creed. He renounced his
country; but could not renounce his character. By the mighty Allah! he
shall severely suffer for this breach of discipline if Caneri has power
amongst the Moors. Yes, he shall feel the bitter consequences of his
imprudence upon his return."

"Return!" cried Malique, despondingly, "If he acted not according to
your orders, I much apprehend he will never return; for his companions
in flight leave no doubt as to the motives that have directed him."

"Companions!" exclaimed Caneri, in breathless anxiety. "What
companions?"

"Even the fair captive, and the menial Roque," replied Malique, after
some hesitation.

"What! Theodora gone! gone with the renegade!--hell! furies!--unsay
those words, Malique! tremble for the villains that allowed him to leave
the town--nay, tremble for your own life!"

The fury of Caneri knew no bounds, upon the confirmation of Malique's
intelligence. He stamped and raved like a madman, and plucked his beard
in very ire: then, in the summary way of distributing Moorish justice,
he caused the chief and two or three of the guards of the night to be
slaughtered in his presence. Indeed, Malique himself would have shared
the same fate, had not the private interest of the Moor superseded his
frenzied revenge. But Caneri considered Malique as totally devoted to
his person, and he was loath to part with a man of whose aid and
counsel he stood in greater need than ever. Thus the life of Malique was
spared by the despot, as those of many other humble slaves had before
been and will again, by their despotic masters, not for the services
which they have already rendered, but in consideration of those which
they might still afford.

"Malique, quick," cried Caneri, "take the best of my troops, the
fleetest of my horses, and speed after that accursed renegade; bring
him, dead or alive;--alive, if possible; and ask for any recompence,
any, how great soever, which I can grant.--Begone!--fly!"

In a moment the faithful Malique with a chosen band was mounted, and in
a moment they started rapidly with the velocity that a hope of
recompence or a dread of punishment inspires. They sped in the direction
reported to be taken by the fugitives, but it was too late; the renegade
had devised the necessary precautions to insure success in his
undertaking. He had the advantage of a whole night's journey, and had
besides prudently changed his route as soon as he found himself out of
sight.

Thus