an enchanted soldier, who, according to the laws of nature, ought to have been quietly in his grave for nearly three centuries.

“A personage of this kind, however, was quite out of the ordinary run, and not to be trifled with, and he assured him he might rely upon his friendship and good will to do everything in his power for his deliverance.

     “‘I trust to a motive more powerful than friendship,’ said the
     soldier.

“He pointed to a ponderous iron coffer, secured by locks inscribed with Arabic characters.  ‘That coffer,’ said he, ’contains countless treasure in gold and jewels and precious stones.  Break the magic spell by which I am enthralled, and one half of this treasure shall be thine.’

     “‘But how am I to do it?’

“’The aid of a Christian priest and a Christian maid is necessary.  The priest to exorcise the powers of darkness; the damsel to touch this chest with the seal of Solomon.  This must be done at night.  But have a care.  This is solemn work, and not to be effected by the carnal-minded.  The priest must be a Cristiano viejo, a model of sanctity; and must mortify the flesh before he comes here, by a rigorous fast of four-and-twenty hours:  and as to the maiden, she must be above reproach, and proof against temptation.  Linger not in finding such aid.  In three days my furlough is at an end; if not delivered before midnight of the third, I shall have to mount guard for another century.’

     “‘Fear not,’ said the student, ’I have in my eye the very priest
     and damsel you describe; but how am I to regain admission to this
     tower?’

     “‘The seal of Solomon will open the way for thee.’

     “The student issued forth from the tower much more gayly than he
     had entered.  The wall closed behind him, and remained solid as
     before.

“The next morning he repaired boldly to the mansion of the priest, no longer a poor strolling student, thrumming his way with a guitar; but an ambassador from the shadowy world, with enchanted treasures to bestow.  No particulars are told of his negotiation, excepting that the zeal of the worthy priest was easily kindled at the idea of rescuing an old soldier of the faith and a strong box of King Chico from the very clutches of Satan; and then what alms might be dispensed, what churches built, and how many poor relatives enriched with the Moorish treasure!

“As to the immaculate handmaid, she was ready to lend her hand, which was all that was required, to the pious work; and if a shy glance now and then might be believed, the ambassador began to find favor in her modest eyes.

“The greatest difficulty, however, was the fast to which the good padre had to subject himself.  Twice he attempted it, and twice the flesh was too strong for the spirit.  It was