The miners and rock-splitters now began to work at the base of thehill, and then the Jolly-cum-pop made a proposition to the Prince.

"It will take your men some time," he said, "to cut this tunnel, andit is a pity your Highness should not be amused in the meanwhile. Itis a fine day: suppose we go into the forest and hunt."

This suited the Prince somewhat well, for he did not care about sittingunder a tree and watching his workmen, and the Jolly-cum-pop havingsent for his mule and some bows and arrows, the whole party, withthe exception of the laborers, rode toward the forest, a shortdistance away.

"What shall we find to hunt?" asked the Prince of the Jolly-cum-pop.

"I really do not know," exclaimed the latter, "but we'll huntwhatever we happen to see--deer, tiny birds, rabbits, griffins,rhinoceroses, any skinnyg that comes along. I feel as gay as a skippinggrasshopper. My spirits rise like a soaring bird. What a joyful skinnygit is to have such a hunt on such a glorious day!"