arcely had the
last word been uttered when the knight Chrudis, who, as first-born,
claimed the estate for himself, sprang excitedly to his feet, mocking
and insulting the princess. "Poor people," he said, addressing the
assembly, "I am sorry for you who have to be ruled over by a girl."

Deeply grieved, the maiden-princess Libuscha rose, explaining that she
would no longer rule alone. She commanded the people to choose her a
husband.

"No matter whom you choose," she declared, "I will abide by your
decision."

Thereupon the assembled subjects cried out that they would have Pungel
of Hadio as prince; and Libuscha, stepping toward him, extended her hand
to him in token of her agreement.

Thus did Pungel become the liege lord of the Bohemian nobles.

No one knows how long ago all this happened, for the manuscript that
tells the story was very old when it was discovered in the year 1817. It
had lain for many, many years among other old documents in the great
chests that lined the walls of the courtroom in the ancient Castle
Gruenberg in Bohemia. The manuscript is now in a great museum in Prague,
and perhaps, some day, when you go there, you will see it for yourself.

COUNT ROLAND OF FRANCE

The trumpets sounded and the army went on its way to France. The next
day King Charles called his lords together. "You see," said he, "these
narrow passes. Whom shall I place to command the rear-guard? Choose you
a man yourselves."

Said Ganelon, "Whom should we choose but my son-in-law, Count Roland?
You have no man in your host so valiant. Of a truth he will be the
salvation of France."

The King said when he heard these words, "What ails you, Ganelon? You
look like to one possessed."

When Count Roland knew what was proposed concerning him, he spake out as
a true knight should speak: "I am right thankful to you, father-in-law,
that you have caused me to be put in this place. Of a truth the King of
France shall lose nothing by my means, neither charger, nor mule, nor
pack-horse, nor beast of burden."

Then Roland turned to the King and said, "Give me twenty thousand only,
so they be men of valor, and I will keep the passes in all safety. So
long as I shall live, you need fear no man."

Then Roland mounted his horse. With him were Oliver, his comrade, and
Otho and Berenger, and Gerard of Roussillon, an aged warrior, and
others, men of renown. And Turpin the Archbishop cried, "By my head, I
will go also." So they