umfiz got up, and came and sat
down with Queen Pillow and the Princess Chickchick, and several other
lords and ladies. They all looked as if they were waiting for
something, and presently they set up a loud shout as a number of slaves
appeared with large baskets on their heads, dripping with water. I
watched what was to be done, when I saw the king lean back, and a slave
pull out a live fish from the basket, which he clapped into his
majesty's mouth. The fish wriggled his tail about a little, and the
king rolled his eyes with delight till it slipped down his throat, and
then he rubbed the region to which it had descended, as if it had
afforded him the highest satisfaction.

"The queen's turn came next, and I thought she would have been choked
with the size of the fish, which went wriggling all alive down her
throat. The courtiers were next allowed to enjoy the same luxury, while
little Chickchick and the ladies-in-waiting amused themselves by letting
handfuls of prawns playfully skip down their throats. After a little
time the king made signs that he was ready for another fish, which in
like manner was let down his throat, and in this way he consumed two or
three dozen live fish (I like to be under the mark), and the queen and
courtiers nearly the same number each. In that country it is the royal
prerogative of the king to eat more than any of his subjects. They were
all much surprised to find that I could not eat the live fish, for as
they thought me a superior being to any of themselves, they fancied that
I could do more than they could. I did try to swallow a few prawns, but
they stuck in my throat, and made me terribly husky for all the rest of
the evening. I, however, soon learned to eat live fish as well as the
best of them, and before I left the island I could swallow one as large
as a tolerable-sized salmon; but then, of course, they had no spikes on
their backs. I once saw the king swallow a conger;--I don't think I
could have managed one myself, but you never know what you can do till
you try.

"After supper the maids of honour and the courtiers got up to have a
dance, and I toed-it and heeled-it with the princess to her heart's
content. Didn't I come the double-shuffle in fine style! No man could
ever beat me in dancing, and when I got a princess for my partner it was
the time to show off. The king was delighted, and asked me at once to
come and put up at his palace, and to bring a few bottles o