Evening star., 1928-03-09
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
A KING IN DISGUISE
BY MATTEO BANDELLO.

:. lNasteo. Bandello. l4so-I56e. was al
italian writer ranking next 10 Boccaccio il
xanne and importance
You are aware that I have been /.
traveller from the time I was a boy
OF Is, when I set out from my native
City OF Genoa. and first arrived at tn,
City OF Orano, on the shores of thu
Mediterranean. where I remained ans
learned the language, manners and pc,
culiar practices of the people. ! wa.
at length prevailed upon to join a party
OF Oranese merchants. They were ner
OF approved worth and of the kindest
manners. and with them I prepared u
make q commercial tour through the
country, visiting various regions oi
Africa. In which We discovered man,
great and populous cities
In several Of these countries we met
With colleges Of instruction, with Their
regular professors of different sciences
paid and appointed by the people
There are. moreover. different hospitals
Instituted tor the relief OF the poor and
distressed who are there supplied with
regular subsistence. have met with
an astonishing number of examples oil
true charity and kindness from what
are termed these uncivilized people.
Among other splendid places I Wis.
tied a noble city, built In the age O.
King Mansor. who had likewise beer
supreme pontifex or high priest ot
Morocco. Some OF their national
chronicles we're here exhibited to me,
which bore ample witness to the dill
igence With which they record the
most remarkable public events.
Being very well versed In the Ian
guage. amused myself with perus-
ing various portions OF them. but
more particularly those relating TO the
time Of King Mansor.
thence learned that among other
emusements he was immoderately fond
OF the chase: and IL one day so hap.
pened that being on a hurting ex-
cursion, he was surprised by terrific
storm. which. with irresistible fury. lay
ing waste 70 both corn and. woodlands
soon dispersed his courtiers on all side.
IN search OF shelter. Mistaking his
way In the confusion which ensued
King Mansor. separated at length from
his companions. wandered through ths
forests until nightfall. and such was
the tempestuons raging Of the wind,
that. almost despairing OF finding
shelter. he checked his Steed, doubtful
whether he should venture 70 proceed
From the terrific darkness Of ths
DASs AGAS%tG& NAAAJ Wy Va Ik6oIl
ing light shooting across the fal
horizon. he was fearful OF going farther
lest he should incur still greater danger
either By riding into pitfalls or thu
deep marshes bordering the fores
grounds. As he thus stood, listenint
70 the distant thunder. and the rayinI
OF the storm. he stretched his view II
vain 70 discover some signs OF human
existence. until on proceeding a few
more steps, light suddenly appeared
at only a short distance from him.
II was from the window OF a poo
nsherman's hut. who earned his live
hhood by catching eeis In the adjacen
pools and marshes On hearing tn
voice Of the king. who rushed forwart
with a shout Of Joy on beholdlng
human habitation, the fisherman
hastened 70 the assistance Of the be
w1lcered traveller, whom he believed I.
have lost his way in the storm. In
curing who called, King ManSor ap
preached near. and entreated him. /
he possessed the least charity. 70 oirec
him the shortest path 10 the reEidenc
Of the monarch.
THE kings court" replied the poo
man, "is distant from this place aboy
10 long miles"
"Yet ! viii make 1. worth you