Purple eBooks

They dashed into the town of Kinesma a hundred
yards apart. The merchant entered the main street, or bazaar,
looking rapidly to right and left, as he ran, in the hope of
espying some place of refuge. The terrible voice behind him
cried,--
"Stop, scoundrel! I have a crow to pick with you!"
And the tradesmen in their shops looked on and laughed, as well
they might, being unconcerned spectators of the fun. The fugitive,
therefore, kept straight on, notwithstanding a pond of water
glittered across the farther end of the street.
Although Prince Alexis had gained considerably in the race, such
violent exercise, after a heavy dinner, deprived him of breath. He
again cried,--
"Stop!"
"But the merchant answered,--
"No, Highness! You may come to me, but I will not go to you."
"Oh, the villian!" growled the Prince, in a hoarse whisper, for he
had no more voice.
The pond cut of all further pursuit. Hastily kicking off his loose
boots, the merchant plunged into the water, rather than encounter
the princely whip, which already began to crack and snap in fierce
anticipation.


Pages:
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29