deafening. Thor’s Hammer bends for
one last blow at the ribs and keel of its broken and disjointed
victim
 ! :
!

54 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

Hurrah Hurrah ! !

Our good ship dips deep roll of the ocean’s breast

to the
We Port No Man’s Port, farewell
are on the open sea !

As my men looked back at the rocky gateway and the grim

sentinel of Port No Man’s Port, they tossed their caps into
the air and sent up cheer after cheer.
Bulger bounded about the deck, doing his best by most
rigorous barking, to testify his admiration for his little
master.
The sailing-master drew near and, touching his cap and ;

scratching the deck with the toe of his shoe, cried out gayly
“ Bravo little Baron.
! That was splendidly done I was !

sure we should never get through the shifting sands. And

when they were passed, I was ready to swear the whirlpool
would make short w ork of us. But when we sailed safely
T

out of that, I drew near the taffrail ready to jump overboard,

for I felt that nothing could save us from a blow from Thor’s
Hammer. I’ve grown wrinkled and gray facing the storms
of Neptune’s domain, but I never felt I had a master until now.”
I nodded and smiled, and quickly turned the conversation
to some other topic.
“ By the way, skipper,” said I, “
remember, the very moment
we clear the English Channel, turn her head southward !”
“ Ay ! ay ! little Baron !
” was the reply. Calling Bulger
to me I now went wanted to be alone. The fact of
below. I
the matter needed rest. The terrible strain on my nerves
is, I
caused by the hopes and fears of the past few days, began to
tell upon me.
Throwing myself upon a canopy, I fell into a deep sleep from
which I was awakened by Bulger’s whining and crying.
The sailing-master was anxiously feeling my pulse.
I had slept three days and three nights. All this time
Bulger had absolutely refused to leave my side or partake of
food, although the skipper had tempted him with the daintiest
morsels.
His joys knew no bounds as I sprang up and shook myself into
shape.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 55

“ Where are we, master ?” I cried.

“ On the broad Atlantic, headed dead south, little Baron !
”

was the answer.

“ Good send me a rasher of bacon and some hard-tack.
! The
Atlantic breeze has given me an appetite and, skipper,”
I added, “a little broiled fowl for Bulger.”
“And now, for the land of warmth and sunshine!” I mur-
mured, “now for the home of the orange and the palm Cold !

winds like me not, I am a child of the tropics, born in a land

where nature Avorks and man plays. No chill blast ever whistled
its sad tune over my cradle Let those who will, spend one-
!

half their lives waiting for mother Earth to wake from her
Winter sleep Freeze the body and you freeze the brain. I
!

am of those who love flowers better than snowflakes. Glorious

South land I greet thee, thy child comes again to thy arms,
!

”
oh, take him up kindly and lovingly !

* * * *

Southward, ever southward my good ship sped along. By

day I paced the deck to watch the dolphins at play or to observe
Bulger’s amazement when a stray flying fish fell fluttering on
deck by night, with my eyes fixed upon the blazing Southern
;

Cross, I longed for the time to come when I should set foot
upon some beautiful strand decked out with coral branch and
shells of pearl, in whose limpid waters golden fish nestle mid
sea plants of not less brilliant hue.
It was now three weeks since the last murmur of Thor’s
Hammer had on our ears.
fallen
My chronometer marked high noon. Every sail was set and
our good ship careened as gracefully as a swallow that bent
in its flight to touch the cool waters of some glassy lake. All
of a sudden the wind fell, our ship stood still on the motionless
sea, my pennant hung like a string. There was not air enough
to lift the smoke from our galley fire. A strange mysterious
stillness weighed upon the ship and sea. I knew too well what
it betokened. One of those dreaded calms, more feared by the
seamen that the buffeting gale, had overtaken us.
Our ship stood like one moored to a marble wharf !
 ;

56 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

And as the thought flashed across my mind that days, ay even
weeks might pass ere the winds would lift themselves again
to bear us on our way, a feeling of utter listlessness came
over me. It required a great exertion for me to throw it off.
I dared not let my men see aught of discouragement in my
face.
And was a hard task. Had I not been made of stern
yet, it
stuff, I would have wept to see my progress stayed at the very
moment victory was almost within my grasp.
Again, as was the case, when the terrors of Port No Man’s
Port rose, like demons of malignant might, to shut me forever
in that rock-encircled basin, did my thoughts revert to home
—to the elder baron and his gracious consort, my dear mother
to the servants and retainers of the baronial hall to the ;

villagers and tenantry. How, oh how should I be able to face

them all, if I were forced to return home with the humiliating
confession that my voyage had been a failure?
Bulger was the first to catch a glimpse of the shadow on my
brow. He turned his dark lustrous eyes full upon me so plead-
ingly as if to say :
“ Oh, little master, what aileth thee ? May
I not do aught to drive the dark melancholy from thy face ?
Thou knowest how I love thee. Teach me to help thee. My
life is thine. Thy grief weighs like lead on my heart. Speak
to me little master ” Tenderly and lovingly I stroked his head,
!

and spoke in softest tones to him. He was rejoiced, but still

he sat and watched me, for it was impossible to deceive him by
feigning to be lighthearted and unconcerned.
The second week found us lying like a log in a millpond, our
sails unvisited by the faintest breath of air the sea sunken into
;

a sleep that seemed like death. Despair sat on the faces of my

men. “ Rouse thee, little baron ” I murmured to myself as I
!

paced my cabin floor, “ where is thy boasted cunning ? Where is

thy vaunted wisdom ? Nevermore say that thou art a man of
projects, quick to devise, and quick to perform Thou hast lost
!

thy hold on the spoke of fortune’s wheel!”

“ Thinkest thou so ? ” cried I in answer to my own thoughts.
“ Follow me, we shall see !” With a bound I cleared the gang
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 5 '<

way. The sailing-master lay asleep on the deck. The men in

groups, here and there, looked the very picture of despair,.
Rousing the skipper with a vigorous tug at his belt, aided by
Bulger’s frantic outburst of barking, I called out
“ Avast! there, skipper. Asleep from overwork? Pipe
all hands on deck ” !The men came up in lively fashion,
greatly amused by my cut at the sailing-master, who stood rub-
bing his eyes, half dazed by my sudden outburst. “ Send me
the ships carpenter ” I continued and catching mp a piece of
!
;

chalk I drew the plan of a large box or chest, nearly as long

as our ship’s breadth of beam, and gave the carpenter directions
to build it of the strongest planks to be had on board. He and
his assistants were soon at work.
Turning then to the cook I ordered him to kill the pigs and
fowls we had shipped for our own supply of fresh meat, bid-
ding him to be careful and not lose a drop of the blood.
These orders fairly drove my men wild with curiosity.
The sailing-master drew near and attempted to get some
explanation from me but in vain. I was too deep in thought to
speak.
The long box was ready in a few hours. Word now went up
that I was about to abandon the ship and strive to reach land by
rowing, and that this long box was to hold the provisions.
The sailing-master again fixed his gaze inquiringly upon me.
I pretended not to notice his beseeching looks. The cook by this
time had the fresh meat in readiness. Under my directions
it was all transferred to the long chest, the blood poured over

it, and the box securely closed with a heavy plate-glass lid,
made up of several pieces shipped for the purpose of restoring-
broken lights. By this time the men had grown so excited over
this mysterious box and its still more mysterious contents, that I
was obliged to order them to fall back so that the carpenter
and his assistants might go on with their work without in-
terruption.
The next step was to weight the long chest with lead and to
attach hoisting tackle to each end by strong iron rings. When
all was ready I called out to my men to stand by and lower it
 !

58 ADVENT URES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

over the stern rail. Stationed so that I could watch the lower-
ing of the long box, I was careful to sink it about three feet
under water and then lash it firmly to the ship’s stern. I had
scarcely given the word to lower away on all the sails when the
ship began to move ! The effect on my men was indescribable.
Some turned pale and stood as if transfixed with fear.
Others
laughed in a wild maniac-like way. Others, who had their wits
about them, rushed to the stern taffrail to fathom the mystery.
A glance was enough
It was a simple thing after all.

Gradually the others recovered their reason, and hastened

to join their companions and gaze down into the waters where
I had lashed the long box, with its glass lid and strange con-
tents. Meanwhile our good ship moved faster and faster
through the sluggish, listless waters. A ringing cheer, three
times repeated, went up when the mystery was fully solved.
Mystery ?
Hear then what this mystery consisted of !

In the days of this dead calm, which settled like a ter-

first
rible blanket spread over us by the hands of some unseen mon-
ster, to check our advance, I had noticed that the waters
swarmed with sharks of extraordinary length that these ;

fierce demons of the deep hung about our vessel in shoals of

countless numbers, attracted by the garbage thrown overboard,
and, doubtless, too, by the odor of the many living beings on
board the ship.
When, at times, a particularly large supply of garbage fell
into the water, so fierce was the onslaught of these ravenous
monsters, that they actually jarred the ship as they struck
against its sides or stern, locked together like advancing
cohorts of trained soldiery.
Upon this hint I acted. If, as I reasoned, I can only con-
trol this now wild force, why may I not make use of it to
rescue my danger than raging storm ?
ship from a worse
For far better would it be to face the howling blast and foam-
crested wave than to perish from thirst, chained to the open
sea by this breathless calm.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 59

Now, however, all was changed.

On, on, our good ship went, with ever-increasing speed, glid-
ing noiselessly and swiftly through the mirror -like waters. My
device worked far better than I had dared to dream, for, as
the fresh blood began to trickle through the crevices of the
long box, the ravenous sea monsters were almost maddened
by its smell and taste. The largest and fiercest pressed for-
ward in serried ranks, tossing their smaller companions high
in the air, as they took up their places with wild and eager
search for prey which lured them on, ever so near them, and
still ever beyond their reach.
No sooner did the foremost ranks of this army of myrmidons
of the deep show signs of fatigue than long lines of fresh and
eager recruits darted forward, hurling their exhausted fellows
right and left, like bits of cork, and took up the task of fol-
lowing the ever-retreating prey, which, although giving out
its life blood, and plainly visible to them, yet seemed to know

no tiring, and sped onward, and ever onward before the wild,
tumultuous attack of thir pushing, plunging cohorts !

The moon now shone like a plate of burnished silver on the

blue walls of heaven, and the deep silence of the sleeping
waters was broken by the splash of those mighty bodies,
glistening in her light, as they toiled and struggled to urge our
vessel on its way.
I could not sleep.
Wrapped in a woolen cloak, to shield me from the insidious
dews of the tropics, I threw myself on deck, with Bulger’s
head pillowed on my lap.
Something whispered to me that if those hunger-stricken
marauders of the deep would only keep to their task till the
morning sun streaked the east, my cheek would feel the breath
of coming winds.
And so it turned out. With the first glimmer of daylight
I caught sight of a ripple on the lake-like bosom of the ocean.
At that very moment, too, I noticed that our ship was slowing
up. I sprang up on the taffrail. Lo our allies had abandoned
!

us. Not a single follower of that riotous camp was in sight!

GO ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
Ah, little did they dream how they had saved ship and crew !

How limitless is man's selfishness ! The beasts of the

field, the monsters of the deep must minister to his pleasure,

obey his commands. I had pointed out the ripple in the water
and when the first sturdy breath of wind reached us we were in
readiness to receive it. Every sail was set.
My heart leaped with joy as our ship drew up to the wind,
obeying her helm like a thing of life !

And that was the way my

ship and crew from a
I saved
worse danger than storm-lashed billows. From this time on,
all went well. Scarcely a week had gone by when I was
startled by a cry which sounded sweeter to my ears than
voice of monarch to courtier.
“ Land ho Dead ahead ”
! !

Seizing my glass I sprang up and

into the main-shrouds,
turned my Ay, true it was
gaze in the direction indicated. !

There it lay before us, rising from the ocean with gentle slope,
its heights crowned with trees of many-colored foliage, its
shores ending in long stretches of snow-white beach.
Above the unknown land hung a purple mist of a deep rich
tint, like the cheek of a ripe plum. As we drew near a land-
locked harbor seemed to welcome us. Not a sound or sign of life,
however, came to break the deep repose which enveloped the
bay and shore.
Slowly and in stately bearing our good ship sailed into the
harbor and cast anchor. The radiant beauty of the land now
burst upon me. Ten thousand shells of pearly tints and hues
glistened on the white sands, while in the limpid waters, sea-
flowers and foliage of deepest crimson swayed gently with the
tide. Up the sloping banks nature seemed to be holding high
carnival. No shrub or bush or tree was content to wear simple
green. Each waved some blossom of richest radiance in the
soft and balmy air. Here and there, a brooklet came tumbling
down the hillside, rippling, purling and splashing over the
moss-grown rocks in its bed. The air was heavy with the
fragrance of this vast garden so beautiful and yet so silent
and deserted.
 ;

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 61

The next day, leaving my sailing-master in command, I set

out on a tramp, accompanied solely by my faithful Bulger. My
idea was to see if this island, for such I thought it 10 be, con-
tained anything quaint and curious. The further I advanced
into the interior of this fair land of bright flowers, purling
brooks, clear skies and perfumed air, themore was I astonished
to And that neither vine, shrub, brush, nor tree bore any berry
or fruit to feed upon and though it was just such a land of
;

brooks, flowers and balmy air as some dweller of' the faraway
North might dream about; yet was it untrodden by the foot of
man, for, rare indeed is it that the people of the tropics are
willing to prepare any other food for themselves than that
which nature spreads before them.
I now began to be thankful that I had supplied myself plenti-
fully with dried fruits before leaving my ship to set out for
a tour of the island, for such it seemed to me to be.
At this moment Bulger halted, and raising his nose in the
air, sniffed hard and long, and then fixed his dark eyes on me
as much as to say: “Take care, little master, some sort of
living creatures are approaching ” I had hardly time to draw
!

one o i my pistols and give a hasty glance at its priming when

with strange cries and stranger movements a dozen or more
beings of the human species sprang out of the thicket with
noiseless steps, and surrounded us. I raised the fire-arm, which
I held grasped in my right hand, ready to stop the advance of
this band of most curious creatures, by slaying their leader
for, judging by the forbidding aspect of their faces and the
terrible condition of their bodies, apparently reduced by the
dread pangs of hunger, to mere sacks of skin hung on frames
of bone, which methought rattled at every step they took, I
anticipated an instant attempt on their part to strike us down
and eat us.
But I was very quickly reassured. First, by the fact that
they bore no weapons of any kind; and second, by the softness
of their voices and the walkingbeam-like motions of their
bodies, which I interpreted to mean a sort of welcome mingled
with a desire to make friends with a human being so different
02 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

THE LITTLE BARON MAKES FRIENDS WITH GO-WHIZZ AND HIS BAND OF
WIND EATERS.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 63

from themselves. Although I gave them to understand, or tried

to do so, by imitating the ducking motion of their heads, fol-
lowed by an attempt to equal their performance in making a
large number of very low bows, so graceful and easy that they
would have done credit to a French dancing master, that they
had nothing to fear, yet they continued to back away from me
as fast as I advanced. Bulger was somewhat surprised at my
eagerness to make friends with such a starved-out looking set
of creatures and kept up a furious growling, eying them sus-
piciously as they continued the walkingbeam motion of their
bodies all the while backing away from me.
I now found myself in front of a group of umbrella shaped
bamboo huts into which most of them had retreated. With no
little difficulty was it that I finally succeeded in coaxing them

forth and convincing them that my intentions were perfectly

peaceful. For a quarter of an hour or more, they circled about
me in silent wonder, while I, on my part, gazed in speechless
astonishment at these extraordinary looking specimens of our
race. W T
hat they thought of me, you will learn as my story goes
on, but how shall I ever describe them to you so as to give you
even a faint idea of their wonderful appearance.
Imagine skeletons of rather small stature walking about,
with collapsed meal bags hung upon them, skin hanging down in
folds everywhere, flapping about at every step and you’ll have
some faint conception of the utterly ridiculous and grotesque
look of these beings.
Almost every bone in their bodies was visible beneath this
thin covering. Their cheeks hung like two empty pouches on
each side of their faces, their noses stuck out like knife-blades.
Deep wrinkles and creases crossed and criss-crossed their
faces, giving them a look of terrible melancholy and utter
wretchedness.
With their skeleton fingers ever and anon they grasped a
fold of skin and smoothed out or pushed it elsewhere as one
it

might a loosely fitting garment. And yet, utterly wTetched and

melancholy as these creatures seemed to be to the eye of the
looker-on, their voices were light and gay, and soft as flute notes.
04 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
They chatted and laughed among themselves, were full of mis-
chief and pointed their pencil fingers at different parts of Bul-
ger’s and my body with evident enjoyment at the sight of things
so new and strange to them. Several times while gazing upon
these mournful and woebegone looking faces and at the same
time listening to their happy and childlike chatter, I broke out
into a peal of laughter which was not only very ill-bred, but
which invariably had the effect of causing them to fall back in
disorder.
Gradually, however, they grew bolder, and by means of a
kind of sign language, gave me to understand that they desired
to touch me. By recourse to the same common language of
mankind, I informed them that I should be only too happy to
gratify their requests and proceeded to lay bare my breast and
roll up the sleeves of my coat. They half repented of their
foolhardiness, and crowding together, interlocked their arms
and legs in such a manner that, to save my life, I couldn’t tell
where one commenced and the other ended.
But after a few moment’s coaxing, I succeeded in persuading
them to advance and lay their hands upon me.
Loud outcries followed exclamations of wonder and aston-
ishment. As I afterwards learned the words they uttered
meant “
: Lump !” “ Chunk !” “ Stone !” “ Hard !” “Solid !”
At this moment, feeling a little bit hungry, I opened my sack
of dried fruit and thrust several pieces into my mouth.
And now came a still more furious outburst of wonder,
mingled with cries of horror and disgust. Again they re-
treated and tied themselves into a knot.
Can it be, I asked myself, that these creatures never touch
solid food ?
Observing now that they were consulting among themselves
as to what course to pursue in regard to me, and being afraid
that they might take it into their heads to escape into the
thicket, for they were as quick in their movements as sprites
and phantoms, I lost no time in making them understand that
I desired to be led into the presence of their King or ruler.
This seemed to please them. But with many duckings of
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. G5

tlieir heads, they withdrew a short distance, and held a sort of

pow-wow. After which, one of their number, who seemed to
be a sort of leader among them, and whose name, as I after -

warns learned, was Go- Whizz, advanced toward me with numer-

ous low-bendings of his body, and succeeded in informing me
that their chief lived at a great distance from where we
were, and that it w ould be necessary for me to remain here
r

wdiile they returned to their ruler to ask his permission to

conduct me to him.
'

I readily consented to such an arrangement.

Go-Whizz then led me to one of their dwellings, pointed out
a bed of nice dry rushes, and invited me to make myself com-
fortable until he should come again to conduct me into' the
presence of their chief, Ztwish-Ztwish, as was the name he
bore.
Bulger and I didn’t wait for a second bidding, for we were
tired to the bone after our long tramp. With half a dozen or
more bows, quite as low as those made by Go-Whizz and his
companions, I began to make ready for a night’s rest.
For a moment or so, I stood watching the retreating figures
of these extraordinary people who, in single file, swiftly and
noiselessly, like so many phantoms, had flitted away from the
spot. Then throwing myself dow n on the bed of rushes, called
T

out to Bulger to lie down by me. But he was not so trustful

as I, and after caressing my hands, took up his position at
the door of the dwelling, so as to save his little master from
any treachery on the x^art of the x^hantom x>eox)le.
Day now went out suddenly, like a lamx) quenched by the
wind.
Bulger refused to sleep.
But I, sheltered from the night dews by this thickly-thatched
roof, soon fell into a deep and refreshing sleep, out of which
Bulger found it difficult to arouse me, for I have a faint recol-
lection of having felt him scratching at my arm for several
moments, ere I could shake off the fetters of sleep, which held
me bound so tightly.
Sitting up hastily, I discovered that Bulger was patrolling
 ! :

66 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

the floor in a state of great excitement, pausng ever and anon
to sniff themorning air, which, it was plain to be seen, brought
him a warning of some kind. Instantly it occurred to me that
wild beasts were prowling about in the neighborhood. I exam-
ined the priming of my fire-arms. Bulger looked well pleased
to see that I was thoroughly aroused as to the threatening
danger.
He now grew bolder, and springing out into the open air,
made a circuit of the dwelling, only to return with bristling
hair, and growling out his suspicion that all was not right.
His ever-increasing anxiety now began to cause me genuine
alarm. I was upon the very point of making a hasty retreat
to my vessel, when the thought flashed through my mind
“ What ! escape these swift-footed phantoms ? It were idle
to attempt !
it ” So I determined to take my chances, come
what might.
The hut was strongly built and its roof would at least pro-
tect us from a flight of poisoned arrows.
While I was occupied in making a hasty survey of the place,
a loud outcry from Bulger startled me. I gave one look and a
shiver of fear zigzagged through my body.
An armed band was full in sight.
With deep and rumbling, they came nearer and
fierce shouts,
nearer. Their massive forms swayed from side to side. Their
huge limbs, moved like walking oaks. Their arms seemed the
sturdy branches ending in hands which, in the dim morning
light, took the shape of gnarled and knotted knobs ;
terrific
strength was shadowed forth by their broad and heavy should-
ers. One blow from a hand of such sledge hammer weight
would lay a frail creature like me helpless in the dust
Bulger, brave as he was, quailed at the sight. In an instant I
collected my thoughts and breathed a last goodbye to the elder
baron and to the gentle baroness, my mother, in their faraway
home beneath the northern skies.
Now they had reached the very doorway, and stood beating
their huge chests and giving forth deep rumbling sounds.
Instinctively I unsheathed my poniard and brandished it in
the air.
 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 67

The effect was astounding

With terrific cries,groans and shouts they fell back in the
wildest terror, rolling over each other, bounding asunder like
gigantic footballs, striking the earth and bounding into an erect
position.
When at last these human air-bags settled down into something
like rest,one of their number broke out into the most plaintive
and beseeching speech which, I afterwards learned, had about
the following meaning u O, Master O, Magician FO, Mysterious
: :

Lump ! O, Impenetrable Chunk put away that dread

! instru-
ment Prick us not with its awful point, pierce not our delicate
!

skins. The slightest touch from that frightful biade Avould cause
our bodies to burst like pricked balloons Fear us not. are ! We
thy friends. We come to conduct thee to our great chief, Ztwish-
Ztwish. I am Go-Whizz, thy slave. ”
Suddenly the truth broke in upon my wondering mind.
There was no falsehood in the speaker’s words. It w as Go- T

Whizz The others were his companions the wretched Avoe-

! —
begone bags of bones w ho had parted with me only the day
before.
With a smile and gentle wave of the hand, I hastily returned
my dagger to its sheath and gave Go-Whizz to understand that
he had nothing to fear from me. Half crazed Avith curiosity l
now advanced to take a closer look at Go-Whizz and his com-
r

panions. Sober fact is it w hen I tell you that they were, man
r

for man, the self same beings I first fell in with on my starting
out to explore the island.
But this wonderful change you ask ? How had they in one
short night grown to such herculean build —arms and limbs as
massive as those of Japanese wrestlers.
I reply it w^as all air! W hen
T
I first met these gentlemen
they had not dined. Noav they had just come from a hearty
meal. For, you must know that I Avas iioav in the land of the
wonderful Wind Eaters When the air is calm and the winds
!

asleep, these curious people are obliged to fast, and, their skins
hang in wrinkled bags as I have described but when the wind ;

starts up for a mad frolic or even a gentle puff and bloAV, these
 :

68 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

strange creatures at once begin to increase in size, and not
long is it before every wrinkle and crease disappear like magic.

As Go- Whizz and his companion stood before me, I was

struck by the ridiculous contrast between their voices and the
expression of their faces. Yesterday, with their fierce and
forbidding faces their voices were soft and flute-like ;
to-day,
were terrible, deep and rumbling, while their faces
their voices
now puffed out smooth and round seemed wreathed in smiles
and good humor.
As I stood lost in wonder at the sight of these strangely-
transformed beings, Go- Whizz rumbled out something which I
easily understood to be a request that I should permit him to
conduct me to the residence of his great chief, Ztwish-Ztwish.
I smiled assent and set about gathering up my traps.
Bulger was completely nonplussed and fixed his lustrous eyes
upon me as much as to say
“ Dear little master, how canst thou trust thyself to these
huge mountains of flesh, a single one of whom could crush thy
frail body as easily as I would a mouse ?
”

I gave him a few caresses and stroked his silken coat, to let
him know I was sure that I was right. Go- Whizz and his band,
clumsy as they seemed, were by no means slow of pace. They
moved forward at a brisk rate for the air was calm and they had
little to carry. Now and then, upon bumping together, they
bounded apart like rubber balls. It was a difficult thing for
me to keep from laughing, especially when I saw Bulger’s look
of utter perplexity. He rolled his eyes up at me in the most
comical manner. However, at last we entered the village of the
Wind Eaters, where the great chief, Ztwish-Ztwish held his
court.
He toowas puffed out pretty round, although, as I afterwards
learned, the laws of the land did not allow him to eat as heartily
as his subjects. Here and there a wrinkle was visible. His
face and arms didn’t have that look of puffy tightness common
to his people after a hearty meal. He had already been fully
informed of my arrival on his island, and of my extraordinary
weight and hardness for my size.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 09

It took about fifteen of the Wind Eaters to balance me in the

scales.
Chief Ztwish-Ztwish received Bulger and me with the great-
est kindness. I was at once presented to his ministers of state
and to the members of his famiiy. Queen Phew-Yoo was a very
stately dame, dignified and reserved in her manners but the
j

little princess Pouf-fah charmed me with her childlike curiosity.

Their excellencies, the ministers of state, stood behind their

master and seemed intent upon giving him far more advice than
he was willing to listen to. Their names were Hiss-sah, Whirr-
Whirr and Sh-Boom.
You may well imagine the excitement created in the home of
chief Ztwish-Ztwish by my arrival. From the highest to the
lowest, from chief to serving-man, everyone begged and
implored to be allowed to feel of me.
Anxious to make a favorable impression upon the strange peo-
ple so that I might have a good opportunity to study them at
my ease, I submitted good-naturedly for an hour or more, to
being patted, pinched, prodded, rubbed, and stroked.
It were vain for me to attempt to give you any idea of the
thousand and one outcries of surprise, delight, wonder, fear,
anxiety, and dread which went up from this multitude of
strange beings, who were, although they didn’t seem to think
so, quite as great curiosities to me as I to them.
My stock of dried fruit was now quite exhausted and I began
to feel the gnawings of hunger.
I was always blest with a splendid appetite and the pure brac-
ing air of this island only added to it. Bulger, too, I could see,
was casting inquiring glances about in search of some signs of
kitchen arrangements. I made known to chief Ztwish-Ztwish,
as well as I could, the state of affairs, and he at once summoned
Hiss-sah, Whirr- Whirr and Sh-Boom to his side for a consulta-
tion.
They held a most animated discussion and one too, which ran
from quarter hour to quarter hour without any sign of coming
to an end.
All this time my poor stomach was wondering what had cut
off the customary supplies.
70 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
Like rulers the world over, chief Ztwish-Ztwish was inpatient
and self-willed. Finally he lost his temper completely and
moved about so vigorously that his three ministers were kept
continually on the bounce, so to speak.
Ifyou can only wait long enough every thing comes to an end.
I was finally bidden to approach the chief, who asked me
whether I had, since my arrival on his island, seen anything
which I could eat ?
I was obliged to confess that I had not. Whereupon there
was another consultation, which ended in Ztwish-Ztwish seizing
his cork-wood club and sending each one of his ministers in
a different direction, with three quick smart blows. The sight
was so ludicrous that I would willingly have let my dinner go
for a chance at the bat myself.
Suddenly an idea came to me. I could see that this settle-
ment of the Wind Eaters was not far from the seashore. So,
as best I could, I made chief Ztwish-Ztwish comprehend that I
could eat the oysters and other shell fish, of which I had noticed
vast quantities lying on the white sands of the ocean.
When the thing was made thoroughly plain to them that I
proposed to satisfy my hunger by devouring such horrid and
disgusting creatures as lived between these shells, I was really
alarmed at the consternation it caused.
Queen Phew-yoo and and princess Pouf-fall were taken ill and
withdrew to their apartments in great haste, while one and all,
even including the fierce Go -Whizz, were seized with symptoms
of nausea. By degrees, however, they recovered and orders
were issued to half a dozen serving-men who, not being gorged,
were in good marching condition to set out for the shore, and
bring a supply of the shell-fish to appease my hunger, which, by
this time had really set its teeth in my vitals.
Meanwhile Bulger and I were conducted to a neat bamboo
dwelling with an umbrella-shaped roof, and left to ourselves
until the supply of food should arrive.
I was too hungry to sleep. And, Bulger, too, was in the same
condition. But he was patience itself, as he always is, when
he knows that his little master is suffering.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 71

I threw myself down on a heap of dried rushes and my loving

companion came and pillowed his head on my arm.
After a tedious wait of an hour or so a great outcry told me
that something unusual had happened in the village of the Wind-
Eaters.
It was the arrival of the serving-men bringing the supply of
oysters.
I could hardly restrain myself until chief Ztwish-Ztwish
should summon me to break my long fast.
When I reached the chief’s quarters I found a vast crowd of
people assembled to see the “Lump Man” put solid things
down his throat.
Chief Ztwish-Ztwish and his court occupied front seats.
As you know by this time the voice of a Wind Eater depends
upon the condition he is in. If he has just eaten and his body
is rounded out like a well-filled balloon, his voice is deep and

rumbling; if, on the other hand, he has not taken food for
a day or so and his skin hangs in folds and wrinkles on his frame
work of bones, he speaks with a soft, flute-like tone.
As I stepped to the front, followed by Bulger, and took my
place beside the heap of oysters, a deafening outcry went up,
in which the deep roars of the inflated Wind Eaters were
mingled with the soft flute-like tones of the fasting ones. Not
noticing any instrument at hand with which to pry the shells
open I thoughtlessly drew my poniard from its sheath. In
an instant a terrible panic seized upon the assembled multi-
tude. Queen Pliew-yoo and princess Pouf-fah fell into a swoon.
Chief Ztwish-Ztwish being in a fasting condition darted away
to his apartments like a phantom. The ministers of state, Hiss-
sah, Whirr-Whirr and Sh-Boom, being puffed up to their full-
est capacity, struck the ground with their feet and rolled out
of the w ay like huge footballs.
T

Quick as thought I sheathed my dagger, the sight of vfliose

glittering point had brought about all this consternation and, ;

profiting by the lessons given me at our first meeting by

Go-Wliizz and his companions, I began a series of head-duck-
ings and walking-beam motions of my body, which soon restored
confidence in my peaceful intentions and brought my scattered
 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
audience back to their seats. Go-Whizz, who had run the
farthest, was now loudest had not been
in his boasts that he
the least frightened. Chief Ztwish-Ztwish resumed his seat
with considerable nerve, but I noticed that he kept his eyes
fastened on the place where I had hidden my dagger in my
belt. Although the sight of the toothsome oysters only served
to whet my appetite, yet was I now terribly perplexed to know
how I should pry the shells open, for the laws of the land of
the Wind-Eaters visited the death penalty upon any one found
with a sharp-pointed instrument in his possession.
In earliest childhood the finger-nails are kept pared down to
the flesh, until they lose their power to grow hard, and their
place is taken by a piece of tough skin.
—
Teeth the Wind-Eaters have none or, more correctly
;

speaking, their teeth do not grow above their gums. Nature

seemed to have gradually ceased taking the trouble to supply
these people with something for which they had absolutely no
use.
You must bear in mind that these curious people had riot
always been satisfied with such thin diet. In ancient times-
so chief Ztwish-Ztwish informed me, their ancestors had been
fruit-eaters the fruits, however, failing, they had been forced
;

to have recourse to the gums which flowed from the trees, and
as these gradually dried up, they made discovery that the vari-
ous winds which blew across the island were filled with some
invisible germs or particles, which had the power of sustaining
life.

To resume : Observing a flint hatchet lying on the ground,

I laid hold of it and set to work opening one of the largest
oysters. A deep silence settled upon the assemblage. With
a skilful twist, I wrenched the upper shell off, and, raising the
lower one, upon which the fat and luscious creature lay unmind-
ful of his impending fate, I opened my mouth and gracefully
let the dainty morsel slip out of sight hundred cries of
! A
half horror, half wonder broke like a great chorus from the
surrounding crowds of Wind Eaters. Again and again this
outburst died away, only to break forth once more with
redoubled vigor.
 —

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 73

Many of the lookers-onwere made so seriously ill by this

to thein— most extraordinary spectacle, that they hastily left
the place before I was able to take a second mouthful.
ou may fancy how they felt. About as you would were
'S

I to begin gulping down bits of stone and iron.

Queen Phew-yoo clung timorousl} to her husband’s arm but
T
;

the princess Pouf-fah stepped boldly nearer to me, so that she

might have a better view of the “ little man solid all through.”
Again I raised one of the largest shells and let its occupant
slip noiselessly down my throat, not forgetting each time to
loosen the white muscle which held the shells together for
Bulger’s share of the feast.
Gradually the qualms of the Wind Eaters, at sight of a
human being swallowing food in lumps, gave place to a devour-
ing curiosity on their part to draw nearer and get a better
view of my manner of satisfying hunger.
I could understand enough to know that many of the Wind
Eaters had serious doubts that I really swallowed the oysters.
To them, I was little less than some sort of a sleight-of-hand
man or doer of tricks.
The little princess Pouf-fah mounted upon one of the
benches, and the instant the oyster disappeared down my throat
insistedupon my opening my mouth to its greatest width, in
order that she might take a look for herself and see if the
oyster were not hidden away under my tongue or in my cheek
somewhere.
A sudden scream of terror startled the lookers-on as much
as it did me.
The little princess was carried away in a swoon.
It was my teeth! They had frightened the gentle Pouf-fah
half to death.
For a moment all was confusion. Encouraged by Go-Whizz,
many of the W ind
Eaters seized their clubs and pressed for-
ward with murderous intent. The reappearance of princess
Pouf-fah, bright and smiling, set everything right again.
Now the crowd was seized with unconquerable curiosity to
draw near and take a look for themselves at the terrible thing
which had thrown Pouf-fah into a swoon.
 74 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
My jaws soon began to ache from stretching my mouth wide
enough open to give each one of them a glance at my double row
of ivory cutters and grinders, and if I do say it myself, I had in
those days one of the finest sets of teeth that ever cut their way
through a slice of Menburg biscuit, or ground up a piece of
German roast goose.
From now on, these child-like and simple-minded people
became pretty thoroughly convinced that the “ Little Man Thick
All Through ” was a kind and peaceful creature and every way
perfectly harmless.
The children flocked about me, and encouraged by my smiles
and head-duckings soon made friends with me.
I was glad of this, for I was anxious to make a close study
of the Wind Eaters young and old.
You may judge of my surprise when I saw a bevy of these
children —animated puff-balls that they —
were engaged in the
to them, novel sport of rushing full tilt at me and bouncing off
like rubber balls from a board fence.
Well, I suppose you are bursting with curiosity to hear some-
thing more definite about these strange people.
To me they were not entirely unknown. I had read here
and there ancient books of travel by Arabian authors, of some
such a race whose bodies were so frail that they were unable
;

to partake of any stronger and heavier food than the sweet

gums which flowed from the trees and whose skins were so
transparnt that they were called “ glass-bodied,” the beating of
their little hearts being plainly visible to the eye of the beholder.
I have no doubt that these authors referred to the dwellers
of this wonderful island, on which no fruits, berries or edible
roots were to be found, and whose ancestors, as I was informed
by chief Ztwish-Ztwish, did, in former ages, thus sustain their
lives. But I must confess that the fact that there were in
existence human beings who literally lived upon air or, more ;

correctly speaking, upon winds laden with some invisible par-

ticles of life-sustaining matter, was a little more than I had
ever dared to dream out, even in the most active workings of
my imagination. You may judge then of my delight upon find-
 ;

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 75

ing mvself among these extraordinary people, and upon dis-

covering them to he such true children of nature, mild-mannered
and peacefully -inclined.
And yet I was not long in making a discovery which proved
to he quite an important one to me.
It was this. I learned that although the truth was as I have
stated it, that the Wind Eaters are as a rule, a race of peace-
loving creatures, gentle in their dispositions and averse to
wrong-doing, yet there were exceptions to this general rule.
Strange to say, it depended on what wind they fed upon.
All the women, for instance, were gentleness itself. They
fed upon the soft zephyrs of the south. Hut the great majority
of these people contented themselves with satisfying their
hunger hy resorting to the strong and wholesome west wind
while a goodly number, from some idea that it had a sweeter
and more delicate flavor, a sort of heavy, nut-like taste, pre-
ferred the fitful, irregular east wind. It was however not
considered wholesome diet by the best physicians of the nation
and they contended that those who made a habit of feeding upon
this wind were never as hale and hearty as those who restricted
themselves entirely to the nutritious and bracing west wind.
—
A few there were as in every land there are those who
delight in strong, rich food, who insisted upon feeding on the
rugged, gusty north-west wind, claiming that it was best suited
to their wants, and that nature had intended man to partake of
a wind powerful and strong-bodied, in order to fit them for the
—
battle of life. There were even some a very few, be it said
to the honor of these mild-mannered and peace-loving people,
who, contrary to the laws of the land and the express commands
of chief Ztwish-Ztwish, welcomed the blowing of the angry
whistling, boisterous north-wind, and drank in the dangerous
natures were completely changed; and
fluid until their better
from being gentle, timorous and peace-loving, they became
rough, and quarrelsome.
To this ilk belonged Captain Go-Whizz. In fact, as I
was told by Whirr-Whirr, chief Ztwish-Ztwish himself showed
signs of fear when he saw Go-Whizz come swaggering into the
 :

76 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

village, his eyes inflamed, his steps unsteady, his speech in-
distinct after aheavy meal upon the rude and buffeting wind
of the north. While in this condition Go-Whizz lost the slight
control he had over himself and had, upon one occasion, so far
forgotten himself as to breathe out threats and defiance against
chief Ztwish-Ztwish, driving that ruler out of his own apart-
ments, by advancing upon him with a bit of flint which he had
ground to a dangerously sharp point.
Such were the curious people among whom I now found
myself sojourning and on terms of pleasant intimacy with
their ruler.
A few days after my arrival at the village of the Wind
Eaters, I was, unfortunately the innocent cause of rather a
grave accident, which, for a while had the effect of making me
somewhat unpopular at the court of chief Ztwish-Ztwish.
It all came about in this way
I’ve already told you how quick the children were to discover
the solidity of my body and what delight they took in throwing
themselves against me full tilt, in order to have the sport of
bouncing off again like so many rubber balls.
Now you must keep in mind the fact that even after a hearty
meal, a whole dozen of these babies weighed about one good
pound.
I used to encourage them to play about me, in order the better
to observe their curious tricks and ways, one of which was to
lock arms and legs and thus form a chain of human links, one
of which being fastened to a peak of the roof and the other
possibly to some high staff or pole, iat times even extending
across the street and ending on the roof of the opposite dwell-
ing. Thus festooned they spent hours swaying to and fro in the
cool of the day, often swinging themselves to sleep. And it
was not at all an unusual thing to see one of the mothers in
search of her child come bustling along, halt, take down the
line of living links, unhook her baby, replace the line and hurry
away home.
While seated, one day, on the balcony of one of chief Ztwish-
Ztwish’s cottages, a dozen or more of the children set to work
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 77

to form a chain, one end of it being fastened to one of my

such,
earrings which, like a good sailor, I took pleasure in wearing at
times, and the other reaching nearly to the ground, passing over
the high rail of the balcony.
Scrambling, pushing and squirming, uttering the queerest cries,
shouts and squeals, these tiny Wind Eaters were half wild with
joy, when suddenly one of those nearest me swung against the
point of a needle which I had, doubtlessly, thrust into the lapel
of my coat the last time I had been doing some mending, for,
like a true sailor, I was skilled in the use of needle and thread.
I was aroused from my dreamy contemplation of these fan-
tastic beings by a sharp crack like that made by the bursting of
a toy balloon.
Again and again the same sharp noise rang in my ear.
A glance was sufficient to explain it all. I could feel my hair
bristling up with horror as I saw the living links of this chain
snap asunder, one after the other, and disappear into thin air.
Exploded by coming into contact with the needle point, the
force of the explosion of the first of these tiny puff-balls of
humanity had been sufficient to burst the baby next in the line
and so on to the end of the chain !

A dozen of them gone in less than as many seconds and

not so much as a lock of hair to carry home to the heart broken
mothers !

In a few moments, the news of the accident had spread to

every quarter of the village. The weeping, shrieking mothers,
howling for vengeance, gathered quickly about the dwelling
into the interior of which Bulger and I had retreated.
Now you may believe me when I say, that I would not have
stood in the least dread of an army of the Wind Eaters, when
they were fully inflated after a hearty meal, but it so happened
that the air had been calm for a day or so, and that many of
them were now shrunken to the living skeleton size in which I
had first met them. In this condition they were foes not to be
despised, for, moving as they did, with almost lightning rapid-
ity, their mode of fighting was to entangle their enemy in fine

nets, woven of bamboo fibre and then beat them to death with
their clubs.
78 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
True, these clubs were made of corkwood, and a score of
them weighed less than a pound; yet, this fact would only
make death slower and more painful for, while a few blows
;

might suffice to put one of their own kind out of his miser} 7
,

itwould, most surely, have required a whole day for them to

beat the life out of such a solid enemy as I was.
Before I had chance to collect my thoughts, Go-Whizz was
at the door with his band, their nets coiled to throw over me,
while behind the net-throwers stood a row of club-bearers,
anxiously awaiting their turn to begin proceedings. Thought
I to myself “ This is serious business. If chief Ztwish-Ztwish
:

is not at hand, they will entangle me in their nets and try to

beat the life out of me before he returns, for they well know
his affection for me.” But, worse than all, was the fact that
Go-Whizz had just returned from a distant part of the island,
whither he and a few of his chums had made a secret journey,
in order to gorge themselves on the rude and boisterous north-
west wind. He was full of swagger and ire I had never !

seen him swollen to such a size. His voice sounded like the
deep bellowing of some fierce animal.
He whirled his net in the air, and called out in thundering
tones for his men to follow him.
I felt now moment had arrived for me to make a
that the
desperate effort to save my life and Bulger’s, too, for, with his
four feet twisted up in one of their nets, he would fall an easy
prey to Go- Whizz and his band. I felt, too, that it would be
worse than useless to appeal to Go-Whizz for mercy, in-
fluenced, as he was, by long and deep draughts of the fierce and
raging north-west gale.
There he stood, puffing, blowing, blustering, swaggering, as
round and round his head he swung the fatal web, which, the
moment I should attempt to take my back from the wall, he
intended to cast over me as a fowler would entrap a bird.
Suddenly I bethought myself of the little instrument which
had brought me to this dangerous strait.
Before drawing it, however, from its hiding-place, I deter-
mined to play the bully and swagger a little myself.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 79

Now, the heaviest Wind Eater weighs about six pounds and,
;

as you may imagine, my weight, nearly a hundred pounds, was

a source of great dread to them. They stood in constant fear
that I might accidentally tread upon one of the toes of a Wind
Eater and explode him.
Before they would allow me to venture out upon one of their
balconies, or to inhabit an upper story of one of their dwellings,
they proceeded to strengthen it with the stoutest bamboo
poles they could find. So, I now began to give the valiant
Go-Whizz a few gentle reminders of my weight and solidity.
Leaping high into the air, I landed upon the bamboo flooring
with such a thump that everything creaked and trembled.
At first there was a general stampede of Go-Whizz’s fol-
lowers, and that blustering leader was the only one left to face
Bulger and me.
He stood his ground pretty bravely, although I could see that
he was half inclined to heed the cries of his men and make
his way out of the dwelling before I succeeded in wrecking
it. But, after a few more of my jumps, seeing that the flooring
withstood all my efforts to break it down, Go-Whizz succeeded
in rallying his band.
Again, and now more furious than ever, they surrounded us,
shrieking and howling like mad, their uplifted right hands
bearing the dangerous nets, with which they hoped to entangle
Bulger and me, and then dispatch us.
Now, it was high time for me to fall back on my reserves.
I did so. The effect was simply astounding. The needle
proved to be one of the kind used for darning; very long and
bright, and exceedingly sharp-pointed. My dagger point was
bad enough. It had thrown them into a wild and panicky fear.
But, this little instrument, as I brandished it in front of them,
threw them into fits of rigid terror.
They stood rooted to the ground, their bulging eyes riveted
upon the needle-point as if they, one and all, expected it to
prick them to death if they stirred an inch.
At last, making a mighty effort, Go- Whizz broke away from
the spot, uttering a deep and rumbling cry of horror, his men
 !

so ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP

roiling after him, in the wildest terror. AYhen they saw the
tumultuous manner in which the valiant Go-Whizz and his fol-
lowers retreated from my presence, the assembled men and
women, with frightful cries, took to their heels as if a legion
of demons were pursuing them.
In a few moments Bulger and I stood alone on the battle
field. He had not budged from my side during the time that
death threatened me.
“ Come ” said I, as I stooped and stroked his head. “ Come,
!

thou faithful friend and companion, let us go to chief Ztwish-

Ztwish and lay the matter before him ’’ !

The chief had just awoke from a noonday nap. He had

calmly slept through the whole conflict, and so it was necessary
for me to give hint a full account of the unfortunate accident
which resulted in exploding an entire string of babies, and of Go-
Whizz’s attempt to slay me. He listened with great calmness
and most patiently too. He then begged to be excused for a
few moments as an attendant had just informed him that a
very soft and sweet south wind had begun to blow.
He stepped out on the balcony and after he had taken about
;

a dozen mouthfuls of the pure, refreshing breeze, returned

looking a little plumper and, like all men alter enjoying a meal
of favorite food, was still more amiable and kindly in his man-
ner than before.
The news that a dozen of the smallest subjects had been so
unceremoniously popped out of existence didn’t seem to worry
him very much. What moved him most of all, was the fact
which, apparently, up to that hour had never entered into
his mind, namely, that a point so fine, so delicate, so deadly, so
nearly invisible, could be created by the hand of man
I assured him that it was that very moment hidden in the
stuff of my garb, right in front of his eyes.
He trembled.
I strove to reassure him, by explaining to him that I would
as soon think of plunging my poniard into my own heart as of
turning this almost invisible and yet deadly point against his
life.
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 81

He
tried to smile, but it ended in a shudder.
“ Thinkest thou, little man thick-all-through >” asked chief
Ztwish-Ztwish with a trembling tongue, “ that I may look upon
itand not fall into a swoon ? ”
“ O, most assuredly, great chief ” was my reply. “ In fact,
:

most light and buoyant Ztwish-Ztwish, ” I continued, “I can

rob this dreaded instrument of all its power to injure thee and
place it in thy hand like any harmless bit of wood. Is it thy „
”
will that I should thus deliver to thee this dreaded point ?
With a slight shiver, chief Ztwish-Ztwish made answer
“Ay, great and learned can bear the
little master, I think I

sight of it now. I am, indeed, very brave, but thou knowest a

single prick of that deadly point would instantly end the life
of the sturdiest AY ind Eater. ”
I again assured him that there was really nothing to dread so
long as he followed my directions. So saying I drew the darn-
ing needle from its hiding place.
Chief Ztwish-Ztwish closed his eyes at first, but gradually
grew bold enough to gaze upon the glittering point.
Stooping down I picked up one of the cork clubs and breaking
off a bit of the smaller end thrust the needle point into it.
Chief Ztwish-Ztwish Avatched my movements with a sort of
painful curiosity.
“ There, great chief of the Wind Eaters,” I exclaimed, “ now
thou mayest toy with it, hide thy bed, it can-
it in the rushes of
not injure thee It is as harmless as a pebble rounded by the
!

sportive, sparkling waters of one of thA mountain brooks. r

Take it it may serve thee some day, in case of a sudden attack

!

upon thy illustrious person.”

