han could my words, though each had a hornet's sting."

Richard turned fiercely from him, folded his arms, traversed the tent
as before, and then exclaimed, "Thankless and ungenerous!--as well be
termed coward and infidel! Hakim, thou hast chosen thy boon; and though
I had rather thou hadst asked my crown jewels, yet I may not, kinglike,
refuse thee. Take this Scot, therefore, to thy keeping; the provost will
deliver him to thee on this warrant."

He hastily traced one or two lines, and gave them to the physician. "Use
him as thy bond-slave, to be disposed of as thou wilt--only, let him
beware how he comes before the eyes of Richard. Hark thee--thou art
wise--he hath been over-bold among those in whose fair looks and weak
judgments we trust our honour, as you of the East lodge your treasures
in caskets of silver wire, as fine and as frail as the web of a
gossamer."

"Thy servant understands the words of the King," said the sage, at once
resuming the reverent style of address in which he had commenced. "When
the rich carpet is soiled, the fool pointeth to the stain--the wise man
covers it with his mantle. I have heard my lord's pleasure, and to hear
is to obey."

"It is well," said the King; "let him consult his own safety, and never
appear in my presence more. Is there aught else in which I may do thee
pleasure?"

"The bounty of the King hath filled my cup to the brim," said the
sage--"yea, it hath been abundant as the fountain which sprung up amid
the camp of the descendants of Israel when the rock was stricken by the
rod of Moussa Ben Amram."

"Ay, but," said the King, smiling, "it required, as in the desert, a
hard blow on the rock ere it yielded its treasures. I would that I knew
something to pleasure thee, which I might yield as freely as the natural
fountain sends forth its waters."

"Let me touch that victorious hand," said the sage, "in token that if
Adonbec el Hakim should hereafter demand a boon of Richard of England,
he may do so, yet plead his command."

"Thou hast hand and glove upon it, man," replied Richard; "only, if thou
couldst consistently make up thy tale of patients without craving me
to deliver from punishment those who have deserved it, I would more
willingly discharge my debt in some other form."

"May thy days be multiplied!" answered the Hakim, and withdrew from the
apartment after the usual deep obeisance.

King Richard gazed after him as he departed, like one but half-satisfied
w