The Hot Swamp

ONE.

  A STRANGE ENCOUNTER AND A FRIEND IN NEED.

  About a week after the events narrated in the last chapter, an incidentoccurred which, trifling in itself, was nevertheless the cause ofmomentous issues in the life of our hero.

  He was returning one evening from a long ramble with his dog, when thescreams of a pig in evident distress attracted his attention. Hasteningto the place he found that a small member of his charge had fallen overa cliff into a crevice in the rock, where it stuck fast and was unableto extricate itself. The violent nature of the porcine family is wellknown. Although very little hurt, this little pig felt its position sounbearable that it immediately filled the woods with agonising shrieksuntil Bladud dragged it out of the cleft, and carried it in his arms tothe foot of the precipice, where he set it free. Then the whirlwind ofits outcry came to a sudden stop, thereby proving beyond a doubt thatpassion, not pain, was the cause of its demonstrations.

  From that date many of the pigs became affected by a cutaneous disease,which gradually spread among all the herds. It was some time beforeBladud observed this; but when he did notice it, he jumped at once tothe conclusion that he must have communicated leprosy to his unfortunateherds while rescuing the little pig. Whether or not he was right inthis conjecture, we cannot say; but the probability of his mere touchbeing so contaminating was sufficient to increase greatly the depressionof spirits which had been stealing over him--a condition which was not alittle aggravated by the fact that the white spot on his arm was slowlybut surely spreading. Still the disease had not, so far, affected hisgeneral health or strength in any serious degree.

  About that time there set in a long period of fine sunny weather, duringwhich Bladud busied himself in hunting and drying meat, as well as fish,which he stored in his larder for future use. He also cut a largequantity of firewood, and built another booth in which to protect itfrom the weather, and otherwise made preparation for the winter when itshould arrive.

  One day he had wandered a considerable way into the forest, and wasabout to turn to retrace his steps homeward, when he was surprised tohear some creature crashing through the woods towards him. It could nothave been startled by himself, else it would have run away from him.Stepping behind a tree, he strung his bow, called Brownie close to hisheel, and waited. A few seconds later a deer dashed close past him,but, as his belt was already hung round with game, and home was stillfar distant, he did not shoot. Besides, he was curious to know what hadstartled the deer. A few minutes revealed that, for suddenly the soundof footsteps was heard; then the bushes opposite were parted, and a boy,or youth just emerging from boyhood, ran past him at full speed, with anarrow sticking through his left sleeve. He was unarmed, and gasped likeone who runs for his life. Catching sight of the prince as he passedthe tree that had concealed him, the boy doubled like a hare, ran up toBladud, and, grasping one of his hands, cried--"O! save me!--save me!--from robbers!" in the most agonising tones.

  "That will I, poor lad, if I can."

  He had barely time to make this reply when a man burst from theshrubbery on the other side of the tree, and almost plunged into hisarms. So close was he, and so unexpected the meeting, that the princehad not time or space to use his bow, but saluted the man's foreheadwith such an Olympic crack from his fist, that he fell prone upon theground and remained there. Bladud had dropped his bow in the act, buthis club leant handily against the tree. Catching it up, he wheeledround just in time to face three tall and strong men, with bows in theirhands. Seeing their leader on the ground, they simultaneouslydischarged three arrows, which were well aimed, and struck the princefull on the chest; but they did not penetrate far, for, in anticipationof some such possible encounter with foes, he had covered his chest witha breastplate of thick double-ply hide, which effectually checked them.

  Before they could draw other arrows Bladud rushed at them with aterrific shout, hurling his mighty club in advance. The weapon caughtthe nearest robber full in the chest and laid him flat on the grass.The other two, dropping their bows, turned and fled.

  "Guard them, Brownie!" cried Bladud, as he followed.

  The dog obediently took up a position between the two fallen men, andeyed them in a way and with an ominous growl, that meant mischief ifthey dared to stir.

