n of the robber band could swim like an otter, besides being in a fit
condition to enjoy the cooler stream. They all reached the opposite
bank in safety. Scrambling out, they took to the woods without once
looking back, and finally disappeared.

During the remainder of that day Gadarn could do little else than
chuckle or laugh.

Bladud's comment was that it had been "most successful."

"A bloodless victory!" remarked Beniah.

"And didn't they yell?" said Arkal.

"And splutter?" added Maikar.

"And the pigs! oh! the pigs!" cried Gadarn, going off into another
explosion which brought the tears to his eyes, "it would have been
nothing without the pigs!"

The gentle reader must make allowance for the feelings of men fresh from
the excitement of such a scene, existing as they did in times so very
remote. But, after all, when we take into consideration the
circumstances; the nature of the weapons used; the cause of the war, and
the objects gained, and compare it all with the circumstances, weapons,
causes, and objects of modern warfare, we are constrained to admit that
it was a "most glorious victory"--this Battle of the Springs.

CHAPTER THIRTY.

SMALL BEGINNINGS OF FUTURE GREAT THINGS.

There was one thing, however, which threw a cloud over the rejoicing
with which the conquerors hailed this memorable victory.

Gunrig's wound turned out to be a very severe one--much more so than had
been at first supposed--for the arrow had penetrated one of his lungs,
and, breaking off, had left the head in it.

As Bladud was the only one of the host who possessed any knowledge of
how to treat complicated wounds, he was "called in," much against the
wish of the wounded man; but when the prince had seen and spoken to him,
in his peculiarly soft voice, and with his gentle manner, besides
affording him considerable relief, the chief became reconciled to his
new doctor.

"I thought you a savage monster," said the invalid, on the occasion of
the amateur doctor's third visit; "but I find you to be almost as tender
as a woman. Yet your hand was heavy enough when it felled me at the
games!"

"Let not your mind dwell on that, Gunrig; and, truth to tell, if it had
not been for that lucky--or, if you choose, unlucky--blow, I might have
found you more than my match."

The chief held out his hand, which the doctor grasped.

"I thought to kill you, Bladud; but when I get well, we shall be
friends."

Poor Gunrig, however, did n