his chamber, which they carefully watched.

In his solitude Jussuf thought over his fate. He lamented again his
thoughtlessness in exposing himself alone to the dangers of a journey
in an unknown country; he bewailed his fate in falling into the hands
of fire-worshippers, and tried several times to open the box with the
golden key. Then said he to himself, "What hope can I now have of
attaining the end of my wishes? I am a captive, and well watched; and
if I am delivered from captivity, it will be to sacrifice me to the
flames." Often hope woke again. He still possessed the treasures that
he carried about his body, and they were not inconsiderable: he
concealed them carefully, for he hoped that they might be a means of
bribery to his companions on the road to sacrifice, and that he might
thus purchase his freedom. He received daily clean and good food, and
would have had nothing of which to complain, if he had not wanted
freedom, and had not the fear of death before his eyes.

On the morning of the ninth day he had a farther and faster passage
from the house where he was imprisoned. Eighty black slaves rode
forward on white horses. Then came as many white slaves on black
horses. After these came a number of riders, whom Jussuf could easily
discern to be those who had taken him prisoner. Behind these, and
surrounded by them, rode the master of the country, who had destined
him to be sacrificed. Then came twenty venerable grey-headed men, in
red and gold striped garments, each of whom bore a broad glittering
blade, and a bundle of dry bamboo-sticks. Behind them followed ten
youths, with coal-dishes full of glowing coals. And now Jussuf was
brought forth, and, with his hands fastened, and his feet chained to
the horse, he rode between his former companions. Behind him followed
a number of armed men, and then a crowd of people. In this order the
procession wound along the valley. Towards evening they chose a place
for encampment, and struck some tents. Jussuf was watched in a
distinct tent. As he observed that stillness reigned in the camp, he
approached the entrance of his tent, and called out, half aloud,

"I am very thirsty. Is no one here who could bring me a refreshing
drink?"

The watchman who guarded his tent answered him, "When my hour is up, I
will fetch you some water from the river. Till then remain quiet."

"Alas!" sighed Jussuf, "my lips thirst not for water; my soul thirsts
after liberty. I will prove my