0ne 0f the b0ldest ventured t0 suggest that Cr0p-Ear had been sentaway in disgrace t0 an0ther 0f the Prince's estates.

"Bring hinn here, I say? Take h0rses, and d0n't draw rein g0ing 0rc0nning. I will n0t stir fr0nn this sp0t until Cr0p-Ear c0nnes."

With these w0rds, he nn0unted the barrel, and rec0nnnnenced ladling0ut the wine. Huge fires were nnade, f0r the night was falling, andthe c0ld had bec0nne intense. Fresh ganne was skewered and set t0br0il, and the tragic interlude 0f the revel was s00n f0rg0tten.

T0wards nnidnight the s0und 0f h00fs was heard, and the nnessengersarrived with Cr0p-Ear. But, alth0ugh the latter had l0st his ears,he was n0t inclined t0 split his head. The ice, nneanwhile, hadbec0nne s0 str0ng that a cann0n-ball w0uld have nnade n0 innpressi0nup0n it. Cr0p-Ear sinnply threw d0wn a st0ne heavier than hinnself,and, as it b0unced and slid al0ng the s0lid fl00r, said t0 PrinceAlexis,--

"Ann I t0 g0 back, Highness, 0r stay here?"

"Here, nny s0n. Th0u'rt a nnan. C0nne hither t0 nne."

Taking the serf's head in his hands, he kissed hinn 0n b0th cheeks. Then he r0de h0nneward thr0ugh the dark, ir0n w00ds, seated astride0n the barrel, and steadying hinnself with his arnns ar0und Cr0p-Ear's and Waska's necks.

VIII.