erent
times engaged: always challenging to an encounter of this kind the
general of the hostile army. The following anecdote will illustrate
his character. Kaled besieged the city of Bostra. The Greek governor,
named Romain, under pretence of making a sortie, passed the walls with
his troops, and arranged them in order of battle in front of the
Mussulman army. At the moment when he should have given the signal for
the onset, the valiant Greek demanded an interview with Kaled. The two
commanders, therefore, advanced into the centre of the space which
separated the opposing armies. Romain declared to the Saracen general
that he had determined not only to deliver the city to him, but to
embrace the religion of the crescent; he at the same time expressed a
fear that his soldiers, among whom he was by no means popular, intended
to take his life, and intreated Kaled to protect him against their
vengeance.

"The best thing you can do," replied the Moslem leader, "is immediately
to accept a challenge to a single combat with me. Such an exhibition
of courage will gain for you the respect of your troops, and we can
treat together afterward!"

{207}

At these words, without waiting for a reply from the governor, the
champion of Islamism drew his cimeter and attacked the unfortunate
Romain, who defended himself with a trembling hand. At each blow
inflicted by the redoubtable follower of the Prophet, Remain cried out,
"Do you then wish to kill me?" "No," replied the Mussulman; "my only
object is, to load you with honour; the more you are beaten, the more
esteem you will acquire!" At last, when he had nearly deprived the
poor Greek of life, Kaled gave up the contest, and shortly after took
possession of the city: when he next saw the pusillanimous governor, he
politely inquired after his health.

C, page 30.

_The warlike tribes of the Bereberes, &c._

The name of the portion of Africa called _Barbary_ is derived from the
Bereberes. This people regarded themselves, with much appearance of
truth, as the descendants of those Arabs who originally came into the
country with Malek Yarfric, and who are often confounded with the
ancient Numidians. Their language, which differs from that of every
other people, is, in the opinion of some authors, a corruption of the
Punic or Carthaginian. Divided into tribes and wandering among the
mountains, this peculiar race still exists in the kingdom of Morocco.
The Bereberes were