he spot where his suffering sovereign lay he was ordered back.

"Send Denis," he said. "You go on deck again and mind that nothing
happens to my horse."

"He's very ill," said Saint Simon, who did not look at all sorry, but
more disposed to laugh, as he joined Denis, who was dividing his
attention among the three horses, and patting each in turn.

"Then why did you leave him?"

"Because he wants you. He's ashamed to let me see how bad he is."

"Is he so very ill then?" said Denis.

"He thinks he is; but you had better make haste down."

Denis hurriedly went below, to find that the sea entertained not the
slightest respect for the stricken monarch, who uttered a low groan from
time to time, and grew less king-like in his sufferings.

"This is very bad, Denis," he said, "and it doesn't seem fair. Why am I
ill, and you going about as if we were on dry land?"

"I wish I could suffer for you, my master," said the lad earnestly.

"Thank you. That's very good," said the King; "but unfortunately you
can't. Denis, my lad, it takes all the bravery out of a man when he is
like this. Do you think the shipmaster would call it cowardly if I were
to send word for him to turn the vessel round and make sail back for
Havre de Grace?"

"I don't think he would notice it, my--Comte," said Denis earnestly;
"but I don't think he could do it now."

"Why?" cried the King.

"Because the wind is growing stronger, and blowing hard from behind,
driving us fast for the other coast; and even if he could turn we should
not get back."

"No," said the King. "But this is very horrible, Denis, my lad.--Are
the horses safe?"

"Yes, sir, quite."

"Ah! that's right," moaned the King. "Say sir, not Sire, on your life."

_Boomp_! _Rush_!

"What's that?" cried the King, in a startled voice, sitting up, but
falling back with a groan. "Oh, how my head swims! Can you swim,
Denis, boy?" he moaned.

"Yes, sir; but no one could swim in a sea like this."

_Boomp_! _Crash_! _Rush_!

"What's that, boy?" groaned the King again. "Why don't you tell me?
Didn't I ask before?"

"It was a big wave, sir, leaping at the vessel's bows, and curling over
and rushing along the deck."

"How dreadful!" said the King. "Why is it so dark? Is it the sea
flooding the ship?"

"No, sir; it is nearly night."

"Oh yes, I forgot. I think I have been asleep. Are we almost there?"

"No, sir. It is a long way yet."

"If I could only go to sl