University of Virginia Library

10.
CHAPTER X.

THE old devil grew tired of waiting for the
good news which he expected the little devils
to bring him. He waited in vain to hear of the
ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of
the emissaries which he had sent to perform
that work for him. After looking around for
some time, and seeing nothing but the three
holes in the ground, he decided that they had
not succeeded in their work and that he would
have to do it himself.

The old devil next went in search of the
brothers, but he could learn nothing of their
whereabouts. After some time he found them
in their different kingdoms, contented and
happy. This greatly incensed the old devil,
and he said, "I will now have to accomplish
their mission myself."

He first visited Simeon the soldier, and ap-
peared before him as a
voyevoda
(general), say-
ing: "You, Simeon, are a great warrior, and I
also have had considerable experience in war-
fare, and am desirous of serving you."

Simeon questioned the disguised devil, and
seeing that he was an intelligent man took him
into his service.

The new General taught Simeon how to
strengthen his army until it became very pow-
erful. New implements of warfare were intro-
duced. Cannons capable of throwing one
hundred balls a minute were also constructed,
and these, it was expected, would be of deadly
effect in battle.

Simeon, on the advice of his new General,
ordered all young men above a certain age to
report for drill. On the same advice Simeon
established gun-shops, where immense numbers
of cannons and rifles were made.

The next move of the new General was to
have Simeon declare war against the neighbor-

ing kingdom. This he did, and with his im-
mense army marched into the adjoining terri-
tory, which he pillaged and burned, destroying
more than half the enemy's soldiers. This so
frightened the ruler of that country that he
willingly gave up half of his kingdom to save
the other half.

Simeon, overjoyed at his success, declared
his intention of marching into Indian territory
and subduing the Viceroy of that country.

But Simeon's intentions reached the ears of
the Indian ruler, who prepared to do battle
with him. In addition to having secured all
the latest implements of warfare, he added still
others of his own invention. He ordered all
boys over fourteen and all single women to be
drafted into the army, until its proportions be-
came much larger than Simeon's. His cannons
and rifles were of the same pattern as Sim-
eon's, and he invented a flying-machine from
which bombs could be thrown into the enemy's
camp.

Simeon went forth to conquer the Viceroy
with full confidence in his own powers to suc-
ceed. This time luck forsook him, and instead
of being the conqueror he was himself con-
quered.

The Indian ruler had so arranged his army
that Simeon could not even get within shooting
distance, while the bombs from the flying-
machine carried destruction and terror in their
path, completely routing his army, so that Sim-
eon was left alone.

The Viceroy took possession of his kingdom
and Simeon had to fly for his life.

Having finished with Simeon, the old devil
next approached Tarras. He appeared before
him disguised as one of the merchants of his
kingdom, and established factories and began
to make money. The "merchant" paid the
highest price for everything he purchased, and
the people ran after him to sell their goods.

Through this "merchant" they were enabled to
make plenty of money, paying up all their ar-

rears of taxes as well as the others when they
came due.

Tarras was overjoyed at this condition of af-
fairs and said: "Thanks to this merchant, now
I will have more money than before, and life
will be much pleasanter for me."

He wished to erect new buildings, and ad-
vertised for workmen, offering the highest
prices for all kinds of labor. Tarras thought
the people would be as anxious to work as for-
merly, but instead he was much surprised to
learn that they were working for the "mer-
chant." Thinking to induce them to leave the
"merchant," he increased his offers, but the
former, equal to the emergency, also raised the
wages of his workmen. Tarras, having plenty
of money, increased the offers still more; but
the "merchant" raised them still higher and
got the better of him. Thus, defeated at every
point, Tarras was compelled to abandon the
idea of building.

Tarras next announced that he intended lay-

ing out gardens and erecting fountains, and the
work was to be commenced in the fall, but no
one came to offer his services, and again he was
obliged to forego his intentions. Winter set
in, and Tarras wanted some sable fur with
which to line his great-coat, and he sent his
man to procure it for him; but the servant
returned without it, saying: "There are no
sables to be had. The 'merchant' has bought
them all, paying a very high price for them."

Tarras needed horses and sent a messenger
to purchase them, but he returned with the
same story as on former occasions—that none
were to be found, the "merchant" having bought
them all to carry water for an artificial pond he
was constructing. Tarras was at last com-
pelled to suspend business, as he could not find
any one willing to work for him. They had
all gone over to the "merchant's" side. The
only dealings the people had with Tarras were
when they went to pay their taxes. His money
accumulated so fast that he could not find a

place to put it, and his life became miserable.

He abandoned all idea of entering upon the
new venture, and only thought of how to exist
peaceably. This he found it difficult to do, for,
turn which way he would, fresh obstacles con-
fronted him. Even his cooks, coachmen, and
all his other servants forsook him and joined
the "merchant." With all his wealth he had
nothing to eat, and when he went to market he
found the "merchant" had been there before
him and had bought up all the provisions.

Still, the people continued to bring him money.

Tarras at last became so indignant that he
ordered the "merchant" out of his kingdom.

He left, but settled just outside the boundary
line, and continued his business with the same
result as before, and Tarras was frequently
forced to go without food for days. It was
rumored that the "merchant" wanted to buy
even Tarras himself. On hearing this the lat-
ter became very much alarmed and could not
decide as to the best course to pursue.

About this time his brother Simeon arrived
in the kingdom, and said: "Help me, for I
have been defeated and ruined by the Indian
Viceroy."

Tarras replied: "How can I help you, when
I have had no food myself for two days?"