tly. "My sleep has been
long and full of dreams. Yet I know that you are a great English lord,
as seemeth by the red cross, and this a holy prelate, whose blessing I
crave on me a poor sinner."

"Thou hast it--BENEDICTIO DOMINI SIT VOBISCUM," said the prelate, making
the sign of the cross, but without approaching nearer to the patient's
bed.

"Your eyes witness," said the Arabian, "the fever hath been subdued.
He speaks with calmness and recollection--his pulse beats composedly as
yours--try its pulsations yourself."

The prelate declined the experiment; but Thomas of Gilsland, more
determined on making the trial, did so, and satisfied himself that the
fever was indeed gone.

"This is most wonderful," said the knight, looking to the bishop; "the
man is assuredly cured. I must conduct this mediciner presently to King
Richard's tent. What thinks your reverence?"

"Stay, let me finish one cure ere I commence another," said the Arab; "I
will pass with you when I have given my patient the second cup of this
most holy elixir."

So saying he pulled out a silver cup, and filling it with water from a
gourd which stood by the bedside, he next drew forth a small silken
bag made of network, twisted with silver, the contents of which the
bystanders could not discover, and immersing it in the cup, continued to
watch it in silence during the space of five minutes. It seemed to the
spectators as if some effervescence took place during the operation; but
if so, it instantly subsided.

"Drink," said the physician to the sick man--"sleep, and awaken free
from malady."

"And with this simple-seeming draught thou wilt undertake to cure a
monarch?" said the Bishop of Tyre.

"I have cured a beggar, as you may behold," replied the sage. "Are
the Kings of Frangistan made of other clay than the meanest of their
subjects?"

"Let us have him presently to the King," said the Baron of Gilsland. "He
hath shown that he possesses the secret which may restore his health. If
he fails to exercise it, I will put himself past the power of medicine."

As they were about to leave the hut, the sick man, raising his voice
as much as his weakness permitted, exclaimed, "Reverend father, noble
knight, and you, kind leech, if you would have me sleep and recover,
tell me in charity what is become of my dear master?"

"He is upon a distant expedition, friend," replied the prelate--"on an
honourable embassy, which may detain him for some days."

"Nay