"Oh, a poor shepherd boy like me? They knew well enough that I hadn't a penny. But you, you see, you're the son of the rich Boghos Effendi; it would be worth their while to put themselves out for such good pickings." "Pshaw, they wouldn't know who I am. I'll put on old clothes, and any one would have to be pretty sharp to recognize me. All right, then, that's settled for to-morrow; come and wake me up to make sure. I'll get our lunch ready." The thought of this adventurous ride had restored Archag's good humor. He stood up, gave his comrade a slap on the back, and ran away from him, calling out: "Catch me if you can!" He was more nimble than Jakoub, and soon disappeared in the farm-yard. At four the next morning, he awoke with a start at the sound of a servant's rap on the door. In an instant he was on his feet, and had rolled up his mattress and coverlets, and stuffed them into a cupboard. His father was still in bed when Archag went into his room to speak to him. "Pariluis hairick (Good morning, papa)," he said, kissing his father's hand. "Jakoub and I are off for a ride. It's so hot we want to start early." "Tschatkeretsick (Very well)," replied Boghos Effendi. "Be careful, and don't be too late in coming home this evening." These last words were lost on Archag, who had already left the room. Jakoub was waiting for him in the kitchen: "I've saddled the horses; everything is ready." "Good boy! Have you had any breakfast?" "No, not yet." Archag offered his companion a bit of cheese, setting his pretty teeth in his own portion as he did so. "These poor sheep!" said he. "They give us their milk and we eat their lambs. Men are really very unkind." Jakoub stared at him in astonishment. "Bless my soul, I never thought of that, nor the sheep, either, you may be sure; they are too stupid." "Luckily for them; but they do suffer just the same as we do, and you mustn't hit them any more." "I promise not to, if that can give you any pleasure; but we had better be off, instead of arguing about the sheep." "Right you are!" A few minutes later the two boys were speeding along, rocked by the motion of the galloping horses, which made good headway, undaunted by the rough, stony road. After riding up the Karadéré (Black Valley) for about three hours, they had to climb a slope covered with fallen rocks and débris. They followed a narrow trail which was scarcely discernible, and Jakoub lost his way twice, so that they had to retrace their steps. For several hours they did not meet a human being, although from time to time they heard the growl of a bear in the distance, or a troop of wild asses ran away from them in fright. Archag was beginning to be afraid they would never find the cave, when his companion gave a joyful shout: "Here we are all right, this time," and he pointed out a ravine sparsely overgrown with shrubs. They sprang to the ground and tied their horses. Archag looked all around.