e siege of Bunzelwitz, and how ravenously we would have
eaten it!"

He then turned again to the ambassador, who, taking from the other
baskets Carian dates and almonds, and other Eastern dainties in silver
dishes, placed them before the king. Mustapha then uttered a loud,
commanding cry, and the door of the tent was again opened, and there
appeared a Tartar, dressed in white wolf-skin, bearing a golden dish,
which contained a steaming, white liquid. He took it, and kneeled with
it before Frederick.

"Sire," said he, "my master begs you to drink with him of his favorite
beverage. He pressed his lips to the rim of this dish before sending it
to you, and if you will now do the same, the eagle and hero of the north
will receive the brotherly kiss of the eagle and hero of the south."

"What is it?" asked the king, in a low voice, of Baron von Rexin, who
stood near the divan.

"Sire, it is mare's milk!" whispered Rexin.

The king shuddered, and almost overturned the contents of the dish
which he had just received from the hands of Mustapha Aga; but quickly
overcoming this feeling, he raised the bowl smilingly to his mouth.
After placing his lips upon the rim, he returned the bowl to the
ambassador.

"I have received the kiss of my friend. May our friendship be eternal!"

"Allah grant this prayer!" cried Mustapha. "Sire, Krimgirai dares, as
this beverage is such a favorite with all Turks, to hope that it
may please you; he therefore offers you the animal from which it
was procured." He then pointed to the opening in the tent, where now
appeared a noble Arabian horse, wearing a costly saddle and bridle, and
a crimson saddle-cloth richly worked with pearls and precious stones.

The eyes of the king beamed with pleasure, and as he hurried through the
tent and approached the horse, the animal seemed to wish to greet
his new master, for it neighed loudly, and pawed the sand with its
well-shaped feet. The king gently stroked its slender, shining neck and
its full, fluttering mane, and looked in the great, flashing eyes.

"You are welcome, my battle-horse!" he said; "may you bear me in the
next engagement either to victory or death!"

He then returned to his seat, in order to receive the remaining presents
of the Khan, consisting of costly weapons and furs.

"And now, sire, the Khan begs that you will repose in his tent, and
listen to the music that he loves, and look at the dances which give him
pleasure. My master know