and
very proud, as he rested on his master's two fingers.

'Hah, hah! my Karaguus, my black-eyes,' exclaimed Darkush. 'What, is he
going on a little journey to somebody! Yes, we can trust Karaguus, for
he is one of us. Effendi, to-morrow at sunset, at your khan, for the
bazaar will be closed, you shall hear from me.'

CHAPTER L.

_The Mysterious Mountains_

AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.
Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt
with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword,
and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small
and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly
ridges, finally a lofty range. The general character of the scene was
severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the
hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights
uncovered, except occasionally by the snow. Yet, notwithstanding
the general aridity of its appearance, the country itself was
not unfruitful. The concealed vegetation of the valleys was not
inconsiderable, and was highly cherished; the less precipitous cliffs,
too, were cut into terraces, and covered with artificial soil. The
numerous villages intimated that the country was well populated. The
inhabitants produced sufficient wine and corn for their own use, were
clothed in garments woven by themselves, and possessed some command
over the products of other countries by the gums, the bees'-wax, and the
goats' wool which they could offer in exchange.

'I have seen two eagles over Gibel Kiflis twice this morning,' said one
of the horsemen to his companion. 'What does that portend?'

'A good backsheesh for our Queen, comrade. If these children of
Franguestan can pay a princess's dower to visit some columns in the
desert, like Tadmor, they may well give us the golden keys of their
treasury when they enter where none should go but those who are----'

'But they say that this Frank is one.'

'It has never been known that there were any among the Franks,' replied
his comrade, shaking his head. 'The Franks are all Nazareny, and, before
they were Nazareny, they were savages, and lived in caves.'

'But Keferinis has given the word that all are to guard over the
strangers as over the Queen herself, and that one is a prince, who is
unquestionably one of us.'