The 
 
 Oaten Cakes 
 
 BY 
 
 Rea Woodman, M. A. 
 
 PRICE 15 CENTS. 
 
 ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE 
 
 Franklin, Ohio 
 
The Oaten CaK<2S. 
 
 An Historical Play for Little Folks 
 in Tl^ree SceQes. 
 
 By H. REA WOODMAN, M. A. 
 
 Author of 'The Rescue of Prince Hal," 'The Clever 
 
 Doctor," "His Uncle John," and ''Billy Ben's 
 
 Pirate Play." 
 
 COPYRIGHT 1912 BY REA WOODMflN. 
 
 Eldirldge Entertainment House 
 
 FRANKUN, -:- OHIO. 
 

 DEDICATION— To Frederic Evans Delzell, a Texas 
 boy, this little story of the noble Saxon King— the 
 kingliest King I know about— with my abiding love. 
 
 C(.D 31170 
 
THE CHARACTERS OF THE PLAY. 
 Alfred, King of England, called "The Great.'' 
 His Chief Counsellor. 
 The First Courtier. 
 
 Captain Boldheart, Leader of the Danish Forces. 
 First Robber. 
 Second Robber. 
 The Cottager. 
 The Cottager's Wife. 
 
 Messengers, Soldiers and Courtiers. 
 
 Scene L In the Palace. 
 
 Scene IL In the Wood, the Next Day. 
 
 Scene III. In the Cottage, One Week Later. 
 
The Oaten Cakes. 
 
 SCENE L 
 
 In the Palace. 
 
 {The Throne Room. King Alfred, simply 
 dressed, hut zvearing a gold crozvn, is seated on 
 a rude throne. His attitude is that of one ab- 
 sorbed in anxious thought. The First Courtier 
 and three other Courtiers are standing grouped 
 in the background, apparently sharers of the 
 King's anxiety.) 
 
 {Enter the Chief Counsellor.) 
 
 Chief C. Your Majesty, a Danish soldier has just 
 been found hiding in the courtyard. We think he is a 
 spy. {The Courtiers listen earnestly. Alfred looks at 
 him absently.) What does your Majesty desire to have 
 done with him? 
 
 King. What makes you think he is a spy? 
 
 Chief C. Your Majesty, he will not speak a word. 
 He pretends to see nothing, but he sees everything. He 
 is not armed, and he does not look like a common soldier. 
 {Alfred does not anszver, or move.) What does your 
 Majesty desire to have done with him? 
 
 King, {rousing himself). What have you done with 
 him? 
 
 Chief C. We have put him in the dungeon. 
 
 King. There is no need of that. Take him out, give 
 him some food, and put him under guard. 
 
 Chief C. Your Majesty, the man is a spy. 
 
 King, {beckoning a Courtier to his side). Go tell 
 the Captain to take that man out of the dungeon, give 
 him food and drink, and put him under a strong guard. 
 
 Courtier. Yes, your Majesty. {He goes.) 
 
 Chief C. Your Majesty, the man is a Dane. {The 
 
King nods.) And a spy A Dane and a spy. What 
 
 can you expect? 
 
 King, (passing his hand across his troubled brozv). 
 Do not be uneasy. We will keep him well guarded. 
 
 Chief C. (spreading his hands ontzvard). He is a 
 Dane. Your Majesty knows too well what the Danes 
 are. (Alfred does not ansiver.) The Danes have broken 
 every promise they ever made your Majesty. 
 
 King, (resting his head on his hand). That is quite 
 true. 
 
 Chief C. Then why should you trust them this time? 
 
 King. What can I do ? I can not have them arrested. 
 There are not jails enough in England to hold them. I 
 can not give them battle now ; my soldiers are scattered, 
 my people are very poor. The Danes have promised 
 that they will leave the country. What can I do but trust 
 them? I can not get an army together in five minutes 
 to drive them out. (The Courtiers nod agreement.) 
 
 Chief C. (zmth lifted brozv). Can King Alfred trust 
 the Danes? 
 
 King, (looking at him helplessly). I shall have to — 
 for a little while, until I can get my soldiers together. 
 
 Chief C. (leaning on his staff). Your Majesty, you 
 were a young man of three-and-twenty when you came 
 to the throne, were you not? 
 
 King, (adjusting his crozvn). I was, my Counsellor. 
 
 Chief C. In the first year of your reign you fought 
 nine battles with the Danes, did you not? 
 
