The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1919-02-06

l put up a nag at the bottom q took
possession. They're NINE"
REALLY" said Prince Ferdinand
william Otto, quite delighted. He
would never have thought Of such a
thing.
A door Of iron bars at the foot Of
the long flight Of ~steps-there were
four Of them--stood open. Here day
light. which had been growing fainter.
entirely ceased. And here Bobby, hav-
Ing replaced his mask. placed an air
rife over his shoulder. and lighted q
candle ard held 1t out to the crown
prince.
"You can carry IT," he said. "Only
don't lie. It drip on you. You'll spoG
your clothes" There was q falntly
scornful note In his voice. and Ferdd-
nand William Otto was quick to hear
Il.
Il don't care at all about nv
clothes" he protested. And to prove
II he deliberately tilted the candle and
let q thin stream Of parafin rus down
his short Jacket.
you're a pretty good SPORT" Bobby
observed. And from that time on he
addressed his royal highness a. 'old
sport"
When they reached the oif dungeon
the candle was about done. There was
only time to fashion another black
mask out Of q piece Of cloth that bore
strange resemblance to a black
waistcoat. The crown prince donned
this with a wildly beating heart. Never
In all his life had he been so excited.
I'VE can get another candle, and
come back and cook something" said
the senior pirate. tying the mask "a
with pieces OF brown string. ut gefs
pretty smoky. but I can cook, you'd
better believe"
So this wonderful boy could sook.
also! The crown prince had never
met any one with so many vsfed at
tainmeots. He gazed through She eye
holes. which were rather too Mr apart,
In rapt admiration.
As you haven't got a BELT" Bobby
said generously, "Irl give you the rifle.
Ever hold a gun1"
"Oh. yes" said the crown prince.
He did not explain sAAt he had been
taught to shoot on The rife range Of
his W regiment, and had won quite
a number Of medals. He possessed.
indeed, quite . Aumber Of small but
very perfect guns.
With the last gasp Of the candle.
the children prepared to depart. The
senior pirate mad already forgotten the
two men b. had trailed through the
passage, and was eager to get out
doors.
"Ready r he said. snow, remember,
old spors we are pirates. No quarter,
Except y women and children. Shoot
every man,"
"Evsn II he Is unarmed1" inquired
the crown prince, who had also studied
strategy and tactics. and felt that an
unarmed man should be taken pris.
oner.
"Sure. We don't really shoot them.
silly. Now. Get In STEP"
Then began, for the o prince,
such a day Of Joy as he had lever
known before. Even the Land OF De-
light faded before this new bliss OF
stalking from tree to tree. Of killing
unsuspectlng citizens who sat on rugs
on the ground and ate sausages and
little cakes. Here and there, where
a party had moved on. they salvaged
q bit Of food-the heel Of a loaf. one
Of the small country apples. Shades
Of the court physicians, under whose
direction the crown prince was daily
fed a carefully balanced rationl
When they were weary. they
stretched out on the ground, and the
crown prince, whose bed was nightly
dried with a warming pan for fear OF
dampness, wallowed blissfully on
earth still soft with the melting frosts
OF the winter. He grew muddy and
dirty. He had had no hat, Of course
and his bright hair hung over his fore.
head In moist strands. Now and then
he drew a long breath Of sheer happi.
ness.
As dusk descended, the crowd grad
ually dispersed. some to supper, bu,
some TO gather in the place and In the
streets around the palace. For the
rumor that the king was dying woult
not down.
At last the senior pirate consulted
a large nickel watch.
"Geel It's almost supper ume.' q,
said.
Prince Ferdinand william Otto con
suited his watch. the one with
the inscription: ITO Ferdinand VII
liam Otto, from his grandfather. or
the occasion Of his taking his frs
communion"
why can't you come home to sup
per with met" asked the senior pirate
"would your folks kick up q rowi'
II beg your pardonT
"would your family objectr
''There 10 only one person who wouit
mind" reflected the crown prince
aloud. "and she will be angry. anyhow
do you think your mother will b,
willingf"
"winingi Sure she will Ny cover
ness-but I'll fx her. She's q German
and they're always cranky. Anyhow
Ire my birthday. I'm always ailowst
. guest On birthdays"