red cloth, setting tight to his form, with a red cap, with a long blue
tassel. He carried a large bag containing drugs, some surgical
instruments, and a few books. In this guise, as soon as the gates were
open on the morrow, Iskander, mounted on a very small mule, and Nicaeus
on a very large donkey, the two princes commenced the pass of the
mountainous range, an arm of the Balkan which divided Epirus from
Roumelia.

"I broke the wind of the finest charger in all Asia when I last
ascended these mountains," said Iskander; "I hope this day's journey
way be accepted as a sort of atonement."

"Faith! there is little doubt I am the best mounted of the two," said
Nicaeus. "However, I hope we shall return at a sharper pace."

"How came it, my Nicaeus," said Iskander, "that you never mentioned to
me the name of Iduna when we were at Athens? I little supposed when I
made my sudden visit to Hunniades, that I was about to appeal to so
fair a host. She is a rarely gifted lady."

"I knew of her being at the camp as little as yourself," replied the
Prince of Athens, "and for the rest, the truth is, Iskander, there are
some slight crosses in our loves, which Time, I hope, will fashion
rightly." So saying Nicaeus pricked on his donkey, and flung his stick
at a bird which was perched on the branch of a tree. Iskander did not
resume a topic to which his companion seemed disinclined. Their
journey was tedious. Towards nightfall they reached the summit of the
usual track; and as the descent was difficult, they were obliged to
rest until daybreak.