file which includes the original illustrations4 ,see #agdce-;h4htm or #agdce-;h4zip3 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/dirs_/#a_/ g_/d_/c_/agdce_/agdce-;h_/#agdce-;h4htm7 or 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/dirs_/#a_/ g_/d_/c_/agdce_/agdce-;h4zip7 ,,the ,,days ,,of ,,mohammed4 by ,,anna ,,may ,,wilson4 ,david ,c4 ,cook ,publishing ,company1 ,elgin1 ,ill41 and #cf ,washington ,st41 ,chicago4 ,copyright1 #ahig1 by ,david ,c4 ,cook ,publishing ,company4 ,,preface4 ,in ,the ,days of ,mohammed1 one aim of the author has been to bring out the fact that it is possible to begin the heaven-life on earth4 ,it is hoped that a few helpful thoughts as to the means of attaining this life may be exemplified in the career of the various characters depicted4 ,an attempt has been made1 by constant reference to the best works on ,mohammed and ,arabia1 to render the historical basis strictly correct4 ,especial indebtedness is acknowledged to the writings of ,irving1 ,burton1 and the ,rev4 ,geo4 ,bush2 also to the travels of ,burckhardt1 ,joseph ,pitts1 ,ludovico ,bartema and ,giovanni ,finati1 each of whom undertook a pilgrimage to the cities of ,medina and ,mecca2 also to the excellent synopsis of the life and times of ,mohammed as given by ,prof4 ,max ,mueller in the introduction to ,palmer's translation of the ,koran4 ,as the tiny pebble cast into the water sends its circling wavelets to the distant shore1 so this little book is cast forth upon the world1 in the hope that it may exert some influence in bringing hope and comfort to some weary heart1 and that1 in helping someone to attain a clearer conception of ,divine love and companionship1 it may1 if in never so insignificant a degree1 perhaps help on to that time when all shall ,trust the ,hand of ,light will lead the people1 ,till the thunders pass1 the spectres vanish1 ,and the ,light is ,victor1 and the darkness ,dawns into the ,jubilee of the ,ages4 ,,preceding ,,events--,,summary4 ,yusuf1 a ,guebre priest1 a man of intensely religious temperament1 and one of those whose duty it is to keep alive the sacred fire of the ,persian temple1 has long sought for a more heart-satisfying religion than that afforded to him by the doctrines of his country4 ,though a man of kindliest disposition1 yet so benighted he is that1 led on by a deep study of the mysteries of ,magian and ,sabaean rites1 he has been induced to offer1 in human sacrifice1 ,imri1 the little granddaughter of ,ama1 an aged ,persian woman1 and daughter of an ,arab1 ,uzza1 who1 though married to a ,persian1 lives at ,oman with his wife1 and knows nothing of the sacrifice until it is over4 ,the death of the child1 though beneath his own hand1 immediately strikes horror to the heart of the priest4 ,his whole soul revolts against the inhumanity of the act1 which has not brought to him or ,ama the blessing he had hoped for1 and he rebels against the religion which has1 though ever so rarely1 permitted the exercise of such an atrocious rite4 ,he becomes more than ever dissatisfied with the vagueness of his belief4 ,he cannot find the rest which he desires2 the ,zendavesta of ,zoroaster can no longer satisfy his heart's longing2 his country-people are sunk in idolatry1 and1 instead of worshiping the ,god of whom the priests have a vague conception1 persist in bowing down before the symbols themselves1 discerning naught but the objects--the sun1 moon1 stars1 fire--light1 all in all4 ,yusuf1 indeed1 has a clearer idea of ,god2 but he worships him from afar off1 and looks upon him as a ,god of wrath and judgment rather than as the ,father of love and mercy4 ,in his new spiritual agitation he conceives the idea of a closer relation with the ,lord of the universe2 his whole soul calls out for a vivid realization of ,god1 and he casts about for light in his trouble4 ,from a passing stranger1 traveling in ,persia--a descendant of those ,sabaean ,persians who at an early age obtained a footing in ,arabia1 and whose influence was1 for a time1 so strongly marked through the whole district known as the ,nejd1 and even down into ,yemen1 ,arabia-,felix1--,yusuf has learned of a new and strange religion held by the people of the great peninsula4 ,his whole being calls for relief from the doubts which harass him4 ,he is rich and he decides to proceed at once towards the west and to search the world1 if necessary1--not1 as did ,sir ,galahad and the knights of ,king ,arthur's ,table1 in quest of the ,holy ,grail1 but in search of the scarcely less effulgent radiance of the beams of ,truth and ,love4 ,,the ,,days ,,of ,,mohammed4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,yusuf ,,begins ,,his ,,search ,,for ,,truth4 ,o when shall all my wanderings end1 ,and all my steps to ,thee-ward tend6 ,peace1 oh peace6 that thy light wings might now rest upon me6 ,truth1 that thou mightest shine in upon my soul1 making all light where now is darkness6 ,ye spirits that dwell in yon bright orbs far above me1 ye that alone are privileged to bow before the ,great ,creator of the universe1 ye that alone may address yourselves to the ,great ,omnipotent ,spirit with impunity1 intercede for me1 ,i beseech you6 ,bow before that ,great ,sovereign of all wisdom and light1 whom we worship through these vague symbols of fire and brightness2 plead with him before whom ,i dare not come1 in my behalf4 ,beseech of him1 if he will condescend to notice his most humble priest1 that he may lead him into light effulgent1 into all truth1 and that he may clear from his soul these vapors of doubt which now press upon him in blackest gloom and rack his soul with torment4 ,if ,i sin in doubting thus1 beseech him to forgive me and to lead me to a conception of him as he is4 ,ye that are his ministers1 from your starry spheres guide me6 ,whether through darkness1 thorns1 or stony ways1 guide me2 ,i shall not falter if ,i may see the light at last6 ,oh1 grant me peace6 ,thus prayed ,yusuf1 the ,magian priest4 ,he paused4 ,no sound passed from his lips1 but he still stood with upraised arms1 gazing into the intense depths of the ,persian sky1 purple1 and flecked with golden stars1 the forget-me-nots of the angels4 ,his priestly vestments were dazzlingly white1 and upon his shoulders were fixed two snowy wings that swept downward to the ground4 ,his black beard descended far over his breast1 and from the eyes above shone forth the glow of a soul yearning towards the infinite unknown1 whose all is ,god4 ,behind him1 near the altar of the rounded tower1--round in the similitude of the orbs of light1 the sun1 moon1 and stars1--danced the sacred fire1 whose flames were said to have burned unceasingly for nearly one thousand years4 ,the fiery wreaths leaped upwards toward the same purple sky1 as if pointing with long1 red fingers1 in mockery of the priest's devotion2 and the ruddy glare1 falling upon him as he stood so still there1 enveloped him with a halo of light4 ,it gleamed upon his head1 upon his uplifted hands1 upon the curves of the wings on his shoulders1 silhouetting him against the darkness1 and lighting his white habiliments until1 all motionless as he was1 he seemed like a marble statue dazzlingly radiant in the light of one crimson gleam from a sinking sun4 ,and so he stood1 heeding it not1 till the moon rose1 soft and full2 the mountain-tops shone with a rim of silver1 the valleys far below the temple looked deeper in the shade1 and the fire burned low4 ,rapt and more rapt grew the face of the priest4 ,surely the struggle of his soul was being answered1 and in his nearness to ,nature1 he was getting a faint1 far-off gleam of the true nature of ,nature's ,god4 ,his glance fell to the changing landscape below2 his arms were extended as if in benediction2 and his lips moved in a low and passionate farewell to his native land4 ,then he turned4 ,the fire burned low on the altar4 ,sacred symbol1 whose beams have no power to warm my chilled heart1 ,i bid you a long farewell6 ,they will say that ,yusuf is faithless1 a false priest4 ,they will mayhap follow him to slay him4 ,and they will bow again to yon image1 and defile thine altars again with infants' blood1 not discerning the true ,god4 ,yet he must be approachable4 ,i feel it6 ,i know it6 ,o ,great ,spirit1 reveal ,thyself unto ,yusuf6 ,reveal ,thyself unto ,persia6 ,great ,spirit1 guide me6 ,for the first time1 ,yusuf thus addressed a prayer direct to the ,deity1 and he did so in fear and trembling4 ,a faint gleam shone feebly amid the ashes of the now blackening altar4 ,it flared up for an instant1 then fell1 and the sacred fire of the ,guebre temple was dead4 ,the embers die6 cried the priest4 ,yea1 mockery of the ,divine1 die in thine ashes6 ,he waited no longer1 but strode with swift step down the mountain1 and into the shade of the valley4 ,reaching1 at last1 a cave in the side of a great rock1 he entered1 and stripped himself of his priestly garments4 ,then1 drawing from a recess the garb of an ordinary traveler1 he dressed himself quickly1 rolled his white robes into a ball1 and plunged farther into the cave4 ,in the darkness the rush of falling water warned him that an abyss was near4 ,dropping on his knees1 he crept carefully forward until his hand rested on the jagged edge of a ledge of rock4 ,beside him the water fell into a yawning gulf4 ,darkness darker than blackest night was about him1 and1 in its cover1 he cast the robes into the abyss below1 then retraced his way1 and plunged once more into the moonlight1 a ,persian traveler wearing the customary loose trousers1 a kufiyah on his head1 and bearing a long staff in his hand4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,a ,,bedouin ,,encampment4 ,the cares that infest the day ,shall fold their tents1 like the ,arabs1 ,and as silently steal away4 --,longfellow4 ,many months after the departure of ,yusuf from ,persia a solitary rider on a swift dromedary reached the extreme northern boundary of ,el ,hejaz1 the province that stretches over a considerable portion of western ,arabia4 ,his face was brown like leather from exposure1 and his clothes were worn and travel-stained1 yet it scarcely required a second glance to recognize the glittering eyes of the ,magian priest4 ,it seemed as if the excitement of danger and the long days of toil and privation had at last begun to tell upon his iron frame4 ,his eye1 accustomed by the fear of robbers to dart its dark glances restlessly1 was less keen than usual2 his head was drooped downward upon his breast1 and his whole attitude betokened bodily fatigue4 ,his camel1 too1 went less swiftly1 and picked its way1 with low1 plaintive moans1 over the rough and precipitous path which led into a wild and weird glen4 ,it was evening1 and the shadows fell in fantastic streaks and blotches across the arid valley1 through whose barren soil huge1 detached rocks of various-colored sandstone rose in eerie1 irregular masses1 veritable castles of genii of the uncanny spot4 ,yusuf looked uneasily around1 but neither sight nor sound of life was near1 and he again allowed his faithful beast to slacken its pace and crop a few leaves of the coarse camel-thorn1 the only sign of vegetation in the deserted place4 ,a few trees1 however1 could be seen in the distance1 and he urged his camel towards them in the hope of finding some water1 and some dates for food4 ,reaching the spot1 he found that a stagnant pool lay below1 but there were no dates on the trees1 and the water was brackish4 ,a couple of red-legged partridges fluttered off1 cackling loudly as they went4 ,he would fain have had them for food1 but their presence seemed like company to the poor wanderer1 and he did not attempt to secure them2 so1 throwing himself at full length on the ground1 he flung his arms across his eyes to shield them from the white glare of the sky4 ,suddenly a step sounded near4 ,yusuf started to his feet and grasped his scimitar1 but he was instantly beset by half a dozen wild ,arabs1 who dashed upon him1 screaming their wild ,arabian jargon1 and waving their short swords over their heads4 ,blows fell thick and fast4 ,yusuf had a dazed consciousness of seeing the swarthy1 wrinkled visages and gleaming teeth of his opponents darting in confusion before him1 of hacking desperately1 and of receiving blows on the head2 then a sudden gush of blood from a wound on his forehead blinded him1 and he fell4 ,all seemed over4 ,but a shout sounded close at hand4 ,several ,arabs1 splendidly mounted on nimble ,arabian horses1 and waving their long1 tufted spears1 appeared on the scene4 ,the ,bedouin robbers fled precipitately1 and ,yusuf's first sensation was that of being gently raised1 and of feeling water from the pool dashed upon his face4 ,the priest had not been severely wounded1 and soon recovered enough to proceed with the party which had rendered him such timely aid4 ,an hour's ride brought them to the head of another and more fertile glen or wady1 through which a mountain stream wended its way between two bands of tolerably good pasturage4 ,a full moon in all its brilliancy was just rising4 ,its cold1 clear light flooded the wady1 bringing out every feature of the landscape with remarkable distinctness4 ,at some distance lay a group of tents1 black1 and pitched in a circle1 as the tents of the ,bedouins usually are4 ,camp-fires studded the valley with glints of red2 and the barking of dogs and shouts of men arose on the night air above the hoarse moanings of the camels4 ,yusuf was indeed glad to see evidences of ,arab civilization1 and to look forward to the prospect of a good supper and a friendly bed4 ,the return of the party was now noticed by the men of the encampment4 ,a group of horsemen1 also armed with long spears tufted with ostrich feathers1 left the tents and came riding swiftly and gracefully towards their returning companions4 ,an explanation of ,yusuf's sorrowful plight was given1 and he was conducted to the tent of the ,sheikh1 which was marked by being larger than the rest1 and situated in the center of the circle1 with a spear placed upright in the ground before the door4 ,the ,sheikh himself received the stranger at the door of his tent4 ,he was a middle-aged man1 of tall and commanding appearance1 though the scowl habitual to the ,bedouins by reason of their constant exposure to the sun1 rested upon his face4 ,he wore a kufiyah1 or kerchief1 of red and yellow on his head1 the ends falling on his shoulders behind in a crimson fringe4 ,his hair was black and greased1 and his eyes1 though piercing1 were not unkindly4 ,his person was thin and muscular1 but he wore gracefully the long abba or outer cloak1 white and embroidered1 which opened in front1 disclosing an undergarment of figured muslin1 bound by a crimson sash4 ,and there was native grace in every movement when he came courteously forward and saluted ,yusuf with the ,peace be with you of the ,arabs4 ,he then extended his hand to help the traveler to dismount1 and led him into the tent4 ,friend1 he said1 a long journey and a close acquaintance with death are1 methinks1 a good preparation for the enjoyment of ,bedouin hospitality1 which1 we sincerely hope1 shall not be lacking in the tents of ,musa4 ,yet1 in truth1 it seems to us that thou art a fool-hardy man to tempt the dangers of ,el ,hejaz single-handed4 ,so it has proved1 returned the priest2 but a ,persian1 no more than an ,arab1 will draw back at the first scent of danger4 ,yet ,i deplore these delays1 which but hinder me on my way4 ,i had hoped long ere this to be at the end of my journey4 ,we will hear all this later1 returned the ,bedouin with quiet dignity2 for the present1 suffice it to keep quiet and let us wash this blood from your hair4 ,hither1 ,aswan6 ,bring warm water1 knave1 and let the traveler know that the ,arab's heart is warm too4 ,now1 friend-stranger1 rest upon these cushions1 and talk later1 if it please you4 ,with little enough reluctance1 ,yusuf lay down upon the pile of rugs and cushions1 and1 while the attendants bathed his brow1 looked somewhat curiously about him4 ,illustration3 ,he stood with upraised arms1 gazing into the depths of the sky4--,see page #b4 ,by the light of a dim lamp and a torch or two1 he could see that the tent was divided into two parts1 as are all ,bedouin tents1 by a central curtain4 ,this curtain was occasionally twitched aside far enough to reveal a pair of black eyes1 and1 from the softness of the voices which sounded from time to time behind the folds1 he surmised correctly that this apartment belonged to the chief's women4 ,several men entered the tent1 all swarthy1 lithe and sinewy1 with the scowling faces and even1 white teeth characteristic of the typical ,arab4 ,they gesticulated constantly as they talked2 but ,yusuf1 though thoroughly familiar with the ,arabic language1 paid little attention to the conversation1 giving himself up to what seemed to him1 after his adventures1 perfect rest4 ,presently the chief's wife entered4 ,she was unveiled1 and her features were distinctly ,hebrew2 for ,lois1 wife of the ,bedouin ,musa1 had been born a ,jewess4 ,she was dressed in a flowing robe of black confined by a crimson girdle4 ,strings of coins and of blue opaque beads hung upon her breast and were wound about her ankles1 and she wore a black head-dress also profusely decorated with beads and bangles of silver4 ,on a platter she carried some cakes1 still smoking hot4 ,these she placed on a low1 circular table of copper4 ,a wooden platter of boiled mutton was next added1 along with a caldron filled with wheat boiled in camel's milk1 and some cups of coffee4 ,yusuf was placed at the table1 and ,musa1 after sipping a little coffee1 handed the cup to him2 the chief then picked out the most savory bits of mutton1 and1 according to ,arabian etiquette1 handed them to his guest4 ,several men gathered around to partake of the banquet4 ,they crouched or reclined on the ground1 about the low table2 yet1 savage-looking though they were1 not one of the ,bedouins ventured an inquisitive question or bestowed a curious glance on the ,persian4 ,among them1 however1 was a little1 inquisitive-looking man1 whose quick1 bird-like movements attracted ,yusuf's attention early in the evening4 ,his round black eyes darted into every place and upon every one with an insatiable curiosity1 and he talked almost incessantly4 ,he was a ,jewish peddler who traded small wares with the ,arabs1 and who was constantly somewhere on the road between ,syria and ,yemen1 being liable to appear suddenly at the most mysterious times1 and in the most unlikely places4 ,in his way1 ,abraham of ,joppa was a character1 and one may be pardoned for bestowing more than a passing glance upon him4 ,though permitted to eat at the table with the rest1 it was evident that the ,arabs looked upon him with some contempt4 ,they enjoyed listening to his stories1 and to his recital of the news which he picked up in his travels1 but they despised his inquisitiveness1 and resented the impertinence with which he coolly addressed himself even to the ,sheikh1 before whom all were more or less reserved4 ,the ,persian was1 for the present1 the chief object of the little ,jew's curiosity1 and as soon as the meal was over he hastened to form his acquaintance4 ,sitting down before the priest1 and poising his head on one side1 he observed3 ,you are bound for the south1 stranger8 ,even so1 said ,yusuf1 gravely4 ,whither8 ,i seek for the city of the great temple4 ,phut6 ,the ,caaba6 exclaimed the ,jew1 with contempt4 ,right well ,i know it1 and a fool's game they make of it1 with their running1 and bowing1 and kissing a bit of stone in the wall as though 'twere the dearest friend on earth6 ,but they worship-- ,a statue of our father ,abraham1 and one of ,ishmael1 principally4 ,a precious set of idolaters they all are1 to be sure6 ,yusuf's heart sank4 ,was it only for this that he had come his long and weary way1 had braved the heat of day and the untold dangers of night8 ,in searching for that pure essence1 the spiritual1 that he craved1 had he left the idolatrous leaven at home only to come to another form of it in ,mecca8 ,but then1 he thought1 this foolish ,jew knows not whereof he speaks3 one with the empty brain and the loose tongue of this wanderer has not probed the depths of divine truth4 ,you cannot be going to ,mecca as a pilgrim8 hazarded the little man4 ,the ,magians and the ,sabaeans worship the stars1 do they not8 ,alas1 yes6 said the priest4 ,they have fallen away from the ancient belief4 ,they worship even the stars themselves1 and have set up images to them1 no longer perceiving the ,great ,invisible1 the ,infinite1 who can be approached only through the mediation of the spirits who inhabit the starry orbs4 ,methinks you will find little better in ,mecca4 ,what are you going there for8 asked the ,jew abruptly4 ,i seek ,truth1 replied the priest quietly4 ,truth6 repeated the ,jew4 ,aye1 aye1 the ,persian traveler seeks truth2 ,abraham1 the ,jew1 seeks myrrh1 aloes1 sweet perfumes of ,yemen1 silks of ,india1 and purple of ,tyre4 ,aye1 so it is1 and ,i think ,abraham's commodity is the more obtainable and the more practical of the two4 ,yet they do say there are ,jews who have sought for truth likewise2 and they tell of apostles who gave up their trade and fisheries to go on a like quest after a leader whom many ,jews will not accept4 ,who were the apostles8 ,oh1 ,jews1 of course4 ,where may ,i find them8 ,all dead1 well-nigh six hundred years ago1 returned the ,jew1 indifferently4 ,yusuf's hopes sank again4 ,he longed for even one kindred spirit to whom he could unfold the thoughts that harassed him4 ,i do not know much about what they taught1 continued the ,jew4 ,never read it2 it does not help in my business4 ,but ,i got a bit of manuscript the other day from ,sergius1 an old ,nestorian monk away up in the ,syrian hills4 ,i am taking it down to ,mecca4 ,i just peeped into it1 but did not read it2 because it is the people who live now1 who have gold and silver for ,abraham1 that interest him1 not those who died centuries ago2 and the bit of writing is about such4 ,however1 you seem to be interested that way1 so ,i will give it to you to read4 ,so saying1 the ,jew unpacked a heavy bundle1 and1 after searching for some time1 upsetting tawdry jewelry1 kerchiefs1 and boxes of perfume1 he at last succeeded in finding the parchment4 ,he handed it to the ,persian4 ,i hope it may be of use to you1 stranger4 ,abraham the ,jew knows little and cares less for religion1 but he would be sorry to see you bowing with yon heathen ,arab herd at ,mecca4 ,dog6 ,son of a dog6 ,it was ,musa4 ,able to restrain his passion no longer1 he had sprung to his feet and stood1 with flashing eyes and drawn scimitar1 in resentment of the slur on his countrymen4 ,with a howl of fear1 the little ,jew sprang through the door and disappeared in the darkness4 ,musa laughed contemptuously4 ,ha1 lack-brained cur6 he said1 ,i would not have hurt him1 having broken bread with him in mine own tent6 ,yet1 friend ,persian1 one cannot hear one's own people1 and one's own temple1 the temple of his fathers1 desecrated by the tongue of a lack-brained ,jew trinket-vender4 ,you know1 then1 of this ,caaba--of the ,god they worship there8 asked the priest4 ,musa shook his head1 and made a gesture of denial4 ,musa knows little of such things1 he replied4 ,yet the ,caaba is a name sacred in ,arabian tradition1 and as such1 it suits me ill to hear it on the tongue of a craven-hearted ,jew4 ,in sooth1 the coward knave has left his trumpery bundle all open as it is4 ,i warrant me he will come back for it in good time4 ,a dark-haired lad in a striped silk garment here passed through the tent4 ,hither1 ,kedar6 called the ,sheikh4 ,recite for our visitor the story of ,moses4 ,the lad at once began the story1 reciting it in a sort of chant1 and accompanying his words with many a gesture4 ,the company listened breathlessly1 now giving vent to deep groans as the persecution of the children of ,israel was described1 now bowing their heads in reverence at the revelation of the burning bush1 now waving their arms in excitement and starting forward with flashing eyes as the lad pictured the passage of the ,red ,sea4 ,yusuf had heard some vague account of the story before1 but1 with the passionate nature of the ,oriental1 he was strangely moved as he listened to the recital of how that great ,god whom he longed to feel and know had led the children of ,israel through all their wanderings and sufferings to the promised land4 ,he felt that he too was indeed a wanderer1 seeking the promised land4 ,he was but an infant in the true things of the ,spirit4 ,like many another who longs vainly for a revelation of the working of the ,holy ,spirit1 his soul seemed to reach out hopelessly4 ,but who can tell how tenderly the same ,all-wise ,creator treasures up every outreaching of the struggling soul6 ,not one throb of the loving and longing heart is lost2--and ,yusuf was yet1 after trial1 to rejoice in the serene fullness of such light as may fall upon this terrestrial side of death's dividing line4 ,poor ,yusuf1 with all his ,persian learning and wisdom1 had1 through all his life1 known only a religion tinctured with idolatry4 ,almost alone he had broken from that idolatry1 and realized the unity of ,god and his separation from all connected with such worship2 but he was yet to understand the connection of ,god with man1 and to taste the fullness of ,god's love through ,christ4 ,he had not realized that the finger of ,god is upon the life of every man who is willing to yield himself to ,divine direction1 and that there is thus an inseparable link between the ,creator and the creature4 ,he was not able to say1 as said ,carlyle in these later days1 ,a divine decree or eternal regulation of the universe there verily is1 in regard to every conceivable procedure and affair of man2 faithfully following this1 said procedure or affair will prosper4444 ,not following this1444 destruction and wreck are certain for every affair4 ,and what could be better8 ,divine love1 not divine wrath1 over all6 ,yusuf had an idea of divine wrath1 but he failed to see--because the presentation of the never-failing ,fatherhood of ,god had not yet come--the infinite love that makes ,jesus all in all to us1 heaven wherever he is1 and hell wherever he is not4 ,since leaving ,persia1 this was the first definite opportunity he had had of listening to ,bible truth4 ,kedar knows more of this than his father1 explained ,musa4 ',tis his mother who teaches him4 ,she was a ,jewess1 of the people of ,jesus of ,nazareth1 but ,i fear this roving life has caused my poor ,lois to forget much of the teaching of her people4 ,you speak of ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,i have heard something of him4 ,tell me more4 ,musa shook his head slowly4 ,i know nothing1 he said4 ,but ,i shall call ,lois4 ,the men have all gone from the tent1 and mayhap she can tell what you want4 ,so saying1 he entered the women's apartment1 and sent his wife to ,yusuf4 ,you wish to know of ,jesus of ,nazareth8 she said4 ,alas1 ,i am but a poor teacher4 ,i am unworthy even to speak his name4 ,i married when but a child1 and since then ,i have wandered far from him1 for there have been few to teach me4 ,yet ,i know that he was in very truth the ,son of ,god4 ,he was all-good4 ,he healed the sick on this earth1 and forgave sin4 ,then1 woe1 woe to me6--he was crucified1--crucified by my people6 ,and he went up to heaven2 his disciples saw him go up in the white clouds of a bright day4 ,where dwells he now8 ,is he one of the spirits of the stars8 ,i know not4 ,he is in heaven4 ,and does he stoop to take notice of us1 the children of earth8 ,alas1 ,i know not6 ,there was once a time when ,jesus was more than a name to me4 ,when ,i knelt1 a child1 beside my mother on the grassy hills of ,hebron1 it seemed that ,jesus was1 in some vague way1 a reality to me2 but long years of forgetfulness have passed since then4 ,stranger1 ,i wish you well4 ,your words have brought back to me the desire to know more of him4 ,if you learn aught of him1 and it ever lies in your way to do so1 come and tell us1--my ,musa and me1--that we too may learn of him4 ,rising to her feet1 the woman saluted the ,persian and left him4 ,musa entered to conduct him to the rugs set apart for his couch1 and soon all was silent about the encampment4 ,but ere he fell asleep1 ,yusuf went out into the moonlight4 ,the night was filled with the peculiar lightness of an ,oriental night4 ,the moon blazed down like a globe of molten silver1 and a few large stars glowed with scarcely secondary brilliance4 ,in the silvery brightness he could easily read the manuscript given him by the ,jew4 ,it was the story of the man with the withered hand1 whose infirmity was healed by ,jesus in the synagogue4 ,and there1 in the starlight1 the priest bowed his head1 and a throng of pent-up emotions throbbed in his breast4 ,spirits of the stars1 show me ,god4 ,if this ,jesus be indeed the ,son of ,god1 show me him4 ,give me faith1 such faith as had he of the withered hand1 that ,i too may stretch forth my hand and be made whole2 that ,i may look1 and in looking1 see4 ,this was his prayer4 ,ah1 yet1 the spirits of the stars were as a bridge to the gulf which1 he fancied1 lay between him and ,infinite ,mercy4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,yusuf ,,meets ,,amzi1 ,,the ,,meccan4 ,mecca's pilgrims1 confident of ,fate1 ,and resolute in heart4 --,longfellow4 ,the next morning1 ,yusuf1 against the remonstrances of ,musa and his wife1 prepared to proceed on his way4 ,like the ,ancient ,mariner1 he felt forced to go on1 to pass like night from land to land1 until he obtained that which he sought4 ,when he was almost ready to depart1 a horseman came galloping down the valley1 with the news that a caravan1 en route for ,mecca1 was almost in sight1 and would make a brief halt near the stream by which ,musa's tents were pitched4 ,yusuf at once determined to avail himself of the timely protection on his journey4 ,presently the caravan appeared1 a long1 irregular line--camels bearing shugdufs1 or covered litters2 swift dromedaries1 mounted by tawny ,arabs whose long ,indian shawls were twisted about their heads and fell in fringed ends upon their backs2 fiery ,arabian horses1 ridden by ,arabs swaying long spears or lances in their hands2 heavily-laden pack-mules1 whose leaders walked beside them1 urging them on with sticks1 and giving vent to shrill cries as they went2 and lastly a line of pilgrims1 some trudging along wearily1 some riding miserable beasts1 whose ribs shone through their roughened hides1 while others rode1 in the proud security of ease and affluence1 in comfortable litters1 or upon animals whose sleek and well-fed appearance comported with the self-satisfied air of their riders4 ,a halt was called1 and immediately all was confusion4 ,tents were hurriedly thrown up2 the pack-mules were unburdened for a moment2 the horses1 scenting the water1 began to neigh and sniff the air2 infants1 who had been crammed into saddle-bags with their heads out1 were hauled from their close quarters2 the horsemen of ,musa1 still balancing their tufted spears1 dashed in and out2 while his herdsmen1 anxious to keep the flocks from mixing with the caravan1 shrieked and gesticulated1 hurrying the flocks of sheep off in noisy confusion1 and urging the herds of dromedaries on with their short1 hooked sticks4 ,it was indeed a babel1 in which ,yusuf had no part2 