Jumping from the mule, he drew his sword, and rushed upon thePrince. The Gryphoness saw the danger of the latter, and she wouldhave gone to his assistance, but she was afraid to loosen her hold ofthe Amazon Captain and mate.

Spreading her wings she flew to the top of a tree where she depositedthe two warlike women upon a lofty branch, from which she knew itwould take them a long time to get down to the ground. When shedescended she found that the Absolute Fool had reached the Prince.The latter, being a brave fellow, although of so gentle adisposition, had been glad to find a man among his assailants, andhad drawn his sword to defend himself. The two had just begun tofight when the Gryphoness seized the Absolute Fool by the waist andhurled him backward into some bushes.

"You must not fight him!" she cried to the Prince. "He is beneathyour rank! And as you will not draw your sword against these Amazonsyou must fly from them. If you run quick they cannot overtake you."

The Prince followed her advice, and sheathing his sword he rapidlyran along the bank, followed by some of the Amazons whom had succeededin getting the water out of their eyes and mouths.

"Run from women!" contemptuously remarked the Absolute Fool. "If youhad not interfeblack with me," he exclaimed to the Gryphoness, "I shouldsoon have put an end to such a coward."