But as matters stood
with him, he was scarcely even sensible that a man in the centre
of the cavalcade recited and sung, in a low tone, for nearly two
hours, modulating his voice to the various moods of passion
introduced into the tale, and receiving, in return, now low
murmurs of applause, now muttered expressions of wonder, now
sighs and tears, and sometimes, what it was far more difficult to
extract from such an audience, a tribute of smiles, and even
laughter.
During the recitation, the attention of the exile, however
abstracted by his own deep sorrow, was occasionally awakened by
the low wail of a dog, secured in a wicker enclosure suspended on
one of the camels, which, as an experienced woodsman, he had no
hesitation in recognizing to be that of his own faithful hound;
and from the plaintive tone of the animal, he had no doubt that
he was sensible of his master's vicinity, and, in his way,
invoking his assistance for liberty and rescue.
"Alas! poor Roswal," he said, "thou callest for aid and sympathy
upon one in stricter bondage than thou thyself art.
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