and he once more seized the opportunity of looking at the precious parchment ,to his astonishment1 he perceived that it was addressed to ,mohammed1 son of ,abdallah1 son of ,abdal ,motalleb1 ,mecca1 with the subscription1 ,from ,sergius the ,monk1 ,bosra4 ,here then1 ,yusuf had1 in perfect innocence1 been entrapped into reading a communication addressed to some one else1 and he smiled sarcastically as he thought of the inquisitiveness of the little ,jew who had taken the liberty of just peeping in4 ,it remained1 now1 for ,yusuf to find the ,jew and to put him again in possession of his charge4 ,he searched for him through the motley crowd1 but in vain2 then1 recollecting that the peddler's bundle had been left behind1 he sought ,musa1 to see if he had heard anything of the little busybody4 ,musa laughed heartily4 ,remember you not that ,i said his trumpery would be gone in the morning8 ,i was no false prophet4 ,the man is like a weasel4 ,when all sleep he finds his way in and helps himself to what he will3 when all wake1 no ,jew is to be seen2 trumpery and all have gone1 no one knows whither4 ,so the priest found himself responsible for the delivery of the manuscript to this ,mohammed1 of whom he had never hitherto heard2 and1 knowing the contents1 he was none the less ready to carry out the trust1 hoping to find in ,mohammed some one who could tell him more of the same wondrous story4 ,he therefore placed the parchment very carefully within the folds of his garment1 bade farewell to ,musa and his household1 and prepared to leave with the caravan1 which had halted but a short time on account of the remarkable coolness of the day4 ,peace be with you6 said the ,sheikh2 and if you ever need a friend1 may it be ,musa's lot to stand in good stead to you4 ,i bid you good speed on your journey4 ,we have no fears for your safety now1 besides the safety of numbers1 the holy month of ,ramadhan#a begins to-day1 and even the wildest of the ,bedouin robbers usually refrain from taking life in the holy months4 ,again1 ,peace be with you6 ,and remember that the ,bedouin can be a friend4 ,yusuf embraced the chieftain with gratitude1 and took his place in the train1 which was already moving slowly down the wady4 ,as it often happens that in the most numerous concourse of people one feels most lonely1 so it was now with ,yusuf4 ,there seemed none with whom he cared to speak4 ,most of the people were self-satisfied traders busied with the care of the merchandise which they were taking down to dispose of at the great fair carried on during the ,ramadhan4 ,a few were ,arabs of the ,hejaz1 short and well-knit1 wearing loose garments of blue1 drawn back at the arms enough to show the muscles standing out like whip-cords4 ,some were smoking short chibouques1 with stems of wood and bowls of soft steatite colored a yellowish red4 ,as they rode they used no stirrups1 but crossed their legs before and beneath the pommel of the saddle2 while1 as the sun shone more hotly1 they bent their heads and drew their kufiyahs far over their brows4 ,many poor and somewhat fanatical pilgrims were interspersed among the crowd1 and here and there a dervish1 with his large1 bag-sleeved robe of brown wool--the ,zaabut1 worn alike by dervish and peasant--held his way undisturbed4 ,yusuf soon ceased to pay any attention to his surroundings1 and sat1 buried in his own thoughts1 until a voice1 pleasant and like the ripple of a brook1 aroused him4 ,what thoughts better than the thoughts of a ,persian8 ,none4 ,friend1 think you not so8 ,the words were spoken in the ,persian dialect1 and the priest looked up in surprise1 to see a ruddy-faced man smiling down upon him from the back of a tall1 white ,syrian camel4 ,he wore the jubbeh1 or cloak1 the badge of the learned in the ,orient2 his beard was turning slightly gray1 and his eyes were keen and twinkling4 ,one question mayhap demands another1 returned ,yusuf4 ,how knew you that ,i am a ,persian8 ,i no longer wear ,persian garb4 ,what6 ,ask an ,arab such a question as that6 said the other1 smiling4 ,know you not1 ,persian1 that we of the desert lands are accustomed to trace by a mark in the sand1 the breaking of a camel-thorn1 things as difficult8 ,the stamp of one's country cannot be thrown off with one's clothes4 ,nay1 more2 you have been noted as one learned among the ,persians4 ,yusuf bent his head in assent4 ,truly1 stranger1 your penetration is incomprehensible1 he said1 with a touch of sarcasm4 ,no1 no6 returned the other1 good-humoredly2 but1 marking you out for what you are1 ,i thought your company might1 perchance1 lessen the dreariness of the way4 ,i am ,amzi1 the ,meccan4 ,some call me ,amzi the rich ,meccan2 others1 ,amzi the learned2 others1 ,amzi the benevolent4 ,for myself1 ,i pretend nothing1 aspire to nothing but to know all that may be known1 to live a life of ease1 at peace with all men1 and to help the needy or unfortunate where ,i may4 ,more than one stranger has not been sorry for meeting ,amzi the benevolent1 in ,mecca4 ,have you friends there8 ,none1 said ,yusuf4 ,yet there is a tradition among our people that the ,guebres at one time had temples even in the land of ,arabia4 ,have you heard aught of it8 ,it is said that at one time fire-temples were scattered throughout this land1 each being dedicated to the worship of a planet2 that at ,medina#b itself was one dedicated to the worship of the moon and containing an image of it4 ,it is also claimed that the fire-worshipers held ,mecca1 and there worshiped ,saturn and the moon1 from whence comes their name of the place--,mahgah1 or moon's place4 ,the ,guebres also hold here that the ,black ,stone is an emblem of ,saturn1 left in the ,caaba by the ,persian ,mahabad and his successors long ago4 ,but1 friend1 ,persian influence has long since ceased in ,el ,hejaz4 ,methinks you will find but few traces of your country-people's glory there4 ,it matters not1 returned the priest4 ,the glory of the fire-worshipers has1 so far as ,yusuf is concerned1 passed away4 ,know you not that before his eyes the sacred fire1#c kept alive for well-nigh one thousand years1 went out in the supreme temple ere he left it8 ,may the great ,omniscient ,spirit grant that ,persia's idolatries will die out in its ashes6 ,and think you that there is no idolatry in ,mecca8 ,friend1 believe me1 not a house in ,arabian ,mecca which does not contain its idol6 ,not a man of influence who will start on an expedition without beseeching his family gods for blessing6 ,and do they not recognize a ,god over all8 ,they acknowledge ,allah as the highest1 the universal power1--yet he is virtually but a nominal deity1 for they deem that none can enter into special relationship with him save through the mediation of the household gods4 ,in his name the holiest oaths are sworn1 nevertheless in true worship he has the last place4 ,indeed1 it must be confessed that neither fear of ,allah nor reverence of the gods has much influence over the mass of our people4 ,what1 then1 is the meaning of this great pilgrimage1 whose fame reached me even in ,persia8 ,does not religious enthusiasm lead those poor wretches1 hobbling along behind1 to take such a journey8 ,amzi nodded his head slowly4 ,religious incentives may move the few1 he said4 ,but1 friend1 can you not see that barter is the leading object of the greater number--of those well-to-do pilgrims who are superintending the carriage of their baggage so complacently there8 ,the holy months1 particularly the ,ramadhan1 afford a period of comparative safety1 a long truce that affords a convenient season for traffic4 ,alas1 poor stranger6 you will be sad to find that our city1 in the time of the holy fast1 becomes a place of buying and selling1 of vice and robbery--a place where gain is all and ,god is almost unknown4 ,but you1 ,amzi2 what do you believe of such things8 ,in truth1 ,i know not what to think4 ,believe in idols ,i cannot2 worship in the ,caaba ,i will not2 so that my religion is but a belief in ,allah1 whom ,i fear to approach1 and whose help and influence ,i know not how to obtain1 a confidence in my own morality1 and a consciousness of doing good works4 ,strange1 strange6 said the priest1 that we have arrived at somewhat the same place by different ways6 ,amzi1 let us be brothers in the quest6 ,let us rest neither night nor day until we have found the way to the ,supreme ,god6 ,amzi1 ,i want to feel him1 to know him1 as ,i am persuaded he may be known2 yet1 like you1 ,i fear to approach him4 ,have you heard of ,jesus8 ,a few among a band of coward ,jews who live in the ,jewish quarter of ,mecca1 believe in ,one whom they call ,jesus4 ,the majority of them do not accept him as divine2 and among those who do1 he seems to be little more than a name of some one who lived and died as did ,abraham and ,ishmael4 ,his teaching1 if1 indeed1 he taught aught1 seems to have little effect upon their lives4 ,they live no better than others1 and1 indeed1 they are slurred upon by all true ,meccans as cowardly dogs1 perjurers and usurers4 ,yusuf sighed deeply4 ,it seemed as though he were following a flitting ignis-fatuus1 that eluded him just as he came in sight of it4 ,the rest of the day was passed in comparative silence4 ,the evening halt was called1 and it was decided to spend the night in a grassy basin1 traversed by the rocky bed of a mountain stream1 a fiumara1 down which a feeble brooklet from recent mountain rains trickled4 ,owing to the security of the month ,ramadhan1 it was deemed that a night halt would be safe1 and the whole caravan encamped on the spot4 ,as the shades of the rapidly-falling ,eastern twilight drew on1 ,yusuf sat idly near the door of a tent1 looking out listlessly1 and listening to the chatter of the people about him4 ,not far off a ,jewish boy1 a mere child1 of one of the northern tribes1 as shown by his fair hair and blue eyes1 sang plaintively a song of the singing of birds and the humming of bees1 of the flowers of the ,north1 of rippling streams1 of the miraged desert1 of the waving of the tamarisk and the scent of roses4 ,yusuf observed the child-like form and the effeminate paleness of the cherub face1 and a feeling of protective pity throbbed in his bosom as he noted the slender smallness of the hand that glided over the one-stringed guitar1 showing by its movements1 even in the fading evening light1 the blue veins that coursed beneath the transparent skin4 ,he called the lad to his side1 and bade him sing to him4 ,not till then did he notice the vacancy of the look which bespoke a slightly wandering mind4 ,yusuf's great heart filled with sympathy4 ,poor lad6 he said1 singing all alone6 ,where are your friends8 ,dumah's friends8 said the child1 wonderingly4 ,poor ,dumah has no friends now6 ,he goes here and there1 and people are kind to him--because ,dumah sings1 you know1 and only angels sing4 ,he tells them of flocks beside the pool1 of lilies of ,siloam1 of birds in the air and angels in the heavens--then everyone is kind4 ,ah6 the world is fair6 he continued1 with a happy smile4 ,the breeze blows hot here1 sometimes1 but so cool over the sea2 and the lilies blow in the vales of ,galilee1 and the waves ripple bright over the sea where he once walked4 ,who1 child8 ,jesus--don't you know8 with a wondering look4 ,he sat often by the ,lake of ,galilee where ,i have sat1 and the night winds lifted his hair as they do mine1 and he smiled and healed poor suffering and sinful people4 ,ah1 he did indeed6 ,poor ,dumah is talking sense now1 good stranger2 sometimes he does not--the thoughts come and go before he can catch them1 and then people say1 ',poor little ,dumah is demented4' ,but if ,jesus were here now1 ,dumah would be healed4 ,i dreamed one night ,i saw him1 and he smiled1 and looked upon me so sweetly and said1 ',dumah loves me6 ,dumah loves me6' and then ,i saw him no more4 ,friend1 ,i know you love him1 too4 ,what is your name8 ,yusuf4 ,then1 ,yusuf1 you will be my friend8 ,i will be your friend1 poor ,dumah6 ,oh1 no1 ,dumah is not poor6 ,he is happy4 ,but his thoughts are going now4 ,ah1 they throng6 ,the visions come6 ,the birds and the mists and the flowers are twining in a wreath1 a wreath that stretches up to the clouds6 ,do you not see it8 and he started off again on his wild1 plaintive song4 ,yusuf's eyes filled with tears1 and he drew the lad to his bosom1 and looked out upon the grassy plot before the door1 where a huge fire was now shedding a flickering and fantastic glare upon the wrinkled visages of the ,arabs1 and lighting up the scene with a weird effect only to be seen in the ,orient4 ,caldrons were boiling1 and a savory odor penetrated the air4 ,men were talking in groups1 and a little dervish was spinning around nimbly in a sort of dance4 ,yusuf looked at him for a moment4 ,there seemed to be something familiar about his figure and movements1 but in the darkness he could not be distinctly seen1 and ,yusuf soon forgot to pay any attention to him4 ,he drew the boy1 who had now fallen asleep1 close to him4 ,what would he1 ,yusuf1 not give to learn fully of that source from whence the few meagre crumbs picked up by this poor child were yet precious enough to give him1 all wandering as he was at times1 the assurance of a sympathetic ,god1 and render him happy in the realization of his presence6 ,what must be the joy of a full revelation of these blessed truths1 if1 indeed1 truths they were6 ,the longing for such companionship filled ,yusuf1 as he lay there1 with an intense desire4 ,he could scarcely define1 in truth he scarcely understood1 exactly what he wanted4 ,there was a lack in his life which no human agency had1 as yet1 been able to satisfy4 ,his heart was reaching out its arms to know ,god--that was all2 and he called it searching for ,truth4 ,illustration3 ,a head was thrust forward4444 ,it was the little dervish4--,see page #ae4 ,far into the night the ,persian pondered1 his mind beating against the darkness of what was to him the great mystery2 and he prayed for light4 ,he thought of the ,father1 yet again he prayed to the spirits of the planets which were shining so brightly above him4 ,but did not an echo of that prayer ascend to the throne of grace8 ,was not the eye of ,him who notes even the sparrows when they fall1 upon his poor1 struggling child8 ,and the end was not yet4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,wherein ,,yusuf ,,encounters ,a ,,sand-,,storm ,,in ,,the ,,desert1 ,,and ,,has ,,somewhat ,,of ,,an ,,experience ,,with ,,the ,,little ,,dervish4 ,a column high and vast1 ,a form of fear and dread4 --,longfellow4 ,with but few events worthy of notice the journey to ,mecca was concluded4 ,after a short halt at ,medina1 the caravan set out by one of the three roads which then led from ,medina to ,mecca4#d ,the way led through a country whose aspect had every indication of volcanic agency in the remote ages of the earth's history4 ,bleak plains--through whose barren soil outcrops of blackened scoriae1 or sharp edges of black and brittle hornblende1 appeared at every turn--were interspersed with wadies1 bounded by ridges of basalt and green-stone1 rising from one hundred to two hundred feet high1 and covered with a scanty vegetation of thorny acacias and clumps of camel-grass4 ,here and there a rolling hill was cut by a deep gorge1 showing where1 after rain1 a mighty torrent must foam its way2 and1 more rarely still1 a stagnant pool of saltish or brackish water was marked out by a cluster of daum palms4 ,on all sides jackals howled dismally during the night2 and above1 during the day1 an occasional vulture wheeled1 fresh from the carcass of some poor mule dead by the wayside4 ,such was the appearance of the land through which the caravan wound its way1 beneath a sky peculiar to ,arabia--purple at night1 white and terrible in its heat at noon1 yet ever strange1 weird and impressive4 ,but one incident worth recounting occurred on the way4 ,yusuf1 ,amzi1 and the boy ,dumah had been traveling side by side for some time4 ,the way1 at that particular spot1 led over a plain which afforded comparatively easy traveling1 and thus gave a better opportunity for conversation4 ,the talk had turned upon the ,guebre worship1 and the priest was amazed at the knowledge shown by ,amzi of a religion so little known in ,arabia4 ,i can tell you more than that1 said ,amzi in a low tone4 ,i can tell you that you are not only ,yusuf the ,persian gentleman of leisure1 but ,yusuf the ,magian priest1 accustomed to feed the sacred fire in the ,temple of ,jupiter4 ,is it not so8 ,did not ,yusuf's hand even take the blood of ,imri the infant daughter of ,uzza in sacrifice8 ,can ,yusuf the ,persian traveler deny that8 ,yusuf's head sank2 his face crimsoned with pain1 and the veins swelled like cords on his brow4 ,alas1 ,amzi1 it is but too true6 he said4 ,yet1 upon the most sacred oath that a ,persian can swear1 ,i did it thinking that the blessing of the gods would thus be invoked4 ,the rite is one not unknown among the ,sabaeans of to-day1 and common even among the ,magians of the past4 ,amzi1 it was in my days of heathendom that ,i did it1 thinking it a duty to ,heaven4 ,it was ,yusuf the priest who did it1 not ,yusuf the man2 yet ,yusuf the man bears the torture of it in his bosom1 and seeks forgiveness for the blackest spot in his life6 ,how knew you this1 ,amzi8--if the question be an honorable one4 ,amzi knows much1 returned the ,meccan4 ,he knows1 too1 that ,yusuf can never escape the brand of the priesthood4 ,see6 ,he leaned forward1 and drew back the loose garment from the ,persian's breast4 ,a red burn1 or scar1 in the form of a torch1 appeared in the flesh4 ,as ,yusuf hastened to cover it1 a head was thrust forward1 and two bead-like eyes peered from a shrouded face4 ,it was the little dervish4 ,the priest was annoyed at the intrusion4 ,he determined to take note of the meddler1 but the occurrence of an event common in the desert drove all thought of the dervish from his mind4 ,the cry ,a simoom6 ,a simoom6 arose throughout the caravan4 ,there1 far towards the horizon1 was a dense mass of dull1 copper-colored cloud1 rising and surging like the waves of a mad ocean4 ,it spread rapidly upwards toward the zenith1 and a dull roar sounded from afar off1 broken by a peculiar shrieking whistle4 ,and now dense columns could be seen1 bent backward in trailing wreaths of copper at the top1 changing and swaying before the hurricane1 yet ever holding the form of vapory1 yellow pillars1--huge shafts extending from earth to heaven1 and rapidly advancing with awful menace upon the terrified multitude4 ,the ,arabs screamed1 helpless before the manifestation of what they believed was a supernatural force1 for they look upon these columns as the evil genii of the plains4 ,men and camels fell to the ground4 ,horses neighed in fear1 and galloped madly to and fro4 ,but the hot breath of the poison-wind was upon them in a moment1 shrieking like a fiend among the crisping acacias4 ,the sand-storm then fell in all its fury1 half smothering the poor wretches1 who strove to cover their heads with their garments to keep out the burning1 blistering1 pitiless dust4 ,fortunately all was over in a moment1 and the tempest went swirling on its way northward1 leaving a clear sky and a dust-buried country in its wake4 ,in the confusion the dervish had escaped to the other end of the caravan1 and was forgotten4 ,at the end of the tenth day after leaving ,medina the caravan reached the head of the long1 narrow defile in which lies the city of ,mecca1 the chief town of ,el ,hejaz4 ,it was early morning when the procession passed through the cleft at the western end2 and the sun was just rising1 a globe of red1 above the blue mountains towards ,tayf1 when ,yusuf stopped his camel on an eminence in full view of the city4 ,there it lay in the heart of the rough blackish hills1 whose long shadows still fell upon the low stone houses and crooked streets beneath4#e ,the priest's eager glance sought for the ,caaba4 ,there it was1 a huge1 stone cube1 standing in the midst of a courtyard two hundred and fifty paces long by two hundred paces wide1 and shrouded from top to bottom by a heavy curtain of dark1 striped cloth of ,yemen4 ,there was something awe-inspiring in the scene1 and the priest felt a thrill of apprehensive emotion as he gazed upon what he had fondly hoped would prove the end of his long journey4 ,yet his eye clouded2 he covered his face with his mantle and wept1 saying to his soul1 ,here1 too1 have they turned aside to worship the false1 and have bowed down to idols6 ,my soul6 ,my soul6 ,where shalt thou find truth and rest8 ,amzi touched him on the arm4 ,why do you weep1 friend8 ,thou art a false ,guebre1 truly6 ,know you not that even they hold the ,caaba in high reverence8 ,there was a tone of good-natured raillery in the voice1 and the speaker continued3 ,arouse yourself1 my friend4 ,see how they worship in ,mecca4 ,they are at it already6 ,see them run6 ,by my faith 'tis a lusty morning exercise6 ,yusuf looked up to see a great concourse of people gathering in the court-yard4 ,many were rushing about the ,caaba1 and pausing frequently at one corner of the huge structure4 ,each pilgrim1 explained ,amzi1 holds himself bound to go seven times about the temple1 and the harder he runs the more virtue there is in it--performing the ,tawaf1 they call it4 ,those who seem to pause are kissing the ,hajar ,aswad--the ,black ,stone1 which1 the ,arabs say1 was once an angel cast from heaven in the form of a pure white jacinth4 ,it is now blackened by the kisses of sinners1 but will1 at the last day1 arise in its angel form1 to bear testimony of the faithful who have kissed it1 and have done the ,tawaf faithfully4 ,and now1 friend1 come to the house of ,amzi1 and see if he can be as hospitable as ,musa the ,bedouin4 ,yusuf gratefully accepted the invitation1 and the camels were urged on again down the narrow1 crooked street4 ,know you aught of one ,mohammed8 asked the priest4 ,a roguish ,hebrew left me1 with scant ceremony1 in possession of a manuscript which must be given to him4 ,aye1 well do ,i know him1 said ,amzi4 ,mohammed1 the son of ,abdallah the handsome1 and grandson of ,abdal ,motalleb1 who was the son of ,haschem of the tribe of the ,koreish--a tribe which has long held a position among the highest of ,mecca1 and has1 for ages past1 had the guardianship of the ,caaba itself4 ,mohammed himself is a man of sagacity and honor in all his dealings4 ,he is married to ,cadijah1 a wealthy widow1 whose business he has long carried on with scrupulous fairness4 ,he1 too1 is one of the few who1 in ,mecca1 have ceased to believe in idols1 and would fain see the ,caaba purged of its images4 ,there are some1 then1 who cast aside such beliefs8 ,yes1 the ,hanifs 7ascetics71 who utterly reject polytheism4 ,waraka1 a cousin of the wife of ,mohammed1 is one of the chief of these2 and ,mohammed himself has1 for several years1 been accustomed to retire to the cave of ,hira for meditation and prayer4 ,it is said that he has preached and taught for some time in the city1 but only to his immediate friends and relatives4 ,well1 here we are at last1--as a pretentious stone building was reached4 ,amzi the benevolent bids ,yusuf the ,persian priest welcome4 ,amzi led the priest into a house furnished with no small degree of ,oriental splendor4 ,right to the carven cedarn doors1 ,flung inward over spangled floors1 ,broad-based flights of marble stairs ,ran up with golden balustrade1 ,after the fashion of the time4 ,a meal of ,oriental dishes1 dried fruit and sweetmeats was prepared2 and1 when the coolness of evening had come1 the two friends proceeded to the temple4 ,entering by a western gate1 they found the great quadrangle crowded with men1 women and children1 some standing in groups1 with sanctimonious air1 at prayers1 while others walked or ran about the ,caaba1 which loomed huge and somber beneath the solemn light of the stars4 ,a few solitary torches--for at that time the slender pillars with their myriads of lamps had not been erected--lit up the scene with a weird1 wavering glare1 and threw deep shadows across the white1 sanded ground4 ,a curious crowd it seemed4 ,the wild enthusiasm that marked the conduct of the followers of ,mohammed at a later day was absent1 yet every motion of the motley crowd proclaimed the veneration with which the place inspired the impressionable and excitable ,arabs4 ,here stood a wealthy ,meccan1 with flowing robes1 arms crossed and eyes turned upward2 there stalked a tall and gaunt figure whose black robes and heavy black head-dress proclaimed the wearer a ,bedouin woman4 ,here ran a group of beggars2 and there a number of half-naked pilgrims clung to the curtained walls4 ,once a corpse was carried into the enclosure and borne in solemn ,tawaf round the edifice4 ,look6 cried poor ,dumah4 ,the son of the widow of ,nain6 ,the son of the widow of ,nain6 ,oh1 why does not he whom ,dumah sees in his dreams come to raise him6 ,but then1 there are idols here1 and he cannot come where there are other gods before him4 ,on surveying the temple1 ,yusuf discovered that the door of the edifice was placed seven feet above the ground4 ,amzi informed him that the temple might be entered only at certain times1 but that it contained an image of ,abraham holding in its hand some arrows without heads2 also a similar statue of ,ishmael likewise with divining arrows1 and lesser images of prophets and angels amounting almost to the number of three hundred4 ,passing round the temple to the north-eastern corner1 ,yusuf looked curiously at the ,black ,stone1 which was set in the wall at a few spans from the ground1 and which seemed to be black with yellowish specks in it4#f ,many people were pressing forward to kiss it1 while many more were drinking and laving themselves with water from a well a few paces distant1--the well ,zem-,zem1--believing that in so doing their sins were washed off in the water4 ,this1 said ,amzi1 pointing to the spring1 is said to be the well which gushed up to give drink to our forefather ,ishmael and ,hagar his mother1 when they had gone into the wilderness to die4 ,yusuf sighed heavily4 ,such empty ceremony had no longer any attraction for him1 and he turned his eyes towards the mountain ,abu ,kubays1 towering dark and gloomy above the town1 its black crest touched with a silvery radiance by the light of the stars shining brilliantly above4 ,was this1 then1 the ,caaba8 ,was this what he had fondly hoped would fill his heart's longing8 ,was there any food in this empty ceremonial for a hungering soul8 ,why1 oh why did the truth ever elude him1 flitting like an ignis-fatuus with phantom light through a dark and blackened wilderness6 ,amzi was talking to someone in the crowd1 and ,yusuf passed slowly out and bent his way down a silent and deserted street4 ,no one was in sight except a very young girl1 almost a child1 who was gliding quickly on in the shadows4 ,once or twice she seemed to stagger1 then she fell4 ,yusuf hurried to her1 and turned her face to the starlight4 ,even in that dim light he could see that it was contorted with pain4 ,yusuf heard the murmur of voices in a low building close at hand1 and1 without waiting to knock1 he lifted the girl in his arms1 opened the door1 and passed in4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,nathan ,,the ,,jew4 ,i shall be content1 whatever happens1 for what ,god chooses must be better than what ,i can choose4--,epictetus4 ,the same evening on which ,yusuf visited the temple1 a woman and her two children sat in a dingy little room with an earthen floor1 in one of the most dilapidated streets of ,mecca4 ,the woman's face bore traces of want and suffering1 yet there was a calm dignity and hopefulness in her countenance1 and her voice was not despairing4 ,she sat upon a bundle of rushes placed on the floor4 ,no lamp lighted the apartment1 but through an opening in the wall the soft starlight shone upon the bands of hair that fell in little braids over her forehead4 ,her two beautiful children were beside her1 the girl with her arm about her mother1 and the boy's head on her lap4 ,will we have only hard cake for breakfast1 mother1 and to-morrow my birthday1 too8 he was saying4 ,that is all1 my little ,manasseh1 unless the good ,father sees fit to send us some way of earning more4 ,you know even the hairs of our heads are numbered1 so he takes notice of the poorest and weakest of his children1 and has promised us that there will be no lack to them that fear him4 ,but1 mother1 we have had lack many1 many times1 said the boy thoughtfully4 ,the mother smiled4 ,but things have usually come right in the end1 she said1 and you know ',our light affliction1 which is but for a moment1 worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory4' ,we cannot understand all these things now1 but it will be plain some day4 ',we will trust1 and not be afraid1' because our trust is in the ,lord2 and we know that 'he will perfect that which concerneth us1' if we trust him4 ,and will he send father home soon8 asked the boy4 ,we have been praying for him to come1 so1 so long6 ,do you think ,god hears us1 mother8 ,why doesn't he send father home8 ,the woman's head drooped1 and a tear rolled down her cheek1 but her voice was calm and firm4 ,manasseh1 child1 she said1 your father may never return2 but1 though a ,jew1 he was a ,christian2 and1 living or dead1 ,i know he is safe in the keeping of our blessed ,lord4 ,yes1 ,manasseh1 ,god hears the slightest whisper breathed from the heart of those who call upon him in truth4 ,he says1 ,jesus says1 ',i know my sheep1 and am known of mine4' ,little son1 ,i like to think that our blessed ,savior1 who 'laid down his life for the sheep1' is here--in this very room1 close to us4 ,sometimes ,i close my eyes and think ,i see him1 looking upon us in mercy and love from his tender eyes1 and he almost seems so near that ,i may touch him4 ,no1 he will never forsake us4 ,little ones1 my constant prayer for you is that you may learn to realize the depths of his love1 and to render him your hearts in return2 that you may feel ever closer to him than to any earthly parent1 and prove yourselves loving1 faithful children of whom he may not be ashamed4 ,the woman's voice trembled with emotion as she concluded1 and a glow of happiness illuminated her thin features4 ,well1 mother1 ,i was ashamed to-day1 said little ,manasseh4 ,i got angry and struck a boy4 ,manasseh6 ,my child6 ,you cannot understand1 mother2 you are so good that you never get angry or wicked4 ,but the anger keeps rising up in me till it seems as if my heart would burst2 the blood rushes to my face1 my eyes flash--then--,i strike1 and think of nothing4 ,she stroked his hair gently4 ,manasseh1 my boy's temper is one enemy which he has to conquer4 ,but he must not try to conquer it in his own strength4 ,we have an ,almighty ,helper who has given us to know that he will not suffer us to be tempted beyond that we are able1 and has bidden us cast all our care upon him4 ,he will be only too willing to guide us and uphold us by his power1 if we will but let him keep us and lead us far from all temptation4 ,then what would you do1 mother1 if you were in my place when the anger comes up8 ,she stooped and kissed him4 ,i would say1 ',jesus1 help me1' and leave it all to him4 ,just then a step sounded at the door4 ,some one entered1 and a cry of ,father6 ,oh1 father6 burst from the children4 ,the mother sprang1 trembling1 to her feet4 ,it was the