330 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



the daughter of their leader, the terrible Dansowich, 

 beside whom she is ever to be found, instilling the 

 musk and amber of mildness into his fierce soul, and 

 pouring healing into the wounds he makes. I know 

 her not, but often have I heard the Christians, with 

 whom my traffic brought me acquainted, include her 

 in the prayers they addressed to their God." 



" Her eyes were as brilliant stars, and they blinded 

 my very soul," exclaimed Ibrahim impetuously ; " the 

 honey of her words dropped like balm into my 

 heart ! As the sound of bubbling fountains, and the 

 rustle of flowery groves to the parched wanderer in 

 the desert, fell her sweet voice upon my ear. So 

 gentle and musical were its tones, that I thought not 

 of their meaning, and it is only to-day that I under- 

 stand them." 



" I know not," quoth Hassan, " what you may 

 have seen ; but doubtless Satan, who wished to in- 

 spire you with an unholy desire for a Xazarene 

 woman, began by blinding you. According to all I 

 have heard, the Uzcoque maiden is good and com- 

 passionate, but as ugly as night." 



" Ugly ! " cried Ibrahim. " Then there must be 

 two of them; for the one I saw was blooming as 

 the spring, her eyes like the morning star, and her 

 cheeks of velvet. Oh that I could again behold her ! 

 In that hope it was that I pressed so rashly forward 

 in the fight, and was made prisoner ; but yet have I 

 not beheld the pearl of mine eyes." 



