“Married!” exclaimed Bladud, with a troubled look.
“Ay, and it is said she does not like the match.”
“Does my mother approve of it?”
“I think not, though the Hebrew did not seem to feel quite sure on that point. But your father seems resolved on it, and you know he is not easily turned from his purpose when determined to have his way. He is more difficult to move than a woman in that matter.”
“Come, friend,” said Bladud gravely, “don’t be too free in your remarks on my father.”
“And don’t be too hard on the women-folk,” added the captain, with a grim smile, “they are not all alike. At least there is one that I know of in the East, whose spirit is like that of the lamb, and her voice like the notes of the songbird.”
Maikar looked as if he were on the point of adding something to the conversation, but his thoughts seemed too deep for utterance, for he only sighed.
“Land us in yon creek,” said Bladud promptly. “It seems that I have not returned home a moment too soon. There, under the cliff—so.”
The skiff ran alongside of a ledge of rock as he spoke, and next moment the prince leaped upon the shores of his native land.
With a brief farewell to his old playmate, he turned, led his companions up the neighbouring cliff, and, plunging into the forest, set off at a pace which betrayed the urgency of his desire to reach home.