Mustapha then uttered a
loud, commanding cry, and the door of the tent was again opened, and
there appeared a Tartar, dressed in white wolf-skin, bearing a
golden dish, which contained a steaming, white liquid. He took it,
and kneeled with it before Frederick.
"Sire," said he, "my master begs you to drink with him of his
favorite beverage. He pressed his lips to the rim of this dish
before sending it to you, and if you will now do the same, the eagle
and hero of the north will receive the brotherly kiss of the eagle
and hero of the south."
"What is it?" asked the king, in a low voice, of Baron von Rexin,
who stood near the divan.
"Sire, it is mare's milk!" whispered Rexin.
The king shuddered, and almost overturned the contents of the dish
which he had just received from the hands of Mustapha Aga; but
quickly overcoming this feeling, he raised the bowl smilingly to his
mouth. After placing his lips upon the rim, he returned the bowl to
the ambassador.
"I have received the kiss of my friend. May our friendship be
eternal!"
"Allah grant this prayer!" cried Mustapha. "Sire, Krimgirai dares,
as this beverage is such a favorite with all Turks, to hope that it
may please you; he therefore offers you the animal from which it was
procured.
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