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24 For the next day or two we were in high favor at court and fared sumptuously; and when the king found that he could really skate alone he was perfectly happy. Of course he had a fall or two, but the craze for roller-skating was upon him, and Marmaduke's first exhibition had shown him that there was still much to learn. Consequently he was anxious to keep our favor, at least until he acquired the art, and did not mind a bump or two.

At first the chief was unwilling to allow any one else to learn; but Marmaduke, who had even learned a few words of the language, persuaded the old man that it would be great fun to see Rattle-box learn to skate; and at last the chief consented.

When the old medicine-man came in he was horrified to see the ruler of his nation gliding about the floor with considerable ease, and listened with terror to the chief's command that he, too,