through the opening received so sharp a blow upon the head from Prince
Marvel's oak staff that he fell to the ground and lay still, while the
next was treated in a like manner and fell beside his comrade.

Perhaps the thieves had not expected so sturdy an enemy, for they
continued to rush through the opening in the rocks and to fall beneath
the steady blows of the prince's staff until every one of them lay
senseless before the victor. At first they had piled themselves upon
one another very neatly; but the pile got so high at last that the
prince was obliged to assist the last thieves to leap to the top of
the heap before they completely lost their senses.

I have no doubt our prince, feeling himself yet strange in the new
form he had acquired, and freshly transported from the forest glades
in which he had always lived, was fully as much astonished at his deed
of valor as were the robbers themselves; and if he shuddered a little
when looking upon the heap of senseless thieves you must forgive him
this weakness. For he straightway resolved to steel his heart to such
sights and to be every bit as stern and severe as a mortal knight
would have been.

Throwing down his staff he ran to the cave again, and stepping between
the sword points he approached the pile of casks and held out his arms
to the boy who was perched upon the top.

"The thieves are conquered," he cried. "Jump down!"

"I won't," said the boy.

"Why not?" inquired the prince.