 King, (zvagging his head) . I did — nine hard battles. 
 
 Chief C. You conquered them and made treaties with 
 them, did you not? 
 
 King. I did. You know all this perfectly well. 
 
 (The Courtiers yazvn, and rest, zvearily, on one foot.) 
 
 Chief C. You have been King of England four years. 
 In that time have the Danes kept one single promise they 
 have made your Majesty? Answer me that. 
 
 King. I can't say that they have. But this is neither 
 
 5 
 
here nor there. What is the use of all this history? {The 
 Courtiers shrug and smile.) 
 
 Chief C. {unmoved). They swore they would leave 
 the country ; they did not. They swore they would keep 
 the treaties ; they did not. They swore they would keep 
 the peace and obey the laws. They did not do so. They 
 stayed here, and plundered and robbed and killed women 
 and little children. They burned villages and stole cat- 
 tle. That was four years ago. Have the Danes changed ? 
 If they lied then, will they not lie now? What reason 
 has your Majesty to believe that they will keep a prom- 
 ise now if they did n't then? 
 
 King. What do you advise me to do? 
 
 Chief C. {drawing himself up, and bringing dozvn 
 his staff with a thump). Fight! Call your soldiers to- 
 gether and fight ! Drive the Danes back across the sea ! 
 Fight, your Majesty, — fight till there is not a Danish 
 soldier left on English ground. 
 
 First C. {stepping forward). How can he fight 
 without any soldiers? It is easy to talk! {The King 
 ga:ses sadly from one to the other.) How can he pay 
 soldiers without money? Why don't you talk facts? 
 
 {Enter a Messenger.) 
 
 King, {so eagerly that his erozvn falls off). What 
 news? What news? Who sent you here? 
 
 Mess, {choking for breath). Oh- King, the Danes — 
 the Danes — 
 
 King, {putting his crozim back on). Get the man a 
 cup of water. {A Courtier goes out.) Hand him a 
 chair. {The Messenger is seated, and handed a cup of 
 water that the Courtier brings.) Is he able to speak 
 now ? Is he able to speak now ? 
 
 Courtier. The man has recovered, your Majesty. 
 
 Mess, {rising to address the King). Your Majesty, 
 the Danes are burning the villages, and threatening to 
 kill all the people. They have set a price on your head, 
 and Captain Boldheart is seeking you. {There is a com- 
 motion among the Courtiers.) Your Majesty, your life 
 
 6 
 
is in danger while you remain here. {He throzvs him- 
 self at Alfred's feet.) Dear King, for the sake of your 
 people, leave .the Palace ! Captain Boldheart swears that 
 he will carry your head to the Danish king. The people 
 cry out, ''What will we do if our good King Alfred is 
 killed?" Oh King, hear me! Hear me! Leave the 
 Palace this very day ! 
 
 King, (stooping to raise the Messenger). We will 
 consult what is best to be done. You must have food 
 and rest, (to a Courtier). Take care of this poor fel- 
 low. He is exhausted. (The Messenger kisses the 
 King's hand, and retires zvith the Courtier.) 
 
 Chief C. (grimly). Do you still trust the Danes, 
 your Majesty? 
 
 First C. (to Chief Counsellor). This is no time for 
 sarcasm. Let us think only of the King's safety. (To 
 Alfred.) You must disguise yourself and leave the 
 palace. 
 
 King. I will never desert my people. 
 
 first C. But consider, your Majesty! There is a 
 price upon your head. 
 
 King. A King can not run away and hide like a 
 beggar ! 
 
 (Enter a Soldier, excitedly.) 
 
 Soldier, (to Counsellor). I must speak to the King! 
 
 King. Well, soldier, what is it ? Where did you come 
 from ? 
 
 Soldier, (breathing hard). I have been hiding in the 
 swamp for three days. 
 
 King. Alone ? 
 
 Soldier. Your soldiers are scattered far and wide. 
 Many of them are dying of hunger. The Danes are 
 hunting us like dogs, and every man they find, they kill. 
 (stops to breathe). You must leave the palace. This 
 is no place for you. The Danes are coming. 
 
 King. But where shall I go? 
 
 Soldier. Go to some peasant's hut and stay there till 
 
 7 
 
the Palace is out of danger. In a few days, we — we 
 (He szuays a little.) we will drive — we 
 
 King. The man is weak from hunger. .(He beckons 
 a Courtier.) Take him to the courtyard, and let him rest. 
 Then give him food. — You are an honest soldier. 
 
