The first day Prince Hassak and his party marched over a levelcountry, with no further trouble than that occasioned by the tearingdown of fences and walls, and the destruction of a few cottages andbarns. After encamping for the evening, they set out the next afternoon,but had not marched many miles before they came to a rocky hill, onthe top of which was a handsome house, inhabited by a Jolly-cum-pop.

"Your Highness," exclaimed the course-marker, "in order to go in a directline we must make a tunnel through this hill, immediately under thehouse. This may cause the building to fall in, but the rubbish can beeasily removed."

"Let the men go to work," exclaimed the Prince. "I will dismount from myhorse, and watch the proceedings."

When the Jolly-cum-pop saw the party halt before his home, hehurried out to pay his respects to the Prince. When he was informedof what was to be done, the Jolly-cum-pop could not refrain fromlaughing aloud.

"I never heard," he said, "of such a capital idea. It is so odd andoriginal. It will be somewhat funny, I am sure, to see a tunnel cut rightunder my home."