Hayraddin, with perfect composure; »he detected me, and beat me - I stabbed him
with my knife, fled to the woods, and was again united to my people.«
    »Wretch!« said Durward, »did you murder your benefactor?«
    »What had he to do to burden me with his benefits? - The Zingaro boy was no
house-bred cur, to dog the heels of his master, and crouch beneath his blows,
for scraps of food - He was the imprisoned wolf-whelp, which at the first
opportunity broke his chain, rended his master, and returned to the wilderness.«
    There was another pause, when the young Scot, with a view of still farther
investigating the character and purpose of this suspicious guide, asked
Hayraddin, »Whether it was not true that his people, amid their ignorance,
pretended to a knowledge of futurity, which was not given to the sages,
philosophers, and divines, of more polished society?«
    »We pretend to it,« said Hayraddin, »and it is with justice.«
    »How can it be that so high a gift is bestowed on so abject a race?« said
Quentin.
    »Can I tell you?« answered Hayraddin - »Yes, I may indeed, but it is when
you shall explain to me why the dog can trace the footsteps of a man, while man,
the nobler animal, hath not power to trace those of the dog. These powers, which
seem to you so wonderful, are instinctive in our race. From the lines on the
face and on the hand, we can tell the future fate of those who consult us, even
as surely as you know from the blossom of the tree in spring, what fruit it will
bear in the harvest.«
    »I doubt of your knowledge, and defy you to the proof.«
    »Defy me not, Sir Squire,« said Hayraddin Maugrabin - »I can tell you, that,
say what you will of your religion, the Goddess whom you worship rides in this
company.«
    »Peace!« said Quentin in astonishment; »on thy life, not a word farther but
in answer to what I ask thee. - Canst thou be faithful?«
    »I can - all men can,« said the Bohemian.
    »But wilt thou be faithful?«
    »Wouldst thou believe me the more should I swear it?« answered Maugrabin
with a sneer.
    »Thy life is in my hand,« said the young Scot.
    »Strike, and see whether I fear