"Thus was I forced away for a considerable distance, in utter despair of being liberated, when I was gallantly rescued by these noble gentlemen at the hazard of their lives. Oh, believe me, Sirs," she added, "that the Zingani maiden can never, while life endure, be unmindful of the great benefit you have bestowed on her." At this recital, the eye of the Gipsy chief flashed with indignation; "The audacious barbarian," he exclaimed, "shall rue his vile attempt, though happily rendered abortive; nor shall his high rank protect him! Can he not be content to tyrannise over the hapless slaves already in his power, but that he must seek for fresh victims among our tribe? Does he mistake us for the wretched serfs who till his lands? He has yet to learn that the Zingani are not of their base caste. But, Azila, my child! what causes thy sudden agitation?" "See, see, my father," she cried, pointing to Ivan, who overcome by fatigue and the pain of his wound, was falling to the ground, when the Gipsy sprang forward and caught him in his arms. "Alas," cried Azila, with an agitated voice, "how ungrateful indeed I have been, and neglectful of him who risked his life to save me, that I should forget he had been wounded! but I will haste and conduct Hagar hither, who will tend him with greater skill than I can, though not with more care." Azila had scarcely left the tent when Ivan returned to consciousness, as he reclined in his friend's arms, Thaddeus having relieved the Gipsy of his charge. "He will soon be restored by the care of our venerable mother, Hagar," said the chief; "for there are few in this country so well acquainted as she is with the healing art." As he spoke, the person mentioned entered the tent, accompanied by Azila. Her locks were blanched, and her form bowed down by the weight of many years; yet though her skin was wrinkled and tawny, the fire of her dark expressive eye seemed unquenched. "Mother," said Azila, "as you love your child, exercise your utmost skill in the healing art, by recovering this stranger, who has been wounded in my defence; by your help I know that he may be speedily restored to health." "Child," replied the sybil, "the power of healing belongs alone to the great spirit who guards our tribe, and I am but his poor servant, ready to use the means he places in my hands; these will I gladly employ to cure this stranger, though by his looks, I judge that quiet and repose are the remedies most needful for him."