When the meats had been removed, and the goblets were filled with wine,
men began to talk, till presently Sakon called for silence, and rising,
addressed Aziel:--

"Prince," he said, "in the name of this great and free city--for free it
is, though we acknowledge the king of Tyre as our suzerain--I give you
welcome within our gates. Here, far in the heart of Libya, we have
heard of the glorious and wise king, your grandfather, and of the mighty
Pharaoh of Egypt, whose blood runs also within your veins. Prince, we
are honoured in your coming, and for the asking, whatever this land of
gold can boast is yours. Long may you live; may the favour of those gods
you worship attend you, and in the pursuit of wisdom, of wealth, of war,
and of love, may the good grain of all be garnered in your bosom, and
the wind of prosperity winnow out the chaff of them to fall beneath your
feet. Prince, I have greeted you as it behoves me to greet the blood
of Solomon and Pharaoh; now I add a word. Now I greet you as a father
greets the man who has saved his only and beloved daughter from death,
or shameful bondage. Know you, friends, what this stranger did since
to-night's moonrise? My daughter was at worship alone yonder without
the walls, and a great savage set on her, purposing to bear her away
captive. Ay, and he would have done it had not the prince Aziel here
given him battle, and, after a fierce fight, slain him."

"No great deed to kill a single savage," broke in the king Ithobal, who
had been listening with impatience to Sakon's praises of this high-born
stranger.

"No great deed you say, King," answered Sakon. "Guards, being in the
body of the man and set it before us."