Every-where she went she was followed by an admiring crowd.  No home was too humble for her to enter, and under each roof she was received with the liveliest demonstrations of loyalty and delight.  The happy people thronged about her.  They skipped, they danced, they embraced each other in their joy.  At times it was hard to restrain them within proper bounds of respect to the royal person; but the guard well understood their duties.  They watched her every step, shielding and protecting her with respectful devotion.  They formed a barrier about her when she rested, offered her refreshment at her first symptom of weariness, and presently conducted her in regal state back to the palace, hastening her progress at the last, that she might be spared the sight of a sad little cavalcade just then approaching the gate.

“There had been an accident to the workers employed in excavating an under-ground road.  A portion of the earth-works had caved in, and two unfortunates had been buried in the ruins.  Their companions, after hours of arduous and indefatigable labor, had succeeded in recovering the bodies, and were bringing them home for burial; while a third victim—­still living, but grievously crushed and wounded—­was borne tenderly along, with frequent stoppages by the way as his weakness required.  A crowd of sympathizing neighbors and friends went out to meet the wonderful procession.  Strong, willing arms relieved the weary bearers of their burden, and the sufferer was conveyed to his home, where his poor body was cleansed, and a healing ointment of wonderful efficacy and power applied to his wounds.  Meanwhile the corpses were decently disposed outside the gates, awaiting burial; graves were prepared in the cemetery, and at sunset the funeral took place.

“But the day was not to end with this sad ceremony; for at twilight a sentinel ran in with the glad news that two well-beloved citizens, sent on an embassy to a distant country, and who had remained so long away that they had been given up for dead, were returning:  in fact, were at that moment coming up the avenue to the gate.  Then was there great rejoicing, the whole city turning out to welcome them; and the poor travelers, footsore and weary, and ready but now to lie down and die by the road-side, so spent were they by the perils and hardships they had undergone, suddenly found themselves within sight of home, surrounded by friends, companions, brothers, who embraced them rapturously, praising them for their fortitude and bravery, pitying their present weakness, caressing, cheering, comforting them.  So they were brought in triumph back to their beloved city, where a banquet was prepared in honor of their return.