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Through the Fire.
193

you,” said the Princess, very graciously. “But I want to know why you said you pitied me.”

“Because you look so unhappy, and I think it’s very sad for you to be parted from your Prince,” said Jack.

Here all the ladies crowded round. him, and tried to stop his speaking, but the Princess said,—

“Silence! I insist upon it. It does no harm for me to hear him, and I will not allow you to stop him in this way. Thank you, little boy, for what you have said. And for you,” she added, turning to Jack’s first friend, “I am not the least angry with you, and I particularly desire that no one shall mention this to my father;” but just as. she stopped speaking, a cloud of smoke was seen rolling over the hills, and the ladies cried,—

“The King! the King!”

“Go! go!” cried the Princess to Jack, and the fire-man without more ado seized him, and placing him on his shoulders flew through the air with him at a great rate, and was far from the palace before Jack could get breath to speak.

“A fine mess you have nearly got me into!” grumbled the little man. “It will be the last time I ever take you anywhere with me, you may

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