uncle," replied Hassak, "your words shall not be forgotten."

After a pleasant visit of a few weeks, the Prince and his party (in
new clothes) returned (by sea) to Itoby, whence the Jolly-cum-pop
soon repaired to his home. There he found the miners and
rock-splitters still at work at the tunnel, which had now penetrated
half-way through the hill on which stood his house. "You may go
home," he said, "for the Prince has changed his plans. I will put a
door to this tunnel, and it will make an excellent cellar in which to
keep my wine and provisions."

The day after the Prince's return his map-maker said to him: "Your
Highness, according to your commands I made, each day, a map of your
progress to the city of Yan. Here it is."

The Prince glanced at it and then he cast his eyes upon the floor.
"Leave me," he said. "I would be alone."

[Illustration: THE MAP OF THE PRINCE'S JOURNEY FROM ITOBY TO YAN.]

THE BATTLE OF THE THIRD COUSINS.

* * * * *

There were never many persons who could correctly bound the Autocracy
of Mutjado. The reason for this was that the boundary line was not
stationary. Whenever the Autocrat felt the need of money, he sent his
tax-gatherers far and wide, and people who up to that time had no
idea of such a thing found that they lived in the territory of
Mutjado. But when times were ordinarily prosperous with him, and
people in the outlying districts needed protection or public works,
the dominion of the Autocrat became very much contracted.

In the course of time, the Autocrat of Mutjado fell into bad health
and sent for his doctor. That learned man prescribed some medicine
for him; and as this did him no good, he ordered another kind. He
continued this method of treatment until the Autocrat had swallowed
the contents of fifteen phials and flasks, some large and some small.
As none of these were of the slightest benefit, the learned doctor
produced another kind of medicine which he highly extolled.

"Take a dose of this twice a day," said he, "and you will soon
find--"

"A new medicine?" interrupted the Autocrat, in disgust. "I will have
none of it! These others were bad enough, and rather than start with
a new physic, I prefer to die. Take away your bottles, little and
big, and send me my secretary."

When that officer arrived, the Autocrat informed him that he had
determined to write his will, and that he should set about it at
once.

The Autocr