Krilof and His Fables [Tr.] by W.R.S. Ralston (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 edition. Excerpt: ... A NUMBER of carp dwelt in the clear spring-water of a lake in a Seigneur's garden. In shoals they used to sport near the banks, and all their days, it seemed, went by like days of gold. But suddenly the Seigneur orders a number of pike to be put in the pond with them. "Excuse me " says a friend of his, who heard of that, "excuse me, but what can you be intending to do? What good thing can ever come of a pike? Not a fin will be left of the carp to a certainty. Can it be that you don't know how voracious pike are?" "Don't waste your words," smilingly answers the Seigneur. "I 'm well aware of all that. But I should like to know what makes you think that I am fond of carp?" THE HIGHWAYMAN AND THE WAGGONER. ONE day, towards nightfall, a Highwayman was lying in wait for booty in a thickst, at a little distance from a road. And as a hungry bear looks out from its den, so did he gaze gloomily into the distance. Presently he sees a lumbering waggon come rolling on like a wave. "Ah " whispers our Highwayman. "Laden, no doubt, with goods for the fair: nothing but cloth, and damask, and brocade, to a certainty. Don't stand gaping at it: there you'll get wherewithal to live. Ah , this day will not be lost for me " Meanwhile the waggon arrives. "Stop " cries the robber, and flings himself upon the driver, cudgel in hand. But, unluckily for him, it was no mere lubberly lad he had to do with. The Waggoner was a strapping youth, who confronted the malefactor with a big stick, and defended his goods like a mountain. Our hero was obliged to fight hard for his prey. The battle was long and fierce. The robber lost a dozen teeth, and had an arm smashed and an eye knocked out. But, in spite of all this, he remained the victor. The malefactor killed the...