The populace fell under the influence of this rumor, scandalously circulated by the Snarlitz faction, and assembling in large numbers, marched to the palace, where they demanded the cessation of the dangerous work and the immediate banishment of Count Gofaster from the realm. The new Prime-minister had not, however, been idle. Fearing this uprising, and having been let into this secret by the giant, he had without noise marched a considerable military force into the park, and when the rioters entered they were confronted by a body of soldiers drawn up in line. The mob hesitated, and a mob which hesitates can easily be diverted from its purpose. It was armed after a fashion, but had no system or discipline, and stood there fearing to advance or retreat.
At that moment the King and his daughter suddenly appeared upon the palace steps. A hoarse roar arose from the multitude, demanding the banishment, if not the death, of the stranger, who was to destroy them all.
The King waved his hand for silence, but the alarm of the people seemed to be intensified by the momentary check; and the clamor increased in violence. It seemed as though a revolution were imminent, not merely of the ministry, but one that imperilled the King himself. At that moment the Princess Amber stepped forward, and the crowd was hushed to silence, for the Princess was beloved of the common people exceedingly. Her interest in their needs and sufferings, her many benefactions, and the well-known fact of her influence with her royal father—all these had at various times succeeded in lowering the exactions of the Prime-ministers, and in relieving the people from many abuses that had crept into the state. She had, therefore, never appeared before them without exciting admiration.
"Good people," she said, "can you not trust in what I tell you?"
The tide was turned in an instant, and the cry came as if from one man, "Yes, we can trust you!"
"Then," she said, "hear me. Bad men have abused your confidence. We have full knowledge of what is doing and why it has been done; it is for the benefit of all of you; it is to cheer your homes and to make life during the dreary winter nights not only endurable, but one that you can enjoy. Continue to trust me, who never have deceived any one. Go home peaceably and quietly, and with confidence in what I tell you, await a happy result."
There is nothing so sudden as the reaction of a mob. Smiles succeeded frowns, the crowd gave loud cheers for the Princess, and then melted slowly and quietly away. The danger to the throne had passed.
CHAPTER VI.
The work done inside the King's palace was not seen by the multitude, but they saw large pipes laid in the ditches, the ditches themselves filled up, and a long row of tubes rising ten or twelve feet in the air, whose uses they could not divine. But in spite of the diverse rumors still circulated by the Snarlitz faction, the people cheered themselves with the reassuring words of the Princess Amber, and patiently awaited results. This was strengthened by the reports of the workmen who were employed in the palace, and who averred—though they were bound to secrecy—that what was to be done would be a great public benefit. Much speculation was indulged in as to what the secret doings were, but after a time this faded out; the people minded their own affairs, and only talked about the matter occasionally when they passed the tall tubes in the roadway. A guard was placed on the great tank on the hill, and the public at large were forbidden to visit the spot.