“ At such a moment, fear naught seize it firmly, draAV its
!

dreaded point from its hiding place in this bit of cork. So

small is it that it will be invisible in thy hand, and while thine
enemy stands before thee in fancied safety, pierce him to
death ;
thou are ruler and it is fitting that death should
for,
strike him who attempts to rob thy people of their chief ” !

Chief Ztwish-Ztwish took the needle with trembling hand,

and hid the bit of cork which held it under the thatch of the
 82 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
roof. Then, calling out, he summoned one of his serving-men
and bade him bring from a neighboring apartment a certain
small bamboo chest, from which he drew a string of rare
jewels somewhat of the nature of amber, onty a thousand times
more brilliant. With this beautiful gift lie dismissed me, issu-
ing orders to his ministers that no harm should be allowed to
come to me for the accident which exploded the string of little
Wind Eaters.
Go-Whizz could with difficulty hide his anger at seeing me
once more an honored guest at the court of chief Ztwish-Ztwish.
I did not relax my vigilance in the least, however. Every
night I barred the windows with my own hands, and placed
Bulger’s mat of rushes in front of the door, so that it would
be impossible for the wrathful leader to surprise me.
Now that the explosion of the babies was quite forgotten,
my sojourn among the Wind Eaters would have continued to
be extremely pleasant, had not a new difficulty arisen to cause
me anxiety.
The rather thin diet upon which I had been existing, since
my arrival among these curious people, while it appeased my
hunger, robbed me of that plump and well-fed look which I had
always had, I found myself losing flesh at an alarming rate.
Chief Ztwish-Ztwish and queen Phew-Yoo were delighted, for
as they expressed it, “ the little man thick-all-through was
rapidly becoming in appearance at least, a genuine Wind
Eater.”
Bulger, too, fell away dreadfully.
Now and then I surprised him with his dark, lustrous eyes
fixed upon me with as much as to say “ O, little master, what
:

is the matter with us ? W

e eat, and yet we grow thin. Are
we really turning to Wind Eaters ? ”
And another bad phase of the matter was, that while my ever-
increasing leanness was causing me so much anxiety, it was
carrying joy to the heart of queen Phew-yoo who, it seems,
had formed the plan of keeping me for the rest of my life in the
service of her lord and master by bestowing upon me the hand
of the fair princess Pouf-fali.
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 83

Queen Phew-yoo’s explanation of my ever-increasing thin

ness was, that it was the effect of the wonderful atmosphere

of their island that it mattered very little how thick and solid
;

a man might he, if he lived long enough among them, he would

gradually lose it and become, if not a genuine Wind Eater, at
least almost as light and airy a being as they were.
As I learned of these views from others before hearing them
from the queen’s own lips, it was not at all a surprise for me,
one day to receive a message from the stately Phew-yoo sum-
moning me to present myself before her.
She accorded me a very gracious reception, and princess Pouf-
fah too, showed great delight at seeing me under her mother’s
roof. She bounced hither and thither like a toy balloon, now
shaking perfume from dried flowers, now holding up strings of
the curious gems, which I have already mentioned, and making
them glisten in front of my face.
I amused her hy holding her out on the palm of my hand and
tossing her up and catching her, as I would a rubber ball.
Queen Phew-yoo looked on in mute satisfaction.
When Princess Pouf-fab had grown weary of play, the queen
spoke as follows
“ O, little man thick-all-through, I have to say to thee that

which will gladden thy heart. The great chief, my husband,

and I have noticed with joy that day by day thou art growing
thinner and thinner. Know then, that this is the magical
effect of the air thou breathest. When
our forefathers landed
on this island, the}', like thee were solid all through. There-
fore, be not alarmed when, a few months hence, thou findest
thyself completely changed. Thou wilt, ere long, lose this
heavy load of useless flesh, which thou hast been for so long
a time condemned to carry about with thee, and become light
and buoyant, like us. And, O beloved Lump, that thou mayest
hasten the change from thy present solid form and become
a graceful and hollow being like one of us, I do, with the
chief Ztwish-Ztwish’s counsel and consent, accord thee per-
mission to eat with us each day. This very hour shaft thou
make thy first meal upon the sweet and wholesome wind of the
84 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
South. The very moment, little Chunk, that thou hast become
thin enough to suit the great chief, he will give thee the fair
princess Pouf-fall for thy wife.”
At these words, the princess, who really seemed to be very
fond of me, clapped her hands joyfully, and bounced between
her mother and me like a toy football.
“ But, little Man-Lump,” continued queen Phew-yoo, “ before

we set out to dine on the sweet wind which blows over Ban-
quet Hill, there are two things which the great chief Ztwish-
Ztwish said I must be very particular to mention to you, the
two conditions upon which he is willing to honor you above
all men, by bestowing the hand of the beautiful princess Pouf-
fah upon thee.”
“ Name
them, gracious queen !” I cried, for I was too wise
to raise any objections at this point. I knew only too well
that a single word from chief Ztwish-Ztwish would hand me
over to the tender mercies of the fierce Go-Whizz.
“ They are,” resumed queen Phew-yoo, puffing out her cheeks
and tapping them playfully with the backs of her thumbs,
“ they are, little man thick -all-through, that thou shalt thy
file

teeth down even with thy gums and keep thy nails always
pared down to the flesh.”
“It shall be, gracious queen, as thou desirest,” I replied,
with several low bendings of my body.
“Then,” answered queen Phew-yoo gayly, “there remains
nothing for thee to do but to begin at once to accustom thyself
to our food; so let us set out for Banquet Hill without delay,
for the sweet south wind is blowing fresh and strong !”
I accompanied queen Phew-yoo and princess Pouf-fah to
the place indicated. It was a beautiful knoll, from which I
could look far away to southward over a valley, enchantingly
fair.
She and the princess at once began to inhale the soft, sweet
air,and encouraged me to do the same.
They were delighted with my efforts. In fact, the motherly
Phew-yoo seemed a little bit anxious lest I should overeat
myself.
 ;

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 85

After the princess had taken a few deep draughts, I was

surprised to see an attendant approach her and place about her
throat a necklace of beads, strung upon an elastic cord. This
was a precaution prevent the princess from eating too
to
heartily, were she so inclined. Well, as you may imagine, I
returned to my apartments from dining with queen Phew-yoo
and princess Pouf-fah on Banquet Hill a very hruigiy man;
if that were possible, hungrier than I was before, for the

pure, fresh air and many deep breaths had fairly" made me
ravenous.
Once more alone with Bulger, I set to work thinking out
some scheme to get hold of more food; and, by checking my
alarming loss of flesh, put an end to queen Phew-yoo’s plan
of transforming me into a genuine Wind Eater and giving me
the princess Pouf-fah for a wife.
It occurred to me that possibly I might catch some fish in
one of the arms of the sea nearest to the village and broil it
on live embers, for I had my tinder box in my pocket.
This plan worked to a charm. I soon succeeded in teaching
several of the serving-men to rig up a number of their war-
nets as a sort of seine, and was overjoyed the first time I
cast it to make a haul of a dozen or more fine sea-bass.
Bulger entered into the sport with great zeal, seizing a rope
in his mouth and tugging away for dear life, as we began to
haul in.
The next thing was to gather some dry leaves and wood, and
start a suitable fire to make a bed of embers. Crowds of the
Wind Eaters gathered about me and watched my movements
with a sort of mixture of wonder, fear and pleasure.
When at last the smoke began to curl up, and the flame
showed itself, cries of consternation broke forth, and a wild
stampede ensued.
Chief Ztwish-Ztwish was hastily summoned but, I had no
;

difficulty in convincing him that I intended no injury to anyone,

that the red tongues which he saw darting forth were per-
fectly harmless if they did not come in contact with one’s flesh
that it would only be necessary for him to issue a command for-
80 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
bidding the people to approach too near to the tongues of
crimson which darted from the black clouds of smoke.
By the time the live embers had formed I was ready with a
dressed sea-bass of about two pounds’ weight, and the cooking
began.
It is needless for me to assure you that Bulger and I sat down
to a delightful meal, really the first satisfactory one since my
arrival among the Wind Eaters.
From this time on all went well. Every day my oyster gath-
erers and my fishermen made their visit to the shore to keep
my larder supplied.Upon their return, I was always in read-
iness with a fine bed of embers. So things went on for a week
or so. I was delighted to find Bulger and myself gaining flesh
in splendid style. And still, every now and then I was obliged
to accept queen Phew-yoo’s invitation to dine with her and
the princess Pouf-fall at Banquet Hill, where I pretended to
enjoy* a meal on the soft and perfumed south wind quite as
much as they did themselves. Queen Phew-yoo insisted that
my complextion was growing clearer and more transparent
every day, and that, beyond all doubt, in a few months I would
be able entirely to give upa“ swallowing stones ” as she called
it.

While I was quietly pursuing my studies of these curious

people, another unfortunate occurrence took place, and this
time turned out to be a very grave and serious matter.
it

The Wind Eaters were not long in getting accustomed to the, to

them, at first, startling sight of “ crimson tongues darting from
the mouths of black clouds.” In fact, they soon learned to
like the odor of the delicate morsels as they lay broiling on the
embers, and when the air was chilly, didn’t hesitate to form a
circle around Bulger and me as we sat eating our dinner and
enjoy the warmth, and to them, curious spectacle at the same
time. It so happened that one evening, I had left a deeper bed
of embers than I had imagined. The ashes collected over them
and they continued to glow till nightfall. A band of roysterers
belonging to the Go- Whizz faction, by the merest chance,
returned, homeward that night from a trip to the north shore of
the island, where they had gorged themselves upon the bois-
AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 87
 88 ADVENTURES OF LiTTLE BARON TRUMP,
terous wind of that quarter. Attracted by the glow of the
remaining embers, they made haste to gather a lot of wood,
threw it upon the smoldering fire, and, as the flames began to
thrust out their red tongues here and there, ranged themselves
in a circle to enjoy the warmth, for the night was damp and
chilly.
So pleasant did they find the effects of the warmth that they
resolved to pass the night there and threw themselves down on
the ground as close to the fire as they deemed it prudent to go.
About midnight a gentle scratching on my arm from Bulger’s
paw, told me that something unusual had happened, for he
never awakened me unless’ he was quite sure that the matter
was serious enough to warrant him in disturbing me.
I found the village in the wildest state of alarm. Ear-pierc-
ing screams from the women mingled with the deep rumbling
outcries of the men.
You have no doubt, already guessed what had happened. The
facts were simply these In the night, the cold had increased,
:

and -several of the Wind Eaters, half asleep, and half stupefied by
the deep draughts of the boisterous north-west wind, had ap-
proached closer and closer to the fire, when suddenly the vast
quantity of cold air which they had swallowed began to expand
and four of them exploded with a terrific noise.
In quicker time than it takes to tell it, my dwelling was
surrounded by a screaming, shrieking, howling mob ot Wind
Eaters, demanding my instant death.
It required all of chief Ztwish-Ztwish’s influence with his
people to save me from being entangled in their fatal nets and
beaten to death on the spot.
To make matters a thousand times worse, the bully and
swaggerer, Go-Whizz, entered the village at this very moment,
with a pack of his quarrelsome hangers-on at his heels. He
had been away on a secret trip to the farthest northern point
of the island, where the north wind howls and roars its
maddest. I had never seen him puffed up so to the very
bursting point with his favorite food.
When he heard of the fate which had overtaken his four
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 81 )

comrades, his fury knew no bounds. He and his followers

pounded their chests until the air quivered with deep and
rumbling sounds, while ever and anon they broke out into the
wildest lamentations for their dead companions. He openly
and boldly charged chief Ztwdsh-Ztwish with having betrayed
his people and given over their once happy island to certain
ruin at the hands of the “ little monster thick -all-through/’ w ho,
by his dread magic and foul mysteries, would soon bring their
people to feed upon stones like himself.
Day now began to break and w ith the coming light, the
r
;
r

confusion in the village seemed to take on new strength. So r

sure was I that death was about to strike me that I wrote out
several messages to the elder baron and to the gentle baroness,
my mother, on the leaves of my note book, and left directions
w ith one
T
of the chief’s serving-men that, in case of my death,
it was my w ish that he should send them to my people, w hom
r

he would find on my ship in the beautiful bay on the distant

shore of the island.
I said nothing about Bulger, for I knew only too w ell that r

he would die by my side.

I prepared for the w orst. I examined the primings of my
r

pocket-pistols, and concealed my dagger under my coat at the

back of my neck, where I w ould be better able to reach it, if
r

it came to close quarters.

This done, I proceeded to cut my finger-nails to as sharp
points as I could, for I was determined to sell my life as dearly
as possible.
While I felt confident of chief Ztwish-Ztwish’s affection for
me, yet I couldn’t tell at w hat moment he might lose courage
T

and turn me over to the mob, in order to save himself.

Bulger w atched all my preparations with wdde-opened and
r

intelligent eyes, occasionally giving utterance to a low, nervous

whine, as the howling, shrieking, roaring mob surged back and
forth in front of chief Ztwish-Ztwish’s dwelling.
By the law of the land, the common people were prohibited
from entering the inner enclosure of the chief’s abode, but
Go- Whizz, being one of the nobles or minor chiefs, w as
r
90 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
entitled to advance into the chief’s presence and state his
wrongs or make his requests.
So now, the raging Go-Whizz, parting from his followers,
who never ceased crying out for vengeance upon the “little
demon Lump,” who, on two different occasions, had spread
death and destruction among their people, strode into the pres-
ence of chief Ztwish-Ztwish.
The chief was calm. He had not partaken of food for four
and twenty hours, and stood up, wrinkled, creased and seamed,
as the Wind Eaters always look when fasting. Near him
sat queen Phew-yoo and princess Pouf- fall, while directly
behind him were ranged his three councillors, Hiss-sah, Whirr-
Whirr, and Sh-Boom. They were well-rounded out by recent
draughts of the strong and wholesome west wind, and hence,
looked as contented and smiling as Ztwish-Ztwish looked sad
and solemn. I stood in an adjoining apartment, concealed behind
a bamboo screen, with my faithful Bulger by my side. I was
so placed that I could see all, without being seen myself.
Chief Ztwish-Ztwish knew of my presence there.
As Bulger caught a glimpse of the raging and bellowing
Go- Whizz, he grew so nervous that I was obliged to stoop and
stroke his head to let him know I feared nothing. But the
fact of the matter is, great dangers always exert a subduing
influence upon me.
I face sadly, for my thoughts in such moments
them cooly, but
go back to the elder baron and to the gentle baroness, my
mother, in the far-away home ’neath the skies of the beloved
fatherland.
Like a huge football impelled by the kick of some gigantic
foot, Go-Whizz landed in the audience chamber of chief
Ztwish-Ztwish. He shook his arms violent^, and bounded up
and down with inward fury, for he was still too much beside
himself with rage to utter any other sound than a deep rum-
bling growl or mutter.
From my
place behind the bamboo screen I followed, with
allthe keenness of sight for which I am so justly famous,
every movement of the furious Go- Whizz, as well as the actions
 : : !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 91

and demeanor of chief Ztwish-Ztwish and of his councillors,

for I was determined not to be caught napping in case any signs
of treachery should be visible. At the very first glance I saw
that the rebellious Go-Whizz had something hidden in his
girdle, and from the shape and length I knew at once that it
was a flint knife. Quick as thought, I beckoned a serving man
to my side and sent a message to the chief, telling the atten-
dant to appear to be engaged in waving the branches of per-
fumed leaves as was his duty while he whispered- it in the
chief’s ear.
It was as follows
“ Be on thy guard ! O, Chief. The brawler hath a flint knife
hidden in his girdle. He will attempt to slay thee.Be careful
Be calm ” !

Go-Whizz had now quieted down a little but, with a voice ;

of thunder, he began his tirade. He pictured the long years

of peace and happiness on their island, the blessings they had
enjoyed under the long and glorious line of rulers of which
Ztwish-Ztwish was the worthy descendant. He thundered
out defiance against all the enemies of the Wind Eaters and as
softly as possible roared his own praises telling of the many
deeds of valor he had performed in Ztwish-Ztwish’s service and
ended by declaring himself ready and willing to die for his
beloved chief.
When Go-Whizz had bowed his head for
spoken, the chief
a few moments and then made answer “ Thou hast
in silence :

spoken truly and wisely, O Go-Whizz Thou art brave. Thou

!

hast the right to demand favor at my hands Speak, Go-Whizz, !

”
what may Ztwish-Ztwish do for thee ?

At these words of Ztwish-Ztwish, all the former fury of Go-

Whizz broke forth once more. Pounding his chest and striding
up and down the audience chamber, he roared out
“That thou givest into my hands this very hour, the Solid ‘

Demon,’ the dreaded Man-Lump,’ the monster Thick- All-

‘ ‘

Through who hath brought all this death and ruin into our
’

”
peaceful land !

Chief Ztwish-Ztwish was silent for a few moments.

 :

92 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

Need I tell you that my very heart listened for the reply ?
I could hear nothing hut the deep, coarse, grating sound of
Go-Whizz’s breath as I leaned forward to catch the first word
which should fall from the chief’s lips.
It seemed a lifetime. At length Ztwish-Ztwish spoke
“ My brother, thou art inflamed with the deep draughts of
the fierce and raging north wind Thou art beside thyself.
!

Thou seest not clearly I must not adjudge death except when
!

the decree will rest on the laws of our fathers. True, the
i
Little Man-Thick-All-Through hath been the cause of great
’

misfortune to our people, but the innocent cause. He hath not

striven or desired to harm us. He is a lover of peace, a friend
of his kind. My followers were warned of the danger of the
crimson tongues. The Man Lump did not seek their death.
‘ ’

And full well too, thou knowest that the laws of our fathers bid
us to hold the lives of our guests as sacred as the texture of our
skin. Go thy way, therefore, Go-Whizz, I cannot doom the
‘
Man Lump ’
to death.
roared the disappointed leader, “ the kind of justice
“ Is this,”

which thou givest to my people ? ”

“ Ay, is it, thou brawler !” replied chief Ztwish-Ztwish, now
fast losing control over himself. “ Hold thy peace and depart,
lest in my wrath at thy frequent wrong doing I give thee over
”
to merited punishment !

“ Have a care, Ztwish-Ztwish !

” roared
Go-Whizz, boiling over
with rage, “have a care lest thy people rise in their might and
”
cast thee out, thou unjust ruler !

“ Begone, I say !” was Ztwish-Ztwish’s calm but stern reply.

u Go thou first, then, traitor to thy people thundered out !

Go-Whizz, springing forward with the flint knife raised high

in the air.
Cries of terror burst from those gathered in the audience
chamber. But chief Ztwish-Ztwish calmly put forth his hand
and touched the would-be assassin.
With a deafening crack the body of the raging Go-Whizz
flew into a thousand pieces, like a huge balloon seized by the
hands of the tempest and whirled against the spear-like
branches of some shattered oaken monarch of the plain.
 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 93

Queen Pliew-yoo and princess Pouf-fah, bewildered and

terror-stricken, clung to each other, while silent fear sat on
the faces of those around the chief. But he w as calm, and
r

spoke a few words in a mild and steady voice to the queen

and the princess.
When the people learned of Go- Whizz’s attempt to slay their
ruler and how the brawler, at the very instant he lifted the
flint knife to_strike, had been mysteriously stricken dead at
Ztwish-Ztwish’s feet, they sent up loud huzzas, for the fierce
Go- Whizz was more feared than loved, even by his followers.
It required several days for the village of the Wind Eaters
to quiet down and take on its every-day look, after the mys-
terious death of Go-Whizz ;
but, with his disappearance van-
ished all opposition to chief Ztwish-Ztwish’s rule.
The people firmly believed that it was the avenging spirits
of the air who had touched the brawler with their sword
points when he raised his hand against their ruler.
I need hardly tell you that the chief’s gratitude to me knew
no bounds. No gifts were too beautiful or too costly to be
offered me. And the fact that I declined them all, only
seemed to strengthen his affection for me.
But how could I, how dared I reject the gift of the hand of
the fair princess Pouf-fah ?

To do this would be to undo all that I have done, to make

Ztwish-Ztwish my enemy, to transform his love into hate, his
—
confidence into suspicion possibly to write my own death
warrant.
There was but one course left for me to pursue. And that
was escape
And escape, too, it must be at once, before I had lost the
chief’s confidence. One of Ztwish-Ztwish’s first acts after his
rescue from the flint knife of the murderous Go-Whizz, was to
restore to me the tiny instrument with the invisible point.
This done, a terrible load seemed to be lifted from his mind.
He became himself again. And with his returning happiness
and content, came a still stronger desire to hasten my marriage
with the princess Pouf-fah.
 !

94 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

With the greatest caution, I made this and that excuse, in
order to gain time to collect my
thoughts and settle upon some
sure plan of escape, for recapture I knew meant death, or
—
worse than death imprisonment until I should consent to give
up all desire to leave the island of the Wind Eaters, and pledge
myself to become, so far as nature would permit, one of their
people.
Cautious as I was, my excuses awakened suspicion.
The first proof of this was to find that orders had been
given to cut off my supply of fish.
Queen Phew-yoo was afraid that so long as I was permitted
to have all the solid food I wanted, I would not grow thin
enough to be content with air diet, and, therefore, not satisfied
to make my home among them for the rest of my life.
The next thing to happen to me was to find my supply of
oysters and mussels reduced one-half by orders of Phew-yoo.
This meant yield or starve !

It struck me like a bolt out of a clear sky

But it has always been just such blows as this which have,
throughout my life, aroused me to calm, quick, intelligent
action.
I hesitated no longer. My plan reached perfection in a single
moment. When night-fall came scrawled a few lines
I hastily
addressed to my sailing-master, telling him of the fate which
threatened to overtake me and bidding him arm a few trusty
men and hasten to my rescue. This I tied to the collar of my
loved and faithful Bulger. He covered my hand with carresses
and I held him clasped in my arms for an instant while the
tears fell hot and fast. Then I softly opened the door of my
bamboo lodge.
The night was bright and glorious. “Away, my beloved
Bulger!” I whispered, stooping my lips for the
and pressing
lasttime on his silken ears and shapely head. “ To the ship !

Away ” He paused, looked into my face, gave a low whine as if

!

to say “ Ay, ay, little master, I understand ” And awa} he

: !
r

sprang like the wind. For an instant I could follow him as with
a long and sturdy bound he sped along And then he was gone
! !
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 95

The next morning, to my utter astonishment, I was informed

that all the preparations for the marriage of the princess Pouf-
fah and the u little man thick-all-through,” were completed and
that the feasting and merrymaking would begin the day fol-

lowing.
This piece of news, startling as it was, I received with
perfect calmness. I completely disarmed all suspicion by my
apparent satisfaction with the bright prospect of becoming the
son-in-law of the great chief Ztwish-ZtwishT I searched my*
pockets for trinkets to bestow upon the light and airy Pouf-fah
Queen Phew-yoo was not So great had been the
visible.
joy of her mother’s heart that in a moment
of weakness she
had partaken too greedily of the rich, but unwholsome east
wind and was now suffering from a fearful attack of dyspepsia.
This was a most fortunate thing for me, for I am quite certain
that queen Phew-yoo would never have consented to allow me
to return to my own apartments that night. There was now
but one thing left for me to do and that was to make for the
distant sea-coast, where I had left my ship and crew.
And start, too, that very night. As ill luck would have it,
chief Ztwish-Ztwish, noticing that a delightfully strong west
wind had begun to blow insisted upon having a sort of prelim-
inary feast about sundown.
I was invited to join the party.
Not daring to refuse, I set out with the merry-makersand not
only tired myself out by making frantic efforts to fill myself
with their invisible food but it was nearly mid-night before the
village grew perfectly quiet and everybody seemed to have
closed the doors and windows of his dwelling. But, after all,
the rioting of the Wind Eaters was a fortunate thing for me.
They went to bed so gorged with many and deep draugths of
the hearty and filling west wind, that they slept like logs, if you
will allow me to compare puffballs to solid wood.
I waited until the rumbling of the voices had died away as the
last group of roysterers broke up and the solitary Wind Eaters,
scattered along the streets, disappeared one by one into their
bamboo dwellings.
 ! —

9G ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

Leaving my door fastened on the inside, I sprang lightly
through the window, and under cover of the deep shadows made
my way unnoticed to the outskirts of the town. Here I broke
into a sharp run, for at very most I would have but six hours’
start of the Wind Eaters and that was far too little for, as I ;

have already told you, they flit along like phantoms when in a
fasting condition, and even when pretty well filled, are very
—
swift of foot more especially if the air be quiet so as not to
impede their advance.
On, on, I sped with a desperate resolve to make such a good
use ofmy start as to make it impossible for them to overtake me.
To my horror, after about an hour’s run I noticed that my
legs were beginning to tire.
This was a terrible blow to me. For a few moments I stag-
gered along half unconscious of where I was, whither I was
hastening and of the awful danger threatening me. All at once
the truth of the matter broke upon me.
I was but the wreck of my former self. The long months
of fish diet had robbed my muscles of that wonderful strength
and elasticity which was once my pride and my chief depend-
ence in moments of peril.
Frail as I had grown, my legs now bent beneath me.
Slower and slower grew my pace. My heart seemed to
swell and shut out the very breath of life.
On, ever onward, I toiled with a desperate effort to escape
my pursuers, whose rumbling voices it half seemed to me were
faintlybooming in the distance.
But Nature would do no more !

I reeled, I staggered, I stopped, I fell

How long I lay there I know not. But when I came to myself,
I could plainly feel that change in the air which tells of the
coming day. The rippling of a brook fell on my ear. I
dragged my aching body in the direction the sound came from.
A deep pull at the cool, clear water of the brook refreshed me
somewhat. I attempted to rise but, O, new loss of hope
;

to discover that my joints had stiffened while sleeping on the

ground, uncovered, yes, even ill-clad, for I had left one piece
 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 97

of my clothing hanging on the window-sill of my lodge in the

village, to quiet any suspicion which might arise in the minds
of the serving-men.
Thoughts of home, however, of the elder baron, of the gentle
baroness, my mother, of my loved Bulger, flitted through my
fevered brain, and prompted me to make one more effort to
regain my feet and escape death at the hands of chief Ztwish-
Ztwish’s enraged people, who would soon be bounding along,
up hill and down dale, like spirits of the wind, as they were.
.A groan escaped my lips as I rose to my feet, so like knife-
points in my joints were the pains which shot through my
frame.
But I must try to be up and away, even though the effort
cost me a thousand agonizing twinges.
I owe it to the loved ones at home to push on till I fall utterly
broken, till, like a stricken beast, robbed of the power to stand,
I should topple and fall at the feet and at the mercy of my
pursuers.
Such were the thoughts which oppressed my poor, reeling
brain.
A terrible mystery, a torturing dream weighed me down.
I still had my mind. I could see. I could feel. I could hear.
And why should I not rise and move onward, and away from
the certain death which hovered over me ?
Crazed by such thoughts, I struggled to my feet and stag-
gered along, sending forth a groan with every step !

But I had steeled myself to the task, and dragged myself

along, still oppressed by some strange and mysterious power,
which gave to every pebble the rock’s size, and widened every
gully to a yawning chasm, on the brink of which I paused in
sickening fear of plunging into some black abyss. And yet,
oh joy gradually the films faded from my eyes, the mysterious
!

power lifted its spell from my brain. I felt more like myself.
I saw clearer. My step grew firmer. Now, at last, thought
I, all is going well
When,
suddenly, a long, blue-gray streak of light flashed
along over the heads of the hills in the far distant eastern
sky. It was the signal of morning !
 ! !

98 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

Again, with a groan I sank on my knees, caught myself, rose
half -dazed, pressed on again, slowly, slowly, every step jarring
on my heated brain like a hammer’s blow ;
but still onward,
onward
A terrible grip as of —
some giant hand palm of iron and
fingers of steel —set itself on my very vitals. The thought
that evennow my escape was known to my enemies, that the
phantom Wind Eaters, armed with their nets and clubs, were
flitting out of the streets of chief Ztwish-Ztwish’s village,
charged to carry me back alive to a worse death than death
itself, or slay me for having broken faith and set the face

of honesty over my fraud and deceit, seemed to paralyze my

limbs and rob me of the little strength I had left.
Still on and ever onward I struggled, like one in the dull
stupor of the wine cup. Fast ah, too fast that streak of !

gray dawn lengthened and widened and the orb of day shot up
through the morning shadows a messenger of light here and
there, now weak and fitful, now stronger and farther reaching.
I saw them, ay, I felt them, for in my dread of them they
seemed to flash toward me and strike my half closed eyes, as
if knocking at the windows of my soul and rousing me to move

out of death’s harm.

For a brief moment I halted as if expecting some fond, famil-
iar voice to ring in my ears.
It came.
It was the my mother Gently, softly,
gentle baroness, !

sweetly, that well-known voice came floating on the morning air

bidding me take heart, calling me by name just as in childhood’s
days, and saying “ My baby my boy my son my darling
: ! ! !

Rouse thee Press on Press on quickly ” And then I took

! ! !

heart.
The fearful clamp set on my breast relaxed its hold.

I could feel my strength returning. But oh, so slowly, so

slowly ! Still, it was on its way back at last I could feel my !

feet grow lighter. With some effort I quickened my pace

almost to a run.
On, on, I sped, now every instant giving me new strength,
 ! ! ! !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 99

every motion sending the warm blood tingling to my fingers’

ends.
The spell had been I was myself again
lifted ! !

Swifter, and swifter my

pace quickened until I flew along as
in days of old, when with ease I left all comers far behind me !

Methought I could almost hear the plash of the waves on the

snow-white sands of that beautiful harbor where my good ship
lay.
On, and ever onward, I sped with a new and mysterious
strength. I was astounded at my own deeds. I was almost
afraid, so fast I was bounding along, lest again some demon of
the air should touch my limbs and stay my course.
But hark Didn’t you hear that deep rumble ?
!

The sky is clear. It cannot have been the voice of the storm
fiend.
Ha again, deeper and clearer than before, that hoarse, low,
!

muttering rumble, half -roar, half -growl comes borne along on

the wings of the awakened breeze.
Lost Lost
! Lost !

It is the cry of the pursuers, it is the voice of the enemy !

Those children of the air are on my track. They follow me

with leap and jump. What madness to think to outrun them.
Let me halt and die like a man Look how they bound along
!

over the plain

Swift and noiseless are their steps, phantoms that they are
I halt. I turn. I grasp my fire-arm Too late score of ! ! A
entangling nets envelope me I struggle only to entwine myself
!

the more, arms, hands, legs, feet, are twisted in wretched con-
fusion.
I sway, fall, roll over, wrapped ’round and ’round in that
dreadf ul tangle
And now down upon my defenceless body comes a rain of
sharp, stinging blows. Deep rumbling
cries fill the air and
keep time in a wild way with the showers of blows rained on
my face and head and hands.
As they continue they seem to increase in strength.
The pain, bearable at first, now becomes excruciating.
 ! ! ! ! — —!

100 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP.

The light goes out of my eyes, swollen shut as they are
beneath this cruel pelting.
A thousand ringing sounds assail my ears.
—
My brain reels I am going going dying — —
When, hark again
You can not hear it Your ears would not know it But
! !

mine do Mine do! !

’Tis Bulger’s bark and I am saved Faster and faster the

!

Wind Eaters ply their clubs.

I do not heed them. I do not feel them now, for nearer and
nearer comes that joyous music.
’Tis here
I’m strong again. I rise half up my lips move I speak — —
I cry out “ Quick, good Bulger, or all is lost !”
: single A
glance at the terrible plight of his little master tells him all.
With a howl of rage, his dark eyes shooting flame, he throws
himself upon the heels of the Wind Eaters. His sharp teeth
pierce like needles
Crack !

Again and again he sends his fangs through the skin of a

Wind Eater.
Crack ! Crack
Their clubs cease swinging. A
cry of horror goes up, as for
the fourth time good Bulger’s teeth pierces the heel of a Wind
Eater and sends his body with a loud report to vanish into thin
air.
They turn; they break away in wild dismay; they fly for
their lives, casting away their clubs and abandoning their
victim. I could see no more.
It grew black, a vertigo seized me. I tried to free my hands

**********
to touch

When
my loved Bulger, for death,

life came back Bulger was licking my hands and face

I thought, had come

and whining piteously. He had gnawed the netting free from

the limbs of his little master.
With a cry of joy and a brust of tears, I caught that faithful,
loving creature to my breast.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 101

At that instant, distant shouts came floating over the hills.

They came from my sailing-master and his relief party.
I could not answer. But Bulger raised his head and sent
forth a few sharp harks to tell them where we were.
In a short half hour they were at my side.

AS I APPEARED THE DAY AFTER MY RESCUE BY BULGER.

 :

102 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

After my bruised face and hands had been bathed in cool
water and I had swallowed a few mouthfuls of wine, I felt
strong enough to get on my feet and move slowly forward.
Bulger walked proudly by my side, pausing ever and anon to
look me in the face, meaning to ask
“ How goes it with thee, little master ?'” Once on ship-board,

strengthened by good food and cheered by the comforts of my

cabin, I was not long in getting my health back again. After
a week’s rest, I gave orders to weigh anchor and turn our good
ship’s head northward, for I was anxious, very anxious to see
the elder baron and the gentle baroness, my mother, and tell
them all about the wonderful things I had seen.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 103

CHAPTER VI.

How the elder Baron and the Baroness received Bulger and me upon
our return from our first voyage. I am decorated by the Emperor
with the grand cross of the Crimson Cincture. The elder Baron
presents me with a copy of an ancient Roman newspaper. I read of
the murder of the beautiful Paula, and the banishment by Caesar of
the Seven Sculptors to a faraway island in the southern seas. I re-
solved to set out in search of the Island. My departure. Trouble
with crew. My sailing-master loses his reason. I hear the cry, Land
ho !It is the Sculptors’ Island. Description of- it. I go ashore.
Paula’s statue. Adventures on the Island. Bulger makes a wonder-
ful discovery. Something about the strange people who inhabit the
Island. Their habits, their pleasures, their characters. I am over-
taken by an alarming melancholy. My awful dread at thought of
becoming as one of me dwellers on the Sculptors’ Isle. I learn of the
existence of Antonius. I seek him. V ain endeavor to grasp his hand.
Our interview. The strange and moving history of the Seven Sculpt-
ors and their descendants. How they were transformed into the
Slow Movers. Bulger and I propose to leave the Island. Extra-
ordinary conduct of a bust of the great Caeser. Our farewell to the
Slow Movers. Their adieu. Our good ship sails away.

Upon my return from my first

journey to far away lands, the
elder baron and his faithful
spouse, my
beloved mother, fol-
lowed by all the retainers of the
household, met Bulger and me at
the outer gate and welcomed us
home with that wild and boister-
ous joy which only German
hearts are capable of.
The elder baron threw his arms
around my neck, and, forgetful of
the fact that I was only half his
size, lifted me completely off the
ground in the unreasoning joy
of a father’s heart, nearly throt-
tling me.
I kicked vigorously, but, the
soft felt soles of my oriental
the beautiful paula. shoes prevented me from giving
him to understand that he was fast choking me to death.
104 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
At last my
thoughtful mother noticed that I was growing
my legs, pulled me down-
black in the face, and laying hold of
ward out of the dangerous embrace in which the elder baron
had wrapped me. Not, however, until my father’s Nuremberg
egg had bored painfully into my protuberant brow, adding
another bump to that already bumpy territory. Upon noticing
which the elder baron dispatched an attendant to his apartment
with orders to search his medicine chest for a bottle of volatile
liniment. In his eagerness to undo the harm he had inflicted,
he poured a stream of acrid liquid into my eyes, causing me
intense suffering. This red and inflamed condition of my eyes,
however, the tenants, and retainers attributed to my emotion
upon entering the baronial hall once more, after so long an
absence.
I didn rt regret this little accident at all, for while I am
opposed to that ready-made style of emotion which some people
always keep on hand, I have no objections to a noble and digni-
fied use of tears.
It is needless to say that every body was delighted to see
Bulger. They all found that he had increased in size, beauty
and intelligence.
He received all this homage with a dignity that was charming
to behold.
To impress the crowd with a due sense of that discipline and
self-control which he acquired as the constant companion and
confidant of his master, he absolutely refused to touch the many
tid-bits and dainty morsels which the retainers offered him,
and gazed with the utmost indifference at the other dogs in
their mad scramblings for the food which he had declined.
I was very proud of him.
In a few days everything had settled down to its wonted quiet
again beneath the baronial roof. Evenings I passed giving
accounts of the many wonderful things I had seen while abroad
To these sittings, a few of the older and more confidential
household servants were admitted.
My good mother arranged them in a semi-circle behind the
chairs of the elder baron and his guests. I, with Bulger by
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 105

my occupied a dais, either seated by the side of a table

side,
holding curiosities or standing in front of my auditors in an
my
easy position, while 1 held them spell-bo und by my narration.
There was one thing that worried me, and it was this How :

will the elder baron receive the announcement of my intention

to leave home again, ere many moons ?
To my great surprise and delight he didn’t even wait for me
to make known my intentions.
While seated in my library, one day, poring over a very rare
book of travels which I had just purchased, a gentle tap at the
door caused Bulger to raise his head and give a low growl.
“ Come in !
” said I.

It was the
elder baron.
“ I disturb you ” he began. !

“ You haA^e that right, baron,” I replied, with a gracious

smile; “be seated, pray.”
And saying this, I arranged the pelt of a A ery beautiful and T

rare animal which I had killed while abroad, so as to make a

comfortable seat for the elder baron on the canopy.
“ My
son ” said the baron, “ I come to bring thee this
!
little
token from our gracious master, the Emperor. ”
I looked up.
He held in his hand the insignia of the Grand Cross of the
Crimson Cincture.
I laid the bauble on the table.
“ Little baron, ” continued my father, “ I
am well pleased with
thee.
”

I made a low obeisance.

“Thy marvelous adventures Thou hast set a
fill all mouths.
new lustre on the family name, and
come to rouse thee fromI
thj apparent sloth. Thou must be up and doing. Thou
must
shake off this indolence which will gain an increased poAver
over thee each passing hour. NeAv triumphs await thee.
Go
lorth once more. Turn aside out of the beaten paths.
Seek
the wonderful and marvelous. But ere thou settest
forth,
ponder the contents of this parchment roll. Many years
ago^
when the down of manhood first came upon my cheek, and
 :

106 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

before life’s burdens had come to lie heavily on my soul, I
found it in the damp and noisome vaults of an ancient Roman
Convent, which the pestilential air of an encroaching marsh
had emptied of its inmates. It may turn thy footsteps toward
something strange and interesting ” !

Concealing with difficulty the joy occasioned by my father’s

words and my earnestness to know the contents of the parch-
ment roll, I returned the elder baron’s salutation with marked
respect, and he withdrew.
I need not assure the reader of the almost breathless anxiety
with which I unroled the volumen.
It was in the Latin tongue, and was the work of a scribe.
The ink had faded somewhat, but, even in places where it had
entirely disappeared, I could by the aid of a strong lens
readily trace out the words by the lines scratched into the parch-
ment by the point of the reed pen.
It was a copy of an ancient Roman newspaper or Acta Diurna,
and bore a date corresponding to our forty-fifth year before
the present era.
Caesar was at the height of his power.
Peace reigned, the arts flourished. Rome, the centre of the
world, was the home of a glory and magnificence far beyond
anything the eyes of man had yet gazed upon.
The contents of this copy of the Acta Diurna were largely
made up of detailed accounts of a famous trial just completed
at Rome, in Avhich seven noted sculptors had been found guilty
of poisoning a beautiful maid named Paula, after they had each
completed a statue of her, in order that no other sculptors
should ever be able to make use of her for the same purpose.
The judges had pronounced the sentence of death upon them,
but in consideration of their splendid services in beautifying
the imperial city, Ceasar had changed their punishment from
death to lifelong exile.
The seven sculptors had been transported in an imperial
galley to a faraway island in the Southern Seas. As stated in
this copy of the Acta Diurna it was the most remote piece of
land belonging to the Roman Empire lying to the Southward
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 107

*‘Ad insulain remotissimam imperii romani medianorum.”

As an additional act of the imperial clemency the wives and
children of the condemned sculptors had been graciously
accorded permission to follow their husbands and fathers into
their terrible exile.
When had finished reading all the minute details of this
I
strange crime and its awful results, I found that my blood was

coursing through my veins with a mad violence. I paced the floor

with such a quick and nervous step and with agitation so
plainly visible in my looks, that I was aroused from my reverie
by the anxious whining of Bulger, who was following me about
the room close upon my heels.
Wliy not go in quest of this faraway isle to which these seven
sculptors and their families were transported by command of
great Ceasar?
Perchance in that far-distant isle dwells a race of beings
who, forgetting the world, and forgotten by it, will, by their
strange habits and peculiar customs so interest me as to repay
me for all the dangers I may run in crossing untracked seas
and turning aside from ocean paths.
Perchance their descendants may be living yet ?
This idea now took possession of my whole being.
Sleep was impossible.
Far into the night I pored over ancient charts.
W^hile deepest silence enwrapped the baronial halls, I worked
out in my mind, or, rather, let my mind work out, the course
which I should pursue.
For it was always a custom
of mine never to attempt to
In fact, I early made the discovery that
solve the unsol vable.
any interference on my part with the mysterious workings of
my mind tended rather to impede its action.
So I waited calmly for light.
It came at last.
Closing my
eyes, with my inner sight I could see a map of
the eastern world traced in glowing, shimmering lines upon
an inky background.
And there, too, could I see my course marked out in dotted
lines of fire.
108 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
With a loud, ringing cry of joy I sprang to my feet and
exclaimed: “I shall find this wonderful isle! I shall unlock
the portals of the Southern seas I shall gaze upon the
!

descendants of Paula’s murderers !

Come, Bulger Away Away ”

! ! !

my parents, I swung myself into the

Hastily bidding adieu to
with Bulger securely strapped en croupe, dashed
saddle, and,
madly away towards the shores of the Mediterranean.
“The baron’s mad son is off again !” cried the peasants, as
I galloped past their farm houses.
In three days I stood upon the deck of my vessel.
In obedience to my orders, the captain’s hand literally rested
upon the helm.
All that day he had been standing with his eyes riveted upon
the shore, for something told him that I could not be far
away.
Everything was in readiness, even to the last biscuit.
As Bulger and I leaped over the rail, my good ship rounded
to the wind, and darted awrny like a thing of life.
The blood tingled in my veins at sight of the blue waves and
white bellying sails.
Bulger gave vent to his satisfaction in mad gambols and
ear-piercing barks.
Itwas certainly an auspicious beginning.
Leaving the command of the ship to the mate, the captain
joined me in the cabin,where I unfolded to him my project of
sailing in the Southern seas in quest of a long-forgotten
island.
He made haste to unroll his chart and adjust his spectacles,
in order to fix the location of the island when I should give
him the latitude and longitude.
Fancy his almost consternation when I told him that the
only proof I had of the existence of such an island was the
brief mention in the ancient Roman newspaper.
Was I mad?
Did I care no more for life than to throw it away in such
a foolhardy undertaking?
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 109

Had I no idea of the rage of the terrible typhoon, the

treachery of the hidden reef, the weight of the watery moun-
tains which would topple on our deck ?
Could I expect seamen to go where there was no record that
the most adventurous sailors of past centuries had ever
ploughed the water ?

I smiled.
“ Master,” said I, after a moment’s silence, “this ship is

mine, and you have sworn to serve me

a true seaman, but
like
if your courage has failed you, you shall be put ashore at the
!”
first port we make. Go
“Nay, little was only testing
baron,” cried the skipper, “I
your resolution. If you have the courage to sail into unknown
seas, I have the courage to follow you, come bright skies and
calm waters or come storm clouds and thunderbolt !”
I shook the old man’s hand, and bade him go on deck, for
at last sleep had come to my wakeful eyes the first time in —
—
three whole weeks and I wanted to be alone.
In a few days we passed the Straits of Gibraltar and turned
southward, keeping the African coat in sight.
I passed my time perfecting myself in the Latin language,
and often called forth very vigorous protestations from Bulger
by addressing him in that tongue, and making use of him as a
sort of audience before which I delivered my speeches after I
had rounded them and polished them.
The only stops we made now were for water or provisions.
By daylight and starlight my staunch ship bounded along on
her course as if some friendly nereids were pushing at her
stern. In the long watches of the night I lay in my hammock
and pictured to myself that Roman galley as it bore those
seven exiles with kith and kin away from their beloved land
forever.
Ere another moon had bent her crescent in the evening sky we
had reached the Cape, and came to anchor with intent to over-
haul our ship most thoroughly before going farther southward
This occupied several days.
I chafedunder the delay.
 :

110 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

Ten times a day I summoned the ship’s master to my cabin
and urged him to make greater haste. He bore with me most
patiently. My heart gave a leap, when, at last, I heard the
master order the crew to set the sails.
The seamen were singing and tugging away at the main-
sheets as I stepped upon the deck.
“ How shall I head her, little Baron ?” asked the master,
raising his hand to his cap.
“ Head to the southard ” I replied.
!

He stood transfixed.
He had thought that we would round the Cape and follow
the usual course to the Indies.
His lips move as if to protest.
I cut him short, however, with an imperious wave of the
hand.
Several of the sailors, noticing the pallor which had over-
spread the captain’s face, drew near and stood gazing upon us,
half wonderingly, half inquiringly.
“ Captain ” said I calmly, but quite loud enough to be over-
!

heard by the men standing in a group near by, “ my pistols were

made by the Emperor’s armorer. They never miss fire. Let me
find you .changing this vessel’s course a single point east or
west of south and I’ll kill you in your tracks ” !

Saying this I walked away.

From that moment all went well.
The ship’s master to have my way,
saw that I was determined
even if I lost my life in consequence, and he yielded.
Turning around to the group of sailors, I called out
“ A thousand ducats to the man who first sights land ” !

A hearty cheer rent the air, and calling to Bulger to follow

me, I went below to think.
That night I not only took the precaution to hang a lanthorn
so that I could lie in my hammock and see a ship’s compass at
any time I might awake, but, fearful lest some treachery might
be attempted, I ordered my faithful Bulger to sleep with Ms
back against the door so that the least vibration would arouse
him.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. Ill

Night after night these precautions were followed out most

strictly.During the day, too, my pistols were always in my
belt.
Bulger felt the danger I was in, and he, by his vigilance
gave me the advantage of eyes in the back of my head.
A low growl warned me of the approach of the master or one
of the crew.
Thus protected and guarded, I felt that nothing save a general
mutiny need be feared. And this 1 knew to be almost impossi-
ble, for a number of the crew were too devoted to me to listen
to any traitorous proposals. They would have slain the master
in cold blood had he dared to breathe the word mutiny !

Things went very well for about ten days when I saw that a
terrible struggle was going on in the captain’s mind.
I began to fear that he might lose his reason and throw him-
self into the sea.
His face took on a yellow-greenish hue.
He was literally dying of fright.
One morning he threw himself upon his knees in front of me,
and with tear-stained cheeks implored me to put back to the
African coast again.
I did all I could to quiet him, but in vain.
His reason was slowly but surely giving way.
Calling the mate to me, I put him in comamnd of the vessel,
and directed him to confine the captain in his cabin and place
a guard over him.
It cut me to the heart to be obliged to do this, for the poor
fellow begged like a dog to be left incommand of his ship.
But I was deaf to his entreaties.
I felt that now all trouble was at an end.
The wind was blowing fifteen knots an hour.
Every stitch of sail had been crowded on.
We fairly leapt out of the water like a thing of life, half Hy-
ing half swimming.
Ever and anon I glanced at the compass.
She was heacled dead south.
My cheeks tingled and I could feel the flow of warm blood
through every vein in my body.
 ! ! !

