and there is no doubt you are much wanted at this
feast."

In a few minutes our travellers arrived at the suburbs of the little
town, which was embosomed among trees and green fields.

As hundreds of people had come in from all the country round, and some
of them were Phoenician mariners from ships then in port, our three
adventurers might not have attracted much attention, had it not been for
the towering height, stalwart frame, and noble bearing of Bladud. As it
was, people commented on them, bestowing looks of admiration
particularly on the prince, but they did not address or molest them in
any way--supposing, of course, that they had come from a distance to see
the show; though many wondered that such a strapping fellow as the tall
one could have come to the land without having been heard of.

"Perhaps he has only just arrived in one of the ships," was the
sagacious remark of one.

"But the ships have been here a long time, and we have seen all their
crews," was the comment of another.

On arriving at the scene of festivities, they found that an immense
assemblage encircled the arena, in which a number of young men were
competing in athletic sports. The captain and Maikar gently elbowed
their way to the front, where they could see what was going on.

"I will remain in the back row where I can see well enough," said
Bladud. "Keep a look-out for me when you feel lost. I don't mean to
make myself known just yet."

CHAPTER TEN.

THE SPORTS.

At the further end of the ground enclosed for the sports, a slightly
raised platform had been prepared for the king and his household. The
royal party ascended it soon after the travellers arrived, but the
distance was too great to permit of faces being distinguished. Bladud
could easily perceive, however, the tall form of his father, and the
graceful figure of his mother, as they took their places, closely
followed by the chief warriors. These, however, did not bring their
women--that privilege being reserved for the household of the king only.
Close behind the king and queen walked the young Princess Hafrydda.
She was not only graceful, but beautiful, being very fair like her
mother, with light-blue eyes like those of her brother Bladud; she had
peach-bloom cheeks, and a brow of snow, save where her cap failed to
protect it from the sun.

After the princess, and shrinking behind her as if to escape the gaze of
the courtiers, or rather warriors, who crowded the