Page:Zawis and Kunigunde (1895).djvu/12

 most one briefly addressed his companion in the Arabic language, but he only obtained in reply a sign that he was not understood. As he hesitated to speak again, not knowing of what kindred the stranger might be, he was in turn addressed in Spanish Provençal. Replying in broad Spanish and being at once answered therein, a method of communication was welcomed by each.

“A dreary prospect, brother stranger,” remarked the foremost, “and slight promise of even a bag of straw and a crust to-night.”

“Let not my brother speak so,” replied the other; “there is always a superintending eye and a ready hand for those who commit themselves to the Highest.”

“You speak worthily, excellent sir,” was the answer, a relaxed countenance indicating confidence, “and I trust that this supreme care may be extended to us, for according to appearances we shall need it. Our own potency seems to be at a limit here.”

“Our assurance of the protection of a better wisdom than our own should not deprive us of the exercise of the free faculties intrusted to us,” was the rejoinder. “Let us see what we can do to help ourselves.”

Whether the free voices were heard by sensitive ears of man or quadruped in the quiet summer air, and recognized as human, or whether more probably an indistinct sound was conveyed farther than the two men believed possible, the barking of a small dog at a distance became faintly audible. Both men