"After all," said Amer to him, "I have been the one to lose time, for after leaving you I fell in with the worst foe that I have met yet, and was completely overcome."
The man looked up with sympathy expressed in every line of his face.
"What was his name?" he asked.
"Spiritual Pride," answered Amer, "and if it had not been for my King sending me help, I should still be a prisoner in his cave."
"Ah!" said the man, "I have had to meet that foe myself, and I know his ways. Poor lad!"
"Mother," said Iddo, "have we met that foe yet?"
"Very possibly, my child, and may not have recognised him. Possibly he might not have taken such pains to overcome us, as he has taken with these two brave servants of the King. But any day he may tempt us, and so we must keep our eyes on the Radiant City, where dwells our King."
"Madam," said Amer, "you do not look as if you had been much troubled on the way. What is the secret of your peace?"
The slow traveller looked uneasily about him.
"I feel the enemy is somewhere near," he said, warningly to Belthiah, "and he is listening for your answer."