nducted with great decorum, till one of the
servants awkwardly overturned a cup of hot coffee on the host's legs,
when he started up, exclaiming in very good Gascon, "Blood and thunder!
you blockhead, you deserve to be thrown over the mosque!"

Huon could not help laughing to see the vivacity and the language of
his country thus break out unawares. The host, who had no idea that his
guests understood his words, was astonished when Huon addressed him in
the dialect of his country. Immediately confidence was established
between them; especially when the domestics had retired. The host,
seeing that he was discovered, and that the two pretended Saracens were
from the borders of the Garonne, embraced them, and disclosed that he
was a Christian. Huon, who had learned prudence from the advice of
Oberon, to test his host's sincerity, drew from his robe the cup which
the Fairy-king had given him, and presented it empty to the host. "A
fair cup," said he, "but I should like it better if it was full."
Immediately it was so. The host, astonished, dared not put it to his
lips. "Drink boldly, my dear fellow-countryman," said Huon; "your truth
is proved by this cup, which only fills itself in the hands of an
honest man." The host did not hesitate longer; the cup passed freely
from hand to hand; their mutual cordiality increased as it passed, and
each recounted his adventures. Those of Huon redoubled his host's
respect; for he recognized in him his legitimate sovereign: while the
host's narrative was in these words:

"My name is Floriac; this great and strong city, you will hear with
surprise and grief, is governed by a brother of Duke Sevinus, and your
uncle. You have no doubt heard that a young brother of the Duke of
Guienne was stolen away from the sea-shore, with his companions, by
some corsairs. I was then his page, and we were carried by those
corsairs to Barbary, where we were sold for slaves. The Barbary prince
sent us as part of the tribute which he yearly paid to his sovereign,
the Sultan Gaudisso. Your uncle, who had been somewhat puffed up by the
flattery of his attendants, thought to increase his importance with his
new master by telling him his rank. The Sultan, who, like a true
Mussulman, detested all Christian princes, exerted himself from that
moment to bring him over to the Saracen faith. He succeeded but too
well. Your uncle, seduced by the arts of the Santons, and by the
pleasures and indulgences which the Sultan a