“There is nothing else to be done,” said Alberdin in a troubled voice; “but I shall take care that the boy receives no injury if it can possibly be avoided.”

The three now retraced their steps, and in a few days were settled down, Alberdin in his tent in the plain, and Salim and Phedo in their intrenchments on the other side of the low mountain.  The old man now gave himself up to deep thought.  He had discovered the germ of Alberdin’s trouble; and in a few days he had arranged his plans, and went over to see the young man.

“It has been determined,” said he, “that a syndicate is to be formed to attend to this business for Phedo.”

“A syndicate!” cried Alberdin.  “What is that?”

“A syndic,” answered Salim, “is a person who attends to business for others; and a syndicate is a body of men who are able to conduct certain affairs better than any individual can do it.  In a week from to-day, Phedo’s syndicate will meet you in the large plain outside of the capital city.  There the contest will take place.  Shall you be ready?”

“I don’t exactly understand it,” said Alberdin, “but I shall be there.”

General notice was given of the coming battle of the contestants for the throne, and thousands of the inhabitants of the Autocracy assembled on the plain on the appointed day.  The Princess with her ladies was there; and as everybody was interested, everybody was anxious to see what would happen.

Alberdin rode into the open space in the centre of the plain, and demanded that his antagonist should appear.  Thereupon old Salim came forward, leading Phedo by the hand.

“This is the opposing heir,” he said; “but as every one can see that he is too young to fight a battle, a syndicate has been appointed to attend to the matter for him; and there is nothing in the will of the late Autocrat which forbids this arrangement.  The syndicate will now appear.”

At this command there came into the arena a horseman heavily armed, a tall foot soldier completely equipped for action, an artilleryman with a small cannon on wheels, a sailor with a boarding-pike and a drawn cutlass, and a soldier with a revolving gun which discharged one hundred and twenty balls a minute.

“All being ready,” exclaimed Salim, “the combat for the Autocracy will begin!”

Alberdin took a good long look at the syndicate ranged before him.  Then he dismounted from his horse, drew his sword, and stuck it, point downward, into the sand.

“I surrender!” he said.

“So do I!” cried the Princess, running toward him, and throwing herself into his arms.

The eyes of Alberdin sparkled with joy.

“Let the Autocracy go!” he cried.  “Now that I have my Princess, the throne and the crown are nothing to me.”

“So long as I have you,” returned the Princess, “I am content to resign all the comforts and advantages to which I have been accustomed.”