A SELFISH GUIDE. $5

my head; and, I promise you, I am as yet neither
so old nor so weary of life as to hazard it needlessly.’

‘One question further,’ said the earl, who was by
this time much excited with the prospect of a rich
booty. ‘Howam I, beingina strange country, to find
this caravan of which you speak ?’

‘I myself will be your guide,’ replied the renegade.

‘And wherefore do you hazard so much to put me
in possession of this prize, when, by doing so, you
expose yourself to the enmity of the Egyptians,
among whom you have cast your lot?’

‘Well, my lord,’ said the renegade, after a pause,
‘J will be frank. I expect my share of the spoil; and,
besides, I see very clearly that this army of pilgrims
is likely to conquer Egypt, in spite of all the resist-
ance sultans and emirs may make; and, at such a
time, I would fain have some powerful lord among
the conquerors to befriend me.’

‘Ha!’ exclaimed Longsword, smiling grimly, ‘IT am
now convinced.’

‘Of what, noble earl ?’

‘Hither that I must bave the caravan or your

bead.’