The Christmas Books of Mr. M.A. TitmarshThackeray, William Makepeace
General
The Christmas Books of Mr. M.A. Titmarsh
Thackeray, William Makepeace
Christmas stories, English
The Prince and his young friends hastened home to his apartment,
highly excited by the intelligence, as no doubt by the ROYAL NARRATOR'S
admirable manner of recounting it, and they ran up to his room where he
had worked so hard at his books.
On his writing-table was his bag, grown so long that the Prince could
not help remarking it. He went to it, opened it, and what do you think
he found in it?
A splendid long, gold-handled, red-velvet-scabbarded, cut-and-thrust
sword, and on the sheath was embroidered "ROSALBA FOR EVER!"
He drew out the sword, which flashed and illuminated the whole room, and
called out "Rosalba for ever!" Smith and Jones following him, but quite
respectfully this time, and taking the time from His Royal Highness.
And now his trunk opened with a sudden pong, and out there came three
ostrich feathers in a gold crown, surrounding a beautiful shining steel
helmet, a cuirass, a pair of spurs, finally a complete suit of armor.
The books on Giglio's shelves were all gone. Where there had been some
great dictionaries, Giglio's friends found two pairs of jack-boots
labelled, "Lieutenant Smith," "---- Jones, Esq.," which fitted them to
a nicety. Besides, there were helmets, back and breast plates, swords,
&c., just like in Mr. G. P. R. James's novels; and that evening three
cavaliers might have been seen issuing from the gates of Bosforo, in
whom the porters, proctors, &c., never thought of recognising the young
Prince and his friends.
They got horses at a livery stable-keeper's, and never drew bridle
until they reached the last town on the frontier before you come to Crim
Tartary. Here, as their animals were tired, and the cavaliers hungry,
they stopped and refreshed at an hostel. I could make a chapter of this
if I were like some writers, but I like to cram my measure tight down,
you see, and give you a great deal for your money, and, in a word, they
had some bread and cheese and ale upstairs on the balcony of the inn.
As they were drinking, drums and trumpets sounded nearer and nearer,
the marketplace was filled with soldiers, and His Royal Highness looking
forth, recognised the Paflagonian banners, and the Paflagonian national
air which the bands were playing.
The troops all made for the tavern at once, and as they came up Giglio
exclaimed, on beholding their leader, "Whom do I see? Yes!--no! It
is, it is!--Phoo!--No, it can't be! Yes! it is my friend, my gallant
faithful veteran, Captain Hedzoff! Ho, Hedzoff! Knowest thou not thy
Prince, thy Giglio? Good Corporal, methinks we once were friends. Ha,
Sergeant, an my memory serves me right, we have had many a bout at
singlestick."
"I' faith, we have, a many, good my Lord," says the Sergeant.
"Tell me, what means this mighty armament," continued His Royal Highness
from the balcony, "and whither march my Paflagonians?"
Hedzoff's head fell. "My Lord," he said, "we march as the allies of
great Padella, Crim Tartary's monarch."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account