"True," said the Prince, putting his hand to his cheek. "Will you dismount?" "No; I am afraid I should not be able to remount. But talk of me no more; let me thank you for your miraculous intervention, which saved my life, and ask you by what chain of circumstances you were on this road at this hour." "I will tell you all soon," said the knight; "but not before you have dressed the wound which has bled so profusely." Water was brought from a neighboring pool, and the Prince's face was washed with it; a tolerably deep Cut was found on his forehead, near the temple. Nothing could be done for the time being but to bandage his head tightly. "You have other wounds, have you not?" "I think so; but I feel strong enough to reach Osaka." "Very well, let us be off!" said the knight; "we will talk as we ride." The little troop took up the line of march. "You intend to escort me then?" said Nagato. "We are ordered not to leave you, Prince; but the accomplishment of that duty is a pleasure to us." "Will you do me the honor to acquaint me with your glorious name?" said Nagato, bowing. "You know me, Nagato; I am Farou-So-Chan, Lord of Tsusima." "The husband of the lovely Iza-Farou, whom I had the honor of seeing this very day!" exclaimed Nagato. "Forgive me! I should have recognized you by the terrible blows that you dealt my opponents; but I was blinded by blood." "I am proud and happy to have been chosen to help you, and to prevent the unfortunate results which your reckless daring might have caused." "I acted with unpardonable levity indeed," said Nagato; "I had a right to risk my life, but not to expose the precious message which I bear." "Let me tell you, dear Prince, that the envelope which you carry contains nothing but a blank paper." "Is it possible?" cried Nagato; "have I been tricked? In that case I cannot survive the affront." "Calm yourself, friend," said the Prince of Tsusima, "and hear me. After the feast this evening, no sooner had she re-entered her apartments, than the divine Kisaki summoned me: 'Farou,' she said, 'Prince Nagato leaves Kioto to-night. I know that his life is in danger, and that he may fall into an ambuscade. Therefore, instead of the message which he supposes he is bearing, I have only given him an empty envelope. The true letter is here,' she added, showing me a little casket. 'Take fifty men with you, and follow the Prince at a distance. If he is attacked, go to his rescue; if not, rejoin him at the gate of Osaka, and give him this casket without letting him know that you have borne him escort.' I have it here, Prince; only you have a matchless horse, and we almost came too late to help you."