plaisantly, "that he was ready to attend him."—To the grove they turned, which, though thick and impervious to the eye, was by no means so extensive as Ferdinand had expected, and seemed to have been the work of modern times; for the trees bore not the marks of centuries. This he remarked.
"I believe you are right," returned Heli. "I have heard this plantation was made by some hermits, who chose this spot to build their cells in, one of which only now remains, and is inhabited by Father Abdalla."
"How!" cried Ferdinand, "does any one reside here?"
"Yes," replied Heli; "one holy man has here devoted his life to serve Allah and his prophet."
They now penetrated through a thick underwood, darkened by some lofty trees, and descending a slope, came to a small rivulet, on the opposite side of which he saw among the trees the moss covered cell of the hermit, who was reclining on a little bank, raised about a foot above the earth, reading the
