sake of his yellow hair and blue eyes, which were a wonder in that
country; but more likely for the smiling ways and cheerful speech of
him, that made his passing through that gloomy land like the passage of
a sunbeam through thick clouds; and blessings followed after him.

And so, after six days of travel, they came at last to the King's city.




XX

THE ARRIVAL

About sundown John with his train came to the gates of the city where
the King lived. They were all very hungry, dusty, and tired.

A watchman on the wall, with telescope to his eye, had spied them afar
off.

"Hello!" he cried. "What is this coming down the highroad? It seems a
small caravan, creeping and writhing like a caterpillar. The head of
it seems human. But, by my faith! the rest of it is like nothing I
have seen for many years! What ho! Let us be on guard. It may be an
enemy of the King."

The warders ran to arms. And so it happened that a crowd of them were
gaping at the entrance when John and his companions came up.

The lad was almost exhausted. But when he saw the way barred by a band