by no common hand. I know not of it, but hush! there it is again."

The same strain was repeated, but without the accompaniment of the voice. They advanced a few paces in the direction of the sounds, when they saw a slim Saracen youth standing in the moonshade of a tent.

"Why, what has brought thee hither, my good boy," said Sir Lionel. " From thy song, I should bespeak thee of sorrow, but 1 should hope, that it could not, already, have waited on thy tender years."

"Misfortune, Sir, is not a respecter of age or persons," returned the Saracen youth. "I am, though, but young in sorrow, and shall learn to bear it calmly, by wooing the passing hours of each waning night."

"Thy sorrows, mayhap, may be of thine own seeking, my doughty philosopher," said the Earl of Pembroke.

66

'However they may come, Sir," said the Saracen youth, in a faltering voice, “suffice it, that grief owns me for a son, and I must

bear me under the misfortune with all the

fortitude I can command."

Right bravely said, young Sir," observed Sir Lionel," for, by contending with it, you go far towards mastering it. But tell me, why art thou upon our little party?"

"I seek, Sir, a noble Briton, by name, Sir Lionel de Darbye," answered the Saracen youth. "In true faith and honor, since I have no tye to bind me to my own country, I would serve him in some light capacity, if it would please him to engage with me."

"And what could'st thou do, poor youth, if I, for I am he thou seekest, consented to thy wish?" inquired Sir Lionel.

"I would tend upon thee, Sir, and do thy bidding," said the young Saracen. "When it pleasured thee, I would tune my harp, and sing to thee the songs of my country; such employment, in time, might help to away the grief which preys upon me. told thou hast pages in thy country; in the capacity of a page I would tend upon thee."

drive

I am

"Thy request is somewhat strange, good

youth," said Sir Lionel. “Answer me to one thing:-how came ye to seek me out? Know ye that we are on our way from Palestine to our own country?"

*

"Yes, sir," answered the Saracen youth, "and have, since now, alas! I have no stay to hold me here, a strong desire to visit thy land, and with one, whose honor I am no stranger to, and I feel that I can rely with confidence upon it, for care and good treatment."

"What, hast thou no friends, good youth?" asked Sir Lionel, in a voice expressive of deep sympathy. "Hast thy country no charms for thee? Could'st thou give up all, in a roving spirit, and seek a home among strangers? Have ye well considered the dangers and risks ye will run in the experiment?"

"I have, Sir," responded the Saracen youth, with a little hesitation. "The wars have lost me my friends, and a new interest is awakened in my mind: I could adopt thy country, Sir, -nay, any country, where I could find protection, friendship, and affection."

"Well, since such is thy bent, boy," returned Sir Lionel, "thou shalt be my page, and with me, I trust thou wilt again find the happiness thou hast lost. In to the third tent, and there seek rest till morning opes her flood-gates of light, when we shall proceed onwards towards the coast."

"Thank thee, kind Sir," said the Saracen youth bowing. "In all things I will do thy pleasure."

"Had'st thou, Lionel, not have agreed to the youth's request, I would have proposed taking him myself," said the Earl of Pembroke, on his departure. "The boy has wrought strangely on my feelings, and has created a regard in my mind which has tended to lessen the sorrows of my heart."

"I feel, also, a deep interest in the youth," added Sir Lionel. "I dare say it will not signify, therefore, I will, with pleasure, resign him to thy care, if it would be the means of affording thee ease and satisfaction."

"The boy has made his election, and, possibly, would not like the change," said the earl.

"In we now to sleep," said Sir Lionel. “In three watches more, the night will have been spent, and in the morning, the proposal shall be made to him. Come, Pembroke, come in with me."

The two friends retired to their couch, and soon fell into a sound slumber. On waking in the morning, the Earl of Pembroke found himself much easier in mind, and now no longer declined joining the table for a hearty meal. Though he felt much relieved, yet care sat heavy on his brow, and showed a rooted sorrow, which would be difficult to remove.

"My friend, the Earl of Pembroke," said Sir Lionel, to the Saracen page, who had been administering to their wants with great assiduity, "has a great desire to afford thee the protection thou seekest at my hands. It is only to such an one to whom I would part with thee. What say thee, art thou content to be page to the Earl of Pembroke, instead of to me?"

No, no, no," answered the Saracen youth, looking sorrowful, and averting his face.

"If