112 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

The moon went up a shield of burnished gold. The sea
like
glittered like liquid Anon, a porpose leaped into the air
fire.

and sent a thousand ripples circling away as he plunged into

the water again
Our good ship cleft the glassy bosom of the sea like some
huge black monster of the deep, and left a trail of fire in her
wake as far as the eye could reach.
Towards midnight I went to rest.
But neither rest nor sleep was possible.
Half undressing, I threw myself into my hammock, and Bul-
ger took his accustomed place at the door.
The lanthorn was not strong enough to overcome the light
of the full moon. It streamed through the bull’s eyes in
weird, fantastic rays, and crowded my cabin with strange and
mysterious forms.
They were seven
Their faces and figures were godlike, so white, so beauti-
ful were they.
There was an indescribable sadness in their full dark eyes.
They spake not a word.
Suddenly the paneling of the cabin ceiling parted, and dis-
closed a staircase wrapped in dim, uncertain light.
Adown these steps came a most gracious being, so white and
fair and lovely thatI gazed with bated breath.

Down, down came, nearer and nearer.

it

She needed but wings to be an angel

But, oh her fair face was so filled with sorrow
!

Her lips were parted, her long black hair fell in confused
tresses on her shoulders.
She stepped into the cabin. And then, with a quick, dread
look, her gaze fell upon the seven bowed figures.
“ Paula ” they cried, and drew their white robes over their
!

heads.
* * * * * *

Land ho ”
“ Land ho ! !

What ! Could I believe mv ears ?

 AND IIIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 113

“ Land ho Land ho ”! !

With a bound I sprang from my hammock and rushed upon

deck.
Ay, it was true ! There, half a mile ahead of us, was a
sight that stunned me like the blow of a bludgeon.
Land it was, but not such a land as in my wildest dreams I
had hoped to find.
Ten thousand lights glimmered on that mysterious shore, and
illumined the front of a Roman temple whiter than milk. A
marble staircase of the same hue led down to the very water’s
edge.
A sacrifice was in progress.
From the highest terrace a column of black smoke curled
slowly upward.
No sound reached my ear.
I stood almost bereft of my senses.
At last, my power of speech returned. I ordered anchor to
be cast, and clinging to the shrouds of my good ship, gazed long
and joyfully upon the entrancing scene.
The land rose in natural terraces from the seashore, and no
matter in what direction you looked, your eye caught glimpses
of a graceful statue or group of statuary gleaming in the white
moonlight, amid the dark foliage, like wliite-robed figures
astray in a wood.
“ It must be ” I murmured to myself.
!

“ I have found it This Roman temple, this marble stair-

!

way, these groups of statuary, all point to the glorious success

of my voyage of discovery. This is the Sculptors’ Isle ” !

How long I stood there gazing upon this beautiful shore I

know not. Some one pulling gently at my sleeve roused me
from my reverie.
It was Bulger.
I stooped and stroked his head for a few moments.
Suddenly I awoke to a sense of great weariness, and casting
another glance toward that mysterious shore, I turned and de-
scended to the cabin.
1 soon fell into a deep sleep.
 !

114 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

The terrible strain upon my nerves since leaving the Cape,
caused by the half mutiny of the crew, the insanity of the ship's
master, and the long watches through which I had lain and
listened for the cry of land, had at last told upon me.
The sun was several hours high when I sprang out of my
hammock and rushed upon deck.
Could it all have been a dream ? Should I find the noble
temple, staircase of marble, and all the towering statues melted
away into thin air ?
Ah no
That beautiful shore was still there, unrolled before my won-
dering eyes like some fair picture full of light and grace and
delicious coloring.
“ Man the launch ! I called out and in quicker time than it

takes to tell it, I was on my way to the shore of the Sculptors’

Isle.
Faithful Bulger sat beside me, his eyes bright and expressive
as he gazed into my face.
Landing at the foot of the marble stairway, I sprang lightly
out of the launch, followed by Bulger, and bounded up the
marble steps.
There were three landings before I reached the level of the
temple, from each of which the outlook grew more and more
delightful. In truth, it was a glorious approach to produce
which art and nature had fairly outdone themselves. At
length I cleared the last flight of steps, and with a throbbing
heart crossed the tessellated court and paused in front of the
entrance to the temple.
The embers were smouldering on the altar, around which
still

stood several white-robed priests with low-bowed heads and

averted faces. Unwilling to break in upon their solemn office,
I turned and followed a broad way, paved with marble and

shaded by most graceful trees and trailing vines.

At every step my eyes fell upon some statue of ravishing
—
beauty now nymphs; now goddess; now Jove himself; now
the great Caesar; now the fair Graces; now terrible Pluto;
now smiling Ceres now the crescent-crowned Diana, accoutered
;
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 115

for the chase ;

now dancing satyrs ;
now goat-footed Pan now
;

some Roman hero or statesman and ever and anon, came the
;

figure of a maiden, wondrously fair, but with an unutterable look

of sadness upon her beautiful face. So often did the same
figure meet my gaze that I was led at last to approach its ped-
estal in hopes of finding some explanation. I gave a cry of
pleasure as my eyes fell upon the name sculptured there.
It was Paula.
Now every doubt was dissipated.
I had indeed found the Sculptors’ Isle
Broad winding paths, leading right and left, now lured my
footsteps. No fairy land could be more beautiful.
Golden fruit glistened ’mid the dark green leaves.
Flowers of countless hues bloomed on every side, sending
forth the most delicate perfumes. Trailing vines hung in
graceful festoons or twined around the pedestals of the statues,
carrying their white blossoms to the whiter hands of these
silent and motionless inhabitants of this region of loneliness.
1 say inhabitants, for as yet my eye had seen no living creature,
save the priests grouped about the altar.
Have I landed upon the shores of an island, upon which
nature, with a lavish hand, has bestowed stately forests, placid
lakes, purling brooks, trees laden with delicious fruits, plants
waving their flowery tassels and plumes in the perfumed air,
vines trailing their richly variegated foliage from tree to tree,
a radiant sky above, a soil clad with velvety verdure beneath,
only to find it abandoned, deserted of man a thing of beauty
;

and yet loneliness, a tnere polished and painted shell, out of

which all life has gone f orever ? ” '

Such was the train of thought which busied my mind as I

strolled along through these winding paths paved with marble
shut in by a leafy roof, through which ever and anon the sun-
light burst to light up the masterpieces of the sculptor’s art,
around whose pedestals climbed and clambered scores of flow-
ering vines, some carrying in their curved laps clusters of ber-
ries, brighter in hue than burnished gold, others holding out to
the passer-by bunches of grapes deeper in purple than the
r
Lydian d} e.
 ;

116 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

As I pursued my way through, this enchanted garden, in
which the swaying lily stalks bent their perfumed-filled cups
down to my cheeks and the trees dropped their gold and purple
fruit at my feet, while deep in the hosky thicket of red-leaved
shrubs and silken-tufted pine, the melancholy nightingale
warbled his liquid melody in slow and plaintive measure, my
heart yearned for the sound of a human voice.
“Would that some living being,” I cried, “no matter how
bent and twisted in figure, or how discordant in voice, might
come forth to meet me in this beautiful solitude.”
I noticed now that my path was ascending a gently sloping
hillock. I quickened my pace, for I was anxious to stand upon
some elevation, so that I could command a more extensive view
of the outlying country.
As I gained the summit of the hillock, a scene of indescriba-
ble beauty met my gaze.
As saw unrolled beneath me a
far as the eye could reach I
landscape of such surpassing loveliness that I paused spell-
bound. Imagine a valley shut in by wooded heights, through
which a silvery stream courses tranquilly here a forest giant
;

spreads its far-reaching limbs, and there a clump of fruit trees

display their load of golden treasures in the sunlight ;
on this
side flowering shrubs shine white as ivory against the dark
greensward, on that with trailing vines and trimmed copses,
man’s hand has built many a shady bower of fantastic outline
to this add scores of statues posed in every conceivable attitude
—
of grace and beauty here a group, there a single figure, and
farther on by twos and threes, standing, reclining, sitting, at
play, in meditation, listening, reading, thrumming stringed
instruments, in attitudes of the chase, casting the quoit, or
reaching up to pluck fruit or flowers.
“ Is this a dream ? ” I murmured. “ Am I not the sport of

some mischievous spirit of the place ? ”

From this deep reverie the loud barking of Bulger aroused
me with shock-like violence.
I looked in the direction of the sound.
Poor, foolish dog, he was gamboling about one of the statues
and amusing himself in waking the echoes with his voice.
 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 117

I was a little nettled by the interruption, and called to him to

cease his barking.
It seemed to me almost a sacrilege to disturb the deep repose
of this fair valley.
Again the barking broke forth. This time Bulger’s strange
antics were wilder than before.
He seemed fairly beside himself bounding around and around
the statue which was that of a young man in the act of reaching
—
aloft for fruit or flowers and giving vent to a sort of half
anger, half mischief, in a series of barks, growls and whinings.
Rare indeed was it that Bulger did not give heed to my wishes,
no matter how faintly expressed, but now, not even a threaten-
ing tone of voice seemed to have the slightest effect upon him.
He continued his mad gamboling and sharp, angry barking.
Determined to reproach him most severely for his disobedience,
I strode angrilytoward him.
I drew near.
I looked I saw ! !

Ashes of my forefathers, what? The statue had wide-

opened eyes. The statue had the blush of life on its cheeks.
Motion, movement, even to a hair’s breadth, there was none
And yet these fair blue eyes were bent upon Bulger in half-
inquisitive, half -wondering gaze.
I rubbed my eyes and looked again.
I took a step forward.
Suddenly a wave of fear crept over me like the flow of icy
water. Would the living marble, as it warmed to life, moved
b} some long pent-up passions,
r
raise its hand and strike me
dead?
Gathering myself together, I glanced toward a group of
maidens at play beneath the shade of a leafy roof of arched
branches and interlacing vines.
Quicker than it takes to tell it, I sprang forward and fixed
my gaze upon their faces.
Death could not hold the human form in attitude more
motionless than theirs.
And yet their eyes were filled with strange light.
 ! ! : ! ! !

118 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

Upon their fair faces the red tint of life glowed, bright and
warm
Where was I ?
A strange feeling of half dread, half delight, now swept over
me.
And still I dared not speak. My voice will break the spell
by which all these breathing children of earth’s flinty breast
keep their hold on life, and they will fade away to nothingness.
And now the eyes of her nearest me—of deeper black than
polished coal, appeared bent full upon me. I could see, I
thought, the glisten of those ebon orbs, as if a tear had broken
over them.
Her hand was outstretched.
What touch it, thought I, to see if it have the warmth
if I

of life within it, or whether it be not in truth a thing of stone,

and I the sport of some mischievous spirit of the island ?
I’ll do it, if I’m slain like a poor worm, which, warmed by

an approaching flame crawls to meet it.

I touched its finger-tips !

O, wondrous thing
They were not of stone, but of softest, warmest flesh
I staggered back, expecting to see the group vanish in thin
air.
But no ;
it moved not.
It stood as motionless as before
And now I felt my limbs grow strong beneath me.
I determined to speak, come evil or come good
Fixing my gaze upon their fair young faces, I uncovered
and addressed them thus
“O, strange and mysterious beings, resent not this bold
intrusion of a puny mortal upon your sacred repose Speak !

to me ! If ye so will, let me take my feet off the soil of your

fair island. But ere I go, speak to me, let me know whether
ye be not the creations of some spirit of this isle, or whether
ye are really living, breathing beings !”
No sound issued from those rosy lips, parted as if in the
very act of speaking.
 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 119

No movement, no tremor, came to break the marble-like

pose of these fair figures.
A whole minute elapsed.
To me it seemed an eternity.
I stood riveted to the ground in most anxious suspense.
The minutes dragged their heavy bodies along one after
another.
But joy unutterable
Their lips begin to move.
A smile, almost imperceptible at first, spreads slowly, slowly,
over their faces.
The crimson of their cheeks takes on a deeper hue.
Their eyes bend a most sweet and friendy look upon me.
The wT ord “ we ” falls gently on my ear.
Another pause !

I lean forward, in most painful suspense, to catch the next

faint syllable.
It came at last.
“ Live t”
“ They live !” a loud and joyous voice, “ they live
I cried in !

I am not the sport of any strange divinity. These figures are

not cold and senseless marble, but warm-blooded, breathing,
thinking, living beings !”
I cannot tell you the depth of my satisfaction that this
discovery was made by my loved Bulger. He saw the terrible
perplexity which had come upon his master, and hastened to
his rescue not frowning face, not threatening voice was suf-
;

ficient to turn him from his purpose of letting light in upon

my darkened mind. In my deep contrition, I could scarcely
bring myself to speak his name.
I felt how unworthy of his love I was.
But he pardoned me with a nobility of character more than
human and spake his forgiveness by covering my hands with
caresses and uttering a series of soft low barks.
With Bulger by my side, I now mingled with these flesh and
blood companions of the island’s marble dwellers, passing from
one group to another in speechless wonderment. Ay, in good
120 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
faith they were alive, hut not more so than the flowers, the
shrubs, the trees, the vines which helped to make up the lovely
scene of which they were the brightest and fairest ornaments.
The vines moved from place to place more rapidly than they,
the flowers oped their buds more quickly than the maidens did
their lips. Like beautiful figures of wax, moved by the slow
uncoiling of some hidden spring, these living statues passed
hours, nay days, in rising to their feet or sinking down upon
the velvety greensward.
For several hours I stood watching the white hand of a
maiden as it reached forward, with imperceptible motion to
pluck a red-cheeked peach which hung beside her. A full hour
went by ere those delicate fingers were clasped around the
peach, another ere it had been carried to her lips. There, all day
long, she held it pressed, but as the sun went down behind the
wooded hills, it fell from her loosened grasp and rolled towards
my I slowly stooped, for I was not long in discovering
feet.
that myquick movements pained these animated statues, and
picked it up. I could feel that some of the pulp had been drawn
from the luscious fruit, but the skin was hardly broken, so
gently had she fed upon it.
At moment, seeing a smile upon the face of one of the
this
maiden’s I turned to find upon whom she bent her gaze.
It was a handsome youth, who stood, perhaps fifty feet distant,
with his eyes fixed beamingly upon the maiden’s.
“ Surely ” thought I, “ affection will, as in other lands, quicken

their movements ;
they will advance toward each other some-
what rapidly now.
But no, the long twilight yielded little by little to the deeper
shadows night came the moon set her glowing disc in the
; ;

heavens, and yet that youth was not near enough to clasp the
hand of the maiden he loved.
From the first coming of the twilight, smiles had been slowly
gathering upon the faces of the other youths and maidens,
whose eyes were turned upon the lovers.
At this moment a gentle “ha!” fell upon my ear, and, after
the lapse of half an hour, another and louder “ ha ” followed !
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 121

it, to be, after a still longer pause, followed by still another

“ ha ” This last “ ha !” was lengthened out into a clear and
!

ringing note which lasted several seconds. Then it grew fainter

and fainter, and died away like a spent echo. Their mirth was
over.
As I was threading my way among these living statues, one
morning, I came upon a group of children at play.
At first I could not see that they had noticed my coming at all,
but after the lapse of a quarter of an hour I discovered that
their large beautifully clear eyes were slowly turning toward me,
so I determined to sit down near by and observe them. Fancy
my delight upon finding that a delicate thread-like flowering
vine had twined around and around the body of a little golden-
haired maid of about seven, encircled her neck with its many
colored leaves and coral berries, and coiled itself like a crown
of gold and crimson upon her soft ringlets, dropping its blos-
soms and tendrils gently down around her head and shoulders.
Seeing my astonishment, and hearing my words of delight, a
mild-faced woman seated near me slowly, slowly raised her
hands and extended her fingers to make me understand that
these little cherubs had been ten days at play there upon the
ground.
“This beautiful vine,” thought I, “has joined in their sport.
As much alive as they, it is in truth one of their playmates,
and has wound itself lovingly around the child seated nearest
to it.
”

I looked again. Lo a tree loaded with delicious nuts was

!

swinging in the breeze and shaking them into the laps of these
children at play, while on the other side, a tall, graceful plant
bearing cup-shaped fiowers of sunny whiteness, each of which
1 noticed was filled with limpid water, drops of which sparkled

in the sunlight like polished gems, gently brushed against the

cheek of a smiling boy, as if to say
“ Drink, dear little brother ” !

“Wonderful!” cried I, “these happy creatures, these trees

and flowers, these fruits and vines are all children of the same
family. No storms ever come to darken these fair skies. Eter-
122 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
nal spring reigns here. By daylight, starlightand moonlight
their lives flow gently along like some broad, silvery stream,
whose motion is too slow for human eye to note it. Mysterious
people How shall 1 fathom
! the wonderful secret of your
existence ? How shall I read the history of a people whose
only books are speechless brooks and silent groves, whose
tongues have so lost their power to interpret thought that
months might go by and yet the mystery remain unsolved ” !

After a sojourn of a few days among the “ Slow Movers,” as I

shall call them, I made a discovery which alarmed me greatly.
I found that this mysterious silence, this strange fate which
cast me among living creatures with whom converse was next
to impossible, this utter inability to distinguish the living
statues from the marble ones, was beginning to prey upon my
mind.
Bulger noticed my ever-increasing melancholy, and exerted
himself to amuse and comfort me.
I responded but poorly to his thousand and one cunning tricks
and laughable antics.
In fact, I felt that my mind was gradually yielding to some
dread influence which pervaded the very air, and which, even
hour by hour, so gained in strength that I realized the necessity
of making a superhuman effort to break away from the power
it had already acquired over me, or else become myself a living-

statue and brother to the forms of flesh and marble which

inhabited this wonderland.
I will notweary my readers with minute details of the plan
which Ihad conceived to end the danger which threatened me,
to snatch myself from the living death which I could already
feel creeping over me.
In my despair I determined to apply to the oldest of the Slow
Movers, and throw myself upon his mercy, so to speak, to tell
him of my longing to escape from the terrible fate threatening
me, to return home to my beloved parents, who would go down
in sorrow to their grayes if I, their sole child, their pride and
their hope, should never come again to gladden their old age.
But more than this, I determined if possible, to learn the his-
 : a

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 123

tory of tRe island and its mysterious folk, and to that end I
resolved to beseech him to indicate to me where I might find
some record of their past, some book or parchment, so that I
might not go through life burdened with the brain-racking
thought that I had been powerless to solve this mystery —
thought, which, if it did not shorten my days, would most
surely embitter them.
As I have already explained, in attempting to converse with
the Slow Movers I was confronted with a two-fold difficulty.
In the first place, though I might burst with impatience, yet
must I preserve a perfectly calm and placid exterior, and, in the
second place, when, after the long and wearying delay, it came
my turn to make reply, that reply must not exceed the snail’s
pace of the Slow Movers’ speech, else their bright eyes clouded
up and they seemed absolutely paralyzed by the rapidity of my
utterance. Their eye-lids sank slowly down and they seemed
to fall into a deep slumber, out of which it took hours to arouse
them.
At the first streak of dawn T sought out the aged Slow Mover,
whom I had often noted in his leafy temple, seated on a marble
pediment his eyes fixed on the silent stream which bathed the
very roots of the trees, whose wide-spreading branches helped
to roof over his habitation.
All that day and the starry night which followed it, I sat at
his feet.
Picture to yourself my utter despair at learning that not a
word or a line, not a leaf or a parchment, was in existence,
which, might end my fearful anxiety. I say fearful, for
stronger and stronger, hour by hour, grew the impulse to put an
end to this life of useless, senseless activity and join the throng
of living statues into whose heart no vain regrets came to
darken their placid dream-life.
On the morning of the second day a thought burst upon my
mind. It was this
Perchance there may dwell, somewhere on this isle, some one
living creature, who, unlike his brothers, may possess the
power of rapid speech, whose tongue, for some reason or other,
may have stayed loosened.
124 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
I reasoned thus : In every land there were opposites, good and
bad, beautiful and ugly, graceful and awkward, swift and slow.
Surely on this isle must live such contrasts as these. True,
it may be an exception but it would be most wonderful if it
;

did not exist.

All that day I spent in imparting unto the aged Slow Mover
my train of thought.
It was deep in the twilight ere I had succeeded in putting
the question to him Whether there was not some living
:

creature dwelling on this island whose powers of speech were

more like mine, and to whom I might, in my ever-increasing
dread of transformation into a Slow Mover, flee for refuge
from myself, for satisfaction of the irresistible longing pressing
on my very soul.
But the shades of evening were not so deep that I could not
note the darker shadow which began to gather on the face of
the aged Slow Mover when I had completed my question.
I was startled
So violent were the beatings of my heart that they sounded
loud, though muffled, above the sighing of the zephyr, the
rustle of the leaves, the plaintive warbling of the nightingale.
As this shadow went on growing, ever deeper and deeper, on
the old man’s A isage, I felt that I had touched some ancient
7

wound, which, though long-forgotten, now bled afresh.

His lips parted, his head sank slowly, slowly, a sigh came
forth, so full of meaning, so like a tale-bearer of some long
hidden sorrow, that I feared for the worst.
My limbs stiffened.
I could feel the blood lessen its pace in my veins and go grop-
ing along as if uncertain of its way.
I pressed the tips of my fingers to my cheeks. They were
cold as polished marble.
I essayed to speak. The words would not come.
At last I made a violent effort—
“ Bulger ” I whispered.
!

Poor dog, he slept at my feet.

I struggled to escape the spell for one brief moment, that I
might stoop to give my faithful friend a farewell caress.
 ! ! :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 125

Hist
The Slow Mover spoke.
“ Son ” !

I was saved
He had aught to say to me.
The spell was broken.
My heart began to beat again j
the warm blood ran tingling
through my veins.
It was a narrow escape.
Already my finger tips had cooled.
Another moment and I would have joined the throng of Slow
Movers, and become a brother to the marble dwellers on the
Sculptors’ Isle.
All that night the aged Slow Mover talked to me. And when
the sun went up I knew all. knew the secret which had so
I
darkened his placid countenance. I knew the cave in which
—
dwelt the hermit of the Sculptors’ Isle an outcast, a prisoner,
shut in between the narrow walls of a cavern by the sea, for
no fault of his, for no sin, for no wrong.
Nature had so willed it.
Why, the aged Slow Mover knew not.
Antonius was the name which the hermit bore.
When morning came I sought him out.
I found him seated by his cavern’s portal, looking out upon
the glory of the eastern sky.
This was the secret of his exile
Some cruel fate had, in his youth, visited him with a dread
disease, not unlike that which is known as St. Vitus’ dance.
When the was upon him, not only did he lose all control
fit

over his limbs, so that his feet bore him whither he willed
not to go, and that, too, with extreme rapidity, but his arms
likewise executed the most rapid and vigorous gestures, now
in apparent anger, now entreaty, now wonder. You will readily
understand why ill-fated Antonius came to be banished from
the midst of the Slow Movers.
Although their brother, and deeply beloved of them, his light-

ning-like rapidity of motion, his violent gestures, his almost

 ! ! !

12G ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

ceaseless change of attitude, not only offended the Slow
Movers, dazed them it shocked them it checked the sluggish
it ; ;

flow of life blood within their veins, and threatened them all
with slow but certain death.
He must go
He did!
Antonius was banished to the cavern by the sea, where never
came sound, save the ocean’s roar when lashed by the demons
of the gale, or its sad murmur and ceaseless break and splash
in its moments of slumber and rest.
.But, most terrible of all the manifestations of the unfortunate
Antonius’ fearful ailment was the utterly wild and ungovern-
able rapidity of his speech.
Like maddened steeds, tongue and lips rushed along !

To the eyes and ears of the Slow Movers, such a violently

expressive face, such mad rapidity of utterance, were death
itself !

Not one brief month would have found a living statue in that
home of flinty hearts, had Antonius not gone
Antonius was thankful for that dread decree, which housed
him forever in the cavern by the sea
He saw the sufferings of his people, and though his eyes
in that brief time wept more tears than all his brethren ever had
shed in their sluggish lives, yet were they but a poor proof
of the awful grief he felt.
Antonius turned towards me as I approached the spot
where he sat wrapped in deep meditation. A sad, but withal
kindly smile flitted about his lips, like the quick but faint
glimmer of the lightning in the distant sky.
He rose.
Ipaused to await his bidding to approach him.
He spake not a word, but stretched out his hand.
I bounded forward to clasp it and press it to my lips.
At that instant the fit fell on him.
I could see the look of pain which flashed across his face.
Away he glided, now backward, now forward, now sidewise,
now obliquely, his hand outstretched in a desperate effort to
 . ! ! !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 127

reach me, who, with equal desperation, advanced and retreated

in a mad endeavor to grasp what constantly eluded me.
Bulger utterly unable to comprehend this wild dance among*
the rocks of that cavernous shore, followed my heels barking
furiously,
I could take no time to quiet him.
Away, away, sped Antonius with redoubled speed, his right
hand extended toward me as if with a pitifuL prayer to grasp
it and thus end the fit which was shaking his limbs so furiously.

Pausing to catch my breath, I again pursued the flitting figure

with a determination to overtake it or perish in the attempt.
At last it seemed to circle in smaller and ever smaller rings.
Now was my time !

I sprang upon that whirling form, with a sort of mad desper-

ation, to seize and hold its outstretched hand.
At length I held it.

But no !

His body had come but now high over my head, now
to a rest,
at my feet, now side, now down the other, now
flashing up one
whizzing in front of my eyes, now encircling my head like a
bird in swift flight that hand went on, ever on, in its wild and
mysterious course !

My strength was failing me

Shall I ever be able to grasp it

Antonius, too, showed signs of yielding to the awful power of

the dread disease which tormented him !

His face took on a strange pallor His breast heaved con- !

vulsively. With one last despairing effort I succeeded in catch-

ing his hand in its flight around my head !

Iclung to it with desperate vigor

My touch dispelled the venom from his veins.
He seemed to awake as from some awful dream. He passed
his hand across his eyes.
He smiled.
clinging to his hand, I gently forced him to be seated
Still
upon a rocky bench, over which the ocean had woven a velvety
covering of sea-grass and weeds.
128 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP
“ Antonins ” ! I cried, “ peace come upon thee Forget thy
!

suffering. Be as thou once wert ! My touch can give thee rest

at least for a brief respite !”
He pressed my hand. A deep sigh lifted his breast. It was
the last gasp of the demon which oppressed him.
He was now at rest.
To me his utterance was rapid but not more so than that of
jnany quick thinkers with whom I had conversed.
“ What wouldst thou ? ” said he, in a low but strangely sweet,

mild voice.
I unfolded to him the object of my coming.
I went back to the finding of the Roman newspaper and my
departure from home.
All, all }
I told him all how I had come into the home of the
;

Slow Movers, how I had mistaken them for marble like the
rest of the figures about the island,how I longed to have the
mystery cleared up.
All that day Antonius and I sat by the sea in most delightful
converse.
Only once, at high noon, did he set a brief limit to his tale
whilewe passed into his cavern to partake of food and drink.
With a high-bounding heart, I listened to his story of the land-
ing of the Seven Sculptors upon the isle. Their first task had
been to rear the glorious temple with its long flight of marble
steps leading down to the sea. Then they, and, later, their sons,
and their sons’ sons, had set to work to people this beautiful
island with almost countless figures of the rarest grace and
finish.
in the forests, by the river’s banks, through the valley, on
the hillside,adown the terraces, to the very water’s edge, rose
the faultless statues in wondrous beauty and profusion.
Here, there and everywhere, forms of matchless grace
gleamed, snow white amid the leafy bowers or tangled under-
wood.
A mysterious ardor burned within the hearts of these exiled
artists. It would seem that theirs was a wild sort of hope
to rear on that far-distant isle another Rome an infant —
 ! !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 129

daughter, but fairer and whiter in her marble magnificence

than the glorious mother who sate upon her seven hills !

Times and times again, aye, thrice three score and ten, the
wretched Paula arose out of the quarried blocks, ever fair
and ever fairer, now bent in awful grief, now putting the very ,

skies to shame with the entrancing beauty of her upturned,

pleading, sweet and pitiful face.
Here and there, too, stood great Caesar, never to be forgotten
for his godlike clemency in snatching the sculptors from ter-
rible death.
As the second century of the exile dawned upon the little
Roman Kingdom, far away beneath the Southern skies, at the
very moment when the colony was waxing strong and vigorous
a strange and mysterious thing happened to the dwellers in
this island home of sweet content.
No more male children were born
The seven sculptors, now bent with age, and their faces
hollowed by the sharp chisels of remorse, went, one after the
other to the dark realm of Death.
Their sons, too, came into ripe manhood. And their sons
grew up, happy in the possession of that glorious talent which
had peopled the isle with such matchless forms of beauty.
But now the race had reached the end of its long reign in
the world of art.
Decade after decade slipped away, and still there came not
one male child to gladden a scuptor’s home.
A sort of blank despair sank upon the colony.
The elder sculptors laid their chisels down in utter hopeless-
ness.
Even the younger wrought less and less.
Still there came no boy to wake the old-time song and laughter

of that once joyous island home.

Fingers cunning in art grew stiff with age.
Hearts full of glorious inspiration waxed dull and spiritless
One by one they all went the way which mortal feet must
tread.
A terrible, a wonderful change came over the people.
 ! ! ! !

130 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

Weighed down by this leaden grief, surrounded day and
night by these speechless, motionless marble forms, which,
although silent as the very clod itself, yet cried out unceas-
ingly “ (live us more companions in these solitudes !” these
:

unfortunate people almost turned to marble itself.

They became, in good sooth, brothers and sisters to the marble
dwellers on this island.
At length the end came
The last sculptor was laid upon the carved bier of the great
white temple by the sea
A upon the people
silence so long, so deep, so dreadful, fell
that almost seemed their speech was lost forever.
it

Within the dark grottoes and bosky underwood, they crawled

to hide away from the very light of day.
Their limbs, once so supple and elastic, ever ready to bear
their owners over and across plain, delighting in the
hill
dance, inured to the race, now became heavy and slow.
They seemed almost about to turn to stone, and join the
silent compan}^ around them.
In good sooth, such a fate was imminent, when the happening
of a joyful event averted it.

A year had passed since the last sculptor had gone to join
the shadowy caravan which moves forever across the desert
of Eternal Silence, when his seven sad-faced daughters were
by an infant’s cry.
fairly startled
But look
Their widowed mother stands before them with a babe
nestled in her arms.
It is a son
The joyful tidings can only creep from family to family.
Alas it was too late to call them back to old-time customs
!

and habits, too late to start their blood again in old-time

bounding, leaping course through their veins.
They were a changed people !

True, their happiness came again, but it was not the same.
They could smile and laugh, but it w^as scarcely more than
faces of marble moved by some mysterious power. They could
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 131

I / // I'MiLh

remarkable behavior of a bust of c^sar in the LAN

VND OF TIIE SLOW MOVERS.
132 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
talk, but so slowly fell the words that
almost seemed some
it

statue spoke amid the leafy coverts of the island. They could
move, but snail or tortoise outstripped them with ease.
Ay, the}r were changed indeed; fated henceforth to people
their beautiful island home with living statues.
For years in long flight sped away, till one century followed
another, and yet the wondrous talent came back no more.
It was lost forever !

Long, long ago, too, the people forgot the story of their
fathers.
It is kept alive in the hearts of a few chosen ones, and they
hand it down, each quarter century, to younger keepers selected
for the purpose.
To Antonius the secret had been thus confided.
And such was the tale he told to me !

With a light heart, now that its weight of doubt and uncer-
tainty had been lifted from it, I bade Antonius farewell, and,
followed by Bulger wended my way back to the abodes of the
Slow Movers.
As I passed through one of the groves peopled with marble
forms, I paused, I hardly knew why, in front of an admirable
bust of the great Caesar.
Bulger joined me, and there we stood, children of this late
day, with our eyes uplifted to the face of him whose smallest
word was once copied down on waxen tablet as if it were the
utterance of a god.
I had always liked Caesar.
We resembled each other in many ways.
We were both men of action.
I felt sorry for him now, that he should be forced to live, even
in the shape of marble, among such dull and inactive people as
the Slow Movers.
I told him so.
“And yet, Julius,” said I, “called of men the Great
Caesar, what a fortunate thing it is that thou art not living
now, for thou wouldst be overcome with shame at finding every-
body reading my adventures while the book which thou wrotest
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 133

concerning Gaul lies mouldy and dust-covered on the shelves of

the libraries ” !

The following day, in passing that way

and glancing up
again,
at great Caesar’s face, I noticed that a smilehad just started
in the right corner of his mouth. So stolid had he become
through his long residence among the Slow Movers that he had
just begun to be amused by the remark I had made on the previ-
ous day.
Thoughts of home now arose in my mind. *
The fact is that shortly after my interview
with Antonius
in his cavern by theBulger had commenced to show un-
sea,
mistakable signs of home-sickness. So I dispatched him with
a note to the officer of my vessel to begin preparations at once
for the return voyage.
Bulger made haste to execute the commission.
He proceeded to the foot of the marble staircase, and then by
loud barking attracted the attention of the officer whom I had
left in command.
He sent a boat ashore and Bulger met it with my letter in his
mouth.
To tell the truth, I would have fain lingered for a week or
so longer among the Slow Movers, but it was plain to be seen
that they were growing restive at my presence.
On the cheeks of many of them all signs of ruddy peach-
bloom had disappeared.
Day by day they grew more and more like their marble
brethren.
My quick movements so wearied their eyes that after a few
hours’ stay in their midst I found myself surrounded
by a com-
pany of deep sleepers
Nor dared I speak.
For no matter how I softened my voice, or how slowly I
uttered my words, they jarred upon the delicate ears of the
Slow Movers, and signs of suffering gradually passed over
their faces.
My resolution was therefore quickly formed.
With a snail’s paceI passed from group to group, from bower
134 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
to bower, from grove to grove, saying in a soft and measured
tone :
“ Fare Fare
well !w ell !” r

Then I directed my steps toward the white temple by the sea,

for I knew my boat’s crew were waiting for me at the foot of
the marble staircase.
As I passed in front of Great Caesar’s statue I turned to wave
a last adieu.
What saw I, think you ?

Why, that same smile which had begun in the right corner
of his mouth had crossed over to the other
several days ago,
side of his faceand was just at the left corner of his mouth.
On the right side, whence it had come, all was as stern and
calm as when he sat enthroned at Rome, and ruled the world.
Several hours later, as we were busj setting the sails of my
T

good ship there fell upon my ear in a soft, echo-like tone, the
word.
Fare ”
“ !

The Slow Movers had begun to speak their adieu. The winds
were favorable.
The sails filled.
As the sun went down, pouring a flood of golden light
upon the beautiful marble staircase, the great white temple
and the many snowy statues which gleamed so bright and fair
amid the dark foliage of the trees and vines upon the terraces of
that mysterious island I threw myself upon the deck with
intent to keep my eyes fixed upon the lovely scene as long as
possible.
My good ship sailed away in deepest silence. For I had given
orders that no one should speak above a whisper.
Now the Sculptors’ Isle had faded to a mere speck in the
horizon,and now, in the gathering shades of night, it was
swallowed up, and lost forever !

My heart grew heavy.

Bulger nestled his head in my lap, with his loving eyes fixed
full upon me.
Sleep overcame us both.
The sky was star-studded when we awoke.
 ! :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 135

The cool night wind had refreshed me.

1 sprang up with the intention of going below. At that
instant therecame floating along on the evening breeze, like a
mountain echo nearly spent, a soft mysterious sound.
My ear caught it It was !

“W—e — 1 1

The Slow Movers had finished speaking their adieu.

 ;

ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

CHAPTER VII.

Once more I tired of the quiet pleasures of home. The elder Baron
grow
opposes my leaving the land. His reasons. How I freed the ancestral
estates from the pests of moles, meadow-mice and ground-squirrels
and how I set out for the Indies with my faithful Bulger. 1 enter a
wild and untrodden territory. Wonderful transformation of day into
night, and night into day. The huge tire-flies. My capture of one and
what it brought forth. How I reached the borders of Palin -ma-Talin,
the Great Gloomy Forest. Bene-aga the blind guide. My sojourn in
his cave. I enter Palin-ma-Talin under his guidance. Strange
adventures in the Great Gloomy Forest. Bene-aga takes leave of me.
My advance is blocked by Boga-Drappa, the Dread Staircase. My
flight down its treacherous steps. I enter the land of the Umi-Lobas.
or Man-Hoppers. Am
carried a prisoner to their king. Something
about him and his people. King Garoo’s affection for me. His gift
to me of copies of all the books in the royal library All about the —
princess Hoppa-Hoppa. I am condemned to a life-long imprisonment
among the Umi-Lobas. I plan an escape. How it was done. Efforts
of King Ga-roo to capture me. Farewell of little princess Hoppa-
Hoppa. How I sailed away from the land of the Umi-Lobas, and
made my way back across India. My
return home.

Like all lovers of a rov-

ing life, I was not long in
growing tired of the quiet
ways and simple pursuits of
the inmates of The old
baronial hall.
At times, I felt like an
intruder, when
caught I
myself sitting with eyes
riveted upon the pages of
some musty, old volume of
strange adventure in far-
away lands, while the elder
baron, the gracious baron-
ess, my loving mother, and
PORTRAIT OF ONE OF MY MOUSERS several cousins from the
IN RUBBER BOOTS.
neighboring estate, gave
themselves up to the sweet
pleasures of the fireside, feasting upon honey-cake, drinking hot
spiced wine, playing at draughts, dominoes, or cards, now chat-
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 137

ting in the most animated manner of the trivial things of every-

day life, now
bursting out into uproarious laughter at some un-
expected victory won at cards or at some fireside game.
my book, and still more silently stealing away,
Silently closing
I sought the quiet of m}r apartments, where, with no other
companions, save faithful Bulger, I gave myself up to unre-
strained indulgence in waking dreams of life in a storm-rocked
ship, landings on strange shores, parleyings with curious beings,
battling with the wild-visaged typhoon, or hurrying with sails
close-reefed and hatches battened down, to gain a safe port ere
the storm king’s ebon chargers could rattle their hoofs over
our heads.
My dear mother, the gracious baroness, made extraordinary
exertions to driveaway my low spirits.
Knowing my fondness for coffee cake, she suffered no one to
make it for me excepting herself. And at dinner she took care
to place a professor or ;some learned person beside me, so that
I might not find myself condemned to silence for the want of
a gifted mind to measure mental swords with.
But all to no purpose. I grew daily more taciturn, absent-
minded, and plunged into meditation. With my eyes fixed
upon vacancy, I sat like one with unbalanced mind amidst the
lightest-hearted merrymakers. In vain the company besought
me to relate past adventures, to tell them tales already thrice
told. shook my head with a mournful smile, and
I only
made good my escape from scenes which were painful to me.
Bulger felt that his little master was suffering, and coaxed
with plaintive whining to have me make known to him the
cause of my grief. > _

His joy was wild and boisterous when he saw my body-

servant enter my apartments, bearing an empty traveling
chest upon his shoulders.
To tell the truth, life at the baronial hall pleased Bulger
not a whit more than it did me.
The house dogs annoyed him with their attentions, and he
was wont to retire from the dining hall with a look of utter
disgust upon his face, when one of the family cats, in the
138 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
most friendly spirit, drew near and tasted a bit of his dinner.
All caresses, too, from other hands than mine were distasteful
to him; and, although for my sake he would permit the
gracious baroness to stroke his silken ears, yet any familiarity
on the part of the elder baron was firmly, but respectfully,
declined.
The very moment I saw my chests placed here and there in
my apartments, my spirits rose. I became like another being.
The color returned to my cheeks, the gleam to my eye, the
old-time ring to my voice.
From lip to lip, the word was jrnssed :
“ The little baron is
making ready for another journey !”
From early morn to deepening shadows of twilight, I busied
myself with superintending the packing of my boxes. It was
a labor of love with me.
1 never was born for a calm life beneath the time-stained
tiles of paternal halls My heart was filled with redder,
!

warmer blood than ordinary mortals. My brain never slept.

Night and day, shadowy forms of men and things, strange and
curious, swept along before me in never-ending files.
One morning, while at work with my boxes, a low knock at
my chamber door fell upon my ear. Bulger, scenting an enemy,
gave a low growl. I swung the door open. It was the elder
baron.
“ Honored father,” I cried gayly, “ act as if thou
wert master
here ! be gay sit, stand, drink, eat, or fast !”
Be sad, ;

“ Little baron, ” began my father in a solemn voice, “ I beseech

thee give over thy jesting. When thou hast heard the object
of my visit, grief will chase every vestige of mirth from thy
light heart.”
“ Speak baron !”

“ Art thou a dutiful and loving son ?” asked my father, fixing

his dark, mournful eyes full upon me.
“ I am ” !

“ Tis well
?
” he replied “ then arrest this making ready to
!

to abandon thy parents in their hour of misfortune. Put an

end to all this unseemly hurlyburly, and to thy longing to be
gone from beneath the paternal roof.”
 : :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 139

The clouded face, trembling and tear -filled eyes of the elder
baron shocked me. I could feel the blood leaving my cheeks,
where, till then, it had bloomed like the glow of ripening fruit.
But I checked myself and, motioning the baron to be seated,
;

—
said in a calm though spite of me trembling voice —
“ Noble father, it is thine to command mine to obey Speak, I !
;

—
pray thee, and speak too, plainly if need be, harshly. Bare
thy most secret thoughts. What aileth thee ? What sends
these dark shadows to rest on that calm, smooth brow ? ”
“ Thanks, little baron,” was my father’s reply,” for thy
promise of obedience. This is the weight which presses on my
heart Since thou hast taken up this rambling, roving life,
:

robbed of thy counsel and co-operation, I have seen our ances-

tral estate hastening to ruin. Last year our tenantry scarcely
harvested enough to keep bod}* and soul together. This year
promises to turn out worse yet. Desolation sits upon the broad
acres once the prize of our family Crops fail, grass withers,
!

trees turn j el low ! The poor cattle moan for sustenance as they
wander about in the dried-up pastures. I look upon all this
wreck and ruin, but am helpless as a babe to stay it Speak, !

my son wilt thou, hast thou the heart, canst thou be so cruel
;

as to turn thy back upon these pitiful scenes without raising thy
hand to avert the impending doom ? ”
“ Baron!” I interposed mildly, but firmly, “ facts first! elo-

quence thereafter Impart unto me, in plain, King’s speech,

!

the cause of all this ruin What hath wrought it ? What hath
!

desolated our fair fields ? What hath carried this rapine

among our flocks and herds ? Speak !”
“ I will, little baron, give attentive ear !
” rejoined my father
with stately bend of the body
“ As ancient Egypt was visited with scourge and plague, so

have been our ancestral acres In pasture and grain fields,

!

myriads of moles feed upon the tender rootlets in grass lands, ;

swarms of meadow-mice fatten od the herbage in orchards and ;

nurseries, countless numbers of ground-squirrels spread

destruction far and near Such are the terrible scourges now
!

laying waste our once fair estates, your pride and mine, and the
envy of all beholders !
140 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
“Little baron, I feel, 1 know that thou eanst help me; that
somewhere in the vast storehouse of thy mind, rest plans and
devices potent enough to restore these broad lands to all their
former beauty and productiveness.”
“ Baron !” was my reply, “ when was there a time that thou
foundst me wanting in my duty to thee or lacking in power to
assist thee ? ”
“ Never ” ejaculated the elder
! baron with great emphasis.
“ Then, betake thee to my gentle mother —
the baroness thy —
consort, comfort her. Bid her take heart Say I will not go
!

abroad until these pests are driven from our ancestral domain ” !

The elder baron rose. I accompanied him to the door, then,

we saluted each other with dignity and he withdrew to bear the
glad message of my promised assistance to my sorrowing
mother.
Alone in my apartments, a terrible feeling of disappointment
came over me. I felt that it would be useless to continue in
my preparations to leave home in the face of these dire mis-
fortunes now threatening my family. For, as I reasoned—and
I think with great clearness —the name of our family would
dwindle to a shadow, were we robbed of these broad acres of
pasture and meadow-land, forest and orchard.
To me, a landless nobleman had something very ludicrous
about him; and I fully made up my mind that I would either save
my ancestral estate from ruin, or lay aside forever my title
of baron, as a gem which had even as a pearl,
lost its radiance,
which the stolid rustic ruins for the sake of a meal of victuals !

That night I partook of no f ood, so that I might lie down with

unclouded mind.
Bulger noticing this, concluded that his little master was
ailing, and likewise refused to touch food, although I ordered
—
his favorite dish roasted cocks’ combs to be prepared.—
Till midnight I lay awake in deepest thought over the arduous
task which confronted me. At the stroke of twelve from the
old clock on the stair, I determined to let my mind work out the
problem itself, and turned over and went to sleep.
The baron and baroness entered the breakfast-room with
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 141

unclouded brows the next morning. I greeted them very cor-

dially. The conversation was enlivened by one or two of the
elder baron’s ancient anecdotes which he furbished up for the
occasion with several new characters and an entirely new end-
ing. I laughed heartily —
as I was in duty bound to do.
Breakfast over Bulger and I sallied forth to begin work. 1
resolved to attack the moles first.
To get rid of pest number one was not at all a difficult matter
for me, when once I set about thinking it over. In fact, I may say
right here, that this task, set me by the elder baron, would have
been an impossible one had it not been for my intimate acquaint-
ance with the natures, habits and peculiarities of animal life.
Always a close student of natural history there was little about
the four-footed tenants of the fields which had escaped my
observation.
Accompanied by Bulger armed with a pair of short, wooden
;

tongs and carrying a basket, I set out for the grain fields.
;

Bulger was in high glee for he had already made up his mind
that there was sport ahead for him.
In less than an hour, with him to point out their hiding
places and to unearth them, I had captured a hundred moles.
Returning to the overseer’s lodge, with his help I cut off the
nails of each mole’s fore feet close to the flesh and then gave
orders to have the lot carried back to the grain fields and
released. Turning my attention now to the meadow-mice, 1
realized at once that to get rid of pest number two would be
the most difficult task of all.
The unthinking reader has doubtless already cried out in
thought “ Why not turn a troop of cats into the meadows, and
:

”
let them make short work of the destructive little creatures ?

Ah how easy it is to plan, how difficult to execute ! Know

then,my clever friend, that the meadows were wet and that
though often tried the cats absolutely refused to enter them.
The merest tyro in natural history is aware of a cat’s aversion
to wetting its fur and, above all, of stepping into water. Even
;

moisture is disagreeable to a cat’s feet and she will willingly

walk a mile rather than cross a plot of dew-moistened green
142 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
sward; However, I determined to begin my operations at once.
Knowing the wonderful changes which the pangs of hunger
will work in an animal’s nature, forcing the meat-eaters to turn
to the herbage of the field for sustenance — I hoped for favorable
results.
Selecting half a dozen vigorous young cats from the cottages
of our tenantry, and providing myself wfith a lot of India rubber
caps used for drawing down over the necks of bottles, in order
to make them air-tight, I proceeded to encase the legs of each
cat in these coverings, cutting a hole in each one, however, so
as to allow the paws to pass through. I wished to accustom
them to these leggings before covering the feet entirely. My
next step was to subject the cats to twenty-four hours fast.
After which, I caused some of their favorite food broiled —
fish to be placed at the other end of a long room, covering the
intervening space with long-napped rugs, which I had first
dipped into water.
In spite of their hunger, they absolutely refused to cross the
dripping rugs.
Advancing to the edge, they tested the condition of the
obstacles which blocked their advance upon the savory food feel-
ing here and there for a dry spot and then retreating with
;

piteous mewing, as they shook the wet from their feet.

