But it would take too long to tell all the games they played, all the manly sports which the little prince learned without any difficulty.

There was a shallow marble tank in the middle of the garden, where he took to the water like a duck, and would lie on his back and kick and shout with laughter as the tank got rough with waves, till Foster-mother would beg him not to drown, as the water splashed over him high in the air.
But Foster-father always reproved her for her fears.

"Leave the lad to learn King's ways," he said, "and thank Heaven the Rajput foundling is here to teach him.

Think you _I_ could tumble head over heels in air or water or ride bareback standing on one leg ?" "No, indeed!" would reply Head-nurse, who stifled her terrors from a sense of duty, "none, seeing thy figure, friend, would ask so much of thee." Then, when Akbar grew tired, Roy would sit leaning his back against a peach tree so as to make a soft pillow for his little master, and Akbar would lean against him and listen to endless stories while the soft fresh breeze stole over the garden wall, and sent showers of pink peach petals on both the boys.

And sometimes the little Prince, outwearied, would fall asleep, and then Roy would sit still as a mouse, gently flicking away with the end of his muslin turban the blossoms that fell on the little sleeper's face.