 Soldier, {zceakly, to the Chief Counsellor). Tell him 
 to go — tell him to go! (He is led out by the Courtier.) 
 
 Chief C. You see how it is, your ]\Iajesty. We must 
 drive the Danes out of the country, and how can we do 
 that if we have no King? You must seek shelter until 
 we can collect our soldiers and prepare for war. 
 
 King, (rising). I will do so. (To the First Cour- 
 tier) . Go at once and prepare me a peasant's dress and 
 stafif. I will leave the Palace immediately. 
 
 First C. Your Majesty will not go alone? 
 
 King. I will go alone. You are all needed here. 
 
 First C. (kneeling). My King! (He kisses the 
 King's hand, rises, and goes in haste.) 
 
 King, (stepping dozen from the throne). I will go 
 bid farewell to the Queen, {to the Chief Counsellor). I 
 entrust the affairs of the kingdom to you. 
 
 Chief C. (kneeling) . I will do the best I can to pre- 
 serve and protect the kingdom. 
 
 King. I know that, my faithful Counsellor. Until 
 we meet again, farewell. {He goes out sadly, attended 
 by the remaining Courtier.) 
 
 Chief C. (alone). A price upon the King's head! 
 (He thinks hard, looking absently at the vacant throne.) 
 The country is full of outlaws and robbers. They must 
 not harm the King. (He thinks harder.) They must 
 not harm the King. I know what I will do. I will 
 cause it to be known to the robbers that the King is 
 disguised and travelling through the woods. There is 
 not a robber in the land that would harm a hair of his 
 head. I will send messengers out in every direction. 
 God save the King from harm! (He goes.) 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 8 
 
SCENE 11. 
 
 In the Wood, the Next Day. 
 
 {71ie Wood; a vacant space, hung with green 
 hai:::e or lining. Enter Captain Boldheart, zmth 
 eight or ten soldiers, armed zvith (paste-board) 
 battle-axes and pikes.) 
 
 Bold. Halt, my brave men! (The soldiers stand in 
 two lines, facing the Captain.) Listen, and I will tell 
 yon why we are in this lonely wood, separated from the 
 rest of the army. King Alfred has left his Palace in 
 disguise, and is traveling through the wood. He is 
 dressed as a peasant, and carries a wooden staff. I will 
 divide the prize money with that brave soldier who brings 
 the King before me alive or dead. Part of you will 
 search the wood in that direction (pointing), and the 
 other part, in that direction. Remember that Captain 
 Boldheart never forgets the man who is faithful. The 
 division that finds the King will blow the horn three 
 times, and return to this place. First division, atten- 
 tion! Right about, face! March! (The first line Hies 
 out.) Second division, attention. Right about face! 
 March! (The second line files out, zvith Boldheart at 
 the head.) 
 
 (Enter King Alfred, disguised as a peasant, zmth 
 a staff.) 
 
 King. It is very lonely in this wood, (listens). How 
 distinct every sound is ! It seems to me that I have heard 
 every leaf that has fallen in the forest this afternoon. I 
 wonder where I am? That (pointing) ought to be the 
 north, but I do not know. Oh my poor people, what a 
 plight your King is in ! His soldiers hiding in fens and 
 bogs, his enemies seeking his life, himself wandering in 
 an unknown forest, lost and alone! (He goes out, cau- 
 tiously.) 
 
 (Enter a Soldier, cautiously.) 
 
 Soldier. There is a price on the King's head. If I 
 can catch him and get that money {listens, turning quite 
 
 9 
 
around) I'll go back to Denmark. I am tired of war. 
 I (listens) want to see my wife and little children. 
 There's somebody coming. (He lifts his hattle-axe.) 
 
 (Enter tzvo Robbers, dressed in green, zvith bows, 
 arrows, and arrozv-quivers.) 
 
 First Rob. Stand still! (He lifts his bozv.) 
 
 Soldier. I have no money. I am only a poor soldier. 
 
 First Rob. (to Second Robber). See if he has. (T/j^ 
 Second Robber searches the Soldier.) 
 
 Sec. Rob. He has n't even a handkerchief! 
 
 Soldier. I aJii hunting the Saxon King. When I find 
 him I'll have money enough. 
 
