fixing his keen eyes attentively on the beggar. "You have been well fed, and you have been fresh clothed from top to toe. Now, I don't want you to go to Buda; for you see I am here, and have seen the governor myself. But you remember what I said to you outside Mr. Samson's castle? Well, that shall be the first piece of work you do. I will give you six months, and if you can get inside and bring me word what goes on there, I'll make a man of you. You shall have money to buy anything you may want, and a leather knapsack with linen and all you will want for the journey—for you will have to go on foot. You shall have a horse some day, never fear, if you turn out as I expect;[Pg 31] but it would only be in your way now. Well, what do you say?" [Pg 31] The lad knew now that he was in the presence of the king, and Matthias thought all the more highly of him for the way in which he received his dangerous commission. He made no hasty promises, but evidently weighed his words before he spoke. "Mr. King," said he (for 'Mr.' is used in Hungary in speaking to any one of whatever degree, and people say 'Mr. Duke' or 'Mr. Bishop,' as they do in French)—"Mr. King, God preserve Your Highness, and give you a thousand times as much as you have given to a poor boy like me. I vow"—and here the beggar raised his right hand—"I vow that I will do all I can; and if God keeps me in health and strength, and preserves my senses, I hope to bring Your Highness news of Mr. Samson six months hence, in Buda." "That's enough," said the king. "Meantime I too shall see what I can do. I shall give Mr. Samson the chance of mending his ways if he will. God be with you on your journey, Miska." Then putting his hand on the boy's shoulder, he said kindly, "Good-bye, then, till we meet in Buda." [Pg 32] [Pg 32] CHAPTER III. "TOUCH ME AT YOUR PERIL!" "TOUCH ME AT YOUR PERIL!" King Matthias had been elected to the throne of Hungary in 1457, when he was at most but eighteen years old. But if any of the great nobles fancied that they were going to do just as they liked with him because he was so young, they soon found themselves very much mistaken. He speedily dismissed the governor who had been appointed to look after him and the kingdom for the first five years; and having once taken the reins into his
Prev.
Back
Top