Olympian Nights
man of a sedentary occupation. How many miles have we walked?"

   "Oh, about forty-three," he said, calmly. "A short distance, your Excellency."

   "Very—very short," said I, rubbing my aching calves. "In my own country I make a practice of walking at least a hundred every day. It's quite a pleasing stroll from my home in New York over to Philadelphia and back. I hope I shall be able to show it you some day."

   "It will be altogether charming, Excellency," said he. "Shall we—ah—walk back to Athens now, or would you prefer to rest here for the night?"

   "I—I guess I'll stay here, Hippopopolis," I replied. "This seems to be a very comfortable sort of a mountain in front of us, and the air is soft. Suppose we rest in the soothing shade for the night? It would be quite an adventure."

   "As your Excellency wishes," he replied, tossing a bowlder into the air and catching it with ease as it came down. "It is not often done, but it is for you to say."

   "What mountain is it, Hippopopolis?" I asked, turning and gazing at the eminence before us.

   "It is Mount Olympus," he answered.

   "What?" I cried. "Not the home of the gods?"

   "The very same, your Excellency,"

   he acquiesced. "At least, that is the report. It is commonly stated hereabouts that the god-trust has its headquarters here. As for myself, I have explored its every nook and cranny, but I never saw any gods on it. It's my private opinion that they've moved away; though there be those who claim that it is still occupied by the former rulers of destiny living incog. like other well-born rogues who desire to avoid notoriety."

   Hippopopolis is a decided democrat in his views, and has less respect for the King than he has for the peasant.

   "I shouldn't call them rogues exactly," I ventured. "Some of 'em were a pretty respectable lot. There was Apollo and old Jupiter himself, and—"

   "Oh, you can't tell me anything about them," retorted Hippopopolis. "I haven't been born and bred in this country for nothing, your

   Excellency. They were a bad lot all through. Shall I prepare your supper?"

   "If you please, Hippopopolis," 
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