Girded—grasping sword and shield;
Those thou can'st not name nor number,
Steal upon thy broken slumber."
With a sigh Amer continued his journey, saying,
"I fear to stay in this enchanting place longer than is necessary, and I have no time to sleep."
But Self, his companion, was not discouraged. He had heard the sigh and had noticed that the Guide Book was being held very loosely in the lad's hand, and was aware that the enemy Doubt could not be far off, for he saw his shadow on the lad's face. Self congratulated himself as he noticed this shadow, knowing full well that the presence of his friend Doubt made his victory the more sure, for the one often prepared the way for the other and were known to be friends.
"At any rate," said Self, "refresh yourself with some of the fruit of the land; you can pluck it as you walk and I assure you it will help you in your course rather than hinder, for you have but to take a mouthful or two and you will feel invigorated."
Amer turned and looked at his companion.
Certainly his face was unusually pleasant and good-natured, surely there could be little harm in following his advice. Might not this pleasant fellow be a friend rather than an enemy?
So Amer stretched out his hand and plucked a golden fruit from off the tree he was passing, and putting it to his lips he was delighted with its taste, and for the moment it seemed to give him fresh strength.