h of
decorum?"

No sooner had Caneri uttered the word "explain," than Marien Rufa,
conscious no doubt of her explanatory talents, in a most discordant tone
began:--

"Please your Mightiness, the cause of----"

"Stop, stop," cried Caneri; "I do not wish _thee_ to explain." Then,
turning, he demanded an explanation from Malique, who, in a few words,
corroborated the statement of Marien Rufa respecting the ugly trick of
which Aboukar stood accused. Upon this, Caneri, after pondering some
time, and gently striking his forehead as if to conjure some luminous
idea,--

"Malique," he cried, "bring hither the source of contention."

The provisions were immediately placed before him, and the sapient
chief, after putting aside a portion for his own use, wisely proceeded
to give his judgment.

"Here, Malique," he said, "distribute these amongst you all, except the
convicted culprit and his accuser."

This retributive justice was greatly applauded by the surrounding party,
whose looks clearly indicated the high opinion they entertained of their
chief's wise decision; although their ravenous hunger might have,
indeed, contributed somewhat to the enhancement of their approbation.
The renegade and the new comer stood silent spectators of the scene, but
they could not disguise the expression of their contempt both for the
degraded state of their companions, and the foolish importance with
which the vain-glorious Caneri comported himself.

Peace being thus restored by the chief's sagacious intervention,--

"Now, Alagraf," he said, "what tidings dost thou bring from Granada?
Will thy expectations be fulfilled, and my wishes crowned with success?
What further inquiries hast thou made relating to Theodora?"

"I have not been idle," sullenly answered the renegade.

"And yet," returned Caneri, "I fear exceedingly that our mutual hopes
will be disappointed."

"Not so, Caneri," retorted Bermudo; "but this is no time to enter upon
that subject, for another of greater importance has a previous claim to
our notice."

"By the holy Prophet!" exclaimed Caneri, with displeasure, "I should
imagine that an affair in which I am interested, is, of itself,
sufficient to command immediate attention: Explain, then," he added
impatiently, "that which concerns me most."

"Moor!" cried the renegade with anger, "thou surely must forget that I
am not thy slave: no, by my sword, I will not speak of these matters
until I think the time befitting.