Drawing the rubber caps completely over the feet of one of
the cats, I now placed her on the wet rug, encouraging her to
remain there by feeding her a few dainty bits of the fish.
Finding that her feet did not get wet, she consented to walk
here and there over the wet surface, in order to secure
toothsome bits of food. I made the same experiment with the
other cats, and everything went as well as I could wish.
The next day I continued my instruction, and to my great joy,
succeeded in schooling the whole lot, not only to make no
objection to having their feet encased in the rubber boots, but
even to wade through an inch or more of water, in order to
secure a particularly dainty bit of food.
I was now ready to make a practical test of my trained
hunters.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 14.3

The day preceding the trial they were again subjected to a

prolonged fast.
I must frankly confess that my heart beat rather nervously
as I,with the overseer and two other assistants set out for the
—
low lands, carrying the trained inousers already shod in their
—
rubber boots in three baskets.
We advanced cautiously upon the meadow-land, but so far
as the mice were concerned, our caution was useless, for they
ran about under our very feet.
As I stood gazing over the long stretch of devastated
meadow -land, once so famous for its thick, velvety grass, the
tears gathered in my eyes and my voice choked. Now or never,
thought I, must the attempt be made to save these fair fields
from utter ruin. At a wave of my hand, my assistants stooped
and released the somewhat startled cats. They were not long,
however, in collecting their wits and getting ready for business.
Sharp hunger is an excellent sauce As the six monsters
!

—
leaped among those troops of tiny creatures till that moment
nibbling, playing or teasing one another, without a thought of
—
harm or danger the wildest consternation seized upon them.
Not only near by us, but as far as the eye could reach, panic
and disorder spread among these, till then peaceful little beings.
Those which sought safety in their holes were hurled back by
others rushing frantically out into the open air.
The cats kept at their work like avenging furies. They
killed for the mere pleasure of killing, passing like a death-
dealing blast here and there over the meadows.
After the work of destruction had been kept up for half an
hour, I directed that the trained six should be carried back to
their quarters, for I was too good a general to let my troops
get theirfill of sack and plunder.

The next day another attack was made upon the enemy. The
trained six, if anything, spread death right and left with
greater fury than atfirst. The wet lands no longer had any
terrors for them. They splashed through the puddles like
mischievous boys through roadside brooks and ponds.
I now bethought me of turning my attention to the ground
 ! !

144 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

squirrels. My first step was to send to town for several
bushels of the smallest marbles that could be purchased. Then,
having, with the assistance of my ever-faithful and loving friend
and helper —
my dear, dumb brother Bulger located the where- —
abouts of several hundred burrows of the ground-squirrels, I
gave orders to have a half-dozen or more of the marbles rolled
down into each one of those holes.
These labors completed, I withdrew to my apartments and
set about amusing myself in several ways, while awaiting a
report from the overseer.
Many of the tenants who had watched my operations against
the moles, meadow-mice and ground-squirrels, even ventured
openly to denounce them as “ wild whims ” “ a dreamer’s ideas ”
“ silly workings of a diseased mind. ”
Poor creatures ! They had lost their all. They had seen
the labor of long weary months ruined by these pests. They
were embittered and skeptical. had not the heart to notice
I
their rather impertinent utterances. While awaiting the devel-
opments, I plunged into the delights of some tales of a
bold traveler written in the ancient Assyrian tongue in the
wedge-shaped letter.
Three days went by and no news from the superintendent!
Two more, made five full days
On the sixth came nothing.
At with the dawn of the seventh I was awakened by
last,
loud and long continued cheering beneath my windows. Spring-
ing from my bed and drawing aside the curtains, I was aston-
ished to see long lines of our tenantry, men, women and children
bearing banners, wreaths, garlands, etc.

One company from the end

of children carried long, thin rods
ofwhich dangled dead moles, meadow-mice and ground-squirrels.
The moment I presented myself at the window, there was an
outburst of cheering, so sturdy that the windows rattled before
it. A lap at my door called me in another direction. It was the
elder baron
“ Haste little baron ” he cried eagerly “ descend to the castle
! !

platform, the people are beside themselves with joy ! Canst

 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 145

thou catch their cries ? Not a mole, nor a mouse, nor a squirrel
is alive on the broad acres of thy estate. I say “ thy ” because
it is justly thine Thou hast saved it from utter ruin. Hence-
!

forth for the few years which kind Providence may will that I
should tarry with thee, let it be as thy guest. ”
“ Nay, nay, baron !” I replied laughingly, “ that may not be !

Till thou sleepest with the noble dead of our long and honored
line, thou art master here ”!

I pressed his hand reverently to my lips and sent him to talk

to the people until I should be ready to take my place at his side.
can well fancy how impatient the reader is to hear something
I
more about the manner in which I rid my ancestral estate of
these noisome pests. With regard to the meadow-mice that
needs no explanation, but, the disappearance of the moles and
—
ground squirrels seems somewhat mysterious.
Well and good. I’ll make it clear! Gentle reader, if you had
been as close a student of the natures and habits of these ani-
mals as I, you could have done the same thing yourself. You
must know, then, that the mole’s body bears about the same
relation to his forefeet, as a boiler does to a steam engine, which
is admirably adjusted in all its parts, working smoothly and

noiselessly, like a thing of life —

polished and beautiful in all
its bearings and put together so skillfully that no human

thought could better it. That is to say, the only wonderful

thing about a mole is his hand.
That is a delight to a student of natural history.
I have sat for hours and studied the marvelous shape of this
hand. And strange though it may seem to you, no one knows
better than the mole himself, that therein lies his hold on life.
You’ll bear in mind, that 1 caused the nails to be clipped off
the forefeet of the hundred moles, close to the flesh, and then
turned them loose. In other words, without absolutely destroy-
ing their marvellous hands, I completely destroyed their use-
fulness.
Now
another thing you must be taught, that in the busy com-
munities of theselittle animals, there are no sluggards. Every
one must work. Only one thing stops him from using his hands.
146 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
That is death. When a mole sees his fellow stop work, he
knows what has happened
Upon the return of the hundred captives to their burrows,
there was joy mingled with terror !

Whose turn might come next ?

But, when the moment arrived to fall into line and set to
work, there was consternation !

What! alive, and not able to dig?

Immediately, the wildest panic seizes upon the community.
They abandon their homes With frantic haste, they pierce
!

new burrows in every direction, leaving their ill-fated compan-

ions behind them to die a lingering death literally buried alive. —
Weeks, months will elapse ere they recover from this wild fear.
Then they will be miles away.
And the ground-squirrels, you ask. The ground-squirrel is
as conceited, inquisitive, persistent and hard-headed as he is

hard-toothed. If he knew that the world was round he would

claim that it was simply a huge nut and wish that he were big
enough to get at its kernel.
When the marbles first came rolling down his burrow, he
was pleased. They were so smooth, so round ! He rolled them
hither and thither, as content as a child with a new toy. Then
he stored them away for another day's amusement. Pretty
soon he began to tire of them. They were dreadfully in his
w ay. They annoyed him greatly. And yet, he couldn't bear
r

to think of parting with them. Finally the question arose in

his mind What are they, anyway ? Surely they must have
:

a kernel And so he set to work gnawing upon them. They

!

were terribly hard, but he was determined to get at the pit.

Day after day, he kept at the thankless task, gnawing, gnaw-
ing, until, one fine morning, he awoke to make the awful discov-
ery that his teeth were gone !

Now, a ground-squirrel may be said to consist of four teeth,

and nothing else. These gone there is no way to keep the
other part alive.
True, he may, after infinite labor struggle through a nutshell,
but it is too slow work to keep up his strength. Every nut
becomes a harder task.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 147

And so it was with the vast colony in our orchards. The first
few days quite a number made their appearance as usual.
Then, fewer and fewer came out of their holes, and they looked
thin and feeble and showed no inclination to gambol and chatter.
At the end of the week, the work was done. They had wrought
their own destruction. The entire colony had perished from
starvation.
Thus it was, I restored the fair lands of our family to their
old-time productiveness and removed all the obstacles which
stood between me and my immediate departure from home.
In a few days all was ready.
The elder baron and the gracious baroness, my mother,
parted from me with a gentle rain of tears, and a refreshing
shower of blessings. Accompanied by my dumb brother the —
—
ever faithful Bulger and one trusty servant, I set out by extra
post for Vienna.
Thence at break-neck speed, I journeyed to Buda-Pesth and
reached the Black Sea via Bucharest.
Traversing that body of water in a swift vessel, commanded
by an old sailing-master of mine, I skirted the foot hills of the
Caucasus Mountains, and made my way to Teheran.
Here I tarried several days, long enough to purchase a few
camels and horses and join a caravan, soon to leave that city
on a trading expedition.
The proprietor of the trading company renewed his welcome
in heartier terms when he was informed that I had brought
a goodly collection of European trinkets with me.
— —
To clinch his good will so to speak I gave him a pair of
fineGerman pistols.
We were now sworn friends.
I remained with the expedition until it reached Cabul. The
proprietor was astounded to learn that I did not contemplate
returning westward with him. After a whole day spent in
eloquent pleadings, he gave in, fell upon my neck, wept, and
wished me good speed.
I was glad to be rid of him, for I was in no humor to form
friendships with men whose souls never rose above a sharp
148 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
bargain. Attended only by my faithful Bulger and a single
from Cabul crossed northern Hindoostan, and
guide, I set out ;

entered Thibet to the north of the Himalayas.

This was the land of which I had long dreamed a land —
absolutely unknown to the outside world.
I never had any inclination to pass over beaten tracks. By
nature and education, a lover of the strange and marvellous,
my soul expanded beneath the skies of this far-away and
curious land, like a flower beneath the sunlight of a warm May
morning.
Scarcely had I penetrated more than a dozen leagues into
this wild untrodden territory- than I made the astonishing dis-
covery that the sun’s light was obscured the entire day ;
while
the sky, by night, was flooded with a soft, mysterious light,
quite bright enough to enable me to read the finest print with
perfect ease. In other words, the natural order of things was
exactly reversed. —
So, I always quick to accommodate myself
to existing circumstances —made use of the dark days for rest
and sleep, and pursued my journey by night.
One morning, however, the mystery was explained. The
impenetrable clouds, which had been veiling the heavens like
a pall, suddenly sank earthward and, to my almost unspeakable
;

astonishment, I discovered that this blanket of inky blackness

was made up of living creatures —gigantic fire-flies, quite as
large as our ordinary bat, and far blacker in both body and
wing.
When night came, this living tissue was changed into a robe
of sparkling, shimmering glow, mantling the heavens like a
garment of burnished gold spangles, upon which a burst of
soft light, as if from ten times ten thousand waxen tapers, fell
in dazzling effulgence. It was something to see and die for.
Bulger’s poor startled mind made him look up, half in dread,
half in wonder at this mysterious fire, which enveloped every-
thing in its flame, and yet consumed nothing. I had but one
thought. It was to capture several of these huge fire-flies.
Night after night I watched patiently for an opportunity.
It came at last.
 ;

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 149

I was preparing some coffee, and my back was turned.

Suddenly, I was startled by a piteous outburst, half whine, half
bark, from poor Bulger. A
cluster of these living stars had
fallen at his very feet.Quicker than thought, I sprang forward
and threw my blanket over them. Then, with the greatest
care, I transferred them to one of my wicker hampers.
Bulger, upon seeing this basket on fire and yet feeling no
heat, was most painfully nonplused. He walked round and
round the improvised cage, keeping at a safe' distance, however,
now sniffing the air, now looking up to me with a most implor-
—
ing glance as if to say :

“ Dear little master, do explain this thing to me !Why

doesn’t it burn up ?”

To my great disappointment, the three captives died after a

few days’ imprisonment, not, however, until they had laid a
—
number of eggs about the size of robins’ eggs which I —
packed away most carefully in my boxes of specimens.
I may say, right here, that, upon my return home, I subjected
these eggs to a gentle warmth and was charmed to see emerge
from each one of them a larva about the size of a pipe-stem
— —
but, to my delight and to Bulger’s absolute terror this pipe-
stem affair had, inside twenty-four hours, become as large round
as a Frankfort sausage.
In due time, they passed into the chrysalis state. But this
apparent death seemed to become a real one.
Weeks went by and there were no signs of a metamorphosis.
I was cruelly disappointed.
More important matters, however, arose to occupy my
thoughts. The sleeping fire-flies of the Orient were quite for-
gotten, when, one evening, the women servants of the manor
house, with blanched faces and piercing shrieks came literally
tumbling headlong down the main stairway.
Fortunately I was sitting on the first terrace of the park.
With a bound I gained the hall way, and snatching down a brace
of fire-arms from the wall, throw myself in front of the wildly
shrieking troop of women, calling out in stentorian tones, for
silence.
150 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
“ Has murder been committed ? ” I cried, “ Is there revolt
among the tenantry ? Has blood been shed ? ”
No no
! little baron !” they
! exclaimed, with wild eyes
and clasped hands, “ but the castle is on fire Your rooms are
!

in flames Your treasures will be consumed

! Quick little
!
!

baron save them save us save the gracious lady and vener-
;
! !

able master ” !

Quicker than it takes to tell it, I laid hold of the rope of the
alarm bell and set it pealing.
The retainers answered with a will. A score of them burst
into the hall- way ready for the word of command.
“ Seize the fire-buckets, my lads ” I called out calml}', but
!

in a tone of sufficient dignity to inspire perfect confidence,

“ Man ladders to the windows of my apartments.”
By this time another gang of the tenantry came rushing in
upon the scene. 1 met them with an order to unhang the por-
traits in the baronial dining-hall, and store them in a place of
safety. Then, having spoken a few words of comfort to the
gracious baroness, my mother, I seized a fire-bucket and led the
line up the stairway. Laying my shoulder against the door of my
apartments, I burst it open and, with head lowered before
;

the blaze of light dashed in, followed by the bucket-bearers.

“ Halt ” I cried.
!

It was too late some of my finest hangings and rugs w ere

!
r

spoiled by half a dozen buckets of water emptied upon them.

The mystery was solved The blaze of light that fairly
!

flooded my apartments proceeded from the huge fire-flies wffiicli

had hatched out without being noticed by me. But I didn’t
begrudge my ruined hangings.
There was my recompense clinging to the walls.
I need hardly say, that the giant fire-flies were the wonder of
their day, and brief as it was it sufficed to cover my name with
a glory as resplendent, as their mysterious fire.
I caused a huge lamp of exquisite oriental pattern to be
constructed, and having placed the light-bearers beneath its
dome of polished glass, passed several nights in the most per-
fect happiness, seated in its soft, Avhite light, poring over musty
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 151

the little baron reading by the light

of the gigantic fire flies.
 :

152 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

volumes of travel, written in tongues long-forgotten, save by a
few of the most learned scholars. But, my delight was short-
lived. The gigantic fire-flies absolutely refused to eat anything,
although I tempted them with a hundred different kinds of food.

******
Little by little, their mysterious flame lost its bright effulgence
— burning lower and lower until it went out in death.

To resume the thread of my story

I was growing impatient to reach the table-lands of the Him-
alayas, and taxed the powers of endurance of my guide to their
uttermost.
In our bivouacs at times he would encircle my slender ankle-
joints with his thumb and index finger and exclaim “ All the :

gods helped make thee, little baron ” meaning that there dwelt
!

great will-power and strength in my small body.

The skies now cleared up. The living pall rolled backward,
toward the horizon, and naught remained to tell of the mighty
flood of light which so lately overran the heavens save a faint
shimmering streak of fire in far distant Western sky.
Soon it went out altogether. Thus far, our journey had
been through an open country, with here and there a clump of
forest trees which, at last grew so frequent that I felt sure we
must be approaching the confines of some extensive piece of
woodland.
In this I was not mistaken.
As we reached the summit of a range of hills, I could see in
the distance a long, dark line of forests. My guide, who had
pushed on ahead, in search of water, came galloping wildly
back.
I paid no particular attention to him, until I noticed that he
had dismounted in great haste and was running towards me.
“ Turn back turn back little master ” he exclaimed, throw-
! ! !

ing himself at my feet, and clasping my legs with his arms !

u Enter not in the Palin-ma-Talin ” ! (Home of Darkness.) A

hundred pilgrims have laid their bones in the moss-grown
depths of the Great Gloomy Forest! It is as pathless as the
 ”

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 153

ocean ! It is as silent as death. It is as limitless as the heav-

ens ! Nor man nor beast can breathe its cool, moist air, and
live ! Turn back I beseech thee, little baron tempt not the
!
;

Palin-ma-Talin !

u Palin-ma-Talin ! Palin-ma-Talin!” I repeated, as if awak-

ening from a dream, “why, it must be —ay, there can be no
doubt of it —the Great Aryan Forest, in which, countless cen-
turies ago, the human race having abandoned their holes in the
clay banks, first learned to hunt the wild beast, feed on his flesh
and clothe themselves in his skins.”
In my joy at this discovery I threw a handful of gold pieces
into the lap of my astonished guide.
Bulger, always ready to share my happiness, came bounding
to (my side, barking loud and shrill. To my infinite surprise,
the answering bark of a dog came floating on the morning breeze.
“ Hark ” I exclaimed, in a whisper. This time it was unmis-
!

takable.
a, Tis one of Bene-aga’s dogs ” ! was my guide’s reply u Come,
little master, let me lead thed to his cave. It is beneath the
very shadow of the Great Gloomy Forest. He can tell thee
of its dangers, for he hath crossed it ” !

“ And come safely back ? ” I asked.

u While life lasts he will sit in the gloom of Palin-ma-Talin !
”

murmured the man.

“AVhat meanest thou ? ” I cried.
“I mean, that the noon-day sun cannot chase the shadows
from his eyes.”
”
“ He is biind ?
“ Ay, little master, blind ” ! was the guide’s reply, “ and yet
save this blind hermit, there lives no human creature who can
lead thee safely through the Great Gloomy Forest ” !

“ Have done w ith thy jesting ” T cried.

!

“ Nay, master ” was the man’s answer. “ I speak in

little !

all truth and reverence, for Bene-aga is a holy man, and in him

dwells such a radiant spirit, that his path is illumined and his
footsteps are sure when other men would walk to their deduc-
tion * !
154 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
“ O, lead me to him ” I exclaimed with ill-concealed joy. “ A
!

thousand pieces of gold are thine, if the blind hermit consents

to be my guide.”
“ Athousand pieces of gold ” repeated the guide with a
!

gleam in his dark eyes. “Ah, little baron, no one can earn
that princely reward, excepting thee thyslf ! Who am I, poor,
miserable, ignorant slave that I am, that I should attempt to
move this saintly and learned man in thy behalf ? He would
heed the cry of one of his dogs far more quickly than he would
my chatter ” !

“ Is he so unlike his kind,” I asked, as we rode slowly along,

“ as not to love gold ?”
“ Ay, little baron if every dried leaf in his forest path were
!

a coin of burnished gold, he would not stoop to pick one up !”

“ Are his ears closed to flattery ?”
“ As closed as his eyes are to the sun’s rays.”
“ Loves he not some savory dish ?”
“ Fruits and berries content him !”
“ Surely a draught of rare old wine, mellow with age, frag-
rant as crushed roses, purple within the beaker, would warm
his heart to quicker beating, and incline him to serve me !”

“ Nay, nay, little baron a gourd full of water

! from the
sparkling near his home in the rocks, is sweeter to him
rill

than any nectar ever distilled by the hands of man !”

“ They Say he is learned Then shall my gift be a score of
!

rare old books, priceless parchments filled with thoughts so

noble, so deep, so subtle, that, to read therein, means to live a
thousand years in one ” !

“ Ah, little master,” replied my guide, with a mournful smile,

“ thou art still astray. This dweller ’mid the rocks, this lover
of solitude, the measure of whose life, they say, is full three
hundred years, knows no other books than the pages of his own
soul ! On these he has turned his thoughts so long and so
diligently, that the foolish outpourings of so-called authors seem
like the merest prattle of childhood.”
“ But we are drawing near the home of
look, little master,
the blind hermit.”
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 155

I turned my eyes in the direction indicated.

A rocky ledge, wild, craggy, broken, seamed and twisted,
crowned with a growth of pine trees having knotted, gnarled
and fantastically-shaped trunks and boughs, shut in our view.
As we drew near the entrance to Bene-aga’s cave, a troop of
dogs, of various ages and species, came bounding forward with
loud barkings.
Bulger advanced to meet them boldly, after first glancing at
my face to see whether I objected or not.
It was a long while since he had met any of the members
of his race, and then again, he doubtless wished to get a good
look at these residents of such a distant land.
The feeling seemed to be mutual, for in an instant the barking
ceased, and the hermit’s dogs gathered about Bulger in silent
wonderment.
After a series of salutations, which plainly ended in the best
of fellowships, the hermit’s dogs endeavored to lure Bulger
away for a run in the forest and fields, but in this they were,
I need scarcely say, entirely unsuccessful. Bulger gave them
to understand in very decided terms that he would talk with
them, and even romp with them, but that it must all be done
under the eyes of his master.
We now halted and dismounted.
“ This is the place,” said my guide in a low tone. “ Through
that deep fissure in the rocks thou wilt find a path that leads
to Bene-aga’s cave. Enter it boldly, little master. At the
entrance to the cave thou wilt find a dried gourd hanging on
the rocky wall. Seize it When shaken, its seeds will give
!

forth a loud, rattling sound. This done, move not, though the
shadows of evening find thee still standing at the door of
Bene-aga’s cave. Farewell, little master Heaven make good
;

to thee tenfold thy kindness to me 1 will await thee three

!

days. If by that time I do not hear thy voice calling me to

serve thee again, I shall return to my kindred !”

Advancing to the cleft in the rocky wall, I found the gourd

hanging by a leathern thong.
The loud rattling of the seeds, as it broke the deep silence
 ! ! !

156 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

of this wild —
and lonely place fit vestibule to a temple devoted
to silence, solitude —
and meditation startled me painfully.
Restoring the gourd to its place, I leaned forward to catch the
faintest sound of the hermit’s voice which might reach my
ear.
Itcame not.
The silence grew more oppressive than before.
The broken, twisted rocks, overhanging and surrounding me,
took on fantastic forms.
In every dark cavity I saw some misshapen creature stirring
about.
A dreadful feeling of loneliness crept over me.
No sound came, save the loud throbbing of my own heart.
A half hour went by
Bene-aga spake not a word.
“ Perhaps he sleeps !” I whispered to myself.
My words awakened the echoes of the rocky recesses, and
the word “ sleeps ” came back to my ears in a hundred different
tones, now loud and hissing, now soft and sibilant.
At last a full hour had now gone by since I had rattled the
seeds of the dried gourd, and yet the blind hermit spake no word.
Again the death-like stillness sank upon the place, and the
gathering shadows grew deeper and deeper.
Could the guide have played me false ? I asked myself.
Nay, that cannot be
And yet why comes there no sound from Bene-aga’s cave ?
Shall I summon him once more ? May he not have gone
forth to gather food ?

Am I doomed to be turned back when I have reached the

very threshold of my long-wished-for desire ?
These and a hundred other questions flitted through my mind
as I stood in the dark and gloomy corridor that led to Bene-aga’s
cave.
By the shadows on the rocky wall I could see that I had now
been standing at least two hours awaiting summons to draw
nearer.
But hush
 ! ;

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 157

He speaks at last
My heart bounded joyfully, and yet as if with a leaden weight
upon it.

“ Who is it that disturbs my meditation ?” were the hermit’s

words.
“ Astranger ! A brother ! One who needs thy guidance !” I
replied in a firm, yet humble tone.
“ No human creature is stranger to me ! Thou art too
young to be my brother ! The light that isdeft me shines only
for my own feet !” came slowly from the hermit’s cave in a
full, deep, rich voice.
“ True, great master,” I replied, “ but then, may I not be thy
son, and follow thy footsteps ?”
u Thou art very wise for thy years,” spake Bene-aga.
“ Not so wise, great master,” was my reply, “ as I shall be
when I have sat at thy feet.”
“ Come somewhat closer thy child- voice sounds like an echo,”
;

continued the blind hermit. “ And yet thou art not a child •

Some great spirit plays in sportive mood behind thy face I !

see that thou art blue-eyed and flaxen-haired. Thine eyes are
set wide asunder, and above them towers a dome of thought.
Thy home is in the land of the Norseman. At least thy fathers
dwelt there. On thy cheek glows the crimson which, in the
peach and apple-land, stains the autumn foliage !”
As 1 had not yet even stepped within Bane-aga’s cave, these
words of the blind hermit caused a strange feeling, half of
fear, half of dread fascination, to creep over me.
My heart throbbed violently.
His ear, far keener than birds’ or beasts’, caught the sound.
“ Fear not, little one !” said he, in deep, rich tones, full and
swelling like the voice of organ pipes, “ if thou canst content
thyself with a handful of berries when thou art hungry, with
a draught from the neighboring rill when thou art thirsty
if thy young limbs are sturdy enough to wrest repose from a

rocky couch, then art thou welcome If not, go thy way ! !

For twenty years I’ve been busy with a certain problem, and
have no time to stop and spread a more bountiful repast !”
15S ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
“But season thy frugal fare with thy wisdom, great master,”
I returned, “ and it will be sweeter to my palate than stall-fed
ox and mellow wine.”
“ Come somewhat nearer, little traveler, so that I may see
thee better spake the blind hermit, kindly and gently.
!”

I did not Avait for further summons, but stepped boldly into
Bene-aga’s cave.
It was, in truth, little more than a lofty cleft in the rocks,
with several deeper recesses, in which the shadows lay undis-
turbed. Its roof of jagged, broken and blackened masses of
stone, was arched and lofty. In and about it, flocks of small
swallow-like birds nested, and at times broke out in musical
twitterings. Barren, gloomy and utterly forlorn as the place
was, without chair, mat, bed or blanket, every thought of its
awful loneliness and abject surroundings vanished from my
mind, as I fixed my eves upon its occupant.
As I had stepped within the limit of Bene-aga’s cave, he had
slowly risen from his bench of stone, and now stood erect
before me. Of powerful build, tall and majestic, with long
snow-white hair and snowy beard, he towered like a statue of
Parian marble in the dim twilight, to which now, however, my
eyes had become accustomed.
I gazed upon him, half in fear, half in delight.
I could feel my breath coming fast and faster, as I riveted
my gaze upon his wonderful face, so full of love, patience,
courage and contentment.
Had he bent his eyes upon me, I would never have believed
him blind for they were unclouded, full and lustrous. And
:

yet, on second look, I saw that their gleam was like the bright-
ness of the polished gem, that lacks the softness of living,
sensitive orbs.
Bene.aga was clad in a rude garb of dried skins, from which
the hair had been skilfully scraped. Tossed back from his
broad and massive brow, his white locks hung in heavy ringlets
on his broad shoulders, while his wonderful beard, as white
—
and glistening as spun glass around his body twice entwined
— clung like a snow-wreath twisted about a sturdy oak by the
circling gale.
AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 159

BENE-AG A, TIIE BLIND GUIDE.

 ! !

1G0 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

So, like a mighty son of earth he towered, rude, yet noble;
untaught yet learned, human yet godlike that I stood trans-
fixed. My tongue forgot its tricks of speech. I felt that I
should turn to stone, if he did not speak to me.
While standing thus speechless, robbed of power to move a
limb, Bulger broke the spell
At Bene-aga’s feet lay a sick dog, infirm thro’ age and not
ailment; blind like his master, his head pillowed on some soft
—
dry leaves the only semblance of bed within the hermit’s cave.
Bulger’s gaze fell upon this pitiful spectacle. With cautious
step, outstretched neck, and wide-opened eyes, he approached
his sick brother, sniffed him over, licked his face and ears,
whined piteously and then fixed a pleading look upon me as if
to ask “ Dear little master, canst thou do nothing to help my
:

poor, sick brother ? Canst thou not make him well again, so
that I may coax him out into the warm sunshine to play with
him ? ”
Bene-aga spake u I see that thou art not alone, little wanderer,
:

thou bringest a companion with thee. He is welcome. His ten-

derness and sympathy will carry joy and gladness to the heart
of my suffering friend, whose head I’ve pillowed upon some soft
grass I, too, love dogs
! Thou seest they are my sole com-
!

panions. Their love is less exacting than human love. They

require no pledge or promise. They understand my silence, read
my thoughts and are content ” !

“ But, come little traveler, time presses.

! Speak What !

brings thee to Bene-aga’s cave ? It it be idle curiosity, depart

But, if thou seekest counsel if thou comest with honest intent
;

to ask my advice in some arduous matter, I am ready to serve

thee ” !

“I thank thee, great master ” I replied, humbly. “ Know

!

then that I would traverse the Great Gloomy Forest and that
report hath reached mine ear that thou alone, of all human
beings, canst guide me through its never-lifting shadows, shield
me from its poisonous vapors and let me not follow my own
foot-prints in ever-widening circles, until reason itself feels the
”
dreaded spell of that vast, trackless, pathless wilderness !
 ;

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 101

u ’Tis true ” gave answer Bene-aga in deep, sad tones.

! “I
ran perform the service thou askest But, O, my son thou ! !

must know that a most sacred vow holds me in its mysterious

power, securely locked, that I should lead no fellow-creature
through that pathless wood, save on certain conditions ” !

“ Name them, great master ” I cried. !

u That he who asks this service,” continued Bene-aga, u shall

tarry thirty days and nights with me in my rocky home, to inure
him to the burden of awful gloom and silence ;
that he, in all

that time, taste of no food save the berries, on which I feed;

slake his thirst with no draught other than that which I bring
him from the neighboring rill and sleep on the bare rock, even

as I do ! the apprenticeship is severe. Deem it not

Reflect !

dishonorable, nor weak, to shrink from so hard a task Pause, !

reflect, ere thou answerest. I'll resume my meditations for an

hour and then question thee again !”

u Be it so, great master ” I made answer and, Bene-aga’s
!
;

sightless eyes seem to turn to the shrunken form of the dying

dog.
Silence filled the caAr e, and feeble twilight struggled against
the gathering gloom. My thoughts turned homewards I could !

hear the gentle voice of the baroness, my mother. The castle

windows were lighted, and the tall lindens shook a rich perfume
from their blossoming boughs. All seemed so sweet and peace-
ful. My mother’s voice reached me I caught its every word —
“ Set forth my son’s repast !
” said she in soft, mild tones. “ See
that his favorite dishes are kept warm. Choose none but the
choicest wine for him
and, take good care that his bed be soft
;

and even, and his pillows smooth ” My breath came only with
!

painful effort as these words rang in my ears.

I started up with a bound.
In spite of myself, I took a step
toward the portal of Bene-aga’s cave, where the last rays of
the setting sun tipped the angry, jagged, broken rocks with
gold.
“Well, my son!” spake the blind hermit. “Art thou still

resolute?”
“Ay, great master!” I cried, turning back and drawing near
to him.
162 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
“ Fear naught ! Though puny in bodjr yet was I born with
,

the strength of steel in my limbs, and the will power of a score

of common men.”
“Lead thou on! I will follow thee.”
A faint smile spread over the noble countenance of the blind
hermit, as he replied :

“I have not told thee all, my son ! Till we pass from

these walls of stone, and stand in the open air, thou must not
speak a word aloud. Nay, nor in a whisper, either. I will
set thy food and drink before thee, and that,” he continued,
pointing to a projecting shelf of rock, “shall be thy bed On !

its bare surface, rest thy limbs when nature bids thee sleep.
Art thou still resolute ?”
“ Ay, great master !” I replied with loud and bouyant voice,
“ I will do thy bidding !”
u ’Tis well v said Bene-aga. “ I like thy brave and steadfast
!

soul But hold me not hard of heart in condemning thee

!

to this gloom and silence Temper the bitterness of thy fate

!

by giving thyself over to deep and earnest meditation, during

the few brief hours that it shall last. Forget the so-called
—
world a bubble that bursts when thou thinkest to grasp it;
a shadow, which thou pursuest with eager pace, and yet canst
never overtake a mirage, rising before the weary traveler’s
;

gaze, with visions of delicious gardens, watered by limpid rills

and cooled by sparkling fountains, only to melt away and leave
him more weak and fainting than before. Look within thy-
self Thou art the temple of an immortal soul
! Enter its !

portals Fix thine eyes on the mysterious writings there

!

unrolled Grow not weary and discouraged if thou canst not

!

decipher their meaning as easily as thou wouldst the books of

man And O, my son, should the gloom and silence of Bene-
!

aga’s cave weigh too heavily on thy young soul, raise thine
eyes to some one of the many lines which I have carved upon
these rocky walls, in my hours of recreation. They will
guide thee back to sweet contentment give thee strength to ;

persevere unto the end And now, my son, farewell Though

! !

with thee, near thee, even by thy side, yet remember, I am far
 ! ! !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 1G3

from thee. Ay, farther than earthly can measurestaffBe !

hopeful, be strong, and thou wilt conquer Again, farewell !”

!

“ Farewell, great master, farewell !” I exclaimed and, as my

;

words echoed through the vast, rocky chamber, the last ray
of light fled before the thickening gloom, and all was inky black-
ness.
I had noticed, ere the darkness came, that I was standing
near the projecting shelf of rock which was .to serve me as a
bed, when nature called me to rest.
Turning now softly, I groped my way toward it and stretched
myself at full length on its bare surface. For a few moments
all went well. Such a conflict of thought was raging in the
chambers of my mind, that I took no note of the chill which
this couch of stone sent creeping through my limbs. I closed
my eyes, thinking to coax sleep to them, and thus forget the
ever-increasing pang
In vain It seemed as if death itself had seized my feet
!

between his icy palms !

Sharp pains leapt from one joint to another, and wherever

my body came into contact with that couch of stone, it seemed
as if a thousand needles pricked my flesh. Half -crazed by the
ever-increasing agony, I tossed from side to side, like one in
delirium. At times I sat up to escape from stupefying dizzi-
ness which caught me in its swift, encircling whirl My !

heated pulse beat at the thin walls of my temple, until it

seemed as if I should go mad A
rushing, soughing, gurgling
!

sound of many waters roared in my ears, while strange, fan-

tastic forms, in lines of fire on inky background, flitted to and
fro before my eyes, until I began to fear I should soon be
doomed to sit in eternal gloom like Bene-aga himself.
And now heat and cold held alternate sway within my tired
and broken frame. Vainly I strove to wet my parched lips
with my tongue The fever had dried it to a
! chip. For a few
brief moments the torture ceased
I breathed more freely !

My limbs, thought are getting used to their couch of stone

I, !

I shall fall asleep and forget my sufferings

 !!

164 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

But no !With redoubled fury they came back to their work.
I dared not cry out so soon to Bene-aga, for mercy, for release
from the cruel conditions he had imposed upon me Rather !

death than yield so quickly shrink so like a coward who stands

;

motionless and trembling on the battle field, as a spent ball

strikes his breast.
I slept at last
But O, what a broken, fevered sleep it was sleep with
! A
unclosed eyes, full of dark and dismal sights. I could stand no
more. I yielded and longed for death. In thought, I kissed my
parents’ hands and felt their soft caresses on my brow and face.
And then, it seemed the gracious baroness, my mother, caught
my hand in hers and j>ressed it fervently on her lips. The kiss
was sowarm, so tender, so life-like, that I started up like one
awakening from a long delirium. It cannot be a dream, I
murmured, I am awake !

Tossing my racked form over on its side, so that I could touch

—
my right hand the one on which I had felt the kiss, with my
left the mystery was explained.
T was Bulger
He was beside my couch of stone. It was he who had licked
my cold, numb hand and turned my thoughts homeward. I
caressed his head and ears and sought to make him lie down
lest the rustle might disturb the blind hermit. He refused to
obey, altho’ I thrice let him know my wishes. It was his first act
of disobedience and for an instant drove all thoughts of pain
from my mind. To all my suffering now came this new grief.
Aroused from my stupor at last, by his persistent refusal to
obey I collected my thoughts sufficiently to realize that he was
bent upon leaping on my couch. His forefeet were already
resting upon its edge. I dared not resist lest he should break
the solemn stillness of Bene-aga’s cave by giving vent to some
sound of entreaty. No sooner had he sprung upon the rocky
shelf than I felt him crouching on its edge, and reaching down
as if in the act of seizing something in his teeth, something so
heavy, too, that it called for violent exertion. Whatever it was,
I was not slow in discovering that he was endeavoring to drag it
 ! ! !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 165

upon my rocky conch. Half rising, I stretched out my hand to

solve the mystery.
0 beloved Bulger
In an outburst of affection I pressed my lips repeatedly upon
his body. He took no note of my caresses, but only tugged the
harder at the thing he held within his teeth. It was my blanket
Taught in his early years to fetch my slippers, my gloves, my
cap to me, when he found them lying here or there, he had never
forgotten to render me these petty services. " And thus, noticing
that my blanket had, apparently, been forgotten, he seized it,
hea vy as it was and dragged it to his little master’s bed.
Regardless of Bene-aga’s ire unmindful of the fact that to
;

accept Bulger’s gift was plainly an open breach of the com-

pact between the blind hermit and me, I wrapped my bruised
and aching body in the thick, warm covering and fell into a
long refreshing sleep.
Such Avas my first night in Bene-aga’s cave. The next day
was bright and clear and the rocky chamber seemed less dismal
to me. My eyes were becoming accustomed to the gloom.
From morn till night, I shunned that bed of torture, passing
my time studying out the hidden meaning of the words which
Bene-aga has carved on the rocky walls; watching the birds
as they flitted in Avith food for their nestlings or standing near
the blind hermit Avith my gaze riveted upon his noble features,
thick, clustering hairand far-flowing beard
From went well. I soon forgot the long
this time forth all
hours of that terrible night of silence and despair. Indeed, I
was astounded to find Iioav swiftly the time sped along when

one gfces himself up to deep and all-absorbing meditation.

Days and nights flitted by like alternate hours of light and
darkness.
1 Avas startled from a deep sleep by hearing the full round
voice of Bene-aga saying :
u Up! up! little traveler, up! my son,
the morn is breaking. The appointed hour has come ! To-day
Ave must
enter Palin-ma-Talin or all thy apprenticeship shall
have been in a ain ” !

I sprang up and, approaching Bene-aga, related in tones of

;
160 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
unfeigned grief, how I had disregarded the sacred compact
between us and, ;
that, altho’ it cut me to the heart, to be obliged
to turn back, Avhen I stood upon the very confines of the
Great Gloomy Forest, yet I was not worthy to follow him, and
was firmly resolved not to plead for mercy !

“All I told him all how my frame had been so racked by

! !

pain that I was upon the very point of crying out for release
from the terrible compact, when my beloved Bulger came to my
relief, and saved me from that degradation. He heard me in
silence, his noble countenance giving no sign or hint of what
was going on within that lofty soul.
At last, a sad and almost imperceptible smile spread over his
face and he spake as follows: “Take heart, my son. All is
forgiven. Thou art but a child and I should have lightened
the burden of this apprenticeship. Nor can I hold thee worthy
of blame for yielding to such a touching proof of thy dog’s
love for thee Hadst thou repulsed him he would have lain in
!

wakeful sorrow by thy bedside all that night dear, faithful —

soul! Would he belonged to me!”
So saying, Bene-aga bent his towering form and caressed
Bulger’s head and ears.
Nor was Bulger slow in returning the hermit’s caresses.
They had become the best of friends. Bulger felt the fascina-
tion of Bene-aga’s mysterious power from the very first.
WT hen the hour arrived for us to leave the rocky chamber of
gloom and silence, and step out into the sunlight once more,
my heart broke out into its old-time beat. Had I not been in
the presence of the venerable Bene-aga, I should have leapt and
danced for joy, as we emerged from that dreary abode, and J
felt thewarm air fan my cheek once more. But, one thing
struck me now most forcibly. It was the wonderful change
which I noted in the blind hermit himself, when he stood in
the sunlight and the morning breezes tossed the curls of his
white, silken hair, like April winds making merry with a
First, his appearance was quite different
flock of snow-flakes.
from that to which I had become accustomed. A leathern
cap crowned his massive head, and held his thick, rebellious
 ! —

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 167

hair somewhat in control. His wide-flowing beard had entirely

disappeared beneath his rnde garb, save where it clothed his
face and neck. I saw at once that he was clad for work for —
toilsome progress through Palin-ma-Talin’s thick growth. In
his right hand he carried a curious rod or wand, long, slender,
polished and extremely flexible. I soon learned to wonder at his
extraordinary using this staff to guide his steps or dis-
skill in
cover the nature of any object not within the reach of his
hands. A
rude pouch or leather bag was* swung across his
shoulder.
The change in Bene-aga’s manner was still more noticeable.
To me, this change was as pleasing as it was unexpected.
In a brief half hour he became another man. His deep, rich
voice, soft and round as the sound of an organ-pipe took on a
mellower tone! A faint smile wreathed his noble features, as
the sunlight upon them. His step became quick and elastic,
fell
his movements brisk and agile. So wonderfully keen were his
remaining senses that only the closest observer could have
guessed that he was blind.
Turning in the direction of the spot where his dogs were at
play, he startled me by breaking out into a joyous,
“ Yo ho my
! children ! Yo ho ! my brothers ! Here to me !

Here to me !”
— —
His dogs Bulger among them bounded forward with a loud
chorus of barking. Bene-aga caught the stranger’s voice.
“ It pains me him of his playfellows,
deeply,” he cried, “ to rob
for I see him gamboling and sporting with my children !”
As the blind hermit stooped, his dogs, with loud cries of
sorrow at parting, sprang up to lick his face and hands.
u Go, my children Go, my brothers w said Bene-aga. ^Con-
! !

tent yourselves. I'll come again soon, very soon, with love
warmed by absence !”
All was now ready for the start. Beneath the rising sun
I could see a long, dark line, far away, where earth and sky

came together. It was Palin-ma-Talin. Home of Darkness!

The Great Gloomy Forest
Thither Bene-aga now directed his footsteps witli astonishing
 ! : !

1G8 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

rapidity of gait, tapping the ground with his long, polished
wand as he hurried along !

Awe-struck, I followed my blind guide

In comparison with such miraculous powers of hearing,
smelling and feeling, my eyes were worthless. Ever and anon
he called out to me
“ Guard thee well, my son, a viper stirred in the grass to thy
left Guard thee well, my son, to touch the leaves of the
!

flowering shrub through which we are passing now they are —

poisonous.”
Guard thee well, my son, to taste the waters of the rivulet
“
to which we are coming, until I have made trial of its purity.”
“ Guard thee well, my son, to pluck one of the flowers which
now delight thy eye, and charm thee with their odor. ’Tis
next to death to breath their perfume close to thy nostrils.”
“Guard thee well, my son, to crush upon thy skin one of the
little insects which now fill the air, lest thou spread a subtle
!”
poison o’er thy flesh
As we drew near to the outer edge of the Great Gloomy
Forest, a strange joylit up Bene-aga’s face. He beat the air
with his polished wand in graceful curves and circles, as he
poured forth, half singing, half reciting, a sort of chain,
invocation, or mysterious greeting to Palin-ma-Talin, Home of
Darkness
As if charmed by the rich music of his own voice, his spirits
ran higher and higher. At times he halted to catch the soft
echoes as they came floating back on the wings of the morning-
air.
As nearly as I can remember Bene-aga’s chant was something-
like this :

“O, la, la, la, la, Hail to thee, Palin-ma-Talin.

1-a-a-a-a!

Shadowy Land La, la Lu, la, lo, li

! ! Lu, la, lo, li!
! We are
coming to thee, beloved Temple of Silence and Gloom Let us !

into thy dark corridors, Palin-ma-Talin Lo-il-la Lo-il-la Thou! !

art victor Palin-ma-Talin, my

!
beautiful From thy ! buckler
of darkness fall the Sun’s arrows, splintered and broken O, !

la, la, la, la, la, 1-a-a-aa-a-a ! We are coming King of Gloom and
 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 1G9

Stillness! Palin-ma-Talin. O silent domain! Let ns in from

the roar and the glare Let us in from the roofless world. We
!

are near at hand, Palin-ma-Talin Swing open thy black portals !

Lift thy veil of Gloom ! Admit thy children into thy silent
chambers. O, Palin-ma-Talin, Lo-il-lo ! Lo-il-lo ! Lo-il-lo
Lo-il-l-a-a-a-a-a-a !
”

At last we stood by the very edge of Palin-ma-Talin.

Bene-aga swept his polished wand against the foliage of one
of the low-hanging, far-reaching branches-;" then, sprang for-
ward and seizing a handful of the leaves, crushed them in his
grasp and raised them to his nostrils. “ This is not the gateway,
my son” he cried, “ we must turn farther northward !”
After about half an hour, he again halted and reaching out
for a handful of the leaves inhaled their odor.
“ Not yet not yet ” he murmured “ Somewhat northward
! !

still! Be not troubled, my son. Thou see’st Palin-ma-Talin

with thine outward eye ! Not so Bene-aga ! He must lay his
hand upon the very walls of this Temple of Silence and Gloom
”
ere he can see it !

Suddenly the blind hermit paused. His thin nostrils quivered,

his massive breast heaved convulsively. “ We are almost
there ” he spoke in measured tones. “ I catch the perfume of
!

the foliage which clothes the two ebon columns of the gateway. ”
I looked and saw before me two towering trees, whose wide-
reaching branches swept the very ground. Side by side they
stood, alike in size and grandeur. Bene-aga passed his hand
caressingly over the first branch which brushed his cheek and
pressed its leaves to his lips then, broke out into his wild chant
;

once more.
I stood looking at the blind hermit and listening to liis song
of greeting, hardly knowing what to expect next when, suddenly,
he threw himself upon his knees and crept under the far-reach-
ing branches of one of these gigantic sentinels of the Great
Gloomy Forest.
Bulger and I followed him Thus it was we entered the!

domain of Palin-ma-Talin, Home of Darkness, i shall not try

to describe to you the solemn stillness, the mysterious twilight
 ”

170 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

of the Great Gloomy Forest, nor to paint for you the wonderful
beauty of the deep green mosses which covered rocks and trees :

trailed from the swaying branches, carpeted the floorway, or

hung like heavy canopies, from tree to tree, above our heads,
and increased the gloom caused by the thick, interlacing foliage,
I had followed Bene-aga’s noiseless footsteps about half a
mile into the stilly depths of Palin-ma-Talin when, I began to
feel a strange chill creep over me beginning at my very linger
;

tips and pursuing its insidious way toward my very vitals. So

rapidly did it run its benumbing course that I was upon the
point of calling out to the Bene-aga, when he halted and having
;

broken a twig from a tree with foliage of dark green and

polished leaves, bade me eat them, saying :

u Palin-ma-Talin does no harm to those that know him !

I found the leaves pungent and agreeable to the taste. Their

effect was magical. My limbs at once forgot their numbness
and my step lost its heaviness.
We had now been several hours in the Great Gloomy Forest;
and, thus far,Bene-aga had advanced into its ever-increasing
—
gloom for night was falling, without a halt.
Had Bene-aga, had as many eyes as Argus and each of lynx’s
power, he could not have pursued his way thro’ Palin-ma-Talin’s
gloomy corridors more easily and more securely. His polished
wand flashed like a thing of life in his miraculously trained hand,
touching everything, vibrating, swinging, advancing, retreating,
with a rapidity, that my eyes could not follow.
O, great master ” I called out to him, “let me not be presumpt-
!

uous enough to speak to thee of things which should be left

unstirred in the chambers of thy mind, but if it be permitted
to me to know, tell me how thy rayless eyes can pierce this
gloom and find a path thro’ this trackless forest, wrapt in the
gloom and silence of ten thousand years ” !

“ It shall be as thou wishest, son replied the blind hermit

“ the little there is to know thou shall hear ! But surely, thy
young limbs must be weary. First let me make ready a bed
for the night and spread some food and drink!”
So saying, he swung his leathern bag off his shoulder, took
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 171

from it a roll of dried skin and spread it on the ground then, ;

wrenching four pine boughs from a tree near by, he thrust

them in the earth one at each corner of a square, and striking
a spark with his tinder-box, set fire to the pitch which trickled
down the boughs.
The shadows on the
flickering flumes cast a thousand weird
trailing mossesand black shrouded trees, and filled the air with
a grateful warmth.
Bene-aga now drew forth some dried fruit and berries.
We ate in silence.
Bulger sniffed at the food but nothing more.
Our frugal repast concluded, the blind hermit took from his
leathern pouch a sharp-pointed piece of flint with which he
pierced the bark of a tree near our bivouac. Into the hole he
thrust a slender reed. I was astonished to see a limpid liquid
flow from the end of the reed. He filled a gourd with it and
placing the drinking vessel in my hand said in a low, caressing
voice
“ Drink, my son ! ’Twill refresh and strengthen thee ”!