 First Rob. (scornfully) . Do you think the King will 
 give you any money? He will order your head cut off? 
 
 Soldier, (zvith a szvagger). Before he cuts my head 
 off I'll sell his to Captain Boldheart. You'll see what 
 will happen to your fine Saxon King! (He starts out, 
 grinning meanly.) 
 
 First Rob. Hold! (The Soldier stops.) Wait. What 
 are you talking about, honest soldier? 
 
 Soldier, (zvith a snarl). 'Tlonest soldier" is it when 
 you want to know things? You want the money, do 
 you? What do you take me for? (He goes out, ugly 
 and threatening, his battle-axe raised.) 
 
 First Rob. There must be a price on the King's head. 
 Now how much do you suppose it is? 
 
 Sec. Rob. (selecting an arrozv). It's more than we 
 have earned in many a day. 
 
 (Enter Ki^ig Alfred, zvanderingly, as if lost.) 
 
 First Rob. (shaking his head to his companion). It's 
 only a peasant. Let him rip. 
 
 King. I have lost my way in this dismal forest. (He 
 sees the Robbers.) Oh! 
 
 First Rob. He sees us. (He rushes at the King, his 
 bow raised.) Your money or your life! 
 
 10 
 
hands'' ^''^' (^'''^^'''^<§- cit the King). Hold up your 
 
 King {holding lip his hands, his staif falling to the 
 ground). There is no use of all this. I am a poor 
 peasant. ^ 
 
 Sec Rob. We will see about that, my good man. (He 
 searches his clothes.) ^ 
 
 King. I tell you I have no money. I am the King. 
 Sec. Rob. (ready to shoot if he moves). You said 
 you were a poor peasant. 
 
 King. No, I am the King. 
 
 Sec. Rob. (surveying him). I guess you don't know 
 who you are. If you are the King, where is your crown? 
 
 King. I am the King, trying to escape from my ene- 
 mies. -^ 
 
 ^f^;.^^^'. ^'°^ "^^"^'^ ^^ok much like a King-!— Shall 
 we kill him? 
 
 first Rob. (to the King). You should not tell lies 
 If there is anything a decent Robber hates, it is a liar! 
 
 King (meekly). May I take down my hands a 
 minute ? y «, 
 
 first Rob. (to Second Robber). Shall we let him? 
 Sec. Rob. (lifting his bozv higher). Yes, just for a 
 minute.— If you try to escape, I will shoot yo'u ! 
 
 King, (shonnng a gold ring, which hangs around his 
 neck, suspended by a black ribbon). I am telling the 
 truth. I will not try to escape. I am the King— Alfred 
 the Saxon. (He slips the ring on his finger.) Dare any- 
 body wear this signet but the King? 
 
 (Enter Captain Boldheart, haughtily.) 
 
 Bold. What, ho, my honest men! Have you seen 
 the King? (Alfred hides his ring, and noiselessly kicks 
 nis start behind him.) 
 
 Sec. Rob. (with a szvaggering front). Hello, Sol- 
 dier! How are you? What King? 
 
 11 
 
Bold. Alfred, King of tlie Saxons. I have sworn to 
 kill him before the setting of the sun. 
 
 First Rob. Then you'd better hurry up. 
 
 Bold. Keep a civil tongue in your head. Have you 
 seen the King? 
 
 Sec. Rob. I guess the King is in his Palace. 
 
 Bold. No, he is n't; he's in this wood somewhere, 
 disguised as a peasant. {He sees Alfred.) Who's this! 
 
 See. Rob. That is a man who has lost his sheep. 
 
 Bold, (after a loiig, hard stare at Alfred). How do 
 you come to know so much about him? 
 
 See. Rob. I don't know much about him. i\sk him 
 yourself, if you want to know. 
 
 Bold, (to Alfred). So you have lost your sheep? 
 
 King. I think they have been stolen. 
 
 Bold. Oh, you do. {He looks him over again, and 
 turns azi'ay.) Then you have not seen the King? 
 
 Sec. Rob. We did n't say we had n't seen the King. 
 Is he an old man with a long staff and bare head? 
 
 First Rob. And stooped in the shoulders? 
 
 Bold. How should I know? I never saw the King. 
 
 Sec. Rob. I saw a man that looked just like the King 
 go down that way. {He points with his arrozv.) I think 
 I know where he went. 
 
