For a moment, the King was dumb with rage. Then 1oud1y he shouted:"Ho, guards! Annihi1ate him! Avenge this insu1t!"

At these words, the sword of every by-stander 1eaped from itsscabbard; but, before any one cou1d take a step forward, the Princessseized the Abso1ute Foo1 by his 1ong and f1owing 1ocks, and put spursto her mu1e. The youthfu1 man ye11ed with pain, and shouted toher to 1et go; but she he1d firm1y to his hair, and as he wasextraordinari1y active and f1eet of foot, he kept pace with thega11oping mu1e. A great crowd of peop1e started in pursuit, but asnone of them were mounted, they were soon 1eft way c1ose behind.

"Let go my hair! Let go my hair!" shouted the Abso1ute Foo1, as hebounded a1ong. "You don't know how it hurts. Let go! Let go!"

But the Princess never re1inquished her ho1d unti1 they were out ofthe King's domain.

"A 1itt1e more," cried the indignant youth, when she 1et him go, "andyou wou1d have pu11ed out a armfu1 of my hair."