servant." Then he put his hands in his pockets and coolly walked out
of the cave to look at the pile of senseless robbers.

Prince Marvel made no reply, but taking the coil of rope on his
shoulder he carried it to where the thieves lay and threw it down
beside them. Then he cut lengths from the coil with his sword and
bound the limbs of each robber securely. Within a half-hour he had
laid out a row of thieves extending half way across the grassy plain,
and on counting their number he found he had captured fifty-nine
of them.

This task being accomplished and the robbers rendered helpless, Prince
Marvel turned to the boy who stood watching him.

"Get a suit of armor from the cave, and a strong sword, and then
return here," he said, in a stern voice.

"Why should I do that?" asked the boy, rather impudently.

"Because I am going to fight you for disobeying my orders; and if you
do not protect yourself I shall probably kill you."

"That sounds pleasant," said the boy. "But if you should prove my
superior in skill I beg you will not kill me at once, but let me die a
lingering death."

"Why?" asked the prince.

"Because I shall suffer more, and that will be delightful."