But he did not mean to keep his promise. He did not tell King Philip
about the man who had saved his life. He only said that there was a
fine farm by the seashore, and that he would like very much to have
it for his own. Would the king give it to him?
"Who owns the farm now?" asked Philip.
"Only a churlish farmer, who has never done anything for his country,"
said the soldier.
"Very well, then," said Philip. "You have served me for a long time,
and you shall have your wish. Go and take the farm for yourself."
And so the soldier made haste to drive the farmer from his house and
home. He took the farm for his own.
The poor farmer was stung to the heart by such treat-ment. He went
boldly to the king, and told the whole story from beginning to end.
King Philip was very angry when he learned that the man whom he had
trusted had done so base a deed. He sent for the soldier in great
haste; and when he had come, he caused these words to be burned in his
forehead:--
"THE UNGRATEFUL GUEST."
Thus all the world was made to know of the mean act by which the
soldier had tried to enrich himself; and from that day until he died
all men shunned and hated him.
ALEXANDER AND BUCEPHALUS.
One day King Philip bought a fine horse called Bu-ceph'a-lus.
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