THE TWO CAPTAINS.
Page: 27

Heimbert courteously. "If that cannot be, we must certainly divide
the provisions; for I would not have so brave a warrior as you
perish, with hunger and thirst."

So saying, the young captain began to arrange the provisions in two
portions, placing the larger on his left and the smaller at his
right; he then desired the Arab to take the former, and added, to his
astonished companion, "See, good sir, I have either not much farther
to travel or I shall perish in the desert; I feel that it will be so.
Besides, I cannot carry half so much on foot as you can on horse-
back."

"Knight! victorious knight!" cried the amazed Mussulman, "am I then
to keep my horse?"

"It were a sin and shame indeed," said Heimbert, smiling, "to
separate such a faithful steed from such a skilful rider. Ride
on, in God's name, and get safely to your people."

He then helped him to mount, and the Arab was on the point of
uttering a few words of gratitude, when he suddenly exclaimed, "The
magic maiden!" and, swift as the wind, he flew over the dusty plain.
Heimbert, however, turning round, saw close beside him in the now
bright moonlight a shining figure, which he at once perceived to be
Zelinda.




CHAPTER XI.



The maiden looked fixedly at the young soldier, and seemed
considering with what words to address him, while he, after his long
search and now unexpected success, was equally at a loss. At last
she said in Spanish, "Thou wonderful enigma, I have been witness of
all that has passed between thee and the Arab; and these affairs
confuse my head like a whirlwind. Speak, therefore, plainly, that
I may know whether thou art a madman or an angel?"

"I am neither, dear lady," replied Heimbert, with his wonted
friendliness. "I am only a poor wanderer, who has just been putting
into practice one of the commands of his Master, Jesus Christ."

"Sit down," said Zelinda, "and tell me of thy Master; he must be
himself unprecedented to have such a servant. The night is cool and
still, and at my side thou hast no cause to fear the dangers of the
desert."

"Lady," replied Heimbert, smiling, "I am not of a fearful nature, and