long-lost husband and father6 ,then the lamp was lighted1 and the traveler told his loved ones the story of his long absence2 how he had embarked at ,jeddah on a foist bound for the head of the ,red ,sea2 how he had been shipwrecked2 had become ill of a fever as the result of exposure2 and how he had at last made his painful way home by traveling overland4 ,as they thus sat1 talking in ecstasy of joy at their reunion1 the door opened and ,yusuf entered with the girl in his arms4 ,water was sprinkled upon her face and she soon recovered4 ,she placed her hand on her brow in a dazed way1 then sprang up1 and1 just pausing for an instant in which her wondrous beauty might be noted1 dashed off into the night4 ,it is ,zeinab1 the beautiful child of ,hassan1 said the ,jewess4 ,she will be well again now4 ,the paroxysms have come before4 ,sit you down1 friend1 said her husband to ,yusuf4 ,we were just about to break bread4 ',tis a scanty meal1 he added1 with a smile4 ,but we have been enjoined to 'be not forgetful to entertain strangers1' because many have thus entertained angels unawares4 ,we shall be glad of the company4 ,there was a manly uprightness in the look and tone of ,nathan the ,jew which caught ,yusuf's fancy at once1 and he sat down without hesitation at the humble board4 ,and there1 in that little1 dingy room1 he saw the first gleam of that radiant light which was to transform the whole of his after life4 ,he heard of the trials and disappointments1 of the heroic fortitude born of that trust in and union with ,god which he had so craved4 ,he received his first glimpse of a ,god1 human as we are human1 who understands every longing1 every doubt1 every agony that can bleed the heart of a poor child of earth4 ,he scarcely dared yet to believe that this ,god was one really with him at all times and in all places1 seeing1 hearing1 knowing1 sympathizing4 ,he scarcely dared to realize the possibility of a companionship with him1 or the fact that the mediation of the planet-spirits was but a myth4 ,yet he did feel1 in a vague way1 that the light was breaking1 and a tumultuous1 undefined1 hopeful ecstasy took possession of his being4 ,yusuf's heart was ready for the reception of the truth4 ,he was unprejudiced4 ,he had cast aside all dependence upon the tenets of his former belief4 ,he had become as a little child anxious for rest upon its father's bosom4 ,he sought only ,god1 and to him the light came quickly4 ,there was an infinity of blessed truth to learn yet1 but1 as he went out into the night1 he knew that a something had come into his life1 transforming and ennobling it4 ,the divinity within him throbbed heart to heart with the ,divinity that is above all1 in all1 throughout all good4 ,though vaguely1 he felt ,god2 he knew that now1 at last1 he had entered upon the right road4 ,then he thought of ,amzi4 ,he must try to tell him all this4 ,surely ,amzi the learned1 the benevolent1 would rejoice too in hearing the story of ,jesus' life on earth1 of his coming as an expression of the love of ,god to man1 that man might know ,god4 ,through the dark streets he hastened1 thinking1 wondering1 rejoicing4 ,he sought the bedside of ,amzi on the flat roof4 ,amzi1 awake6 he cried4 ,what now1 night-hawk8 said the ,meccan1 in his good-natured1 half-railing tone4 ,why pounce upon a man thus in the midst of his slumbers8 ,amzi1 ,i have heard glorious news of him--that ,jesus of whom we have talked6 ,well8 ,he seems indeed to be the ,god for whom ,i have longed4 ,they have been telling me of his life1 yet ,i realize little save that he came to earth that men might know him2 that he died to show men the depth of his love2 and that he is with us at every time1 in every place--even here1 now1 on this roof6 ,only think of it1 ,amzi6 ,he is close beside us1 seeing us1 hearing us1 knowing our very hearts6 ,there is no need more of appealing to the spirits of the stars4 ,ah1 they were ever far1 far off6 ,and where learned you all this1 friend priest8 ,there was an indifferent raillery in the tone which chilled ,yusuf to the heart4 ,from ,nathan1 a ,christian ,jew1 and his wife--people who live close to ,god if any one does4 ,in the ,jewish quarter8 ,even so4 ,amzi laughed4 ,truly1 friend1 you have chosen a fair spot for your revelation--a quarter of filth and vice4 ,a case of good coming out of evil1 truly6 ,will you not grant that there are some good even in the ,jewish quarter8 ,some1 perhaps2 yet there are some good among all peoples4 ,amzi1 can you not believe8 ,no1 no1 friend ,yusuf2 ,i am glad for your happiness--believe what you will4 ,but it is foreign to ,amzi's nature to accept on hearsay that which he has not inquired into--probed to the bottom even4 ,he cannot accept the testimony of any passing stranger1 however plausible it may seem4 ,rejoice if you will1 ,yusuf1 in the spring of a night-tune1 but leave ,amzi to seek for the deep waters still4 ,amzi was now talking quickly and impressively4 ,yusuf was amazed4 ,the light was beginning to shine so brightly in his own soul that he could not comprehend why others could not see and believe likewise4 ,he talked with his friend until the dawn began to tint the top of ,abu ,kubays1 but without effect4 ,at every turn he was met by the bitter prejudice held by the ,meccans against the whole ,jewish race1 a prejudice which kept even ,amzi the benevolent from believing in anything advocated by them4 ,why do they not show ,christ in their lives1 then8 he would say4 ,you cannot judge the whole ,christian band by the misdeeds of a few1 who are1 indeed1 no ,christians1 ,yusuf pleaded4 ,true2 yet a religion such as you describe should appeal to more of them1 and would1 if it were all you imagine it to be4 ,a perfect religion should be exemplified in the lives of those who profess it4 ,i grant you that that is true1 was ,yusuf's reply4 ,and as an example let me bring you to ,nathan and his family4 ,nobody could talk for one hour to them without feeling that they have found1 at least1 something which we do not possess4 ,this something1 they say1 is their ,god4 ,well1 well4 ,i shall do so to please you1 said ,amzi indifferently1 but ,i hope that a longer acquaintance may not spoil your trust in these people4 ,further expostulation was vain4 ,yusuf retired to his own apartment1 and prayed long and fervently1 in his own simple way1 offering thanks for the light which was breaking so radiantly on his own soul1 and beseeching the loving ,jesus to touch the heart of ,amzi1 who1 he knew1 though less enthusiastic than he1 also desired to know truth4 ,and before he lay down for a short rest1 he said3 ,grant1 ,o ,jesus1 thou who art ever present1 that ,i may know thee better1 and that ,amzi1 too1 may learn to know thee4 ,reveal thyself to him as thou art revealing thyself to me1 that we may know thee as we should4 ,the priest's face grew radiant with happiness as he concluded4 ,and yet1 in that same city1 vice held sway2 for1 even as the priest prayed1 a dark figure emerged from an unused upper attic in the house of ,nathan the ,jew1 and1 escaping by a window1 descended a garden stair and disappeared in the darkness4 ,even in that dim light1 had one looked he might have noted that the mysterious prowler wore the dress of a dervish4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,yusuf',s ,,first ,,meeting ,,with ,,mohammed4 ,a person with abnormal auditory sensations often comes to interpret them as voices of demons1 or as the voice of one commanding him to do some deed4 ,this hallucination1 in turn1 becomes an apperceiving organ1 i4e41 other perceptions and ideas are assimilated to it3 it becomes a center about which many ideas gather and are correspondingly distorted4--,mc,lellan1 ,psychology4 ,upon the evening of the following day1 ,amzi and ,yusuf set out in quest of ,mohammed1 to whom the manuscript had not yet been given4 ,stopping at the house of ,cadijah1 a stone building having some pretensions to grandeur1 they learned that ,mohammed had left the city4 ,accordingly1 thinking he would probably be found in the ,cave of ,hira1 they took a by-path towards the mountains4 ,the sun was hot1 but a pleasant breeze blew from the plains towards the ,nejd1 and1 from the elevation which they now ascended1 ,yusuf noted with interest a scene every point of which was entirely different from that of his ,persian home--different perhaps from that of any other spot on the face of the earth2 a scene desolate1 wild1 and barren1 yet destined to be the cradle of a mighty movement that was ere long to agitate the entire peninsula of ,arabia1 and eventually to exercise its baneful influence over a great part of the ,eastern ,hemisphere4#g ,below him lay the long1 narrow1 sandy valley4 ,no friendly group of palms arose to break its dreary monotony2 no green thing1 save a few parched aloes1 was there to form a pleasant resting-place for the eye4 ,the passes below1 those ever-populous roads leading to the ,nejd1 ,syria1 ,jeddah1 and ,arabia-,felix1 were crowded with people2 yet1 even their presence did not suffice to remove the air of deadness from the scene4 ,of one thing only could the beholder be really conscious--desolation1 desolation2 a desolate city surrounded by huge1 bare1 skeleton-like mountains1 grim old ,abu ,kubays with the city stretching half way up its gloomy side1 on the east2 the ,red mountain on the west2 ,jebel ,kara toward ,tayf1 and ,jebel ,thaur with ,jebel ,jiyad the ,greater1 on the south4 ,illustration3 ,read1 ,o ,mohammed1 and see him who was able to restore the withered hand4--,see page #bc4 ,yusuf watched the people1 many of whom were pilgrims1 swarming like so many ants below him towards the ,caaba1 which was in full view1 standing like a huge sarcophagus in the center of the great courtyard4 ,in the transparent air of the ,orient1 even the pillars supporting the covered portico about the courtyard were quite visible4 ,yusuf had observed the great system of barter1 the buying and selling that went on beneath the roof of that long portico1 within the very precincts of the temple set apart for the worship of the ,deity1 and1 as he watched the pigmy creatures1 now swarming towards the trading stalls1 now hastening to perform ,tawaf about the temple1 he almost wept that such sacrilege should exist1 and a great throb of pity for these erring people whose spiritual nature was barren as the vast1 treeless1 verdureless waste about them1 filled his breast4 ,amzi directed his attention towards the east1 where the blue mountains of ,tayf stood like outposts in the distance4 ,there1 said he1 at but a three days' journey is the district of plenty1 the ,canaan of ,mecca1 whence come the grapes1 melons1 cucumbers1 and pomegranates that are to be seen in our markets4 ,there are pleasant dales and gardens where the camel-thorn gives way to a carpet of verdure2 where the mimosa and acacia give place to the glossy-leaved fig-tree1 to stately palms1 and pomegranates of the scarlet fruit2 where rippling streams are heard1 and the songs of birds fill the air4 ,there is a tradition that ,adam1 when driven out of the ,garden of ,eden1 settled at ,mecca2 and there1 on the site of the temple yonder1 and immediately beneath a glittering temple of pearly cloud1 shimmering dews1 and rainbow lights said to be in ,paradise above1--the ,bait-el ,maamur of ,heaven1--was built1 by the help of angels1 the first ,caaba1 a resplendent temple with pillars of jasper and roof of ruby4 ,adam then compassed the temple seven times1 as the angels did the ,bait above in perpetual ,tawaf4 ,he then prayed for a bit of fertile land1 and immediately a mountain from ,syria appeared1 performed ,tawaf round the ,caaba1 and then settled down yonder at ,tayf4 ,hence1 ,tayf is even yet called ',kita min el ,sham'--a piece of ,syria1 the father-land4 ,so then1 this ,caaba1 according to tradition1 is of early origin8 ,the ,arabs believe that when the earthly ,bait-el ,maamur was taken to heaven at ,adam's death1 a third one was built of stone and mud by ,seth4 ,this was swept away by the ,deluge1 but the ,black ,stone was kept safe in ,abu ,kubays1 which is1 therefore1 called ',el ,amin'--the ,honest4 ,after the flood1 a fourth ,house was built by our father ,abraham1 to whom the angel ,gabriel restored the stone4 ,abraham's building was repaired and in part restored by the ,amalikah tribe4 ,a sixth ,caaba was built by the children of ,kahtan1 into whose tribe1 say the ,arabs1 ,ismail was married4 ,the seventh house was built by ,kusay bin ,kilab1 a forefather of ,mohammed1 and ,i have reason to believe that he was the first who filled it with the idols which now disgrace its walls4 ,kusay's house was burnt1 its cloth covering 7or kiswah7 catching fire from a torch4 ,it was rebuilt by the ,koreish 7,qurais7 a few years ago4 ,it was then that the door was placed high above the ground1 as you see it1 and then that the movable stair was constructed4 ,then1 too1 the six columns which support the roof were added1 and ,mohammed1 ,el ,amin1 was chosen to determine the position of the ,black ,stone in the wall4 ,so1 friend1 ,i have now given you in part1 the history of the ,caaba4 ,bestowing a last look upon the temple1 the friends walked for some distance northward across the slopes of ,mount ,hira1 until a low1 dark opening appeared in the face of a rock4 ,drawing back a thorny bush from its door1 they entered the cave4 ,a low moaning noise sounded within4 ,for a moment1 the transition from the white glare without to the twilight of the cave blinded them1 then they saw that the moans proceeded from ,mohammed1 who was lying on his back on the stone floor4 ,his head-dress was awry1 his face was purple1 and froth issued from his mouth4 ,amzi seized an earthen vessel of water1 and bathed his brow4 ,poor fellow6 he said1 how often he may have suffered here alone6 ,it has been his custom for years to spend the holy month of ,ramadhan here in prayer and meditation4 ,he has often taken these fits before2 but1 if what is said be true1 he knows not that he is suffering1 for angels appear to him during the paroxysms4 ,it seems to me much more like a fit of epilepsy1 said ,yusuf1 rather sarcastically4 ,see1 he begins to come to himself again4 ,mohammed had stopped moaning1 and his face began to regain its natural color4 ,presently he opened his eyes in a dazed way1 and sat up4 ,he was a man of middle height1 with a ruddy1 rather florid complexion1 a high forehead1 and very even1 white teeth4 ,there was something commanding and dignified in his appearance4 ,he wore a bushy beard1 and was habited in a striped cotton gown of cloth of ,yemen2 and1 from his person emanated the sweet odor of choicest perfumes of the ,nejd and ,arabia-,felix4 ,ah1 it is ,amzi6 he said4 ,pardon me1 friend1 but the angel has just left me1 and ,i failed to recognize you at once1 my mind was so occupied with the wonder of his communications2 for1 friend1 the time is nigh1 even at hand1 when the prophet of ,allah1 the ,one1 the only ,person of the ,godhead1 is to be proclaimed6 ,his voice was low and musical1 and he spoke as one under the influence of an inspiration4 ,has the angel appeared to you in visible form8 ,sometimes he appears in human form1 but in a blinding light2 at other times ,i hear a sound as of a silver bell tinkling afar4 ,then ,i hear no words1 but the truth sinks upon my soul1 and burns itself into my brain1 and ,i feel that the angel speaks4 ,of what1 then1 has he spoken8 asked ,amzi4 ,the time in which the full revelation shall be thrown open to man is not yet4 ,but it will come ere long4 ,none1 heretofore1 save my own kin and friends1 have been given aught of the great message2 yet to you1 ,amzi1 may ,i say that ,abraham1 ,moses1 ,christ1 have all been servants of the true ,god1 yet for ,mohammed has been reserved the honor of casting out the idolatry with which the worship of our people reeks4 ,for him is destined the glory of purging our ,caaba of its images1 and of reinstating the true religion of our fathers in this fair land4 ,then shall men know that ,allah is the one ,god1 and ,mohammed is his prophet6 ,think you to place yourself on an equality with the ,son of ,god8 cried ,yusuf1 sternly4 ,mohammed turned quickly upon him1 and his face worked in a frenzy of excitement4 ,i tell you there is but one ,god1--one invisible1 eternal ,god1 ,allah above all in earth and heaven1--and ,mohammed is the prophet of ,god6 he cried4 ,yusuf perceived that he had to deal with a fanatic1 a religious enthusiast1 who would not be reasoned with4 ,yes1 he continued1 may it be ,mohammed's privilege to lead men back to truth1 and to turn them from heathendom2 to teach them to be wise as serpents1 harmless as doves1 and to show them how to walk with clean hands and hearts through the earth1 living uprightly in the sight of all men6 ,yet1 ventured ,yusuf1 did not ,jesus teach something of this8 ,jesus was great and good1 said ,mohammed2 he was needed in his day upon the earth1 but men have fallen away again1 and ,mohammed is the greatest and last1 the prophet of ,allah6 ,the speaker's eyes were flashing2 he was yet under the influence of an overpowering excitement4 ,the color began to rush to his face1 and ,yusuf1 fearing a return of the swoon1 deemed it wise not to prolong the argument1 but delivered the manuscript left by the peddler1 saying3 ,read1 ,o ,mohammed1 and see him who was able to restore the withered hand stretched forth in faith4 ,perceive him1 and commit not this sacrilege4 ,trusting himself to say no more1 ,yusuf hastily left the cavern1 followed by ,amzi1 who remarked1 thoughtfully3 ,yet1 there is much good1 too1 in that which ,mohammed would advocate4 ,there is1 assented ,yusuf4 ,yet1 though ,i know not why1 ,i cannot trust this man4 ',tis an instinct1 if you will4 ,what1 think you1 does he mean to win by this procedure1--power1 or esteem1 or fame8 ,amzi shook his head quickly in denial4 ,mohammed is one of the most upright of men1 one of the last to seek personal favor or distinction by dishonest means1 one of the last to be a maker of lies4 ,verily1 ,yusuf1 ,i know not what to think of his revelations4 ,if he does not in truth see these visions1 he at least imagines he does4 ,he is honest in what he says4 ',if he does not in truth'6 repeated ,yusuf4 ,surely you1 ,amzi1 have no confidence in his visions8 ,amzi smiled4 ,and yet ,yusuf1 no longer ago than last night1 was ready to believe the testimony of a pauper ,jew in regard to similar assertions1 he said4 ,but keep your mind easy1 friend2 ,i have not accepted ,mohammed's claims4 ,i am open to conviction yet1 and ,i am not hasty to believe4 ,in fact1 ,i must confess1 ,yusuf1 an entire lack of that fervor1 of that capacity for religious feeling1 which is so marked a trait in my ,persian priest4 ,yet you1 too1 professed to be a seeker for truth1 said ,yusuf1 reproachfully4 ,my desire for truth is simply to know it for the mere sake of knowing it1 said ,amzi4 ,yusuf sighed4 ,he did not realize that he had to deal with a peculiar nature1 one of the hardest to impress in spiritual things--the indifferent1 calculating mind1 which is more than half satisfied with moral virtue1 not realizing the infinitely higher1 nobler1 happier life that comes from the inspiration of a constant companionship with ,god4 ,alas1 ,i am but a poor teacher1 ,amzi1 he said4 ,you know1 perhaps1 more of the doctrines of these ,christians than ,i2 yet ,i am convinced that to me has come a blessing which you lack1 and ,i would fain you had it too4 ,and ,i know so little that it seems ,i cannot help you4 ,you will1 at least1 come and talk with ,nathan8 ,as you will1 said ,amzi1 in a half-bantering tone4 ,prove to me that these ,hebrews are infallible1 and ,i shall half accept their ,jewish philosophy4 ,you cannot expect to find them or any one on this earth infallible1 returned ,yusuf1 quietly4 ,i can only promise that you will find in them quiet1 sincere1 upright ,christians4 ,they had reached a sudden turn on the path1 and before them1 on the top of a steep cliff1 stood ,dumah1 with his fair hair streaming in the sunshine4 ,he was singing1 and they paused to listen4 ,he is gone1 the noble1 the handsome1 ,and the tears of the mother are falling ,like dews from the cup of the lily ,when it bends its head in the darkness4 ,poor ,dumah6 said ,amzi1 singing his thoughts as usual4 ,what now1 ,dumah8 ,who is weeping8 ,a poor ,jewess1 said the boy1 and her two children cling to her gown and weep too4 ,ah1 if ,dumah had power he would soon set him free4 ,set whom free8 asked ,yusuf4 ,the father2 they say he took the cup to buy bread2 but for the sake of the children1 ,dumah would set him free4 ,oh1 it is only a case of stealing down in the ,jewish quarter1 said ,amzi1 carelessly4 ,yet1 returned the other1 a weeping mother and helpless children should appeal to the heart of ,amzi the benevolent4 ,let us turn aside and see what it is about4 ,dumah1 lead us4 ,they followed the boy to the hall or court-room of the city4 ,a judge sat on a raised dais2 witnesses were below1 and the owner of the gold cup was talking excitedly and calling loudly for justice4 ,there is the culprit1 whispered ,amzi4 ,yusuf was struck dumb4 ,it was ,nathan1 the ,christian ,jew6 ,agony was written in his face1 yet there was patience in it too4 ,his arms were bound1 and his head was bent in what might have been interpreted as humiliation4 ,once more1 cried the judge1 have you aught to say for yourself1 ,jew8 ,nathan raised his head proudly1 and looked the ,judge straight in the eyes4 ,i am guiltless1 he said1 in low1 firm tones4 ,a murmur burst from the crowd1 and exclamations could be heard4 ,not guilty6 ,and the cup found in his house6 ,coward dog6 ,will he not yet confess8 ,the scourge is too good for him6 ,have you no explanation to offer8 asked the judge4 ,none4 ,then1 guards1 place him in irons to await our further pleasure4 ,in the meantime forty lashes of the scourge4 ,next6 ,nathan walked out with firm step and head erect4 ,a low sob burst from some one in the crowd4 ,it was the wife of ,nathan1 weeping1 while little ,manasseh and ,mary clung to her weeping too4 ,yusuf touched her on the arm4 ,hush6 ,be calm6 he said4 ,all will yet be well4 ,i1 for one1 know that he is innocent1 and ,i will not rest until he is free4 ,thank ,god6 ,he has not forsaken us6 exclaimed the woman4 ,yusuf put a piece of money into ,manasseh's hand4 ,here1 take your mother home1 and buy some bread1 he said4 ,and here1 pretty lad1 know you the touch of gold8 said ,amzi1 as he slipped another coin into the child's hand4 ,now1 ,yusuf1 he went on1 come1 let us see your ,jewish friends of yester-even4 ,alas1 ,amzi1 these are they1 returned the priest1 sadly1 and ,i fear yon poor woman feels little like talking to us in the freshness of her grief4 ,amzi laughed1 mysteriously4 ,so your teacher has proved but a common ,jew thief1 he said4 ,yusuf turned almost fiercely4 ,do you believe this vile story8 he exclaimed4 ,did you not see truth stamped upon ,nathan's face8 ,you must admit that circumstances are against him4 ,the proof seems conclusive4 ,i will never believe it1 were the proof produced by their machinations ten times as conclusive6 ,there is some mystery here which ,i will unravel6 ,my poor ,yusuf1 you are too credulous in respect to these people4 ,so be it4 ,you believe in your ,jews1 ,i shall believe in my ,mohammed1 until the tale told is a different one1 laughed ,amzi2 and for the moment ,yusuf felt helpless4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,yusuf ,,studies ,,the ,,scriptures4--,,connecting ,,events4 ,surely an humble husbandman that serveth ,god is better than a proud philosopher who1 neglecting himself1 is occupied in studying the course of the heavens4--,thomas a ,kempis4 ,for many weeks1 even months1 after this1 ,yusuf's life1 to one who knew not the workings of his mind1 seemed colorless1 and filled with a monotonous round of never-varying occupation4 ,yet in those few weeks he lived more than in all his life before4 ,life is not made up of either years or actions--the development of thought and character is the important thing2 and in this period of apparent waiting1 ,yusuf grew and developed in the light of his new understanding4 ,he read and thought and studied1 and yet found time for paying some attention to outer affairs4 ,in ,persia he had amassed a considerable fortune1 which he had conveyed to ,mecca in the form of jewels sewn into his belt and into the seams of his garments1 hence he was abundantly able to pay his way1 and to expend something in charity2 and between his and ,amzi's generosity the family of ,nathan lacked nothing4 ,yusuf obtained possession of parts of the ,scriptures1 written on parchment1 and spent every morning in their perusal1 ever finding this period a precious feast full of comforting assurances1 and hope-inspiring promises4 ,he never forgot to pray for ,amzi1 to whom he often read and expounded passages of ,scripture1 without being able to notice any apparent effect of his teaching4 ,it troubled him much that ,amzi lent such a willing ear to ,mohammed1 and to the few fanatics among the ,hanifs who had now professed their belief in this self-proclaimed prophet of ,allah4 ,it seemed marvelous that a man of ,amzi's wisdom and learning should be so carried away by such a flimsy doctrine as that which ,mohammed now began to proclaim4 ,amzi appeared to have fallen under the spell which ,mohammed seemed to cast over many of those with whom he came in contact2 and1 though he acknowledged no belief in the so-called prophet1 neither did he profess disbelief in him4 ,yusuf's happiest hours were those spent in the little ,jewish ,christian church1 a poor1 uncomfortable building1 where an earnest handful of ,jews1 who were nevertheless firm believers in the divinity of ,christ1 met1 often in secret1 always in fear of the derisive ,arabs1 for prayer and study of the ,gospel4 ,among these1 the wife of ,nathan was never absent4 ,yusuf sought untiringly to solve the mystery of the gold cup4 ,circumstantial evidence was certainly against ,nathan4 ,awad1 a rich merchant of ,mecca1 had placed the cup near a window in his house1 and had forgotten to remove it ere retiring for the night4 ,a short time before dawn he had heard a noise and risen to see what it was4 ,he had gone outside just in time to see a figure passing hurriedly across a small field near his house4 ,even then he had not thought of the cup4 ,but in the morning it was missed1 and tracks were followed from the window as far as the ruined house to which ,nathan's family had gone in their poverty4 ,the house was searched1 and the cup was found hidden in a heap of rubbish in an unused apartment4 ,nathan had just returned with little save the clothes he wore2 it was well known that his wife and children had been verging on starvation1 and the public1 ever ready to judge1 formed its own conclusion1 and turned with ,nemesis eye upon the poor ,jew4 ,no clue whatever remained1 except a small carnelian1 which ,yusuf found afterwards upon the floor1 and which he took possession of at once4 ,for hours he would wander about1 hoping to find some trace of the robber1 who1 he firmly believed1 had fancied himself followed by ,awad1 and had hurriedly secreted the cup1 trusting to return for it later1 and to make his escape in the meantime4 ,all this1 however1 did not help poor ,nathan1 who1 chained and fettered1 languished in a close1 poorly-ventilated cell1 with little hope of deliverance4 ,yusuf knew the rancor of the ,meccans against the ,jews1 and somewhat feared the result1 yet he did not give up hope4 ,we are praying for him1 ,nathan's wife would say4 ,nathan and ,yusuf are praying too1 and we know that whatever happens must be best1 since ,god has willed it so for us4 ,little ,manasseh chafed more than anyone at the long suspense4 ,one day he said3 ,mother1 my name means blackness1 sorrow1 or something like that1 does it not8 ,why did you call me ,manasseh8 ,was it to be an omen of my life8 ,forbid that it should6 the mother exclaimed1 passing her hand lovingly through his waving hair4 ,it must have been because of your curls1 black as a raven's wing4 ,sorrow will not be always4 ,joy may come soon2 but if not1 'at eventide it shall be light4' ,does that mean in heaven8 he asked4 ,he has prepared for us a mansion in the heavens1 an house not made with hands4 ',there shall be no night there1' and 'sorrow and sighing shall flee away1' said the mother with a far-away look in her eyes4 ,but it seems so long to wait1 mother1 said the boy impatiently4 ,yet heaven is not far away1 ,manasseh1 she returned1 quickly4 ,heaven is wherever ,god is4 ,and have we not him with us always8 ',in all thy ways acknowledge him1 and he shall direct thy paths4' ,never forget that1 ,manasseh4 ,well1 ,i wish we were a little happier now1 he would say2 and then1 to divert the boy's attention from his present troubles1 his mother would tell him about her happy home in ,palestine1 where she and her little sister1 ,lois1 had watched their sheep on the green hillsides1 and woven chains of flowers to put about the neck of their pet lamb2 of how they grew up1 and ,lois married the ,bedouin ,musa1 and had gone far away4 ,thus far1 ,yusuf knew nothing of this connection of ,nathan's family with his ,bedouin friends4 ,it was yet to prove another link in the chain which was binding him so closely to this godly family4 ,his many occupations1 and the feeling which impelled him at every spare moment to seek for some clue which would lead to ,nathan's liberation1 left him little time for conversation with them for the present1 except to see that their wants were supplied4 ,then1 too1 he was troubled about ,amzi1 and somewhat anxious about the result of ,mohammed's proclamations1 which were now beginning to be noised abroad4 ,from holding meetings in caves and private houses1 the prophet had begun to preach on the streets1 and from the top of the little eminence ,safa1 near the foot of ,abu ,kubays4 ,many of the people of ,mecca held him up to ridicule1 and treated his declarations with derisive contempt4 ,among his strongest opponents were his own kindred1 the ,koreish1 of the line of ,haschem and of the rival line of ,abd ,schems4 ,the head of the latter tribe1 ,abu ,sofian1 ,mohammed's uncle1 was especially bitter4 ,he was a formidable foe1 as he lived in the highlands1 his castles being built on precipitous rocks1 and manned by a set of wild and savage ,arabs4 ,yet ,mohammed went on1 neither daunted by fear nor discouraged by sarcasm4 ,the number of his followers steadily increased2 his first converts1 ,ali1 his cousin1 and ,zeid1 his faithful servant1 being quickly joined by many others4 ,mohammed now boldly proclaimed the message delivered to him in the cave of ,hira the ,koran4 ,he declared that the law of ,moses had given way to the ,gospel1 and that the ,gospel was now to give way to the ,koran2 that the ,savior was a great prophet1 but was not divine2 and that he1 ,mohammed1 was to be the last and greatest of all the prophets4 ,such assertions were usually received with shouts of derision2 and yet1 when ,mohammed eloquently upheld fairness and sincerity in all public and private dealings1 and urged the giving of alms1 and the living of a pure and humble life1 there were those who1 like ,amzi1 felt that there was something worthy of admiration in the new prophet's religion2 and his very firmness and sincerity1 even when spat upon1 and covered with mud thrown upon him as he prayed in the ,caaba1 