"Ay! the King and his retinue of noble ladies and gentlemen--out of the way." Here the King spoke, "Phwat detains our noble silf Herald?" "And so this crazy quilt is the Herald, is it?" said Billy to himself and true enough when he examined the man's tattered clothes more closely he saw that he wore a much dilapidated Herald's Tabard. "A base born fat boy, your serene Highness, who refuses to out of the way, though I have outed him several times." "I can't, your Honor--" began Billy. "Treason," cried a voice, "he called his Highness your Honor." "That's Lèse Majesty," whispered the Herald to Billy. "Oh! is that his name?"--then turning to the King he bowed low and said, "I beg your pardon, Your Lazy Majesty." "Treason!" cried the company of men, spurring their horses into a rapid walk. "He called his Majesty lazy." "I thought that was his name," said Billy. "Mr. Herald here told me it was." "I didn't," cried the Herald in consternation. "Silence," said the King, riding up. "I will hear this case, and bye, if it is true that you hov miscalled me, it's to de lowest dongin wid yez!" "Indeed your Serene, Contented, Happy, Highness, Majesty O'Fudge," said Billy, giving him all the titles he could remember and a few extra by way of good measure. "I meant no disrespect." "Hold," interrupted the King; "before we go further we must call out the gyard to gyard this bye--General Swash Buckler, do your dooty, no matter how pleasant it may be." "Ay! Ay! also I salute your Majesty," said a fierce looking old man, saluting and riding a few paces to the rear. Then saluting the air, he gravely said: "Colonel Swash Buckler--you have heard the orders, execute them." Then turning his horse around, he saluted the spot where he had just been sitting. "Very good, General, I will do so at once." Again turning his horse, he saluted the air, saying, "Captain Swash Buckler, you have heard the orders--execute them." Again he turned his horse and saluted the spot where he had just been sitting, saying, "Very good, Colonel, I will do so at once." This time he looked down at the ground and said, "Lieutenant Swash Buckler, you have heard the orders--execute them." Then climbing down to the ground he saluted the saddle, "Very good, Captain, I will do so at once." He quickly turned on his heel and called, "Sergeant Swash Buckler, you have heard the orders--execute them," and saluting he said respectfully, "Very good, Lieutenant, I will do so at once." Then in a hoarse commanding voice he called, "Private Swash Buckler, you have heard the orders--execute them." This time he saluted cringingly. "Very good, Sergeant, I will do so at once," and marched solemnly to Billy's side, halted and saluted, "It is done." "How's that for quick work, me bye, and what do ye think of me ar-rmy?" said King O'Fudge proudly. "Oh! is that your army--your _entire_ army?" asked Billy, who had watched the proceedings with surprise and amusement.