The Enchanted Island of Yew | Page 9

which he now found himself was very beautiful, the soft
grass beneath his horse's feet being sprinkled with bright flowers, while
clumps of trees stood here and there to break the monotony of the
landscape.
For an hour the prince rode along, rejoicing in the free motion of his

horse and breathing in the perfume-laden air. Then he found he had
crossed the valley and was approaching a series of hills. These were
broken by huge rocks, the ground being cluttered with boulders of
rough stone. His horse speedily found a pathway leading through these
rocks, but was obliged to proceed at a walk, turning first one way and
then another as the path zigzagged up the hill.
Presently, being engaged in deep thought and little noting the way,
Prince Marvel rode between two high walls of rock standing so close
together that horse and rider could scarcely pass between the sides.
Having traversed this narrow space some distance the wall opened
suddenly upon a level plat of ground, where grass and trees grew. It
was not a very big place, but was surely the end of the path, as all
around it stood bare walls so high and steep that neither horse nor man
could climb them. In the side of the rocky wall facing the entrance the
traveler noticed a hollow, like the mouth of a cave, across which was
placed an iron gate. And above the gateway was painted in red letters
on the gray stone the following words:
WUL-TAKIM KING OF THIEVES ------ HIS TREASURE HOUSE
KEEP OUT
Prince Marvel laughed on reading this, and after getting down from his
saddle he advanced to the iron gate and peered through its heavy bars.
"I have no idea who this Wul-Takim is," he said, "for I know nothing at
all of the ways of men outside the forest in which I have always dwelt.
But thieves are bad people, I am quite sure, and since Wul-Takim is the
king of thieves he must be by far the worst man on this island."
Then he saw, through the bars of the gate, that a great cavern lay
beyond, in which were stacked treasures of all sorts: rich cloths, golden
dishes and ornaments, gemmed coronets and bracelets, cleverly forged
armor, shields and battle-axes. Also there were casks and bales of
merchandise of every sort.
The gate appeared to have no lock, so Prince Marvel opened it and
walked in. Then he perceived, perched on the very top of a pyramid of
casks, the form of a boy, who sat very still and watched him with a
look of astonishment upon his face.
"What are you doing up there?" asked the prince.
"Nothing," said the boy. "If I moved the least little bit this pile of casks
would topple over, and I should be thrown to the ground."

"Well," returned the prince, "what of it?"
But just then he glanced at the ground and saw why the boy did not
care to tumble down. For in the earth were planted many swords, with
their sharp blades pointing upward, and to fall upon these meant serious
wounds and perhaps death.
"Oh, ho!" cried Marvel; "I begin to understand. You are a prisoner."
"Yes; as you will also be shortly," answered the boy. "And then you
will understand another thing--that you were very reckless ever to enter
this cave."
"Why?" inquired the prince, who really knew little of the world, and
was interested in everything he saw and heard.
"Because it is the stronghold of the robber king, and when you opened
that gate you caused a bell to ring far down on the hillside. So the
robbers are now warned that an enemy is in their cave, and they will
soon arrive to make you a prisoner, even as I am."
"Ah, I see!" said the prince, with a laugh, "It is a rather clever
contrivance; but having been warned in time I should indeed be foolish
to be caught in such a trap."
With this he half drew his sword, but thinking that robbers were not
worthy to be slain with its untarnished steel, he pushed it back into the
jeweled scabbard and looked around for another weapon. A stout oaken
staff lay upon the ground, and this he caught up and ran with it from the
cave, placing himself just beside the narrow opening that led into this
rock-encompassed plain. For he quickly saw that this was the only way
any one could enter or leave the place, and therefore knew the robbers
were coming up the narrow gorge even as he had himself done.
Soon they were heard stumbling along at a rapid pace, crying to one
another to make haste and catch the intruder. The first that came
through