I raised the gourd to my lips. The liquid was cool and sweet,
and very pleasing to the taste.
“ Drink as deep as thou wilt, my son,” cried Bene-aga, “ for
Palin-ma-Talin could slake the thirst of an army”
Again I placed the gourd to my lips. This time I drank long
and deep. A
gentle warmth now coursed thro’ my limbs. My
eye-lids sank downward, oppressed with a most delicious long-
ing for sleep. Pillowing my head on Benk-aga’s pouch, with
my hand resting on my faithful Bulger’s head, I was soon
wrapped in slumber.
When awoke, it was still night. The pine knots had burned
I

nearly out. There sat the blind hermit beside me. I could see
that he was keeping watch. His head turned as I stirred.
“ Thou hast asked me, ” he began, to tell thee how I am able to
find my way thro’ Palin-ma-Talin’s gloom. Here, in this track
less home of shadow no outward eyes would avail me aught.
Thou hast seen liow the floor of this vast Temple is everywhere
alike. For it, nature has woven a carpet of thick, velvet moss
 — !

172 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP.

which, in the flight of centuries, takes on no change of hue.
’Tis ever the same Tear a pathway in it, in a few short days
!

the rent will be made whole. Blaze the trees, the encircling
mosses will, in a brief period hide the marks, and all thy labor
will be in vain. Even supposing that thou couldst succeed in
leaving a lasting ^trail behind thee, the deadly poison which
lurks in this damp air would chill thy life blood ere thou couldst
cross from outer wall to outer wall of this vast Temple, with its
roof of interwoven moss and foliage, impenetrable to the noon-
day sun.
“Thou hast touch of that deadly chill, which
felt the first
curdles the warmest blood and sends a sleep of death upon
the rash intruder! But to me, O, my son, Palin-ma-Talin is
all light and glow I cannot see that gloom which strikes
!

such terror to thy soul. And thou must know, my son, that
Palin-ma-Talin has no shadows deep enough to hide the north
star from my sight. I always know which way it was the sun
went down, and which way it will be that he will rise for all ;

the winds are known to me, and whence they blow. To thy
cheek the air appears to sleep at times. To mine, never
’Tis no more a task for me to catch the breath-like zephyr
—
unfelt by thee than it is for thy faithful dog to take up the
trail of his master’s footsteps and follow it through the
crowded mart. Then again, thou must bear in mind that for
a hundred years and more I’ve been a shadowless figure in this,
home of shadows that the trees of Palin-ma-Talin have taken
;

me to their hearts, and I them to mine that not only do I know

;

how and where they grow, but it hath been revealed to me that
these towering children of Palin-ma-Talin are not scattered
helter-skelter, here and there, in orderless manner; but, that
in a certain measure, they are ranged in lines from the rising
toward the setting sun, each species forming a belt to itself,
not like a grove by man’s hand planted, but in a wild, yet
orderly confusion. To thee, this would be a useless guide,
for thou hast seen how the trunks are swathed up in garbs of
moss, and how the gloom gives all the foliage the same deep-dark
hue of green. To thine eye, here, all these trees seem alike, the
 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 173

countless off spring of a single sire ! And yet it is not so !

For, when in my progress through these lofty corridors of

gloom and silence I sway too far northward or southward, a
single handful of leaves crushed in my grasp, gives up the
secret of my whereabouts. But, even this sure guiding string
has failed me at times, and I have gone astray in the home of
my friend And yet in such moments, Palin-ma-Talin had no
!

terrors for me When thus, an aimless wanderer in this

!

trackless wood, I learned to draw aside this garb of green

which decks Palin-ina-Talin’s breast, and lay my hand upon
his very heart
“ So has kind nature sharpened my sense of feeling that by

the simple touch of the clay beneath our feet I can set my
erring footsteps right and regain my lost path. Be thou, my
son, in coming years, as steadfast in thy search for truth as I
have been in my endeavors to change this gloom and silence
into living light and speech, and thou wilt walk through life’s
devious paths as easily as I thread my way through the track-
less chambers of Palin-ma-Talin ” !

As Bene-aga ceased speaking, he lifted his song, making the

trailing mosses sway with the vigor of his notes, now deep and
solemn, now clear and far-reaching.
The echoes came back softened down to flute notes. He
listened breathlessly.
“O wonderful man!” thought I, “even the sleeping echoes
rouse themselves to guide thy footsteps aright.”
“ Come, my son !” he cried in tones of gladness, “ our torches
go to their end. Let us push on Though the sun be not yet
!

high enough to chase the inky darkness out of Palin-ma-Talin’s

depths, still, with this guiding string thou canst follow me !”

Saying this, he placed the end of a leather thong in my

hand, and we set out once more.
After we had been an hour or so under way, the sun’s rays
began so to temper the darkness of the Great Gloomy
Forest, that my eyes were of some slight use to me !

Again Benk-aga broke out in a wild chant, and paused to

catch the echo.
 !

174 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

“ Ah, ” murmured the blind hermit, half in soliloquy “ that was
a greeting from the drowsy waters of Lool -pa-Tool !
79

Imagine the feeling of utter helplessness which came over

me an hour or so later when, suddenly I found any self standing
upon the banks of a broad streamlet, of hue blacker than the
wings of night, apparently stagnant or, at least so sluggish as
;

to seem well deserving of the title “ Drowsy Waters.”

u This is Lool -pa-Tool w said Bene-aga, as he rested his chin
on his hand and seemed to be gazing down on its inky surface.
—
But how to cross it, for no bark was moored in sight was now
the bewildering thought which oppressed my mind Surely
!

it cannot be forded, for to the eye it seemed as deep as it was

silent and mysterious. Nor yet, would it be otherwise than
inviting death itself to plunge into its stagnant waters and swim
to the other side.
While I stood thus wrapped in a cloud of anxious thought,
Bene-aga himself seemed scarcely less perplexed. His usual
calmness had deserted him.
Drawing some pebbles from his leather pouch, he cast them
one by one into the stream, bending forward to catch the sound
they made with eager, listening air. Then turning to the right
he followed the banks of Lool-pa-Tool, keeping his staff in the
water and beating it gently with the tip as if striving to draw
some secret from it.
Again he paused and cast some pebbles into the dark and
sluggish stream, and bent forward to get their answer. Again,
he woke the echoes, and listened breathlessly to the reply that
came, only to take up the march after a brief delay with what
seemed to me a somewhat hesitating step. Evidently he was
astray. His calm, noble face lost its look of serene confidence.
Suddenly halting, he reached out for a handful of foliage,
crushed the leaves in a quick and nervous grasp, inhaled their
odor, and then resumed his march as before, with head dropped
forward on his breast, and doubt and uncertainty visible in
every movement.
For an instant the thought flashed thro’ my mind that possi-
bly Bene-aga had gone so far astray as to make the discovery of
 ! -!

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. IT 5

fche right course impossible. I could feel my lips draw apart,

and my heairt creep slowly upward into my throat
The thought of a lingering death from starvation in the chill,

dark corridors of Palin-ma-Talin, set a knife in my heart.

I almost tottered as I followed the blind hermit’s lead. My
tongue was too dry to let me cry out to him in my sudden
despair.
While these
terrible thoughts were chasing each other thro’
my mind, Bene-aga halted and, resting his staff upon the
$

branches of the nearest tree, broke out into one of his wild in-
vocations :

u O Palin-ma-Talin, Bene-aga calls unto thee ! Hear him ! He

is astray Set his feet in the right path
! ! Let him not wander
aimlessly about in thy gloom and silence. O, Palin-ma Talin
He is be kind and loving to him ”
thy child ;
!

With these words Bene-aga threw himself upon his knees, tore
away the thick covering of moss, until he had laid bare
the forest floor from this, he took up a handful of the soil
;

and pressed it between his fingers as if to test some sercret

quality.
When he arose I knew that all was well. radiant glow A
played about his features. He was himself again !

Catching up his wand, he broke away with mad strides, as

if pursued by very demons. Only by running could I keep
within sight of him.
On on we sped along the banks of Lool-pa-Tool stream of
! !

the u Drowsy Watery,” mile by mile, Bene-aga carolling his wild

chants of glad thanks, I jmnting as if bent upon escaping flesh
less death himself. Another hundred paces and I would have
fallen headlong to the ground.
My feet seemed shod with lead.
Bulger set up a most piteous whining as he saw the look of
despair settling on my face.
Suddenly the blind hermit halted and, turning towards me, ;

cried out in a joyous tone :

“ This is the place my son. It is all over now Fear !

nothing Mount on my shoulders Thou wilt not add a

! !
 : ;!

176 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

feather’s weight to the burdens which I carry there Be not !

troubled about thy dog. Lool-pa-Tool has no terrors for him.”

Such was my confidence in the blind hermit’s power to bear me
safely across the mysterious stream that I did not wait for a
second bidding to mount upon his shoulders alt ho’ as far as I
could see, the waters of Lool-pa-Tool looked just as black and
deep as ever. Advancing to the edge of the stream Bene-aga
now began, with quick and nervous movement of his stall*, to
search for hidden stepping stones.
In vain I strained my eyes to catch some sign of resting place
for his feet.
And yet, they were there f or with giant strides, steady, sure
:

and rapid, Bene-aga jiassed over the u Drowsy Waters of Lool-

pa-Tool and set me safely down on the other bank. I made effort
to speak my thanks. But, wonderment had robbed my tongue
of power of utterance. I could only gaze in silence upon that
noble face —now clad in all its former serenity —then turn and
follow its owner’s footsteps.
After a few miles further advance Bene-aga halted, and, bend-
ing his gaze upon me, as if his eyes were as full of light as his
look Avas of radiance, spoke as follows
“ My son, my task is done Look, dost thou not see that
!

gleam of light yonder? ’Tis the outer wall of Palin-ma-Talin

.

Pass it and thou wilt enter the world of noise and glare once
more !Thou hast no further need of me. Go straight on
and, in a brief half hour, the sun’s rays will greet thee again
Once outside of this pathless wood, thou wilt find thyself upon
—
a lofty parapet a sheer height of two hundred feet above the
plains below. Look about thee and thou wilt see a stairway of
solid rock, leading downward to the plain not such as built by —
hands of man, with steps of e\ en height, hew n regular and
T

smooth, but a rude, fantastic flight of stairs left standing there

by nature w hen she cleared away the mass each side. Upon
r

these narrow steps, smoothed by the beating storms of ten

thousand years, the waters daily pour a treacherous slime, so
that those w ho have rashly tried to pass to the fair land below
T
r
,

now lie among the jagged rocks. No foot is sure enough to

 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 177

tread on tlie slippery steps of Boga-Drappa. To fall means

certain death. I cannot counsel thee my son. Be wary !Be
wise ! Farewell.”
As this last word fell from Bene-aga’s lips he flashed out of
my sight like a spirit form.
The Palin-ma-Talin covered him with her darkness.
He was gone.
The tears gathered in my eyes.
Fain would I have pressed its hand to my lips.
I knew it was useless for me to try and call him hack or to
follow him. So, with a heavy heart I turned and pressed for-
ward in the direction he had indicated.
I was soon at the outer edge of Palin-ma-Talin and to tell the
truth I felt my heavy heart grow light again. Bulger too,
showed his delight at being once more in the warm sunshine.
Breaking out into the wildest barking he raced hither and
thither with the joyous air of a boy set free from long and irk-
some task.
As Bene-aga had described to me, I now found myself stand-
ing upon a lofty parapet, overlooking a delightful valley, thro’
which I longed to wander, after my long stay in Bene-aga’s cave
and the gloomy trail through Palin-ma-Talin’s depths.
Walking along the edge of the cliff I was not long in coming
upon the Stair of the Evil Spirit or Boga-Drappa as it was
called.
It was jagged, irregular and tilted here and there ;
and yet,
quite even and stair-like when one considered that it was of
nature’s building. As the blind hermit had warned me the treach-
erous slime covered Boga-Drappa’s entire length, forever re-
newed by the impure waters which trickled down its steps.
To attempt to descend would have been worse than madness.
No human foot was sure enough to tread those slippery stones
and reach the bottom.
Although I was impelled by the strongest desire to hasten
forward I saw that a single rash act might end my life.
Ordinary obstacles have no terror for me. But when nature
sets a threatening barrier in my way I halt, but do not surrender.
 ITS ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
And, therefore, I sat calmly down to ponder over the problem
that faced me.
For three days I tarried on this parapet and each day I visited
Boga-Drappa and gazed long and fixedly upon its far-reaching
flight of rocky steps.
On the third da}' I had solved the problem.
Hastily gathering up every fragment of lime-stone lying near,
I piled it in a cone-shaped heap and around it and over it I laid
a mass of dry leaves and billets and over all such logs as I could
lift. Then, striking fire with my flint and tinder I set the pile

in flames.
In the morning I was rejoiced to find a heap of the purest
quick lime beneath the ashes.
By means of an empty skull of some animal of the deer family,
which I found tying near, I at once began to feed the waters
trickling over Boga-Drappa’s steps with the lime.
All that day and up to the noon hour of the next, I kept the
water which flowed down the stairway, milk white with the
,
lime.
Now, however, came the greatest difficulty. From the size
of the stream I would be impossible for me to
realized that it

stay its course by means of any dam that I could build, for a
longer time than one brief half hour. But, I dared not wait too
long, for the coating of lime, which, this time I knew must
by
have been deposited on the rocky steps, to harden in the sun.
The dam might break and undo all my work.
At high noon, when the sun was beating down the hottest, I
put the last touch to my dam. I was startled to see with what
rapidity the waters gathered in the basin I had built. With
anxious eyes and throbbing heart, I stood at the head of Boga-
Drappa’s stair of rock and gazed up and down.
I could see no signs of drying on the black and glistening steps.
One moment after another glided by. At last a faint trace of
whiteness began to show itself here and there. I turned an anx-
ious glance at the gathering w aters. The frail dam seemed
r

about to yield to the ever-incr easing pressure.

In one or two places, I caught glimpses of tiny rivulets trick-
ling through.
 ! ! !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER 179

Once more, with a terrible feeling of faintness I glanced down

the long dark Right of steps. Half blinded by the noon day
sun I nevertheless caught sight of a snow white crust on the
stairway.
Now was my time or never
Calling out to Bulger to precede me I sprang boldly down the
stair which, till moment had been black with treacherous
that
slime. The waters broke away and came rushing on my very
heels. Down, down, I went in headlong haste, bounding like
a deer from step to step
My heart sank within me as I felt the torrent, now mad and
raging spatter its spray on my neck.
Another instant and I’m saved My feet strike firm.
!

country come nearer and nearer.

1 see the fair
Another leap, and with my faithful Bulger I’ve cleared the
dreaded stairway of Boga-Drappa Staggering forward, I
!

reach the greensward of the valley and fall fainting, after my

terrible race for life
Bulger’s mingled wailing and caresses roused me after a few
moments of clouded brain and then all was well. And yet a
shudder stole over me as I raised my eyes to take a last look at
the rocky stairway of Boga-Drappa, now clad once more in its
black, glistening, treacherous slime.
Refreshed by a hearty meal upon the luscious fruit which
grew in wonderful profusion on every side, followed by a deep
draught of cool, clear spring water, and calling joyfully to my
faithful Bulger to follow me, I set out for the distant summit
of the ridge which shut in this peaceful little corner of the
earth’s surface, so well fitted for the home of human beings,
and yet so utterly abandoned and tenantless, even by four
footed creatures. While, I am a great admirer of nature in all
her aspects from wildest grandeur to picture-like delicacy, yet
no spot which is not inhabited by man or beast, can long hold
me content.
I must have life, not the dull spiritless life of tree, shrub or

plant, ever-chained to one spot, but the restive, bounding,

throbbing life of man or animal to study, contemplate and
180 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
reflect upon. Therefore, it was that I determined to pass at
once out of this beautiful little valley.
I pushed on with eager step for I was desirous of gaining the
high land before nightfall. In this I was successful, but the
twilight had so deepened when I reached the crest of the ridge,
that any survey of the country lying beyond was impossible.
Shortly after I had lighted a bivouac fire, Bulger came in
— —
with a bird of the quail kind and I proceeded to broil it on
the live embers.
The faithful animal was delighted to be once more in a coun-
try in which he could serve me and while our supper was cook-
ing, took occasion to go through a number of his old tricks, in
order to see his little master’s face brighten up.
Side by side, we lay down for the night in that faraway land,
and were soon fast asleep.
The morning broke with rare splendor. I hastened to exam-
ine the country beneath me. It was dotted here and there by
groves and bits of woodland and seemed unusually green and
fruitful.
What attracted my attention more than anything else was
the fact that, as far as my eye could reach, the region was
watered by a perfect network of little rivers, which glistened
in the morning sun like bands of burnished silver.
I had never seen the like. It occured to me at once, that
should these streams prove too deep and rapid to ford, it would
force me to change my course entirely, and pass either to the
north or south, until I reached a clear country. It was pretty
well toward sundown when I stood upon the confines of this
strange land which I named Polypotamo or “Many Rivers.”
The streams, which varied from ten to twenty feet in width,
were deep, clear and swift.
As you may readily imagine such a country was very pro-
ductive. Fruit and flower -bearing shrubs and trees, all of
a most beautiful green grew in the wildest abundance. The
air, cooled and purified as it was by the numerous streams of
limpid water, was like a magic inhalation, carrying a strange
feeling of dreamy delight to every part of the body.
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 181

Said I to myself
“ If this fair land be not inhabited then it is a monstrous pity,
for here kind nature has spread her riches with a more than
usually lavish hand.
Bulger and I stretched ourselves upon the bank of the first
stream that we reached and were preparing for a nap after
our long days tramp, when suddenly the strangest noises reached
our ears. He started up with a look of mingled alarm and curi-
osity which, could I have seen my own face^ I would undoubt
edly have found pictured there in equally strong lines.
Louder and louder grew these curious sounds.
I listened with pricked-up ears, as I strained my eyes in the
direction whence they came, eager to catch the first glimpse of
the beings who uttered them.
I had not long to wait. About an eighth of a mile away, my
eyes fell upon a sight, which, in spite of the possible dangers
threatening my life, in case these creatures had proven to be
vicious or savage, caused me to burst out into a fit of uncon-
trollable laughter.
There, in full view, was a troop of human creatures,
—
dwarfish in stature not being much over four feet in heigth
— who seemed incapable of using their legs as we do but ;

moved about from one place to another by hopping, as some

birds do, or as rabbits would doif they moved about standing
upright on their hind legs.
In an instant they caught the sound of my voice and, with ;

the swiftness of the wind, and with an ease that astounded

me, leaped over the two intervening streams— each of which
was at least fifteen feet in width —and came bounding toward
us with the same gigantic leaps The w^hole thing was done
!

so quickly, and the mode of locomotion was so novel and

altogether wonderful, that I was surrounded before I knew'
what happened to me.
It is needless to say that understand their language,
I couldn’t
although I soon mastered it, consisting as
it did of pure
Aryan roots, no word being of more than three letters.
—
The Man-Hoppers such was my translation of their name,
 : —

182 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

—
Lmi-Lobas ranged themselves in a circle around Bulger and
me, threw themselves on their faces, so to speak for their —
arms were ridiculously out of all proportion to their bodies
and threatened with shrill outcries and menacing movements,
to kick Bulger and me to death instantly unless we surrendered
unconditionally.
It was a novel sight.

THE JOLLY PARTY OF UMI LOBAS (MAN HOPPERS) THAT CAPTURED BULGER AND ME.

Bulger was inclined to advise resistance but, when I had

;

given a hurried glance at their feet, which were very large and
attached to astonishingly vigorous legs, I deemed it only pru-
dent to run up the white flag in fact, I gave them to understand
;

that we threw ourselves on their mercy.

But first, a word about these strange people
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 183

They were, as I have said, small of stature, and let me add

that, upon their narrow, sloping* shoulders were set delicate,
doll-like heads, animated by large, lustrous, black eyes of
extreme softness in expression. Their arms looked like the
arms of a boy on the body of a man. But, although so small, for
they reached only to their waists and ended in tiny, shapely '

hands, yet they showed themselves possessed of extraordinary

strength and dexterity. Their legs, however, were the most
wonderful part of them.
In fact, I might almost say that the Umi-Lobas were all legs,
so out of all proportion was the development of their limbs.
The effect of this disproportion may be easily imagined. It
so dwarfed their bodies that they appeared like cones set upon
two legs.
“ Miscreant !” cried the leader, as I learned three days later
when I “ if thou dost not instantly
had mastered their language,
admit that his majesty, Ga-roo, King of the Umi-Lobas, is not
the fastest, farthest and most graceful jumper in the world,
thou shalt be kicked to death without the least ceremony ” !

I made signs that I was quite willing to admit this, although I

didn’t understand exactly what it was !

Seeing that I was not disposed to attempt any harm, the

Man-Hoppers sprang to their feet and seated themselves in
a perfect ring around Bulger and me, like so many rabbits
when standing on their hind feet to reach something, intent
upon getting a good look at us, or at me rather, for Bulger
was evidently no great novelty for them.
They kept up a perfect rattle of remarks in shrill piping tones
upon my personal appearance. I, too, was by no means idle.
I kept even pace with their galloping curiosity, studying the

expression of their faces and the movements of their bodies.

After a few moments I was given to understand that I must
start at once for the palace of their gracious monarch, Ga-roo,
the One Thousandth, for they were a very ancient people.
As 1 rose to my feet and took a few steps toward the water,
intending to assure them that I could not leap across the stream,
it became their turn to laugh.
 : — I

184 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

And laugh they did too, with such spirit, such heartiness —
—
might almost say such violence that I never realized till then
that they laugh best who laugh last.
Again and again pygmy
voices broke out in shrill
their piping,
chorus while their pretty doll faces were convulsed with merri-
ment.
Bulger repeatedly showed his teeth, and gave vent to short,
spiteful barks as the Umi-Lobas continued their, to him, un-
seemly behavior. But I knew it would only injure us in the
end, if I showed any signs of anger, so I simply shrugged my
shoulders and waited for them to recover from their fit of merri-
ment. Finally, between the pauses of laughter I caught such
words as
“ Pendulum-legs ” !

“ Man-scissors ” !

“ Man Tongs !
”

“ Flip-flop Wiggle-waggle ”
! !

“ Here she goes, there she goes ” !

Such were a few of the terms expressive of the impression

which my poor unoffending legs made upon the minds of the
Umi-Lobas.
They quieted down at last and again began to make signs that
I should prepare to follow them.
When at last I succeeded in making them understand that I
wms not a jumper, and could no more leap across the stream in
front of us than I could hop over the moon, their mirth now gave
place to disgust. Such pleasant phrases as :

“ Lead legs !
”
“ Two-legged snail ” !

“ Little man stuck-in-the- ground !

”
“ Little tied-to-his-head ” etc., etc., were fired at me.
man !

After a consultation, it was determined to dispatch two of

their number for a sort of porte-chaise in use among the Umi-
Lobas in which to transport Bulger and me to the King’s palace.
Away went the messengers like the wind, in leaps of twenty
feet seeming scarcely to touch the ground, bounding along in
the distance like pith balls. After a short delay they reap-
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 185

peared bearing, slung on a sort of yoke resting upon their

shoulders, a stout wicker basket.
Bulger and I were invited to step into it the cover was closed
;

and securely fastened by a stout leathern thong. Then with a

bumpety bump sort of motion away we went across land and
water.
Bulger whined piteously and fixed his lustrous eyes upon me,
as if to say :

“ Little master,
if they are transporting US' to torture or death

Urn glad I with thee ”

am !

I soon gave him to understand that there was no danger.

He returned my caresses and we both awaited further develop-
ments, It seems that the two Man-Hoppers who had been sent
had spread the news of their strange capt-
for the porte-chaise
ure, so thewhole town was on the watch for our arrival.
At last we came to a f ull stop. The basket was set down on
the ground and the leathern thong loosened. To tell the truth,
I was as anxious to see as they were.
A terrible hubbub was in progress, those in authority having
seemingly lost all control over the pushing, pulling, scrambling
mass of Dmi-Lobas. With such violent outcries and still more
violent gestures did they gather about us, that I began to fear
that they would overturn our carriage and do Bulger and me
some real injury, in their mad curiosity.
Suddenly a voice, louder and shriller than all the rest, called
out
u Silence! His majesty, Ga-roo, the Thousandth, King of the
Umi-Lobas, is approaching. Down Down Silence Fall
! ! !

back ” !

One of the attendants now raised the lid of our basket and
courteously invited me to step out.
Without stopping to give the thing a thought, I seized the
leathern thong, sprang lightly up and threw one of my legs
over the side of the basket.
Instantly there was an outburst of shrill, ear-piercing excla-
mations of wonder, fear, surprise, horror, delight and I don’t
know how many other emotions.
18G ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
For a moment I was startled, and half inclined to make my
way back into my basket again. Suddenly, however, it occurred
to me what it all meant.
The Umi-Lobas being able to move their legs only backward
and forward, and utterly incapable of moving one leg without
the other, were about as much astonished at seeing one of my
legs come flopping over the side of the basket, as I would be if
you should throw one of your legs out sidewise and strike your
foot against your shoulder.
As I sprang lightly to the ground and took a few steps
towards King Ga-roo, who stood surrounded by his court offi-
cials, a very lean Uini-Loba on one side of him and a very fat

—
one on the other a perfect whirlwind of such cries as “ Pen-
:

dulum-legs ” “ Walking-Scissors ” “ Measuring-Man ” “ Little

! !

Man All Head!” etc., etc., burst forth.

King Ga-roo received me very pleasantly ; requesting me to
walk, run, hop on one foot, cross my legs, he, standing with wide
opened eyes as I went through my paces to please him.
He then asked me my name, my rank at home, my profession,
my age, what I liked to eat and drink, how much heavier my
head was than my body, etc., etc. I made such a good impres-
sion on the King of the Umi-Lobas that he turned and invited
me to spend some time at his palace.
I was delighted, for I was very desirous of studying the
manners and customs of these strange people, and of conversing
with their learned men. Suddenly, there was a great change
manifest in the King’s manner toward me. He listened with
knitted brows and compressed lips, first to his fat counsellor
and then to his lean one.
His lean minister, so lean that he appeared to me to be an
animated steel spring snapping apart, was named, Mega-Zalto or
“ Great Jumper,” than the King himself no one being able to

leap across a broader stream.

His fat minister, so fat that he was able to advance only by
little hops of a few inches at a time, was named Migro-Zalto, or
“ Small Jumper,” and as he had for many years been unable to
race about the country like the other Umi-Lobas and had con-
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 187

sequently had much time on his hands, which he had used to

improve his mind reading and studying, until he had acquired
great wisdom. Hence King Ga-roo’s choice of him as royal
minister and court adviser.
I was again ordered to stand in front of his majesty, the
ruler of all the Umi-Lobas.
“ Sir Pendulum-legs ” said he, “ ! upon reflection, I am per-
suaded that thy my
dominions bodes no good. Thou
visit to
must know that I have two privy councillors, to whose advice
I always listen and then do as I see fit. His excellency Mega-
Zalto,” continued King Ga-roo, pointing to his lean minister,
“ counsels me to command that thou be stamped and kicked
to death at once, saying that thou wilt work great injury
among my people thou being a foreigner from a faraway land,
;

they will endeavor to imitate thy manner of walking. Our

good old-fashioned ways of walking will be sneered at and my ;

people’s legs will soon lose their wonderful strength and activ-
ity.
“ My other councillor, w ho
r
is a very learned man and loves
to discuss questions of race, manners and customs with strang-
ers, advisesme to let thee live for several weeks, at least, until
he has had an opportunity to get some valuable information
from thee. Now, I am a quiet and peace-loving King, for nature
by surrounding my dominions with such a network of rivers,
and giving us the power to leap over them, makes it next to
impossible for an enemy to follow us. Therefore, Little Man
All Head, it is my royal will that for the present no harm
!”
come to thee
“Thanks, most powerful and graceful jumper in this or any
other world !” said I, with a very low bow. “ I* accept my life

at thy hands in order to use it to make known thy goodness

and greatness in every land I shall pass through.”
My delicate flattery touched King Ga-roo very perceptibly.
He smiled and nodded his little doll head in the friendliest
manner. But Mega-Zalto’s fierce, little face was screwed up
in a thousand wrinkles. I felt within me that he was firmly
resolved to do me injury.
 :

188 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

Now, there was another interruption. A shrill, piping baby-
voice suddenly rang out in a series of angry screams, while
a score of other voices in soft, soothing tones could be heard
as if endeavoring to comfort the screamer.
I turned my eyes in the direction of the voices. To my
surprise and delight I saw coming towards me one of the female
Umi-Lobas, advancing timidly with light and graceful hops,
like a sparrow on the greensward. Her head and face
looked for all the world like some of the wax dolls I had seen
in Paris, only she was a trifle paler than they.
It was the beautiful princess, Hoppa-Hoppa. She seemed to
be in a very fretful and petulant humor, and showed her
peevishness in every movement.
Nothing pleased her. She pouted, hung her head, and threw
her baby-arms about, upon the most trivial provocation.
As I learned afterwards, this all proceeded from her unwill-
ingness to marry the lean, bony Mega-Zalto, who was violently
in love with her, and to whom the King, in a moment of some
great contentment, had rashly promised the princess in mar-
riage, and as King Ga-roo had in doing so taken the Umi-
Lobas’' vow “ May I never be able to jump farther than the
:

length of my nose, if I break my vow,” he dared not break his

word, and, of course, the old, thin, bony, wrinkled Mega-Zalto
insistedupon his sticking to the bargain.
The effect of all this was to throw the beautiful princess
Hoppa-Hoppa into a deep melancholy. In fact, she refused
absolutely to partake of any food for so long a while that
everybody said sadly, “ She will die !”
King Ga-roo was beside himself with grief. But, as Mega-
Zalto had no blood, he couldn’t feel any pity for either father
or daughter, and insisted that the King should stick to his
bargain with him.
Led on at last by the rich reward offered by King Ga-roo
to any physician who could succeed in making princess Hoppa-
Happa partake of food, one of the court physicians hit upon
the following plan
The attendants were directed to set a table in the princess’
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 189

apartment, and load it down with her favorite dishes. Then

the lady-in-waiting was instructed to bind a silk band around
the princess Hoppa-Hoppa’s body, when the latter retired for
the night, so arranged that it should press gently, but con-
tinously on the sympathetic nerve, and cause her to walk in
her sleep.
The plan worked successfully. Every night about midnight
princess Hoppa-Hoppa would rise from her bed, while in the
deepest sleep, sit down at the table and partake of a hearty
meal. After which she returned to bed, when one of the ladies
of the bed-chamber immediately loosened the silken band,
lest she might arise the second time and overeat herself.
Princess Hoppa-Hoppa advanced towards me, hopping along
with a timid air, until she was close enough to get a good
look at me.
I to go through my paces once more, which
was then desired
1 did with a great deal of vigor, concluding the performance
by sitting down and crossing my legs.
Hoppa-Hoppa smiled faintly at first ;
but, when it came to the
leg-crossing feat, she clapped her little doll hands and broke
out in a laugh about as loud as the low notes of a flute.
King Ga-roo was crazed with joy. It was the first time
Hoppa-Hoppa had laughed for a year. I could see that there
was a hurried cousultation going on between King Ga-roo and
his fat and lean ministers. I knew only too well wliat it all
meant. But princess Hoppa-Hoppa interrupted the consulta-
tion, and solved the whole question herself by crying out like
a spoilt child clamoring for a toy, “ I want him !”
King Ga-roo burst forth into a loud laugh, in which every-
one joined, save the lean, rattle-jointed Mega-Zalto, yvlio
scowled fiercely at me, screwing his little face up like a dried
apple.
“ He is take him, beloved daughter, ” exclaimed King
thine ;

Ga-roo gayly, u and if lie can cure thy melancholy and make

thee once more the joy and sunshine of our Court, no one of
the glorious gems which deck our royal diadem shall be too
good lor him. ”
190 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
Amid great rejoicing and loud huzzas, a silk cord was tied
about body and I was led away by the beautiful princess
1113^

Hoppa-Hoppa. Bulger resented the indignity of tying a cord

around my waist and came within an ace of setting his teeth in
the thick leg of the attendant who performed that service for
me. Growling and showing his teeth right and left, the poor,
puzzled animal followed me to prison I say to prison, for that
;

was what proved to be.

it

Xight and day, a guard surrounded my apartments and kept

within respectful distance when I was summoned to divert the
gentle princess by running, hopping on one foot, walking with my
toes turned out or in, or with my feet stretched far apart.
But the one thing which delighted the princess and chased the
melancholy from the pretty doll face was my ability to cross my
legs. This wonderful feat I was obliged to repeat and repeat
until my limbs fairly ached but no matter how often repeated
;

to the gentle Hoppa-Hoppa it was ever new and wonderful, and

she invariably rewarded me by smiling and clapping her baby-
hands.
About this time it was that my beloved brother Bulger gave
me another proof of his deep affection and most extraordinary
intelligence. I had no sooner begun to prepare for bed than
I noticed that something was the matter with him. He fixed
his lustrous black eyes pleadingly upon me, bit my shoe play-
fully, tugged at my clothing, sprang upon me, then bounded off
toward the bed, sniffed at it, growled in unfeigned anger, and
then making his way back to me, began to tease and worry me
once more. I was half inclined to get provoked. By turns I
scolded and petted him. All to no purpose; he continued his
strange actions, growing, if anything, more and more violent
in his manner. At last I was ready for bed. Striving with all
my power to quiet and console him, I made an effort to throw
myself on my bed, so that he might leap up and lie down beside
me.
But no, it was impossible. With grip of iron he laid hold of
my night-robe and held me firmly fast, whining and crying
most piteously, as if to say,
 -

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 191

“ O, loved little master, why is it that thou eanst not under-

stand me ? ”
Suddenly a strange thought Hashed across my mind. I stooped
and glanced under my couch.
Nothing seemed amiss.
Then, as if urged on by some unseen hand, I seized the
bed-clothing and hurled it on the floor. Lo, the mystery was
solved ! There, hidden beneath the drapery, shone the tips of
a dozen or more tiny blades, each sharper thaiva needle’s point,
and as found upon examination, stained with a poison so subtle
I
that the slightest prick would have robbed me of life. Need
that I tell you how the tears burst forth, how I flung myself
upon my knees and caught that beloved animal in my arms, cov-
ering him with kisses ?
He was satisfied.
Again, had he added to that long list of debts due him from me
— debts only to be discharged in coin fresh and bright from the
heart’s mint. As you have doubtless guessed, this cowardly
and cruel attempt on my life was the work of that living coil of
steel springs, Mega-Zalto, who had determined to put out of the
way the hated foreigner, whose monstrous deformities were so
pleasing to the being he loved.
King Ga-roo was greatly incensed when, upon Bulger’s rec-
ognition of the would-be murderer in the presence of the whole
Court, the miserable wretch made a clean breast of it, and
related how he had arranged the knives with his own hands.
“ Out of my sight, thou unworthy servant If 1 do not com-
!

mand that thy vile heart and viler head be parted by the exe-
cutioner’s axe, it is because thy father rendered mine priceless
services. Go ! Come not again until I summon thee ”
!

King Ga-roo now took me into special favor.

In the first place, he was delighted to see how successful my
efforts had been to amuse the princess Hoppa-Hoppa, on whose
baby cheeks the roses glowed once more, and whose child
voice rang out again as of old, like a flute note or a tiny silver
bell.

His majesty ordered that the Court painter should forthwith

192 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
make a and that a
portrait of Bulger for the royal gallery,
plaster cast of my
head should he taken for the royal museum,
I was much pleased with all this attention.
But the very moment I hinted at the necessity
I noticed that
of myspeedy return home, King Ga-roo skillfully turned the
conversation to some other subject. The fact of the matter
was, he feared to have me leave the palace lest his beloved Hop-
pa-Hoppa should miss my daily performances and fall back
again into her melancholy.
The little princess herself was not slow in exerting her
power over me. Snapping the ground with her feet, like a
rabbit, when I failed to be quite as entertaining as usual, and
even going so far as to threaten me with a dose of that living
coil of steel-spring, called Mega-Zalto, when I refused to cross
my legs and uncross them quickly enough to please her ladyship.
One 'day, being in a sort of brown study, over my position,
and revolving in my mind several different ways of making my
escape from King Ga-roo’s dominions, I unwittingly paid little
attention to Hoppa-Hoppa’s commands. In vain she stormed,
snapping the ground with her little feet, shaking her baby
hands at me, piping out in shrill and angry tones at my neg-
ligence.
I didn’t quicken my pace one jot. A heavy load of thoughts
oppressed my mind.
My heart was full of sorrow.
All that day I had been thinking of home, of the dear old
baron and the gentle baroness, my mother, and wondering
whether they missed me at the castle.
Suddenly came a messenger from King Ga-roo summoning me
at once to go to the audience chamber.
With a bound I came to myself.
The little princess Hoppa-Hoppa had gone to her apartments.

I started to call her back.

Every instant I expected to hear that little bundle of bones
and malevolence jump out at me like a venomous toad.
With fear and trembling I betook me to the King’s chamber.
To my unspeakable delight his majesty, the ruler of the
Umi-Lobas, was in the rosiest of humors.
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGUR. 193

He met me with, outstretched hands, poured out a beaker of

wine for me, and bade me sit down at the very foot of the
throne.
I strove in vain to stammer out my thanks.
He would not hear a word of them said that “ the stream
;

should flow the other way,” meaning that I was the one to be
thanked.
“Now, littleman all head,” began the King, after I had fin
ished my wine, “ I have sent for thee to try' and make thee
happy, in the same measure as thou hast contributed to my
happiness. This day I speak to thee from a father’s heart.
Thou hast restored my darling child to health and contentment,
and remembering from my conversations with thee that thou
art a great lover of rare and useful books, I have had copies
made of every book on the shelves of the royal library, and I
now beg thee to accept them as a very slight token of my grati-
tude.”
I was speechless.
The blood rushed fast and hot to my cheeks.
I stammered out a few senseless words of protest, thanks,
surprise, and what not.
The plan seemed to me only too plainly a scheme to tie me
in King Ga-roo’s service, to load me with several thousand
volumes which I would have no possible means of carrying with
me, and which, to leave behind would be such an insult that
arrest and imprisonment would most surely follow.
At last I succeeded in getting myself together in some
shape, and spake as follows
“ O, most powerful, wonderful and graceful jumper of all the
Umi-Lobas, Ga-roo, thousandth of thy line, I implore thee do
not load me down with such a vast and priceless treasure.
Thou knowest I am but a sojourner for a brief term in thy
kingdom I have no caravan, when I go hence to transport this
;

vast accumulation of wisdom, stored in so many thousands of

thick and bulky volumes, steel-clasped and iron-hinged. Thy
gift is far too princely for so humble a visitor as I. Therefore,
most gracious King Ga-roo, bestow it upon some wealthy noble
 :

194 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

of thy land, in whose spacious castle halls these books may
find a safe resting-place, shelf rising on shelf, a very fortress
of learning, impregnable to the cohorts of ignorance.”
King Ga-roo smiled.
Then, turning to an attendant, he said
“ Summon Poly-dotto to attend before me, and bid him bring
the library with him.”
I was more puzzled than ever by this command.
In a few moments the door swung open, and an aged Umi-
Loba, well bent with years, with long tufts of white hair
—
growing from his ears for these people do not permit hair
to grow upon their faces, plucking it out and destroying its
—
roots in early life and carrying a single volume of goodly
size under his arm.
He advanced with feeble hops, steadying himself upon a staff.
His voice brought a smile to my face in spite of myself, for
it whistled like a flute, unskilfully stopped, and ever and anon

broke out into a funny squeak.

But although infirm of body, Poly-dotto was a perfect wonder
of mind and memory.
I was fairly startled to find that Poly-dotto could understand
my language with perfect ease, not a thing to startle one, either,
when we stop to think that all our European tongues originated
in this part of the world.
Poly-dotto hopped forward, made an attempt to bend his body
more than it was, thrust the long, white tufts of hair growing
from his ears into the bosom of his garb, and placed the book
he had brought with him into King Ga-roo’s hands.
His majesty returned the salutation of the aged sage, and
then, bending a look upon me, beckoned to me to draw near.
I obeyed.
“ Receive, Sir Pendulum-legs,” cried King Ga-roo, “as a
mark my affection and a proof of my gratitude, this com-
of
plete and perfect transcript of the entire royal library, for
many centuries the pride of the Kings of the Umi-Lobas.”
I glanced at King Ga-roo, then at the back of the book
thinking that it was merely the catalogue of the books con-
tained in the royal library.
 : !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 195

But, no there was the title, “ Complete Transcript,” etc.

;

I opened the book.

Its pages were thinner than the finest tissue I had ever
seen.
I turned to the last page.
Twenty thousand pages
My astonishment was redoubled.
With some difficulty, on account of my unskilled fingers, I
turned over some pages here and there. They were all closely
filled with minute dots and strokes.
To my eye, one page seemed like another, a beAvildering
repetition of these same little dots and strokes.
I looked up at King Ga-roo and Poly-dotto. They were
both much amused over my confusion.
Like a flash the truth burst upon me. It seemed to me like
waking from a dream.
Yes, there was no doubt of it. I was that moment in the
land of the original short hand writers. Here had arisen that
{mysterious system of recording language by means of dots and
strokes, of which so many men, in so many different countries,
in different centuries, had claimed to be the inventors.
In my readings of ancient peoples I had often seen it darkly
hinted at, that far, far back in remote ages there existed a race
of beings, with short arms and tiny hands, who had invented
a written language to suit their wants, in which absolutely no
letters at all were used, the words being represented by dots and
strokes placed at different heights to denote different sounds.
With a sort of breathless delight I now sat down and began to
examine the book anew, pausing every now and then to repeat
a few words of thanks to the King of the Umi-Lobas.
“ Inform little man all head, most learned Poly-dotto, ” cried
”
the King, “ how many volumes he holds in his hand.
Poly-dotto caressed the white tufts hanging from his ears,
and spake as follows
“The royal library which thou boldest in thy hand, contains
eight thousand volumes all rare and valuable, and only to be
found in the library of our royal master. These volumes treat
196 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
of astrology, alchemy, divination, cheirosophy, medicine, math-
ematics, law, politics, philosophy, pastimes, warfare, fift}' vol-
umes of poetry, fifty of history, fifty of wonder-stories, besides
several hundred treatises on theosophy, altruism, positivism,
hypnotism, mind-reading, transmigration of souls, art of flying,
embalming etc., etc. ” !

“O, wonderful! Most wonderful!” was my ejaculation.

“ But I beseech thee, O, learned Poly-dotto, ” I continued,
“ impart to me the secret of all this Unfold to me the origin of
!

this most wonderful system of writing whereby the wisdom of

ages may be recorded in one small volume !

Poly-dotto glanced at the king, who bowed his head in sign

of his royal consent that the aged sage might sjjeak.
“ Where we now stand, ” began Poly-dotto, tossing back the

long tufts of white hair which reached from his ears to his
shoulders,” was once a rugged and mountainous country. In
those days, now some thirty thousand years ago, our people
were more like thine than at present. To climb the rocky sides
of these mountains required long, sinew}' arms and strong
hands of great grasping power, and flexible legs, moving quite
independently of each other, like mountaineers in all lands. But,
all ofa sudden, these rock-crested heights began to sink and the
valleys to rise; true, very slowly and gradually', but yet unin-
terruptedly, so that in a few years, what had been a rough,
broken country, ridged and wrinkled, began to take on the aspect
of a perfectly level land. With these changes our people began
to change.
Having no longer any use for hands of iron grip and arms of
tireless muscles, they were not long in finding out that this
strength was leaving them, that their great breadth of shoulder
and depth of chest were slowly but surely disappearing in their
sons and grandsons. By a strange fatality, about this time, a
terrible flood passed over our luckless land. Our panic-stricken
people had just time enough to escape. For several months the
regions once inhabited by a contented little nation were covered
by water many fathoms deep. When, at last, the waters had
subsided, and our ancestors were permitted to set foot again
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 197

on their native soil, what a change met their eyes This vast
!

—
domain of our gracious master, King Ga-roo the Thousandth,
had become as you now see it, a perfectly level plain, net-worked
by the countless narrow but deep and swift-rolling streams.
But the soil brought in the arms, so to speak, of these raging
waters and cast upon our houses, burying them far beneath,
was of most extraordinary fertility, just as you see it now.
Every manner of plant, fruit, flower, vegetable and grain grows
here without cultivation when once planted. * "Our people were
not slow to take advantage of Nature’s kindness and build up
once more the happy homes destroyed by the flood. But now
we were brought face to face with a most wonderful state of
things. Here we w ere shut in, surrounded by a vast net- work
T

of streams, and yet taught by our terrible experience so to dread

water, that not even to escape from death itself could our people
be induced to swim across one of these little rivers or pass over it

in any Time went on. It was either a question of

sort of boat.
living on these long narrow necks of land, and walking scores
of miles to pass around the bends and curves of the streams, or
else jump over them. Our wise men issued instructions to our
forefathers, telling them how from early childhood they must
train their little ones to leap, encouraging them by rewards to
keep up the practice until leaping became as easy to them as
walking and running had been. The royal ancestors of our most
gracious master enacted most stringent laws against walking
and running. In a few generations great changes took place.
It was not an unusual thing to see a child of eight or ten leap
six or eight feet over rivulets while playing some game like your
hide and seek. As these child-hoppers increased in years, their
power of leaping soon led them to see that they could advance
much more rapidly by jumping than by the ancient, toilsome
way of setting first one and then the other foot forward.
The streams now widened, putting the leaping powers of our
people to severe tests. But we overcame every obstacle, and in
a few generations it became a rare thing indeed to see a Umi-
Loba moving about in the ancient manner. As you may easily
imagine. Nature could not furnish vigor enough to enable
198 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
our people to transform themselves in this manner, and at the
same time preserve their length, strength and power of
shoulders,arms and hands. A most astonishing result showed
itself. What wasgained below was lost above. Our people’s
arms began to grow flabby their hands took on a delicate and
;

nerveless appearance, as if a long illness had bleached and

softened them. Then the w ise men
T
of our nation noticed
another change. After a certain age, the arms of our children
ceased growing entirely, and although our physicians made
extraordinary efforts to overcome this sudden stoppage of
growth, which usually occurred when our children reached
their tenth year, yet all their exertions were of no avail.
Our king, to his great dismay, saw growing up about him a
race of young men whose arms were so short, and whose hands
were so small and delicate, that they could no longer wield the
spears and bows and arrows of our forefathers. Even the
knives and forks and drinking cups had to be made smaller and
smaller as these wonderful changes came about.
And not long, too, was it before our wise men found it utterly
impossible to hold and guide the long, heavy pens of their ances-
tors, or to lift the pondrous volumes in which our fathers had
kept the records of our nation.
With smaller pens came smaller books, and finer writing,
until at last one of my ancestors, in a moment of happy inspira-
tion, conceived the idea of giving up the ancient way of writing
by means of two score or more of letters, so large that only a
few of them could be written upon one line, and of which two or
three were necessary in order to record one simple sound, and
of using little dots and strokes as fine as hairs, to represent
the sound of our words.
Our children were delighted.
Their short arms and tiny hands were well fitted for such
work.
In a few years the new system of writing was taught in
allour schools, and by royal edict became the only lawful
method of writing throughout the kingdom. Later, another
of my ancestors greatly improved the system, so simplifying
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 190

it that whole sentences could be recorded by a single tiny dot

or hair-stroke.
By means wonderful system is it that we are enabled
of this
to compress a whole library into one single book, as you have
seen, and to make it possible for our royal master to carry
about with him on his journeys the assorted wisdom of ages,
in so compact a form that it may be placed under the royal
pillow and yet not wrinkle it.
“ Thou knowest full well,” continued Poly blotto, with a smile,

as he raised one of his baby hands and pointed a tiny finger

at the book I held in my hands, and upon whose pages my
eyes were fixed in wide-opened astonishment, “that in thy
country a story writer could not possibly squeeze a single one
of his tales between those covers !”
King Ga-roo laughed heartily at this speech.
After a few moments more of pleasant chat, I was dismissed
by his majesty with promises of continued favor.
As I was backing out of the audience chamber, King Ga-roo
cried out gayly, as he shook a tiny finger at me :

u
Look well after princess Hoppa-Hoppa, Little Man- All-
Head !”
While seated in my apartment, the day following my recep-
tion at court and the presentation of the royal library to me,
whiling away the time as best I could by dipping into the early
history of the Umi-Lobas, I suddenly heard a great wheezing
and whistling noise, as if some one suffering from the asthma
were approaching.
Bulger gave a low growl.
sprang up, and upon going to the door was not a little sur-
I
prised to see Migro-Zalto, coming toward me with very short
hops, every one of which drew forth a grunt.
However, he finally reached a seat in my apartment, and
after half an hour’s rest, addressed me as follows
“ I bring thee good news, Little Man All Head. His majesty,
King Ga-roo, lias graciously resolved to appoint thee one of
his Ministers of State. Polly-dotto has informed him that your
head is exactly three times larger that the largest Umi-Loba’s,
and that, consequently, you must be at least three times as
 :

200 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

wise as any of his counsellors. He is, quite naturally, unwilling

that any other monarch should have the use of the vast treasure
of wisdom stored in thy head. His design is to treat thee
like a son, to surround thee with everything that gold can bm
T

or cunning hands fashion, for thy comfort and amusement; in

a word, so to shower honors upon thee that thou shalt soon
forget thy home and kinspeople.”
The effect of Migrd-Zalto’s words upon me was indescribable.
I felt as if my heart were about to beat its last.
It was only by the greatest effort that I could pull myself
together stammer out my thanks to his majesty, King Ga-roo,
,

and save myself from betraying my utterly disconsolate con-

dition.
Behold me now a prisoner for life For in spite of all
!

these honeyed words, King Ga-roo now proceeded to double

the number of guards set to watch my movements, and thus
head off any attempt at escape.
I, of course, pretended not to notice this extra precaution.
In fact, I put a smiling face over my sad heart, and pretended
to be perfectly contented to have given up all thoughts of
;

ever returning home.

