The Funny Philosophers, or Wags and Sweethearts. A NovelYellott, George
General
The Funny Philosophers, or Wags and Sweethearts. A Novel
Yellott, George
Fiction
The other knights, emulating the example of their illustrious leader,
were charging the governor's staff. The Knight of Cunopolis headed the
onset; and after dismounting two captains and one colonel, the three
valorous knights, with an amazing clatter of hoofs, went off after
Richard the Lion-hearted.
His Excellency was astounded at this novel manner of conducting a
tournament; but, being admirably mounted and fond of excitement, he
galloped off with a portion of his staff in pursuit of the fugitive
knights. About a mile on the road his horse leaped over Ivanhoe, who had
sought repose on the bosom of his mother earth. Farther on the valorous
Knight of Glenbetsy was seen floundering among the frogs in a pond of
water. They now came in sight of the Knight of Cunopolis, who was going
along at a furious speed, still carrying his pole in his hand, when down
went his horse in a gully. Leaving one of his staff to assist the fallen
hero, on went his Excellency in pursuit of Richard the Lion-hearted.
Reaching the top of an eminence, he beheld Richard on his white charger
riding along at a terrific speed. His Excellency, who was a famous
fox-hunter, now stood in his stirrups and shouted, "Tallyho! tallyho!"
and then applied whip and spur with redoubled vigor.
They soon crossed a stream which formed the boundary of two counties.
Richard was now hidden from their view by an angle in the road; and when
their panting and foam-covered horses had galloped another mile, they
beheld him lying on the ground by the side of his gallant charger. Old
Whitey had fallen, thoroughly exhausted; and Richard, dismounted at
last, now lay in the road, gasping for breath, but still grasping his
long pole.
When he had been restored to consciousness, his Excellency complimented
him on his admirable horsemanship, and said that the chase had afforded
him fully as much enjoyment as he had ever found in the most exciting
fox-hunt.
In the afternoon of the same day, as Rosabel and Ida were seated on the
porch of the Widow Wild's mansion, in company with Toney and Tom, they
beheld, on the road leading to Mapleton, a procession of people on
horseback following a carriage, in which were seated a Caucasian and an
African.
"What is that?" said Rosabel. "It looks like a funeral."
"Nothing like a funeral," said Toney, who had applied an opera-glass to
his eye.
"What can it be?" asked Rosabel.
"A triumphal procession in honor of Richard Plantagenet," said Toney.
"The governor and his staff are conducting him back to the town.
Richard's chariot is driven by an Ethiopian, and another African is
leading his white charger, which seems much exhausted."
"I do wonder what made those horses run away with the knights?" said
Rosabel.
"We have made the discovery," said the widow, coming on the porch in
company with the Professor. "It was just as I had predicted. That Barney
Bates was at the bottom of the mischief."
"What did he do?" asked Rosabel.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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