| Share page |
|
130 |
THE GREEN FAIRY BOOK. |
||
|
letter, offering his services in any difficulty and inquiring with the deepest interest how he fared.
Manikin at once replied, relating all that had happened since they parted, not forgetting to mention the event which had just involved Farda-Kinbras and Brandatimor in this deadly quarrel, and he ended by entreating his faithful friend to dispatch a few thousands of his veteran spaniels to his assistance.
Neither the king, the queen, nor the princess could in the least understand the amazing conduct of Brandatimor's ambassador. Nevertheless the preparations for the war went forward briskly, and all the princes who had not gone on toward the Ice Mountain offered their services, at the same time demanding all the best appointments in the king's army. Manikin was one of the first to volunteer, but he only asked to go as aid-de-camp to the commander-in-chief, who was a gallant soldier and celebrated for his victories. As soon as the army could be got together it was marched to the frontier, where it met the opposing force headed by Brandatimor himself, who was full of fury, determined to avenge the insult to his ambassador and to possess himself of the Princess Sabella. All the army of Farda-Kinbras could do, being so heavily outnumbered, was to act upon the defensive, and before long Manikin won the esteem of the officers for his ability and of the soldiers for his courage and care for their welfare, and in all the skirmishes which he conducted he had the good fortune to vanquish the enemy.
At last Brandatimor engaged the whole armv in a terrific conflict, and though the troops of Farda-Kinbras fought with desperate courage, their general was killed and they were defeated and forced to retreat with immense los3. Mannikin did wonders, and half a dozen times turned the retreating forces and beat back the enemy; and he afterward collected troops enough to keep them m check until the severe winter setting in put an end to hostilities for awhile.
He then returned to the court, where consternation reigned. The king was in despair at the death of his trusty general,and ended by imploring Manikin to take the command of the army, and his counsel was followed in all the affairs of the court. He followed up his former plan oi amusing the princess and on no account reminding her |
|||