I took good care to let Migro-Zalto know that I now intended
to begin studying the ancient history of his people.
With the princess Hoppa-Hoppa, too, I was all kindness and
sympathy. But while I was thus engaged in throwing my
keepers off their guard, I was diving deep into the folk-lore
of the Umi-Lobas.
The books of the royal library, so graciously bestowed upon
me by King Garoo, stood me in good service.
I determined to get at all the weaknesses of the Umi-Lobas,
in order to see if I could not discover some way to elude their
vigilance.
It was dark to me for the first few days, but at length
all

I caught a glimmer of hope.

It came about this way
The Umi-Lobas dread water. My own observation, as well as
Poly-dotto’s words, had directed my attention to this strange
fact.
 : !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 201

Provided by nature with limbs of such extraordinary strength

that they can leap over streams, even thirty feet in width, they
have a superstition that nature intended them to avoid touching
the surface of a stream.
For the first, I now observed that they had no boats of any
kind, and that their children, unlike other children, never
played upon the banks of the beautiful streamlets which
flow ed in every direction around their homes.
T

“ A
boat is the thing I need !” said I to myself, every pulse
beating wdth suppressed excitement.
But, ah ! w here to get it
It w ere
7
attempt to build a boat or even a raft
idle to
without attracting the attention of my watchers and raising
an outcry.
I must abandon that idea.
By bitterest enemy now came to my
a strange fatality my r

assistance. You doubtless remember how that animated coil 7

of steel spring, Mega-Zalto, tried to kill me by placing tiny

poisoned knife-blades in my bed.
Well, after that I never laid down at night that I didn’t
first pull off my couch
the cushions, drapery and coverings of
in search of any more of the same kind.
I never found any, for Mega-Zalto was still in disgrace, and
forbidden, under penalty of instant death, to approach the
royal palace.
But I did find something else.
It was this
1 discovered that my
bedstead emptied of its cushions and
clothes, was exactly the shape
of a yawl boat ; in fact, of so fine
a model as to give infinite pleasure to my sailor’s eye, and, most
astonishing discovery of all, that it was already fitted with a
staunch and shapely mast, the staff wdiich supported the hang-
ings. All I needed was a couple of thin, straight sticks for
booms, and I would be able to take one of my sheets and rig a
square sail in a few moments. 7

Here again I found myself face to face with an appalling

difficulty.
Even admitting that I could elude the vigilance of my keepers,
 !

202 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

how was I, all alone by myself, to transport the heavy bedstead
a mile away
to the water’s edge, a quarter of
Iwas upon the point of giving up the whole scheme.
The more I turned it over in my mind the more its dangers
and difficulties increased.
I paced the floor with quick and anxious step, scarcely aware
of Bulger’s solicitude.
He was at my heels with vain coaxings, trying to quiet me
down.
At last, in blank despair, I threw myself in a chair.
Bulger raised himself on his hind legs and gazed inquiringly
into my face.
.His tongue was out.
He was suffering from the heat.
For the first time I became aware of my condition.
The perspiration was streaming down my face. Suddenly a
new idea flashed though my mind and helped out the old one.
Said I to myself :

“I’ll complain to the King of the heat I’ll tell him how accus-
;

tomed I am and sleeping in the open air with no

to outdoor life
covering save the blue sky and twinkling stars that I shall
1

, ;

most surely pine away with inward wasting unless I be permit-

ted to move my bed during the mid-summer heat down by the
river side, where the air is coolest and purest.
King Ga-roo listened to my request without the slightest sus-
picion that smy idea of escaping from his domain was flitting
through my mind.
In fact, he would have as soon expected to see one of his royal
beds spread its drapery for wings and fly away to the mountains
as to see it go flashing down the river with one of the sheets
set for a sail.
So my request was granted at once.
My bed was moved down to the river’s edge, where one tent
was (raised to house me in case of a rain storm, and another to
shelter the troop of guards which always kept at a respectable
distance from me, and yet near enough to hop down upon me in
about three seconds.
So far all had gone well. At first my plan was to launch my
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 203

boat and make my escape in the night, but T was obliged to give
this up, for I discovered that the guard was always doubled at
night fall.

Escape, if I escape at all, then must be in the broad daylight.

Six of the Umi-Lobas soldiers stood sentry about m\ quarters

from sun-rise to sun-set.
That they were armed it is needless to say.
But their tiny swords and pikes had no terror for me.
With a stout club I could have beaten them down in a few
moments.
Their terrible legs and feet, however, were quite another
thing.
One blow from the feet of a vigorous Umi-Loba would have
laid me dead on the ground.
have often seen these guards amuse themselves by striking-
I
deep holes in the ground or by breaking stone slabs an inch
thick with a single blow of their heels.
I must choose a different mode of eluding such dangerous
pursuers.
They must be drugged.
But how to accomplish it ?
To offer them all food at the same moment would most surely
arouse their suspicions.
Then again, they did not all eat together.
So too, it would be worse than folly to attempt to drug their
drink.
What was to be done ?
Again my heart grew sick and faint within me.
I sat down to collect my scattered thoughts.
At that moment the attendant began to serve my midday
repast. I glanced at the tempting dishes and sparkling wines.
It was a feast lit for a King.
“ Sir Pendulum-legs,” said the serving man, with a low bow,
* this is the season for O-loo-loo eggs. The first find was made
to-day. The nest held six. His majesty sends thee two and
wishes thee a pleasant dream.”
Now let me tell you wliat this strange speech all meant.
The O-loo-loo bird is about the size of a quail, and lays from
 : !

204 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

six to a dozen eggs of a jet black hue. But as the bird, whose
plumage is as black as a bat’s wing, makes its nest in the wil-

derness, among the rank growth of a heather-like plant, of so

dark green a foliage as to seem almost black, the eggs are invis-
ible to the hunter’s eye, and the nests can only be found by post-
ing sentinels to mark the spots where the birds alight.
As you may imagine, O-loo-loo eggs are worth their weight
in gold. Nay more, the people are forbidden to eat one.
Such is the King’s command !

They all belong to him, and the finder must straightway bear
his prize to the royal palace where a rich reward awaits him.
But the most mysterious thing about them is yet to be told
Not only are these eggs of most delicious flavor, but two of them
are sufficient to throw the eater into a deep sleep, during which
the most delightful dreams steal over him ! Visions of exquis-
ite loveliness flit before his eyes, and life seems so sweet and
satisfactory that waking is really the keenest pain. The cause
of this strange effect was for many centuries a mystery and the
ancestors of the Umi-Lobas were wont to worship the O-loo-loo
bird as a sort of sacred creature. But the mystery was solved
at last. It was found that these birds fed upon the seed of
the poppy plant, and hence the power of their eggs to cause
sleep in those partaking of them.
I ate the two O-loo-loo eggs to test the matter, and in a few
moments found myself sinking into a most delicious slumber.
When I awoke I saw light where darkness had lately reigned.
The way to escape from King Ga-roo s guards was now clear
?

to me. I at once proceeded to save up my O-loo-loo eggs.

In a few days, they became more plentiful, and it was not
long before I had accumulated two dozen of them.
And now, thought I, if I offer them to my keepers as a feast,
their suspicions will be aroused they will refuse to partake of
;

them, and the whole matter will be laid before the king and I
shall be shorn of the little liberty I have. Therefore, I must
use my knowledge of human nature.
As each man passed on his rounds I called him to me, and
showing him four of the O-loo-loo eggs, said
 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 205

“ I like thee
$
thou art my favorite, couldst thou he very close
mouthed ? v
The fellow’s eyes sparkled with delight, and I could see that
his mouth was watering at the sight of the dainty morsels.
Upon his assuring me that he would take good care that no
one should know how kind I had been to him, I gave him four
of the eggs, enough to make him sleep like a log for three hours.
He bolted them, shells and all.
I w as much pleased with the working of my plan.
T

The next sentinel, who made his appearance a few moments

after the first, was served in the same way. And so on with all
the others. Each promised most solemnly never to reveal his
good fortune to his comrades.
My plan thus far had worked splendidly.
In about a quarter of an hour I had the supreme satisfaction
of seeing all six of them begin to rub their eyes, then }^awn,
then stretch their little arms up over their heads in the sleep-
iest manner possible. In less than half an hour they were all
stretched out on the greensward, snoring like good fellows.
Now was my time to act
I sprang toward my bed to empty it of its contents and
launch it on the little river which flowed near by, when, to my
horror, I heard the princess Hoppa-Hoppa calling, “ Littla
Man All Head ! Little Man All Head !
”

A cold chill crept over me There she came, hopping toward

!

me like the wind, calling out for me to come and make her
laugh !

What was I to do ?

Strike her down?

Smother her ?

Oh no j
have harmed that innocent little doll-faced
I could not
being, had
been to save myself from life-long imprisonment.
it

Suddenly, like a flash of lightning, a bright thought flitted

through my brain.
I have run, hopped, and stood on one foot, kicked one foot
high in the air, crossed my legs, etc., to amuse the little princess,
but I have never danced for her !

If she can find it amusing enough to laugh heartily at such

 ! :

206 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

plain old-fashioned antics, she Avill surely go into convulsions
when she sees me dancing a quick time jig with heels flying in
the air.

So, calling out to her in my gayest manner, I said

“ Come, little princess, come little Umi-Loba. Hop this way !

Be quick ;
something very funny to show you.”
I’ve
She didn’t wait for a second bidding.
With two bounds she was beside me.
Bidding her be seated I began to dance and she began to laugh.
In half a moment I quickened my step and she broke out into
the wildest merriment.
“ O, do stop, Little Man All Head,” she gasped. “ O, do stop,
or I shall die ” I didn’t want her to die, but I did want her to
!

fall down into a swoon.

So now I let myself out.
My legs flashed like sunbeams dancing on the water.
Bulger looked on in dignified astonishment.
He failed utterly to make out what his little master meant by
these furious antics.
Indeed they were furious.
Faster and faster my nimble feet beat the ground. Wilder
and more uncontrolable became the laughter of the little prin-
ecss Hoppa-Hoppa. The tears coursed down her pretty face
she rocked from side to side she bent forward and back.
;

Adding still more speed to my movements, I kept my eyes

fixed upon her.
Victory !

The end came at last

She rolled over on the greensward in a swoon.
“ Now or never ” I murmured to myself.
!

In quicker time than it takes to tell it, aided by my faithful

Bulger, I emptied the bed of its contents, set my shoulder to one
end of it, while Bulger fastened his teeth in some fringe that
hung from the other, and then, he pulling with might and main,
and I pushing with all the desperation of a battle for freedom,
the wooden structure was slowly brought to the bank of the
river.
It was a hard task for us !
 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER, 207

But we did it.

Now down the slippery bank it glided with a rush, striking

the water and floating like a duck.
In an instant Bulger and I sprang on board of the little craft.
To rig up one of the sheets as a square sail and set it on the
pole which had held the curtains was only the work of a few
seconds.
A stout long-handled fan served me for a rudder.
Away Away I was off at last
! !

The wind was fresh and strong, and my square sail worked
to a charm.
At that moment a shrill, piping voice reached my ear.
“ LittleMan All Head! Little Man All Head! Where art
thou ? Come to me ” !

The shrill, far-reaching tones of her voice attracted a hun-

dred attendants. They seemed fairly to spring up out of the
ground.
Pell-mell,, with a wild rush, the stronger ones leaping over the
heads of the less vigorous ones, they made for the river banks.
Alarm bells now sounded on every side.
Gongs and strangely-sounding horns and rattles called the
people to the spot where the little princess had been found
lying half unconscious on the greensward.
The sight of the half dozen sentinels stretched out here and
there in the deepest sleep, the scattered drapery of my couch,
the bed itself missing, all told too plainly the story of my escape.
All this time, my snug little craft was making good headway
down the river, which grew wider at every hundred feet.
With one wild outburst of shrill, angry voices, the Umi-Lobas
turned to pursue the fugitive.
Buler whined piteously as he saw them swarming on the
banks.
In another moment they began leaping from one bank to
another, passing over our heads in perfect clouds.
I knew full wellthat they would not dare to leap into my
boat but I feared that they might overwhelm us with showers
of their little spears. However I determined to try the effect
of one of my pistols on them if their spears annoyed me.
208 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
King Ga-roo, beside liimself with spiteful anger, now arrived
upon the scene, and took command of his assembled troops and
serving men.
First he tried entreaty upon me, offering me princely sums
and royal honors if I would only turn back.
But I was deaf to his honeyed words. Whereupon he fell
into a towering passion. He ordered his soldiers to recapture
me dead or alive.
A shower of spears now whistled through the air.
Most of them fell far short of their mark, for the river had
now widened so that I was at least thirty feet from the shore
whereon they were standing.
But a few of these spearlets fell dangerously near me.
Fearing that their points might be poisoned, I determined to
try the effect of a pistol shot in the air.
The loud report of the fire-arm, and the puff of smoke which
followed it, filled the Umi-Lobas with the most abject fear.
They threw themselves on their faces and cried out that I
was an evil spirit.
I could now see that King Ga-roo had given orders to let me
sail away in peace.

They made no further attempts to molest me, and yet it was

very plain that they were loth to part with the “ little man all
head,” for whom their King and the princess Hoppa-Hoppa
had conceived so warm an affection.
I, too, felt a wrinkle in my heart as my little boat bore Bulger

and me away on the rippling waters of the beautiful river now

grown so wide that I was at least a hundred feet from the bank,
and the palace of King Ga-roo began to fade away in the distance.
For several miles they followed the banks of the stream, keep-
ing opposite me, and ever and anon sending me a good bye in a
soft and plaintive voice.
Strianing my eyes, I could see little princess Hoppa-Hoppa,
borne aloft on the shoulders of a group of serving-men, and
waving me a last adieu.
Then, once more, I caught the sound of that shrill baby voice :

Good bye Good bye Little Man- All-Head

! ! Hoppa-Hoppa
!

says good bye forever!”

 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 209

And so I sailed away from the land of the Umi-Lobas, the

land of the Man-Hoppers
In a few days the river began to broaden out and the land
of the Umi-Lobas was left far behind The moment I caught
!

sight of any signs of human beings on the river banks, I steered

my staunch little boat into a broad cove, whose sloping shores led
to lofty table lands. Here, with tear -moistened eyes, I moored
the little craft which had snatched me from a life of keen,
though silent, sorrow, and followed by faithful Bulger, struck
out boldly for the interior. After a few weeks’ journeying I
entered a country which was now and then traversed by traders.
They were astonished to find me traveling all alone by myself,
but readily accepted my statement that I had become separated
from a troop of traders, and that my horse had died.
I now made haste to re-cross India and gain the shores of the
Mediterranean, whence I took passage for home, with a joyous
heart and a memory well-stored with quaint facts and curious
recollections.

BULGER AND I SAIL AWAY FROM THE LAND OF THE UMI LORAS (MAN HOPPERS)
IN MY BEDSTEAD YACHT.
210 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

CHAPTER VIII.

In the streets of Constantinople, I fall in with an Armenian merchant,

who presents me with a MS., 6,000 years old. It proves to be palimp-
sest. Its wonderful contents. I learn of the existence of a boiling
sea, and set sail in search of it. Three of my seamen are swallowed
by a marine monster. I rescue them. We reach Neptune’s Caldron.
Description of it and of its banks. Strange adventures there. We
set sail for home, but are overtaken by a fearful storm which drives
us on the coast of China. Bulger saves our lives. I am received with
—
great honor by the dignitaries of the province am quartered in the
palace of So Too the Mandarin. Bulger incurs the enmity of the
authorities. He is accused of having an evil spirit, and is arrested
and put on trial. I defend him. He is condemned to death. My
efforts to reverse the sentence are successful. Strange adventures in
the palace of the Lord Taou-tai. Bulger and I are able to overcome
all obstacles put in our way. We are accorded permission to set out
for a seaport where we take passage for home. Our joy in finding
ourselves safe out of the hands of our enemies.

While sauntering through

the streets of Constantinople,
one day, loitering in front of
the bazars, or listening to the
tales of some story-teller on
the street-corner, I fell in

with an Armenian merchant.

He was a man
of varied
attainments, had read much,
traveled much, seen much.
We ate sweetmeats and
drank coffee together for
\
SOME CROWS LIKE BOILED DINNERS. several days.
He was so delighted w ith
my keen intellect, sharp, nipping wit, and great powders of
imagination, that he expressed himself as being more than paid
for his journey to Constantinople, although he had not yet
opened his packs.
When the time came for us to part, he proceeded to loosen
the leather thongs which helddowm the lid of a strange looking
chest, whose top and sides were covered over with curious
figures in inlays of several colors.
 : :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 211

From one corner of this receptacle he drew forth a volumen

or roll-book of antiquity.
To one end of it was attached, by a strip of parchment, a
waxen seal, stamped with what seemed to have been a monarch’s
signet ring. This ancient and venerable book exhaled a very
musty smell.
The Armenian handled it carefully, saying
“It is quite old; some 6,000 years.” Seeing astonishment
depicted on my countenance, he smiled and continued
“ Yes, 6,000 years It has only been unrolled far enough for
!

me to decipher the nature of its contents. It treats of the

human soul, and pretends to have solved its mystery completely
—a problem which has baffled the philosophers of all ages. It
even goes so far as to claim that the essence which we call
“ soul ” may be taken out of a body and put into a bottle that
;

one soul may be thrust into a man’s body to keep his own com-
pany, and that in this manner the whole world may be reformed,
made over evil being entirely destroyed and good only remain-
;

ing.
“You seems to me quite feasible.
smile, little baron, but it
For instance, this rare oldbook quite rightly assumes that if
we could thrust a good soul into a body already inhabited by a
bad one, that man or woman would henceforth cease to do evil,
or, at least, the good soul would continually betray its bad com-
panion, and, altho’ the man might plan a murder, he would not
fail to inform some one of his dread purpose, and thus defeat
his own ends.”
“ Or, ” continued the merchant, “ take the case of a miser •

by thrusting the soul of a spendthrift into his body, his inclina-

tion to hoard money and starve his family would be forever and
always opposed by an ardent desire to waste his earnings, and
the result would be that these two vices would neutralize each
other and so with a drunkard or a thief by placing the soul of
;
:

a water-drinker in the one and of a moral man in the other, a

perfect reformation could be brought about. This is a valuable
book, little baron, but I give it to you, merely exacting a promise
from you that in case I am right in my understanding of it, you
”
will impart the secret to the fathers of the church.
 ! :

2 12 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

I gave the merchant my promise, and not wishing to accept
so valuable a present without making some return therefore,
1 drew from my finger a ring containing the petrified eye of a
basilisk, which, in the dark, emitted light enough to read the
hour on a watch dial.
He was almost tiresome in his expression of thanks.
We separated.
I laid the ancient volume away in my chest and gave no
thought to it some time after my return home, when, one
until
fine day, Bulger, attracted by its very musty odor, seized it
by the vellum strip holding the seal and drew it forth from its
hiding-place, then looked up at my face as much as to say
“What is it, any way, little master?”
1 determined to unroll the book at once.
The merchant had warned me to be most careful in so doing,
lest the whole thing fly into a thousand pieces.
I therefore proceeded to prepare a wooden tablet or panel,
which I smeared with a strong glue, so that, as the parchment
uuwound, it should be caught by this sticky surface and held
firmly fast.
The plan succeeded admirably.
After several hours’ close application I was overjoyed to see
the volume entirely unrolled and held firmly and evenly to the
surface of the panel.
Fancy my delight, after the glue had dried sufficiently to
make an examination of the writing, to find that this ancient
volume was a palimpsest
I felt instinctively that this dissertation upon the nature of
the soul was the sick man’s dream of some poor dweller in the
double darkness of ignorance and superstition. So I made haste
to wash away his fervid outpourings by a plentiful use of some-
thing still hotter —
namely, hot water and soap for my studies
;

had told me
that the ink used by the people of his time and gen-
eration contained no mordant, and was, in fact, only lamp-black
and grease.
Inow got at the real contents of this venerable book.
The writing was dim and shadowy. I did not let that trouble
 ;

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 213

me, for, skilled as I am in the chemist’s art, I lost no time in

applying an acid which restored the writing to its old time
blackness.
I had some difficulty in deciphering the language in which it
— —
was written the ancient Phoenician but, with the aid of
several scores of dictionaries, I finally rendered it into a mod

ern tongue, passing it through the Aramaic, thence into the

Greek, and, finally, into my own tongue.
When had gotten over all difficulties and could read
at last I
the descriptions with that ease necessary to bring out their
full sense, I was nearly beside myself with joy.
It was the story of a voyage made by a venturesome navigator,
six thousand years ago, when the earth was still in its infancy
stillhot in some places in fact, only the highest mountains
;

and table lands had cooled off enough to be habitable.

Pushing off from the shores of Arabia, this bold captain had
pointed his ship towards the rising sun.
And, wonder of wonders after many awful perils and terri-
!

ble privations, he had entered waters which, to his almost

unutterable amazement, grew warmer and warmer as he sailed
over them.
At first his men refused to proceed any farther, but by dint
of threats, persuasion and goodly presents, the bold sailor went
his way, wondering and rejoicing. After many days he entered
a body of water, which, from his descriptions, I at once recog-
nized as the China Sea. But now all further advance was
impossible.
In vain his oarsmen lent their aid to drive the little vessel
forward.
Huge waves of heated water, always from the same direction
drove his craft backward.
At last the truth of the matter dawned upon him.
He was on the outer edge of some vast boiling sea, which,
rolling its hot waves ever outward, drove back his cockle shell
of a bark. Makingfor a lofty promontory, he clambered to its
highest point, wearing thick felt shoes and gloves to protect
his feet and hands from the heated rocks.
 —

214 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

A fearful and yet a sublimely beautiful sight met his gaze.
For hundreds and hundreds of miles the waters were in a
state of most violent boiling, springing and leaping into the
air as if a legion of giant demons were beneath forcing their
hot breath upward from vast cavernous lurking places.
Upon reading of this boiling sea, I was seized with an uncon-
trolable desire to go in search of it.

True the waters might have cooled down in all these cen-
turies, and yet I was confident I should find some trace of this
once terrible caldron of seething waters.
The China Sea was only slightly known to navigators of my
day and generation.
It had often been darkly hinted at that this vast body of water
was studded with wonderful isles and filled with rare monsters*
I had no time to lose.
Hastily penning a letter of adieu to my father and mother, I
—
joined my ship accompanied by my ever faithful Bulger
and turned her prow towards the rising sun.
So well were the waters of the East known to me, from my
long and close study of the most reliable charts, that I found
I could almost steer my craft through them blindfolded.
It was not many days ere I entered this beautiful expanse of
water, which, in the youth of the world, was filled with such
marvelous creatures swimming on it and in it.
Onward, ever onward, through its dark blue waves, now
mounting their foam-crested heights, now rocking like a thing
of life upon this billowy highway, my trusty little vessel
ploughed her way r
Ten times a da} under plea of wishing to
.
r
,

cool my brow in a basin of sea water, I called out to some one

of my men to let down a bucket, but only to find, to my deep
disappointment, that its temperature was no higher than is
usual in those latitudes.
I began to grow low-spirited. My crew noticed my dejec-
tion, and at times my attentive ear caught murmurs of discon-
tent.
To restore my men to their usual good spirits, I offered a
reward of a thousand ducats to the one who should first dis-
cover that the water was growing warmer.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 215

A thousand ducats !

Itwas a goodly sum, but I was growing desperate.

The large reward, however, had one good effect; it put new
life into my men.
All day long buckets rattled against the ship’s side.
Three of the more venturesome men hit upon a plan to earn
the reward and divide it among them.
Lashing themselves together, they then lowered themselves
down over the side of the vessel, until their feet just touched
the water. Here they determined to stay, so that they might
be the first to announce the increase of warmth in the water,
and in this way make sure of the thousand ducats.
Suddenly a fearful outcry, accompanied by the most piteous
whining on the part of Bulger, caused me to rush up on deck.
A sea-monster, a third as long as our ship, had risen directly
under them.
Motionless with fright, they fell an easy prey to this ter-
rible foe.
Opening his vast, cavernous jaws, he swallowed the whole
three at a single gulp !

My men were wild with grief !

They heaped mad words of reproach upon me.

I had great difficulty in restoring anything like order or dis-
cipline.
My commands fell upon deaf ears.
At last I succeeded in quieting the raging, weeping crowd.
Knowing from my experience with such di;ead inhabitants
of the deep, that this monster had only whetted his appetite
by these morsels of human flesh, I directed my men to make
haste and construct a straw man, using clothes of the same
color as those worn by the three unfortunates.
Into the bosom of this effigy I stored away a quarter quintal
of ipecacuanha, of prime quality, which, by good luck, I found
in my stock of medicines.
The dummy was now lowered to the water’s edge, at exactly
the same spot where the monster had made his luncheon on
my three excellent seamen.
 216 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
We had not long to wait.
He few moments, and, opening his huge
rose to the bait in a
jaws, thrust out a tongue as large and as red as a roasted ox,
and gulped down the savory morsel I had provided for him,
with a rumbling gurgle which made my blood run cold.
Recovering myself, I sprang up into the shrouds and kept my
eyes fixed upon this rare monster, who floated away lazily a
ship’s length and then came to a dead halt.
Ever and anon a quiver shot thro’ the entire length of his body.
Evidently he was having no little difficulty in swallowing this
last morsel.
Huge ridges formed about his neck and rolled backward till
they were lost beneath the waters. A
certain uneasiness now
marked his movements.
He rolled from side to side, opening and shutting his jaws
with a snap that sounded like the bang of two great oaken doors.
The dainty quarter quintal of ipecacuanha was manifestly
beginning to distress him.
His rocking and rolling motion increased in violence.
At one moment his huge body turned upon its side, bent itself
until head and tail met; at another it arched itself in the air
until its black back spanned the waters like a bow.
I now felt that it was time to act.
“ Stand by the starboard launch ” 1 called out to my men.
!

“ Avast that blubbering All ready ? ”

!

“Ay! ay!” came back from the gang.

“ Lower away, then ” !

I was not a whit too quick with my orders.

The launch had no sooner struck the water than the sea-
—
monster after a series of terrible contortions, during which it
almost seemed as if his huge body would be snapped in twain
—
*
began to disgorge the varied contents of his stomach.
First, shower after shower of many colored fishes, of all
sizes, from a hand’s length to three cubits, filled the air.
As they fell into the water, they calmly swam away, no doubt
well pleased to find themselves in more agreeable surroundings.
Thousands of shell fish, all kinds, sizes and colors, then came
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 217

Hying forth, rattling their claws together as they fell into the
water, as if in defiance at their huge foe that had been so
unceremoniously called upon to give up the results of many a
long hour’s hunt.
The living was followed by the dead, for now came forth sev-
eralwooden buckets, three old blankets, numerous bits of plank,
rope ends, shreds of paint pots, bundles of oakum, and
sail,

wads of cotton, all of which he had picked up while following

in the wake of our vessel. At last the man of straw was cast out
high into the air with a deep grunt of satisfaction.
After him came number one of the lost seamen.
Numbers two and three were not slow in arriving.
The launch made haste to pick them up, leaving the sick
monster to recover his health and spirits as well he might.
Bulger received the rescued men with ihe wildest manifesta-
tions of delight, and clapping on all sail, aw ay we bounded T

before a rattling breeze.

To my infinite joy, the water now began to increase in
warmth.
Hour by hour the rise in temperature, although slow, was
steady.
“ At length, my men !
” cried I to my we are on the
crew, “
right track. Be patient ! promise you that before the sun
I
has quenched his fire in the western seas we shall cast anchor in
Neptune’s Caldron ” !

My predictions came true

to the very letter.
Just as the last rays of sunlight were gilding the foam-crested
waves of this mysterious sea, a long, low line of shore was
sighted dead ahead, ending in a precipitous headland.
Bearing away we rounded this and found ourselves at the
entrance of a large land-blocked bay or gulf, from different
points in which huge columns of snow-white steam floated laz-
ily skyward, twisting themselves in most fantastic shapes ere
they vanished in the purple twilight.
My men sent up a loud, long, lusty cheer, as we sailed into
Neptune’s Caldron.
As we drew near shore, to my great bewilderment, for I had
 ;

218 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

not dared to think that living creatures could exist in these
heated waters, I caught sight of moving things in the Caldron.
Nay there could be no doubt, for these heated waters were as
,
t

limpid as a mountain spring and the bottom plainly visible ten

fathoms below.
Pish of all colors and sizes floated hither and thither, while
myriads of crabs, lobsters and other queerly shaped crustaceans
crawled about on the snow -white sands, following their leaders
in long lines, like a procession of cardinals, over the white
marble pavement of some great city in the western world.
I say “ crimson lines,” for the heat of the water had clothed
them all in suits of richest red.
As I sat in the ship’s launch on my way to the shore, gazing
dreamily down by these marvellous
into the waters, half-dazed
sights, a shoal of fish rose near the boat and turned their
beautiful tinted sides for an instant to the cool air.
To my amazement I saw that their eyes were sightless, that
the extreme heat of the waters had clouded their limpid orbs
milk white and shut out the light forever !

A cold chill crept over me, for, to me, the spectacle was as
uncanny as if the carp had sprung from the elder baron’s table
and begun to swim about in their native element once more.
But the list of strange things was not yet exhausted, for as
I drew nearer to the beach, you may imagine my mingled won-
der and amusement at seeing scores of fish with their backs
planted against the sand furrows, calmly fanning themselves
with their broad, flat tails.

Upon upon the shore, I was astonished to find

setting foot
the land, for far as the eye could reach, covered deep with mil-
lions and millions of eggs of different sizes, varying from that
of a pigeon to that of an albatross or wild goose.
. In places these eggs lay in heaps far higher than my head
in others they were ranged in long lines, like white furrows
turned by some gigantic plough !

Suddenly the truth dawned upon me. To these shores vast

flocks of sea-birds came to lay their eggs year after year,
attracted by the warmth of the atmosphere. There they build
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 219

their rude nests and fill them with eggs and enter upon the task
of hatching out their young, when suddenly the heated waters
hurled by some gale or resistless current, rises upon their rest-
ing places and spreads death where life was just beginning, by
cooking the countless thousands of eggs which fill their nests.
And so on from year to year, until now I behold the work of a
thousand floods, which have in turn added their contribution
to this vast stock !

While standing on the shores of this wonderland, one morning,

gazing out across the steaming surface of Neptune’s Caldron, sev-
eral of my crew came running toward me with startled mien and
great outcry, all pointing skyward. I turned and looked in the
direction indicated.
A vast cloud, black and threatening, hung in the heavens.
As watching it, it broadened and widened until it
I stood
fairlydarkened the light of day.
My men were now on their knees,, uttering the most piteous
lamentations, for they imagined the end of the world was at
hand.
I commanded them sternly to leave off their Availing and
groaning, for Isaw that the great black cloud was simply an
enormous flock of birds, of what species I could not then tell.
Nearer and nearer they came, with the sound like the rush-
ing of wild winds.
They covered the whole sky like an inky pall.
It \\
r
me
that they intended alighting upon the
as evident to
shore of the Caldron, and fearing lest their immense numbers,
in settling down, might smother us, I called out to my men to
stand by the ship’s launch.
There was no time to lose.
For, as we pushed out from the shore, tens of thousands of
—
these birds a species of crow, but twice the size of those at
—
home began to settle down in long rows as far as the eye
could reach.
For the first, noAv I noticed that every crow held something-
in its claws. I looked again, and sa>v that each of these birds
carried an immense mollusk, fully as large as a watchman’s
220 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
club and something the same shape. Imagine my mingled sur-
prise and amusement upon observing that those in the first
row were now making for the water’s edge. Approaching cau-
tiously, each crow thrust his mullusk into the shoal waters
of the Caldron and stood by, with eyes sparkling with joyful
anticipation, to watch for results.
He had not long to wait.
Unaccustomed to the great heat of the water, the mollusk
soon began to open its shell, first cautiously, but as the hot
water poured in upon it, with great precipitation, fairly with a
snap. Waiting for a moment or so until the hot water had
curled the animal quite free from its shell, the fastidious birds
then partook of the savory contents, gave a few caws of grate-
ful acknowledgement, and withdrew to make room for the next
row. This changing places,, cooking of provisions and feast-
ing lasted for half a day.
By that time the entire flock had exhausted its raw material.
Then with deafening cries and loud flapping of pinions, these
feathered epicures rose into the air and disappeared as they
had come.
Fain would I have prolonged my stay upon the shores of Nept-
une’s Caldron,, but I observed that the steam from the waters
was disagreeable to Bulger.
With speaking eyes, he implored me to hoist sail and seek
some, to him pleasanter land.
I could not withstand that appeal.
So I made a farewell survey of the egg mounds, gazed my last
at the red-shelled crustaceans and chalky-eyed fish of the
Caldron and went aboard of my staunch vessel.
Heading now westward, I crowded sail, intending to hug the
China Coast pretty closely on my homeward voyage. All went
well for the first few days after leaving Neptune’s Caldron.
Bulge? ranged the deck, playing the maddest capers.
Thoughts of home now began to occupy my mind.
The elder baron was growing old. I felt that I ought not
to prolong my voyage. He might be in need of my counsels.
Suddenly, one day, at high noon, the skies darkened, the
winds sprang up.
 : : !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 221

I thought nothing of it.

be a mad romp, which will serve right well to
It will only
blow us along homeward.
But, oh, what a short-sighted creature is vain man, who thinks
to read the signs of the skies, the winds and the waves
The merry whistling of the wind soon gave place to the
dismal howl of the blast.
The storm fiend was stalking abroad.
The startled waters now leaped wildly tip from their beds,
rolled tumultously onward, whipped into foam and fury by
ten thousand lashes of the blast, till, in their mad efforts to
escape, they dashed themselves against the very clouds.
The scene was terrible. ’Twas useless to command, for
not a throat of steel could have drowned the wild yells of the
tempest.
To my horror, I discovered that we had sprung a leak.
The pitch and tar, softened by the heat of the water in Nept-
une’s Caldron, had bulged from the ship’s joints and allowed
the calking to escape.
Like a sheet of card board, our rudder was now torn from
itsplace and whirled away on the crest of a giant billow.
Behold us now at the very mercy of the storm, the plaything
of wind and wave, a cockle shell fallen on the battle ground
of nature’s warring elements.
Bulger, lashed to the rigging by my side, uttered no plaint,
no cry of fear, no sound of distrust.
I could see that his speaking eyes were following me about
as much as to say
“ I am not afraid, little master, so long as you are by me.”
I could feel my heart thump out a loud “ thank thee, dear,
faithful, little friend !
”

From time to time I passed my hand caressingly over his

head and neck.
His tail moved sadly, but I knew its meaning.
It meant
“ Little master, I am ready to die ;
ay, most willing to die,
if I can die with you by my side.”
222 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
It really seemed as if his lovewas about to be put to a final
test for the dreadful cry of
— “Breakers ahead ” was passed
!

from man to man till it reached my ears.

It was only too true.
Their roar now broke upon my ears, faint, low but deep,
terrible, half like distant thunder or the growl of some gigantic
beast of prey.
In a few brief moments we were on the reef.
With a terrible crash our staunch little vessel leaped upon
the rocks and wedged herself in, tight and fast, between two
jagged ledges.
The relentless sea now broke over and over us.
“Oh ! if the day would only break !” I murmured, “possibly
we might find some means to reach the main land.”
To stay here simply means destruction.
After hours of the severest suffering, for every sea which
broke over us seemed as if bent upon the fell purpose of tearing
—
our limbs from their lashings day came at last.
I discovered now that we were about a quarter of a mile from
the main land.
With my glass, I could distinguish great crowds of people
running hither and thither on shore. But they made no effort
to send us succor or to encourage us to cling to the wreck until
the storm should abate.
What was to be done ?
With a fearful crash, our masts now went by the board.
Our ship was showing signs of breaking up.
Neither threat nor reward could move any one of my men
to attempt to swim ashore with a line.
The sun now burst forth in a blaze of golden light.
I could feel the tears gather in my eyes as I looked about and
saw the sad ravages of wind and wave.
Although the storm had abated somewhat of its fury, there
was no time to be lost.
Dread creakings of the ship’s timbers warned me to leave
the wreck ere I should be crushed against the rocks.
Only disorder and confusion seemed to characterize the move-
ments of the crowds gathered on shore.
 !! ! : ;

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 223

While apparently aware of the terrible import of our signals

of distress, they showed no inclination to risk their lives in
trying to save ours.
Turning to Bulger I cried out
“ O, dearest Bulger thou tried and true friend, companion of
!

my sorrows and sharer of my every joy, thou alone canst save

us !Thou alone canst rescue thy loving master and these poor
wretched creatures from impending death I know thy courage !

I know thy affection. In thy radiant e}'es I read thy willingness

”
to do or die !

From his earliest youth I had trained Bulger to be a bold and

skilful swimmer. No eddy, current, undertow or whirlpool
was angry or wild enough to strike any fear to his stout heart.
With ease, at my commands, he would dive two fathoms deep
and bring the smallest coin from the bottom.
Our vessel might go to pieces at any moment, for she had
wrenched herself loose from the rocky ledge and was pounding
on the jagged, flinty edges of the reef with a wild and ungovern-
able fury.
Every fleeting moment became more precious than its prede-
cessor.
Making a superhuman effort, I caught the end of a reel of
twine, and, having fastened it to Bulger’s collar, bade him leap
into the bubbling, boiling, seething, swirling, madly-rolling
waters, storm-lashed, whipped into foam, till billow broke on
billow and all seemed but one mingled mass of fury, rage and
fright. With a rapid succession of anxious, whining cries fol-
lowed by a series of quick, loud, sharp barks, Bulger gave me
one last look and, placing his paws on the taffrail, sprang lightly
;

over and disappeared.

My heart stood still for a moment.
But look
He rises
He strikes out for the shore, now tossed like a bit of cork on
the arched backs of a storm-affrighted billow, now sunken out
of sight into the foam-flecked trough of the sea.
Look again
 ! ! ! ! ! ! :! !

224 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

Hark ! I can catch the faint sound of that sharp, joyous bark
sent back to cheer his little master’s heart.
And now he gone is !

I see him not but as the twine runs through my hands, I can
;

almost feel every throb of that dear, stout heart

Steadily he keeps at his work, for steadily and rapidly the reel
spins round.
Crack
There goes our keel in twain.
Quick, good Bulger the end is near ;

But look !

What means that commotion on shore ?

See the crowd, how it presses down to the very breaker’s edge
Now they fall back !

Hark!
Did you not hear that shout ?
Saved ! Saved
Bulger has landed
The men on shore have hold of the twine.
The reel whirls swiftly around
My men, ashamed of their cowardice, crawl from their hiding-
places and set to work with a- will.
Already they have fastened a line to the end of the twine and
it is moving briskly over the rail.

There can be no doubt now.

Bulger has saved us !

Springing into the main-shrouds and shielding my mouth from

the gale with my hands, I called out to my men
“ Stand by the hawser Make fast the line Now heave, O ! ! !

Let go all ” !

With an angry splash the hawser fell into the sea and was
soon on its way shore wards.
And this was the way Bulger saved the life of master, mate
and twelve seamen
I was the last man to leave the ship.
As I did so, she shook herself loose, drew back, ran hard on
the rocks with such a terrific blow that she broke into pieces.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 225

as if struck by lightening bolt or some gigantic hammer wielded

by an unseen Thor.
With a wild cry of joy Bulger met me as I was drawn through
the breakers
I threw myself on my knees and covered him with kisses, while
teays rolled hotand fast down my cheeks.
The people of the land gathered group-wise about us and
watched our interchanging of caresses in deepest silence, agi-
tating their thumbs and twitching the corners of their mouths.
“ What land is this ? Where are we, good people ? ” I
inquired, after this first outpouring of love and gratitude had
spent its fervor.
“ Bold barbarians ” replied one of the nearest group,
! whose
richer dress bespoke the man of rank and aiTthority, “ thou
standest on the shores of the mighty dominion of Kublai, Child
of the Sun, Lord of the Imperial Yellow Garb, Knight of all the
Buttons, Man of the Sacred Countenance, Successor to all the
Glories of his Ancestors now Guests of Heaven, Source of all
Law and Equity, and Chevalier of the Orders, and we are
all

his wretched, miserable, unworthy, good-for-nothing slaves ” !

Whereupon the entire multitude performed the kowtow.

“ So then !I cried, most puissant, noble, and altogether
—
delightful, Sir,” at the same time performing the kowtow with
that grace which only the genuine citizen of the world can com-
—
mand “ I stand upon the sacred soil of the mighty Chinese
Empire.”
“ Aye, bold barbarian,” answered the speaker, “ in the prov-
ince of Kwang Tung, in the district of Yang-chiang, of which I,
So Too, Mandarin of the White Glass Button, am imperial super-
intendent.” Hearing this, I begged So Too to give me leave to
speak, which granted, in a brief but eloquent speech, well
larded with all those savory epithets so sweet to the ears of an
official inthat land, I told him of my illustrious family, my
strange desire to scour the remotest seas and least-visited lands
for marvellous things how I had sailed in search of Neptune’s
;

Caldron, of the strange things seen there, of my setting out on

my voyage homeward, my encounter with the stormfiend, and
226 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP.
last of all, my shipwreck on the shores of the boundless domin-
ions of the Child of the Sun.
And now, all that I craved from the servants of the Man of
the Sacred Countenance was such aid and assistance as would
enable me and my men to reach the nearest seaport where for-
eign ships cast anchor, so that we might go down to the sea
once more and reach our loved ones. To all this So Too gave
response with a most gracious smile, and then invited me to
pass beneath his roof, lay off my wet clothes, drink some warm
tea, and have his rubbers smooth the wrinkles out of my tired
flesh.
My seamen were not forgotten. His retainers were ordered
to look well after their wants.
Just as we were about to set out for So Too’s residence, sev-
eral of his body guards struck their gongs a furious blow.
The din was ear-splitting.
With a loud bark Bulger rushed towards me, and laying one
ear against my leg closed his other wdth his paw.
So Too and his retainers, at seeing this to me laughable sight,
looked grave, agitated their thumbs and twdtched the corners
of their mouths.
Just as I was about crossing So Too’s threshold, to my inex-
pressible chagrin I discovered that I had lost my purse contain-
ing a large sum of money. In a desperate hope that I might
have dropped it on the sea shore, I bounded away in that direc-
tion, but I had not gone a hundred paces ere I met Bulger carry-
ing the purse in his mouth. I had in truth dropped it w hile T

kneeling on the beach and caressing my beloved rescuer.

Noting that in my eagerness to follow my gracious host, I
had not missed the lost treasure, Bulger had driven away sev-
eral of So Too’s retainers, who manifested a desire to appro-
priate the pouch of gold to their own use, and picking it up in
his teeth, had raced after me as fast as his burden w ould permit.
T

As we crossed So Too’s threshold, several small, woolly dogs

sprang out and gathered about Bulger. They were apparently
delighted to meet with one of their race, so distinguished in
appearance and dignified in carriage. Fain would they have
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 227

exchanged the usual canine with Bulger, hut he abso-

civilities
lutely declined to enter into any conversation with them or to
express any surprise at these extraordinary looking cousins of
his, which seemed like so many animated bundles of freshly-
ginned cotton. Keeping close at my heels, he skillfully avoided
their advances, and gave a low growl of relief when the door
of the ante-chamber was closed upon them.
After a warm bath, my stiffened limbs were limbered up by
the stroking, patting and rubbing of So Tqo’s bath assistants.
I was then invited to encase my body in a rich suit of
embroidered silk, and this done, was conducted into the presence
of the amiable So Too, who received me with a smile that was as
persistent as it was broad.
Several hours were now consumed in drinking tea, eating
dainty little sugar cakes, and telling each other the most extrav-
agant and shameless libs in the shape of compliments, com- —
pliments about everything, voice, eyes, ears, chin, mouth, hands,
feet, etc. Although I only reached to So Too’s shoulder, he
regretted, in a piteous tone, his lack of stature and praised my
noble, commanding height.
tall, stately,

Overcome at last by sheer exhaustion, So Too closed his eyes

and appeared to have dropped off in a little nap.
Seizing upon the opportunity, I raised my voice and began to
urge upon him the necessity of immediate action with regard io
me and my men.
Whereupon he arose, and after a series of kowtows, the same
broad smile playing around his wide mouth and small kindly
black eyes —-withdrew to consult with his assistant, sub-assist-
ant, and first and second sub-assistants.
It was quite dark when So Too re-entered the room.
Bulger and I, during his absence, had slept most soundly.
No wonder, for we were both tired to the bone.
Orders were now given to illuminate the halls and apartments.
In a few moments, thousands of the most brilliantly colored
and quaintly decorated lanterns shed a delightfully soft glow
over everybody and everything.
Again we took our places around the superbly decorated table
228 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
which held the paraphernalia for brewing tea and the exquisitely
painted cups and saucers of egg-shell thinness, and the tea drink-
ing and cake-eating were resumed. Again I skillfully turned
the conversation to the subject of my departure for the nearest
seaport.
Again So Too arose and backed out of the room for the purpose
of holding another consultation.
By this time my stock of patience had dwindled dowrn consid-
erable.
Every moment I could feel my blood grow warmer and warmer.
After a delay of half an hour or so, a retainer entered to
inform me that So Too had fallen asleep in the council-room,
and that no one save a Mandarin with an opaque blue, tanspar-
ent blue, flowered red or plain red button could presume to
awaken him, and that there was no Mandarin of so exalted a dig-
nity within fifty miles of that spot.
At these w ords my blood
r
fairly boiled over.
I sprang to my feet and began to pace the floor like a caged
animal.
Coming a tall lacquer cabinet loaded dow n
to a halt in front of r

with costly porcelain cups and vases, I raised my foot, and kick-
ing out vigorously, toppled the thing over on the floor.
The crash was terrible.
I was really startled, for I was afraid I had knocked half the
house dow n.
r

But I had the satisfaction of seeing the Mandarin come rush-

ing into the room, followed by assistants sub-assistants, gong-
beaters, sword-bearers, liead-sliavers, ear-ticklers, tongue-
scrapers, nail-polishers, and skin-rubbers, besides many others
of his retainers, w hose offices and callings were unknown to me.
7

“ You have deliberated, now decide ” I exclaimed in a tone of

r
!

voice that for depth and volume would have done credit to the
hero of a blood curdling drama and at the same moment I placed
;

the sole of my foot against another cabinet, quite as lofty as the

one I had just toppled over, and quite as richly laden w ith
curios, vases and ivories.
So Too w as now w ide aw ake and not at all anxious to see this
r r r

second cabinet share the fate of the first.

