charming sites for the little
town, but also well suited for fortresses to resist invasions they were
naturally tempted to sacrifice the useful to the safe and beautiful.
Fortunately wisdom prevailed, and it was that day decided that the site
for Swamptown should be on a slope that rose gently from the river bank,
passed close by the Hot Swamp, and was finally lost in the lovely
wood-clad terraces beyond.

"We must, of course, confine the hot stream within banks, train it to
the river, and drain the Swamp," observed Bladud, as he sat brooding
over his plans that night at supper.

"Ay, and make a pond for sick folk to dip in," said Dromas.

"And another pond for the healthy folk," suggested Captain Arkal; "we
like to give ourselves a wash now and then, and it would never do for
the healthy to go spluttering about with the sick--would it?"

"Certainly not," interposed little Maikar, "but what about the women?
They would need a pond for themselves, would they not? Assuredly they
would keep us all in hot water if they didn't have one."

"I see," said Bladud, still in a meditative mood. "There would have to
be a succession of ponds alongside of the hot stream, with leads to let
the water in--"

"And other leads to let the overflow out," suggested the practical
Arkal.

"Just so. And booths around the ponds for people to dry themselves and
dress in. Ha!" exclaimed the prince, smiting his knee with his hand.
"I see a great thing in this--a thing that will benefit mankind as long
as disease shall afflict them--as long as the hot waters flow!"

He looked round on his friends with an air of combined solemnity and
triumph. The solemnity without the triumph marked the faces of his
friends as they returned the look in profound silence, for they all
seemed to feel that the prince was in a state of exaltation, and that
something approaching to the nature of a prophecy had been uttered.

For a few moments they continued to gaze at each other--then there was a
general sigh, as if a matter of great importance had been finally
settled, and the silence was at last broken by little Maikar solemnly
demanding another rib of roast-beef.

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.

MORE PLOTS AND PLANS.

Having laid the foundations of the new town, drawn out his plans and set
his men to work, Bladud appointed Captain Arkal superintendent, and set
out on his quest after his lost friend Cormac, taking Dromas and Maikar
along with him and four of the