ious rank, but he could not discover the very extraordinary
reason which had forced them to conceal its existence by a method
still more extraordinary. Expecting that time would unravel this
mystery, he paid every attention to the boy's education, had him
instructed in the sciences, and trained up in exercises suitable to
the most illustrious descent.

The young disciple early answered the hopes of his friend. He excelled
particularly in the art of horsemanship, handled every sort of weapon
with dexterity, and in general acquired all the knowledge necessary
for the most resolute warrior or hunter.

One day, as they were both hotly engaged in the pursuit of some
tigers, they were suddenly surrounded by a band of robbers. Abaquir
(for that was the young man's name) displayed, as well as his master,
prodigious feats of valour. But, overpowered by numbers, they were
both plundered. The protector of Abaquir lost his life, and he himself
received some slight wounds; but the faintness which succeeded was
more the effect of fatigue than of blows. As soon as the robbers had
disappeared he came to himself, and being naturally courageous, he
attempted, though deprived of every aid, to cross the desert, in order
to reach some inhabited place, having nothing for his defence but a
hunter's javelin, which had been left on the field of battle.

He had travelled but a few hours when he perceived in the plain a man
in the habit of a dervish. He made haste to join him, to address and
salute him. The dervish prevented him by beginning the conversation
himself.

"Beautiful young man," said he to him, "you are naked and wounded. Who
hath reduced you to the distressed situation in which I see you?"
Abaquir did not hesitate to relate his adventure to this man, whom he
took for some holy person, and confidently asked from him some food
and clothing.

"One ought," replied the dervish, "to know what it is to strip himself
in order to clothe his brother, and to share with him his food in
order to preserve him."

At the same time he covered the young man with his cloak, made him sit
down, and drew from a sort of wallet some dates, bread baked with the
milk of a camel, and a bottle of the skin of a goat, containing five
or six pints of water.

"Hold," said he, "you shall have the repast of a penitent. I carry
these with me to supply my own wants and those of others; but we will
go to my cave, and there you will find both repose and plenty."