in the streets.

Thirdly: By trying to seduce away the hearts of our loyal subjects in
that city, and to blow up a party against our crown and our peace.

_This is to give warning_,

That whoever consorts with, comforts, aids, or abets the said Prince
Prigio, is thereby a partner in his treason; and

That a reward of FIVE THOUSAND PURSES will be given to whomsoever
brings the said prince, alive, to our Castle of Falkenstein.

GROGNIO R.

And here is the second proclamation:

REWARD.
THE FIREDRAKE.

_Whereas_,

Our dominions have lately been devastated by a Firedrake (the
_Salamander Furiosus_ of Buffon);

_This is to advise all_,

That whosoever brings the horns and tail of the said Firedrake to our
Castle of Falkenstein, shall receive FIVE THOUSAND PURSES, the
position of Crown Prince, with the usual perquisites, and the hand of
the king's niece, the Lady Molinda.

GROGNIO R.

"H'm," said the prince; "I did not think his majesty wrote so well;" and
he would have _liked_ to say, "Don't you think we might join the ladies."

"But, sir," said the ambassador, "the streets are lined with soldiers;
and I know not how you have escaped them. _Here_, under my roof, you are
safe for the moment; but a prolonged stay--excuse my inhospitality--could
not but strain the harmonious relations which prevail between the
Government of Pantouflia and that which I have the honour to represent."

"We don't want to fight; and no more, I think, do you," said the prince,
smiling.

"Then how does your royal highness mean to treat the proclamations?"

"Why, by winning these ten thousand purses. I can tell you 1,000,000
pounds is worth having," said the prince. "I'll deliver up the said
prince, alive, at Falkenstein this very night; also the horns and tail of
the said Firedrake. But I don't want to marry my Cousin Molly."

"May I remind your royal highness that Falkenstein is three hundred miles
away? Moreover, my head butler, Benson, disappeared from the house
before dinner, and I fear he went to warn Captain Kopzoffski that you are
_here_!"

"That is nothing," said the prince; "but, my dear Lord Kelso, may I not
have the pleasure of presenting Lady Rosalind with a little gift, a
Philippine which I lost to her last night, merely the head and tail of a
Firedrake which I stalked this morning?"

The ambassador was so astonished that he ran straight upstairs,
forgett