Chapter 22 - Page 2

endured the miseries of slavery; at length I broke
my chains and escaped to this desert, where I have sustained myself in
solitude ever since. Your features recall to me my beloved
sovereign, in whose service I was from my infancy till his death."
Huon made no reply but by embracing the old man, with tears in his
eyes. Then Sherasmin learned that his arms enfolded the son of the
Duke Sevinus. He led him to his cabin, and spread before him the dry
fruits and honey which formed his only aliment.
Huon recounted his adventures to Sherasmin, who was moved to tears
at the recital. He then consulted him on the means of conducting his
enterprise. Sherasmin hesitated not to confess that success seemed
impossible; nevertheless, he swore a solemn oath never to abandon him.
The Saracen language, which he was master of, would be serviceable
to them when they should leave the desert, and mingle with men.
They took the route of the Red Sea, and entered Arabia. Their way
lay through a region which Sherasmin described as full of terrors.
It was inhabited by Oberon, King of the Fairies, who made captive such
knights as were rash enough to penetrate into it, and transformed them
into Hobgoblins. It was possible to avoid this district at the expense
of somewhat lengthening their route; but no dangers could deter Huon
of Bordeaux; and the brave Sherasmin, who had now resumed the armor of
a knight, reluctantly consented to share with him the dangers of the
shorter route.
They entered a wood, and arrived at a spot whence alleys branched
off in various directions. One of them seemed to be terminated by a
superb palace, whose gilded roofs were adorned with brilliant
weathercocks covered with diamonds. A superb chariot issued from the
gate of the palace, and drove toward Huon and his companion, as if
to meet them half-way. The prince saw no one in the chariot but a
child apparently about five years old, very beautiful, and clad in a
robe which glittered with precious stones. At the sight of him,
Sherasmin's terror was extreme. He seized the reins of Huon's horse,
and turned him about, hurrying the prince away, and assuring him
that they were lost if they stopped to parley with the mischievous
dwarf, who, though he appeared a child, was full of years and of
treachery. Huon was sorry to lose sight of the beautiful dwarf,
whose aspect had nothing in it to alarm; yet he followed his friend,
who urged on his horse with all possible speed. Presently a storm
began to roar through the forest, the daylight grew dim, and they
found their way with difficulty. From time to time they seemed to hear
an infantine voice, which said, "Stop, Duke Huon; listen to me: it
is in vain you fly me!"
Sherasmin only fled the faster, and stopped not until