Принц и нищий
A Victim of Treachery
ThelittleKingstood,alertbutatgracefulease,andcaughtandturnedasidethethickrainofblowswithafacilityandprecisionwhichsetthemotleyon-lookerswildwithadmiration;andeverynowandthen,whenhispractisedeyedetectedanopening,andalightning-swiftrapuponHugo’sheadfollowedasaresult,thestormofcheersandlaughterthatswepttheplacewassomethingwonderfultohear.Attheendoffifteenminutes,Hugo,allbattered,bruised,andthetargetforapitilessbombardmentofridicule,slunkfromthefield;andtheunscathedheroofthefightwasseizedandbornealoftupontheshouldersofthejoyousrabbletotheplaceofhonourbesidetheRuffler,wherewithvastceremonyhewascrownedKingoftheGame-Cocks;hismeanertitlebeingatthesametimesolemnlycancelledandannulled,andadecreeofbanishmentfromthegangpronouncedagainstanywhoshouldthenceforthutterit.
AllattemptstomaketheKingserviceabletothetroophadfailed.Hehadstubbornlyrefusedtoact;moreover,hewasalwaystryingtoescape.Hehadbeenthrustintoanunwatchedkitchen,thefirstdayofhisreturn;henotonlycameforthempty-handed,buttriedtorousethehousemates.Hewassentoutwithatinkertohelphimathiswork;hewouldnotwork;moreover,hethreatenedthetinkerwithhisownsoldering-iron;andfinallybothHugoandthetinkerfoundtheirhandsfullwiththemerematterofkeepinghisfromgettingaway.Hedeliveredthethundersofhisroyaltyupontheheadsofallwhohamperedhislibertiesortriedtoforcehimtoservice.
