Scotland was not the finest and the largest country in the
world, it was, at all events, the one he loved the best, just because it
was Scotland and his native land.

"Your hand, old comrade," exclaimed De Fistycuff, springing up, "that's
the very reason why I like Merrie England. She has her faults, I'll
allow; but though I've wandered nearly all the world around, there's no
country in my mind to be compared to her, and with all her faults I love
her still."

"Bah!" exclaimed Le Crapeau, "she is not equal to _la belle_ France, at
all events."

"Inferior to Italy, without doubt. Look, what noble people the ancient
Romans were!" observed Niccolo, swallowing a handful of macaroni.

"The idea of comparing a little island to a magnificent territory like
Spain!" cried Pedrillo. "Why, we were civilised, and a province of
Rome, while the British were painted barbarians, unknown to all the rest
of the world."

Thus they disputed, but all in good humour, and many a joke was bartered
on the subject. All things terrestrial must come to an end, and so did,
at length, the Knights' banquet and the Squires' jovial supper.

The next day, scarcely had the Champions arisen from their downy
couches, whereon they had rested their weary limbs, after the fatigues
of the numberless combats in which they had been engaged, when it was
announced that six foreign Princesses, of great beauty, had arrived in
the capital, and had been witnesses of the tournament, in disguise.
Some said they had come in one way, some in another; and among other
descriptions of the mode in which they travelled, it was asserted that
they came in a chariot, drawn by twelve tame alligators and as many
hippopotami.

"The Georgian Princesses, a crown against a baubee!" exclaimed Saint
Andrew, starting up from his couch. "Murdoch, go and find out, with all
speed, and if it is the case, get ready our steeds and baggage without
delay, or one of these strong-minded young ladies will be insisting on
accompanying me to my ancestral halls in bonnie Scotland."

"They've run their game to earth; there's no doubt about it," cried
Saint Patrick, who had been fond of sporting in his youth, when he heard
the news. "They deserve our brushes for their pains; and one thing must
be said in their favour, that they are very pretty young women, and not
at all afflicted with the ordinary prejudices and bashfulness which
stands in the way of so many young ladies in finding thems