are daily swelling, and the G.R.J.A.'s are constantly on the
increase. Already the peasantry scout at cat-fish, and demand
pickled salmon for their noonday repasts. But, my liege," and
the brave Hellitysplit eyes flashed fire, "myself and sword are
at thy command?"

"Bully for you, Count," said the king. "But soft: methinks
report--perchance unjustly--hast spoken suspiciously of thee,
most Royal d'Sardine? How is this? Is it a newspaper yarn?
WHAT'S UP?"

D'Sardine meekly approached the throne, knelt at the king's feet,
and said: "Most patient, gray, and red-headed skinner; my very
approved skin-plaster: that I've been asked to drink by the
P.Q.R.'s, it is most true, true I have imbibed sundry mugs of
lager with them. The very head and front of my offending hath
this extent, no more."

"'Tis well!" said the King, rising and looking fiercely around.
"Hadst thou proved false I would with my own good sword have cut
off yer head, and spilled your ber-lud all over the floor! If I
wouldn't, blow me!"

CHAPTER III.--THE ROVER.

Thrilling as the scenes depicted in the preceding chapter
indubitably were, those of this are decidedly THRILLINGER.
Again are we in the mighty presence of the King, and again is
he surrounded by splendour and gorgeously-mailed courtiers. A
sea-faring man stands before him. It is Roberto the Rover,