f a Frankish shop, and waited. He saw his
friend of yesterday come forth at last, Selim and Daud rising for his
passage. As he paused upon the steps to taste the sunny air, Iskender
caught his eye and ran to greet him. The Emir was gracious, asking how
he did, and at once proposing they should walk together. Iskender gave
the sons of Musa a triumphant glance.

"Where are your sketching things?" the Frank inquired; and hearing they
were left behind, would go and fetch them. They sauntered together
through the gardens out on to the sandhills, till within a
stone's-throw of Iskender's home; when the Englishman lay down on a
patch of withered herbage, saying he would wait there till his friend
returned.

Iskender passed the broken hedge at a bound and stood before his mother
in the doorway. She screamed to Allah for protection, in the first
surprise.

"Come, O my mother! Come and look!" he cried, and dragged her to a
point whence they could see the young Emir, lying flat on his back, his
straw hat covering his face, for the sun was strong. "It is himself,"
Iskender whispered, dashing on into the house; while his mother made
wild reverence in the Frank's direction, quite oblivious of the fact
that the object of her bows and servile gestures could not, from the
circumstances of his position, see them.

"Make all speed, O beloved!" she implored Iskender. "It is not well
that his Highness should remain extended in the hot sun. Allah forbid
that he should get a sunstroke, for his life is precious. May our Lord
preserve him for a blessing to us!" But while she spoke her son was
out of hearing.

Returning towards the town, the two friends had to pass the Christian
village by the ilex-tree, and the Emir, who had seen Iskender stoned
there, insisted on his sketching the small church, vowing to punish all
who dared molest him. Remembering the priest's daughter, he was fain,
and went to Mitri's house to ask for water. The girl herself appeared
in answer to his call, but, seeing who it was, ran back in terror,
crying: "O mother, help! It is the Brutestant." Whereat a slattern
dame came forth instead of her, and filled his can for him, with every
blessing.

Soon after, as he sat at work beneath the oak, the priest himself
appeared. Iskender rose and presented the Emir, who welcomed the
introduction with his ready smile.

"So the blessing worked, the praise to Allah!" was Mitri's comment. He
made the Englishma