Volume I Part 71 (2/2)

The handsome boy now, for the first time, perceived Medje, who smiled at him

”Who is that, papa?” he asked in a whisper

”A friend, Spero; offer her your hand”

The boy obeyed and Medje raised his hand to her lips, :

”Son of him who kills lions, ives you”

Monte-Cristo clasped his arms around Spero's shoulders and, accompanied by him and Medje, approached the tent But before he reached it an Arab excitedly ran toward him with outstretched arms

”Oh, master, hear me Do not let this woman cross the threshold of the can on her cheek? She is accursed”

Involuntarily Medje covered her face with her hands

Monte-Cristo angrily retorted:

”Silence The weaker have a right to the hospitality of the stronger”

”Oh,She is a witch, an accursed fortune-teller You will be sorry if she enters the camp She will cast a spell over camels and men”

”All the same, leave me Medje has placed herself under my protection and I will not deceive her confidence”

The Arabian girl clung weeping to the count

”Do not grieve,” he said, ”you have mentioned a name which renders you holy in my eyes”

He then turned to the Arab, and sternly continued:

”You may have your liberty if you desire But if you have not only spoken in your own name but also in that of your comrades, tell them that Monte-Cristo, the lion-tamer, is afraid of nobody They may all leave The desert with its terrors cannot alter my will”

The other Arabs, who had drawn near, heard these words, and enthusiastically exclaimed:

”We will not leave you, lion-killer”

The count nodded and, addressing the Corsican, said:

”Give him double what he claiic; we honor God and laugh at de at Spero and Medje, in a friendly tone of voice said:

”Do not be afraid, I a you Draw nearer, Medje, and answer irl bowed low in token of obedience, and the count began: