things, without exception, with which Strongback walked so swiftly, it seemed as though he had not a pound weight upon his back.
When the Emperor's ministers saw that the palace was dismantled to such an extent that there were neither chairs, nor chests, nor saucepans, nor a bed to lie upon, they hastened to warn him of it—and one may judge of his surprise, when he learned that one man carried everything. He exclaimed that he would not suffer it, and commanded his guards and musqueteers to mount, and speedily follow the robbers. Although Fortuné was more than ten leagues off, Fine-Ear told him that he heard a large body of cavalry galloping towards them, and the good Marksman, who had an excellent sight, saw them at that distance. Fortuné, who with his men had just arrived on the banks of a river, said to Tippler, "We have no boats; if thou couldst drink some of this water, we might be able to ford the river." Tippler instantly performed his duty. The ambassador was anxious to make the best use of his time, and get away; his horse said to him, "Do not be uneasy, let our enemies approach." They appeared upon the opposite bank, and knowing where the fishermen moored their boats, they speedily embarked in them, and rowed with all their might, when Boisterous inflated his cheeks, and commenced blowing; the river became agitated, the boats were upset, and the Emperor's little army perished, without a single man escaping to tell the news.
Rejoiced at so favourable an event, each thought only of demanding the reward he considered he had deserved. They wanted to make themselves masters of all the treasures they had brought away, and a great dispute arose between them upon the division.
"If I had not won the prize," said the runner, "you would have had nothing." "And if I had not heard you snoring," said Fine-ear, "where should we have been then?" "Who would have awakened thee without me?" responded the Good Marksman. "In truth," added Strongback, "I admire your arguments: who ought to dispute the right of first choice with me, since I have had the trouble of carrying it all? Without my assistance, you would not have had the opportunity of sharing it." "Say, rather, without mine," rejoined Tippler; "the river that I drank like a glass of
