The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-23

the case seems reversed The courtiers
frown and the King looks anxiously to-
ward them
Indeed" replied the prelate, that
NAV we'll be. When a man invites a
company to dine with him. and then
makes the discovery that his lardcr is
empty, there is cause for anxiety, be nc
king or churl. In truth my wamc's be-
ginning to think my throat's cut" And
the learned churchman sympathetically
smoothed down that portion of his person
first named whose rounded contour
gave evidence that its owner was accus-
toned to ample rations regularly served.
"Ah, WE'LL" continued Sir Donald, Ibis
youthful Majesty's foot is hardly in the
stirrup yet. and I'm n1ucn mistaken in
the CLINT of his eyes and the tint of his
beard, if once he is firmly in the saddle
the horse will not feel the prick of che
spur. should it try any tricks with him. :
Scotland would be none the worse of
a firm King" admitted the Archbishop,
glancing furtively at the person they
were discussing, but James has been so
long under the control of others that it
will need some force of character to es-
tahlish a will of his own. / doubt lie is
but nought posing as a nine,' conclud-
cd his reverence in a lower tone of
voice.
II know little of mathematics" said
Sir Donald, "but yet enough to tell me
that a nought needs merely a flourish to
become a nine, and those mines among
us who think him a nought, may become
noughts should he prove a nine. There's
a problem in figures for you, Arch
bishop.
Tho young man to whom they referred
James, the fifth of that name, had been
pacing the floor little distance from the
large group of hungry men who were
awaiting their dinner with some impa-
thence. Now and then the King paused in
his preambula ton and gazed out of a win
dow overlooking the courtyard, again re-
Stunning his disturbed march when his
brief scrutiny was completed. The men,
bers of the group talked in whispers,
one with another, none too well pleased
at being kept waiting for SO important
function as a meal.
Suddenly there was clatter of horses
hoofs in the courtyard. The King turn
ed once more to the window. glanced n
moment at the commotion below, then
gave utteranee to an exclamation of an
noyance, his right hand clenching an
grily Wheeling quickly to the guards
at the door he cried
Bring the chief huntsman here at
once, and a prod in the back with pike
may make up for his lettering in the
courtyard
The men, who stood like statues with
long axes at the doorway, made no
move; but two soldiers, sitting on a
bench outside, sprang to their feet and
ran Gathering down the stair. They re-
turned presently with the chief hunts
man, whom they projected suddenly into
the room with violence little to the
woodlands taste, for he neglected to re-
move his bonnet in the royal presence
and so far forgot himself as to turn his
head when he recovered his equilibrium,
roundIy cursng those who had made q
projectile of him.
well woodlander!'' cried the King,
his stern voice ringing down again from
the lofty rafters of the great hail. "Are
there no deer in my forests of the
north?"
Deer in plenty. Your Majesty" an
swered the fellow with a mixture of de-
ference and disrespect which in truth
seemed to tinge the manners of all
present "There are deer in the King s
forest, and yet a lack of venison in the
Kings larderi"
what mean you by that, you scoun-
drel?" exclaimed the King, flush over
spreading his face, rudy as his beard.
Have your marksmen lost their skill
with bow and arrow. that you return
destitute to the oastle?'
1.-The marksmen arc expert as ever.
Your Majesty, and their arrows fly as
unerringly to their billet. but in these
rude times, Your Majesty, the sting of an
arrow may not be followed by the whet
ting of butchers knife"
The King took an impatient step for
ward, then checked himself One or two
among the group of noblemen near the
door laughed and there was ripple of
suppressed merriment over the whole
company. At first the frown on the
Kings brow deepened, and then as sud-
denly it cleared away, as puff of wind
scattcrs the mist from the heights OF
Stirling. When the King spoke again
it was in calm, even voice. LAS un-
derstand you, there was no difficulty in
capturing the deer, but you encountered
some obstacle between the forest and
Stirling which caused you to return
empty naHueu. HOpe SOu nave HOt
added the occupation of itinerant flesher
to the noble calling of forest hunts
man."
Indeed, Your Majesty" replied the
unabashed hunter. 1.-The profession o
fiesher was forced upon me- The deer
we had slaughtered found it impossible
to win by the gates of Arnprior.
.Ah! John Buchanan then happened
to need venson as you passed.
your Majesty has hit the gold there
buchanan not only needed it but took i
from us.
I"Did you inform him that your ecargt
was intended for the larder of the King !?
81 told him that in so many words
Your Majesty; and he replied that i
James was King in Stirling, John was
King in Kippen, and having the shorter
name he took the shorter method o
supplying his Kitchen
made you any effort to defend your
gear?'
Truth to say, Your Majesty tha
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