a very pleasant-looking young man on a
handsome horse, and he immediately took courage.

"Now," said he to himself, "I am no longer in danger. If that
horrible cut-throat should appear, this good gentleman will protect
me."

Alberdin had not seen any one for a long time, and he was very glad
to meet with so nice a little boy. When Phedo told him that he was
lost, he invited him to come to his tent, near by, and have
breakfast. While they were eating their meal, Alberdin asked the boy
if in the course of his rambles he had met with a heavy infantry
soldier, probably armed to the teeth, and very large and strong.

"Oh, I've heard of that dreadful man!" cried Phedo, "and I am very
glad that I did not meet him. If he comes, I hope you'll protect me
from him."

"I will do that," said Alberdin; "but I am afraid I shall not be able
to help you find your way home, for in doing so I should throw myself
off my guard, and might be set upon unexpectedly by this fellow, with
whom I have a regular engagement to fight. There is to be a time
fixed for the combat, for which I feel myself nearly ready, but I
have no doubt that my enemy will be very glad to take me at a
disadvantage if I give him a chance."

Phedo looked about him with an air of content. The tent was large and
well furnished; there seemed to be plenty of good things to eat; the
handsome horseman was certainly a very good-humored and agreeable
gentleman; and, moreover, the tent was not shut in by high and gloomy
ramparts.

"I do not think you need trouble yourself," said he to his host, "to
help me to find my way home. I live with my tutor, and I am sure that
when he knows I am gone he will begin to search for me, and after
awhile he will find me. Until then, I can be very comfortable here."

For several days the two third cousins of the Autocrat lived together
in the tent, and enjoyed each other's society very much. Then
Alberdin began to grow a little impatient.

"If I am to fight this heavy infantry man," he said; "I should like
to do it at once. I am now quite ready, and I think he ought to be. I
expected to hear from him before this time, and I shall start out and
see if I can get any news of his intentions. I don't care about going
over the mountain without giving him notice, but the capital city of
Mutjado is only a day's ride to the west, and there I can cause
inquiries to be made when he would like to meet me, and where."

"I will go with you," said P