“’We are told that a General in the army of Duroba, having a turn for experimental chemistry, had discovered a substance of terrible explosive power, which, by the exercise of further ingenuity, he had adapted for use in warfare.  About the same time, a public official in Kalaya, whose duty it was to convey news to the community by means of a primitive system. of manuscript placarding, hit upon a mechanical method whereby news-sheets could be multiplied very rapidly and be sold to readers all over the kingdom.  Now the Duroban General felt eager to test his discovery in a campaign, and, happening to have a quarrel with a politician in the neighbouring state, did his utmost to excite hostile feeling against Kalaya.  On the other hand, the Kalayan official, his cupidity excited by the profits already arising from his invention, desired nothing better than some stirring event which would lead to still greater demand for the news-sheets he distributed, and so he also was led to the idea of stirring up international strife.  To be brief, these intrigues succeeded only too well; war was actually declared, the armies were mustered, and marched to the encounter.

“’They met at a point of the common frontier where only a little brook flowed between the two kingdoms.  It was nightfall; each host encamped, to await the great engagement which on the morrow would decide between them.

“’It must be understood that the Durobans and the Kalayans differed markedly in national characteristics.  The former people was distinguished by joyous vitality and a keen sense of humour; the latter, by a somewhat meditative disposition inclining to timidity; and doubtless these qualities had become more pronounced during the long peace which would naturally favour them.  Now, when night had fallen on the camps, the common soldiers on each side began to discuss, over their evening meal, the position in which they found themselves.  The men of Duroba, having drunk well, as their habit was, fell into an odd state of mind.  “What!” they exclaimed to one another.  “After all these years of tranquillity, are we really going to fight with the Kalayans, and to slaughter them and be ourselves slaughtered!  Pray, what is it all about?  Who can tell us?” Not a man could answer, save with the vaguest generalities.  And so, the debate continuing, the wonder growing from moment to moment, at length, and all of a sudden, the Duroban camp echoed with huge peals of laughter.  “Why, if we soldiers have no cause of quarrel, what are we doing here?  Shall we be mangled and killed to please our General with the turn for chemistry?  That were a joke, indeed!” And, as soon as mirth permitted, the army rose as one man, threw together their belongings, and with jovial songs trooped off to sleep comfortably in a town a couple of miles away.