in in a troubled
voice; "but I shall take care that the boy receives no injury if it
can possibly be avoided."

The three now retraced their steps, and in a few days were settled
down, Alberdin in his tent in the plain, and Salim and Phedo in their
intrenchments on the other side of the low mountain. The old man now
gave himself up to deep thought. He had discovered the germ of
Alberdin's trouble; and in a few days he had arranged his plans, and
went over to see the young man.

"It has been determined," said he, "that a syndicate is to be formed
to attend to this business for Phedo."

"A syndicate!" cried Alberdin. "What is that?"

"A syndic," answered Salim, "is a person who attends to business for
others; and a syndicate is a body of men who are able to conduct
certain affairs better than any individual can do it. In a week from
to-day, Phedo's syndicate will meet you in the large plain outside of
the capital city. There the contest will take place. Shall you be
ready?"

"I don't exactly understand it," said Alberdin, "but I shall be
there."

General notice was given of the coming battle of the contestants for
the throne, and thousands of the inhabitants of the Autocracy
assembled on the plain on the appointed day. The Princess with her
ladies was there; and as everybody was interested, everybody was
anxious to see what would happen.

Alberdin rode into the open space in the centre of the plain, and
demanded that his antagonist should appear. Thereupon old Salim came
forward, leading Phedo by the hand.

"This is the opposing heir," he said; "but as every one can see that
he is too young to fight a battle, a syndicate has been appointed to
attend to the matter for him; and there is nothing in the will of the
late Autocrat which forbids this arrangement. The syndicate will now
appear."

At this command there came into the arena a horseman heavily armed, a
tall foot soldier completely equipped for action, an artilleryman
with a small cannon on wheels, a sailor with a boarding-pike and a
drawn cutlass, and a soldier with a revolving gun which discharged
one hundred and twenty balls a minute.

"All being ready," exclaimed Salim, "the combat for the Autocracy
will begin!"

Alberdin took a good long look at the syndicate ranged before him.
Then he dismounted from his horse, drew his sword, and stuck it,
point downward, into the sand.

"I surrender!" he said.

"So do I!" cried the Princess, running toward