 Bold, {suspiciously). Do you know the King? 
 
 Sec. Rob. Of course I know the King. I was not 
 always a robber. 
 
 Bold. Was he in disguise? Did he have a staff? 
 
 First Rob. The man I saw did. {The Second Rob- 
 ber nods curtly.) 
 
 Bold. My honest man, I will give you gold if you 
 Avill take me to the King. 
 
 Sec. Rob. (superbly). I am an Englishman! 
 
 Bold. But even an Englishman likes gold ! (He 
 gizTS money.) Lead on, good Robber. 
 
 Sec. Rob. Come on. I will show you where I think 
 
 12 
 
the King is. (They go out, the Second Robber leading, 
 Jiis boz^' held high.) 
 
 First Rob. (kneeling at the King's feet). Oh, King, 
 you are safe! (He kisses the King's hand.) 
 
 (Enter the Soldier.) 
 
 Soldier, (^shouting). It is the King! (The First 
 Robber springs up.) I'm a made man! (He approaches, 
 his battle-axe raised.) 
 
 First Rob. (lifting his bozu). Stand where you are. 
 If you move FU shoot you dead. I never missed my 
 man yet. 
 
 Soldier, (gloatiiig over his prize). I'll divide with 
 you. I'm a made man ! — So you're "The good King 
 Alfred !" 
 
 First Rob. If you speak to the King again, I'll shoot 
 you through the heart. Drop that battle-axe. (The 
 soldier stares at him.) Drop that axe. {He lozvers his 
 bozv, and takes deliberate aim.) You drop that axe, or 
 
 you're a dead Dane. One two (The axe 
 
 fails heavily to the ground.) — Your Majesty, I'll trouble 
 you for that axe. (Alfred hands it to him.) Now, your 
 Majesty, I'll trouble you for the rope that lies behind that 
 tree. (Alfred finds a coil of rope, and hands it to the 
 First Robber.) 
 
 Soldier. Do not kill me ! I have four little children 
 in Denmark. 
 
 First Rob. You coward! — Your Majesty, help me 
 bind this man. (With the rope, they bind the Soldier's 
 arms fast and tight to his side.) Closed mouths make 
 no noise. (He binds his handkerchief around the Sol- 
 dier's mouth.) Your Majesty, this man will die poor; 
 you mark my words. (He tests the binding carefully.) 
 Now, your Majesty, I will take you to a cottage that 
 I know of, where a good man lives. (He listens.) 
 Hark ! The forest is full of soldiers. Let us hasten. 
 One never knows (listening) what may happen in this 
 wood. Come, your Majesty. We must not be found 
 here. (Jliey go out, the First Robber leading the Sol- 
 id 
 
dier by the rope, as if the latter zvere a dog.) 
 
 (A Soldier crosses the stage, creepingly, as if in pur- 
 suit.) 
 
 {Enter a second Soldier, cautiously.) 
 
 Soldier. They say that the King was seen in this 
 
 wood not an hour ago. {He listens. From soinezvhere, 
 
 close, a horn is sounded three times. He jerks off his 
 
 cap joyously.) The King is taken! The King is taken! 
 
 ■{He runs out, halloing.) 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 In the Cottage, One Week Later. 
 
 {The Cottage. A plain room, with a rude fire- 
 place at one side. King Alfred is discovered sit- 
 ting on a joint stool by the fire, making 
 arrozvs.) 
 
 King, {slozvly). Eor three days I have not heard 
 from my soldiers. It is dreadful to wait in idleness while 
 others are working and fighting. The cottager and his 
 wife are good to me, but I am very unhappy. They 
 think the King is a very powerful person. What would 
 they say if they knew that the poor outcast stranger were 
 
 the King? I wonder if they are thinking of me 
 
 now in the Palace? The King is not always the happiest 
 man 
 
 {Enter the Cottager, in rough-looking clothes, and 
 heavy shoes.) 
 
 Cottager, {after zvatching the King a fezv seconds). 
 Good evening, stranger. 
 
 King, {starting). Oh, is it you? Won't you come 
 sit by the fire? 
 
 Cottager. No, I ain't got no time to set down and 
 
 14 
 
think. That's for rich folks. I ain't had a thinkin' spell 
 for more'n a year. 
 
 King, (faking up an arrow). Then when do the 
 poor folks do their thinking? 
 
