THE TWO CAPTAINS.
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serpents touched the jewels, they gave forth a silvery sound. But
Heimbert let the serpents creep and the gems sparkle, without
troubling himself about them, intent alone on following the footsteps
of his guide.

"We are there!" said she with suppressed voice; and looking up he saw
a shining grotto of shells, within which he perceived a man asleep
clad in golden scale-armor of the old Numidian fashion. "Is that
also a phantom, there yonder in the golden scales?" inquired
Heimbert, smiling; but Zelinda looked very grave and replied, "Oh,
no! that is the Dervish himself, and his having put on this coat-of-
mail, which has been rendered invulnerable by dragon's blood, is a
proof that by his magic he has become aware of our intention." "What
does that signify?" said Heimbert; "he would have to know it at
last." And he began at once to call out, with a cheerful voice,
"Wake up, old sir, wake up! Here is an acquaintance of yours, who
has matters upon which he must speak to you."

And as the Dervish opened his large rolling eyes, everything in the
magic grove began to move, the water began to dance, and the branches
to intertwine in wild emulation, and at the same time the precious
stones and the shells and corals emitted strange and confusing
melodies.

"Roll and turn, thunder and play as you like!" exclaimed Heimbert,
looking fixedly at the maze around him; "you shall not divert me from
my own good path, and Almighty God has given me a good far-sounding
soldier's voice which can make itself heard above all this tumult."
Then turning to the Dervish he said, "It appears, old man, that you
already know everything which has passed between Zelinda and me. In
case, however, that it is not so, I will tell you briefly that she is
already as good as a Christian, and that she is the betrothed of a
noble Spanish knight. Place nothing in the way of her good
intention; I advise you for your own sake. But still better for your
own sake would it be if you would become a Christian yourself.
Discuss the matter with me, and first bid all this mad devilish show
to cease, for our religion, dear sir, speaks of far too tender and