to
become intercessor betwixt me and the execution of justice, to which I
am sworn as a crowned king."

"Thou art sworn to the dealing forth mercy as well as justice," said El
Hakim; "but what thou seekest, great King, is the execution of thine own
will. And for the concern I have in this request, know that many a man's
life depends upon thy granting this boon."

"Explain thy words," said Richard; "but think not to impose upon me by
false pretexts."

"Be it far from thy servant!" said Adonbec. "Know, then, that the
medicine to which thou, Sir King, and many one besides, owe their
recovery, is a talisman, composed under certain aspects of the heavens,
when the Divine Intelligences are most propitious. I am but the poor
administrator of its virtues. I dip it in a cup of water, observe the
fitting hour to administer it to the patient, and the potency of the
draught works the cure."

"A most rare medicine," said the King, "and a commodious! and, as it may
be carried in the leech's purse, would save the whole caravan of camels
which they require to convey drugs and physic stuff; I marvel there is
any other in use."

"It is written," answered the Hakim, with imperturbable gravity, "'Abuse
not the steed which hath borne thee from the battle.' Know that such
talismans might indeed be framed, but rare has been the number of adepts
who have dared to undertake the application of their virtue. Severe
restrictions, painful observances, fasts, and penance, are necessary on
the part of the sage who uses this mode of cure; and if, through neglect
of these preparations, by his love of ease, or his indulgence of sensual
appetite, he omits to cure at least twelve persons within the course of
each moon, the virtue of the divine gift departs from the amulet,
and both the last patient and the physician will be exposed to speedy
misfortune, neither will they survive the year. I require yet one life
to make up the appointed number."

"Go out into the camp, good Hakim, where thou wilt find a-many," said
the King, "and do not seek to rob my headsman of HIS patients; it is
unbecoming a mediciner of thine eminence to interfere with the practice
of another. Besides, I cannot see how delivering a criminal from the
death he deserves should go to make up thy tale of miraculous cures."

"When thou canst show why a draught of cold water should have cured
thee when the most precious drugs failed," said the Hakim, "thou mayest
reason on the other