at of Mutjado had no son, and his nearest male relatives
were a third cousin on his father's side, and another third cousin on
his mother's side. Of course these persons were in nowise related to
each other; and as they lived in distant countries, he had never seen
either of them. He had made up his mind to leave his throne and
dominions to one of these persons, but he could not determine which
of them should be his heir.

"One has as good a right as the other," he said to himself, "and I
can't bother my brains settling the matter for them. Let them fight
it out, and whoever conquers shall be Autocrat of Mutjado."

Having arranged the affair in this manner in his will, he signed it,
and soon after died.

The Autocrat's third cousin on his father's side was a young man of
about twenty-five, named Alberdin. He was a good horseman, and
trained in the arts of warfare, and when he was informed of the terms
of his distinguished relative's will, he declared himself perfectly
willing to undertake the combat for the throne. He set out for
Mutjado, where he arrived in a reasonable time.

The third cousin on the mother's side was a very different person. He
was a boy of about twelve years of age; and as his father and mother
had died when he was very young, he had been for nearly all his life
under the charge of an elderly and prudent man, who acted as his
guardian and tutor. These two, also, soon arrived in Mutjado,--the
boy, Phedo, being mounted on a little donkey, which was his almost
constant companion. As soon as they reached the territory of the late
Autocrat, old Salim, the tutor, left the boy at an inn, and went
forward by himself to take a look at the other third cousin. When he
saw Alberdin mounted on his fine horse, and looking so strong and
valiant, his heart was much disturbed.

"I had hoped," he said to himself, "that the other one was a small
boy, but such does not appear to be the case. There is but one way to
have a fair fight between these two. They must not now be allowed to
see each other. If they can be kept apart until my boy grows up, he
will then be able, with the military education which I intend he
shall have, to engage in combat with any man. They must not meet for
at least thirteen years. Phedo will then be twenty-five, and able to
do worthy combat. To be sure, I am somewhat old myself to undertake
to superintend so long a delay, but I must do my best to keep well
and strong, and to attain the gre