ide of the tent was separated from the rest by heavy curtains of a
costly material, and from hence came the sound of music, which now arose
in loud, triumphant tones, as if greeting the king.

His majesty moved rapidly to the middle of the tent, while his
attendants stood against the walls, and Mustapha Aga and his interpreter
stood near the king.

Mustapha then took a sword which was on the table, and, after kissing
it, handed it to the king. "Sire," he said, "the great Krimgirai first
offers you his sword, as a sign of his love and goodwill. He begs that
on the day of the great victory which you and he will undoubtedly gain
over the hated czarina of the north, you will wear this sword at your
side. A sword like this--tempered in the same fire and ornamented with
the same design--is worn by the Khan. When these two swords cut the air,
Russia will tremble as if shaken by an earthquake."

The king received the sword from Mustapha Aga, and looked at it
attentively. Then pointing to the golden letters which ornamented the
blade, he asked the significance of the motto.

"Sire," replied Mustapha, solemnly, "it is the battle-cry of the Tartar:
'Death is preferable to defeat.'"

"I accept the sword with great pleasure," said the king. "This motto
embodies in a few words the history of a war, and discloses more of its
barbarity, than many learned and pious expositions could do. I thank the
Khan for his beautiful gift."

"The Khan hears your words, sire, for his spirit is among us."

Mustapha, after begging the king to seat himself upon the large divan,
drew aside the opening of the tent, when the servants with the covered
baskets immediately appeared, and placed themselves in a double row
around the tent. Mustapha then took the basket from the first couple,
and throwing back the cover, said: "Sire, will you condescend to eat of
the bread and drink of the favorite beverage of the Khan, that the ties
of your friendship may be strengthened? The Khan sends you a costly
ham--a proof of his unselfish friendship. He had his favorite horse
killed, the one that he has ridden for years, that he might offer you a
ham from this noble animal."

As the interpreter translated these words, the Prussian generals and
officers glanced smiling and mockingly at one another.

The king alone remained grave, and turning to the generals, he said in
German:

"Ah, gentlemen! how happy we would have been, had any one brought us
this meat at th