ef if
they dared to stir.

Bladud easily overtook the other two, grasped them by their necks, and,
using their heads as battering-rams, rapped them together. They sank
half-stunned upon their knees, and begged for mercy.

"You shall have it," said Bladud, "on the condition that you go and tell
your comrades that if they ever come within twenty miles of the Swamp,
they shall find a man in the woods who will turn them inside out, and
roast them all alive! Away!"

They went precipitately, as may be readily believed, and, as the prince
had intended, spread a report that gave to him thenceforth the rank of a
sorcerer, and secured him from future annoyance.

Returning to the tree, Bladud found the fallen robbers beginning to
recover consciousness--the one being held in submission by the fugitive
youth, who stood, bow in hand, pointing an arrow at his throat; the
other by Brownie, who merely curled his nose, displayed his magnificent
teeth, and uttered a low growl of remonstrance.

"Get up!" he said to the one he had knocked down with his fist.

But as the order was not obeyed with sufficient promptitude, he lifted
the man up by the collar, like a kitten, and sent him staggering against
the tree with a violence that astounded him. Calling off the dog, he
gave a similar order to the second robber, who displayed much greater
agility in his movements.

Repeating the little threat with which he had dismissed their comrades,
Bladud ordered them to be off. The second robber thankfully turned and
took to his heels; but the first stooped to pick up his bow, whereupon
Bladud wrenched it from his grasp, broke it over his head, and
belaboured him with the wreck for a couple of hundred yards through the
woods, while the robber ran as if he thought the evil spirit was at his
heels.

Returning somewhat blown from this unusual exercise, he found the youth
in a state of great amusement and satisfaction.

"Hah! you may laugh, my lad; but I can assure you it would have been no
laughing matter if these scoundrels had caught you."

"You speak but the sober truth," returned the boy, still smiling; "for
well assured am I that it would have cost me my life if they had caught
me. But, believe me, I am not only pleased to see such villains get a
little of what they deserve, but am exceedingly grateful to you for so
kindly and effectually coming to my aid."

"As to that, I would aid any one in distress--especially if pursued by
robbe