of Days feels for such as thou and thine."

"Now, by the Kaaba!" said Muza, and his brow became dark, "another such
word and the hoofs of my steed shall trample the breath of blasphemy from
thy body."

"I would defy thee to the death," answered Almamen, disdainfully; "but I
reserve the bravest of the Moors to witness a deed worthy of the
descendant of Jephtha. But hist! I hear hoofs."

Muza listened; and his sharp ear caught a distinct ring upon the hard and
rocky soil. He turned round and saw Almamen gliding away through the
thick underwood, until the branches concealed his form. Presently, a
curve in the path brought in view a Spanish cavalier, mounted on an
Andalusian jennet: the horseman was gaily singing one of the popular
ballads of the time; and, as it related to the feats of the Spaniards
against the Moors, Muza's haughty blood was already stirred, and his
moustache quivered on his lip. "I will change the air," muttered the
Moslem, grasping his lance, when, as the thought crossed him, he beheld
the Spaniard suddenly reel in his saddle and lay prostrate on the ground.
In the same instant Almamen had darted from his hiding-place, seized the
steed of the cavalier, mounted, and, ere Muza recovered from his
surprise, was by the side of the Moor.

"By what harm," said Muza, curbing his barb, "didst thou fell the
Spaniard--seemingly without a blow?"

"As David felled Goliath--by the pebble and the sling," answered Almamen,
carelessly. "Now, then, spur forward, if thou art eager to see thy
Leila."