Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 9, 1895 - Romances Volume II

PLAYS HAROUN-AL-RASCHID
parts, and curious about the Prince, I do believe
that story might divert him. This Kuno, you must
know, sir, is one of the hunt servants, and a most
ignorant, intemperate man : a right Griinewalder, as
we say in Gerolstein. We know him well, in this
house ; for he has come as far as here after his stray
dogs ; and I make all welcome, sir, without account
of state or nation. And indeed, between Gerolstein
and Griinewald the peace has held so long that the
roads stand open like my door ; and a man will
make no more of the frontier than the very birds
themselves.'
' Ay,' said Otto, ' it has been a long peace — a peace
of centuries.'
' Centuries, as you say,' returned Killian : * the
more the pity that it should not be for ever. Well,
sir, this Kuno was one day in fault, and Otto, who
has a quick temper, up with his whip and thrashed
him, they do say, soundly. Kuno took it as best he
could, but at last he broke out, and dared the Prince
to throw his whip away and wrestle like a man ; for
we are all great at wrestling in these parts, and it 's
so that we generally settle our disputes. Well, sir,
the Prince did so ; and, being a weakly creature,
found the tables turned ; for the man whom he had
just been thrashing like a negro slave, lifted him
with a back grip and threw him heels overhead.'
' He broke his bridle-arm,' cried Fritz — ' and some
say his nose. Serve him right, say I ! Man to man,
which is the better at that ? '
' And then ? ' asked Otto.
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