Bright-Wits, Prince of Mogadore | Page 2

mountains, and passing
through, emerged on a wide plain. Far to the north they could discern
the golden towers of an immense palace rising high above a large and
prosperous city. Thither they pursued their way, entering at last the
great gate in the outer walls they proceeded through the city,
Bright-Wits constantly pausing to exclaim at the size and magnificence
of the buildings; which surpassed those of his father's capital as gold
surpasses copper.
Arriving before the palace, Bright-Wits dismounted, and advanced,
accompanied only by Ablano. As they neared the magnificent edifice
they descried, seated upon a low porch, the figure of a fat and oily
looking old man, wearing on his head a huge turban topped with a
golden crown which was surmounted by a ruby large as a peacock's egg.
The stranger was puffing at his hookah and listening with disdain to the
words of a young maiden of marvellous beauty; who vainly essayed to
call his attention to the approach of the prince and Ablano. To the right
of the porch was suspended a great Mankalah rug made in the pattern
of a large checker board; but which on closer inspection appeared to be
imperfectly put together, as several of the squares were missing.
Ablano, approaching the stranger, made obeisance and said, "Know,
thou Illustrious One, that we are two travellers who, having heard of
the glory of your kingdom, seek your permission to dwell therein for a
brief space, that going hence to our own land, we may bring to our
people the tale of your splendour and greatness."
The fat stranger, turning his beady black eyes on Ablano, made answer

in surly fashion. "Think you that this palace is naught but a tavern for
the entertainment of stray mendicants?"
He would have continued had not Bright-Wits interrupted him, angrily
exclaiming, "Know, thou surly hind, that I am Bright-Wits, Prince of
Mogadore, and that yonder holy man, who honours me in being my
guide and father as I travel in search of knowledge and adventure, is
Ablano the Brahman, whose virtues are as many as the sands in the
great desert of Gobi, and the fame of whose wisdom reaches all men as
the rays of the sun at noon."
Now the fat stranger, alarmed by the fierce outburst of the prince,
scrambled hastily to his feet, and with profuse apologies welcomed the
travellers and bade them recline upon the porch while he summoned
attendants and refreshments. When their ungracious host had retired,
the damsel turned upon Bright-Wits a face which outshone the sun in
its splendour, and thus addressed him.
"Know, O prince, that I am the Princess Azalia, and that this great
palace, and the city and country for ten days' journey in every direction,
formed the kingdom of my father the Great Onalba, Rajah of Parrabang.
Here my days passed as in Paradise, until one year ago, when my loved
parent suddenly disappeared. At first no alarm was felt, for he was
wondrous wise, and fond of secluding himself from men that he might
study in peace and quietness. When, however, a month passing saw not
his return, the Vizier Garrofat, he who was but now upon the porch,
nicknamed the 'Old Woman,' because of his beardless face, called the
Council of Emirs together; whereupon it was solemnly decreed that my
beloved father had departed from this life. Now, I being a maid, and
moreover barely sixteen, could not govern in his stead, and Garrofat
had himself declared Regent until I should have arrived at the age of
eighteen years, by virtue of a decree which he claimed to have received
from the Rajah, my father. Now, moreover, this decree gave Garrofat
the right to accept as a husband for me any suitor who succeeded in
performing certain tasks, first of which was the repairing of the great
Mankalah rug hanging here beside you.
"You can see, O prince, that it is made up of separate pieces, each

containing from three to five squares, fourteen pieces in all. They must
be cut apart and rearranged so as to form a perfect checker board."
"But there are empty spaces, and I can see but thirteen pieces here,"
objected Bright-Wits.
"The missing piece hangs here at the side of the steps, and, as you see,
contains three squares," explained Azalia.
"This surely can be no difficult task to be so richly rewarded," cried
Bright-Wits.
"Then accomplish it, thou Clever One," laughed Azalia.
_The reader who wishes to learn what chance Bright-Wits has of
winning the promised reward, should cut out the rug on page at the
back of the book, and try the task himself. Cut with a scissors or sharp
knife along the heavy lines._
[Illustration: THE RUG.]
[Illustration: THE RUG.]
[Illustration: THE RUG.]
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