Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-05

bold and determined enough. for Grom-
| line had been with him all the morn
| ing, assuring him that it would be
| the easiest thing in the world to ride quiet,
| careful griffin, who would assist him in
every possible way to keep his position and
to feel az ease, and the Minister had, fur
thermore. fortified and encouraged him by
an excellent luncheon, composed entirely of
Cosmic Beans, cooked and prepared in
many different ways. The Queen was
pleased with his brave appearance, and gave
him a silken scarf to wear as q token of her
interest.
Now the sound of great wings was heard,
and the griffin, swooping through the air,
came down to the ground in front of the
royal boxes. Then, curling his tail high
over his back, he informed Prince Alto that
he was ready to begin the act. Without
hesitation. the young man stepped on the
back OF the horny monster, and stood up
right, steadying himself by holding fast to
the stiffened tail.
Slowly uprose the great griffin into the
air, Prince Alto standing upright on his
back. This was not difficult leat, nor an
unsafe one, so long as the grifin's tail, by
which Alto steadied himself remained stiff1y
in position. AS the first gentle circle above
the arena was made, Alto looked a little
pale, but he felt that hiG position was secure
and bowed ana smiled as shouts of applause
came up from the great multitude.
This griffin was monster of very hot
and revengeful disposition. and his anger
against Alto for deserving him and pre-
venting his performance on the first day had
not in the least cooled, and although his
manner toward the young man had been
very mild, he had determined that during
na nf 40 niSh hmm
treachery.
On the second grand tour, during which
the griffin flew much more rapidly than be-
lore, his tail was raised higher in the air, so
that Alto, still clinging to il. was obliged tn
stand on the tips of his toes. The Prince
shouted to the griffin to lower his tail, but
the latter paid no attention to him, darting
upward and downward and from one side to
the other.
Now the tail was stuck perpendicularly
upward. and Alto chung TO it. as he would
TO the mast of 4 tossing ship. Then without
the least warning, and in the midst of a
wild swoop, the tail went straight out be-
hind, and Alto found himself hanging be-
meath it, his legs and arms turned about it,
as if it had been horizontal bar in a
gymnasium.
Nearly frightened out of his wits. the
young Prince began to shout for help, and
as he did so the griffin swung his tail from
right TO left, and sometimes dipped it down.
ward, so that Altos ieet were higher than
his head. the flights became swifter and
wilder than before, and mounting high into
the air, the griffin suddenly dropped down.
ward as if he would strike the earth, but
before reaching it, rose again. with great
swoop and recommended his mad gyrations
above the peoples heads.
During this astounding and blood-thrill-
ing performance every breath was held and
every heart beat fast. Even the flying
monsters o. Kobol-land had never known OF
anything like this. Every one was wild
with admiration at Altos amazing strength
and courage. His cries had been neard,
but 1t was supposed that he was shouting to
his steed and urging him to switter speed
But the griffin did not intend that Alto
.hould get any credit for his performance.