This last was fastened to the wall. Then Antonio invited the king to press a button. He did so. Instantly a flood of dazzling light illumined the whole hall.
For the next half minute the astonished king’s speech consisted of vowels of acclamation.
“Oo—ah—ze—ha!” and so on, so forth.
He was able to stammer forth at last: “De white man is one great wonder. He go to the sun and steal its light for poor King Mlada’s home. Good, good man you!”
He started up as he spoke, and going to a huge iron chest, inserted a key, and brought forth the paper box which contained the splendid pearl.
“It is you’s, best fliend mine. You’s for eber and eber.”
Antonio clasped his hands, and, as he did so, he descried tears in the giant’s eyes, so for a time he did not ask him to speak.
But that light was kept up for three days and nights in the king’s hall, and then the captain recharged it.
. . . . . .
When the dresses were all completed, I don’t think there was a happier king in heathendom than His Majesty the Emperor Mlada, as Antonio called him.