 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 229

“Thy foot to its place!” he called out, waving me to a seat,

and placing himself between me and the threatened cabinet.
“ Thy foot to its place, my gracious benefactor. ”
After he had seen me safely seated, he continued thus
“ Know, then, my I, So Too, Imperial Man-
gentle guest, that
darin of the white glass button, after mature deliberation with
my most honorable Council, do order and decree that thou and
thy servants shall be, as thou hast prayed, forthwith conducted
to the city of Canton, and there be delivered into the keeping
and custody of the officers of him of the Sacred Countenance,
until opportunity shall present itself to procure means of send-
ing thee and thy servants back to your native land ” !

Here I bent my body in token of my profound gratitude.

The Mandarin likewise made a low obeisance, and then con-
tinued :

“ I do further decree that the evil spirit which attends thee in

the shape of a dog shall be at once bound with chains and cast
”
into prison there to await his trial for witchcraft !

Had So Too plunged a two-edged knife into my vitals I could

not have felt a more agonizing hurt.
“ Bulger ? My beloved Arrested — ? Witchcraft* ? Chains ;

Prison ? ” I stammered out.

“ I have so decreed !
” calmly replied“ Oh no no
So Too. ! ! !

! —
no I cried, it cannot it must not be no He is
evil spirit-—no
!

evil dwells in him. He is but a simple, loving, intelligent dog I !

crave suspension of this terrible decree What ha th he done ? O

!

beloved Bulger, is this thy reward for saving fourteen human

lives ? Is this the way in which thou art to be repaid for all
thy courage, thy love, thy devotion ? O, no no I Kill me if you !

will, cruel stranger, thrust me into a prison cell, but sparfc Bul-
”
ger, spare him
I could say no more.
It grew black before me. A fit of vertigo came upon me. I

staggered, reeled, fell lifeless to the floor.

When I came to my senses, So Too’s servants were busy rub-
bing and chafing my hands and feet and burning pungent wax
beneath my nostrils. Bulger, uttering the most piteous and
 ;

230 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

anxious cries, was hastening from one side to the other,
pausing now and then for an instant to lick my hand or face.
I sat upright to collect my senses then clasping Bulger in my
;

arms I patted, smoothed, kissed and caressed him amid a hun-

dred sighs and groans, heartrending enough to melt a breast of
stone. Then throwing myself on my knees in front of So Too,
I implored him to be merciful —
to spare a faithful, loving being,
whose heart was as free from guile as the flinty rock from ten-
derness whose life had but one thought to serve, guard,
;
:

defend, save his master.”

“Rise, unfortunate stranger !” was So Too’s reply, in a tone
of deep commiseration, taking me by the hand and gently com-
pelling me to be seated by his side. “ List ! If thou shouldst
slice my body into ten thousand pieces I could not revoke this
decree. Know that in this land of the Child of the Sun, a
magistrate may not unsay his words. Mercy belongs to him,
who dwells in higher places. This creature which thou lovest
so, hath been adjudged to be an evil spirit. It is a favorite
form of theirs for as the dog is man’s close and trusted
;

companion, malevolent spirits are most likely to assume that

form, when desirous of obtaining admission to his house and
heart in order to work his ruin. This wild and unreasoning
affection for thy dog proves only too clearly that the evil spirit
which dwells within him has already drawn the black lines
of his mysterious art thrice around thy soul. Thrice three
times will complete his dread purpose. Thou wilt then be
lost forever ’Tis well that some good spirit of the air or
!

water hath delivered thee into the keeping of the Child of the
Sun. For now, upon the trial in the Imperial Chamber of
Perfect Justice, thine eyes will be opened; thou w ilt be fully T

persuaded that an evil spirit of tremendous size and fearful

power is squeezed into that small creature.”
“ Never ” I exclaimed with flashing eye and glowing cheek.
!

So Too smiled faintly and laying his hand upon my arm con-
tinued “ Soft, illustrious guest, thou forgettest that Perfect
:

Justice dwells in the bosom of our gracious Monarch. His

ministers and judges have tongues but they are not their own
;
 : —
!

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 2«U

they only utter the thought of the Imperial mind; therefore,

what they decree must he right !
”
“ And if the Court, “ I inquired, with hated hreath, “ should
decree that some evil spirit hath taken up its abode, as thou
claimest, in the body of my faithful Bulger —what—what
— —
would be the the penalty ? ”
“ Death ” whispered So Too.
!

“ And this thy boasted justice ” I cried, with tear-be-

is !

dimmed eyes, “ to condemn a dumb creature' to death with no

voice to plead for him ? ”
“ Nay !” interposed So Too, “ thou shalt speak for him, thou
—
shalt be heard in his behalf thou shalt be his advocate.”
“ For this mercy,” said I, “ my heart empties its thanks at
thy feet; and, if my words, my pleading prove not powerful
enough to avert the fearful penalty thou hast named, the exe-
cutioner shall but whet his axe on that small neck, for I shall
lay my head beside this dearer head than shoulders ever bore
Blow out the spark that illumines those loving eyes and all this
great world could not light a fire bright enough to cast the gloom
out of my life !”
So Too shook his head mournfully, but made no reply.
Calling my men to me I spoke as f ollows
“ Go, honest souls, I cannot be one of you. Return to your
homes and firesides. An Imperial escort will conduct you to
the port of Canton. There, beneath some friendly flag you will
find means to reach your native land Peace and good fortune
!

go with you ” !

Then, turning to my first mate, I added :

“ Seek out my father, the elder baron, impart unto him the
story of my shipwreck the arrest of Bulger
;
and my firm ;

determination to save him from the terrible fate now impending,

or to die with him The elder baron knows my love for Bulger.
!

He would deem me a degenerate son of his illustrous house,

were I to abandon companion of my dangers and
this faithful
sufferings to so unmerited a fate. Go! Place this signet ring
on thy finger. Deliver it to my mother, with my most dutiful
and humble greeting. Be wise be brave be honest ”
; ;
!
232 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
My men now formed in single file, and as they passed in front
of me each one paused and pressed my hand to his lips.
Bulger, too, was ready for the leave taking. Mounted upon a
chair at my side he extended his right paw to each seaman.
Tears streamed down their weather-beaten faces and, they
invoked blessings on the head of their brave little companion
who had saved them from a deep grave in the briny waters.
Scarcely were they out of my sight when a deafening beating
of gongs announced the arrival of the guard. My heart slipped
from its resting place. A cold sweat gathered in beads on my
temples. It was only with the greatest effort that I could draw
breath enough to keep me from sinking lifeless to the floor.
So Too murmured a word of sympathy.
At the sight of the gailors and sound of the chains, I uttered
a piercing cry and threw myself on my knees with Bulger
clasped tightly in my arms. Poor, innocent beast he was !

utterly unable to comprehend the actions of those about him.

“ He shall be well-treated ” murmured So Too. “ Fear not
!

for his safety or comfort !”

The gailors now advanced, and stooping down, clasped the
delicate manicles —which were of polished silver, upon Bulger’s
feet.
He looked up at me with eyes so speaking, so full of love and
so trusting that I could not bear their gaze. It meant :
“ I sub-
mit without a murmur, for I know that thou wouldst not let any
harm come to me !
”

Then one of the guards lifted him gently and placed him in a
silk-lined hamper, slung upon two poles. The lid was quickly
adjusted and fastened, and ere I could collect my senses to speak
a last farewell they hurried away with their prisoner, for it was
plain to be seen their hearts were deeply moved by my wofid
countenance and grief -shaken voice.
At So Too’s solicitation I now went to rest.
Rest ? Alas how could sleep get into my tearful eyes ? All
!

night long I lay awake bemoaning the sad fate which had over-
taken me. Had accusation and arrest fallen upon me, I could
have borne it like a man but that Bulger’s loving heart should
;
AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 233
234 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
have been singled out to bear a blow so undeserved was almost
death to me.
As the hours dragged wearily along I thought of reversing my
order sending my men away, and of attempting a rescue. I
thought of schemes to bribe the gailor. I thought of demands for
the interference of my government. I thought of an appeal for
mercy Emperor himself. When day dawned I was
direct to the
utterly exhausted and sank back upon my pillow with a groan.
Anticipating my inability to get any rest for my throbbing brow
and fever-heated limbs, So Too was early at my chamber door
with his attendants. Under his directions they bathed me in
cooling lotions, patted, rubbed, and chafed my limbs fanned me, ;

stroked my wrists and temples, gave me draughts of quieting

powders and gently pressed my eye lids down, until gradually
1 sank into a deep sleep, which lasted quite until high noon.
I awoke with a strong heart. Now I was myself again. My
sorrow had not grown less but, for the time being, I was master
;

of it.

So Too met me with a broad smile. I kowtowed profoundly.

He expressed the hope that, his “ tall, graceful, broad-shouldered,
handsome visaged guest of knightly bearing” had slept well.
As for me, ” he added, “ my miserable, little, crooked frame was
full of pangs and tortures all night long. ”
To look at him it was hard to see any effects of all these
“ pangs and tortures. ”
He seemed the very picture of good health and spirits. His
broad face was as smooth as a baby’s and his little eyes sparkled
with suppressed humor and mischief. We grew quite merry
over our morning meal.
I was playing a part. I determined to let him think that by
degrees I was becoming cured of my extravagant affection for
Bulger.
With every cup of tea he drank his cold exterior kept melting
off. I felt that if I left him quite to himself, he would give me
a clearer view of his inside nature than if I attempted to draw
him out by leading questions. I called into use all my wit and
imagination. I buried him beneath compliments and fine
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 235

speeches. him some of my most diverting stories. At

I told
last, I was The servants were directed to withdraw.
successful.
So Too now assured me in the name of all his ancestors, that I
was the most delightful guest that had eAer sipped tea beneath
his roof. He entreated me to honor him by rising and placing
my tall, graceful, knightly form along side of his miserable,
puny little rack of bones.
I made haste to accept the invitation, protesting, however,
that I was quite overcome by the honors showered upon me.
He maintained, with equal pertinacity that he was utterly
unfit to occupy a seat by my side.
So we continued our war of compliments. Suddenly So Too
thrust his right hand under his richly embroidered tunic and
drew forth a small case of tablets, which folded upon each
other in a curious way. He gave it a slight jerk and it flew
open and unfolded itself. “ I have been thinking,” he began,
“ of the approaching trial of thy dog on the charge of witch-
craft.”
A lump arose in my throat at these words, but I gulped it

down and simply bowed my head as a sign of my attention.

“ Thou art a stranger in our land,” continued So Too, “ per-

chance thou wilt be pleased to know the things which I am about

to tell thee. Nowhere else in the great world can Perfect Jus-
tice be found save in the dominions of our gracious Emperor,
him of the Sacred Countenance. While thy nation and the
rest of the Western world knew no other law than force or
fraud, we had already received from our ancestors thousands
of volumes filled with the rules of Perfect Justice. Happy
indeed should be that criminal whose good fortune leads him
to commit his crime in our favored land. His punishment will
be exactly what he deserves. Thou, as the advocate of this
fortunate prisoner,who is so dear to thee, art allowed to choose
the yainun before whom he shall be tried. I, So Too, thy friend,
do here set before thee the list of yamuns so thou mayst
choose thine own arbiter.”
Saying this, So Too placed the unfolded tablets in my hand,
and then dropped oil' into a gentle doze.
 : : ;

236 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

I scanned the list with mingled awe and curiosity. It read as
follows

THE LIST ITSELF. ALL BY ITSELF.

OF AND NOTHING ELSE.
ONLY THE JUST JUDGES. ALL BY THEM-
SELVES.
FOLLOWED BY NOTHING ELSE.
I. Ling Boss, Just Judge.
II. Quong Chong, - Just Judge.
III. Poo Pooh, Just Judge.
IV. Wah Sat, - - -
Just Judge.
V. Lung Tung, -
VI. Keen Chop, - A Just Judge.
The List of Just Judges. And Nothing Else.

Thinking that So Too was sleeping soundly, I half uncon-

sciously murmured to myself, as 1 glanced at the first name on
the list “ Ling Boss, a just judge ” When to my great sur-
: !

—
prise which, however, I was careful not to show So Too, —
without opening his eyes spoke as follows
“ Aye, a just judge a very just judge but a dangerous one
; ;

neck too short, too much blood hence, brain too hot never — —
willing to hear both sides a good judge for him who speaks
;

first before the blood begins to press upon his brain, a bad

judge for a long cause.”

“ Quong Chong ? ” I repeated inquiringly.
“A just judge,” replied So Too, “an extremely just judge,
but too and thin not blood enough for his long body brain
tall ; ;

too far away from heart cold and merciless does not eat
; ;

enough, only a little fish a good judge for a very bad man.”
;

“ Poo Pooh ? ” I suggested, in a low tone.

“A just judge, a thoroughly just judge,” continued So Too,

“ but not to be trusted $
laughs too easily too much given to
;

making puns always ready

;
to deal out death to a solemn-visaged
 ! ”

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 237

man ;
only too happy to sentence a man to death if he can make
a pun with his name and the axe or block or something belong-
ing to the executioner.”
“ Wah ? ” I
asked timorously.
Sat
“A an entirely just judge ” said So Too, apparently
just judge,
half overcome with sleep, “ but a judge to be avoided too much ;

given to asking questions never weary of turning round and

;

round like an auger, until he strikes bottom a good judge for a ;

—
hard and knotty cause slow, but sure, eating away falsehood
bit by bit; not a good judge for a plain case.”
“ Lung Tung ? ” I questioned, half in despair, glancing at num-

ber five.
“ A
just judge, an undoubtedly just judge, “ So Too gave
answer, in the same sleepy tone, “ but a dangerous judge too ;

fond of hearing himself talk too liable to use up the criminal’s

;

time and then condemn him to death for not having defended
himself within the hour allotted to him
Here my heart sank within me but
;
I drew myself together.
There was still one name left. I glanced at it despairingly.
“ Keen Chop ? ” I murmured.
“ A just judge, a perfectly just judge ;
” remarked So Too with
a slight increase of animation, a flower, a pearl of a judge ;
eats
well, drinks well, digests well ;
fond of the good things of life, a
great lover of beautiful vases and statues and screens and
embroideries —always willing to hear both sides and —
Here So Too came to a halt and fell into such a sound slumber
that he snored loudly. I waited patiently for him to finish his
nap. He resumed exactly at the point where he had left oft'.
“
Very anxious to build a larger and finer house and to fill it
with rich and rare ornaments.”
Again So Too dropped off. Not to be outdone by him in
apparent indiff erence at the matters under discussion, I likewise
gave way to a feeling of drowsiness and was soon fast asleep.
How long we slept 1 know not ;
but, when we awoke my mind
was perfectly clear on one point. turned to So Too and said
I :

“ I am resolved ! Keen Chop is a just judge Let him decide

!

Bulger’s fate ” !
238 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
Three days, long and anxious ones for me, went by before I
was accorded a hearing in the Hall of Justice. So Too made
great efforts to amuse me and turn my thoughts away from the
poor innocent captive. But all in vain. Those dark, lustrous
eyes were always fixed upon me. Day and
night, they kept
repeating the same question :
“ Dear master what does it
little

all mean ? I know you will not desert me, but why must I be
so long separated from you?”
At last the long-wished for hour arrived. I was escorted to
the Hall of Justice by a band of So Too’s retainers A seat was
assigned me in front of the platform, which the judge and his
suite were to occupy. The vast chamber was crowded with
clerks, officers, gong-beaters, accused and accusers but a deep
;

silence rested upon them all. As I walked to my seat a subdued

murmur ran over the multitude, for Bulger’s case was in every
one’s mouth and I could see that my youthful appearance
;

excited great surprise.

Suddenly a beating of gongs announced the arrival of the
judge.
Keen Chop entered the Hall of Justice with a majestic tread
and solemn air, partly the effect of a pair of huge spectacles
which were held astride his nose by heavy silken cords and
tassels passed over his ears. He was followed by a vast array of
clerks, servants and attendants. There were ink-bearers and pen-
bearers there were fan-bearers and book -bearers there were
; ;

foot-rubbers to chafe his feet in case they got asleep from long
sitting there were nose-ticklers armed with long feathers,
;

whose office it was to arouse Keen-Chop should he drop off into

too long a nap there were eraser-bearers whose duty it was
;

to blot out from the tablets all the judge had said when he
resolved to change his mind. “ Let the vile, miserable, wretched
accused be brought into the august presence of Keen Chop, the
just judge ” cried one of the Court officers, in a loud voice.
!

After a few moments’ delay, the wicker hamper which con-

tained my faithful Bulger, was carried into the chamber through
a side entrance, set down in front of the judge and Bulger lifted
gently therefrom and placed on a table at my side. The silver
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 239

manacles were still attached to his feet. My heart stood motion-

less as I heard the rattling of the chains which ran from leg to
leg. I had steeled myself to appear calm but in spite of my
;

efforts, the tears trickled down my cheeks. Bulger gave a start

as his dark, lustrous eyes fell upon me and he uttered a long,
low whine as if to ask “ What does all this mean, dear, little
:

master ? ” And then he raised his right paw as high as the

chain would permit, and held it out for me to shake as was his —
custom when craving forgiveness for some' mischievous act
which had displeased me.
I pressed the outstretched paw long and tenderly.
“ Doth the prisoner confess his guilt and humbly beg for
mercy at our hands ” inquired Keen Choi) turning his huge eye
glasses full upon Bulger. Whether it was the disagreeably shrill
and creaking tone of the judge’s voice or the glitter of the large
glass discs set in front of his eyes, which displeased Bulger, I
know not certain it is he made answer for himself with a single
;

loud and angry bark. Keen Chop was so startled that he

dropped his smelling salts and motioned to his fan-bearers to
cool his heated face.
“ Silence ” roared one of the gong-beaters, giving a deafening
!

thump upon his gong and, at the same time

to inspire respect ;

eye-brows and mustachios.

fiercely agitating his bristling
“ My lord judge, ” said I performing the kowtow, “ I crave

consent to speak for the prisoner. He is not guilty of witch-

craft. Nor doth any manner or kind of evil spirit dwell within
his body. He is a true and faithful servant and companion of
mine; perchance, with somewhat more than the usual intelli-
gence of his kind. As his defender I call for the proofs of this
most unmerited accusation ” !

Keen Chop now fell asleep. But, after a few moments, his
nose-tickler succeeded in arousing him.
“ Let the proofs be read ” spake Keen ! Chop in slow and
measured tones. One of the clerks arose and unfolding a huge
;

sheet of paper, with wooden rollers fastened at the top and

bottom like a window shade, began to read in a drawling, sing-
song voice as follows
 ;

240 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

Proof First That the prisoner did, without any command,
:

upon reaching the shore from the wreck, proceed to bite the
twine attached to his collar in twain and, taking up the end
;

in his mbuth, pass by a group of imperial officers, and a group

of merchants, and a group of artisans, and a group of idlers,
and make for a group of sailors, at whose feet he laid down
the end of the twine.
Proof Second : That the prisoner did, at the sound of the
official gong, unlike the animals of his race dwelling among us,
manifest great displeasure and ill-humor, rush towards his
master, lay one ear against his master’s body and close the other
with his paw.
Proof Third That the prisoner did, on the same day, in the
:

presence of imperial officers, without any command, pick up a

purse of gold dropped by his master and restore it to him.
Proof Fourth That the prisoner did, on the same day, in
:

the presence of imperial officers, upon crossing the threshold

of the Lord High Mandarin So Too, unlike animals of his kind,
contemptuously and disdainfully reject the kindly welcome
and friendly greetings given him by his Excellency’s dogs.

I confess that, as the clerk of the Court finished reading

these proofs, heart rose slowly into my throat. They were,
my
in good earnest, proo'fs of far more than the usual intelligence
of animals of his race. I was staggered by the amount of proof
they had collected. While I felt that I should have di^fficulty
in persuading Keen Chop that all this was only the result of
careful training, aided by a special aptitude on Bulger’s part,
I was very careful not to betra}^ an}r nervo/usness or lack of
confidence.
I called for some
tea, on a plea of needing refreshment
but really to gain time to collect my thoughts and get myself
together, after such a staggering blow.
Meanwhile, Keen Chop dropped off into a calm doze.
I finished my tea and sat waiting patiently for the nase-tick-
ler to arouse him.
When I saw that Keen Chop was wide awake again, I arose
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 241

with great dignity and, placing myself beside Bulger, who

;

was watching my every movement and listening to my words

with an almost painfully anxious expression, which meant
only too plainly “ What does it all mean, dear little master ? ”
:

I began as follows :

“ My Lord Judge Most ancient, antique and venerable

!

Patriarch, stricken in full five score of honorable years, thy

snow-white locks bespeak thy wisdom !” The fact of the
matter is, Keen Chop was quite a young man, and so far as I
could see had no hair at all on his face or head save a scanty
pig-tail;
but I knew how flattering it was to a magistrate to be
called “ old and venerable ” and hence my desire to make a good
impression at the very outset. “ My mother’s breast knows no
other child than me and I no other brother than this faithful
creature whom heaven, for its own good reasons, hath set upon
four feet but who, if the strength of love could lift him up,
;

would walk beside me, our two hearts on the same level. O,
—
venerable judge whose wisdom, like fair fruit red-ripened in
the Autumn season, is now so ennobled by the flight of time,
thou knowest what love can do Thou knowest full well how
!

it can so steel the thin beak of the mother bird, that the mer-

ciless talons of the hawk have no terror for her ! Thou know-
est, better than this poor bit of humanity which now pleads
before thee, that man’s spear hath not point sharp enough to
drive the bear from her cub Thou knowest how the timorous
!

sparrow, to shield her nestlings, will face the viper’s horrid

crest, forked tongue and stony eye And what shall I say
!

of this faithful creature’s race ? When lived there one of his

kind that was known to desert a poof* and humble master, for
a richer one; or to refuse forgiveness for a rash and unde-
served blow ? Where else can human hearts invest their love
and draw such usurer’s rates as here ? We were babes together !

The same sunbeams that danced a welcome on my awakening

into life, found him, too, just arrived. Of quicker growth, he
was his brother’s keeper. I gave him all my love, for no other
playmate was there to share it. I planted better than I knew,,
for on the thankful soil of his true heart, that love of mine
 !

242 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

struck such deep and vigorous root that it gave of its strength
and power to his brain Love hath so sharpened thought,
!

that it hath grown wondrous strong The spirit, thou callest !

‘evil,’ is, as the learned know, a reasoning being and, although $

it may go upon four feet and whine, and yelp, and growl, and

is but the mask it w ears.

r
bark, this
“ O
aged judge, in the vast storehouse of whose mind exper-
ience hath piled wisdom many stories high, thou wilt ere long
believe me, for I shall make it most plain to thee that this —
faithful,, loving animal, is not gifted with the mysterious
power of reason True, most true, nature hath widened his
!

vision but not removed its boundaries.

:

Mark now, O learned patriarch, how easy a thing it is for

truth to pierce the armor falsehood wears,, for gird she ne’er
so tightly, there are always some joints that will not come
together !

“ If my
poor, weak mind be not strong enough to brush away
the so-called proofs of this evil spirit, then let me be withered
by the flame of thy just indignation This creature loves me !

Not the vigor of ten-thousand human hearts blent in one could

yield a warmer love than his for me And yet behold how !

short its vision is !

was given me by a Turkish merchant

“ This curious fire-arm

whose saved in a brawl. I have so set it that a feather’s

life I
weight will discharge it but, first I smeared some sugar paste
;

upon its trigger. Lo I turn it toward my breast

! If this !

creature now hath but the faintest glimmer of impending harm

to his beloved master, he will refuse to lick away the sugar
paste ” !

A deathlike silence fell upon the assembly. I held the fire-arm

out towards Bulger. In an instant he scented the sweet odor
of the paste and thrust his tongue out in several unsuccessful
efforts to reach it. A sharp explosion rang through the great
hall.
I stooped and picked up the ball —which had flattened itself

upon a steel plate hidden beneath my robe.

Bulger’s amazement was not so great as Keen Chop’s. He
 ;

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. ‘243

made signs for refreshment. Tea was hurriedly served. A

hundred fans wafted the sulphurous vapor away from his
nostrils.
Once more, O wiser judge than ever in Western Lands, shed
“
the radiance of human wisdom on things dark and obscure,
behold how I tear away the weft of falsehood which some
ingenious mind would have this august tribunal adjudge to be
pure truth Here, on this salver, I hold some toasted bits of
!

—
cocks’ combs to this creature’s taste, the -daintiest morsel
which nature and art can unite in producing ” Catching a !

snilf of his favorite dish, my good Bulger began to bark and

whine and strain his manacles to their utmost in wild endeavors
to reach it. I held the salver out so as to permit him to reach a
few pieces of the toothsome food. He was now beside himself
one moment begging, coaxing, pleading; the next, scolding,
threatening, expostulating. No doubt he was very hungry, for
it was hardly to be expected that the prison messes would suit

his dainty palate.

“ Most venerable judge ” I resumed, “ as thou well knowest,
!

evil spirits hold in great repugnance and dread all subtle and
mysterious brews and poisonous compounds with which man
strives to display or destroy them. Look now I sprinkle !

this coveted dish, before his very eyes, with a powder so deadly
and direful in its effect on life that this weak hand of mine
holds power enough to change this mighty hall filled with
light and life, into one vast charnel house. And again 1 bring
the food within his reach, covering it with a sheet of glass lest
his ardor out-wit my vigilance ”
!

Bulger now fell upon the plate of glass which covered the
food, with renewed impetuosity, giving vent to sharp cries of
disappointment as he vainly endeavored to lick up the tid-bits,
rattling his chains as he strove to scratch away the glass which
kept him from his expected feast.
Commanding him to be silent, I uncovered the dish and set
it within reach of several dogs which I had caused to be tied

near at hand.
At the first touch of the poisoned food they fell to the ground
as if stricken by a thunderbolt.
 ! !!! :

244 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP :

“ Again, most sapient and venerable judge, let me add proof

to proof that naught of reason dwells within the mind of this
faithful creature ” !

“I was wounded once in his sight by a treacherous slave.

His dagger point pierced my breast but I smote him dead
;

ere he could find my heart. Yet the danger of that moment

seared the image of that poniard forever on this creature’s
memory.
Bid now a retainer turn a dagger towards my breast ” !

It was done
With frantic cries and wild-starting eyes Bulger strove to leap
upon my supposed assailant.
“ Cover now the blade with its sheath ” !

It was done
Again my good Bulger made desperate efforts to reach the
man, filling the room with cries of rage and fear.
“ Cast away both sheath and blade ” !

’T was done
But still my loved Bulger made maddest effort to protect his
master.
“Cast away the heft and blade and raise the empty sheath
against my breast ” !

’Twas done
Still it wasthe same No matter whether covered or uncov-
all !

ered point; whether harmless heft, or still more harmless

sheath, was turned towards my breast, Bulger’s cries of mingled
rage and fear, his mad attempts to break away from the
shackles which bound foot to foot were first and last, exactly
as fierce.
Keen Chop now did several things. He drank some tea. He
ordered one of his menials to tickle his ear. He removed his
huge spectacles and handed them to an attendant wTio proceeded
to polish them. He then attempted to
fall asleep. But, at a
sign from me, Bulger began bark so furiously that he gave a
to
sudden start as if he thought the animal was about to lay hold
of his calves. Taking advantage of this, I strode up in front of
Keen Chop and fixing my gaze upon him, spake as follows
;

“Most ancient Magistrate, I crave your gracious consent to

 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 245

add another plea to my defense of this dumb creature. I

would be the veriest ingrate, whom any wretched outcast might,

with justice, spurn and revile, were I not to defend this devoted
being with all my mind’s cunning and heart’s love ” !

With these words, I sprang lightly up the steps which led to

Keen Chop’s chair, and ere he could say nay, caught up his fan
which he had just laid down on the table beside him.
—
“Now, venerable judge, for a last, and I trust overwhelming
— proof that no evil spirit dwells within thaUcreature’s body.”
Here are two fans Thine Mine Thine, made sacred by the
: ! !

touch of thy age-palsied and time-stricken hand Mine, a

!

worthless trifle if it were possible, made still more worthless

;

by the touch of my worthless hand. If, as this Court hath

charged, an evil spirit dwells in this animal’s body, it knows full
well that power of life or death hangs on thy lips that thou ;

canst pardon with a smile or slay with a frown that thou canst
;

condemn to lingering torture or strike his shackles off with a

nod
Ay, more that if it should, to thine eyes seem meet and wise,
!

thou canst adjudge both master and dog worthy of death

and grant them no greater boon than that their blood shall flow
together after life is over, as their love was one when living ” !

“Behold, I cast these two fans at his feet!”

Loud murmurs broke out all over the vast assembly. Many
rose in their seats and craned their necks to watch the result.
Bulger looked up at me with a puzzled air at first but his ;

mind was soon made up. He picked up my fan tenderly and

carefully, and with wide-opened, love-lit eyes, raised himself on
his hind feet and laid it in my lap, wagging his tail the while,
as much as to say: “Never fear, little master, I know. what
belongs to thee ” !

Then, with an outburst of snarling, barking and growling,

threw himself upon Keen Chop’s fan, shook it savagely until
the richly painted covering was torn in shreds and lay scattered
about tossed it up in the air, only to leap upon it with all fours
;

as it touched the floor and then, setting his stout claws in its
;

joints wrenched them asunder as if they were made of paper.

 ! !

246 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

But this was not all
To complete the list of indignities which he had visited upon
Keen Chop’s property, he now turned his hack toward that grave
magistrate and by several sudden and vigorous kicks with his
;

hind feet, sent the sticks in a shower flying so close to his head
that one actually struck against the huge disc of glass placed
in front of Keen Chop’s right eye. But a court officer, who had
fallen sound asleep, and let his head fall backward, did not
escape so luckily. Two of the largest sticks entered his nostrils
and remained sticking there like arrows in a target. The man
a woke with an ear-piercing shriek. In spite of the commands of
the court officers, that every one who laughed should be bastin-
adoed, there was suppressed giggling here and there. Keen
Chop himself twisted his face into the most comical grimaces
in order to keep from bursting out into a fit of laughter. As
for Bulger, he was beside himself with pleasure. In fact, he
fairly howled with joy. Keen Chop now moved his thumb as a
sign that he was about to speak, and a deep silence fell upon the
multitude.
was summoned to approach the steps of the judge’s chair.
I
He spake as follows :

“ When thou art taller, thou wilt be stronger When thou art !

older, thou wilt be wiser !

“ Know then, that, as the abject slave of the Child of the Sun,

him of the Sacred Countenance, Lord of all the Orders, I had

intended to dismiss this charge against thy dog, cast off his
manacles and set him free. But it may not now be done !

Thy pleading hath convinced me that he doth deserve to die !

A just cause needeth no other defence than words. But thou

hast pleaded with hands and legs and feet Thou hast been
!

over-earnest ’Tis proof, thou knewest the weakness of thy

!

cause. Hadst thou not spoken at all and had thy dog himself
but oped his mouth at the very outset, what had fallen there-
from would have freed him from his shackles.
Now he must die
Let him be delivered to the public executioner ” And then, !

with a motion of his hand, he ordered the gongs to beat, so that

 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 247

it was impossible for me to make reply. The great chamber

was now the scene of the wildest hubbub. The guards crowded
around me as they feared I might, in my desperation, sac
if
rifice my attempting to rescue Bulger.
life in
Poor Bulger He had been quickly lifted into his wicker
!

cage and borne out of the court-room.

Although I could feel my heart hammering on my ribs I gave
no sign of the storm of emotion that was sweeping over my
inward being. I could hear those terrible words “ public exe
cutioner ” ringing in my ears but my infallible second sight
;

caught no glimpse of that dreadful officer, and hence I felt

that there was still hope. But, I moved neither hand nor foot.
The gongs ceased beating.
The throng departed from the hall of justice.
The guards, kowtowing, backed out of my presence. I stood
there alone in that vast, silent chamber.
I was aroused at last from my deep reverie by the approach
of a messenger from Keen Chop. He thus addressed me
“ The wretched, little, misshapen Keen Chop humbly begs

the tall and stately stranger to drink tea with him in his private
apartment.”
Mechanically I followed the judge’s servant, who lead me
through long and winding corridors. Keen Chop had laid off
his huge spectacles and received me most graciously.
All the servants were dismissed. We sipped our tea in silence
for a while. At length, rising and stepping behind a screen,
he returned, bearing a huge volume.
was the record of Bulger’s trial. He desired me to examine
It
it while he refreshed himself after his long sitting on the
judge’s bench with a short nap.
I turned the leaves of the record over slowly. Not only were
my words set down with the most perfect accuracy, but correct
drawings of the various scenes filled the broad margins of the
record.
On the last page I noticed that a blank space had been left
between the words “ must” and “ die ” and “ him ” and “ be
delivered.*’
248 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
“ ’Tis ” exclaimed Keen Chop, starting up and
miraculous !

rubbing his eyes. “What a wonderful creature is .thy dog!

As I slept I dreamt that he oped his mouth and what fell there-
from convinced me of his innocence.”
“Let him be brought into your august presence, O just
judge ” I replied.
!

In a few moments Bulger’s wicker house was deposited on

the floor and he was lifted gently out of it. I could only with
the greatest exertion keep back the tears as his large, speaking-
eyes were turned full upon me as if to ask “ When will all this
:

mystery come to an end, little master?” I stroked his head

with a loving hand to assure him that all was right.
No sooner were the attendants out of the apartment than,
taking the purse of gold which Bulger had picked up on the
beach and restored to me, I placed it in his mouth and made a
sign for him to carry it to Keen Chop, who had now resumed
his huge spectacles, and sat poring over the pages of the
record of Bulger’s trial.

Bulger did not wait for a second bidding.

Making straight for Keen Chop, he raised himself on his
hind feet and dropped the purse m
that dignitary’s lap.
“’Tis wonderful! ’Tis very wonderful!” cried Keen Chop,
testing the weight of the purse, with a pleased expression of
countenance, first in one hand and then in the other. “Thy
speech was silvern, but his silence is golden ’Twere a crime
!

to part two such faithful hearts. Go in peace ” !

“ But the record of the trial ? ” I asked. Keen Chop spoke

not, but turning to the last page, he laid his finger on the place
where the blank spaces had been left.
They were now both filled.
The word “ not ” had been written in each of them.
The guards were now summoned, and in a few moments the
shackles were loosened from Bulger’s feet. Upon finding him-
self free once more, he leapt into my lap with a wild cry of joy,
and covered my hands and face with caresses.
I could not keep the tears back. Clasping the faithful ani-
mal convulsively in my arms, I wept like a child.
 ! ;!

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 249

But a cloud came oyer our joy ;

for Keen Chop, upon my
request for a safe conduct to the nearest seaport, informed me
that he was powerless to grant my request that 1 must apply ;

toSlim Lim, the Taou-tai, or Imperial Governor of the province,

Lord of the Peacock Feather, Knight of the Plain Red Button,
etc., etc.
“ ’Tis well ” I exclaimed.
!
“ L>eign to send one of thy ser-
vants to conduct me into the presence of his honor the Taou-tai
I pine to set foot once more on my native strand. I long to put
an end to the sorrowful anxiety of my parents.”
Keen Chop shook his head and smiled sadly.
“Know, O honored guest,” said he, “ that no one may approach
the Taou-tai, Lord of the Peacock Feather, unless in answer to
most humble petition of twenty pages length, his high and
mighty Lordship deign to accord an audience To attempt to !

do otherwise might mean death at the hands of the guards

but would most surely mean imprisonment in the deepest dun-
geon of the imperial fortress.”
“So be it ” I replied. “ Come death, come imprisonment, I
!

stand this day in the presence of Slim Lim the Taou-tai, Knight
of the Plain Red Button, and Lord of the Peacock Feather! ”
Keen Chop groaned loud and deep. But seeing that I was
resolved to set out at once for the governor’s palace, he sent one
of his attendants to conduct me to the gate, instructing him, in
case the guards raised their swords to slay me, to cry out in a
loud voice that I was a harmless lunatic and had escaped from
my keepers.
To end all opposition I consented to this.
Whereupon Keen Chop bade me aii affectionate adieu, and,
followed by my faithful Bulger, I turned my steps toward the
palace of the Taou-tai.
To tell the truth, chaos reigned within my mind.
In as many seconds, twenty different plans of action occu-
pied my How shall Bulger and I overcome the oppo-
thoughts.
sition of armed guards ? It will be madness to provoke them
to use their weapons upon us
If I am fated to stand in the presence of the Lord Taou-tai,
it must be accomplished by ruse and strategem.
250 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
Luckily for me, the shades of night now began to fall, for,
although the gateway and corridors of the governor’s palace
might be illumined by ten thousand lanterns as in truth I —
—
found them to be, when I reached them yet the light they shed
was and uncertain.
soft
Counting upon the almost lightning celerity of my movements
and the utterly noiselessness of my footsteps, I succeeded quite
easily in flitting by the group of sentries who were stationed at
the outer gate.
Delighted with my good up the steps
fortune, I sprang lightly
of the portico, and, closely followed by Bulger, strode into the
main corridor with dignified mien and stately air.
Eight towering fellows, armed with savage-looking pikes for —
one of whom it would have been no more trouble to spit me and
toss me out of the window, than for a boy to impale a frog on
the end of his pointed stick and toss it on dry land now blocked—
my advance.
So noiseless had been my step that I had approached within a
few feet of them before they became aware of my presence.
Had I dropped from the clouds, their astonishment could not
have been greater and more ludicrous to behold.
They clutched each other by the arm, leveled their index
fingers at me, and whispered in a hoarse voice, as one man :

“ A little devil !
”

“Nay, my
good men,” I replied, with a most gracious smile,
“ not a little devil, but a soldier like yourselves one who has
;

fought ’neath many skies, knows what a good sword is, what
good wine is, would rather fight than run, can tell a good
”
story, and loves war as a hunter loves the chase !

The eight men looked at each other, tapped their foreheads

significantly, and then fixed their gaze upon me as if they were
in doubt whether my next move would be to jump down their
throats, vanish into thin air, or expand into an awful ogre, and
gulp them all down without pepper or salt.
“ Come, comrades,” I called -out in a careless tone, lay aside
your pikes, and I’ll show you something that I picked up on a
battle-field in the war against the Algerines, something so curi-
 :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 251

you had not slept a wink for three months and a day
ous, that if
you would still he willing to keep awake and examine it.”
Saying this, I drew my musical snuff box out of my pocket,
and tapping its lid mysteriously, tiptoed my way towards the
outside entrance of the corridor, and beckoned them to follow
me.
They did so, with the most comical expression of half -wonder
and half curiosity depicted on their faces. But first they
quietly set their grim-looking pikes in the i^tck against the wall.
Motioning them to lay their heads together and bend down so
that they could see and hear —
for I reached about up to their
girdles. I touched the spring of the snuff box and it began to
to play.
It is impossible for me to give you any idea of the delight
which shone upon their great, round smooth faces.
Their mouths fell open.
Their fingers twitched nervously, as if they longed to touch
the little wonder, and yet dared not. I felt now that the moment
had. arrived for me to act.
Winding up the snuff box to its utmost limit, I thrust it into
the hands of one of the guards, who seemed beside himself
with joy, and showed him how to touch the secret spring.
As the music began again, they closed up their group so
tightly that even if I had wished to remain one of the circle it
would have been an impossibility. To my infinite satisfaction
they now seemed to dismiss me most unceremoniously from their
society.
More quickly than it takes to tell it, I drew a ball of strong
twine from my pocket, and fastening the ends of their cues
securely together, I retreated to the outside entrance of the
palace and placed the other end of the string between Bulger’s
teeth, with a motion that meant
u Stand fast and pull hard ” !

In another instant I had passed the group of guards and was

making for the door of the audience chamber.
Suddenly the enormity of their negligence dawns upon them
They look up.
 ! !

ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

They see me already at the end of the corridor !

They drop the enchanted box which has decoyed them from
the path of duty !

They start towards their pikes !

Some mysterious force holds them chained to the floor !

Bulger is doing spendid woik !

My hand is on the door of the audience chamber

Smitten with a superstitions dread of some unseen power,
the guards stand rooted to the spot.
A low whistle tells Buger that his task is complete.
He flashes through the corridor like a spirit.
We enter the vestibule of the audience chamber, we pass
through an outer apartment, we stand in the presence of Slim
Lim, Lord of the Peacock Feather
Slim Lim was at home.
He was seated in the centre of the spacious apartment, sip-
ping a cup of very fragrant tea, the aroma of which was so fas-
cinating that I paused and inhaled it with all the gusto of a
fine taster.
Two ladies, clad in robes of great beauty and richness, were
busy brewing tea and spreading before the Lord Taou-tai an
infinite number of delicate viands and toothsome tid bits.
But he ate nothing.
He was evidently somewhat disturbed by my sudden appear-
ance, and I could see that one thought, to the exclusion of all
others, was occupying his mind. It was “ How did this
:

stranger pass the guards ? True he is small but if he can calmly

;

walk into my apartment why may not an evil-disposed person

do like- wise ?
”

Determined to convince Slim Lim and the ladies of his house-

hold of my noble lineage and refined manners, I kowtowed with
all the grace of a veteran courtier, and began the enumeration of

their various virtues, excellencies, and charms of body and

mind. When I had reached number one hundred and seventeen,
the victory was complete.
They smiled.
But Slim Lim remained obdurate. He gazed into vacancy
for several moments and then pretended to fall asleep.
 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 253

I recited the purpose of my visit and waited patiently for the

Lord of the Peacock Feather to deign to reply.
He did so at last hut without opening his eyes, speaking as if
;

half in a dream :

“ Barbarian, son of a barbarian, grandson of a barbarian,

great-grandson of a barbarian, great-great-grandson of a bar-

”
barian, great-great-great-grandson of a barbarian
Well knowing that this was a mere ruse to waste the night
in words, I resolved to put an end to it atjonce.
I sat down and interrupted Slim Lim’s long and dreary list
by pretending to snore with that regularity which proves the
accomplished sleeper.
He came to a sudden halt.
A deep silence now settled upon the scene, only broken by
the nervous rattle of the ladies’ fans.
Slim Lim now began to realize that he had no ordinary mortal
before him.
For the first time he looked me squarely in the face.
The ladies grew alarmed at the dark cloud gathering on the
brow of their liege lord, and withdrew to the other end of the
room.
The Taou-tai was now wide awake.
So was I
“ Bold, thoughtless, and ill-counselled stranger,” he cried out,
“by the decree of the Child of the Sun, him of the Sacred
Countenance, it is not lawful to punish a rash petitioner like
thee, provided his prayer be one that may be granted. But
what thou askest is impossible, for at this hour there is neither
paper, ink nor brush within the palace Thou must suffer for
!

thy rash conduct. Thou hast been cunning enough to pass the
guards in coming hither but already a score of pikes are
:

leveled at thy breast. Escape is impossible. Prepare for deatli

or imprisonment in dungeon cell which knows neither light
nor warmth ” !

To speak the truth, my legs bent beneath the weight of my

body as these cruel words made clear to me the danger I was in.
I could see that tears had gathered in the eyes of the two
gracious ladies, standing near me.
 : ! —

254 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

“ Paper—ink—brush ” ! I murmured, half dazed, “ brush
paper —ink—or death ” !

“ It must not be ”
!I glanced about me. I closed my eyes.
I fixed my —
gaze on Bulger, but all in vain no help came to me.
A cold perspiration stood on my brow.
Suddenly, a huge parrot which was perched on a bamboo
cage at one end of the room, uttered a harsh cry.
Quicker than it takes to tell it, I called Bulger to my side and
set him teasing the bird.
He was not averse to enter upon the sport.
When it was well under way, I approached the bird from the
rear, and as he bent forward to repel Bulger’s familiarity, I
deftly laid hold of one of his longest tail-feathers and pulled it
out. An ear-splitting yell went up, and the two ladies threw
themselves towards their pet with a thousand tearful expres-
sions of pity and endearment.
I now turned my attentions to Slim Lim.
Drawing a pair of tiny shears from my pocket, I caught at
the end of his cue and snipped off an inch of it.
My audacity struck him dumb. He could only stare at me
with wide opened mouth.
I set to work now in good earnest.
Drawing some silk threads from my sleeve, I fitted the hair
into the quill with such nimble, cunning fingers that Slim Lim
looked on quite awe-struck.
“ The brush is ready, Lord of the Peacock Feather ” I cried, !

laying it down in front of him. “ And the paper too ” I con- !

tinued, drawing out a paper mat from under a curio and turn-
ing up the white underside.
He followed my movements as a child would those of a necro-
mancer.
Ink now was only lacking
With one of my most winning smiles I drew near the ladies,
and thus addressed them
“Fasten forever the images of your beautiful faces upon
the pages of my memory by lending me the jar of ebon pigment
with which you add lustre to those matchless arches that shade
your eyes ” !
 : :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 255

They returned my smile with entrancing grace and sweet-

ness. But what was more pleasing still, they granted my
request.
Halting for a moment at the cage of my friend, the parrot,
who ruffled his feathers and eyed me most suspiciously, to
moisten the pigment from his drinking vessel, I then strode
wdth an air of triumph back to the table where Slim Lim sat
nervously fanning himself, and said
“ Most noble Lord of the Peacock Featheir thy dull-witted,
,

misshapen and worthless slave hath prepared brush, ink and

paper deign to set thy most honorable sign-manual to this
;

paper so that he may withdraw his poor, miserable body and

limbs from beneath thy sacred roof !”
So saying, I held out the brush to Slim Lim.
With trembling hand he took hold of it and rapidly traced
the mysterious characters which were destined to open every
gate and unbar every door until I stood once more on shipboard
bound for my native land.
Folding up the precious document, I thrust it into my sailor’s
pouch. But while I was flushed with victory, Slim Lim showed
only too plainly that he was nearly beside himself with chagrin
and vexation.
The ladies of his household approached him with most pro-
found obeisances and with loud and deep-drawn sighs at every
step. But Slim Lim repulsed them in the rudest manner. He
would have none of their sympathy, none of their pity or
tender offices.
They redoubled their efforts ;
their sighs became more ten-
der and louder.
It was all in vain.
Slim Lim was determined not to be propitiated.
Turning to me, he cried out
“ Let the barbarian, the son of a barbarian, the grandson of

a barbarian, the great-grandson of a barbarian, the great-great-

grandson of a barbarian, the geat-great-great-grandson of a
barbarian, the great-great-great-great-grandson of a barbarian
inscribe his wretched, worthless, mean, common, ordinary,
insignificant and despicable name upon a sheet of paper ere he
 ! ! !

25 C) ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

goes forth, so that I and mv children, and my children’s chil-
dren, and my children’s children’s children, and my children’s
children’s children’s children may speak it with contempt ” !

And then, in order to prove to me that he considered himself

disgraced to sit in my presence, he threw himself full length
upon the floor.
it into his head that this strange proceeding was
Bulger got
in some way a menace to me, for he walked cautiously around
Slim Lim, sniffing at him and growling in a threatening way,
as if to say: “Don’t play any tricks on my little master, or
”
it will go hard with you !

