perhaps, unknown to the prince of the west," said the chieftain, " that this damsel, Elsiebede, is the daughter of my sister." " H*ow ?" exclaimed Richard, gazing with astonishment upon the Moorish girl. " Our fair queen has long blinded our eyes to other beauty, or we should have seen what the most careless observer could not fail to note, that she has the countenance and bearing of a princess." " The family of the Prophet (blessed be he)," said Mes-toc, his swarthy cheek reddening with a touch of pride, " boasts not a more noble origin, than the Gyptianos slave of the Prankish queen." " But by what means hath she discovered herself to thee in this strange land?" inquired Richard. " What saith the proverb ?" replied the Saracen. " ' The heart thrills at the sound of the kinsman's voice.' When the Melech Ric gave audience to the ambassadors of Sal-adin, the ring upon his finger, once the talisman of our tribe, arrested my gaze ; but the maiden's eyes, brighter than the jewel, moved me to speak to her in the Egyptian tongue. She comprehended my words, and met me that night at the tower Maledictum, where I learned her history and made her acquainted with her kindred. She visited me in prison, and when I refused to fly, despatched Salaman to the Sul-tan to beg my life. For the rest, thou knowest that I thank the brave leader of the Franks no less than the timely ran-som for my rescue. Before leaving the camp of the Lat-ins I gave the zealous Ethiope a passport, commanding all true Mussulmans to bring him wherever found, safe to my presence. When, therefore, thy queen, distressed by the enemies in thine own household, sought for means to com-municate with thee, Salaman conducted Elsiebede to my tent ; and I have hasted to convey her to my deliverer. For what saith the proverb ? 1 In the sky .it is written, on the pages of the air, he who doeth kind actions will experience the like.' Notwithstanding, let the damsel, I pray thee, depart with me ; in the tent of my women she shall have careful attendance. If thou wouldst confer with 252 HEROINES OF THE CRUSADES.