among his people."

Hubert was taken away, leaving his two fellow countrymen behind
him--taken away, joined to a gang of slaves like himself: and at
eventide, under the care of drivers, they formed a caravan, and set
out westward, making for the distant heights of Lebanon. He was the
only Englishman in the party, but close by was a young Poitevin,
whose downcast manner and frequent tears aroused the pitying
contempt of our Hubert, who thus at last was moved to address him:

"Cheer up, brother. While there is life there is hope."

"Not for those who become the slaves of the Old Man of the
Mountain."

Hubert started: the "Old Man of the Mountain"--he had often heard
of him, but had thought him only a "bogy," invented by the
credulous amongst the crusaders and pilgrims. He was said to be a
Mohammedan prince of intense bigotry, who collected together all
the promising boys he could find, whom from early years he trained
in habits of self devotion, and, alas! of cruelty; eradicating in
them all respect for human life, or sympathy for human suffering.
His palace was on the slopes of Lebanon, and was well supplied with
Christian slaves from the various markets; and it was said that
those who continued obstinate in their faith were, sooner or later,
put cruelly to death for the sport of the amiable pupils, to
familiarise them with such scenes, and render them callous to
suffering.

And when his education was finished, the "Old Man" presented each
pupil with a dagger, telling him that it was for the heart of such
or such a Christian warrior or statesman, and sent him forth. The
deeds of his pupils are but too well recorded in the pages of
history {28}.

Into the hands of this worthy man our Hubert had fallen, and even
his hopeful temperament--always buoyant under misfortune--could not
prevent him from sharing the despondency he had so pitied, and a
little despised.

In the evening, they arrived at a caravansary, and there the slaves
were told to rest, chained two and two together, and, furthermore,
huge bloodhounds stalked about the courtyard, within and without,
and if a slave but moved, their watchful growl showed what little
chance there was of escape.

Little? Rather, none.

In the morning, up again, and away for the west, until the slopes
of the mountains were attained on the third day, and the palace of
the "Old Man" soon appeared in sight.

A grand Eastern palace--cupolas, minarets gleaming in the setting