THE TARTAR SLAVE
strange land. But something more than smooth words will be demanded of thee, young soldier, before many days are over."
"Name what thou requirest of me."
"The courage of a soldier, the bold enterprise of a man."
"Prove me, and judge if I fail."
"Promise not too much, for bold words do not often indicate a bold heart. Yet I have heard of thee, soldier Noren, and I have watched thee closely, and I seldom misread men's faces. Maybe thou art the man I have wished to meet."
"Speak not in mysteries, fair maiden; trust a soldier who has never yet been false to those who have confided in him."
The girl was silent for a time. Then in a low, solemn whisper, which had something in it of the hiss of the jungle, she spoke. "Know me then to be a Tartar woman, who never forgets a friend, never forgives a foe. Little did my people teach me of the religion of Islam, and little have I learnt of it in thy land of many faiths. But my mother taught me a charm and gave me a dirk—the one is for my foes and the other is for my friends."
"A friend," replied Noren, with equal earnestness, "thou shalt find in him whom thou hast tended in his illness and brought back to life. If he proves otherwise let thy dirk perform its deed."
"Thy words ring true, young soldier, and thy face proclaims truth. I will confide in thee, but beware how thou dost prove false even in thy thoughts. One more exalted than myself, powerful to reward and quick to punish, bespeaks thy faith and requires thy duty."
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