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 “Let us withdraw to a more sheltered place,” he said. Without another word the three retired towards the rear of the camp and seated themselves in the deeper shade caused by a smouldering fire at the opposite side of some bushes. “Here we shall be unobserved,” said Don Abraham. “No intrusion need be feared,and those around are only too glad of repose.”

“You may well feel surprised at this renewal of our acquaintance,” said the officer. “I on my part felt astonished and perhaps slightly embarrassed. The circumstances of the time and the harsh nature of my present service had almost convinced me that strangers would carefully avoid making acquaintance with this neighborhood. But I am glad of the opportunity to renew our personal associations. Permit me first to express my thanks for the wisdom of your replies to my interrogations. The necessity of attendance to the wounded afforded me sufficient reason to defer the examination until you had obtained some rest. A battle is imminent and your services will certainly be needed. As you clearly perceived, my questions were harsher in tone than intent. Bear you pleasant tidings from the scenes of our former prosperity?”

“Your highness was far less astonished than myself at our meeting,” replied Solomon. “You had disappeared so completely from observation that we may be pardoned for tacitly assuming that you had commingled with the eternal essence which had in such large measure diffused itself through your forefathers