idently he was of
the opinion that nobody had observed his departure, or, if so, had
taken no particular notice of it.

From the top of one of the hills, Nat struck off on another side-road,
leading to a little valley. Here was a brook, and at a point where it
widened out, a small and really beautiful island. In the center of the
island a cabin had been built by some sportsman, and a rustic bridge
connected the resort with the shore.

Reaching the rustic bridge, Nat dismounted, and with his valise still
over his shoulder, walked towards the cabin. As he did this Dave and
Roger came quite close and they, too, dismounted, keeping in the
shelter of some trees near by.

"Stop! I command you, in the name of the King of Sumatra, to stop!"

The call came from the cabin, and a second later the wild man
appeared. He was clad in a blue pair of trousers and over his shoulder
was thrown a big red blanket. On his head rested a crown made of a tin
pail cut into sharp points.

"I salute you, King of Sumatra!" called out Nat, making a low bow.

"Ha! it is my servant that speaks," said the wild man. "Bow low, bow,
I tell you!" and he flourished a wooden sword that he held in one
hand.

"It is the wild man, sure enough!" whispered Roger, in great
excitement.

"And evidently he has been expecting Nat," returned Dave. "Let us get
closer and see what is up."

They advanced with care until they were behind a tree at the very foot
of the rustic bridge. In the meantime Nat had gone forward, bowing low
at every step.

"I have brought you something, my king!" cried the money-lender's
son. "Something of great importance to you."

"What is it?" demanded the wild man, his curiosity excited.

"A new crown. It is of gold, a beautiful crown."

"Ha! ha! that is well! The King of Sumatra needs a new crown!" cried
the wild man, strutting up and down in front of the cabin. "Give it to
me, that I may see if it fits." And he held out his empty hand.

"Let us go into the cabin, and you can sit in your chair of state
while I place it on your head," said Nat, in a soothing, persuasive
voice. "You will like it, I know."

"Did you bring your army with you?" demanded the wild man,
suspiciously.

"No, I am all alone--the army is at Oakdale," answered Nat.

"Again 'tis well. Come in, and I will sit on the throne," and with a
sweeping gesture of welcome, the wild man stepped back into the cabin,
and Nat Poole followed.

"Now, what do you mak