 Cottager, (tzvirling his cap thoughtfully). They 
 don't think. They aint got time. I jest come from the 
 field, and now I must go and feed my pigs. 
 
 King. How many pigs have you? 
 
 Cottager. I am rich for a poor man. I have three. 
 
 King. Then there are not many poor men that have 
 three pigs? 
 
 Cottager, (sighing). Not in these parts, stranger. 
 
 King. Then how do the people live? 
 
 Cottager. Oh, they steal and beg and git along some- 
 how. What's the use raising pigs? The soldiers only 
 steel them. 
 
 King, (sighing). But the soldiers are hungry. 
 
 Cottager, (shaking his head earnestly). And so are 
 the poor people. If the King would stop fighting a while, 
 and take care of the country, we would be better off. 
 
 King, (thoughtfully). What would you do if you. 
 were King? 
 
 Cottager. I would give every soldier a piece of land 
 and a plow, and let him earn his own living. There is 
 no good in all this fighting. Well, I must go. The 
 nights is gettin' colder. (He lumbers out, sighing 
 heavily.) 
 
 King, (looking into the fire). "If the King would 
 stop fighting a while, and take care of the country, we 
 would be better oft*." Of course war is a hard thing, 
 but we can not stop fighting now. He does not under- 
 stand. (He looks at his arrozv, then falls to thinking, 
 with folded arms.) 
 
 (Enter the Cottager's zvife, briskly, with a pan and a 
 toasting-fork.) 
 
 Wife, (going to the fire-place). My honest fellow, 
 will you watch these cakes for me a few minutes? 
 
 15 
 
King, (rousing himself). Yes indeed. What sort 
 of cakes are they — sweet cakes? 
 
 Wife, (severely, stirring the fire). No, they are not 
 sweet cakes. You can not expect sweet cakes every day. 
 
 King. I do not. I beg your pardon. 
 
 Wife, (putting the cakes on the Hre, one by one). 
 These cakes are made of oatmeal, and they are very 
 good cakes. So long as the King will keep on fighting 
 those dreadful Danes, what can you expect? Be thank- 
 ful for oatmeal cakes. 
 
 King. What would you do if you were King? 
 
 Wife, (straightening up, toasting-fork in hand). I 
 would send the Danes about their business, and teach 
 the poor folks how to read. Now, here, see that these 
 cakes do not burn. 
 
 King, (hitching his stool nearer the fire). I will. 
 
 Wife, (handing him the toasting-fork). If they be- 
 gin to burn, turn them with this fork. Now, be careful. 
 If you let them burn, you will not have any supper, 
 that's all. (She bustles out.) 
 
 King, (alone). I think that I must be a poor sort 
 of King, after all. These honest folks think I am fight- 
 ing for glory, when I am fighting to protect their homes. 
 What would become of all the poor little cottages in 
 England if I let the Danes have their own way ? I think 
 that cake is burning. (He leans over the fire.) Yes, it 
 is. (He turns a cake ivith much care.) They smell 
 pretty nice. I am always hungry these days. I think 
 it must be the fresh air. (He leans on his elbon', zcat ch- 
 in g the cakes dreamily, and gradually falls asleep, the 
 fork slipping to the floor.) 
 
 (Enter the Cottager's Wife zvith a tin plate.) 
 
 Wife. Has the good man come in yet? (The King 
 does not hear.) Has the good man come in yet? (She 
 goes tip to the King.) Oh, the lazy fellow is asleep! 
 And the cakes are burning! (She shakes him roundly.) 
 You are an idle fellow ! For shame ! 
 
 16 
 
King, (zvaking). I — I — why — 
 
 Wife, (boxing his ears lightly). You have left the 
 cakes burn! You will be willing enough to eat them by 
 and by, and yet you can not watch them for two minutes ! 
 (There is a knocking zcifhont.) Put them on this plate — 
 if you can do that much! (She hurries out. The King 
 azvkwardly forks the cakes onto the tin plate.) 
 
 (Enter the Robbers, escorting the Chief Counsellor, 
 in his dress of state. He carries over his arm a long 
 dark cloak.) 
 
 First Rob. (zcaz'ing an arrozv tozcard the stooping 
 King). There the King is. 
 
 Chief C. Your Majesty ! 
 
 Khig. (turning). Eh? My Counsellor ! (He drops 
 the tin plate, and comes tozvard the Counsellor zvith out- 
 stretched hands.) 
 
