relieve
him of the cares of government. To reach all these objects with one
blow, he devised a new piece of jugglery, which did honor at least to
his practical knowledge of stage effect.

CHAPTER XVI.

While from the cathedral yard the trumpet blasts sounded through the
streets as if they were blowing for the last judgment, Hanslein rushed
into Alf's shop in complete armor. 'How, comrade, not yet in armor?'
cried he. 'Arm thyself and thy people quickly. The whole community is
called together to-day, and none should fail to be present.'

'Is the enemy already at the gates?' asked Alf, busily equipping
himself.

'Not quite, this time,' answered Hanslein. 'I hope, too, that the
ceremonies of to-day will go off peaceably. We may, however, expect
important occurrences. The prophet Tuiskoshirer has commanded the king
to hold the sacrament of the Lord's supper at the cathedral, and then
send out his apostles to all parts of the world. The last thought is
not so bad; for the bishop has us enclosed within such narrow limits,
that if the eloquence of our orators does not succeed in bringing us
speedy help from without, it will soon be time to be thinking of a
decent capitulation.'

'As long as our walls stand,' said Alf, 'and we are able to use our
weapons, I do not fear for the city.'

'That is bravely spoken,' said Hanslein, 'but I have already perceived
evidences that the people begin to grow hungry. When starvation once
commences, it will be easy to calculate how long we can keep the city,
and when the strong hands in which you trust will become powerless. So
much do I know of the state of affairs, that I am determined this very
day to cut off my connection with this place, and seek an opportunity
to save myself quietly before the closing of the gates. A good cat
always finds a loop-hole, and, if I may take the liberty, I wish to
give you a friendly invitation to accompany me in my evasion. By
heavens, it is surely better to be off in time, than to stay and starve
here, or in the end to become too intimately acquainted with the tender
mercies of his reverence's bailiff.'

During this conversation Hanslein, with Alf and his men had arrived at
the church yard, through the whole of which were placed immensely long
tables, covered with white cloths. Upon these tables the royal pages
were serving up smoking flesh to the great satisfaction of the men of
Munster, who, to the number of f