won for him friends4 ,the opposition of his uncles1 ,abu ,lahab and ,abu ,sofian1 was1 however1 carried on with the greatest rancor2 and at last a decree was issued by ,abu ,sofian forbidding the tribe of the ,koreish from having any intercourse whatever with ,mohammed4 ,this decree was written on parchment1 and hung up in the ,caaba1 and ,mohammed was ultimately forced to flee from the city4 ,he and his disciples went for refuge to the ravine of ,abu ,taleb1 at some distance from ,mecca4 ,here they would have suffered great want1 had it not been for the kindness of ,amzi1 who managed to send them food in secret4 ,but the prophet's zeal never flagged4 ,when the ,ramadhan again came round1 and it was safe to venture from his temporary retreat1 he came boldly into the city1 preached again from the hill ,safa1 and proclaimed his new revelations1 praying for the people1 and ending every prayer with the declaration now universal throughout the ,moslem world1-- ,god6 ,there is no ,god but he1 the ever-living6 ,he sleepeth not1 neither doth he slumber6 ,to him belong the heavens and the earth1 and all that they contain4 ,who shall intercede with him unless by his permission8 ,his sway extendeth over the heavens and the earth1 and to sustain them both is no burthen to him4 ,he is the ,high1 the ,mighty6 ,the sublimity of this eulogy of the ,most ,high may be readily traced to the psalms1 particularly to that grandest of all songs1 the one hundred and fourth psalm1 which has been said to be remarkable in that it embraces the whole cosmos4 ,and1 in fact1 the whole trend of the ,koran may be traced to a study of the ,bible1 particularly to the ,new ,testament1 with occasional digressions into the ,mishnu1 and the ,talmud of the ,hebrews4 ,feed the hungry6 ,visit the sick6 ,bow not to idols6 ,pray constantly1 and direct thy prayers immediately to the ,deity6 ,these were the constant exhortations of the prophet during these first days of his ministry--exhortations which demand the admiration of all who consider the grossness and idolatry of the age in which he lived4 ,had he never gone further1 succeeding ages might have been tempted to pardon his hallucinations4 ,at the time1 doctrines which savored of so much magnanimity1 and which were immeasurably in advance of the mockery of religion that had so long held sway among the majority of the ,arabs1 at once commended themselves to many4 ,the effect of the new teaching was enhanced by the burning enthusiasm and powerful oratory of ,mohammed1 who was not ignorant of the effect of eloquent delivery and glowing language on a people ever passionate and keenly susceptible to the influence of a strong and vivid presentation4 ,ridicule and persecution ceased for a time1 and at last1 when the decree was removed1 ,mohammed and his followers returned in triumph to ,mecca4 ,once again he was obliged to fly for his life4 ,accompanied by ,zeid1 he went to ,tayf1 and there spent a month in its perfumed vales1 wandering by cooling streams1 meditating beneath the waving fronds of the palm-trees1 or resting in cool gardens1 lulled by the rustling leaves of the nebeck 7the lotus-tree71 and inhaling the fresh perfume of peach and apple blooms4 ,but the inhabitants of ,tayf grew hostile1 and the prophet again set out on foot for ,mecca4 ,he sat down to rest in an orchard4 ,there he dreamed that a host of genii waited before him1 begging him to teach them ,el ,islam4 ,in the night#h he arose and proceeded1 with renewed courage1 on his journey4 ,on the way he fell in with some pilgrims from ,yathrib1 or ,medina1 and to them he unfolded his revelations4 ,they listened spell-bound as he preached from ,al ,akaba1 and besought him that he would come or would send disciples with them to their northern town4 ,accordingly1 ,mohammed chose several converts to accompany them upon this first mission1 and a time was set for their going4 ,on the evening preceding this appointed time1 ,yusuf sat in a hanging balcony of ,amzi's house4 ,the pink flush of the setting sun was over the sky2 the murmur of the city arose with a subdued hum--the city's stilly sound2 a parchment containing a part of the ,scriptures was on the priest's knee1 but he stopped reading and gave himself up to meditation1 wondering deeply at the strange course that events were taking1 and surmising vaguely the probable result of the revolution that seemed impending4 ,his thoughts turned to ,amzi1 who1 as yet1 closed his ears to the ,gospel tidings which were proving such a comfort and joy to the priest4 ,a step sounded behind him4 ,it was ,amzi himself1 attired in traveling garb1 and with his camel-stick already in his hand4 ,what now1 friend ,yusuf8 ,dreaming still8 he said4 ,will you not say farewell to your friend8 ,what6 ,are you going on a journey8 ,pray1 where goes ,amzi on such short notice8 ,ah1 smiled ,amzi1 ,i almost fear to tell my ,persian proselyte1 lest the vials of his wrath be poured on my defenceless and submissive head4 ,to make a long story short1 ,i go with the disciples of ,mohammed to ,medina4 ,as ,mohammed's disciple8 ,amzi1 has it come to this6 exclaimed the priest4 ,chain your choler1 my friend1 laughed the other4 ,i merely go to observe the outcome of this movement in the town of the ,north4 ,besides1 the heat of ,mecca in this season oppresses me1 and ,i long for the cool breezes of ,medina4 ,yusuf1 ,i shall have rare letters to write you1 for ,i feel that there will be a mighty movement in favor of ,mohammed there4 ,you begin to believe in him1 ,amzi6 said ,yusuf in tones of deepest concern4 ,his doctrines suit me1 as containing many noble precepts4 ,his proclamations are moving the town in such a way as was never known heretofore4 ,consider the movement caused by the teaching of ,christ when he was on earth6 cried ,yusuf4 ,dare you compare this petty tempest with that8 ,yet ,christ's very words have been here where all might read them1 for long enough4 ,why have they not drawn the attention of1 and1 if divine1 why have they not shown their power among1 our citizens8 ,because ye have eyes that see not1 and ears that hear not6 cried the priest impetuously4 ,can you not see that the doctrines of the ,scriptures are just those which ,mohammed proclaims8 ,he seizes upon them1 he gives them as his own1 because he knows they are good1 yet he commits the sacrilege of posing as a divine agent6 ,good cannot come out of this except in so far as a few precepts of the ,gospel1 all plagiarized as they are1 exert their influence upon the lives of people4 ,amzi looked inconvincible4 ,i grant the excellence of ,gospel teaching1 he said1 but your conception of ,god's love ,i cannot seem to feel1 often as you have explained it to me4 ,mohammed's revelations appear plausible4 ,yet1 look not so doleful1 brother4 ,amzi has not become a ,mohammedan4 ,he is still ready to believe as soon as he can see4 ,yes1 yes2 like ,thomas1 you must see and feel ere you will believe4 ,god grant that the seeing and feeling may not come too late6 ,amzi smiled1 and passed his arm affectionately about the priest's shoulder4 ,what a thorn in the flesh to you is ,amzi the benevolent1 he said1 kindly4 ,notwithstanding1 give me your blessing1 priest4 ,give me credit for being1 at least1 honest1 and bid me good speed before ,i go4 ,heaven forbid that aught but blessing from ,yusuf should ever follow ,amzi6 returned the other1 warmly4 ,may heaven keep and direct you1 my friend1 my brother6 ,the friends embraced1 according to the custom of the land1 and separated2 ,amzi to join the half-naked pilgrims1 who had not yet donned their traveling-robes1 ,yusuf to lift his heart to ,heaven1 as he now did in every circumstance4 ,in this silent talk to ,god he received comfort1 and his heart was filled with hope for ,amzi4 ,even this journey1 which seemed so inauspicious1 might1 he thought1 be but the beginning of a happy end4 ,he had learned that there are no trifles in life2 that no event is so insignificant that ,god may not make use of it4 ,he felt that ,amzi was not utterly indifferent to the influence of divine power1 so he waited in patience4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,wherein ,,is ,,told ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,nathan',s ,,liberation4 ,the winds1 as at their hour of birth1 ,leaning upon the ridged sea1 ,breathed low around the rolling earth ,with mellow preludes1 ',we are free4' --,tennyson4 ,during all this time1 there was no news of release for poor ,nathan4 ,in his close cell1 ventilated by one little window1 and1 in the fetid odor of its air1 he pined away4 ,a low fever had rendered him exceedingly weak2 he could not eat the wretched food of the prison2 his face grew haggard1 and his bones shone through the flesh with almost skeleton-like distinctness4 ,yet no murmur passed his lips4 ,from his window1 set high in the wall1 he could see the sun as it rose over ,abu ,kubays2 he could catch the occasional glint of a bright wing as a dove or a swallow flitted past beneath the white sky2 and he said1 ,god is still good1 blessed be his name6 ,yet the grief of being separated from his loved ones1 and the uncertainty of their welfare1 preyed upon his mind1 almost shaking the trust which had upheld him so long4 ,it was a time of trial for poor ,nathan1 yet his faith came forth from the trial untarnished4 ,yusuf sought in vain to gain admission to the poor prisoner3 the utmost that he could accomplish was to pay the attendant for carrying one brief message to him1 assuring him that his wife and children were well1 and cared for4 ,the mystery of the gold cup was still unsolved4 ,one day1 however1 when going down one of the busiest streets1 ,yusuf saw1 at some distance1 a little man walking along with a pack on his back4 ,the peculiar hopping motion of his gait proclaimed him at once to be ,abraham1 the little ,jew4 ,the very man6 thought ,yusuf4 ,if any one between ,syria and ,yemen can ferret out a mystery1 it is ,abraham the peddler4 ,if ,i can once set him in earnest upon the track1 deliverance may be speedy for poor ,nathan4 ,the peddler was walking very rapidly1 but ,yusuf strode after him1 now losing sight of him in the crowd1 now catching a glimpse of his little bobbing figure1 until1 out of breath1 he finally reached him and caught his arm4 ,the ,jew started in surprise4 ,defend us1 friend6 he exclaimed4 ,you come on a man like the poison-wind1 as quickly if not as deadly4 ,so you are still in ,mecca6 ,what are you doing now8 ,he was as inquisitive as ever1 but ,yusuf did not resent the trait in him now4 ,i am on important business just at present1 my friend1 he said1 in his kindliest tone1 on business in which ,i am sure ,abraham the ,jew can help me1 better than any other man in ,mecca4 ,ha6 exclaimed the peddler1 and what may that be8 ,can you keep a still tongue when it is necessary1 ,jew8 ,the peddler placed his fingers on his lips1 rolled up his eyes1 and nodded assent4 ,then come with me to the house of ,amzi the benevolent1--my ,meccan home1--and ,i shall explain4 ,when seated comfortably on divans in the coolest part of the house1 ,yusuf told the story of the gold cup1 and intimated that ,abraham's wandering life and the numberless throngs of people with whom his trade threw him in contact1 gave him facilities1 impossible to others1 of doing a little detective work in a quiet way4 ,the ,jew listened1 silent and motionless1 with his eyes fixed on a lotus-bud carved on the cornice4 ,only once did he turn and fix his little round eyes sharply on the priest's face4 ,there is just one more thing-- continued ,yusuf1 then he stopped4 ,he was about to tell of the little carnelian stone1 when his eye fell upon one of the numerous rings upon the ,jew's fat fingers4 ,there1 in the center of it1 was a small cavity from which1 apparently1 a jewel of some sort had fallen from its setting4 ,yusuf almost sprang to his feet in the excitement of the discovery4 ,well8 asked the ,jew1 noting the pause4 ,i will tell you later1 said ,yusuf4 ,for the present--have some dates1 will you not8 ,a servant entered with a tray on which were fruits and small cakes4 ,the peddler besought ,yusuf1 for friendship's sake1 to eat with him2 but the ,persian made a gesture of disgust4 ,i have already eaten1 he said4 ,overeating in ,mecca in the hot season is not wise4 ,abraham1 do you always wear so many rings on your fingers8 ,oh1 no1 returned the ,jew1 sometimes ,i wear them2 sometimes ,i carry them for months in my belt4 ,this--pointing to a huge band of ancient workmanship--is the most curious one of the lot4 ,i got it for carrying a bundle of manuscript from a man at ,oman to your friend ,amzi1 here4 ,it seems that ,amzi had once lived with him at ,oman1 but the man--,i forget his name--went inland to ,teheran1 or some other place in ,persia1 and ,amzi1 after traveling about for two or three years1 settled in ,mecca4 ,this one--and he pointed out the ring on which ,yusuf's eyes were fixed--is the most expensive of the lot1 but a stone fell out of it once when ,i was carrying it in my belt4 ,did you not look in your belt for it8 ,no use2 it had worked out between the stitches4 ,i had no idea where ,i lost it4 ,have you had that ring long8 ,long6 ,why1 that ring has not been off my person for fifteen years4 ,i suppose you would not sell it8 ,the peddler shrugged his shoulders1 and looked up with a shrewd glance4 ,that depends on how much money it would bring4 ,i have little idea of the value of such rings1 said the ,persian1 but ,i have a friend who1 ,i am convinced1 would appreciate that one4 ,i should like to present it to him4 ,will you take this for it8 ,he drew forth a coin worth three times the value of the ring4 ,the peddler immediately closed the bargain and handed the ring over1 then devoted his attention again to the table4 ,the priest went to the window4 ,he drew the little stone from his bosom and slipped it into the cavity4 ,it fitted exactly4 ,he then walked back to the table1 and held it before the astonished ,jew4 ,how now1 ,jew8 he said with a smile4 ,saw you such a gem before8 ,my very own carnelian6 exclaimed the peddler4 ,where did you find it8 ,you are sure it is yours8 ,sure6 ,on my oath1 it is mine4 ,there is not another such stone in ,arabia1 with that streak across the top4 ,the priest laid his hand on the ,jew's shoulder and bent close to him4 ,that stone1 he said1 was found in the house of ,nathan the ,jew1 beside the stolen cup4 ,how came it there8 ,the little ,jew turned pale4 ,his guilt showed in his face4 ,he knew that he was undone4 ,with a quick1 serpent-like movement1 he attempted to escape1 but the priest's grasp was firm as a vise4 ,no1 peddler6 he said1 you may go1 but it must be with me4 ,to the magistrate you must go1 and that right speedily4 ,the innocent must no longer suffer in your rightful place4 ,come1 ,aza1--to an attendant who had been in the room--your tongue may be needed to supplement mine4 ,the ,jew's little eyes rolled around restlessly4 ,he was a thorough coward1 and his teeth chattered with fear as he was half-dragged into the blinding glare of the street1 and down the long1 crooked way1 with a crowd of beggars and saucy boys following in the wake of the trio4 ,once or twice again he made a quick and sudden movement to elude the grasp of his captors1 but the priest's grip was firm and his muscle like steel4 ,justice was in ,yusuf's heart1 and his anxiety to procure ,nathan's release was so great that he strode on1 almost forgetting the poor little ,jew1 who was obliged to keep up a constant hobbling run to save himself from being dragged to the ground4 ,in the hall of justice the usual amount of questioning went on1 but the evidence afforded by the ring was so conclusive that the order for ,nathan's release and the peddler's imprisonment was soon given4 ,yusuf accompanied the guards to ,nathan's cell4 ,the poor prisoner was sitting on the bare clay with his head buried on his knee4 ,an unusual clamor sounded outside of the door4 ,the heavy bolt was withdrawn1 and the next moment ,yusuf rushed in1 crying1 ,free1 ,nathan1 free6 ,nathan fell on the other's bosom4 ,the sudden joy was too much for him1 and he could only lie1 like a little child1 sobbing on the breast of the stalwart priest4 ,the warden rattled the bolts impatiently4 ,come1 there's room outside6 he said4 ,i have not time to stand here all day6 ,pardon us1 said the priest1 gently4 ,we go2 yet1 warden1 ere we depart1 may ,i ask you to deal leniently with that poor wretch8 and he pointed to the ,jew1 who was now crouched shivering in his chains4 ,we but do as we are ordered1 returned the warden unfeelingly4 ,the officers will be here presently with the scourge2 we can not prevent that4 ,the peddler winced1 and ,nathan raised a face full of pity4 ,warden1 he said1 if you have a drop of mercy in your heart1 if you hope for mercy for yourself1 treat him as a man4 ,let him not die for want of a pittance of water4 ,he turned the sleeve of his loose garment back to expose the emaciated arm with the bones showing through the loose skin4 ,there1 he said1 let that touch your heart1 if heart you have1 and spare him4 ,poor ,abraham6--turning to the peddler--did ,i not see you here1 the joy of my release would be unspeakable4 ,but ,abraham only turned to bestow a look of hate and malice upon the priest4 ,then ,yusuf and ,nathan passed out into the pure1 fresh air1 now growing cool with the approach of evening4 ,never did air seem so pure and sweet2 never did swallows twitter so gladly2 never did the peak of ,abu ,kubays shine so gloriously in the sun2 never did the voices of people sound so joyous or their faces beam so brightly4 ,come1 said ,nathan1 to my wife and children1 that we may all return thanks together4 ,verily ',many are the afflictions of the righteous1 but the ,lord delivereth him out of them all4' ',blessed be ,god1 which hath not turned away my prayer1 nor his mercy from me4' ',i had fainted unless ,i had believed to see the goodness of the ,lord in the land of the living4' ',my flesh faileth1 but ,god is the strength of my heart1 and my portion forever4' ,so1 uttering exclamations from the pages of ,scripture1 did the devout ,jew pass onward to his home1 which was once more filled with joy and gladness1 thanksgiving and the voice of melody4 ,before leaving1 ,yusuf presented him with the ring containing the little stone1 as a memento of his deliverance4 ,and ,abraham8 ,he received the full weight of the scourge2 and may we be pardoned in anticipating1 and say that for two days he lay nursing his wrath and his wounds2 but1 on the third day after his imprisonment1 his agility suddenly returned4 ,he managed in some inexplicable way known only to himself to work free of his fetters1 and when the keeper came with food in the evening1 blinded by the dim light of the cell1 he did not perceive the little peddler crouched in a heap in the middle of the floor4 ,scarcely was the door opened when the ,jew bounced like a ball past the keeper's feet1 almost upsetting him2 then1 darting like an arrow between the astonished guards without1 he was off4 ,a hue and cry was raised1 but the little peddler had disappeared as completely as if the earth had opened up and swallowed him4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,amzi ,,at ,,medina4 ,with half-shut eyes ever to seem ,falling asleep in a half dream6 ,to dream and dream like yonder amber light ,which will not leave the myrrh-bush on the height4 --,tennyson4 ,without entering into detail it may be briefly stated that the success of ,mohammed's disciples in ,medina was simply marvelous4 ,converts joined them every day1 while those who were not prepared to believe in the ,meccan's divine mission were at least anxious to see and hear the prophet4 ,amzi did no work in behalf of the new religion4 ,he was simply an onlooker1 though not an unsympathetic one2 and1 it must be confessed1 he spent most of his time in that voluptuous do-nothingness in which the wealthy ,oriental dreams away so much of his time1--sitting or reclining on perfumed cushions1 a fan in his hand and a long pipe at his mouth1 too languid1 too listless1 even to talk2 listening to the soft murmur of ,nature's music1 the night-wind sighing through the trees beneath a star-gemmed sky1 the song of a solitary bulbul warbling plaintively among the myrtle and oleander blooms1 the plash of a fountain rippling near with a sound as of a hidden brook in the leafy month of ,june2 this1 the exquisite languor of the ,east1 for which the speech of ,england has no name1 the ,kaif of the ,arab1 the drowsy falseness of the ,lotos-eaters' ideal3 ,death is the end of life2 ah1 why ,should life all labor be8 ,let us alone4 ,and so the months went by1 until at last a band of emissaries1 to the number of seventy1 was appointed to take a journey to ,mecca for the purpose of meeting with ,mohammed and discussing with him the advisability of his taking up his residence at ,medina4 ,a herald brought news of this embassy to the prophet4 ,he went forth to meet them1 and ,yusuf1 hearing by chance of the appointed conference1 set out posthaste after ,mohammed's party1 eager to get even a pressure of the hand from ,amzi1 his heart's brother1 who he felt sure would accompany the emissaries4 ,in order to overtake them more quickly1 he proceeded with a trusty guide by a shorter route across the hills4 ,the night was exceptionally dark1 and even the guide became confused4 ,the way led on and on between the interminable hills1 until the two in complete uncertainty reined their steeds on the verge of a cliff that seemed to overhang a deep and narrow basin1 bounded by flinty rock which even in the darkness loomed doubly black1 and which rang beneath the horses' feet with that peculiar1 metallic sound that proclaimed it black basalt1 the hell-stone of the ,arabs4 ,it was indeed an eerie spot4 ,a thick fringe of thorny shrubs grew along the edge of the cliff2 at intervals yawned deep fissures1 across which the wise little ,arabian ponies stepped gingerly2 and above1 outlined in intense black against the dark sky1 were numerous peaks and pinnacles and castellated summits1 such as the ,arabs love to people with all manner of genii and evil spirits of the waste and silent wilderness4 ,it was a spot likely to be infested with robbers1 and ,yusuf and his guide waited in some trepidation while considering what to do4 ,illustration3 ,hold6 cried a voice from the air above4--,see page #cd4 ,presently a dull trampling sounded in the distance4 ,it came nearer and nearer1 and the two lone wanderers on the cliff scarcely dared to breathe4 ,the tread of camels was soon discernible1 the ,ikh6 ,ikh6 7the sound used to make camels kneel7 of the camel-drivers rising from the dark pass below to the ears of the men above4 ,apparently the party was about to make a halt in the dark basin2 and should it prove to be a band of hill-robbers1 ,yusuf and his companion were in a precarious position1 for the slightest sound made by them or their ponies would probably prove the signal for an onslaught2 but by patting and quieting the animals1 they managed to keep their restlessness in check and so waited1 scarcely knowing what to do next4 ,ere ten minutes had elapsed1 however1 the tread of camels was again heard1 and another party came in from the opposite direction1 halting at the other end of the ravine4 ,a call was sounded and at once answered by the body immediately below4 ,the new-comers advanced1 and mutual recognitions seemed to take place1 although ,yusuf could distinguish neither the voices nor the words4 ,the parties were1 in reality1 those of ,mohammed and the emissaries of ,medina1 who at once opened negotiations4 ,after the salutations were over1 they extended to ,mohammed a formal invitation to ,medina4 ,we will receive you as a confederate1 obey you as a leader1 and defend you to the last extremity1 even as we defend our wives and children1 said the spokesman4 ,for your gracious invitation accept my most hearty thanks1 said ,mohammed4 ,my work is not yet ended in ,mecca1 yet ere long ,i hope to pay at least a visit to you1 ,o believers of ,medina4 ,but1 said the leader1 if you are recalled to your own district you will not forsake us8 ,all things1 replied ,mohammed1 are now common between us4 ,your blood is my blood4 ,your ruin is my ruin4 ,we are bound to each other by the ties of honor and interest4 ,i am your friend and the enemy of your foes4 ,he then chose twelve of the men to be the especial heralds of his faith1 and all1 placing their hands in his1 swore fealty to him in life and in death4 ,if we are killed in your service1 what shall be our reward8 asked one of the number4 ,paradise6 cried the prophet4 ,vales of eternal rest and felicity1 odors of sweet spices on the air1 blessed spirits to-- ,hold6 cried a voice from the air above4 ,who are you1 ,mohammed1 who can dare to promise that which belongs to the ,creator alone8 ,impostor1 take heed6 ,it was only ,yusuf1 who1 in his anxiety to discover if the gloomy vale were indeed the nest of some daring mountain chief1 had noiselessly descended to an overhanging ledge1 and had heard the last confident assertion of the prophet4 ,but the utmost consternation fell upon the ,arabs below4 ,some1 believing the voice to be that of a demon of the rock1 were seized with sudden panic2 others shouted excitedly1 ,spies6 spies6 and the assembly broke up in confusion1 all scurrying off1 leaving ,yusuf and his guide again alone on the rock4 ,amzi6 ,amzi6 shouted the priest1 with a forlorn hope that his friend might have lingered behind the fleeing party2 but the only response was the beat of hoofs flying in every direction1 and the dull thud of the camels' padded feet4 ,there was nothing better to be done than wait until morning1 so ,yusuf and the guide lay down on the hard rock for the rest of the night4 ,for some time after this affairs seemed to be at a standstill4 ,mohammed still continued to preach1 now from the hill ,safa1 now from the knoll ,el ,akaba at the north of the town4 ,his wife1 ,cadijah1 had died some time before1 and he had since married a widow1 ,sawda1 and become betrothed to a child1 ,ayesha1 the daughter of his friend and disciple1 ,abu ,beker4 ,but events in ,mecca were fast hastening to a crisis4 ,abu ,sofian1 still the most mortal enemy to ,mohammed and his religion1 had succeeded ,abu ,taleb in the government of ,mecca1 and no sooner had he become head of the state than he determined to crush ,mohammed1 and exterminate his religion at any cost4 ,a plot for the assassination of the prophet was formed4 ,several of the tribe of the ,koreish and their allies were appointed to kill ,mohammed1 in order to avert the blood-revenge of ,mohammed's immediate kin1 the ,haschemites1 who1 it was thought1 would not dare to avenge themselves upon such numerous and such scattered foes4 ,the attack was planned with the utmost secrecy in the cellar of a house1 and at a time but the space of three hours before daybreak1 when all ,mecca lay chained in slumber4 ,yet not all4 ,abraham1 the ,jew1 was1 as usual1 on the alert4 ,since his escape he had been prowling about the hills1 penniless1 and hence unable to leave the district4 ,he had now come down to steal food1 for necessity1 in his eyes1 rendered any such proceeding pardonable2 and1 perceiving a mysterious light issuing from a chink in the wall1 his natural curiosity asserted itself4 ,he lay down flat on the ground1 put his ear to the chink1 and succeeded in hearing every word of the plot4 ,here1 then1 was a chance to gain favor and protection from at least a few in ,mecca4 ,he would disclose the plot to ,mohammed and his vizier1 and beseech their protection as the price of his services as a savior of the prophet's life4 ,accordingly1 a couple of hours before the time appointed for the assassination1 and as soon as the cover of darkness rendered his own appearance in the city safe1 he hastened to the prophet4 ,no time was to be lost4 ,mohammed1 accompanied by ,abu ,beker and the ,jew1 at once fled2 while ,ali1 to deceive the spies1 and keep them as long as possible in check1 wrapped himself in the prophet's green cloak1 moved round with it on for some time1 and at last lay down on ,mohammed's bed4 ,when the assassins entered1 intending to rush upon the sleeping form and destroy it1 ,ali threw the cloak off and sat up4 ,in the meantime the fugitives had reached the cave of ,thor1 three miles distant1 from whence1 after three days1 they escaped to ,medina4 ,this was the famous flight of the prophet1 the ,hegira1 or ,hejra1 in the year #fbb ,a4,d4 and about the fifty-third year of ,mohammed's age4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,mohammed',s ,,entrance ,,into ,,medina4 ,oh1 it is excellent ,to have a giant's strength3 but it is tyrannous ,to use it like a giant4 --,shakespeare4 ,once more after the lapse of years let us look at ,amzi as he sat one morning in his house at ,medina4 ,the cool and pleasant atmosphere of the town in contrast with the burning1 breathless heat of ,mecca had charmed him4 ,he had immediately purchased a house and furnished it with the luxurious splendor which suited his rather voluptuous taste4 ,the apartment in which he sat was in the middle story1 the one sacred to the men in a house of ,medina4 ,rich ,persian carpets were on the floor1 rugs of ,inde were scattered about and piled with cushions filled with softest down4 ,low divans invited repose1 and heavy curtains of yellow silk shut out the too bright glare of day4 ,the ceiling1 after the ,persian fashion1 was inlaid with mirrors1 fitted in in different patterns1 and divided by carved sticks of palm1 stained red2 and the sweet odor of richest perfumes of ,arabia-,felix spread through the room as if emanating from the silken hangings of the wall4 ,the window was open1 and the breeze from the east1 bearing1 as it were1 tales of the ,nejd1 the land of brave men and beautiful women1 swayed the curtains softly4 ,outside1 in the sloping garden1 waved the graceful branches of the tamarisk1 glittering with dew in the early morning sun2 and near the window a jujube tree stretched its dark1 shining leaves and yellow fruit temptingly near4 ,acacias with sweet-scented yellow blossoms1 oleanders glowing with rosy bloom1 and a thicket of silver-leaved castors separated the little plot from the gardens below1 where grew gourds and cucumbers1 lime and fig trees1 grape-vines1 water-melons and pomegranates2 and beyond that lay a bright patch of ,bursim1 or ,egyptian clover1 like a yellow-green island on a darker sea4 ,amzi1 comfortably habited in a jubbeh of pink silk1 worn over a caftan of fine white silk flowered with green and confined by a fringed1 yellow sash at the waist1 reclined in a position of luxurious ease at the window4 ,between his plump fingers he held the amber stem of a handsomely carved pipe4 ,he looked scarcely older than when on that memorable journey in which he first met ,yusuf4 ,his eye was still as bright1 his hair scarcely more gray1 and his cheek as ruddy as then2 yet there was a somewhat discontented look on his face4 ,his eye wandered over the rich garden before him1 and he thought of barren1 ashen ,mecca4 ,then he looked restlessly back over the landscape below4 ,surely it was fair enough to calm a restless spirit4 ,immediately before1 and to the eastward1 the sun had risen out of a mass of lilac and rose-colored cloud4 ,the tufted trees on the distant hills stood black and distinct against the splendor of the sky4 ,to the right