  Bladud easily overtook the other two, grasped them by their necks, and,using their heads as battering-rams, rapped them together. They sankhalf-stunned upon their knees, and begged for mercy.

  "You shall have it," said Bladud, "on the condition that you go and tellyour comrades that if they ever come within twenty miles of the Swamp,they shall find a man in the woods who will turn them inside out, androast them all alive! Away!"

  They went precipitately, as may be readily believed, and, as the princehad intended, spread a report that gave to him thenceforth the rank of asorcerer, and secured him from future annoyance.

  Returning to the tree, Bladud found the fallen robbers beginning torecover consciousness--the one being held in submission by the fugitiveyouth, who stood, bow in hand, pointing an arrow at his throat; theother by Brownie, who merely curled his nose, displayed his magnificentteeth, and uttered a low growl of remonstrance.

  "Get up!" he said to the one he had knocked down with his fist.

  But as the order was not obeyed with sufficient promptitude, he liftedthe man up by the collar, like a kitten, and sent him staggering againstthe tree with a violence that astounded him. Calling off the dog, hegave a similar order to the second robber, who displayed much greateragility in his movements.

  Repeating the little threat with which he had dismissed their comrades,Bladud ordered them to be off. The second robber thankfully turned andtook to his heels; but the first stooped to pick up his bow, whereuponBladud wrenched it from his grasp, broke it over his head, andbelaboured him with the wreck for a couple of hundred yards through thewoods, while the robber ran as if he thought the evil spirit was at hisheels.

  Returning somewhat blown from this unusual exercise, he found the youthin a state of great amusement and satisfaction.

  "Hah! you may laugh, my lad; but I can assure you it would have been nolaughing matter if these scoundrels had caught you."

  "You speak but the sober truth," returned the boy, still smiling; "forwell assured am I that it would have cost me my life if they had caughtme. But, believe me, I am not only pleased to see such villains get alittle of what they deserve, but am exceedingly grateful to you for sokindly and effectually coming to my aid."

  "As to that, I would aid any one in distress--especially if pursued byrobbers. But, come, sit down and tell me how you fell into their power.This bout has winded me a little. I will sit down on this bank; do yousit on the bank opposite to me."

  "The explanation is simple and short," replied the boy; "I wanted tohave my own way, like most other boys, so I left home without leave, orsaying farewell."

  "That was bad," said the prince, shaking his head. He was on the pointof advancing some profitable reflections on this head, but the memory ofhis own boyhood checked him.

  "I know it was bad, and assuredly I have been well punished," returnedthe boy, "for these robbers caught me and have kept me with them for along time, so long that I have quite lost count of the days now."

  "Does your father live far from here?"

  "Yes, very, very far, and I know not where to go or what to do,"answered the boy, with a pitiful look.

  "Never mind, you are safe at present, and no doubt I shall find means ofhaving you sent safe home--though I see not the way just yet."

  "Is that blood on your coat?" asked the lad anxiously, as he pointed tothe prince's breast.

  "It is. The arrow-heads must have gone through the breastplate andscratched the skin. I will look to it."

  "Let me help you," said the boy, rising and approaching.

  "Back! you know not what you do," said the prince sternly. "You mustnot touch me. You have done so once to-day. It may cost you your life.Ask not why, but obey my orders." br />
  Not less surprised at the nature of these remarks than at the severetone in which they were uttered, the boy re-seated himself in silence,while Bladud removed the breastplate and examined his wounds.

  They were deeper than he had imagined, the three arrow-heads being halfimbedded in his flesh.

  "Nothing serious," he said, drawing out the heads and stanching the flowof blood with a little moss. "Come, now, I will show you my home, andgive you something to eat before you tell me more of your history. Youshall have a couch in one of my outhouses. Have a care as you walk withme that you do not come against me, or touch me even with a finger. Myreasons you may not know, but--remember what I say."

  Bladud spoke the last words with the severity that he had assumedbefore; then, dismissing the subject, he commented on the beauty of thelandscape, the wickedness of robbers, the