ech leads me to
understand that you have had news of my father's doings lately. Is the
old man well?"

"Ay, King Hudibras is well, and as fond of fighting as ever, besides
being well able for it. I am not sure that he would be pleased if he
heard you call him the `old man.'"

"Indeed? Yet nearly fifty winters have passed over his head, and that
is somewhat old for a warrior. And my mother and sister--have you heard
of them?"

"Excellently well, I believe. At least, so I have been told by the
Hebrew merchant who came over sea with one of the Phoenician ships, and
wanders over the whole land with his pack of golden ornaments--which so
take the fancy of the women, indeed of the men also. How the fellow
escapes being robbed on his journeys is more than I can tell. It is
said that he travels by night and sleeps in caves during the day. Some
people even think that he is in league with evil spirits. I doubt that;
but he told me the other day, when I met him on our side of the channel,
that your sister is about to be married to a neighbouring chief--I
forget his name--Gunrig, I think--with whom your father wishes to be on
friendly terms."

"Married!" exclaimed Bladud, with a troubled look.

"Ay, and it is said she does not like the match."

"Does my mother approve of it?"

"I think not, though the Hebrew did not seem to feel quite sure on that
point. But your father seems resolved on it, and you know he is not
easily turned from his purpose when determined to have his way. He is
more difficult to move than a woman in that matter."

"Come, friend," said Bladud gravely, "don't be too free in your remarks
on my father."

"And don't be too hard on the women-folk," added the captain, with a
grim smile, "they are not all alike. At least there is one that I know
of in the East, whose spirit is like that of the lamb, and her voice
like the notes of the songbird."

Maikar looked as if he were on the point of adding something to the
conversation, but his thoughts seemed too deep for utterance, for he
only sighed.

"Land us in yon creek," said Bladud promptly. "It seems that I have not
returned home a moment too soon. There, under the cliff--so."

The skiff ran alongside of a ledge of rock as he spoke, and next moment
the prince leaped upon the shores of his native land.

With a brief farewell to his old playmate, he turned, led his companions
up the neighbouring cliff, and, plunging into the forest, set off