The ladies of Slim Lim’s household were nearly crazed with

grief and anxiety.
I assured them of my protection, but this only seemed to
increase their solicitation.
To tell the truth, however, I was not half so calm as I appeared
to be.
Cruel fate seemed to have woven her meshes about me once
again.
Slim Lim, with deep cunning, had set another task for me
which seemed so impossible of performance that he doubtless
was already congratulating himself and applauding his own
skilfully devised plan for holding me prisoner.
He had demanded that I should “write my name” before
going forth he had been most careful to use the word “ write ”
;

so that I should not be permitted to use a brush after the man-

ner of his people ;
but must have recourse to a pen after the
manner of my own.
Feeling pretty confident in his mind that I would not have a
pen in my possession, he had ground for flattering himself that
I was still in his power.

Bulger caught a glimpse of the shadow that had settled upon

my face, and whined nervously,
A thought struck me
A quill will save me
I looked towards the parrot.
Ah deep-laid plan to rob me of
! my liberty
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 257

BULGER HOLDING SLIM LIM DOWN, WHILE I CUT A PEN ON HIS LITTLE FINGER NAIL.
 :

258 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

The bird had been removed from the room.
—
The brush I had fashioned the pigment, too, were gone !

I could feel my knees grow weak.

My breath came short and quick.
A cold chill crept over me.
There lay the Lord of the Peacock Feather flat on his back,
but as I turned my glance quickly upon him, I was sure that
one of his eyes was half open and fixed upon me, while a faint
ripple of a smile played in the corners of his mouth most mali-
ciously.
“ Ah ! man of guile ” thought I, “ thou shalt not triumph,
!

for I am about to shatter this last one of thy fetters, which

thou dost think is already so firmly riveted upon my wrists.
Thou art wise and thou art subtle, but not so wise and not so
subtle as the little baron who stands beside thee ” !

“ To me, Bulger ” I cried.

!

With a single bound he reached my side.

“ Take thy place there ” I continued, pointing to Slim Lirn’s
!

breast, “ and if my enemy moves but the poor space of a narrow

inch, do thy duty ” !

Bulger sprang lightly upon Slim Lim’s breast, and with a

low growl gave him to understand that there must be no trifling.
Then my turn came to act.
Whipping my pocket-knife out, I laid hold of Slim Lim’s
hand, and in less than a minute’s time I cut a fine pen, with an
excellent nib, on the end of the long nail of his little finger.
Bulger looked on very much interested, giving a low growl
every time Slim Lim showed the slightest indication of resent-
ing the treatment to which 1 was subjecting him.
My ink?
That was a simple matter. Pricking my thumb with the
point of my knife, I let a few drops of the crimson fluid collect
on the palm of my hand. Then, reaching out for one of the
paper mats, I dipped the pen which now graced the little finger
of the Lord of the Peacock Feather, and set my signature on
the uncolored side of the mat in a neat, round hand.
Bidding Bulger descend from his post of honor, I now held
out my hand to his excellency, the Taou-tai, with these words
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 259

“ Rise, Sir Knight of the Plain Red Button be generous as

;

thou art noble I have triumphed

;
Forgive my audacity. In
!

my place, thou wouldst have done likewise. Let thy enemy

become thy friend. In birth, noble in letters, learned in
; ;

arts, skilled he is more worthy of thy friendship than deserv-

;

ing of thy enmity!”

Slim Lim seized my hand, and sprang to his feet with a good-
humored smile on his broad face.
“By the sacred countenance of the Child of the Sun, Lord
of all the Orders, thou art very clever for thy size ” he !

exclaimed, as he conducted me to a seat.

The ladies of the Taou-tai’s household, who had retreated
horror-stricken to their apartments, were now summoned to
appear.
Tea was brewed and the Lord of the Peacock Feather insisted
upon serving me with his own hands.
I was almost crazed with joy at thought of setting out for
home under such happy auspices.
Bulger made friends with Slim Lim, and everybody forgave
everybody.
His excellency, the Taou-tai, prevailed upon me to pass the
night under his roof, assuring me that in the morning I should
have a special escort, his own port-chaise, and hampers packed
in his own kitchen for my refreshment while on my joureny to
the seaport.
Until a late hour Slim Lim, the ladies of his household, Bulger
and I gave ourselves up to feasting and merrymaking. In the
morning I took my leave of the Taou-tai and his household in
the happiest frame of mind.
A short week found me on board of a good staunch vessel
bound for home again.
As the sails filled and we sped out of the harbor, I drew Bulger
to my breast and the tears fell thick and fast. He licked my
hands and face, and fixed his large, lustrous eyes full upon me.
He could not, and I would not, speak.
260 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

CHAPTER IX.

How I grew weary of travel and resolved to settle down for a long rest*
A quiet life however soon tires me, and I desire to set out again*
Bulger’s opposition. How I deceived him. We take our departure*
Encounter a terrible storm. Are shipwrecked on a beautiful
Island.
Made prisoners by the Round Bodies. Description of this strange
people. We are condemned to die. Saved by Rola-Bola, the Round-
body Princess. More about the strange beings. The Princess falls
in love with me. Preparations for marriage. The ceremony on the
Great Plain. The sudden storm. Consternation of the Round
Bodies. I lash Bulger and myself to a platform. The storm-king
catches up the wooden structure and bears it away. Transported to
the main land on the wings of the wind. We
are gently dropped in a
grain field not a thousand miles from home. Our unspeakable joy.

At this period of my life 1

had firmly resolved to settle
down and enjoy a good, long
rest.
Bulger and I both needed
it. We w ere tired of
r
strange
sights, strange lands and
strange people.
Why should we not,”
“
thought I, “enjoy our world-
wide fame ? ”
From the very ends of the
earth, visitors flocked in
thousands to my House Won-
derful to see my treasures, my
extraordinary curiosities, and
A GOOD MOTHER ROUNDBODY AMUSING
HER CHILDREN. above all, my remarkable dog,
Bulger, the sole companion of
my strange and eventful life, my guide, my friend, my coun-
sellor, my Scarcely, however, w^ere the valleys green again
all.

—
after a long and bitterly cold winter so cold in fact that I
drank nothing but iced tea for full three months, as it was
utterly impossible to carry the pot from the stove to the table
quickly enough to prevent its freezing, than my thoughts —
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 261

turned to the pleasures and dangers of a roving life, and I

longed to he up and off again in quest of new adventures.
As I roused myself from my reverie I found Bulger sitting
at my with his kind, lustrous eyes fixed full upon
feet
my face. read my thoughts as correctly and easily as I
He had
might the words of a child’s primer, and as he saw that I was
wide awake and in full possession of my faculties, he seized
hold of my sleeve and whined most piteously.
Dear, faithful animal Oh, that I ImxLheeded thy remon-
!

strance !

But
no, it was not to he.
Unwilling to fret and worry good Bulger, I now resolved to
make use of a faculty which had no place in his nature namely —
hypocfiisy.
When he was in my presence I pretended to he perfectly
happy and contented, going about laughing, singing and danc-
ing hut the very moment he had quitted the room I set to work
;

making ready for another journey.

At last all was ready.
When Bulger entered the house and set eyes upon boxes and
packages, he lifted his head and gave one long, dismal howl of
entreaty hut seeing that my purpose was fixed, like a true and
$

faithful servitor, he bounded to my side and licked my out-

stretched hand, as much as to say :
“ Thy road is my road, thy
fate is my fate!”
In a few hours we were on our way to the sea-hoard.
My heart was light, my buoyant and gay.
spirits
“ What is life ? ” I cried. “ Am I a worm to vegetate in mold
and darknss ? Nay ! I am a creature of intelligence, of mind,
of soul ;
the sunlight, the boundless universe, are mine
the air,
;

I will enjoy them.”

Luckily I had not long to wait in the seaport, for a good,
staunch vessel was nearly loaded.
Learning that she was bound for the Southern ocean, I at
once ordered my effects to he set on board, and before the new
moon had lost its crescent I was on the high seas with my faith-
ful Bulger by my side and a bounding heart beating joyful music
in my breast.
 ;

2G2 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

For a while all went well.
Bulger seemed to have gotten over his strange presentiment
of evil and romped about the deck w ith all his old-time love of
T

mirth and jollity. But upon me, however, after our good vessel
was a few days out, there came a strange feeling never experi-
enced before.
In my dreams, light and darkness alternately oppressed me
the one more dazzling than the electric flash, the other deeper
than earthly night.
Our seventh day out, at high noon, suddenly it seemed as if
some mighty hand had drawn a vast and impenetrable curtain
of inky blackness over the entire sky. It almost appeared as if
some terrible demon of the skies had suddenly blown out the
very sun itself.
Bulger, with one bound, gained my side, and, fastening his
teeth in my sash, moaned piteously, as was his custom when he
thought my life in danger. I stooped and stroked his head.
The palm of my hand felt the hot tears that were streaming
from his eyes. Just then the vessel gave a lurch, and Bulger’s
weight tore his teeth from their hold in my sash, and in an
instant he was separated from me. I heard his supplicating
bark in a distant part of the ship.
“ Bulger ! Bulger ” I cried, “ here here this way, to me, to
! ! !

me ” and in my desperation at thought of losing my loved

!

companion, I darted in the direction of the barking, regardless

of the black night which enveloped us, and stumbling over
some object fell headlong on the deck.
My fall stunned me.
I rose upon my elbow and passed my hand over my eyes like
a person just waking from a deep sleep.
Sulphurous flames nowT darted from the four quarters of the
heavens, and crash upon crash of deafening thunder rattled
and pealed over our heads.
A. terrific blast of wind caught up our ship like a cockle shell

and hurled it along through the seething, bubbling, maddened

waters at such a fearful rate that every instant it seemed as if
she must go to the bottom.
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 263

I know how long we were driven along at this furious

not
speed, for Iwas half dazed by the roar of the warring elements
and blinded by the continuous flashing of the lightning. To my
horror, the sound of terrible blows, dull but awful in their
energy, now fell upon my ears.
We had struck upon the rocks, and our ship was pounding-
out her own life beneath my very feet.
Instinctively I called upon my faithful Bulger.
But not the voice of brazen throat and ljmgs could overcome
the din of that tempest.
The intense darkness was now dissipated by showers of mete-
oric fire, which fell like ten times ten thousand bursting rockets
as far as the eye could reach. And then deep rifts broke in the
inky mantle of the heavens and showers of hail stones, each as
large as a goose egg, rattled with the fury of musketry upon the
deck.
At that moment a lurch of the vessel had rolled me under a
huge copper kettle or my life would have been beaten out of
me.
“ Farewell, dear Bulger ” I cried, in a tear-strangled voice
!
/

“this terrible discharge from heaven’s frozen artillery will

surely end thy life Farewell, faithful dog a long farewell ”
!
;
!

Gradually this terrifying shower of huge hail-stones lessened

its fury, and strange to say, in doing so the falling stones drew
most wonderful music from the great copper kettle which
covered me like a huge buckler.
The wind moaned a deep bass and the pounding of the vessel
kept time like some gigantic drum.
Although half -dead with fear, I listened with ecstatic pleas-
ure to this awful concert played by the warring* forces of nature.
When it had ceased, I looked out from my hiding-place.
Not a living soul was in sight. Every seaman and officer had
perished beneath the strokes of the lightning, been crushed by
the fall of hail, or swept by the resistless gale into the seething
ocean.
So calm did it grow that I was beginning to take heart, when
with a terrific swish and whirr, as if slit by some gigantic knife,
 ! !

264 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

the clouds parted and from the rent rushed blinding drifts of
snow with such a wild and startling sweep and whirl that my
knees swote together and I fell upon my face in utter despair.
But look Had heaven slain the monster of the storm ?
!

The snow was blood-red.

The sight froze the very marrow of my bones.
I rolled over upon my back my senses fled death seemed
; ;

to have overtaken me.

How long I lay in this stupor I know but when I awoke
not,
the storm had spent its fury, the sun was sending down its
brightest rays, the air was pleasantly cool and bracing.
Slowly my came back to me, and I emerged from
strength
my hiding-place, crawling on my hands and feet, for I was too
weak to stand upright at first. Little by little, however, I took
heart, and, as I felt my blood go tingling thro’ my veins, I made
an effort and rose to my feet.
Yes, my worst fears had been realized.
Not a living being had survived the storm.
As I walked upon the blood-red snow, every foot-fall brought
forth most piteous sighs and groans.
“ What dread warning,” thought I, “ does this mysterious
murmuring give me ? What is the meaning of these sobs and
moans which issue from these crimson crystals beneath the
pressure of my feet ? Am I walking upon the blood of my
ancestors ?
”

Clinging to the frozen sheets, I crept slowly along the red-

encrusted deck.
But stay
Hark !

Are myears playing me still more fantastic tricks ?

No I’m wholly and entirely myself now, and as sure as
!

the blood of the Trumps’ courses through my veins, that bark

came from my faithful dog
“ Bulger lives Bulger lives
! !
” I cried out in accents of the

wildest joy ;
and breaking away from the hold of fear and
trepidation, I rushed boldly forward, calling out “ I’m coming,
Bulger, I’m coming!” With reckless courage I sprang from
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 2G5

one frozen plank to another, until I stood upon the quarter-

deck. There, upon the hatch, sat, or rather lay, Bulger, for
his life was almost extinct. His teeth were locked upon the
straps of a life-preserver which he, ever thoughtful of my
safety, was about to bring to me at the first outbreak of the
storm, when its fury forced him to seek refuge under a water-
cask, as his tracks on the snow indicated.
As quickly as my stiffened limbs would permit, I bounded
forward, and throwing myself on my knees in the crimson snow,
—which sent forth most heart-rending groans and sighs at the
pressure of my body upon blood-red surface— clasped
its I
Bulger in my arms and our cries of joy mingled, —our tears ran
together.
All my suffering was forgotten in that moment, for Bulger
was alive, his head was clasped to my breast.
The winds had now fallen, the sea had grown calm again,
and I determined at once to quit the wreck if possible, for the
setting sun revealed to me the shores of a beautiful land at
the mouth of a small but extremely picturesque river, whose
banks were rich in palm-trees, fruit-trees and flowering shrubs.
I lost no time in lowering one of the boats which had happily
escaped with slight injuries, and being an expert seaman, I
found no difficulty in rigging a tackle and lowering first, Bulger,
and then myself into the boat, and paddling leisurely towards
the shore.
Here I drew the boat high and dry on the beach, and calling
out gayly to faithful Bulger to follow me, I clambered up the
bank and pushed boldly forward to survey the fair land upon
which a strange fate had set our feet.
Now, for the first, I became conscious of the terrible hunger
—
that was gnawing at my vitals a fact which proved to me that
I must have lain in an unconscious state beneath the huge kettle

for at least two days if not more.

Bulger raised his kind eyes to me, and then bounding off to
one of the fruit trees, ran around it, barking joyfully.
I shook one of the branches and the ripe fruit fell in abun-

dance to the ground.

Its odor was so delicious that although it was unknown to
 : ;

266 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

me, I had no hesitation in partaking of it most freely, Bulger
following my example, a fact which convinced me that it could
not he otherwise than wholesome. A
long, deep draught from a
limpid spring refreshed us both greatly but as the sun was
;

sinking rapidly, and as I now began to feel the effects of the

rack, strain and weariness resulting from the terrible experience
of the past day or so, I called out to Bulger
“ Come, dear, faithful fellow, let us seek out a fit place to pass
the night some nook shielded by wide-spreading branches,
;

where there is plentj^ of soft boughs to make a bed with.

As the country was quite level, I sighted a grove at some dis-
tance, and thither we directed our steps.
It had now grown quite dark. We quickened our pace, for J
was too prudent a traveler to care to expose myself to the night
dew.
As we drew near the grove there appeared to be a low wall
on one side of it.
“This way, Bulger,” said I, “this long line of boulders w ill T

protect us from the night winds, if any should rise. Let us

creep under its edge and lay our tired limbs down on the soft
grass.” He looked up with softened gaze and gave one or two
consenting wags to his tail.
Nestling close under the edges of several of the largest of the
boulders, at a pointwhere they formed a sort of sheltered nook,
we soon a deep sleep, I sitting half upright and Bulger
fell into
pillowing his head upon my lap.
Once or twice in the course of the night I awoke to find my
brow beaded with perspiration. I put my hand on Bulger
he too was awake, and his tongue was lolling from his mouth.
Both of us seemed to have been seized with a strange fever.
The direst forebodings took possession of me. Had w e landed r

upon a shore along which lurked some deadly miasm ? Pos-

sibly we might not live to see the light of another day. It
required all my self-control to banish such terrible thoughts
from my mind. But so tired was I to the very bone that I
soon fell asleep again, reassured as I was by the example set
me by Bulger. It was, however, a fitful slumber, for the heat
 ;

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 267

of our bodies had now become so great that the very ground
upon which we were lying felt warm to my touch. At length,
to my joy, I caught the first, faint glimpse of the dawn. I was
now in a perfect glow from head to foot. And so was Bulger.
Suddenly it burst upon my mind that possibly we might have
lain down in a volcanic region that, mayhap, fierce, subter-
;

ranean fires were raging beneath our very heads. I rose to my

knees with a bound, and placed both of my hands upon the
nearest boulder. Fancy my horror upon- feeling that its sur-
face was not only hot, but that it yielded to the pressure of
my hands, and gave forth groans, hissings and rumblings. In
an instant I was on my feet. Bulger did not wait to be called.
—
Determined to verify my suspicions, for discretion was
always a reasonable part of my valor, I hastened from one
boulder to another within the circle where we had been lying,
and pressed my hands upon them with all my strength. Deep,
rumbling and hissing sounds came forth from the ground every-
where about me, and seemed to awaken responsive cries far
and near, as if one giant tossing in his sleep disturbed the
slumbers of his fellows.
“ Bulger ” I cried, “ we stand upon the ground of death
!

this is but the outer wall of a crater, it is aglow with subterra-

—
nean heat only the merest shell so thin that it yields to my
;

—
pressure is between us and destruction. Fly, fly, faithful
dog ” !

The morning sun now burst forth with a flood of golden light.
As my
eye could reach, extended this same boulder-like
far as
parapet, shutting out my gaze from the abyss through which the
volcano was now about to spout its liquid fire for all at once
$

the boulders began to rock from side to side, giving forth such
dreadful rumblings that I knew the eruption was to be pre-
ceded by an earthquake.
A sickening fear seized hold of me my legs bent like pipe
;

stems, beneath the weight of my body.

Bulger saw that his loved master was chained to the ground.
He refused to abandon me.
The whole wall, as far as my eye could reach, now trembled
and rocked, threatening to engulf us every instant.
268 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
With a mighty effort I pulled myself together, and, followed
by Bulger, darted away.
The measure of my horror was not complete.
With terrific rumblings, gurglings, hissing and groaning, the
whole row of rocks now danced in violent agitation, and then,
like so many gigantic balls, rolled by huge monsters at play,
these boulders, propelled with fearful violence by the outburst
— —
of the volcano as I supposed came thundering down after
our retreating forms, threatening us with a terrible death.
Bulger, running at my side, ever and anon sent out a mournful
whine, as if to bid me an eternal farewell.
“ Fly, Bulger Faster, faster, good Bulger ” I called to him,
! !

as the roar and rumble of the advancing wall increased.

Now each and every boulder seemed urged on its course by
some mysterious force of its own.
As I glanced over my shoulder, 1 could see that they w^ere
gaining in velocity, bounding, springing, now in single file, now
three abreast, while the frightful and unearthly din and rumble
went ever on increasing.
They were gaining upon us.
My legs again threatened to bend under the weight of my
body and topple it over to certain and awful death, when a last
glance revealed to me the terrible truth.
“ Bulger ! they are alive ” !

A came from my poor dog.

sharp, despairing yelp
“ They’re alive, I tell
you Some legion of monsters, devils,
!

for aught I know, escaped from the depths of Tartarus, intent

”
to roll over us and crush the life from our puny bodies !

Again we redoubled our efforts.

“For your life, Bulger!” I gasped, “for your life! Look!
the wood, the wood ”
'

He caught my meaning, and gave a sharp, encouraging bark.

But no, it was useless.
My strength had been used to its last poor throb.
It grew dark before my eyes.
A palsying fear laid hold of my heart.
My limbs stiffened.
AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 2g9

ROUNDBODIES.

THE

BY

PURSUED

WHEN

FLIGHT

WILD

MY

AND

BULGER’S
270 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
I threw one last glance upon Bulger.
He answered me with a look of most tender affection, and
then we both tripped, staggered, stumbled, fell headlong, side
by side, while seemingly ten thousand living boulders, with
awful shrieks, groans, and gurgling sounds, hung like a shadow
over us for an instant, and all was black as night.
I felt my protuberant brow ground into the earth and the
last bit of life crushed out of me.
My last though was :

****** What a terrible death

“ Bulger ! O, Bulger ! ! But O, what a
kind Providence to let us die together ” !

“ Else ! stunted, misshapen tJhing ! Eise ! thou wafer man, thou

slice of humanity with cleft edges !
”

It was not so much the thundering tones of this strange,

human monster which caused me to sit bolt upright, rub my
eyes and make a superhuman effort to collect my sadly scat-
tered senses, as it was the caresses of my faithful Bulger, who
was running from one side of me to the other, showering kisses
upon my face and hands and whining piteously.
After a hard struggle the shadows were lifted from my eyes.
My heart sank within me at sight of that wall of living boulders
encircling us, with their fierce visages turned, half in wonder,
half in rage, upon the, to them, two funny beings as utterly
unlike themselves as each other.
But love is always stronger than fear.
Stretching out my arms and drawing Bulger close to my
breast, I cried out:
“ O, Bulger do I really live ?
! Am I not still the object of
some demon’s sportive malice?”
At sound of my voice the round-bodied monsters broke out
into a hideous chorus of deep, rumbling laughter, during which
their bodies rolled from side to side.
Then, as they pressed wildly forward, with fierce ejaculations
of anger or impatience, it seemed as if Bulger and I had been
only saved from one death to be set face to face with another.
 : : : : :

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 271

Alas is there no power,” thought I, “ to save us from the

!

furious impatience of these reckless monsters ? ”

Suddenly a terrible voice sounded loud above the din
“ Roll backward, Round bodies What meaneth this unseemly !

impatience in the presence of your King ? ”

In an instant, the round-bodied monsters rolled silently back-
wards.
All was calm again.
Turning to his neighbor, the King exclaimed, with a gurgling
laugh
“Why, by my royal girth, its voice is all the world like one of
the toy pipes of our baby prince ” !

“ Its ? Its ? ” I repeated, with fire

4 ’
flashing from my up-
turned eyes. “ Know, Sir Monster, that I am not a thing,’ but ‘

a perfect man a baron by birth, a scholar by profession, a

;

traveler by choice.”
At this outburst on my part, the crowd of living balls again
sent up a deep, rumbling peel of laughter.
“ Silence ” commanded the King, and then he continued
!

“Well, well, then, baron, whatever that may be but I — —

think I ought to say little baron,’ for by my royal roundness,
4

thou art a wee, puny being Let it be as thou savest, but tell !

me, I implore thee, what is this walking box on four legs, which
nature seems to have left unfinished?”
And so saying, he raised his terrible hand with fingers strong
enough to crush me as I might a puff-ball, and waved it toward
Bulger.
This contemptuous sneer did not escape Bulger
He broke out into a volume of sharp, angry barks, and showed
his white teeth in the most threatening manner.
Upon which the monsters rolled back in mock terror and con-
sternation, crying out
“ The King The King Save the King
! The walking box
! !

is filled with explosives it may fly into pieces

” !
;

When the hubbub was

and the King had commanded over,
silence, I stepped boldly forward and exclaimed
“Unfinished! What meanest thou, thou globe-shaped mon-
”
ster ?
 —

ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

The term “ globe ”
seemed to please his majesty very much.
A great, wrinkled smile overran his huge countenance.
“ Mean ?” he ejaculated, with a deep, gurgling, chuckling

—
laugh. “ Mean ? why, little baron whatever that may be
see for thyself. Has not Nature left useless flaps at one end
of the box, and a still more useless bit of rope hanging down
from the other ? ”
This insulting allusion to Bulger’s ears and tail seemed to be
perfectly understood by him, for he fairly bristled with rage,
and advanced upon the round-bodied monster, snapping, snarl-
ing, and showing his teeth.
Whereupon the deep, rumbling laughter again broke forth,
and the cry, “Save "the King! Save the King!” went up in
mock earnestness.
Having succeeded in appeasing Bulger’s anger by means of
a few affectionate words and tender caresses, I determined to
make inquiry as to our whereabouts, and to ascertain who the
strange beings were among whom capricious fate had so uncer-
emoniously cast Bulger and me.
“ Where are we, ball-shaped giant ? ” I inquired in my strong-
”
est voice, “ and who are you ?

Again the monster screwed his leathery face up in a deep,

wrinkled smile. The reason of his good will, as I afterwards
learned, arose from the fact that I had bestowed the terms
“globe,” “round,” “ball-shaped,” etc., upon him, for it seemed
that these wonderfully formed beings were extremely vain of
their roundness, and that nothing could be uttered more pleas-
ing and complimentary to them than to make use of such words
and expressions as “ ball,” “ orb,” “ sphere,” “ round-bodied,”

“bullet-shaped,” etc.; that in their land, the greatest dignities

honors and titles of nobilit3
T
were awarded those whose bodies
showed most perfect roundness that in proportion as one’s
;

body deviated from the shape of a true sphere, he became

degraded and excluded from society.
To such wretched subjects the King assigned the performance
of all mean labor. They were the “ squares,” or outcasts, whom
anybody might insult or even enslave with impunity. The
 —

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER, 273

richer ones were sometimes able to hide their deformity by

means of padding, and in this manner conceal their uneven
motion in rolling from the keen eyes of the King but the poor ;

ones, by their inability to correct their physical defects, at

once attracted the King’s attention, when he caused his people
to roll up and down before him, while he kept up a searching
look-out for “wabblers” or uneven rollers.
“ Well, little baron —whatever that may bp,” replied the King,
or shall I call thee Wafer-man with cleft edges? Know, then,
that I am King Bo-goo-goo, Monarch of the Roundbodies that ;

these are some of my subjects.

Know, furthermore, little baron —
whatever that may be
that this island is my
kingdom, in which no one rules saving
me, and that unless it may please my royal daughter Rola-Bola
to keep thee and thy attendant, the walking box with cord and
flaps, as curiosities to amuse her, thou and thy companion per-
—
ish at sundown, for, little baron whatever that may be it is —
my royal will, and so it was my father’s,andand his father’s,
so back a thousand years, that no living creature shall set foot
upon the shores of my domain and not pay for his temerity by
being crushed to death, literally ground into the soil, until he
become a very part of it ” !

Bulger appeared to grasp the meaning of this fierce speech,

which was delivered in thundering tones, and accompanied by
hideous contortions of the speaker’s great, round visage, flaming
as the crimson disc of a tropical sun in the western sky, and
followed by an outburst of grunts, groans and gurglings from
the assembled Roundbodies and, in spite of his inborn courage,
;

his tail fell between his legs and he slunk nearer to me with a
low, anxious whine.
But when good Bulger saw the calm expression of my coun-
tenance, he quickly recovered himself his tail resumed its
;

graceful curl, and as I faced King Bo-goo-gbo with an unruffled

exterior, to make reply to the latter's horrible threat, Bulger,
too, placed himself at my side with a defiant air.
“ Most gracious Sphere! Most royal Globe! Roundest mon-
arch of the great, round world true, I have set foot on the
!
 ” :

274 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

shores of thy domain, but it was not, most majestic Sphericity,
through choice. A fearful storm, in which the warring ele-
ments seemed bent upon the destruction of the universe, during
which the great ocean hurled itself against the walls of heaven
as if to beat out the very stars, while the wide-mouthed gale
swooped down upon this petty earth with seeming intent to
swallow it and all it contained —
I could speak no further.
The Roundbodies broke in upon me with such dismal groans
and cries that I stood as if rooted to the earth.
“ Ah !” thought I, “ they, too, felt the terrible
blows of that
storm-demon which so nearly beat out the life from mine and
from Bulger's bodies !”
Waving my hand as a signal for silence, I proceeded
“ I bow before the will of thy spherical Majesty, whatever
it may be At the same time, I would beg to call the attention
!

of your Imperial Roundness to the fact that, in the systems o

law of all the nations of the globe, a man may not be held
responsible for an act which he is made to commit by a force
or strength greater than his own.”
1 saw th atmy flattery was tellingupon King Bo-goo-goo, so
I proceeded to make a still further application of the same
remedy :

“ However, most Royal Globe and perfect Sphere of Strength

and Beauty, if, in thy great wisdom, thou dost decide that we
must die, crushed beneath the weight of thy people’s bodies,
so be it Great ball-shaped monarch, I am but a bit and shred
!

of humanity, and how may I dare to oppose the will of your

right royal Sphericity?”
King Bo-goo-goo smiled huge double teeth could be
till his
seen glittering in his cavernous mouth, like white rocks in a
half -lighted pit, and his body swayed from one side to another
in his gigantic glee.
“Send for the royal princesshe roared. !
”

In a few seconds, in answer command, a Roundbody

to his

came rolling across the pFain with the swiftness of the

wind.
 . !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 275

The crowd of retainers fell back, and the new-comer arrested

her flight by the side of King Bo-goo-goo.
I could not see that she was a bit more beautiful than those
about her, although she was a royal princess.
True, she was a globe of smaller girth, her face was somewhat
less repellent and beneath a long and heavy fringe of lashes,
I caught glimpses of a pair of good-natured, roguish eyes, and
my perfect knowledge of human and brut§ nature told me at
a glance that if I could but gain the good' will of that strange
being, Bulger and I would be safe !

u My dear, little round papa,” cried Rola-Bola for such —

proved to be her name, “ Where did those funny things come
from ? Are they really alive ? Wont they bite or sting ?
What do they eat ? What shall I keep them in ? Will you
make me a cage for them ? Oh, I am so, so, so, so, so, so, so,
so, so glad ” and she bounded about, now this way, now that,
!

now into the air like an animated rubber ball, drumming like
a partridge all the while.
Behold us, then, Bulger and me, prisoners in the land of the
Roundbodies, with the Princess Rola-Bola as our keeper
Hope sank low within our poor hearts.
I dared not breathe a word in opposition to the will of King
Bo-goo-goo or the caprice of Rola-Bola lest the order should be
revoked.
At least, in the keeping of the Princess Rola-Bola, we would
be more likely to receive gentle treatment, and, what was ahnost
a matter of life and death, we should have great chances of
making our escape from the island of King Bo-goo-goo.
We were commanded to follow the Princess.
As Bulger and Rola-Bola, with a brisk gait,
I started after

the very clouds fairly snapt asunder, so great was the shout of
laughter which the Roundbodies sent up.
Seemingly, it had not occurred to them until that moment
how ridiculously different our mode of locomotion was from
theirs.
“ Look look O, King ” they cried, “ he can neither roll nor
! ! !

hop !See how he edges along, leaning first on one foot and
276 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,
then on the other He
walks on his toe nails
! Mark his com- !

panion, too ! What

monsters of clumsiness How they rock!

and wabble Why doth he not spring ? Why doth he pound

!

the earth as if he were beating flax ? ”

To all this mocking and jeering, Bulger and I turned a deaf
ear, following our mistress, who ever and anon, turned her soft,
black, mischievous eyes encouragingly upon us, as her head
came uppermost.
Imagine our surprise when Rola-Bola halted at the beginning
of a path having a gentle descent, and said :

“ This is the entrance to the royal habitation. Follow me and

fear nothing.”
In a few moments we found ourselves in the outer room of a
vast underground dwelling, consisting of corridors, chambers,
dormitories, banquet-halls and arenas.
All the habitations of the Roundbodies are subterranean.
Why?
This you shall know anon.
Bulger and I were conducted to very pleasant quarters well- —
lighted, as were all the rooms of the palace, by means of vast
slabs of rock crystal, of which the roof was made, by a
u square ” or u lob-bo ” as he is called in the language of the

Roundbodies, that is, one not perfectly round in form, and

hence degraded to the position of serving man. Doubtless, long
before this, the reader has grown impatient at my silence con-
cerning the strange beings among whom Bulger and I now
found ourselves prisoners.
Who were the Roundbodies ?

Know they were mark well my

then, gentle reader, that —
—
words the sole living creatures on the island of Gd-gu-lah,
upon which a strange fate had cast us. Whether or not any
other beings had ever inhabited the island was unknown to
them.
I found, upon conversing with their learned men, that there
—
was a legend in existence among them dim and shadowy in its
details, from the long flight of centuries that it had come down
through —that many thousands of years ago they had been
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 277

quite like human beings, who walk upright, with bodies almost,
ii not quite, as long as mine; but that owing to the unvarying
recurrence of terrible storms, of wind, rain, hail and snow,
accompanied by the bursting of deafening thunderbolts, in fact,
such as had experienced, which swept over the island twelve
I
times in the year, coming and going with a regularity as aston-
ishing as their force is terrific, everything upright had long ago
been swept from the land that their ancestors, yielding to the
;

irresistible forces of Nature, had gradually bent their bodies

before these resistless winds, until even the time when they
walked upright had been forgotten.
This was but the first change wrought by the forces which
surrounded them. When overtaken by these wild winds, they
soon learned that their only safety lay in rolling themselves up
as much into the shape of balls as possible, so that the tornado
would be powerless to pick them up and hurl them to destruc-
tion.
Another transformation now began to make itself apparent.
Their bodies, as centuries came and went, little by little, took
on the rounded form they then had.
Still clinging to the desperate chance for life on these storm-
swept plains, they drew down their heads and pressed in their
limbs until these had made recesses for them, as some tortoises
draw their legs so closely to their bodies that the eye fails to
distinguish even the outline of the limb.
The last change that came upon these globe-shaped people
wa s a very natural one their arms took on a greater develop-
:

ment of superhuman strength, while their legs grew shorter

and shorter, until they consisted of little more than two broad,
flexible feet, which they made use of mainly to propel their
round bodies like hugh balls across the vast plains of their
island home.
Now, while they still dread the terrible blasts, yet is it rather
an i idler ited fear, for at last they have become the true children
of the gale.
If it should happen to blow in the direction of their homes,
they simply allow it to help them on their way by rolling them
 :

278 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

across the plain. While, now ancl then, a lob-bo, or u square 77

Roundbody, so to speak, would be blown into the ocean, yet for

nearly a century not a single, genuine Roundbody had been
caught up in the pitiless blast. As well might the wind attempt
to pick up the round stones of the ocean strand.
One of the things which early attracted my attention in King
Bd-go6-gdo 7
s palace, was the hangings, apparently of the softest
leather, worked in mosaic patterns of transcendent beauty.
Imagine my surprise when told by the gentle princess Rola
Bola that they were simply the natural leaves from the various
trees growing on the island, untouched by dye or stain of any
kind.
They were so tough that my strength sufficed not to tear one
in two.
Noticing my wide-opened eyes turned inquiringly upon her,
the gentle Rola-Bola cried out with a soft, low gurgle:
u Go into the royal garden, Too-too-lo that is, little i
flute-
;

man, and see for thyself.

7 77

Now, for the first, I learned the secret of the presence of

such beautiful trees and shrubs upon this storm-swept land.
Every leaf was as thick and as strong as leather, and the trunks
and boughs were exactly of the nature of India rubber, so that,
with a small bit which I brought home with me in one of my
pockets, I could erase pencil-marks with the greatest ease.
To such foliage as this a tornado had no terrors.
When the storm struck these trees they went to the ground,
until it had spent its fury. In a few hours the tropical sun
lifted them again, and the beauty of their foliage was quite
unharmed.
To return to the poor princess Rola-Bola
Bulger began to fret and worry beneath the strain of our
captivity.
I was constantly on thealert for a chance to escape, but none
offered. In fact, we were, I began to fear, prisoners for life.
True, it was a pleasant captivity, for the gentle Rola-Bola
almost killed us with dainty feeding, and our only toil was danc-
ing, singing and capering for her amusement.
Night and day, the sole gateway of the royal habitation was
 ! !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 271)

guarded by a triple row of round-bodied sentinels, so fierce-

visaged, so mighty-handed, that my heart grew sick as I gazed
upon them.
To add to my despair, I now made a discovery which seemed
to seal my fate forever —the princess Kola-Bola had become
enamored of me !

What to me, at first, had seemed but a playful trick, to wit,

her pinching my little toe ever and anon, had, as I was casually
informed by one of the learned Roundbodies, in the course of
a discussion with him, a terrible significance.
It was a solemn declaration of love !

Oh ! miserable me !

And a declaration, too, which, coming from a woman to a

man, it was certain, sure, inevitable death to ignore
And yet I might be saved
—
For the custom made sacred by the observance of long ages
— required the man to pursue the woman, who pretended to be
frightened and extremely solicitous of escaping him, and while
revolving with the same velocity as she, to pinch her little toe
in return.
This ended the matter.
The couple was now betrothed.
It was not in the power of man to publish bans of greater
strength.
If the man gave one pinch, the marriage was solemnized the
following day ;
if two, the second day after, and so on.
But I was not a Roundbody !

How could I possibly comply with the ancient- custom of the

land?
Ah ! Woman Woman
it matters not whether thou belong-
! !

est to theKoundbodies or to the Longbodies, in affairs of the

heart thy ingenuity and subtlety overmatch the philosophy of
man !

When it was made known to the princess Rola-Bola that the

royal counselors had, after mature deliberation, reached the
conclusion that the laws of the land —
made sacred by the
observance of ages —forbade any such union contemplated by
 : :

280 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

her, she flew into a towering or, rather, I should call it, a bound-
ing passion, for, from one end of her spacious salon to the other,
sidewise and lengthwise, she bounded about like a great ball
bouncing under the play of an invisible bat.
Alternately she wept, laughed, scolded and threatened.
But it made little difference how she began her tirades, they
all had the same ending
u I say, I shall marry T66-to6-lo w !

King Bo-god-god, thinking sent her

to pacify his daughter,
messengers bearing the most beautiful presents but she ;

received them with disdain, scattering them on the floor.

Things went on this w ay for several days.
r

King Bd-gdd-god was horrified to find that the princess had

eaten nothing for forty -eight hours, and that she was actually
losing her beautifully round shape, for which she had so justly
been famous.
Bulger saw plainly that something awful was going on,
and he, too, became so worked up that he refused to eat or drink.
I passed most of my time going from his room to the princess
Rola-Bola’s, endeavoring to persuade them to take food.
But all in vain.
One morning the King’s daughter met me with demonstra-
tions of the wildest delight, laughing, singing, bounding and
rolling about like mad. So beside herself was she that, forget-
ting her great weight and my puny build, she rolled against me
and sent me flying like a little ten-pin struck by a monstrous
ball.
By actual measurement I was thrown thirty feet, but, fortu-
nately, struck against a heavy hanging which broke my fall.
Bulger gave a piteous howl.
He seemed to get an idea that Rola-Bola had struck me pur-
posely.
Well, in a word, the cause of this frantic joy was simply this :

The princess had finally thought out a solution to the terrible

problem which had been for weeks torturing her mind.
Briefly stated, it was as follows
I should be placed in the boughs of a tree just high enough
 AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 281

to clear her body. She then was to roll under me, and at the
right moment, I was to lean downward and pinch her little toe
when it came uppermost.

In vain I assured her that I should grow dizzy and fall head-
long to the ground, breaking my neck, or, at very least, dislo-
cating it. n
But no, I need have no fear.
She would watch over me.
She would turn and catch me in time."
The royal counsellors were at once called together.
The plan of the princess Rola-Bola was laid before them.
At first thy sent up a deep and ominous rumble of disagree-

ment.
But Rola-Bola’s messengers were at hand with most costly
presents, and it all ended in their finding an almost similar case
in their books, where a wounded prince, who was quite unable
to roll an inch, had been placed upon an elevated platform in
order that his round-bodied sweetheart might pass beneath and
he be enabled to pinch her little toe while it was in the air at
the highest point from the ground.
Seeing that it would be useless to make further opposition,
i now submitted with a good grace, for it was plain to me that

once the husband of the princess Rola-Bola I should become,

to a certain extent, one of the family and be accorded greater
liberty, by means of which I confidently hoped to make my
escape from the land of the Roundbodies.
Preparations for the marriage were now begun with extra-
ordinary haste, in order to have all things ready for the first
feast-day in the calendar.
As the time drew near, however, I somewhat lost my courage.
“ Was I not,” I asked myself, “ simply lending my aid in forg-
ing my own fetters, in laying chains upon my neck, which would
render it impossible for Bulger and me ever to set eyes again

upon our beloved home ? ”

I became very nervous, and found it impossible to catch a

wink of sleep.
At last I resolved to postpone my fate, at least for several
days.
 — ! !

282 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP.

And this was my scheme :

I should explain to the fair 1151 a Bola how utterly impossible

itwould be ior me, in my fright and anxiety, to get my thumb
and finger upon her little toe at all, as she revolved swiftly
beneath me.
I therefore would implore her to roll very slowly.
And then my scheme would be to seize her foot, hold it fast,
and pinch the little toe a score of times at least
Each pinch would be a clear gain of a day
Our wedding-day dawned at last.
The King’s wine was dealt out to the people with liberal hand.
Mirth and gayety resounded on all sides.
The skies were one vast expanse of cloudless blue.
The flowering shrubs breathed out the most delightful odors.
The air was deliciously balmy.
The painted foliage hung in graceful festoons, unmoved by
even a breath of air.
To was decorated with a neck-
his evident disgust, Bulger
most delicate workmanship.
lace of leaf mosaic of
Had I not reproved him with a shake of the head, he would
quickly have shaken off this useless adornment.
Vast crowds of the Roundbodies covered the plain as far as
the eye could reach. v
Children rolled in troops after their parents, like marbles
chasing up a cannon ball.
At times I observed that the mothers, in order to amuse their
little ones, or to quell some discussion which had broken out
among them, halted by the wayside, and catching up three or
four of them, tossed them into the air as a juggler does his
balls,sometimes keeping three or more of them on the fly and
one in each hand.
It was a strange sight, and amused me so much that I quite
insisted upon halting the wedding procession in order that I
might observe it more closely.
But the fair Rola-Bola was very impatient, and chided me in
unmeasured terms for my lack of dignity.
In fact, I now began to notice a very evident desire on the
 ”
:

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 283

part of the managers of the wedding arrangements to hurry

things up.
King Bo-goo-goo ever and anon turned an anxious eye toward
the horizon.
And then there would follow a whispered consultation with
the soothsayers and magicians.
Behold me at last mounted upon my—scaffold, I had almost
said —for such it seemed to be.
A terrible, tightening sensation took hold of my heart.
The seemed too heavy
air to breathe.
I gasped like a fish thrown up on dry land.
“Let the marriage ceremony begin this instant, and move
apace ” roared Bo-goo-goo.
!

u Make ready, To6-to6-lo 79 cried one of the royal councillors.

!

Iturned to survey the multitude, and then prostrated myself

upon the platform under which the princess Rola-Bola was to
pass.
“ She has started She comes like the wind
! She is here ” ! !

Such were the cries which arose from the vast multitude.
With head and shoulders thrust through the opening in the
platform, I awaited my bride with bated breath and thumping
heart.
Imagine my amazement when I saw her flash beneath me
and disappear in the crowd of Roundbodies, almost like a ball
from a cannon.
I had scarcely felt her body as it had rolled beneath me.
As for pinching her toe, that was certainly out of the ques-
tion, seeing that I had only caught a hurried glimpse of her
white feet, and then all was gone !

In an instant I was on my legs, and, advancing to the edge of

the platform, I raised my hand to signify to King Bo-goo-goo
that I desired to be heard
“ O, King with the globe-shaped body, hearken unto me I !

have been wronged There is vile treachery here

! The judges !

of the land of G6-gfi-lah have been corrupted I demand their

!

blood Not only have I not

! pinched the little toe of the royal
princess Rola-Bola, but I —
 ! ::

284 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

At this instant, a deep, rumbling noise like a burst of distant
artillery, cut short my harangue, by setting the air into such
violent vibration that my lips moved without making the slight-
est sound.
The effect of this terrific “ boom ” upon the Roundbodies
was astounding.
The wildest confusion came upon them.
In vain did King Bo-goo-goo command silence.
They rocked like the waves of the sea Avhen struck by a sudden
blast.
The most deafening groans and
sighs rolled over the plains in
a sort of half tuneful unison. Their faces blanched and they
pressed together in the most abject fear.
At last King Bo-god-goo was himself again, and, wtli a teri-
rific voice, awed his people into silence, crying out
u Ughgo ! Raiilag j>ad Oiiistimgar ??
(My people, the storm
is upon us ! Protect yourselves !)

More quickly than it takes me to tell it, the dreaded roar

broke in upon the stilly air.
The Roundbodies gathered their children and aged people
into a group, and then formed double and triple walls about
them.
u Tdo-too-lo ! Tdo-too-lo !
v

It was Rola-Bola’s voice.

But other thoughts were in my mind at this dread moment.
Again it sounded forth in most piteous accents
u Too-too-lo ! Tdo-too-lo !
v

To that voice, now, the ears of the dead would have given
more heed than mine !

The storm-fiend was galloping amain.

Quicker than thought I swung myself down from the plat-
form, and, encircling Bulger with my left arm, made my way
back again.
The good dog was delighted to be with me again, although
he was trembling like an aspen leaf at the distant sound of the
winds.
He well knew what was coming.
 ! ! : ! ! )

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 285

But look ! is gone

The sunlight !

The very seems affrighted.

air
A terrifying tremor of the ground beneath us causes the
soles of our feet to tingle and prickle.
u Too-too-lo Too-too-lo n
! !

Itwas Rola-Bola calling her lover away from the impending

death with which the storm-cloud was fraught.
He was busy with one dearer to him than the weeping prin-
cess of the Roundbodies.
Happily the platform had been constructed by lashing
together the uprights and flooring by means of hempen cords.
To loosen one of these and bind Bulger and myself securely to
the wooden structure was the work of a moment.
The Roundbodies had followed my movements in silence,
fairly stricken dumb with amazement at what seemed to them
the work of a madman.
When they could find their tongues, they motioned to me
fiercely to leave the platform, crying
u Poo-ddeg! Poo-ddeg” (What madness ! What madness. !

But I was not mad

What is death but a thought ?

One may live and yet be dead

Look the terrible storm-king
! is coming ! He is a greater
monarch than thou, O mighty Bo-goo-goo
u Too-too-lo Too-too-lo ”
! !

it was the kind, good Rola-Bola’s last farewell

From that moment the roar of the coming gale drowned
every sound of earth or its puny creatures.
Look again See the black monster, how he draws nearer
!

and nearer, his huge, shapeless, terrible body rolling and sway-
ing as he rides along on his black wings, while, like a gigantic
serpent, his tail drags over the fair earth, hissing, writhing
and curling, now on r
this side, now on that, now coiling upward
to gather strength, now
beating and threshing the plain with
a roar mighty enough to plunge the stoutest heart into despair.
Ah, Bulger ! It comes ! ’Tis here ! We move ! It lifts us !

Away! Away! We ride on the bosom of the gale! What

 ! — ! !

286 ADVENTURES OF LITTLE BARON TRUMP,

a roar
me

“
!

Where am
!

******
How
Bulger, I die
dark

I ?
! How black

Ah, Bulger, good dog

! The storm-king

! Has
strangles

the princess
called us yet ?
King Bo-goo-goo comes to-day.
We must amuse him!”
I made an effort to rise.
The cords held me down.
By degrees the shadows lifted from my mind, and thoughts
of the storm-king’s coming flashed through my brain, and how
he had lifted the platform upon which we were bound, and
borne it away, away, as if it were a feather caught up by the
wind in play
Something tickled my cheek.
I raised my head.
Oh joy unutterable It was grain Ay, golden grain
!
! ! I

Wheat, ready for the sickle

We are saved We must be near the habitations of man
!

And so we were.
Nay, more we were not a thousand miles away from home.
;

Thus was a mightier king than Bo-goo-goo, one to whom

it

in my despair, I had appealed for aid, caught up my loved

Bulger and me and bore us away from Go-gu-lah, the Land of
the Roundbodies.

And here I end my story.

 !

AND HIS WONDERFUL DOG BULGER. 287

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