the date-groves of ,kuba1 famed throughout ,arabia1 struggled through a sea of mist that piled and surged in waves of amber and purple1 leaving the tree tops like islands on a vapory sea4 ,to the left the seared and scoriae-covered crest of ,mount ,ohod rose1 dark and scowling1 like a grim sentinel on the borders of an ,elysian valley4 ,in the rear lay the plain of ,el ,munakhah1 and the rush of the torrent ,el ,sayh was borne on the breeze1 bearing the willing mind beyond to the cool groves of ,kuba1 whence this raging flood dispersed itself in gentle rills1 or was carried in silent channels to turn the water-wheels1 or to fall1 with musical plash1 into wooden troughs that lay deep in the shade4 ,the ripple of water1--ah1 what it means to ,arabian ears6 ,little wonder that the inhabitant of the desert land never omits it from his idea of paradise1 save in his conception of the highest heaven1--a conception not lacking in sublimity--that of a silent looking upon the face of ,god4 ,in the immediate foreground lay ,el ,medina itself1 with its narrow streets1 its busy bazars1 its fair-skinned people1 and its low1 yellow1 flat-roofed houses1 each with its well and court-yard1 nestling cozily among the feathery-fronded date-trees4 ,from the ,eastern ,road1 a caravan from the ,nejd was descending slowly into the town1 and so clear was the atmosphere that ,amzi could distinguish the huge1 white dromedaries1 and catch an occasional glint of a green shugduf1 or the gorgeous litter of a grandee1 trapped in scarlet and gold4 ,it was indeed a fair scene1 and ,amzi enjoyed it to the full with the keen enjoyment of one who possesses an esthetic temperament1 an intense love of the beautiful4 ,yet he began to feel lonely in this town of his adoption4 ,it was long since he had seen ,yusuf1 and he commenced to think seriously of returning for a time to ,mecca4 ,besides1 he was tired of waiting for ,mohammed's long-deferred visit1 and he was anxious again to see the man whose strange fascination over him he scarcely dared to acknowledge even to himself4 ,the emptiness and idleness of his own life was beginning to pall upon him1 and he compared unfavorably his sluggish existence with the busy1 quietly energetic way in which ,yusuf was spending his days4 ,one source of unfailing pleasure to him had been the companionship of ,dumah1 who had followed him to ,medina1 but was wandering about as usual1 returning to ,amzi when tired or hungry1 as a birdling returns to its mother's wing4 ,and ,amzi had almost a mother's love for the boy1 for poor ,dumah seemed a child still2 he had grown but little1 his face was paler than of old1 his eyes were as large and blue1 and his bright hair fell in the same soft curls above his regular and clear-cut features4 ,like ,yusuf1 ,amzi felt that the orphan's very helplessness was an appeal to his heart1 and he did not lock its doors4 ,dumah now came in wearily4 ,he lay down at ,amzi's feet and put his head on his knee4 ,the ,meccan stroked his soft hair gently4 ,where has my ,dumah been8 he asked tenderly4 ,watching the people going out foolishly4 ,dumah would not go with them4 ,going where1 lad8 ,out to the gardens where the lotus blows1 and the date-palms wave1 and the citron and orange grow4 ,and why go they1 then1 foolishly8 smiled ,amzi4 ,because they go to meet him1 and they are carrying white robes1 and they will bring him in as a prince1--the wicked one1 who would place himself above our blessed ,master6 ,amzi started up quickly1 and threw his pipe down4 ,is ,mohammed here8 he cried4 ,he is here4 ,but you will not go too1 ,amzi8 ,alas that ,i told you6 ,the angels ,i see in my dreams do not smile1 they look away and vanish when ,i think of ,mohammed4 ,yusuf does not love him6 ,let not ,amzi6 pleaded the orphan4 ,but the ,meccan was gone4 ,hastening on towards the outskirts of the city1 he met a great crowd of people1 pressing about ,mohammed and ,abu ,beker1 each of whom was dressed in a white garment1 and riding triumphantly upon a white camel1 the prophet being mounted on his own beast ,el ,kaswa4 ,the little peddler1 assigning himself a lower place1 rode behind on a pack-mule4 ,mohammed had come1 and was1 from the very beginning1 a monarch1 surrounded by an army of blind devotees1 believers in his holy mission1 and slavishly obedient to his will4 ,amzi took the prophet to his house1 and there entertained him as a respected ,meccan friend1 until ,mohammed's home was erected4 ,it was at ,amzi's house1 too1 that the nuptials of ,mohammed and the beautiful ,ayesha1 also those of ,ali and the prophet's daughter ,fatimah1 took place4 ,one of ,mohammed's first acts was to have a mosque built1 and1 from it1 morning and night the call to prayers was given3 ,god is great6 ,there is no ,god but ,god6 ,mohammed is the prophet of ,god6 ,come to prayers4 ,come to prayers6 ,god is great6 ,and from this mosque ,mohammed exhorted with wondrous eloquence1 the music of his voice falling like a spell on the multitudes1 as they listened to teachings new and more living than the old1 dead1 superstitious idolatry to which they were in bondage2 yet1 had they known it1 teachings whose choicest gems were but crumbs borrowed from the words of ,one who had preached in all meekness and love on the shores of ,galilee and the hills of ,palestine more than six hundred years before4 ,they listened in wonder to condemnation of their belief in polytheism4 ,in the name of the most merciful ,god1 ,mohammed would say1 say ,god is one ,god1 the ,eternal ,god2 he begetteth not1 neither is he begotten1 and there is not anyone like unto him6 ,thus did he aim at the foundation of ,christianity1 seeking to overthrow belief in the only begotten ,son of ,god as a divine factor of the ,trinity4 ,jesus he recognized as a prophet1 not as ,god's own ,son2 and1 while he borrowed incessantly from the ,scriptures1 he refused to accept them1 declaring that they had become perverted1 and that the original ,koran was a volume of ,paradise1 from which ,gabriel rendered him transcripts1 and was1 therefore1 the true word of ,god which had been laid from time everlasting on what he called the preserved table1 close to the throne of ,god in the highest heaven4 ,and yet1 during the greater part of his career1 the utterances of this strange1 incomprehensible man were characterized by a seemingly real glow of philanthropy and an earnest solicitude for the salvation of his countrymen from the depths of moral and spiritual degradation into which they had fallen4 ,a missionary spirit seemed to be in him1 in strange contrast and incompatibility with the sacrilegious words that often fell from his lips4 ,in all the records of history there is nothing more wonderful than the marvelous success which attended ,mohammed at ,medina4 ,staid and sober merchantmen1 men with gray heads1 fiery youths1 proselytes from the tribes of the desert1 even women1 flocked to him every day2 and he soon realized that he had a vast army of converts ready to live or die for him1 ready to fight for him until the last4 ,amzi1 alone1 of all his followers1 seemed to stand aloof1 half-believing1 yet unwilling to proclaim his belief openly2 simply waiting1 as he had waited all his life1 to see the truth1 yet too indolent to set out bravely in the quest4 ,he preferred to look on from aside2 to weigh and calculate motives1 actions and results2 to judge men by their fruits1 though the doing so called for long waiting4 ,yet ,amzi grew more and more dissatisfied4 ,he felt1 though he knew not its cause1 the want of a rich spiritual life1 that empty hollowness which pleasures of the world and the mere consciousness of a moral life cannot satisfy4 ,more than once he was tempted to declare himself a follower of the prophet1 but he put it off until a riper season4 ,poor ,dumah noted ,amzi's frequent visits to the mosque with a vague dread4 ,he had an instinctive dislike of ,mohammed1 whose assumptions of superiority to ,jesus he understood in a hazy way1 and resented with all his might4 ,one day he entered with a tablet of soft stone to which a cord was attached4 ,putting the cord about ,amzi's neck1 he said3 ,amzi1 promise your ,dumah that you will wear this always1 will you not8 ,because ,dumah might die1 and could not say the words any more4 ,promise me6 ,i promise you1 smiled ,amzi1 and ,dumah left the room contented4 ,amzi turned the tablet over1 and read the familiar words traced upon the soft stone1--the words recognized as the corner-stone of ,christianity3 ,god so loved the world1 that he gave his only begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have everlasting life4 ,amzi smiled1 and put the tablet in his bosom4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,mohammed ,,becomes ,,intolerant4--,,war4 ,our virtues disappear when put in competition with our interests1 as rivers lose themselves in the ocean4--,la ,rochefoucauld4 ,thirteen years had now passed since ,mohammed first began to meditate in the ,cave of ,hira4 ,during all that time he had preached peace1 love and gentleness4 ,with power1 however1 came a change in his opinions4 ,he became not only pastor of his flock1 and judge of the people1 but also commander of an army4 ,worldly ambition took possession of his breast1 and the voice of him who had cried1 ,follow the religion of ,abraham1 who was orthodox and was no idolater4 ,invite men unto the way of the ,lord by wisdom and mild exhortation4444 ,bear opposition with patience1 but thy patience shall not be practicable unless with ,god's assistance4 ,and be not thou grieved on account of the unbelievers4 ,let there be no violence in religion1--now began to call1 ,war is enjoined you against the infidels4 ,fight therefore against the friends of ,satan1 for the stratagem of ,satan is weak4 ,and when the months wherein ye shall not be allowed to attack them be past1 kill the idolaters wherever ye shall find them1 and besiege them1 and lay wait for them in every convenient place4 ,verily ,god hath purchased of the true believers their souls and their substance1 promising them the enjoyment of ,paradise on condition that they fight for the cause of ,god4 ,whether they slay or be slain1 the promise for the same is assuredly due by the law1 and the ,gospel1 and the ,koran4 ,clemency1 he claimed1 had been the instrument of ,moses2 wisdom1 that of ,solomon2 righteousness1 that of ,christ2 and now the sword was to be the instrument of ,mohammed4 ,the sword1 he exclaimed1 with flashing eye1 is the key of heaven and hell4 ,all who draw it in the cause of the faith will be rewarded with temporal advantages2 every drop shed of their blood1 every peril endured by them1 will be registered on high as more meritorious than fasting or prayer4 ,if they fall in battle1 their sins will at once be blotted out1 and they will be transported to paradise6 ,this fierce1 intolerant spirit took possession of ,mohammed almost from his entrance into ,medina4 ,chapter after chapter of the ,koran was produced1 breathing the same blood-thirsty1 implacable hatred of opposition4 ,mohammed1 in fact1 seemed like one possessed in his enthusiasm1 but his doctrines caught the fancy of the wild1 impressionable ,arabs1 who flocked to him in crowds as his fame spread throughout the length and breadth of ,el ,hejaz1 throughout the ,nejd1 and even to the extremities of ,arabia-,felix4 ,and now the bloody cloud of war hovered over the peninsula1 and the people trembled4 ,the following letter from ,amzi will describe the outbreak4 ,a#i ,from ,amzi the ,meccan1 at ,medina1 ,to ,yusuf the priest1 ,mecca4 ,my ,dear ,yusuf3-- ,i can scarcely describe the emotions with which ,i write you again after a six months' interval4 ,affairs here in ,medina have taken such an unlooked-for turn that ,i scarcely know what to think or what to do4 ,of ,mohammed's wonderful progress1 you have1 of course1 heard4 ,you should see him now1 my dear ,yusuf1--,mohammed1 the peaceful trader1 the devout hermit1 now little less than monarch1 with all the sway assumed by the most powerful despot2 and yet those over whom he wields his despotism are but too willing servants1 ready to say as he says1 and to give their dearest heart's blood in his cause4 ,indeed ,i know not what the outcome of it all will be4 ,what astonishes me most is that ,mohammed has suddenly assumed an aggressive attitude4 ,fire and the sword seem to be the watchword of him whom we knew as the gentle husband of ,cadijah1 the mild preacher who bowed his head and reviled not even when assailed with mud and filth in the ,caaba4 ,needless to say1 ,yusuf1 ,i am disappointed in him4 ,you will be only too glad to hear that4 ,i hear that you have been exhorting the people in ,mecca to pay no heed to him2 that you have been seeking to promulgate your ,hebrew faith1 or rather the faith of your ,hebrew friend1 of whose innocence and release ,i was glad to hear4 ,my brother1 ,i pride in your courage1 and in the strength of your principles2 yet1 ,yusuf1 ,i beseech of you1 be careful what you do or say1 lest you draw down upon your head a storm of fury which you little expect4 ,you have no idea of the revolution of feeling here in ,mohammed's favor1 and of the fanatic zeal of many of his followers4 ,be not too bold4 ,you cannot cope single-handed with such an overwhelming tide4 ,the past month1 as you know1 was the holy month ,radjab1 in which1 as in the month of ,ramadhan1 throughout all ,el ,hejaz1 life should be held sacred1 and no act of violence committed4 ,can you believe it when ,i tell you that the prophet's men have attacked more than one caravan of quiet traders and pilgrims upon their way to or from ,mecca8 ,such a sacrilege seems unpardonable in ,arab eyes1 but1 forsooth1 the prophet has been favored with another revelation justifying him in what he has done4 ,this1 more than aught else1 makes me wonder4 ,you1 ,yusuf1 know what a lover of peace ,i have been2 how it has ever grieved me to see even a butterfly fluttering along the ground with a crushed wing4 ,judge1 then1 of my horror1 when ,i went out to the scene of the pillage and saw men lying1 some dead1 with ghastly faces glaring up at the hot sun1 others with gaping wounds1 and others moaning pitifully on the road-way1 with sand on their faces and in their hair4 ,yusuf1 it made me sick to see it4 ,had they been slain in fair battle ,i could have borne it better4 ,yet ,i was enabled to give the poor wounded creatures some water1 all warm as it was from being carried so long a distance2 and some of them ,i had conveyed to my house1 so that every bed-chamber has been turned into a sick-room1 and your friend ,amzi has been suddenly metamorphosed into a sick-nurse4 ,does that astonish you8 ,yet1 ,yusuf1 though ,i get little sleep any night1 and have to be on my feet much during the day1 ,i can assure you that ,i was never so happy in my life before4 ,the constant occupation1 and the sense of being able to render the poor creatures a little ease1 is just what ,i need at present to keep me from growing moody4 ,the other day ,i saw some one who knows of you--,uzza1 the ,oman ,arab4 ,how or why he has come here ,i know not2 but he is one of ,mohammed's most devoted followers4 ,for your sake1 ,i hope you may not meet him in ,medina4 ,i knew him1 years ago1 at ,oman1 and had letters from him for a time after he went to ,persia4 ,perhaps that will read you the riddle as to how ,i knew so much of your past history1 my priest4 ,recognizing your name1 and noting your priestly bearing1 it was an easy matter to connect you with the ,guebre ,yusuf1 of whom ,i had heard4 ,i am convinced that you are looking after my ,meccan affairs as closely as possible1 yet remember that ,amzi has a house in ,medina1 too1 which has ever a door open for you4 ,dumah sends his love4 ,the poor lad is greatly excited over the stirring events which are the talk of the town here4 ,commend me to your friend ,nathan and his family4 ,trusting to see or to hear from you soon1 ,and the peace1 ,amzi4 ,to this letter ,yusuf returned the following answer3 ,yusuf1 at ,mecca1 ,to ,amzi the ,benevolent1 ,medina4 ,my ,heart's ,brother3-- ,your most welcome letter lies before me1 and it is quite unnecessary to say with what mingled feelings of pleasure and pain ,i read it1--pleasure1 because1 whether you will it or not1 your confidence in this false prophet is tottering2 pain1 because of the marvelous power which this ,mohammed seems to be wielding over your excitable ,arab populace4 ,strange1 indeed1 is his new attitude2 we had not deemed him possessed of a martial spirit2 yet may we hope that this procedure will be but as the stone which shall crush his ends1 falling upon his own head4 ,it is possible that ,i may be in ,medina ere long4 ,i am impatient to see you and our poor ,dumah again4 ,and so ,uzza is there1 too1 to bring up afresh the darkest page of my history2 for ,amzi1 it was ,i1 in my fanatic zeal1 who induced the ,persian grandmother to give up his child for sacrifice4 ,scarcely was it over when1 even in my heathen darkness1 my whole soul revolted against what ,i had done1 and against the faith which had sanctioned such deeds of blood4 ,it was then that ,i began to think and strive against the mists of darkness1 until at last ,i fought away from the creed of my country4 ,i fear not to meet ,uzza1 although ,i know that he bears me no good-will1 and would not refrain from the assassin's knife did it satisfy his wish for blood-revenge4 ,our friend1 ,nathan1 and his family are well4 ,did ,i tell you that they have gone to live near ,tayf8 ,i spent a pleasant day with them not long ago4 ,they have a little cabin in the mountains1 and ,nathan has a few flocks which he herds out on the green hill-sides4 ,they are all so happy1 and so contented with their pastoral mode of living that they think of moving back into ,palestina1 as the pasturage is better there4 ,it will be a long journey1 but1 with the consciousness of the ,father's care over them1 and the bond of love to shorten the way1 they will not mind it4 ,nathan's wife1 in particular1 is anxious to return to her childhood's home1 and never wearies of telling her children stories of her girlhood days1 when she and her sister1 whom she still loves passionately1 watched their sheep on the hills of ,hebron4 ,mary and ,manasseh have grown quite tall4 ,manasseh is almost a man1 fiery and impetuous as ever1 yet wise beyond his years1 and a devout ,christian4 ,nathan is very happy4 ,after all his trials he has perfect rest4 ,his face almost beamed when he said to me in the words of the ,psalmist1 ,unless the ,lord had been my help1 my soul had almost dwelt in silence4 ,when ,i said1 ,my foot slippeth1 thy mercy1 ,o ,lord1 held me up4 ,for the ,lord is my defence1 and my ,god is the rock of my refuge4 ,he is very anxious about the hostile attitude which ,mohammed has taken4 ,god grant1 he said1 that there may not be another season of persecution4 ,if there be1 and the ,lord will1 ,i shall stay at ,medina to comfort1 if ,i may1 my poor brethren there4 ',blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake1 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven4' ,god grant that we may all be imbued with the spirit of him who said1 ',love your enemies1 bless them that curse you1 do good to them that hate you1 and pray for them that despitefully use you4' ,yet1 ,yusuf1 it may be that we shall be forced to defend our lives1 and those of our wives and children1--,god knoweth4 ,he will direct us1 if we permit him1 so that1 living or dying1 it shall be well with us4 ,is not such love1 such comfort in the help and presence and sympathy of ,god1 worth more1 infinitely more1 than power or wealth or worldly pleasure8 ,nothing that happens can overwhelm this happy family1 for they have the consciousness of ,god's love and care in all4 ,they have ,jesus for a personal friend4 ,amzi1 what would ,i not give to know that you felt as they do1 and as ,i learn to feel1 more and more1 every day4 ,my friend1 ,i could keep on in this strain for the whole night2 but ,i am weary1 for to-day ,i talked for many hours with some of those who are half-apostatizing to ,mohammed4 ,so1 ,mizpah2 and may the blessing of ,god be upon you4 ,yusuf4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,wherein ,,the ,,bedouin ,,youth ,,kedar ,,becomes ,a ,,moslem4 ,mine honor is my life3 both grow in one2 ,take honor from me1 and my life is done4 --,shakespeare4 ,the scene again opens far to the north of the ,nejd1 ,el ,shark1 or the ,east4 ,into one of its most favored spots1 a green and secluded valley1 surrounded by grassy slopes1 the sun shone with the fresh brightness of early morning1 sending floods of green-gold light through the leaves ,of the acacias1 now covered with yellowish blossoms heavy with perfume4 ,by the side of a little torrent1 rose the black tents of a ,bedouin encampment4 ,flocks were on the hill-side1 and the tinkling of the camel-bells and soft bleat of the lambs sounded faintly from the distance4 ,at the head of the valley1 upon a rounded boulder of granite sat a woman2 and before her stood a young man to whom she was earnestly talking1 at times stretching out her hands as though she were beseeching him for some favor4 ,the woman was tall and well-built1 her eyes were large and dark1 and their brilliancy increased1 according to ,bedouin custom1 by the application of kohl to the lids4 ,her face was keen and intelligent1 and her hair1 braided in innumerable small plaits1 and surmounted by a much bespangled head-dress1 was slightly streaked with gray4 ,the youth was slight and agile1 his every movement full of grace4 ,his face was oval1 regular in its contour1 and full of expression1 although the ,jewish cast of his features had traces of ,arab blood4 ,he seemed to be in some excitement1 for1 with a trait peculiar to ,bedouins1 his restless and deep-set eyes were now half-closed until but a narrow1 glittering line appeared1 and now suddenly opened to their fullest extent and turned directly upon the woman to whom he talked4 ,would you have me branded among the whole tribe as a coward1 mother8 he was saying4 ,are not the ,bedouin lads from all over the ,nejd flocking to the field1 even as the sparrows flock before the storm clouds of the north8 ,and will the son of ,musa be the craven1 crouching at home in his mother's nest8 ,a flock of vultures are they1 rather6 she cried passionately--,vultures flocking to a feast of blood1 to gloat over the carrion of brothers1 sons1 and husbands1 left dead on the reeking plain1 while in their solitary homes the women moan1 even as moans the bird of the tamarisk1 robbed of its young4 ',tis your ,jewish heart speaks now1 mother4 ,ah1 but your ,jewish women are too soft-hearted6 ,know you not that ,bedouin mothers have not only sent their sons to battle1 but have gone themselves and fought in the thickest of the fray8 ,ah1 you are a true ,bedouin1 and ashamed of your mother6 returned ,lois1 with a sigh4 ,truly1 a ,jewess has no place among the tribes of the wilderness4 ,the youth's face softened4 ,i am not ashamed of my mother6 he said1 quickly4 ,but my blood leaps for the glory of battle1 for the clash of cymbals1 the speed of the charge1 the tumult1 and the victory6 ,but a hollow glory you will find it1 she said scornfully4 ,murder and pillage1--and all sanctioned in the name of religion6 ,even so1 is not the name of harami 7brigand7 accounted honorable among the desert tribes8 asked the youth1 quickly4 ,alas1 yes4 ,ye reck not that it has been said1 ',thou shalt not steal4' ,but you1 ,kedar1 care not for the ,jewish ,scripture4 ,why need ,i quote it to you4 ,arabian religion1 ,arabian honor1 for the ,arab1 say ,i6 returned the youth haughtily4 ,let me roam over the wild on my steed1 racing with the breeze1 lance in hand1 bound for the hunt or fray2 let me swoop upon the cowardly caravans whose hundreds shriek and scream and fall back before a handful of ,bedouin lads1 if ,i will4 ,more honorable it is to me than to plod along in a shugduf on a long-legged camel with a bag of corn or a trifle of cloth to look after4 ,be the ,jew if you will1 but give me the leaping blood1 the soaring spirit of the ,bedouin6 ,the woman sighed again4 ,you will be killed1 ,kedar1 she said4 ,then what will all this profit you8 ,to die on the field is more glorious than to breathe one's life out tamely in bed1 replied the other4 ,there was no use of reasoning with this rash youth4 ,and think you this ,mohammed is worthy of your sacrifice8 she asked4 ,if he be really inspired1 as hundreds now believe1 is he not worthy of every sacrifice8 ,does he not promise his followers an eternal felicity8 ,a vile impostor6 exclaimed the woman harshly4 ,yet you will not believe what ,i say1 until your own eyes see and your own ears hear6 ,go6 ,go6 ,i shall talk no more to you6 ,if you fall it shall be no fault of ,lois'6 ,she arose and waved him off with an impatient gesture4 ,yet he lingered4 ,you will forgive me1 mother8 he asked1 gently4 ,the woman's mother-heart welled to the brim4 ,she answered brokenly3 ,my son1 my son6 ,could ,i do aught else8 ,take my blessing with you6 ,and now1 here comes your father4 ,musa was feebler than upon that first night when he met ,yusuf in his tent1 and his hair had become almost white1 yet there was the same dignity in his appearance4 ,go1 ,kedar1 he said1 and prove that you are indeed the son of ,musa4 ,go1 and see that you bring back good news of battle6 ,kedar bent his head in token of assent4 ,before an hour had passed he was mounted on the swiftest of his father's horses--a short1 fleshless animal1 with legs thin and of steel-like muscle4 ,but its slender neck1 its small1 snake-like head1 its dilating nostrils1 through which the light shone crimson1 and its fiery1 intelligent eye1 showed its blood as it pawed the ground and neighed impatiently4 ,a noble animal and a noble rider they looked as they were off like an arrow1 ,kedar's fine figure swaying with the movement of the steed as though rider and horse were one4 ,all alone went the youth across hill and valley1 over rock and torrent1 fearless and swift as an eagle2 for ,kedar scorned to seek the protection of numbers1 although quite aware of the fact that a large caravan1 under ,abu ,sofian1 was even then on its way from ,syria to ,mecca1 and was within three hours' journey from him4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,abu ,,sofian',s ,,caravan4 ,while ,kedar was thus speeding towards ,medina1 the caravan was also proceeding more slowly towards the south4 ,it consisted of thirty horsemen and one thousand camels richly laden with grain1 with spices1 with purple of ,syria1 richest cloths of ,damascus1 and choicest perfumes of the northern regions4 ,it was the month ,ramadhan1 and the peaceful traders went confidently and securely on their way1 well pleased with the success of their journey and hopeful in anticipation of the large gain they were to make during the great bazar of the pilgrimage4 ,while thus proceeding leisurely on1 the leaders were somewhat surprised to see a solitary rider coming towards them in the greatest haste4 ,he was mounted on a swift dromedary1 and with head bent down so that his turban concealed his face1 he kept striking the animal with his short camel-stick and urging it on with his shrill ,yakh6 ,yakh6 ,all breathless he at last reached the caravan4 ,is ,abu ,sofian here8 he cried4 ,i am ,abu ,sofian1 said the sturdy old chief4 ,what do you desire of me8 ,i have been sent by ,amzi the benevolent1 returned the other4 ,he bids me say to ,abu ,sofian that it will be well for the caravan to advance with the greatest caution1 as ,mohammed and his forces are in ambush on the way4 ,what guarantee have ,i1 said ,abu ,sofian1 that you are truly from ,amzi the ,meccan1 and not an emissary of ,mohammed sent to entrap us into some narrow glen8 ,here is your guarantee1 replied the stranger1 stretching forth his hand4 ,recognize you not this ring8 ,it is well1 answered ,abu ,sofian1 satisfied4 ,we are much beholden to you and to our friend ,amzi1 who we had feared was but too good a friend to this same ,mohammed4 ,can you trust ,amzi8 asked one near1 anxiously4 ,as my own soul1 returned the leader4 ,amzi's heart is gold2 ,amzi's words are jewels of purest luster4 ,he speaks truth4 ,then to the messenger1 ,know you what route ,mohammed will take8 ,i know not4 ,he has1 doubtless1 spies1 who will inform him of your movements1 and thus enable him to act accordingly4 ,then it remains for us to meet him by his own tactics1 said ,abu ,sofian1 and no time is to be lost4 ,you1 ,omair my faithful1 speed to ,mecca with what dispatch you may4 ,go by the by-paths which you know so well4 ,tell ,abu ,jahl1 whom ,i have left in charge1 to send us help quickly4 ,omair made obeisance and left at once4 ,you1 ,akab and ,zimmah1 continued the leader1 go by the hills ahead and find out what you can4 ,as for us1 we will keep our lips closed and our eyes and ears open4 ,abu ,sofian is not yet so old that he has forgotten the signs of the wilderness4 ,the vast procession moved on again slowly and in a dead silence1 broken only by the trampling of the beasts and the moans of the camels4 ,presently1 on coming near a spot which might be deemed hazardous ground1 ,abu ,sofian ordered a halt and went forward himself1 alone and on foot4 ,with eye on the alert1 ear on a tension to catch the slightest sound1 and body bent downward to facilitate the closest scrutiny of the ground1 the keen old man proceeded slowly1 stepping with cat-like precision and quietness4 ,suddenly he uttered an exclamation4 ,a small object lay dark on the yellow sand4 ,he picked it up4 ,it was a date-stone4 ,he examined it closely4 ,it was slightly smaller than the stones of the ordinary fruit4 ,a ,medina date6 he exclaimed2 whoever has thrown it there6 ,going a few paces further1 he found several similar ones thrown by the wayside4 ,the trampling of the sand1 too1 showed that a considerable force had been on the road at no distant time4 ,he bent down again and directed his keen scrutiny on the road1 then retraced his steps for a short distance4 ,there were tracks pointing in both directions1 but at one point the company seemed to have turned4 ,it was clear1 then1 that for some reason the force had been ordered to turn and go back for a distance1 probably to await the caravan in some ravine1 and that they were now not very far away4 ,it was necessary1 then1 to be as expeditious as possible4 ,he hastily returned and gave the order that the route of the caravan be changed1 and that the party should cross over the hills and proceed by a route close to the ,red ,sea until the place of danger was left behind4 ,this was accordingly done1 and the long lines passed anxiously yet laboriously onward over flinty summits1 down steep and rugged hill-sides1 past rocky clefts and over barren desert spots peopled only by the echoes that rang from the mountain sides1 until at last the sparkling waters of the ,red ,sea lay below1 and the anxious travelers felt that1 for the present at least1 they were safe4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,battle ,,of ,,bedr4 ,a ,prodigy of ,fear1 and a portent ,of broached mischief to the unborn times4 --,shakespeare4 ,the afternoon was intensely warm4 ,although the heat of the day was past1 the houses of ,mecca seemed to bake in the sun1 the sand burned like a furnace1 and a visible1 shimmering heat seemed to fill the air4 ,nevertheless the ceremonies of ,tawaf and the ablutions of ,zem-,zem