BELTRAN, 89

forty or thereabouts, handsome and well-dressed as
a Frank, presented himself, and bowed low.

‘You are of the English nation?’ said he, in
French.

‘Yes,’ replied Walter, examining him with curi-
osity.

‘And you serve the great English lord, who is
called Longsword ?’

‘It is my pride to serve that famous warrior,
replied Walter, quietly.

‘And I would fain speak with him if you could
obtain me a hearing.’

Walter shook his head significantly.

‘ Before I can make such an attempt,’ said he, ¢ I
must learn who you are, and what you want.’

‘My name is Beltran. I am a Frank by birth,
but for nine years I have been an inhabitant of
Egypt.

‘Nine years!’ exclaimed Walter. ‘By the Holy
Cross, you must know the country well-nigh as in-
timately as the Lvyptians themselves.’

‘Much knowledge I do possess of the country,
and of the wonders it contains.’

‘Well,’ said Walter, ‘I will put your knowledge to
the test. Whence comes this river, the Nile, of
which so many stories are told? Is it true that it
takes its rise in the terrestrial paradise ?’

‘In truth,’ replied Beltran, ‘I would I could
answer your question to your satisfaction. It is the
report of the country that the Nile does come from
the terrestrial paradise. But nothing certain is
known on the subject. J have heard that the sultan