Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-01-06

II am a Tetrarch, the mighty ruler
OF millions, and who dares dispute my
right to ask anything, even riddles and
conundrums. ii wish! Not you, /
am sure. for am here to punish and
not take impudence from you!"
Oscar trembled, for the Tetrarch's
eyes were terrible to see as he glared
down at the frightened lad. Then he
added, slowly:
"Now, l will give you q chance Il
redeem yourself. Tell me, and tell
me in plain, simple words. how to use
the cal:rCps."
Oscar looked at him blaDkly.
Caltrops? II don't think I ever
heard OF it. What is it,"
The Tetrarch frowned. Then he
said:
"Neyer mind. 1 see that you are
utterly ignorant regarding caltrops."
ooh, suppose it's some kind OF
drug. OF course, as l am no druggist,
l don't know it," replied Oscar, pertly.
"Caltrops are instruments Of war,
ignoramus!" shouted the Tetrarch
"Now tell me how to catch mantisv v'
Oscar had no answer ready.
."Can you do it with a calash OF
with an aneurism" demanded the
angry man.
"I suppose so." replied the boy in y
low tone. Il don't know"
"a calash, idiot, is a sort of carriage
and mantis is a bug" retorted the
Tetrarch, sneering. "Oh, my! but
you scholar! Here's another for you,
an easy one. too! What is Saint
Rupert's DropT
Oscar shook his head in silence. He
did not know. He was beginning to
perceive what fool he had been. but
he was not quite ready to admit it.
The Tetrarch asked:
Is it possible that they have never
shown you those little glass drops that
turn into dust at a touch? How odd v'
"That's in the upper classes,
guess" mumbled Oscar. "Or maybe
in college"
"Pooh! Every boy should know
about Saint Rupert's Drops! But tell
me this: "What's a Bunder?"
"a blunder? That's what l made,
I suppose" began Oscar.
ed Bunder" roared the Tetrarch
" B u n.d.s-r-Bunder"
Oscar shook with fear.
whats caique, then?" asked his
tormentor.
Oscar was speechless as he tried to
think whether be had ever heard eth.
or OF these words, and the Tetrarch
turning toward the dictionary, shout
ed:
Hi, there. Bring me tho bunder
directly. Yes. and also the caique. I
will give him his choice of either, and
we will sail with him to the farther.
most Limbo. don't suppose you
even know what . Limbo is, enf" he
added, returning to the bedside.
Before Oscar could reply, 10! two
boats, both of strange and outlandish
shapes, sailed up to the bed. One was
long. narrow, pointed. with ten oars
the other shorter, with house or cabin
and a great triangular sail.
"This." said the Tetrarch. pointing
to the sailing craft, els q Bunder, q
Bombay Bunder, and this is q Caique
from the Bosphorus, and both, as you
no doubt perceive, from out of the die.
tionsry. Now We will prove to you
that you have use for it, as we will
take sail in one OF these boats. You
can take your choice!"
Oscar cried: II won't 20 with you
Mamma! Papal Help! Help"
The Tetrarch smiled calmly. Then
he said:
"Come. am waiting. Choose!"
Neither of bis parents answering to
his call for help, Oscars heart sank
but he tried to gain time by pretend
ing to examine both boats carefully.
After q few moments the Tetrarch
said:
"I will wait no longer!" In with
you"
He seized the boy and dragged him
out OF bed. Oscar tried to struggle
but the mail-clsd warrior, of course
WAS far too strong for him, and he wal
deposited in the boat with a bump
The Bunder was the craft sele cted BY
tho Tetrarch, and as soon as the an.
cient ruler took his seat gentle wind
sprang up from the direction of the
washstand and the vessel moved slowly
across the carpet. All the figures in
the room ranged themselves in line
and stood gazing at them as the boat
moved away, leaving them behind as
if on a shore, and finally, as the Bun.
der seemed to penetrate the wall oi
the bedroom, they all faded away and
vanished in the distance.
The Tetrarch seized the long tiller
and steered forth into the night calm.
ly, but poor Oscars heart beat like a
trip hammer as he looked out OF the
side OF the cabin over the moonlit wa.
ter, the waves OF which already rocked
the craft, and saw his home fade away.
Then came q cloud over the moon,
and all was completely dark; nothing
was seen nor heard but the constant
lap, lap, lap Of the waves against the
bow of tho Bunder, but the sail was