joined Trueman.

'As for that,' replied Freeman, 'comings of age depend in a manner upon
meat and drink. They ain't in noways to be carried out with coffee and
pipes. Without oxen roasted whole, and broached hogsheads, they ain't in
a manner legal.'

A horseman, who was ahead of the Emir and Tancred, now began beating
with a stick on two small tabors, one on each side of his saddle, and
thus announced to those who were already on the watch, the approach of
their lord. It was some time, however, before the road, winding through
the sycamore trees and gradually ascending, brought them to the outworks
of the castle, of which, during their progress, they enjoyed a variety
of views. It was a very extensive pile, in excellent condition, and
apparently strongly fortified. A number of men, in showy dresses and
with ornamented arms, were clustered round the embattled gateway, which
introduced the travellers into a quadrangle of considerable size, and of
which the light and airy style pleasingly and suitably contrasted with
the sterner and more massive character of the exterior walls. A fountain
rose in the centre of the quadrangle which was surrounded by arcades.
Ranged round this fountain, in a circle, were twenty saddled steeds
of the highest race, each held by a groom, and each attended by a
man-at-arms. All pressed their hands to their hearts as the Emir
entered, but with a gravity of countenance which was never for a
moment disturbed. Whether their presence were habitual, or only for
the occasion, it was unquestionably impressive. Here the travellers
dismounted, and Fakredeen ushered Tancred through a variety of saloons,
of which the furniture, though simple, as becomes the East, was
luxurious, and, of its kind, superb; floors of mosaic marbles, bright
carpets, arabesque ceilings, walls of carved cedar, and broad divans of
the richest stuffs of Damascus.

'And this divan is for you,' said Fakredeen, showing Tancred into a
chamber, which opened upon a flower-garden shaded by lemon trees. 'I
am proud of my mirror,' he added, with some exultation, as he called
Tancred's attention to a large French looking-glass, the only one in
Lebanon. 'And this,' added Fakredeen, leading Tancred through a suite of
marble chambers, 'this is your bath.'

In the centre of one chamber, fed by a perpetual fountain, was a large
alabaster basin, the edges of which were strewn with flowers just
culled. The chamber was entirely of porcelain; a go