went on unceasingly1 for it was the month of ,ramadhan1 and the half-naked pilgrims1 with their scanty white garments1 shaven heads1 and bare feet1 kept up the perpetual promenade about the temple1 even when so hot as to be ready to drop of exhaustion4 ,the courtyard was crowded with people1 the carriers of ,zem-,zem water were in constant demand1 and1 in the cooler recesses of the covered portico around the great yard1 a humming trade went on1 the venders' cries rising above the prayers of the pilgrims4 ,such was the scene upon which ,omair suddenly staggered1 all breathless1 with haggard face1 turban awry1 and thin wisps of hair streaming in wet hanks over his brow4 ,where is ,abu ,jahl8 he cried1 gasping4 ,why1 what is wrong8 ,tell us6 cried the curious crowd in some consternation4 ,where is ,abu ,sofian8 ,where is the caravan8 ,why have you come alone8 ,send me ,abu ,jahl6 was his only reply4 ,the old man happened to be at the ,caaba1 and came anxiously at the unexpected summons4 ,omair6 he exclaimed4 ,allah6 ,what has happened8 ,send them help6 gasped ,omair4 ,send them help at once1 or not one in our fair caravan may escape6 ,mohammed is lying in wait for them in the mountain passes4 ,may ,allah have mercy6 ejaculated the old man2 and the crowd about shrieked and groaned4 ,bring me the stair6 called ,abu ,jahl4 ,place it close to the ,caaba6 ,this done1 he ascended to the roof where all might see him4 ,his snowy beard descended to his waist over his flowing garments1 and his white locks fell thinly from beneath his kufiyah4 ,silence fell upon the assembly below1 and from every street men came hurrying in to hear the strange tidings4 ,in the name of ,allah1 hear6 called ,abu ,jahl in loud tones4 ,ye of the tribe of ,koreish1 hear6 ,ye who love ,abu ,sofian1 hear6 ,ye who have friends or goods in the great caravan from ,syria1 hear6 ,ye above whom the arch-impostor1 ,mohammed1 aspires1 and whom he would fain crush beneath his feet as the vile serpent in the dust1 hear6 ,he hath beset our friends in the fastnesses of the mountains4 ,he swoopeth upon them as the eagle upon the defenceless lamb out of the fold6 ,who1 then1 among you1 will follow ,abu ,jahl to deliver them8 ,an approving murmur rose1 long and loud2 then a hush fell as the aged man continued1 appealing to the courage of his hearers3 ,ye who fear not the foul rebel's sword1 ye who would uphold the honor of your wives and little ones1 nor send your children out upon the world as the offspring of cowards1 beseech your gods for blessing1 then mount1 and meet me as soon as may be outside the temple gates4 ,in the name of ,allah1 good-speed6 ,a shout of assent arose4 ,the thoroughly excited multitude swayed and surged like the waves of the sea4 ,hundreds hurried off to do the behest of their leader1 and1 returning1 hastened to perform ,tawaf about the ,caaba before setting out on their perilous journey4 ,yusuf1 as a ,christian1 dared not enter the temple2 but he heard the news from without4 ,his heart was moved with compassion for the poor1 defenceless traders1 caught like mice in a trap1 and he decided to fall into the ranks of the rescue party1 intending1 if his life were spared1 to pay a visit to ,amzi1 at ,medina4 ,while the recruits were gathering1 ,henda1 the wife of ,abu ,sofian1 rushed up1 her face wild and haggard with terror1 her long black hair streaming on the wind1 her eyes flashing with excitement1 and her lips drawn back1 exposing her yellow1 fang-like teeth4 ,a tigress she looked in her fury1 and it was with difficulty that ,abu ,jahl prevented her from going with the expedition1 which1 in the cooler shades of evening1 started off at a rapid pace1 leaving her to nurse her vengeance until a later day4 ,hurried1 yet long and tedious1 was the journey1 and the anxiety and impatience of the volunteers made it seem almost interminable4 ,illustration3 ,the youth made a quick lunge1 piercing the priest's shoulder4--,see page #df4 ,at length news was brought of the safety of the caravan1 and of its deviation towards the sea4 ,but the blood of the ,meccans was up1 and the fiery old leader was determined to punish ,mohammed for his misconduct1 and thus1 perhaps1 prevent him from committing similar atrocities in the future4 ,accordingly he sent part of his troops for protection to the caravan1 and commanded the rest1 about nine hundred in number1 to push on2 and among those ordered forward to the field was ,yusuf4 ,mohammed1 with three hundred and thirteen soldiers1 mounted chiefly on camels1 received word of this advance4 ,his men were lying between ,medina and the sea1 and1 as he thought1 directly between the caravan and ,abu ,jahl's army4 ,he told his men to be of good cheer1 as ,allah had promised them an easy victory2 yet he was careful to omit no human means of securing an advantage4 ,he posted his troops beside the brook ,bedr1 and had them hastily throw up an entrenchment to cover the flank of his troops4 ,then1 sure of a constant supply of water1 and safe from fear of surprise1 he awaited the ,meccan army4 ,he himself ascended a little eminence1 accompanied only by ,abu ,beker1 and1 in a small hut made of branches1 he prayed for the assistance of three thousand angels4 ,in his excitement1 one of his old paroxysms came on1 but this was regarded as auspicious by his men1 to whom1 superstitious as they were1 every occurrence of this kind was an additional presage of victory and an additional spur to bravery in battle4 ,and now the opposing force appeared1 coming down the opposite hill1 the men hot1 weary1 and covered with dust4 ,after a preliminary skirmish between individual combatants1 the battle began1--not a systematic charge in close ranks1 not the disciplined attack of trained warriors1 but a wild melee of camels1 horses1 flashing scimitars1 gleaming daggers and plunging spears1 in the midst of clouds of dust and streaming scarfs4 ,the combat was long1 and at one time the party of ,mohammed seemed to waver4 ,the prophet rushed out1 threw a handful of dust into the air and exclaimed3 ,may confusion light upon their faces6 ,charge1 ye faithful6 charge for ,allah and his prophet6 ,nothing could withstand the wild dash made by his men4 ,filled with the passion of enthusiasm1 the zeal of fanatics1 and the confidence of success1 they bore down like madmen4 ,the ,koreish1 many of whom were fearful of enchantment by the prophet1 were seized with sudden panic4 ,in vain ,abu ,jahl tried to rally them4 ,he was torn from his horse by a savage ,moslem1 and his head severed from his body4 ,his troops fled in terror1 leaving seventy men dead on the field and seventy prisoners4 ,the bodies and prisoners were robbed1 and the spoil divided4 ,mohammed1 in order to avert dispute over the booty1 very conveniently had a revelation at the time4--,know that whenever ye gain any spoil1 a fifth part thereof belongeth unto ,god1 and to the apostle1 and to his kindred1 and the orphans1 and the poor1 and the traveler4 ,upon this occasion he claimed a considerable amount of silver1 and a sword1 ,dhu'l ,fakar 7or the ,piercer71 which he carried in every subsequent battle4 ,during the battle1 ,yusuf1 the priest1 had fought bravely4 ,mounted on a magnificent horse1 his commanding figure had marked him out as an object worthy of attack4 ,accordingly he was ever in the thickest of the fight4 ,with cool and calm determination his blows fell1 until suddenly an event occurred which completely unmanned him1 and gave his enemies the advantage4 ,among the opponents who singled him out for attack was a youth mounted on a horse of equal power and agility4 ,the youth was rather slight1 but his skill in thrusting and in averting strokes1 and his evidence of practice in every exercise of the lance1 rendered him a fitting adversary for the priest with his superior strength4 ,for some time their combat had gone on single-handed1 when the youth's head-dress falling off revealed a face strikingly familiar to ,yusuf4 ,it was ,manasseh's own face1 pale1 and with clots of blood upon it6 ,the priest was horror-stricken4 ,he forbore to thrust1 and the youth1 seizing the opportunity1 made a quick lunge1 piercing the priest's shoulder1 and felling him to the ground4 ,a new opponent came and engaged the youth's attention2 the panic fell1 and the priest1 seeing that it was useless to remain1 managed to mount and ride off after the retreating troops4 ,scarcely injured1 yet covered with blood1 he dismounted at ,amzi's door in ,medina4 ,yusuf6 ,my brother6 cried the ,meccan in astonishment1 what means this8 ,in a few words ,yusuf told the tale of the battle1 and ,amzi placed him comfortably upon a soft couch1 insisting upon ministering to him as though he had been severely wounded4 ,so1 ,yusuf the gentle too has become a seeker of man's blood6 he said4 ,verily1 what an effect hath this degenerate age6 ,believe me1 friend1 returned the other1 earnestly1 you too would have gone had you been in ,mecca and had heard of our poor friends1 all unarmed1 and apparently in the power of the enemy4 ,when the advance to ,bedr was ordered1 ,i was one under authority1 and had no choice but to submit1 though ,i had little enough love for the stench of blood4 ,yet1 returned ,amzi1 ,yusuf's life is too precious to be risked in such madness4 ,it is not necessary for him to court death2 for the time may soon come when he shall be forced to fight in self-defence4 ,till then1 let foolish youths dash to the lance's point if they will4 ,yusuf bowed his head1 and in a low tone replied3 ',o ,god1 the ,lord1 the strength of my salvation1 thou hast covered my head in the day of battle4 ,he hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me4 ,yea1 though ,i walk through the valley of the shadow of death1 ,i will fear no evil1 for thou art with me4 ,he that dwelleth in the secret place of the ,most ,high shall abide under the shadow of the ,almighty4 ,i will say of the ,lord1 ,he is my refuge and my fortress3 my ,god2 in him will ,i trust4' ,amzi1 whether in life or in death1 it shall be as he wills4 ,amzi looked at him curiously4 ,yusuf1 he said1 is there no extremity of your life in which your religion fails to give you comfort8 ,it seems to furnish you with words befitting every occasion4 ,comfort in every hour of need1 returned ,yusuf1 deliverance in every hour of temptation1 is our ,god able to bestow if we seek him in spirit and in truth4 ,things temporal1 as well as things spiritual1 call for his almighty love and attention2 and our love for him brightens every pathway in life4 ,it is the knowledge of this which has upheld his children in all the ages2--not one of them who has not gloried in feeling that ',god is our refuge and strength1 a very present help in time of trouble4 ,therefore will we not fear1 though the earth be removed1 and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea4' ,not one of them but has at some time found comfort in the promises1 ',when the poor and the needy seek water1 and there is none1 and their tongue faileth for thirst1 ,i the ,lord will hear them2 ,i1 the ,god of ,israel1 will not forsake them4 ,he that keepeth ,israel slumbers not1 nor sleeps4 ,fear thou not1 for ,i am with thee2 be not dismayed1 for ,i am thy ,god2 ,i will strengthen thee2 yea1 ,i will help thee2 yea1 ,i will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness4' ,think of this help1 ,amzi1 in every struggle3 in the struggle1 worse than any time of battle1 with one's own sinful heart4 ,and there is not one of ,god's children but has realized the blessedness of following the commands of ,jesus1 ',have faith in ,god4 ,ask1 and it shall be given you2 seek1 and ye shall find2 knock1 and it shall be opened unto you4' ,amzi1 you who love gentleness and peace1 truth and humility1 cannot you find in ,christ and his loving precepts all you would ask8 ,can anything appeal to your warm heart more than such injunctions as these8--',love your enemies1 bless them that curse you1 do good to them that hate you1 and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you4 ,when thou doest alms1 let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth4 ,let your light so shine before men1 that they may see your good works1 and glorify your ,father which is in heaven4 ,judge not1 that ye be not judged4 ,watch ye1 therefore1 and pray always4 ,pray that ye enter not into temptation4' ,he paused1 out of breath2 for such had been his study of the ,scriptures that the words came in a flood to his lips4 ,amzi sighed4 ,yes1 ,yusuf1 he said1 such words seem to me full of goodness and sweetness2 yet1 try as ,i may1 ,i cannot realize their true import4 ,i cannot rejoice1 as you and your friends do1 in your religion and its promises4 ,my ,amzi1 returned the priest1 how can you be warmed except you come to the fire8 ,remember the man with the withered hand4 ,did he not stretch it out in faith8 ,my friend1 like him1 act6 ,reach out your heart to ,god4 ,he will not fail you4 ,look not upon yourself4 ,look upon ,god1 who is1 indeed1 closer to you than you can imagine4 ,put your hand in his1 behold his love manifested to us in the coming of his dear ,son1 and feel that that love is to-day the same1 proceeding from the ,father in whom is 'no variableness1 neither shadow of turning4' ,amzi sighed4 ,yusuf1 he said1 it appears all dark1 impenetrable1 to me4 ,a wall of adamant seems to stand between me and ,god4 ,pray for me1 friend4 ,in this matter ,i fear ,i am heartless4 ,in spite of this assertion1 there was genuine concern in the tone1 and the priest's face flushed in the glad light of hope4 ,amzi1 he exclaimed1 my hope for you increases4 ,even now1 you begin to realize your own self3 it remains for you to realize ,god's self4 ,know ,god--would ,i could burn that upon your heart6 ,all else would be made plain4 ,amzi sighed again4 ,for a time he sat in silence1 then he said3 ,i have been reading of the tabernacle1 and of the sacrifices therein4 ,typical of the death of ,christ1 returned ,yusuf4 ,a constant emblem of that mind which was1 and is to-day1 ready to suffer1 that we may understand its infinite love4 ,strange1 strange6 said ,amzi1 musingly4 ,then after a long silence3 ,yusuf1 have you ever noted the resemblance of the ,caaba to the reputed appearance of the tabernacle8 ,the resemblance struck me from the first glance--the courtyard1 the temple itself1 and the curtain 7or ',kiswah'7 corresponding to the veil of the tabernacle4 ,this same ,caaba may trace its origin in some dim way to the ancient tabernacle1 of which1 in this land1 the significance must have become lost in the centuries during which the ,ishmaelitish race forgot the true worship of ,god4 ,and what think you of the course which affairs are now taking in ,arabia8 asked ,amzi4 ,you believe in the supervision of ,god2 why1 then1 does he permit such outbreaks as the present one is proving to be8 ,i certainly believe that the ,creator sees and knows all things4 ,i believe1 too1 that even to ,mohammed1 at one time in his life1 the ,holy ,spirit appealed1 as he did to me1 and1 ,i hope1 does now to you1 ,amzi1--for his pleadings come sometime to all men2 but1 ,i think that if in earnest at first1 ,mohammed--if1 indeed1 he be not a monomaniac on the subject of his divine calling--has given himself up to the wild indulgence of his ambition1 forgetting ,him whose power is able to direct us all aright4 ,hence1 he guides himself1 rather than seeks to be guided1 and1 in such a case1 he may sometimes be allowed to go on in his own way1 bearing with him those who are so foolish as to accept his teaching4 ,something of this kind may1 indeed1 be one of the secrets of the crimes and calamities which enter into many human lives4 ,god leaves us free to choose4 ,when we come to know him we choose to be his followers4 ,if we are indifferent to him1 he may1 at times1 look on without interfering in our lives except to send us occasionally great trouble1 or great joy1 as an appeal to us4 ,his mercy is great4 ,he pities and pleads with us1 yet he leaves us free4 ,and what1 think you1 will be the effect upon ,arabia of this rising8 ,yusuf shook his head4 ,i know not1 he said4 ,we cannot see now1 nor mayhap until ages have rolled by2 but 'at eventide it shall be light4' ,so talked ,amzi and the priest until the gray dawn shone in1 and the voice of ,bilal1 the muezzin1 was heard calling from the mosque3 ,god is great6 ,there is no ,god but ,god6 ,mohammed is the prophet of ,god6 ,come to prayers6 ,god is great6 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,the ,,persecution ,,begins4 ,in doing good we are generally cold and languid and sluggish4444 ,but the works of ,malice and ,injustice are quite in another style4--,burke4 ,among those left dead on the field of ,bedr were the father1 uncle and brother of ,henda1 the wife of ,abu ,sofian4 ,fierce and savage as was her nature1 she was yet capable of deep feeling1 and her love for her kindred was one of the ruling passions of her life4 ,when the caravan at last reached ,mecca in safety1 she rushed to meet ,abu ,sofian1 weeping wildly1 wringing her hands in grief1 and throwing dust on her long hair4 ,she besought him frantically to avenge their death1 and he1 knowing that the debt of blood revenge was now upon him1 and that blood alone would wipe the stain from his honor1 gathered two hundred swift horsemen and set out almost immediately for ,medina4 ,on the way he ravaged the whole country1 burning the villages and date-groves of ,mohammed's followers4 ,when within three miles of ,medina the prophet sallied out to meet him4 ,a brief contest took place1 and ,abu ,sofian was once more defeated in what was jestingly called the ,battle of the ,meal ,sacks4 ,the ,moslems were exultant over their success1 but ,abu ,sofian returned to ,mecca1 the blood-dues still unpaid1 and with bitter enmity gnawing at his heart4 ,in the meantime ,mohammed began to assume all the airs of an independent sovereign4 ,he married a beautiful maiden1 ,hafza1 to whom he entrusted the care of the ,koran1 according as it was revealed2 and shortly afterwards he issued a decree by which all true believers were ordered to face ,mecca when praying4 ,thus early in his career of conquest he had fixed upon ,mecca as the future holy city of the ,moslems4 ,as usual1 the ,koran was called in to authorize him in thus fixing the ,kebla1 or point of prayer4 ,unto ,god belongeth the ,east and the ,west4 ,he directeth whom he pleaseth in the right way4 ,turn1 therefore1 thy face towards the holy temple of ,mecca2 and wherever ye be1 turn your faces towards that place4 ,at this time also he sanctioned the retaining of the holy fast of ,ramadhan and the pilgrimages connected therewith4 ,as he was well aware that the doing away with the great bazar upon which the prosperity of ,mecca so largely depended would loose a host of enemies upon him1 he declared3 ,o true believers1 a fast is ordained you1 as it was ordained unto them before you1 that ye may fear ,god4 ,the month of ,ramadhan shall ye fast1 in which the ,koran was sent down from heaven1 a direction unto men4 ,henceforth1 during the fast1 all true believers were to abstain from eating or drinking1 and from all earthly pleasures1 while the sun shone above the horizon and until the lamps at the mosques were lighted by the ,imaums4 ,it is needless to say that the ,moslems obviated this self-sacrifice by sleeping during the day as much as possible1 giving the night up to all the proscribed indulgences of the interdicted season4 ,and now ,mohammed's hatred to the ,jews began to show itself1 and the awful persecution of the little ,jewish band in ,medina commenced4 ,poor ,dumah was one of the first to bring the rod of wrath upon himself4 ,when wandering down the street one day1 not very long after the ,battle of ,bedr1 he paused by a well1 just as ,mohammed1 accompanied by his faithful ,zeid1 appeared in the way4 ,dumah saw them and at once began to sing his thoughts in a wild1 irregular lament4 ,his voice was peculiarly sweet and clear1 and every word reached the ear of the enraged prophet4 ,the song was a weird lament over those slain at ,bedr3 ,they are fallen1 the good are fallen1 ,low in the dust they are fallen2 ,and their hair is steeped in blood2 ,but the poison-wind shrieks above them1 ,sighing anon like the cushat1 ,and breathing its curses upon him1 ,upon him1 the chief of impostors4 ,as he passes the leaflets tremble1 ,and the flowers shrink from his pathway2 ,and the angels smile not upon him1 ,for he maketh the widow and orphan2 ,and the voice of ,rachel riseth ,in mourning loud for her children4 ,and no comfort doth fall upon her4 ,soft like the balm of ,gilead4 ,turning to one of his followers1 ,mohammed commanded angrily3 ,seize that singer6 ,dumah heard the exclamation1 and was off like the wind1 followed by two or three ,moslems1 each anxious to secure the victim first1 and thus win the approval of the august ,mohammed4 ,on1 on1 straight to the house of ,amzi fled ,dumah4 ,bursting open the door1 he rushed in1 his long hair disordered1 his face purple with running and his eyes wide with terror4 ,save me1 ,yusuf6 ,save me1 ,amzi6 he cried4 ,mohammed will kill me6 ,mohammed will kill me6 ,yusuf sprang to the door1 and the poor fugitive threw himself at ,amzi's feet1 clinging to his garments with his thin1 white hands4 ,but the pursuers were already upon him4 ,yusuf strove in vain to detain them1 to reason with them4 ,can you not see he is a poor artless lad8 ,can you not have mercy8 he cried4 ,it is the order of the prophet of ,allah6 was the response4 ,yusuf resisted their entrance with all his might1 but1 unarmed as he was1 he was quickly thrown down1 and the terrified ,dumah was dragged over his body and hurried off to be put in chains in a ,moslem cell4 ,amzi was distracted4 ,there seemed little hope for ,dumah4 ,the small ,jewish band then in ,medina could not dare to cope with the overwhelming numbers of ,moslems that swarmed in the streets4 ,if ,dumah were delivered it must be by stratagem2 and yet what stratagem could be employed8 ,early in the evening ,amzi and the priest withdrew to the roof for consultation4 ,you believe that your ,god is all-powerful--why do you not beseech him for our poor lad's safety8 cried ,amzi passionately4 ,i have not ceased to do so since his capture1 returned ,yusuf4 ,but it must be as the ,lord willeth4 ,he sees what is best4 ,even our blessed ,jesus said to the ,father1 ',not my will1 but thine be done4' ,amzi was not satisfied4 ,can he then be the ,god of ,love that you say1 if he could look upon the death of that poor innocent nor exercise his power to save him8 ,amzi1 ,i do not wonder at you for speaking thus4 ,yet consider4 ,we will hope the best for our poor singer4 ,may ,god preserve him and enable us1 as instruments in his hands1 to deliver him4 ,but ,god may see differently from us in this matter4 ,who can say that to die would not be gain to poor ,dumah8 ,all witless as he is1 he shall have a perfect mind and a perfect body in the bright hereafter4 ,we know not what is well4 ,we can only pray and do all in our power to effect his deliverance2 we must leave the issue to ,god4 ,amzi bowed his head on his hands and groaned4 ,yusuf raised his eyes towards heaven2 the tears rolled down his cheeks1 and his lips moved4 ,even he could not understand the mysteries of this strange time4 ,yet he was constantly comforted in knowing that all things work together for good to them that love ,god4 ,saddest of all was the vision of the handsome1 dark face that1 contorted in the fury of combat1 had glared upon him from the ,moslem ranks in the ,battle of ,bedr1 while ,manasseh's hand showered blows upon the head of his best friend--for the sake of the prophet of ,islam4 ,manasseh6 ,manasseh6 he exclaimed in bitter sadness4 ,why hast thou forsaken thy father's ,god8 ,o heavenly ,father1 do thou guide him and lead him again into thy paths6 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,amzi ,,finally ,,rejects ,,mohammed4 ',do the duty which lies nearest thee' which thou knowest to be a duty6 ,thy second duty will already have become clearer4--,carlyle1 ,sartor ,resartus4 ,upon the following morning ,yusuf hastened to obtain an interview with ,mohammed4 ,the prophet lived in an ostentatiously humble abode--a low1 broad building1 roofed with date-sticks1 and thatched with the broad leaves of the palm tree4 ,mohammed absolutely refused to see him4 ,ayesha1 the youngest and fairest of the prophet's wives1 sent to inform him that ,mohammed had nothing to say to the ,christian ,yusuf4 ,so with heavy heart he turned away and sought the house of ,zeid1 deeming that he1 as the prophet's adopted son and most devoted follower1 might have some influence in obtaining ,dumah's release4 ,zeid sat in a low1 airy apartment1 through whose many open windows a cool breeze entered4 ,by him sat his newly-wedded wife1 unveiled1 for at that time the rules in regard to veiling were not so strictly insisted upon as at a later day1 when the prophet's decree against the unveiling of women was more rigorously enforced4 ,even ,yusuf noted her marvelous beauty4 ,there was a peculiarity of action1 a something familiar about her1 too1 which gave him a hazy recollection of having seen her before2 but not for several moments did the association come up in his memory1 and he saw again the little ,jewish home of ,nathan in ,mecca1 the dim light1 and the beautiful child whose temples ,nathan's wife was so tenderly bathing4 ,yes1 after the lapse of years1 in a flash he knew her for ,zeinab6 ,she listened with interest to the tale of the ,jewish singer2 but there was a heartlessness in her air1 and a certain contempt in the look which she bent upon the ,christian who was thus making intercession for an unworthy ,jew4 ,i have neither eyes to see1 tongue to speak1 nor hands to act1 save as the prophet is pleased to direct me1 was ,zeid's reply1 in the most determined tone4 ,yusuf1 seeing no hope1 left the house1 and shortly afterwards ,zeid1 too1 went down into the town4 ,scarcely had he left when ,mohammed entered4 ,zeinab was still at the window1 which opened directly on the courtyard4 ,a myrtle bush grew near1 and she listlessly plucked some of the white blossoms and twined them in the braids of her glossy black hair4 ,she wore a loose gown of sky-blue silk with a drape of crimson1 and deep pointed sleeves of filmy1 white lace4 ,her veil was cast aside1 and when the prophet entered she turned her magnificent dark eyes1 with their shading of kohl1 full upon him4 ,ever susceptible to the influence of beauty1 he exclaimed1 ,praise be ,god1 who turneth the hearts of men as he pleaseth6 ,and he at once coveted her for his wife2 although according to law she bore the relation of daughter to him4 ,he intimated his desire to ,ali1 who1 in turn1 broke the news to ,zeid4 ,zeid returned pale and trembling to his home4 ,he loved his wife deeply2 yet his devotion to the prophet and the sense of obligation which he owed him as foster-father1 for having freed him from servitude1 appealed to him strongly4 ,bowing his head upon his wife's knee1 he wept4 ,why do you weep1 ,zeid8 she asked4 ,alas6 he cried1 could one who has known thee as wife forbear to weep at having thee leave him8 ,but ,i will never leave my ,zeid4 ,not even to become the wife of the prophet8 ,mohammed does not want me for his wife1 she said quickly4 ,zeid sighed4 ,could you be happy were you his wife8 he asked4 ,the beauty's ambitious spirit rose1 but she only said3 ,were ,i made his wife1 it would be the will of ,allah4 ,zeid pushed her gently from him1 and went out4 ,mohammed1 he said1 seating himself at the prophet's feet1 you care for ,zeinab4 ,i come to offer her to you4 ,obtain for your poor ,zeid a writ of divorce4 ,the prophet's face showed his satisfaction4 ,i could never accept such a sacrifice1 he said1 hesitatingly4 ,my life1 my all1 even to my beloved wife1 belongs to my master1 returned ,zeid4 ,his pleasure stands to me before aught else4 ,so be it1 then1 most faithful1 said the prophet4 ,o ,zeid1 my more than son1 a glorious reward is withheld for you4 ,then1 as ever1 a revelation of the ,koran came seasonably ere another day1 to remove every impediment to the union of ,mohammed and ,zeinab4 ,but when ,zeid had determined the matter concerning her1 and had resolved to divorce her1 we joined her in marriage unto thee1 lest a crime should be charged on the true believers in marrying the wives of their adopted sons3 and the command of ,god is to be performed4 ,no crime is to be charged on the prophet as to what ,god hath allowed him4 ,there were those in ,medina who resented ,mohammed's selfishness in thus appropriating ,zeinab to himself1 and there were those who questioned the honor of such a proceeding2 but this questioning went on mostly among the few ,bedouin adherents who had flocked into the town in his service1 for the most sacred oath of the highest class of ,bedouins has long been1 ,by the honor of my women6 ,in none did the prophet's action inspire more disgust than in our two friends1 ,yusuf and ,amzi4 ,amzi had long since lost all faith in the prophet as a divine representative2 and this marriage with ,zeinab only confirmed his distrust4 ,pah6 he said to ,yusuf1 he not only lets his own impulses sway him1 but he uses the sanction of heaven to authorize the satisfaction of every desire1 no matter who is trampled upon in the proceeding4 ,was there ever such sacrilege8 ,yusuf returned3 ,for this ,i am thankful1 brother3 that you at last apply the term 'sacrilege' to the claims of this impostor4 ,think you he is no longer in earnest at all for the raising of his countrymen from idolatry8 ,he seeks to throw down idols1 but to raise himself in their stead4 ,cupidity and ambition1 ,amzi1 have well-nigh smothered every struggling seed of good in ,mohammed's haughty bosom4 ,do you not think that1 at the beginning1 he imagined himself inspired8 ,mohammed is strangely visionary4 ,at the beginning he1 doubtless1 thought he saw visions1 but1 if the man thinks himself inspired now1 he is mad4 ,yet what a personality he has6 said ,amzi1 musingly4 ,what a charm he bears6 ,how his least word is sufficient to move this crowd of howling fanatics6 ,a man who might be an angel of light1 were he truly under divine guidance1 returned ,yusuf4 ,and1 mark me1 ,amzi1 his influence will not stop with this generation4 ,the influence of every man on ,god's earth goes on ever-rolling1 ever-unceasing1 down the long tide of eternity2 but1 in every age1 there are those who1 like ,mohammed1 possess such an individuality1 such a personality1 that their power goes on increasing1 crashing like the avalanche down my native mountains4 ,how eloquently such a thought appeals to right impulse1 right action6 said ,amzi1 thoughtfully4 ,did a man realize its import fully1 he would surely be spurred on to act1 not to sit idly letting the world drift by4 ',no man liveth unto himself1' said ,yusuf slowly4 ,whether we will it or not1 we are each of us ever exerting some influence for good or for ill upon those with whom we come in contact4 ,no one can be neutral4 ,acts often speak in thunder-tones1 when mere words are heard but in whispers4 ,i fear me1 ,yusuf1 said the ,meccan1 with a half-smile1 that ,amzi has neither thundered in action1 nor even whispered in words4 ,so little good has he done1 that he almost hates to think of your great influence theory4 ,yusuf smiled and slipped his arm about the ,meccan's shoulder4 ,amzi1 the name of 'benevolent' belies