"Javis loves me!" said the boy, gloomily; "but what is his love to yours? Let me implore you to allow me to accompany you." "It cannot be," returned Ivan, soothingly. "I doubt not your courage, and that you will some day become a gallant warrior; but your arm has not yet gained sufficient strength to compete with men. If I am wounded, Javis will attend me; and if I fall, Heaven will find you some other protector." "If you fall, I shall not need Heaven's protection in this world," returned the page, with a despairing look. "You speak strangely, boy," said Ivan. "I have thought of your welfare." As he spoke, Arslan Gherrei rode up. "Uzden," said Ivan, addressing him, (for, as it is customary to address a person by his title alone, Ivan had not yet learned the name of the chieftain), "I have a faithful page who has followed me from far lands, and I would not lead him to the dangers of warfare, though he is urgent in his prayers to be allowed to accompany me. I would bestow him in safety; and if I fall, will you grant me a boon, and be his protector?" "I would do all you ask me, my noble friend," answered the chief. "I will, if it is your pleasure, place him with my daughter." "He could not have a fairer or kinder mistress," answered Ivan, who, desiring Conrin to follow, returned with the chieftain to the spot were the women were still standing. "I have returned, lady," said Ivan, addressing Ina, "to bring you an attendant, who would fain be employed in more warlike services. He is a brave youth, and I owe him much. I leave him, therefore, by your father's permission, to your gentle care, and he will serve you as faithfully as he has done me." "Gladly will I follow your wishes, noble stranger," replied Ina; "for he is a gallant boy, and I will treat him rather as a brother than as a servant." "Thanks, lady, for your kindness," answered Ivan. "Here, Conrin," he added, calling to the boy, "I leave you, during my absence, to serve this lady; and you will find it a more pleasing task than following me to the field. Farewell! may you be as happy under her kind care as you deserve." Two pages missing from the scan "Lynx. We will here leave our horses and our guns; and let us see if Circassian steel is not better than Russian lead."