the horse, but this the ready arm of the traveller prevented.

A moment sufficed to put both the Turk and his deliverer in breath
once more.

"Who art thou that hast been so opportunely sent to rescue me?"
asked the Turk, at he called his horse by his name, and the
beautiful animal came quietly to his side.

"A poor traveller, well nigh wearied by the long way," answered the
other.

"Thy habiliments bespeak thee as coming from the North, and they
look as though want had been thy companion on the way," continued he
whom the traveller had rescued.

"It has, indeed," said the other; "fatigue and want have kept me
company these many long days." As he answered thus, he wiped the
perspiration that his late exertion had caused, from his brow.

"I owe you my hearty thanks for this timely service," said the Turk.

"A trifling deed that any man in my place would have performed."

"Take this," replied the Turk, depositing a purse, heavy with gold,
in the stranger's hands. "Use the contents as you will, and when you
have need of further assistance, if there be aught that one
possessing some influence can serve thee in, present that purse at
the gates of the seraglio gardens, and you will find me."