surprised to see that
they were resting upon the ground quite a long distance apart, with a
little stream between them. Noticing that Alberdin's back was toward
him, he threw off his disguise and hastened to Phedo. The boy
received him with the greatest delight, and, after many embraces,
they sat down to talk. Phedo told the old man all that had happened,
and finished by relating that, as they had that day stopped by this
stream to rest, Alberdin had taken it into his head to inquire into
the parentage of his young companion; and after many questions about
his family, it had been made clear to both of them that they were the
two third cousins who were to fight for the Autocracy of Mutjado.

"He is very angry," said the boy, "at the tricks that have been
played upon him, and went off and left me. Is it true that I am to
fight him? I don't want to do it, for I like him very much."

"It will be a long time before you are old enough to fight," said
Salim; "so we need not consider that. You stay here, and I'll go over
and talk to him."

Salim then crossed the stream, and approached Alberdin. When the
young man saw him, and recognized him as the person who had arranged
the two encampments, he turned upon him with fury.

"Wretched old man, who came to me as the emissary of my antagonist,
you are but the tutor of that boy! If I had known the truth at first,
I would have met him instantly; would have conquered him without
hurting a hair on his head; and carrying him bound to the capital
city, would have claimed the Autocracy, and would now have been
sitting upon the throne. Instead of that, look at the delay and
annoyance to which I have been subjected. I have also taken such a
fancy to the boy that rather than hurt him or injure his prospects, I
would willingly resign my pretensions to the throne, and go back
contentedly to my own city. But this cannot now be done. I have
fallen in love with the daughter of the late Autocrat, and she will
marry none but the victorious claimant. Behold to what a condition
you have brought me!"

The old man regarded him with attention.

"I wish very much," said he, "to defer the settlement of this matter
for thirteen years. Are you willing to wait so long?"

"No, I am not," said Alberdin.

"Very well, then," said the old man, "each third cousin must retire
to his camp, and as soon as matters can be arranged the battle must
take place."

"There is nothing else to be done," said Alberd