prisoner there was a jubilant outcry, and the demand was made that the
foreign dog be instantly decapitated, but the Emir smiled and, holding
up his hand, said soothingly:

"Softly, softly, true followers of the only Prophet. Those who
neglected to remove his head while his good sword guarded it, shall not
now possess themselves of it, when that sword is in my hands."

And against this there could be no protest, for the prisoner belonged
to the Emir alone, and was to be dealt with as the captor ordained.

When the Count had recovered speech, and was able to hold himself as a
man should, the Emir summoned him, and they had a conference together
in Soldan's tent.

"Western barbarian," said the Emir, speaking in that common tongue made
up of languages Asiatic and European, a strange mixture by means of
which invaders and invaded communicated with each other, "who are you
and from what benighted land do you come?"

"I am Count Herbert von Schonburg. My castle overlooks the Rhine in
Germany."

"What is the Rhine? A province of which you are the ruler?"

"No, your Highness, it is a river; a lordly stream that never
diminishes, but flows unceasingly between green vine-clad hills; would
that I had some of the vintage therefore to cheer me in my captivity
and remove the taste of this brackish water!"