to work and hang them as soon as
possible. And then we can proceed upon our journey."

Nerle now willingly lent his assistance to his new master, and soon
they had placed a rope around the neck of each thief and were ready to
dangle them all from the limbs of the trees.

But at this juncture the thieves began to regain consciousness, and now
Wul-Takim, the big, red-bearded king of the thieves, sat up and asked:

"Who is our conqueror?"

"Prince Marvel," answered Nerle.

"And what army assisted him?" inquired Wul-Takim, curiously gazing upon
the prince.

"He conquered you alone and single-handed," said Nerle.

Hearing this, the big king began to weep bitterly, and the tear-drops
ran down his face in such a stream that Prince Marvel ordered Nerle to
wipe them away with his handkerchief, as the thief's hands were tied
behind his back.

"To think!" sobbed Wul-Takim, miserably; "only to think, that after all
my terrible deeds and untold wickedness, I have been captured by a mere
boy! Oh, boo-hoo! boo-hoo! boo-hoo! It is a terrible disgrace!"

"You will not have to bear it long," said the prince, soothingly. "I
am going to hang you in a few minutes."

"Thanks! Thank you very much!" answered the king, ceasing to weep. "I
have always expected to be hanged some day, and I am glad no one but
you two boys will witness me when my feet begin kicking about."

"I shall not kick," declared another of the thieves, who had also
regained his senses. "I shall sing while I am being hanged."

"But you can not, my good Gunder," protested the king; "for the rope
will cut off your breath, and no man can sing without breath."

"Then I shall whistle," said Gunder, composedly.

The king cast at him a look of reproach, and turning to Prince Marvel
he said:

"It will be a great task to string up so many thieves. You look tired.
Permit me to assist you to hang the others, and then I will climb into
a tree and hang myself from a strong branch, with as little bother as
possible."

"Oh, I won't think of troubling you," exclaimed Marvel, with a laugh.
"Having conquered you alone, I feel it my duty to hang you without
assistance--save that of my esquire."

"It's no trouble, I assure you; but suit your own convenience," said
the thief, carelessly. Then he cast his eye toward the cave and asked:
"What will you do with all our treasure?"

"Give it to the poor," said Prince Marvel, promptly.

"What poor?"

"Oh, the poorest