nst the enemies of his realm, pressed him to
remain, hoping that by his falling in love with his lovely daughter he
might be induced to become his son-in-law. The colour of the young
princess's complexion, which was of the most sable hue, shining
lustrously with palm oil, although much admired in her native country,
was to the British knight an insuperable objection to a closer alliance
than that of the friendship he enjoyed, though he did not say so; but
stated that he was anxious to go where glory awaited him, and that all
matrimonial arrangements he must defer till he had won that fame for
which his heart panted.

Accordingly, the next morning, followed by De Fistycuff, who had some
difficulty in buckling his belt after the good fare he had enjoyed, he
set forth from the southern gate of the capital towards the unknown
regions which lay beyond. The sweet Princess looked out of a turret
window, and waved her coal-black hand, while tears coursed each other
down her sable cheeks as she saw the Knight going away and leaving her
all forlorn; for in her bright eyes not one of the neighbouring princes,
nor any of her father's courtiers, could in any way be compared to the
gallant Saint George. Many other sweet princesses, at the various
courts he visited in his travels, held the same opinion--a circumstance
which caused a considerable amount of perplexity to the gentle-hearted
and gallant Knight. As she gazed she sighed, and then she sang words to
the following effect:--

"Go away, go away, oh, hard-hearted knight, Go away to glory and fame;
If you ever come back You'll not find me slack To change my state and
name!"

Much relieved by the impromptu expressions of her feelings, she turned
from the window, Saint George having disappeared among the distant
sand-heaps, and went to attend her honoured sire at his matutinal meal.

Saint George and his Squire travelled on day after day, mounting higher
and higher till they reached a region where the heat was no longer so
oppressive as in the plains, and where scenes new and beautiful opened
on their enravished sight.

There were beautiful lakes of the clearest water, full of fish of
strange shapes and gorgeous hues, which swam up to the surface, and
gazed with curious eyes at the strangers. The trees and shrubs were of
the most gigantic proportions, the former towering high into the sky,
and a single leaf affording ample shade to the Knight and Squire and
their horses.