 Chief C. (stiffly). I am glad to see your Majesty, 
 but what are you doing? 
 
 King, (ruefully looking at the scattered cakes). The 
 good wife left me to mind the cakes, and I let them 
 burn. And now I have dropped them all ! What news 
 do you bring? How did you find me? 
 
 Chief C. The Robbers guided me. They have kept 
 watch over your Majesty all the time. 
 
 King, (smiling on the Robbers). They are my faith- 
 ful friends. I owe my life to them. (The Robbers bozv 
 very lozv.) 
 
 Chief C. They will escort us back to the Palace, (to 
 the Robbers). Guard the cottage until we come out. 
 (The Robbers bozu and retire.) 
 
 Chief C. Your Majesty, there was a great battle 
 fought yesterday, and the Danes were driven backward 
 toward the sea. Tomorrow we will be ready to fight 
 again. (He produces the King's crozvn and unzuraps it.) 
 You must return to the Palace immediately. I have 
 brought your crown. 
 
 King, (putting on his crozvn). Let us lose no time. 
 (He bundles up his arrozvs, to take zjuith him.) 
 
 17 
 
(Enter the Cottager, hastily.) 
 Cottager, (falling on his knees). Spare me! Spare 
 a poor cowherd ! Oh King Alfred, spare me ! 
 
 King. Rise, my friend. If my subjects were all as 
 thoughtful as you, I could be a better King. (The Cot- 
 tager rises, and n'oits, silent and awed, in the hack- 
 ground.) All I have done is make a few arrows. (He 
 hands his bundle to the Counsellor.) 
 
 (Enter the Cottagers Wife, weeping.) 
 
 Wife. Your Majesty, I am sorry that I scolded you 
 about the cakes. I did n't mean to b — b — box your ears ! 
 (She cries and cries.) 
 
 King, (to the Couv.sellor). Give me my cloak. (The 
 Counsellor helps him put it on.) You were right to 
 scold me, Madam. I should not have let the cakes burn. 
 You told me to watch them, and I was unfaithful to 
 my task, (to Cottager). And you, sir, are right about 
 war. War is not a good thing, but we can not stop 
 lighting until we win. Always remember that a King is 
 like other men ; he must do the best he can, and keep 
 on hoping. You shall hear from me soon. I do not 
 forget my friends. 
 
 Chief C. Your Majesty, let us go. (They go out.) 
 
 Wife, (wiping her eyes). He is a good King. 
 
 Cottager, (sighing). Yes, he is a good enough King, 
 but it is hard to be a King. 
 
 Wife, (picking up an arrow). Oh, he left one of 
 his arrows! I shall keep it for my little boy! Why is 
 it hard to be a King? 
 
 Cottager. Because a King is only one man. I am 
 going to the barn. When supper is ready, call me. (He 
 lumbers out.) 
 
 Wife, (gathering up the cakes from the floor). Here 
 he was thinking about how he could help us, and I called 
 him a lazy fellow! (She zvraps the cakes up in a cloth.) 
 I will keep them always. God bless our good King 
 Alfred! (She goes, carrying the cakes and the arrow, 
 and -wiping her eyes.) 
 
 18 
 
Otb<2r BooKs by th)e Same Author. 
 
 THE NOAHS AFLOAT. An Historical Romance. 
 
 Cloth, 1 2mo; net, $ 1 .50; postage, 1 cents. 
 "A delicious burlesque, irreverent but irresistibly funny.'' 
 
 —The Bookseller. 
 
 THE HEART AND THE CROWN. A volume of Son- 
 
 nets. Full leather; printed in two colors; postpaid $1.25. 
 "The work is of fine quality, with much that is beautiful and ef- 
 fective."— The Gi adnata Magazine. 
 
 TUMBLEWEED. A Book of Vagrant Verse. 
 
 Cloth, 1 6mo; net, $ 1 .00; postage, 8 cents. 
 "This beautiful poetry has the scent of the prairie grass, the rythm 
 of the rolling plains."- The Eagle. 
 
 THE OPEN ROAD. A Book of Outcast Verse. 
 
 Cloth, l6mo; net, $1.25; postage, Scents. 
 "A book of verse which rises clear lout of the realm of the or- 
 dinary. "—The Wichita Beacon. 
 
 The above books can be ordered through book stores, or of the 
 author, H. Rea Woodman, Poughkeepsie, New York. 
 
13 1912