The Floating Prince and Other Fairy Tales. Frank Richard Stockton

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      THE KINGDOM OP NASSIMIA AFLOAT.

       some common people, and then we can begin the kingdom in real earnest."

      "We must have some houses and streets," said Nassime, "and a palace. These will be necessary before we can settle down as a kingdom."

      They sailed all night, and the next day they saw land before ​them. And, slowly moving near the shore, they perceived a long caravan.

      "Hi!" shouted the chancellor of the exchequer, "there are the common people!"

      Everybody was now very much excited, and everybody wanted to go ashore, but this Nassime would not permit. Capturing a caravan would be a very different thing, from capturing a negro on an ostrich, and the matter must be undertaken with caution and prudence. So, ordering the ship brought near the shore, he made ready to land, accompanied only by the giant and Lorilla.

      The giant had found a spare mast on the vessel, and he had trimmed and whittled it into a convenient club. This he took under one arm, and, with Nassime on the other, wearing his crown and carrying Lorilla in his sash, the giant waded ashore, and stopped a short distance in front of the approaching caravan.

      Nassime, having been set on the ground, advanced to the leader of the caravan, and, drawing his sword, called upon him to halt. Instantly the procession stopped, and the leader, dismounting from his horse, approached Nassime, and bowed low before him, offering to pay tribute, if necessary.

      "We will not speak of tribute," said Nassime, "at least not now. What I wish, is to know who you all are, and where you are going."

      "That is easily answered," said the other, giving a glance upward at the giant, who stood leaning on his club, behind Nassime; "we are a company of men of high degree; of philosophers and of rich merchants, who have joined together to visit foreign lands, to enjoy ourselves and improve our minds. We have brought with us our families, our slaves, and our flocks and other possessions. We wish to offend no one, and if you object to our passing through your dominions——"

      ​"I do not object," said Nassime, "I am very glad you came this way. These are not my dominions. I am king of Nassimia."

      "And where is that, your majesty?"

      "It is not anywhere in particular, just now," said Nassime, "but we shall soon fix upon a spot where its boundaries will be established. It is a new kingdom, and only needed a body of com—"

      "Say populace," whispered Lorilla, from his sash, "the other might offend him."

      "And only needed a populace," continued Nassime, "to make it complete. I am the king—of royal blood and education. I have ministers of state and finance; an admiral and a navy; a general of the army, whom you see here," pointing to the giant, "and an aristocracy, which is at present on board of that ship. I have been looking for a populace, and am very glad to have met you. You and your companions are now my people."

      "What, your majesty?" cried the astonished leader of the caravan. "I do not comprehend."

      Nassime then explained the plan and purpose of his kingdom, and assured the other that he and his countrymen could nowhere be more happy than in the kingdom of Nassimia, where every opportunity of enjoyment and the improvement of the mind would be offered to the people.

      The leader, on hearing this, begged permission to consult with his fellow-travelers. Some advised one thing and some another,but the sight of the giant, who every now and then playfully struck the earth with the end of his club in such a way as to make the ground tremble, hastened their decision.

      "If we were poor men," said one of the philosopher, "and had no treasures with us, we might scatter in various directions and many of us might escape. That giant could not kill us all."

      ​But we are too rich for that. We cannot run away from our great possessions. We must submit in peace."

      So it was settled that they should submit to the king of Nassimia and become his people, and the leader carried the decision to Nassime.

      The chancellor of the exchequer now became very anxious to go on shore. He had cast off his clam-digger's clothes, and wore a magnificent suit which he had found in the ship, and which had belonged to the robber captain. He stood on the deck and made signs for the giant to come for him. So the giant was sent for him, and soon returned, bringing also the army, which the chancellor had borrowed of him for a time. This officer, as soon as he had landed, approached Nassime and said:

      "These, then, are the common people. I suppose I might as well go to work and collect taxes."

      "You need not hurry about that," said Nassime.

      "They will never believe in your government until you do it," urged the chancellor, and so Nassime allowed him to do as he wished, only telling him not to levy his taxes too heavily.

      Then the chancellor, with the negro behind him, carrying his old clam-basket, over which a cloth had been thrown, went through the caravan and collected taxes enough in gold and silver to fill his basket. He also collected a horse for himself and one for Nassime. "Now," said he, "we have the foundation of a treasury, and the thing begins to look like a kingdom."

      Everything being now satisfactorily arranged, the company began to move on. The giant, with his army at his heels, and his club over his shoulder, marched first Then rode Nassime with Lorilla, then the chancellor, with his basket of treasure before him on his horse, and after him the caravan. The ship sailed along a short distance from the shore.

      ​In the evening, the land party encamped near the shore, and the vessel came to anchor, the giant shouting to the admiral Nassime's commands. The chancellor wished to make another collection of taxes, after supper, but this Nassime forbade.

      Lorilla then had a long talk with Nassime, apart from the company, assuring him that what was needed next was the royal city.