have one."
"I see," said Bladud, still in a meditative mood. "There would have tobe a succession of ponds alongside of the hot stream, with leads to letthe water in--"
"And other leads to let the overflow out," suggested the practicalArkal.
"Just so. And booths around the ponds for people to dry themselves anddress in. Ha!" exclaimed the prince, smiting his knee with his hand."I see a great thing in this--a thing that will benefit mankind as longas disease shall afflict them--as long as the hot waters flow!"
He looked round on his friends with an air of combined solemnity andtriumph. The solemnity without the triumph marked the faces of hisfriends as they returned the look in profound silence, for they allseemed to feel that the prince was in a state of exaltation, and thatsomething approaching to the nature of a prophecy had been uttered.
For a few moments they continued to gaze at each other--then there was ageneral sigh, as if a matter of great importance had been finallysettled, and the silence was at last broken by little Maikar solemnlydemanding another rib of roast-beef.
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
MORE PLOTS AND PLANS.
Having laid the foundations of the new town, drawn out his plans and sethis men to work, Bladud appointed Captain Arkal superintendent, and setout on his quest after his lost friend Cormac, taking Dromas and Maikaralong with him and four of the men--one of them being Konar the hunter.Brownie was also an important member of the party, for his master hopedmuch from his power of scent.
Meanwhile Cormac--alias Branwen, _alias_ the little old woman--forsookthe refuge of the Hebrew's house, and, in her antique capacity, paid avisit one afternoon to the palace of Hudibras.
"Here comes that deaf old witch again," said the domestic who hadformerly threatened to set the dogs at her.
"Yes," remarked the old woman when she came up to the door, "and the oldwitch has got her hearing again, my sweet-faced young man--got it backin a way, too, that, if you only heard how, would make your hair standon end, your eyes turn round, and the very marrow in your spine shrivelup. Go and tell the princess I want to see her."
"Oh!" replied the domestic with a faint effort at a sneer, for he was abold man, though slightly superstitious.
"Oh!" echoed the old woman. "Yes, and tell her that if she keeps mewaiting I'll bring the black cloud of the Boong-jee-gop over the palace,and that will bring you all to the condition of wishing that yourgrandmothers had never been born. Young man--go!"
This was too much for that domestic. The unheard-of horrors of theBoong-jee-gop, coupled with the tremendous energy of the final "go!" wasmore than he could stand. He went--meekly.
"Send her to me directly," said Hafrydda, and the humiliated servitorobeyed.
"Dearest Branwen!" exclaimed the princess, throwing back the old woman'sshawl, straightening her up, and hugging her when they were alone, "howlong you have been coming! Where have you been? Why have you forsakenme? And _I_ have such quantities of news to tell you--but, what hasbecome of your hair?"
"I cut it short after I fell into the hands of robbers--"
"Robbers!" exclaimed the princess.
"Yes--I shall tell you all about my adventures presently--and you haveno idea what difficulty I had in cutting it, for the knife was so bluntthat I had to cut and pull at it a whole afternoon. But it had to bedone, for I meant to personate a boy--having stolen a boy's huntingdress for that purpose. Wasn't it fun to rob the robbers? And then--and then--I found your brother--"
"_You_ found Bladud?"
"Yes, and--and--but I'll tell you all about that too presently. It isenough to say that he is alive and well--sickness almost, if not quite,gone. I _was_ so sorry for him."
"Dear Branwen!" said the princess, with an emphatic oral demonstration.
Hafrydda was so loving and tender and effusive, and, withal, so veryfair, that her friend could not help gazing at her in admiration.
"No wonder I love him," said Branwen.
"Why?" asked the princess, much amused at the straightforward gravitywith which this was said.
"Because he is as like you as your own image in a brazen shield--onlyfar better-looking."
"Indeed, your manners don't seem to have been improved by a life in thewoods, my Branwen."
"Perhaps not. I never heard of the woods being useful for that end.Ah, if you had gone through all that I have suffered--the--the--but whatnews have you got to tell me?"
"Well, first of all," replied the princess, with that comfortable,interested manner which some delightful people assume when about to makerevelations, "sit down beside me and listen--and don't open your eyestoo wide at first else there will be no room for further expansion atlast."
Hereupon the princess entered on a minute account of various doings atthe court, which, however interesting they were to Branwen, are notworthy of being recorded here. Among other things, she told her of arumour that was going about to the effect that an old witch had beenseen occasionally in the neighbourhood of Beniah's residence, and thatall the people in the town were more or less afraid of going near theplace either by day or night on that account.
Of course the girls had a hearty laugh over this. "Did they say whatthe witch was like?" asked Branwen.
"O yes. People have given various accounts of her--one being that sheis inhumanly ugly, that fire comes out of her coal-black eyes, and thatshe has a long tail. But now I come to my most interesting piece ofnews--that will surprise you most, I think--your father Gadarn is here!"
Branwen received this piece of news with such quiet indifference thather friend was not only disappointed but amazed.
"My dear," she asked, "why do you not gasp, `My father!' and lift youreyebrows to the roots of your hair?"
