"'Says he: "This is better than moping in school!"'"

"Your Highnesses," pleaded the unhappy man, "if, to please you, I
sang that idiocy, which, for fifty years now, I had forgotten----"

"Exc'll'nt shong," says Prince Rupert, waking up; "less have't
again!"

* * * * *

To be short, ten o'clock was striking from St. Mary's spire when,
with a prince on either side of me, and thirty guineas in my pocket
(which was all the loose gold he had), I walked forth from Master
Carter's door. To make up the deficiency, their highnesses had
insisted on furnishing me with a suit made up from the simplest in
their joint wardrobes--riding-boots, breeches, buff-coat, sash,
pistols, cloak, and feather'd hat, all of which fitted me
excellently well. By the doors of Christ Church, before we came to
the south gate, Prince Rupert, who had been staggering in his walk,
suddenly pull'd up, and leaned against the wall.

"Why--odd's my life--we've forgot a horse for him!" he cried.

"Indeed, your Highness," I answered, "if my luck holds the same, I
shall find one by the road." (How true this turned out you shall
presently hear.)

There was no difficulty at the gate, where the sentry recogniz'd the
two princes and open'd the wicket at once. Long after it had clos'd