n with the boat and follow them. The
Prince was so curious to know more about them that he agreed willingly;
so, after arranging with the sailors to wait for him fifteen days, and
then, if he had not come back, to go on their way without him, he set
out with his new friends. Their way lay inland, and Mannikin noticed
with great surprise that the fields were well cultivated and that the
carts and ploughs were drawn by horses or oxen, just as they might have
been in any other country, and when they passed any village the cottages
were trim and pretty, and an air of prosperity was everywhere. At one of
the villages a dainty little repast was set before the Prince, and while
he was eating, a chariot was brought, drawn by two splendid horses,
which were driven with great skill by a large spaniel. In this carriage
he continued his journey very comfortably, passing many similar
equipages upon the road, and being always most courteously saluted by
the spaniels who occupied them. At last they drove rapidly into a large
town, which Prince Mannikin had no doubt was the capital of the
kingdom. News of his approach had evidently been received, for all the
inhabitants were at their doors and windows, and all the little spaniels
had climbed upon the wall and gates to see him arrive. The Prince was
delighted with the hearty welcome they gave him, and looked round him
with the deepest interest. After passing through a few wide streets,
well paved, and adorned with avenues of fine trees, they drove into
the courtyard of a grand palace, which was full of spaniels who were
evidently soldiers. 'The King's body-guard,' thought the Prince to
himself as he returned their salutations, and then the carriage stopped,
and he was shown into the presence of the King, who lay upon a rich
Persian carpet surrounded by several little spaniels, who were occupied
in chasing away the flies lest they should disturb his Majesty. He was
the most beautiful of all spaniels, with a look of sadness in his large
eyes, which, however, quite disappeared as he sprang up to welcome
Prince Mannikin with every demonstration of delight; after which he made
a sign to his courtiers, who came one by one to pay their respects to
the visitor. The Prince thought that he would find himself puzzled as
to how he should carry on a conversation, but as soon as he and the King
were once more left alone, a Secretary of State was sent for, who wrote
from his Majesty's dictation a most p