"Because I know that he is here."
"Know it!"
"Yes--know it. I have seen him, as well as your brother, and fatherknows that _I_ am here."
"Oh! you deceiver! That accounts, then, for the mystery of his mannerand the strange way he has got of going about chuckling when there isnothing funny being said or done--at least nothing that I can see!"
"He's an old goose," remarked her friend.
"Branwen," said the princess in a remonstrative tone, "is that the wayto speak of your own father?"
"He's a dear old goose, then, if that will please you better--the verynicest old goose that I ever had to do with. Did he mention Bladud toyou?"
"Yes, he said he had seen him, and been helped by him in a fight theyseemed to have had at the Hot Swamp, but we could not gather much fromhim as to the dear boy's state of health, or where he lived, or what hemeant to do. He told us, however, of a mysterious boy who had nursedhim in sickness, and who had somehow been lost or captured, and thatpoor Bladud was so fond of the boy that he had remained behind to searchfor him. I now know," added the princess with a laugh, "who this dearboy is, but I am greatly puzzled still about some of his doings andintentions."
"Listen, then, Hafrydda, and I will tell you all." As we have alreadytold the reader all, we will not tell it over again, but leap at once tothat point where the princess asked, at the close of the narrative, whather friend intended to do.
"That," said Branwen with a perplexed look and a sigh, "is really morethan I can tell you at present. You see, there are some things that Iam sure of and some things that I am not quite so sure of, but that Imust find out somehow. For instance, I am quite sure that I love yourbrother more than any man in the world. I am also quite sure that he isthe bravest, handsomest, strongest, best, and most unselfish man thatever lived--much about the same as my father, except that, beingyounger, he is handsomer, though I have no doubt my father was asgood-looking as he when he was as young. Then I am also quite sure thatBladud is very fond of the boy Cormac, but--I am not at all sure that hewill love the girl Branwen when he sees her."
"But _I_ am sure of it--quite sure," said the princess, demonstratingorally again.
At this there was a slight sound near the door of the apa
rtment in whichthis confidential talk was held, which induced Branwen to spring up andfling it wide open, thus disclosing the lately humiliated servitor withthe blush of guilt upon his brow.
"Enter!" cried the princess, in an imperious tone, looking up at theman, who was unusually tall and limp.
The servitor obeyed.
"Sit down," said the princess, with a view to get the tall man's head ona level with her blue indignant eyes. "Have you heard much?"
"Not much," answered the man, with intense humility. "I heard only avery little at the end, and that so imperfectly that I don't think I canremember it--I really don't."
"Now, listen," said the princess, with a look that was intended toscorch. "You know my father."
"Indeed I do,--have known him ever since I was a boy."
"Well, if you ever breathe a word of what you have seen or heard, orwhat you think you have seen or heard to-day, to any one, I will set myfather at you, and that, as you know, will mean roasting alive over aslow fire at the very least."
"And," said Branwen, advancing and shaking her forefinger within an inchof the man's nose, "I will set _my_ father at you, which will mean slowtorture for hours. Moreover, I will set the Boong-jee-gop on yourtrack, and that will mean--no, I won't say what. It is too horribleeven to mention!"
"Now--go!" said the princess, pointing to the door.
The servitor went with an air of profound abasement, which changed intoa look of complicated amusement when he got out of sight.
"He is quite safe," said the princess, "not that I count much on hisfear, for he is as brave as a she-wolf with whelps, and fears nothing,but I know he likes me."
"I think he likes me too," said Branwen, thoughtfully. "Besides, I feelsure that the Boong-jee-gop has some influence over him. Yes, I thinkwe are safe."
"Well, now," she continued, resuming the interrupted conversation, "itseems to me that the only course open to me is to appear to Bladud as agirl some day, and see if he recognises me. Yet I don't quite like it,for, now that it is all past and he is well again, I feel half ashamedof the part I have played--yet how could I help it when I saw the poorfellow going away to die--alone!"
"You could not help it, dear, and you should not wish it were otherwise.Now, never mind what you feel about it, but let us lay our headstogether and consider what is to be done. You think, I suppose, thatBladud may go on for a long time searching for this youth Cormac?"
"Yes, for a very long time, and he'll _never_ find him," replied Branwenwith a merry laugh.
"Well, then, we must find some means of getting him home without lettinghim know why we want him," continued the princess.
"Just so, but that won't be easy," returned the other with a significantlook, "for he is _very_ fond of Cormac, and won't easily be made to giveup looking for him."
"You conceited creature, you are too sure of him."
"Not at all. Only as Cormac. I wish I were sure of him as Branwen!"
"Perchance he might like you best as the little old woman in grey."
"It may be so. I think he liked me even as a witch, for he patted myshoulder once so kindly."
"I'll tell you what--I'll go and consult father," said the princess.
"No, you shan't, my dear, for he is not to know anything about it justyet. But I will go and consult _my_ father. He will give me goodadvice, I know."
