At once Krewl threw in a mass of heavy stones, which so weighted down my poor father that his body could not rise again to the surface.

It is impossible to kill anyone in this land, as perhaps you know, but when my father was pressed down into the mud at the bottom of the deep pool and the stones held him so he could never escape, he was of no more use to himself or the world than if he had died.

Knowing this, Krewl proclaimed himself King, taking possession of the royal castle and driving all my father's people out.

I was a small boy, then, but when I grew up I became a gardener.

I have served King Krewl without his knowing that I am the son of the same King Phearse whom he so cruelly made away with." "My, but that's a terr'bly exciting story!" said Trot, drawing a long breath.