y misery, paid for my
living with a hateful doctor, who beats and half starves me. But
listen, Little Corporal," continued he confidentially, "it is well that
I met you here; you must help me."

The man whom he thus addressed, smiled, and asked in what way he should
help him.

[Illustration]

"See," said Almansor, "it would be unfair for me to ask much from you;
you were very kind to me, but still I know that you are a poor man, and
when you were general you were not as well-dressed as the others, and
now, judging from your coat and hat, you cannot be in very good
circumstances. But the Franks have recently chosen a sultan, and beyond
doubt you know people who can approach him--the minister of war, maybe,
or of foreign affairs, or his admiral; do you?"

"Well, yes," answered the man; "but what more?"

"You might speak a good word for me to these people, Little Corporal,
so that they would beg the sultan to let me go. Then I should need some
money for the journey over the sea; but, above all, you must promise me
not to say a word about this to either the doctor or the Arabic
professor!"

"Who is the Arabic professor?"

"Oh, he is a very strange man; but I will tell you about him some other
time. If these two men should hear of this, I should not be able to get
away. But will you speak to the minister about me? Tell me honestly!"

"Come with me," said the man; "perhaps I can be of some use to you
now."

"Now?" cried the boy, in a fright. "Not for any consideration now; the
doctor would whip me for being gone so long. I must hurry back!"

"What have you in your basket?" asked the soldier, as he detained him.
Almansor blushed, and at first was not inclined to show the contents of
his basket; but finally he said: "See, Little Corporal, I must do such
services as would be given to my father's meanest slave. The doctor is
a miserly man, and sends me every day an hour's distance from our house
to the vegetable and fish-market. There I must make my purchases among
the dirty market-women, because things may be had of them for a few
coppers less than in our quarter of the city. Look! on account of this
miserable herring, and this handful of lettuce, and this piece of
butter, I am forced to take a two hours' walk every day. Oh, if my
father only knew of it!"

The man whom Almansor addressed was much moved by the boy's distress,
and answered: "Only come with me, and don't be afraid. The doctor
shall not harm you, even