I said it on my own account, and I say it again!" "And pray, sir knave," said the king, sitting up on his couch, for he was surprised to hear one so meanly dressed speak so correctly, and so boldly face him.

"What was it you did say ?" "If your majesty will order me a single drop of water," said the prisoner, "I will repeat it word for word, but I have had nothing the whole day, and I can hardly move my tongue." Without a word the king handed him the cup from which he had himself drunk.

Never, surely, was water so delicious.

Felix drained it to the bottom, handed it back (an officer took it), and with one brief thought of Aurora, he said: "Your majesty, you are an incapable commander." "Go on," said the king sarcastically; "why am I incapable ?" "You have attacked the wrong city; these three are all your enemies, and you have attacked the first.

They stand in a row." "They stand in a row," repeated the king; "and we will knock them over like three nine-pins." "But you have begun with the end one," said Felix, "and that is the mistake.