your words1 he said4 ,think you that your home duties faithfully performed1 your pure and upright life1 pass for naught8 ,you would stand aghast1 ,yusuf1 returned ,amzi1 if ,i told you the amount of time that ,i have squandered1 simply in dreaming1 smoking1 and taking my ease4 ,time is a precious gift1 replied ,yusuf1 it flows on and on as a great river towards the sea1 and never returns4 ,it appears to me1 every day1 more clearly as the talent given to all men to be used rightly4 ,i1 as well as you1 have let precious hours pass1 and1 in doing so1 we have both done wrong4 ,yet ,i pray that we may every day see1 more and more1 the necessity of well occupying the hours1--'redeeming the time1 because the days are evil4' ,would that ,i had your decision of purpose1 your firmness of will6 said ,amzi1 wistfully4 ,yusuf1 it would be impossible for me to spend all my time as you do1--visiting1 relieving1 studying1 speaking ever the word in season1 and ever working for others4 ,i should miss my kaif4 ,even if you know it was in the cause of the ,lord8 asked ,yusuf1 with gentle reproof4 ,yet1 ,amzi1 you have done as much as ,i1 considering your opportunities4 ,the great thing is to do faithfully whatever comes to one's hand1 whether that be great or small4 ,know you not that it was said to him who had received only two talents1 ',well done1 good and faithful servant2 thou hast been faithful over a few things1 ,i will make thee ruler over many things4' ,as bright crowns await the humble home-workers as the great movers of earth1 provided all be done 'as unto the ,lord4' ,but1 returned ,amzi1 impatiently1 my 'good works1' as you call them1 have not been done 'as unto the ,lord4' ,my charities have been done simply because the sight of misery caused me to feel unhappy4 ,i felt pity for the wretched1 and in relieving them set my own mind at ease1 and gave satisfaction to myself4 ,i feel that it is right to do certain things1 and so ,i do them under a sense of moral obligation4 ,then1 said ,yusuf1 has this acting under a sense of moral obligation brought you perfect satisfaction1 perfect rest8 ,frankly1 it has not4 ,yusuf rose1 and1 placing both hands on ,amzi's shoulders1 said earnestly3 ,my friend1 who can say that every good impulse of man may not be an outcome of the divine nature implanted in him by the ,creator1 and which1 if watered and developed1 will surely burst into the flower of goodness when once the influence of ,god's ,spirit is fully recognized and ever invoked8 ,amzi1 you have many such seeds of innate good4 ,your very longings for good1 your tone of late1 show me that you are near this blessed recognition4 ,why will you not believe8 ,why will you not embrace the ,lord ,jesus ,christ8 ,we are all weak of ourselves1 but we have strength in him4 ,amzi1 my friend1 pray for yourself4 ,he turned abruptly and left ,amzi alone1 to ponder long and earnestly over the conversation of the past hour4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,the ,,fate ,,of ,,dumah4 ,death is the liberator of him whom freedom cannot release1 the physician of him whom medicine cannot cure1 and the comforter of him whom time cannot console4--,colton4 ,and now began a veritable reign of terror for the ,jews of ,medina4 ,the first evidence of the closing of ,mohammed's iron hand was shown in his forcing them to make ,mecca1 rather than ,jerusalem1 their kebla1 or point of prayer4 ,many refused to obey this command1 and were consequently dragged off to await the pleasure of the prophet4 ,at first the keenest edge of ,moslem vindictiveness seemed to be directed against the bards or poets1 for the power of stirring and pathetic poetry in arousing the passionate ,oriental blood to revenge was recognized as an instrument too potent to be overlooked4 ,ere long even the form of imprisonment was1 to a great extent1 set aside1 and the knife of the assassin was set at work4 ,among those who thus fell were ,kaab1 a ,jewish poet who strove to incite the ,koreish to aggressive measures against the ,moslems2 and ,assina1 a young woman who had been guilty of writing satires directed against the prophet himself4 ,yusuf and ,amzi became greatly alarmed for the safety of ,dumah4 ,every possible means of rendering assistance to the poor singer seemed to be cut off4 ,they could not even find any clue to his whereabouts1 and feared that he1 too1 had fallen beneath some treacherous blade4 ,as yet1 ,amzi and ,yusuf had been permitted to wander at will4 ,for hours and hours did they roam about the streets seeking for some clue to ,dumah's place of imprisonment1 but all efforts were futile1 until one day ,amzi heard a faint voice singing in the cellar of one of the ,moslem buildings4 ,he lay down by the wall1 closed his eyes1 and strained his ears to catch the sound4 ,it was assuredly ,dumah1 singing weakly3 ,oh1 why will they not come1 ,the friends of ,dumah6 ,for living death is upon him1 ,and the walls of his tomb close over1 ,yet will not in mercy fall on him4 ,does the sun shine still on the mountain1 ,and the trees wave8 ,do the birds still sing in the palm-trees1 ,and the flowers still bloom in ,kuba8 ,and yet doth ,dumah languish ,but ,dumah's friends have forgotten him1 ,nor seek him more1 ,and even the angels vanish1 ,and the tomb is all about him3 ,o ,death1 come1 haste to ,dumah6 ,the voice sank away in a low wail1 and ,amzi sprang up4 ,his first impulse was to rush in and batter at the door of ,dumah's cell2 his second1 to call words of comfort through the wall4 ,yet either would be imprudent and might ruin all1 so he hastened home to ,yusuf4 ,i will go to him immediately1 said the priest4 ,but how8 ,in disguise if need be1 was the reply4 ,in disguise6 exclaimed ,amzi4 ,friend1 with your physique1 think you you can disguise yourself8 ,not a ,moslem in ,mecca who does not know the figure of ,yusuf the ,christian4 ,nay1 ,yusuf1 your friend ,amzi can effect a disguise much more easily4 ,here1--running his fingers through his gray beard1--a few grains of black dye can soon transform this2 some stain will change the ,meccan's ruddy cheeks into the brown of a desert ,arab4 ,the thing is easy4 ,as you will1 then1 said the priest2 and the two were soon busy at work at the transforming process4 ,with the garb of a ,moslem soldier1 ,amzi was soon1 to all appearance1 a passable ,mussulman1 with divided beard1 and chocolate-brown skin4 ,he set out1 and1 having arrived at the door of the sort of barracks in which ,dumah was imprisoned1 mingled with the soldiers1 quite unnoticed among the new arrivals who constantly swelled the prophet's army4 ,with the greatest difficulty1 yet without exciting apparent suspicion1 he found out the exact spot in which ,dumah was confined4 ,upon the first opportunity he slipped noiselessly after the attendant who was carrying the prisoner's pittance of food4 ,under his robe he had tools for excavating a hole beneath the wall1 and his plan was to step silently into the room1 secrete himself behind the door1 and permit himself to be locked in1 trusting to subsequent efforts for effecting the freedom of himself and ,dumah4 ,silently he glided into the darkened room behind the keeper4 ,all within seemed dark as night after the brighter light without2 but ,dumah's eyes1 accustomed to the darkness1 could see more clearly4 ,he penetrated the disguise at once4 ,amzi6 ,amzi6 he cried out delightedly1 you have come6 ,you have come6 ,amzi knew that all was undone4 ,treachery6 called the keeper4 ,the ,moslems came pouring into the room4 ,amzi was overpowered1 and pinioned on the spot4 ,what means this8 cried ,asru1 the captain of the guard4 ,treachery1 if it please you1 returned the keeper4 ,an asp which has been in our camp with its poison-fangs hid6 ,no ,moslem1 but an enemy--a friend of this dotard poet6 ,search him6 was the order4 ,the tools were found4 ,aha6 said the captain4 ,most conclusive proof1 wretch6 ,we will teach you1 knave1 that foxes are sometimes trapped in their own wiles4 ,off with him6 ,chain him6 ,amzi was hurried off1 and ,asru strode away to execute some other act of so-called justice4 ,he was a man of immense stature1 heavy-featured1 and covered with pock-marks1 yet his face was full of strength of character1 and bore traces of candor and honesty1 though the lines about the mouth told of unrestrained cruelty and passion4 ,at home ,yusuf waited in an agony of suspense4 ,the day passed into night1 the night into day1 the day into night again1 yet ,amzi did not come4 ,yusuf could bear it no longer4 ,anything was better than this awful waiting4 ,only once he almost gave up hope and cried in the words of the ,psalmist1 ,o ,lord1 why castest thou off my soul8 ,why hidest thou thy face from me8 ,then like balm of healing came the words1 ,cast thy burden upon the ,lord1 and he will sustain thee2 he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved4 ,dressed in his quiet1 scholarly raiment1 and quite unarmed1 he set out in search of ,amzi4 ,arriving at the place1 he saw none whom he knew4 ,he was stopped at the door4 ,i wish to see the captain who has command here1 he said4 ,you are a peaceable-looking citizen enough1 said a guard1 yet we have orders to search all new-comers1 and you will have to submit1 stranger4 ,yusuf was searched1 but as neither arms nor tools were found upon him1 he was allowed to have audience with the captain4 ,ah6 said ,asru1 recognizing him at once4 ,what seeks ,yusuf1 a ,christian1 of a follower of ,mohammed the prophet8 ,i seek but the deliverance of two harmless1 inoffensive friends1 he replied4 ,a bold request1 truly1 said the other4 ,yet have ,i not forgotten my debt of gratitude to you4 ,i have not forgotten that it was ,yusuf who nursed me through the foul disease whose marks ,i yet bear1 when all others fled2 and he passed his hand over his pock-marked face4 ,of that speak not1 returned ,yusuf1 with a gesture of impatience4 ',twas but the service which any man with a heart may render to a needy brother4 ,however1 if you are grateful1 as you say1 you can more than repay the debt1 you can make me indebted to you1 by telling me aught of ,amzi1 the benevolent ,meccan1 whose hand would not take the life of a worm were he not forced into it4 ,he is here in chains1 said ,asru haughtily1 as every spy who enters a ,moslem camp should be4 ,amzi is no spy6 declared ,yusuf emphatically4 ,his sole object1 then1 was to free that half-witted poet8 asked ,asru1 incredulously4 ,it was none other4 ,he loves him as his own son1 as do ,i4 ,amzi would suffer death willingly1 ,yusuf would suffer death willingly1 would it spare that poor1 confiding innocent6 ,the priest's eyes were flashing1 and his tones bore witness to his earnestness4 ,he did not notice1 nor did ,asru1 a pair of bright eyes that peered at him from the chink of the doorway2 he did not know that a face full of petty1 vindictive spite was partially hidden by the darkness without1 or that two keen ears were listening to every word he said4 ,yusuf1 returned the captain in a low tone1 you are the only man who has ever seemed to me good4 ,your words1 at least1 are ever truth4 ,you wonder1 then1 that ,i follow the prophet8 ,simply because the excitement of war suits me1 and--he shrugged his shoulders with a laugh--it is the best policy to be on the winning side4 ,most of these crazed idiots believe in him1 and fear that he will work enchantments upon them if they do not2 but the doctrine of the sword and of plunder goes farther with a few1 of whom ,asru is one4 ,because ,i believe in you1 ,yusuf1 ,i shall try to carry out your request4 ,but it would cost me my life were it found out1 so it must be seemingly by chance4 ,rest assured that1 bad as ,i am1 cruel as ,i am1 ,i shall see that ,yusuf's friends have some 'accidental' way of escape4 ,so spoke ,asru1 nor knew that a pair of feet were hurrying and shuffling towards the prophet1 while a soldier kept guard at the door4 ,may heaven bless you for this6 cried the priest4 ,so long as ,amzi and ,yusuf breathe you shall not lack an earthly friend4 ,tush6 exclaimed the captain4 ',tis but the wish to make old scores even4 ,you serve me2 ,i serve you4 ,we are even4 ,then ,i shall leave you1 said ,yusuf1 rising with a smile4 ,asru opened the door4 ,hold6 cried a guard4 ,by order of the prophet1 ,asru is my prisoner6 ,wherefore8 cried ,asru1 attempting to seize his dagger4 ,because1 though it is politic to be on the winning side1 it is not always safe to be a traitor and to countermand ,mohammed's orders1 replied the prophet's musical voice1 as the soldiers gave way to permit his advance4 ,asru freed himself and dashed forward1 wielding his dagger right and left1 but it was a rash effort4 ,he was instantly overpowered and bound hand and foot4 ,the priest shared the same fate4 ,the prophet looked down upon the captain4 ,asru1 he said1 you whom ,i deemed a most faithful one1 you who have proved false1 know that death is the meed of a traitor4 ,yet that you may know ,mohammed can show mercy1 ,i give you your life4 ,for the sake of your past services ,i grant it you1 and trust that1 having learned obedience and humility1 you may once again grace our battle-fields nobly4 ,guards1 chain him1 yet see that he is kept in easy confinement and lacks nothing4 ,send me ,uzza4 ,the ,oman ,arab came forward4 ,he was a dark-browed man1 under-sized1 and with one shoulder higher than the other4 ,his eyes were long and narrow1 with a look of extreme cunning about them1 and his mouth was cruel1 his lips being pressed together so tightly that they looked like a long white line4 ,upon you1 ,uzza1 ,o faithful1 as next in command1 ,i confer the honor of the position left vacant by ,asru4 ,do thou carry out its obligations with honor to thyself and to the prophet of ,allah4 ,uzza prostrated himself to the ground4 ,mohammed turned to ,yusuf4 ,whom have we here8 ,what said you in your accusation1 ,abraham8 ,an accomplice of ,asru1 was it8 ,the little peddler1 the silent watcher at the door1 came forward1 hopping along as usual1 but with malignant triumph in his face4 ,this1 ,o prophet1 he said1 making obeisance1 is not only an accomplice of ,asru1 but a sworn enemy of the prophet of ,allah and of all who believe in him4 ,why1 methinks ,i have seen him before1 said ,mohammed1 passing his hand over his brow4 ,is not this the gentle friend of ,amzi8 ,he is the friend of ,amzi1 returned the ,jew1 but even ,amzi lies in chains as a spy among the ,moslems4 ,i had forgotten1 said the prophet4 ,yet what harm hath this gentle ,meccan done8 ,he is ,yusuf1 the ,magian priest1 said the ,jew4 ,and believe1 ,o prophet of ,allah1 the ,magians are your most bitter enemies4 ,uzza started and leaned forward with intense interest4 ,yusuf felt his burning gaze fixed on his face4 ,what proof have you that this is a ,magian priest8 asked the prophet1 wearily4 ,see6 exclaimed the ,jew4 ,he tore back the priest's garment1 and there was the red mark of the torch outlined distinctly against the white skin4 ,ha6 cried ,uzza1 starting forward1 the veins of his forehead swelling with excitement4 ,the very mark6 ,the secret mark of the priests among those who worship fire and the sun6 ,this1 ,o ,mohammed1 is not only a priest1 but a priest who has fed the temple fires1 and as such has been pledged to uphold the ,guebre religion at whatever cost4 ,yusuf said nothing4 ,can you not speak1 ,yusuf8 asked ,mohammed4 ,have you no word to say to all this8 ,it is all true1 ,o ,mohammed1 replied ,yusuf1 quietly4 ,it is true that in my youthful days ,i was a priest at ,guebre altars4 ,now1 ,i am not ,yusuf the ,magian priest1 but ,yusuf the ,christian1 and a humble follower of our ,most ,high ,god and his ,son ,jesus4 ,dare you thus proclaim yourself a ,christian to my very face8 exclaimed ,mohammed4 ,magian or ,christian1 ye are all alike enemies4 ,off with him6 ,do with him as you will1 ,uzza1--yet1 relenting1 ,i commend him to your mercy4 ,he turned abruptly and left the apartment4 ,yusuf was immediately taken and thrown into a close1 dark room4 ,he was still bound hand and foot4 ,the little ,jew entered1 and sat down with his head on one side4 ,illustration3 ,he knows that ,yusuf's hands reek with blood1 said ,uzza4--,see page #eh4 ,now1 proud ,yusuf1 he said1 has come ,abraham's day4 ,once it was ,yusuf's day2 then the poor peddler1 the little dervish1 was scourged and chained1 and well-nigh smothered in that vile ,meccan chamber4 ,now it has come ,abraham's day1 and ,yusuf and ,abraham will be even4 ,how does this suit your angelic constitution8 ,angelic as you are1 you cannot slip through chains and bolted doors so easily as the little ,jew4 ,oh1 ,yusuf1 are you not happy8 ,uzza hates you2 ,i saw it in his face4 ,did you ever know him before8 ,the ,jew's propensity for news was to the fore as usual4 ,yusuf answered nothing4 ,tell me1 said the ,jew1 giving him a shake1 what does ,uzza know of you8 ,he knows1 said a thin1 grating voice from behind1 that ,yusuf's hands reek with the blood of ,uzza's only child1 the fair little ,imri1 murdered in the cause of religion2 and ere ,i could reach him--yes1 priest1 with vengeance in my heart1 for had ,i found you then your blood would have blotted out the stain of my child's on your altar6--the false priest had fled1 forsaken the reeking altar1 left it black in ashes1 black as his own false heart4 ,and then1 that vengeance might be satisfied1 was ,uzza's blade turned against the aged grandmother who had delivered the little one up to ,persian gods4 ,o priest1 your work is past1 but not forgotten6 ,uzza1 cried the priest1 ,i neither ask nor hope for mercy4 ,yet would ,god ,i could restore you your child6 ,its smile and its death gurgle have haunted my dreams through these long years6 ',twas in my heathendom ,i did it6 ,that excuse will not give her back to me1 said ,uzza1 stepping out of the room with the ,jew1 as the warden came with the keys4 ,it was not ,uzza's purpose to bring about ,yusuf's speedy death4 ,as the cat torments the mouse which has fallen into its power1 so he resolved to keep the priest on the rack for a considerable length of time4 ,hearing of the conversation between him and ,asru1 he knew that exquisite torture could be inflicted on the priest through ,dumah1 and determined to strike at him first through the poor singer4 ,dumah's execution was1 accordingly1 ordered4 ,early one morning1 ,amzi1 looking out of a little chink in his window through which the bare court-yard below was visible1 was horrified to see a scene revolting in its every detail1 and over which we shall hasten as speedily as may be4 ,there in the gray morning light stood ,yusuf1 bound and forced to look on at the death of the bright-haired singer1 whose sunny smile had been as a ray of sunshine to the two men4 ,amzi looked on as if turned to stone--heard ,dumah's last cheerful words1 ,do not weep1 ,yusuf2 it will be all flowers1 all angels1 soon4 ,dumah is going home happy1--then1 he fell on his face1 and so lay for hours unconscious of all4 ,reason came slowly back1 and he realized that another of the tragedies only too common in those perilous days had taken place4 ,i am going home happy1 rang in his ears4 ,the cold moonlight crept in1 shining in a dead silver bar on the ceiling4 ,amzi lay looking at it1 until it seemed a path of glory leading1 for ,dumah's feet1 through the window and up to heaven4 ,i am going home happy4 ,was that home ,amzi's home too8 ,ah1 he had never thought of it as his home1 though he remembered the words--,in my ,father's house are many mansions4 ,he imagined he saw ,dumah in one of those bright mansions1 happy in eternal love and sunshine1 while he1 ,amzi1 was without4 ,for the first time in his life ,amzi was concerned deeply about his soul2 and now there was no ,yusuf to answer his questions4 ,ere another day had passed he1 too1 might be called upon to undergo ,dumah's fate4 ,he could not say ,i am going home happy4 ,how1 then1 might this blessed assurance be his8 ,he strove to remember ,yusuf's words1 but they seemed to flit away from his memory4 ,his whole life appeared so listless1 so selfish1 so taken up with gratification of self6 ,at last he seemed a sinner4 ,how could he obtain forgiveness8 ,he turned over in agony1 and the little stone tablet fell against his bosom4 ,with difficulty1 on account of the manacles on his hands1 he drew it forth and traced the words with his finger4 ,for ,god so loved the world1 that he gave his only begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have everlasting life4 ,as when a black cloud passes away from the moon and a flood of brightness fills the whole air below1 so the light burst upon ,amzi4 ,he saw it all now6 ,his talk with ,yusuf on the love of ,god came back to him1 and he shouted aloud with joy3 ,praise the ,lord1 he hath set me free6 ,then for the sake of mercy1 help me to get out of this too1 said a voice from the other side of the partition4 ,it was ,asru4 ,alas1 my friend1 returned ,amzi1 chains are still on my body4 ,it is my soul that soareth upward as an eagle4 ,wherefore8 ,amzi read the verse of ,scripture aloud4 ,i have heard somewhat of that before1 said ,asru4 ,read it again4 ,amzi did so1 and explained it as well as he could4 ,asru listened eagerly4 ,this new creed interested him by its novelty1 especially since he was in forced inaction and had nothing else to think of4 ,but it also appealed to a heart which had some noble traits among many evil ones2 and as ,amzi talked1 sorrow for his sins came upon him4 ,but the promise cannot be given to such as ,i1 he said1 wistfully4 ,a long life of wickedness surely cannot win forgiveness4 ,o friend1 returned ,amzi1 eagerly1 'believe on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and thou shalt be saved4' ,how often did they tell me those words and ,i would not believe1 could not understand6 ,and then ,amzi told the story of the thief on the cross1 as he had read it and talked it over with ,yusuf4 ,his voice thrilled with eagerness1 and1 on the other side of the wall1 ,asru wept tears of repentance4 ,to him too1 the door was opening1 and a great longing for the love of ,christ and for a better life filled his bosom4 ,so they talked until the noise of the awakening ,moslems in the passage without rendered it impossible for them to hear each other4 ,but joy had come to both ,amzi and ,asru within the prison-walls4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,a ,,scene ,,in ,,palestine4 ,i had rather choose to be a pilgrim on earth with ,thee than without ,thee to possess heaven4 ,where ,thou art1 there is heaven3 and where thou art not1 there is death and hell4--,thomas a ,kempis4 ,it was a scene perfect in its calm beauty4 ,a small1 low1 white house1 flat-roofed1 and dazzlingly clean1 nestled at the foot of one of the fairest hills in ,palestine2 and before the door swept the river ,jordan1 plashing with that low1 soft ripple which is music everywhere1 but nowhere more so than in the hot countries of the ,east4 ,a grove of banana and orange-trees sheltered the house1 and the delicate fragrance of the ripening fruit mingled with the perfume of late roses4 ,on the green hills near1 sheep rambled at will1 and an occasional low bleat arose above the busy hum of bees1 giving an air of life to the quiet scene4 ,in the shade of the trees sat ,nathan1 his wife and ,mary4 ,they had been talking of ,manasseh1--poor ,manasseh1 left behind in barren ,arabia6 ,nathan too had wanted to stay with his distressed countrymen1 but failing health had forced him to seek the more genial atmosphere of the ,north2 and1 after a long1 tedious journey1 he at last found himself safe once more in his beloved ,palestine1 poor in worldly goods1 yet serene and hopeful as ever4 ,and fortune was at last smiling on the ,jewish family4 ,nathan's health had come back to him in the clearer1 more bracing air of the ,northern land1 his flocks were increasing1 and the only gloom upon their perfect happiness was the absence of ,manasseh1 from whom they were not likely to hear soon4 ,and yet they gloried in knowing that ,manasseh had chosen to meet tribulation for the sake of his faith1 and that1 wherever he was1 he was helping others and fighting on the side of right4 ,father1 said ,mary1 how grand it is to be able to do something great and noble in the cause6 ,were ,i a man1 ,i would go with ,manasseh to fight for the ,cross4 ,nathan stroked her hair softly4 ,the life of everyone who is consecrated to ,god is directed by him1 he said4 ,to ,manasseh is given the privilege of defending the faith and helping the weak by his strong1 young arm2 to ,mary is given the humble1 loving life in which she may serve ,god just as truly and do just as great a work in faithfully performing her own little part4 ,think you not so1 mother8 ,ah1 yes1 returned the mother1 with her gentle smile4 ,life is like the cloth woven little by little1 until the whole pattern shows in the finished work2 and it matters not whether the pattern be large or small4 ,so the little things of life1 done well for ,christ's sake1 will at last make a noble whole of which none need be ashamed4 ,but mother1 watching the sheep1 grinding the meal1 washing the garments1 seem such very little things4 ,yet all these are very necessary things1 returned the mother quietly1 and if done cheerfully and willingly1 call for an unselfish heart4 ,a gentle1 loving life lived amid little cares and trials is no small thing1 my child4 ,mary kissed her mother4 ,mother1 you always say what comforts one2 you always make me wish to live more patiently and lovingly4 ,and yet1 ,mary1 said her father1 mother's life has been one round of small duties4 ,mary sat thinking for a moment4 ,yes1 father1 she answered slowly1 ,i see now that mother's life has been the very best sermon on duty4 ,i shall try to be patient and happy in simply doing well whatever my hands find to do4 ,but ,i wish ,manasseh were home2 and she looked wistfully to the west1 where bands of color were spreading up the sky1 saffron at the horizon1 blending into gold and tender green above1 while all melted into a sapphire dome streaked and flecked with rosy pink rays and bars4 ,how he would enjoy this glorious sunset6 ,oh1 father1 how dreadful if he were to be killed6--if he were nevermore to sit with us looking at the sunsets6 ,her voice trembled a little as she spoke4 ,we are committing him to the care of ,almighty ,god1 returned ,nathan1 solemnly4 ,god is love1 and whatever he does will be best4 ,you find great comfort1 father1 in believing that 'all things work together for good to them that love ,god1' said ,mary4 ,for the children of ,god1 everything that happens must be best4 ,even persecution and death8 ,even persecution and death1 if ,god so will4 ,mary looked at his placid face for a long time1 then she said3 ,how very peaceful you and mother are6 ,how could we be otherwise1 the father replied1 smiling1 with ,jesus with us each hour1 each moment8 ,and we know that he 'will never leave nor forsake us4' ,i think1 too1 that he is very close to my daughter4 ,mary1 is there anything in this world that could take the place of ,jesus to you8 ,would wealth or honor or any earthly joy make you perfectly happy if you could never pray to ,jesus more1 never feel him near you as an ever-present ,friend1 nevermore have the hope of seeing his face8 ,mary clasped her hands1 and her face glowed4 ,never1 oh1 never6 she cried4 ,i would rather be like poor blind ,bartimeus begging by the wayside1 yet able to call1 ',jesus1 ,son of ,david1 have mercy on me6' ,the sun had now set1 and the sky had faded with that suddenness common in ,eastern lands4 ,nathan arose4 ,let us now offer up prayer for the safety of ,manasseh1 and for the steadfastness of the brethren2 for we know that where two or three are gathered together in ,jesus' name1 there is he in the midst of them4 ,let us pray6 ,the three knelt in the dim chamber1 with silence about and the evening stars above1 and prayed for the lad who1 amid very different scenes1 was in the heart of the strange revolution4 ,and then they sang the words of that sublime psalm1 than which no grander poem was ever written3 ,i will lift up mine eyes unto the hills1 from whence cometh my help4 ,my help cometh from the ,lord1 which made heaven and earth4 ,he will not suffer thy foot to be moved2 he that keepeth thee will not slumber4 ,behold1 he that keepeth ,israel shall neither slumber nor sleep4 ,the ,lord is thy keeper2 the ,lord is thy shade upon thy right hand4 ,the sun shall not smite thee by day1 nor the moon by night4 ,the ,lord shall preserve thee from all evil2 he shall preserve thy soul4 ,the ,lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth1 and even for evermore4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,the ,,battle ,,of ,,ohod4 ,dost thou not know the fate of soldiers8 ,they're but ,ambition's tools1 to cut a way ,to her unlawful ends4 --,southern4 ,while these events had been taking place in the ,north1 ,henda had given ,abu ,sofian little peace1 urging him every day to pay the dues of blood-revenge for her relatives1 and taunting him with cowardice in his long delay4 ,at length1 in the third year of the ,hegira he gathered a considerable army1 and with three thousand men of the ,koreish tribe1 among whom were two hundred horsemen1 left ,mecca1 accompanied by ,henda and fifteen of the matrons of ,mecca bearing timbrels and singing war-like chants4 ,the whole army advanced with the intention of besieging ,medina1 but ,mohammed's men entreated him to let them encounter ,abu ,sofian outside of the city1 and he yielded to their entreaties4 ,with only one thousand men1#aj fifty of whom were chosen archers1 the prophet took up his stand on a declivity of ,mount ,ohod1 about six miles north of the city4 ,there1 on its black and barren slope1 he divided his army into four parts1 three of which bore sacred banners1 while the great standard was placed before ,mohammed himself4 ,in order to imbue his men with courage1 he came out in full view of the whole army1 and1 in a loud voice that penetrated even the farthest ranks1 gave promise of victory4 ,then1 for the sake of those who should be killed in battle1 he expatiated upon the delights of that ,paradise which surely awaited all who should be slain in the cause1 representing it such a paradise as would be peculiarly adapted to the tastes and stimulating to the imagination of the ,arabs--a race accustomed to arid wastes1 burning sands1 and glaring skies2 a paradise of green fields and flowery gardens cooled by innumerable rivers and sparkling fountains1 which glittered from between shaded bowers inter-woven with perfumed flowers4 ,he gave them promise of streams literally flowing with milk and clearest honey2 of trees bending with fruit which should be handed down by houris of wondrous beauty2 he told them of treasures of gold1 silver1 and jewels4 ,they shall dwell in gardens of delight1 reposing on couches adorned with gold and precious stones4444 ,upon them shall be garments of fine green silk and brocades1 and they shall be adorned with bracelets of silver1 and they shall drink of a most pure liquor--a cup of wine mixed with the water of ,zenjebil1 a fountain in ,paradise named ,salsabil4 ,such was the sensual character of the paradise promised to his followers by ,mohammed4 ,the soldiers were listening eagerly to the words when the army of ,abu ,sofian was seen1 advancing in the form of a crescent1 with ,abu ,sofian and his idols in the center1 and ,henda and her women in the rear1 sounding