The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-09

dangerous position in this lonely island.
Soon after daybreak next morning, While
Chick and the Princess were out hunting
berries for their breakfast. John went for
a walk along the shore, and so engrossed
did he become in his thoughts that he did
not notice when a band of Mifkets stole
upon him from behind and threw a coil
OF stout rope around his shoulders.
Before he realized his misfortune he was
bound fast with many turns of the rope.
hen he found that he had fallen into the
hands OF his old enemy, Black Ooboo, but
the Arab, TO his great relief, was not with
the party that had captured him.
Shouting with glee at the capture OF the
gingerbread man the Mifkets led him away
through the forest paths until they arrived
at the clearing wherein the King lazily
reciined upon his fat rock.
Ooboo at once awoke the aged ruler,
who sat up and said in a weary tone:
Have you taken the stranger prisoner
as / commanded?"
W have" answered the black one.
John Dough was very indignant at the
treatment he had received, so he addressed
the King angrily saying:
BY what right do you command me to
be bound in this disgraceful name Did
you not give me permission to live among
o in peaoe?"
Il am a King and the promises of Kings
should never be relied upon" said the old
Mifket, winking slyly at his prisoner.
"Since l first saw you the Arab has ar
rived and he tells us that the material you
are made Of is very good to eat
Can the Arab understand your Ian
guage2" asked John in surprise.
1t seems so,' answered the King. in
some parts of Arabia the people speak
exactly as we do; so the Arabs are probably
descended from our race. Anyhow, Ali
Dubh understands us and we understand
him, and we've decided to have a bite Of
you before he can eat you himself"
This was disturbing news to the ginger
bread man, and he stood before the King
wondering how he might escape from this
awkward situation, when the black Mifket
who vas squatting beside him opened his
mouth and bit of the thumb from Johns
left hand, which was tightly bound TO his
side.
How does it taste, Oobool" inquired the
King, while the black one was chewing the
thumb.
Il can't exactly describe the favor, said
OODOOt DOlulJ Ditlhk Oh tlO lOlCAhiBCi VI
the hand
John was enraged at this dreadful treat
ment, and his glass eyes had a dangerous
fash in them. II didn't pain him especially,
for he had no nerves; but to be chewed up
by a common forest Mifket was a liberty
that any gingerbread man might well
resent.
Seems TO me there's molasses in him. y
said Ooboo, with a wink at the King, and
Immediately he bit off another finger and
ate il. ALSO a bit Of ginger, he continued.
calmly eating the next finger. And spices.
spices"
Another finger was gone.
1T isn't exactly cake, and il isn't exactly
bread" the black one proceeded, smacking
his lips, but it's pretty good, whatever it
is,- n with that he ate the last finger
remaining on Johns left hand.
The King was no longer sleepy. He had
become quite interested, and the circle of
Mifkets tina stood silently back of John
were looking at their victim with hungry
eyes.
Bring him here to me, said the King.
sIn eat the other hand and see what it's
like"
Ooboo Immediately pushed the prisoner
toward the rock: but John was now terribly
frightened and had made up his mind not
TO allow the rest of his body to be eaten
without a struggle to save himself. So he
suddenly exerted all the strength the Great
Elixir had given him and burst his rope
bonds as easily as il they had been threads.
At the same instant the Arab leaped into
the group that surrounded the throne and
placed himself between the King and John
Dough.
Stop" he screamed, his voice shrill
with anger. How dare you eat the ginger
bread / have bought and paid for?"
There's enough for all" said the King.
We'll divide him up and have a feast.
Not sol" shouted the Arab. Hes
mine, and mine alone"
But while they were thus quarrelling
the gingerbread man, free of his bonds,
turned and fed swiftly into the forest,
and before the Mifkets or Ali DIbh knew
he had gone their intended victim was far
away.
Chick was very indignant when John
Dough entered the tree house and sho we'd
his mutilated hand.
You ought to stay near me every minute"
said the Cherub, 80 | can take care of
you and keep you Irom 8etInB INTO
trouble. II this thing keeps on, John
Dough, you won't be able to present a re-
spectacle appearance"
Il know it," said John. sadly. I'D
escape in that little boat on the beach,
only if a rainstorm came up there'd be
no shelter and I'd become soaked and
fall to pieces"
1T isn't our boat. either" said Chick.
1T belongs TO the father and mother OF
the little Princess, and they may want
to use it themselves some day to escape
in"
That's true" said John. How is the
Princess to-day"
She's worse" answered Chick. Seems
TO me she gets weaker and more delicate
every day"
That's what the rubber bear says, I"
John remarked thoughtfully.
see here" said the child, that ginger
bread OF yours is full of strength and power,
isn't it2"
That's what Ali Dubh says" John re-
sponded. The elixir hat / am mixed
-.sk - aasI 10 m ,a-r Douparf,l ~