sted
quietly in my arms, with all the beautiful confidence of childhood. I
took my gun with me, and went gaily on over the crisp ground. In less
than an hour I reached the encampment. There was joy and gratitude in
the hearts of those to whom I delivered her. They had been searching
for her in vain, and had already believed her a prey to wolves, which
much infested that region.'

"`Ah, she was my own, my beautiful little Azeota,' exclaimed, the gipsy
chief, looking at me earnestly. `Every circumstance you relate was told
me then, I remember. But was it you did that brave act? Was it you who
saved my child? Pardon me that I did not know you; you are much changed
since then.'

"`So I believe,' said I. `Toil and anxiety have done their work on my
features, I doubt not. I am glad of it in one respect, for though at
times it may prevent my friends recognising me, it will more effectually
guard me from being discovered by my enemies.'

"`Ah, my dear friend, my son, my well-beloved, I know you now, though,'
exclaimed the gipsy, springing up, and throwing his arms round my neck,
while his countenance exhibited the deepest emotion. `Ah, my Azeota, my
sweet flower! I have lost her; death has taken her from me, but I am
not the less grateful to you for what you did for her, and I thank the
fates who have sent you once more to me that we may converse together of
her. But tell me, how is it that you come here to seek me?'

"On this I told him such part of my history as I thought would afford
him interest, and informed him of my purpose of endeavouring to find
Aneouta, and of going on afterwards to Nishni and Moscow.

"`I will think over the matter as we go along,' he replied; `we shall
soon be on the move; you will ride along with me. But stay, you have
had no food this morning, probably. Here, Kazan,' he cried, calling to
a lad who was passing; `bring some provisions here immediately for this,
my friend; your mother will give them to you--the best she has, tell
her. Then saddle my black mare, and bring her along with my horse; he
will ride her.'

"I thanked the gipsy chief for his arrangements. Nothing could be more
opportune than the encounter. The tribe were proceeding in the very
direction I wished to go, and though I could have performed the distance
almost as quickly on foot, I should now be enabled to do it without
fatigue. I ate a hearty breakfast, and by the time it was finished, the
gipsy's mare w