The result of Branwen's consultation with her father was that the Hebrewwas summoned to his presence. An explanation took place, during whichGadarn attempted to look grave, and dignified, as became a notednorthern chief, but frequently turned very red in the face and ventedcertain nasal sounds, which betrayed internal commotion.
"You will therefore start for the Hot Swamp to-morrow, Beniah," hefinally remarked, "and let Bladud know that the king desires his returnto court immediately. I have been told by the king to send him thismessage. But keep your own counsel, Hebrew, and be careful not to letthe prince know what _you_ know, else it will go ill with you! Tellhim, from myself, that I have at last fallen on the tracks of the ladCormac, and that we are almost sure to find him in this neighbourhood.Away, and let not thy feet take root on the road."
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.
BRANWEN VISITS GUNRIG.
Before going off on his mission the Hebrew paid a visit to his ownresidence, where he found Branwen busy with culinary operations.Sitting down on a stool, he looked at her with an expression of mingledamusement and perplexity.
"Come hither, my girl," he said, "and sit beside me while I reveal thestraits to which you have brought me. Verily, a short time ago I haddeemed it impossible for any one to thrust me so near to the verge offalsehood as you have done!"
"I, Beniah?" exclaimed the maiden, with a look of surprise on her prettyface so ineffably innocent that it was obviously hypocritical--insomuchthat Beniah laughed, and Branwen was constrained to join him.
"Yes--you and your father together, for the puzzling man hascommissioned me to set out for the Hot Swamp, to tell Bladud that he isurgently wanted at home. And he would not even allow me to open mylips, when I was about to broach the subject of your disguises, althoughhe almost certainly knows all about them--"
"What! my father knows?" interrupted Branwen, with raised eyebrows.
"Yes, and you know that he knows, and he knows that I know, and we allknow that each other knows, and why there should be any objection thatevery one should know is more than I can--"
"Never mind, Beniah," interrupted the girl, with the slightest possiblesmile. "You are a dear, good old creature, and I know you won't betrayme. Remember your solemn promise."
"Truly I shall not forget it soon," replied the Hebrew, "for the troubleit has cost me already to compose answers that should not be lies isbeyond your light-hearted nature to understand."
"Ah! yes, indeed," rejoined Branwen, with a sigh of mock humility, "Iwas always very lighthearted by nature. The queen used frequently totell me so--though she never said it was by `nature,' and the kingagreed with her--though by the way he used to laugh, I don't think hethought light-heartedness to be _very_ naughty. But come, Beniah, I amlonging to hear what my father commissioned you to say or do."
"Well, he was very particular in cautioning me _not_ to tell what Iknow--"
"Ah! that knowledge, what a dreadful thing it is to have too much of it!Well, what more?"
"He told me what I have already told you, and bid me add from himselfthat he has fallen on the tracks of the lad Cormac, and that he is sureto be found in this neighbourhood."
"That, at least, will be no lie," suggested the maid.
"I'm not so sure of that, for the lad Cormac will never be found here oranywhere else, having no existence at all."
Branwen laughed at this and expressed surprise. "It seems to me," shesaid, "that age or recent worries must have touched your brain, Beniah,for if the lad Cormac has no existence at all, how is it possible thatyou could meet with him at the Hot Swamp, and even make a solemn promiseto him."
Beniah did not reply to this question, but rose to make preparation forhis journey. Then, as if suddenly recollecting something that hadescaped him, he returned to his seat.
"My child," he said, "I have that to tell you which will make you sad--unless I greatly misunderstand your nature. Gunrig, your enemy, isdying."
That the Hebrew had not misunderstood Branwen's nature was evident, fromthe genuine look of sorrow and sympathy which instantly overspread hercountenance.
"Call him not my enemy!" she exclaimed. "An enemy cannot love! But,tell me about him. I had heard the report that he was recovering."
"It was the report of a sanguine mother who will not believe that hisend is so near; but she is mistaken. I saw him two days ago. Thearrow-head is still rankling in his chest, and he knows himself to bedying."
"Is he much changed in appearance?" asked Branwen.
"Indeed he is. His great strength is gone, and he submits to be treatedas a child--yet he is by no means childish. The
manliness of his strongnature is left, but the boastfulness has departed, and he looks death inthe face like a true warrior; though I cannot help thinking that ifchoice had been given him he would have preferred to fall by the swordof Bladud, or some doughty foe who could have given him a more summarydismissal from this earthly scene."
"Beniah, I will visit him," said Branwen, suddenly brushing back herhair with both hands, and looking earnestly into the Hebrew's face.
"That will be hard for you to do and still keep yourself concealed."
"Nothing will be easier," replied the girl, with some impatience; "youforget the old woman's dress. I will accompany you as far as hisdwelling. It is only an easy day's journey on foot from here."
"But, my child, I go on horseback; and I am to be supplied with only onehorse."
"Well, my father, that is no difficulty; for I will ride and you shallwalk. You will bring the horse here instead of starting straight fromthe palace. Then we will set off together, and I will gallop on inadvance. When you reach Gunrig's house in the evening, you will findthe horse fed and rested, and ready for you to go on."
"But how will you return, child?"
"By
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