tinued in a milder tone. "How
many I don't know, and don't care. I brought the old ones here, and
they have multiplied. If you choose to keep them together, you are
welcome. I want only a few of them now and then. When I do, I hunt
them together and drive them with my dogs. You may kill and eat of them
as you please; but don't come nigh my hut, mind you, else will I put an
arrow in your heart."

"Good, I will take care," returned the prince gravely. "And if you come
nigh _my_ dwelling, is it understood that I am to put an arrow in _your_
heart? I could easily do it, for I am a fair marksman."

Something approaching almost to a smile crossed the hunter's swart
visage at this reply. It did not last, however.

"Go!" he said. "Keep your jesting for the pigs, if they have a mind to
listen."

"I will try them. Mayhap they are more sociable than their owner. And
now, master, might I ask for the loan of one of your dogs? It might be
useful in herding."

"None of them would follow you. Yet--yes, the pup might do so. It has
not yet come to care for me much."

So saying, the man went to the rear of his hut, and, from the kennel
there, fetched a young but full-grown dog, somewhat resembling a
retriever, which gambolled joyously at the prospect of being let out for
a run.

"There, take him. He comes of a good breed. Keep the leash on his neck
till you have given him his first feed; he'll follow you after that."

"What is his name?" asked the prince.

"No name. Like his master in that!"

Taking the leash in his hand, Bladud said farewell, and went away into
the woods, while the hunter of the Swamp, turning round, stooped as he
entered his hut, and shut the door behind him.

It may seem strange that the prince should thus voluntarily seek for
menial occupation, but, in truth, he shrank from the idea of living
absolutely to himself alone, and felt a strong desire to have some sort
of responsibility in connection with a human being, however short his
life on earth might be, or however uncouth the individual with whom he
might have to do--for man is intensely social, as only those who have
dwelt in absolute solitude can thoroughly understand.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

PRINCE BLADUD TAKES POSSESSION OF HIS ESTATE AND BEGINS BUSINESS.

Pondering over the circumstances of the strange being from whom he had
just parted, Bladud proceeded to the summit of the hill, or ridge of
high land, on the other side of which