“Lord knows,” answer’d his brother. “I for one was never this way before.” “Indeed, your Highnesses be only drunk,” said I, “and able at that to sign the order that I shall ask you for.” “An order!” “To pass the city gates to-night.” “Oh, stop him somebody,” groan’d Prince Rupert: “my head is whirling.” “With your leave,” I explain’d, pouring out another glassful: “tis the simplest matter, and one that a child could understand. You see, this young man was kill’d, and they charg’d me with it; so away I ran, and the Watch after me; and therefore I wish to pass the city gates. And as I may have far to travel, and gave my last groat to a thief for hoisting me over Master Carter’s wall—” “A thief—my wall!” repeated Master Carter. “Oh well is thy poor mother in her grave!” “—Why, therefore I came for money,” I wound up, sipping the wine, and nodding to all present. ’Twas at this moment that, catching my eye, the Prince Maurice slapp’d his leg, and leaning back, broke into peal after peal of laughter. And in a moment his brother took the jest also; and there we three sat and shook, and roar’d unquenchably round Master Carter, who, staring blankly from one to another, sat gaping, as though the last alarm were sounding in his ears. “Oh! oh! oh! Hit me on the back, Maurice!” “Oh! oh! I cannot—’tis killing me—Master Carter, for pity’s sake, look not so; but pay the lad his money.” “Your Highness——” “Pay it I say; pay it: ’tis fairly won.” “Fifty pounds!” “Every doit,” said I: “I’m sick of schooling.” “Be hang’d if I do!” snapp’d Master Carter. “Then be hang’d, sir, but all the town shall hear to-morrow of the frog and the pool! No, sir: I am off to see the world—— “‘Says he: “This is better than moping in school!”’” “Your Highnesses,” pleaded the unhappy man, “if, to please you, I sang that idiocy, which, for fifty years now, I had forgotten——” “Exc’ll’nt shong,” says Prince Rupert, waking up; “less have’t again!” * * * * * To be short, ten o’clock was striking from St. Mary’s spire when, with a prince on either side of me, and thirty guineas in my pocket (which was all the loose gold he had), I walked forth from Master Carter’s door. To make up the deficiency, their highnesses had insisted on furnishing me with a suit made up from the simplest in their joint wardrobes—riding-boots, breeches, buff-coat, sash, pistols, cloak, and feather’d hat, all of which fitted me excellently well. By the doors of Christ Church, before we came to the south gate, Prince Rupert, who had been staggering in his walk, suddenly pull’d up, and leaned against the wall. “Why—odd’s my life—we’ve forgot a horse for him!” he cried. “Indeed, your Highness,” I answered, “if my luck holds the same, I shall find one by the road.” (How true this turned out you shall presently hear.)