their timbrels1 and singing loud war-chants4 ,the horsemen of the left wing of the ,koreish now advanced to attack the ,moslems in the flank1 but the archers fired upon them from the top of some steep rocks1 and they retired in confusion4 ,hamza1 a ,moslem leader1 then shouted the ,moslem cry1 ,death6 ,death6 and rushed down the hill upon the center4 ,the crash and roar of battle began4 ,high in air gleamed spear and lance2 horses shrieked and reared1 and tossed their long manes2 dark1 contorted visages and shining teeth shone out from clouds of dust2 sashes floated on the air1 and sabres flashed in the sunlight2 all was mad confusion4 ,in the melee two young men met hand to hand4 ,both were tall and slight1 and had dark1 waving hair4 ,so like were they that a warrior near them called out1 ,behold1 doth ,manasseh fight with ,manasseh6 ,but the youths heard not1 recked not4 ,their blows fell thick and fast1 until at last the ,moslem gave way1 and fell1 wounded and bleeding1 in the dust by the side of ,hamza1 who lay stiffening in death4 ,then arose the shout1 ,the sword of ,god and his prophet6 and ,abu ,dudjana1 armed with the prophet's own sword1 waved it above his head and dashed into the thick of the battle4 ,mosaab1 the standard-bearer1 followed close and planted the standard at the top of a knoll4 ,an arrow struck him in the eye4 ,he fell1 and the cry arose that the prophet himself had fallen4 ,ali seized the standard and floated it aloft on the air2 but the ,moslems1 seized with confusion1 would not rally1 and withdrew to the hill-top4 ,the ,koreish1 thinking ,mohammed killed1 forbore to follow them1 and began the revolting work of plundering the dead4 ,henda and her companions savagely assisted in the gruesome task2 and1 coming upon ,hamza1 the fierce woman mutilated his dead body4 ,by him she found the handsome youth1 whom she believed to be ,manasseh1 so torn and covered with blood as to conceal his ,moslem adornments4 ,to ,manasseh she had taken a strange fancy1 and she now ordered the youth to be conveyed in safety to the camp1 with the army which was forming in line of march4 ,the band of ,jews who had come with the forces of ,abu ,sofian1 mainly for the purpose of delivering those of their afflicted brethren who had refused to join ,mohammed1 and of whom many were imprisoned in ,medina1 now joined with a band of the ,koreish1 who desired the freedom of some of their tribe1 and1 while the excitement of battle was still fresh1 the party entered the city by stealth1 then1 dashing furiously down the street to the guard-house1 overpowered the guards and battered open the doors1 setting many of the prisoners free4 ,among these were ,amzi1 ,asru1 and ,yusuf4 ,it was ,manasseh himself who broke in the door of the apartment in which ,yusuf was confined4 ,an exclamation of pleasure burst from him on recognizing the priest1 and he threw his arms about his neck4 ,yusuf6 ,my dear ,yusuf6 he cried4 ,my boy6 exclaimed the priest1 in astonishment4 ,what means this8 ,it means that you are free1 said the youth as he knocked off the chains4 ,haste6 ,we must on to the camp ere the ,moslems return4 ,anything more than this ,i will tell you on the way4 ,once again ,yusuf stepped out into the pure air1 along with many others who bore part of their chains in the broken links that still clanked upon their wrists and ankles4 ,in passing through the court-yard1 the priest noticed some one crouched in a pitiable heap in a corner of the yard4 ,manasseh hauled him out4 ,it was the peddler1 with ashen face and eyes rolling with fear4 ,come along1 my man6 laughed ,manasseh4 ,like the worm in a pomegranate1 you are apt to do harm if left to yourself4 ,abraham writhed and begged for mercy4 ,come along6 said ,manasseh1 impatiently4 ,i shall not hurt you2 ,i shall merely look after you for awhile4 ,thus consoled1 the peddler hopped on with alacrity4 ,a hasty mount was made and the party set out for the camp of ,abu ,sofian4 ,yusuf then had a chance to ask the question burning at his heart4 ,how comes it1 ,manasseh1 that you again fight against the prophet8 ,when last ,i saw you1 you wore the green of the ,moslem4 ,i6 said the youth in astonishment4 ,you jest1 ,yusuf6 ,it was surely you who met me on the field of ,bedr4 ,yusuf1 are you mad8 ,it was never ,i4 ,then who can it have been8 ,it was your very face4 ,for once1 ,yusuf1 your eyes have played you false4 ,how could you have believed such a thing of ,manasseh8 ,a strange resemblance6 mused ,yusuf2 then--,whom see ,i before me yonder8 ,manasseh's eyes do not play him false1 and he declares it to be ,amzi1 said the youth4 ,they hastened up the narrow street1 now crowded with soldiers1 prisoners1 camels1 and horses2 and1 escaping the missiles thrown by infuriated ,moslem women from the housetops1 soon overtook ,amzi and ,asru4 ,all proceeded at once to the camp of ,abu ,sofian4 ,some large tents were set apart for the wounded ,koreish1 and here ,yusuf and ,amzi found speedy occupation in binding wounds1 and giving drinks of water to the parched soldiers4 ,manasseh entered with them4 ,what means this8 cried ,henda4 ,did ,i not have you conveyed1 soaked with blood1 among the wounded of the ,koreish8 ,i have not been wounded to-day1 returned ,manasseh4 ,read me this riddle1 ,henda4 ,there must be a second self-- ,here1 ,manasseh6 interrupted ,yusuf from one side4 ,had you a twin brother1 this must be he4 ,yusuf was bending over a youth whose dark eyes spoke of suffering1 and who lay listlessly permitting the priest to bathe his blood-covered brow4 ,his eyes were fixed on ,manasseh1 who was quickly coming forward1 and those near wondered at the striking resemblance1 more marked than is often found between brothers4 ,who are you1 friend8 asked ,manasseh1 curiously4 ,kedar the ,bedouin6 returned the youth1 proudly4 ,though how ,i came into a ,koreish camp1 is more than ,i can explain4 ,for that you may thank your resemblance to me1 laughed ,manasseh4 ,you are weak1 ,kedar1 my proud ,bedouin1 and we will ask you to talk but little2 yet1 ,i pray you1 tell me1 who was your father8 ,musa1 the ,bedouin ,sheikh1--haughtily4 ,and your mother was ,lois1 daughter of ,eleazar8 ,even so1 returned the other1 wonderingly4 ,my cousin6 exclaimed ,manasseh1 delightedly seizing his hand4 ,and son of my ,bedouin friend1 ,musa6 exclaimed ,yusuf4 ,so the ,bedouin youth1 the rash1 hot-headed ,moslem recruit1 found himself among friends in a ,koreish camp4 ,night had now fallen1 and under cover of darkness1 ,mohammed's army silently returned to ,medina4 ,there were those who censured the prophet for his conduct at this battle2 and some even dared to charge him with deception in promising them victory4 ,but ,mohammed told them that defeat was due to their sins3 ,verily1 they among you who turned their backs on the day whereon the two armies met at ,ohod1 ,satan caused them to slip for some crime which they had committed4 ,to quiet those who lamented for their slain friends1 he brought forth the doctrine that the time of every man's death is fixed by divine decree1 and that he must meet it at that time1 wherever he be4 ,in the morning the majority of ,abu ,sofian's forces set out for ,mecca4 ,among them were ,yusuf and ,amzi1 also ,asru the captain2 and it was with no small sense of comfort that the half-starved prisoners sat again about ,amzi's well-stocked board4 ,manasseh was with them4 ,kedar1 scorning to desert the ,moslem army1 had refused to leave ,medina1 and1 by the earnest intercession of ,yusuf and ,amzi1 whose word was of some import in ,meccan ears1 he had been given his freedom4 ,it was with deep relief that all felt the short respite from the blare of battle2 and1 though they looked forward to the future with anxious forebodings1 and though their joy was clouded by the death of ,dumah1 they were thankful for present blessings4 ,not alone prayer1 but praise1 was an essential part of their religion1 and their voices ascended in song1-- ,i will bless the ,lord at all times2 his praise shall continually be in thy mouth4 ,my soul shall make her boast in the ,lord2 the humble shall hear thereof1 and be glad4 ,o magnify the ,lord with me1 and let us exalt his name together4 ,i sought the ,lord1 and he heard me1 and delivered me from all my fears4 ,they looked unto him1 and were lightened2 and their faces were not ashamed4 ,this poor man cried1 and the ,lord heard him1 and saved him out of all his troubles4 ,the angel of the ,lord encampeth round about them that fear him1 and delivereth them4 ,o taste and see that the ,lord is good2 blessed is the man that trusteth in him4 ,o fear the ,lord1 ye his saints2 for there is no want to them that fear him4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,the ,,battle ,,of ,,the ,,ditch4 ,blood6 blood6 ,the leaves above me and around me ,are red with blood4 ,in the year which followed1 ,mohammed's forces were more than once directed against ,syrian caravans1 and the plunder divided among the ,moslem troops after one-fifth had been appropriated by the prophet2 but otherwise the truce was unbroken1 until at the end of the year1 the ,koreish1 uniting with neighboring tribes1 many of whom were ,jews1 formed the plan of a grand attack which was to free ,el ,hejaz forever from the power of the ,islam despot4 ,from the ,caaba the call was given to all who could be appealed to through religion1 through the interests of commerce1 or through desire for blood-revenge in consequence of the battles of ,bedr and ,ohod4 ,to the more earnest ,jews the undertaking took the form of a vast religious war1 undertaken against the hosts of ,satan for the deliverance of a land in bondage2 to the ,meccan merchants it assumed the guise of a commercial transaction which would again restore the trade so long ruined by ,mohammed's hostile measures2 to the ,koreish and the desert tribes it seemed the grand opportunity of clearing the honor stained by the unrevenged death of their friends4 ,accordingly a host of volunteers to the number of one hundred thousand offered themselves1 and the vast array set out4 ,among the volunteers were ,yusuf1 ,amzi1 ,asru1 and the valiant ,manasseh1 all of whom deemed the necessity of the hour a sufficient reason for entering upon a course foreign to the laws of peace which they would fain have seen established4 ,a mighty host it seemed in a land whose battles had chiefly been confined to skirmishes between different tribes4 ,as it wound its way down the narrow valley1 the women of ,mecca stood upon the housetops1 listening to the trampling1 and beseeching their household gods to bless the enterprise4 ,long ere they reached ,medina the prophet had received word of their advance1 and had had a ditch or entrenchment dug about the city as a sort of fortification4 ,abu ,sofian ordered his tents to be pitched below on the plain1 and1 this done1 he at once laid siege to the city4 ,but his bad generalship ruined the undertaking4 ,for a month he kept his men wholly inactive1 and during that time ,mohammed busied himself in sending emissaries in the midst of ,abu ,sofian's men for the purpose of sowing disaffection among them2 and so completely was this done that the besieging force became hollow and rotten to its core4 ,tribe after tribe left4 ,the few faithful besought their leader to permit them to attack the city1 and when at last the order was given1 but a feeble remnant of the original host remained4 ,notwithstanding this1 the command ,forward6 was hailed with tumultuous joy1 and the besiegers pressed forward in irregular yet serried masses4 ,scarcely had the attack begun when a terrific storm arose4 ,it was in the winter season1 and a sudden hurricane of cold winds came shrieking through the gaps of the mountains to the north4 ,amzi1 having1 as an influential ,meccan1 been appointed to the command of a division1 charged boldly forward in the teeth of the tempest1 waving his sword above his head and cheering his men on with his hopeful voice4 ,yusuf1 ,asru and ,manasseh pressed forward close behind him4 ,a cloud of arrows met them1 yet they poured impetuously on4 ,and now the bank was climbed and the conflict became almost hand-to-hand4 ,the priest's tall form rendered him conspicuous in the fray4 ,some one came hacking and hewing his way towards him4 ,it was the agile ,uzza4 ,the priest was beset on all sides and was defending himself against fearful odds1 when the face of ,uzza1 fiend-like in its hate1 burst upon him as a new opponent4 ,he raised his weapon for a blow1 but the vision of a ,guebre altar upon which a little1 bleeding child lay1 rose before him1 and his arm fell4 ,uzza perceived his advantage4 ,with a howl of triumph he cried1 ,false priest1 you shall not escape me this time6 and made a fierce stroke with his scimitar4 ,but the blow was parried4 ,simpleton6 ,would you let him kill you8 cried a harsh voice close by the priest4 ,and the next moment ,uzza fell with a death-groan at the feet of ,asru4 ,and now the storm struck with full fury1 howling among the houses of ,medina1 whistling shrilly on the upper air1 and bending the palm trees low along its furious path4 ,thatches were torn from the roofs and carried whirling through the air2 clouds of dust were blown high along the streets1 and black1 ragged clouds scurried across the sky as if urged on by demon-force4 ,horses neighed loudly4 ,many of them became unmanageable1 and dashed1 with terrified eyes and distended nostrils1 through the midst of the flying soldiery4 ,the tents of ,abu ,sofian were torn from their pegs and hurled away4 ,then the rain descended in sheets1 or1 whirled round by the wind1 swirled along in columns with almost the force of a water-spout4 ,suddenly a cry was raised3 ,it is ,mohammed6 ,the prophet has raised the storm by enchantment6 ,the cry echoed from mouth to mouth above the roar of the tempest4 ,the superstitious ,arabs were seized with terror and fled precipitately1 believing themselves surrounded by legions of invisible spirits4 ,amzi and his little band stayed until the last2 then1 deserted by all and blinded by the descending torrents1 they1 too1 were obliged to withdraw1 and another victory1 that of the ,battle of the ,ditch1 had fallen to the prophet4 ,this was the last expedition undertaken by the ,koreish against their victorious enemy4 ,mohammed1 of course1 attributed his great conquest to divine agency4 ,in a passage from the ,koran he declared3 ,o true believers1 remember the favor of ,god toward you1 when armies of infidels came against you1 and we sent against them a wind and hosts of angels which ye saw not4 ,the heart sickens in following further ,mohammed's willful career of blood4 ,during the following five years he is said to have commanded twenty-seven expeditions and fought nine pitched battles4 ,against the ,christian ,jews in particular the bitterest expressions of his hate were directed2 and to his dying day this incomprehensible man1 from whose lips proceeded words of mercy and of deadliest rancor1 words of love and of hate1 words of purity and of gross sensuality--this strange man persecuted them to the last1 nor ever ceased to direct his arms against all who followed that gentle ,jesus of ,nazareth of whose power this blood-marked1 self-proclaimed prophet of ,allah was envious4 ,his followers1 dazzled by the glare of his brilliant victories or solicitous for self-preservation1 constantly swelled in numbers1 but there were a few who1 like ,kedar1 had heard of the peaceableness of the religion of ,jesus ,christ1 and who began to sicken of the flow of blood which deluged the sands of ,el ,hejaz1 and ran even into the ,nejd1 the borders of ,syria1 and of ,arabia-,felix4 ,kedar often longed for the friendly touch1 the hearty1 kindly words1 of the friends whom he had met and parted from as in a dream4 ,he had soon refused to believe in ,mohammed's divine appointment4 ,even this ,bedouin youth had enough penetration to see that religion must stand upon its results1 and that the private life of ,mohammed would not stand the test of inspection4 ,fain would he have left his ranks many and many a time4 ,the brand of coward he knew could not be attached to him for leaving victorious ranks to ally himself with the few and feeble ,jews1 yet there was something in the idea of turning his coat which he did not like4 ,he imagined in a vague way that such a proceeding would compromise his principles of honor1 and he had not reached the wisdom of that great educator1 ,comenius1 who1 not long ere his death1 wrote a treatise upon the art of wisely withdrawing one's own assertions4 ,so he fought doggedly on1 until circumstances again threw him into the bosom of his friends4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,the ,,family ,,of ,,asru4 ,god's in his heaven1 all's right with the world4 ,on the evening upon which the ,battle of the ,ditch was fought1 the wife of ,asru1 and his daughter1 ,sherah1 now almost grown to womanhood1 were returning from performing ,tawaf at the temple4 ,they had prayed for the success of the ,koreish expedition2 they had drank of the well of ,ismael1 ,zem-,zem1 and had poured its water on their heads4 ,now they were hastening home to offer prayers to their household gods in the same cause1 for1 during ,asru's apostasy to the ,moslem ranks1 his wife1 a woman of the ,koreish1 and her family had never swerved from their hostility to ,mohammed and all connected with him4 ,for their obstinacy in this1 they had been cruelly abused by ,asru1 who1 with the superiority which most men in the ,east assume over women1 ruled as a tyrant in his house4 ,it was with unspeakable satisfaction that ,sherah and her mother found that ,asru had at last broken all connection with the prophet1 but a change had come into his manner which was to them most unaccountable4 ,instead of cruelty now was kindness2 instead of stormy petulance1 now was patience2 and yet1 ,asru had not mentioned the cause of his new life4 ,a sort of backwardness on the subject1 a desire to know more of it before communicating with others1 strove with him against the dictates of his conscience1 and he had as yet been dumb4 ,he had not concealed his connection with the little band of ,jewish ,christians4 ,in spite of the jeers of his friends among the ,koreish1 he had attended their meetings regularly4 ,that had been the extent of his active ,christian work2 yet his life had been preaching while his lips were still4 ,sherah and her mother talked of him as they walked4 ,mother1 however it be1 father was never kind until he went to the ,jewish meetings4 ,true4 ,yet many of these same ,jews are wicked1 thieves1 low robbers1 not fit for such as ,asru to mingle with1 said the mother haughtily4 ,yet not the ,jews who attend the church1 returned the girl1 quickly4 ,i know them4 ,most of them are poor1 but not thieves2 they seem quiet1 industrious people4 ,then1 ,amzi attends there now1 you know1 and ,yusuf1 who1 when the plague was raging1 spent weeks in attending the sick4 ,did he not come to father and sit with him night after night1 when1 mother--,i shame to say it--both you and ,i fled6 ,the mother walked in silence for a moment4 ,there must be some strange power that urges a man to do such acts1 she said1 musingly4 ,it would be easier far to go out to battle1 urged on by the enthusiasm of conquest1 and cheered by the music and clash of timbrels to deeds of bravery4 ,it takes a different spirit to enter the houses of filthy disease1 to court death in reeking lazar-houses1 to sit for weeks watching hideous faces and listening to the ravings of madmen through the long1 hot nights of the plague-season4 ,mother1 ,i am convinced that their religion prompts them to do it4 ,what else can it be8 ,what is their religion8 ,i know not2 yet we may know for the going1 perhaps4 ,see1 the lights gleam in their little hall4 ,they hold meeting to-night4 ,let us go4 ,what6 ,and let the proud tribe of the ,koreish1 the guardians of the ,caaba1 see a woman of the ,koreish enter there8 ,we can go in long cloaks1 mother1 and it is well-nigh dark4 ,come1 will you not8 ,the pleading voice was so earnest that the mother consented4 ,yet1 that the influence of the gods in the result of the battle might not be lost1 they first entered their own house1 prostrated themselves before the gods1 and besought their aid in the ,koreish cause4 ,then1 donning long outer cloaks1 and veiling their faces closely1 the two slipped out of a back way and stealthily hastened towards the ,jewish church4 ,it was late when they arrived4 ,neither ,yusuf nor ,amzi was present to raise the hearts of their hearers with words of simple and earnest piety1 no voice of ,manasseh was there to lead in the songs of praise1 but an old man with snowy hair and a saint-like face was standing behind a table1 a volume of the ,scriptures before him1 and the voices of the congregation1 some twenty in number1 arose in the old1 yet ever new words3 ,the ,lord is my shepherd1 ,i shall not want4 ,he maketh me to lie down in green pastures2 he leadeth me beside the still waters4 ,he restoreth my soul3 he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake4 ,yea1 though ,i walk through the valley of the shadow of death1 ,i will fear no evil1 for thou art with me2 thy rod and thy staff they comfort me4 ,the ,koreish woman listened4 ,she could not understand all this4 ,yet it was beautiful1--green pastures1 still waters4 ,could it be that these people knew of an ,elysian spot1 unknown to ,meccans--that their ,god led them to such favored retreats8 ,she could restrain her impatience no longer4 ,where are the green pastures and still waters8 she cried1 impetuously1 that ,i too may go to them6 ,the old man smiled with serene kindness4 ,daughter1 he said1 the green pastures and still waters are the pleasant places of the soul4 ,hast thou never known what it was to have doubts and fears1 restlessness and dissatisfaction in the present1 uncertainty for the future1 a feeling that there is little in life1 and a great gulf in death8 ,i have felt so almost every day1 she replied1 passionately4 ,hast thou not found comfort in thy gods8 he asked1 gently4 ,alas1 ,i fear to say that ,i have not6 she exclaimed4 ,and why fearest thou thus8 he said4 ,ah1 knowest thou not that the gods are gods of vengeance8 she replied in an awed whisper4 ,i know naught of your gods1 he returned4 ,our ,god is a ,god of love4 ,he gives us the certainty of his presence ever with us in this life1 his companionship in death1 and the privilege of looking upon his face and being 'forever with the ,lord' in the world to come4 ,and are you not afraid of death8 she asked4 ,to me it seems a dreadful thing4 ,it makes me shudder to think that ,i too must one day suffer the struggle for breath1 and then lie still and cold4 ,to those who love the ,lord 'to die is gain1' he said4 ,have we not sung ',yea1 though ,i walk through the valley of the shadow of death1 ,i will fear no evil1 for ,thou art with me'8 ,surely one who believes that1 and knows that he is going to be always with the ,lord1 always able to look on his face1 need not fear death4 ,it is a beautiful thought1 the woman said1 bowing her head on her hands4 ,yet not more beautiful than the thought that the ,holy ,spirit is ever with us2 that ,jesus himself is our brother1 and understands all our little troubles2 that he has promised to help us in overcoming all evil4 ',for every one that asketh receiveth1 and he that seeketh findeth1 and to him that knocketh it shall be opened4' ',if a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father1 will he give him a stone8 ,if he ask a fish1 will he for a fish give him a serpent8 ,or if he shall ask an egg1 will he offer him a scorpion8 ,if ye1 then1 being evil1 know how to give good gifts to your children1 how much more shall your heavenly ,father give the ,holy ,spirit to them that ask him4' ,daughter1 these are the very words of ,jesus4 ,do they not show you the way to the still waters and green pastures8 ,do you not see that the love of our ,god acts upon the heart as gentle showers upon the barren land1 causing it to rejoice and bring forth fruit worthy of being presented to our ,lord and ,master8 ',he hath loved us with an everlasting love4' ,he loves us ever1 therefore in our returning this love to him doth the 'peace of ,god that passeth all understanding' lay hold upon our hearts4 ,but ye are ,jews6 she said4 ,such promises are not for the ,koreish4 ,such promises are for all1 was the confident reply4 ,jesus said whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have everlasting life4 ,none so sinful that ,jesus cannot wash out the stain2 none are excluded from his mercy4 ,daughter1 believe1 receive4 ,let the love of ,god enter thine heart1 and repent best by doing thine evil deeds no more4 ,only come to ,jesus himself4 ,only have faith in him4 ,the ,koreish woman hid her face in her hands again1 and answered nothing4 ,the old man turned to the ,scriptures and read the story of ,jesus and the woman of ,samaria1 raising his voice in triumphant fervor as he reached the words3 ,whosoever drinketh of the water that ,i shall give him shall never thirst2 but the water that ,i shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life4 ,then he turned to the words spoken by ,jesus to his disciples just before his betrayal1 and read3 ,peace ,i leave with you2 my peace ,i give unto you4 ,let not your heart be troubled1 and1 ,abide in me1 and ,i in you4 ,as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine1 no more can ye except ye abide in me4 ,i am the vine1 ye are the branches2 he that abideth in me1 and ,i in him1 the same bringeth forth much fruit2 for without me ye can do nothing4 ,the woman listened4 ,with the quick appreciation of the ,arab for metaphor and simile1 she grasped the meaning of the words1 and a new1 wonderful train of thought came into her mind as she sat with bowed head while simple1 pleading1 heart-offered prayer was sent up to the ,throne of ,grace1 and the parting hymn was sung4 ,then the little band gathered around her1 speaking words of cheer1 and the aged leader dismissed her with a gentle1 ,come again1 daughter4 ,as ,sherah and her mother walked home1 the last remnant of the fearful storm that had visited ,medina passed over ,mecca4 ,they saw the ragged clouds borne wildly over the northern hills2 they saw the stunted aloes bending low beneath the sweep of the wind4 ,yet to them there was a grandeur in it1 for there was still upon them the influence of the ,divine presence1 and they thought of ,him who walketh upon the wings of the wind4 ,and as they went on1 bowing their heads before its spent fury1 ,asru1 ,amzi1 and ,yusuf1 far to the northward1 struggled on with the fugitive army1 wondering at the continued triumph of the false prophet1 yet serene in the confidence that in the ,divine ,hands all was well1 and that in the far-distant end1 however blurred to human vision1 all must work for good to those who love ,god1 even though the reason of his working1 the seeming mystery of the fortunes of the great conflict1 might not be unravelled until in the bright hereafter1 when all things will at last be made plain4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,manasseh ,,and ,,asru ,,at ,,khaibar4 ,spirit of purity and grace1 ,our weakness1 pitying1 see6 ,o make our hearts thy dwelling-place1 ,and worthier ,thee4 ,the ,koreish1 after their disastrous defeat at the ,battle of the ,ditch1 returned in bitter disappointment to ,mecca4 ,many even of the bravest of the tribe felt that it was hopeless to strive against the prophet1 whose phenomenal success seemed to render his troops invincible4 ,many1 too1 with the superstition at all times common to the ,arabs1 were in deadly dread of his enchantments1 and were only too ready to listen to his bold assertions that the momentous storm at the siege of ,medina had been caused in his favor by heavenly agency2 that a great host of angels had been in invisible co-operation with the ,moslems and had drawn their legions about the ill-fated company1 crying1 ,god is great6 and striking panic to the hearts of the besiegers4 ,because of these superstitions the hearts of the ,arabs failed them1 and they day after day lessened in their hostility1 and increased in their spirit of submission to the now famous prophet of ,el ,islam4 ,the ,jews1 however1 held out to the last1 and against them the reeking blades of ,mohammed's army were turned4 ,the ,jewish tribes of the ,koraidha1 ,kainoka1 and the ,nadhirites1 in the vicinity of ,medina1 were speedily overthrown1 and their goods taken possession of by the ,moslems4 ,then1 before the blood cooled on the scimitars1 these conquests were followed by the dastardly assassination of the few ,jews who were still in ,medina1 and1 being possessed of considerable property1 were a tempting bait to the avaricious prophet1 who now1 making religion a cloak to cover his greed and ambition1 went to the wildest excesses in attaining his objects4 ,many of the ,jews1 escaping dearly with their lives1 fled to the city of ,khaibar1 five days' journey to the northeast of ,medina1 a city inhabited by ,jews1 who1 living in the midst of a luxuriant farming district1 had grown rich in the peaceful arts of agriculture and commerce4 ,others hastened thither in the hope that ,khaibar might become the nucleus of a successful resistance of ,mohammed's power in the near future2 and among the latter class was ,manasseh4 ,late one afternoon he arrived in the rich pasture-lands surrounding the city4 ,the air of peace and prosperity1 the lowing of herds and bleating of sheep1 delighted him2 and1 though weary from his journey1 it was with a light heart that he urged his flagging horse between the long groves of palm-trees until the city came in sight4 ,his martial spirit glowed as he noted the heavy out-works1 and the strength of the citadel ,al ,kamus1 which1 built on a high rock1 and towering ragged and black against the orange sky of the setting sun1 seemed to the young soldier almost impregnable4 ,he was welcomed at the gates as another recruit to the gathering forces1 and1 on his request1 was at once directed to the house of the chief1 ,kenana ,ibn al ,rabi1 a man reputed to be exceedingly wealthy4 ,here he was courteously received by ,kenana and his wife ,safiya2 and1 in a long conference1 he informed the chief of the numbers and zeal of ,mohammed's army1 urging upon him the immediate strengthening of the city1 as it was highly probable that the prophet would not long desist from making an attempt upon a tid-bit so tempting as that which ,khaibar presented4 ,that evening an informal council of war was held in the court-yard of the chief's house4 ,al ,hareth1 a brother of ,asru1 a man who1 although an ,arab1 had been appointed to high office1 and had proved himself one of the most distinguished commanders of the ,jewish colony1 was present2 and1 among others1 ,asru himself entered4 ,asru6 exclaimed ,manasseh1 delightedly1 hurrying him aside to an arbor1 you here6 ,i thought ,i had become separated from you all in that ill-fated storm4 ,where are ,amzi and ,yusuf1 know you8 ,gone to ,mecca with ,abu ,sofian's remnant of an army--as miserable and hang-head lot of fugitives as ever disgraced field6 said ,asru contemptuously4 ,by my faith1 it shamed me to see our brave friends in their company1 even for the journey6 ,why did they go to ,mecca8 ,because they were firmly convinced that ,mecca will be the next point of attack1 said ,asru1 but methinks they shall find themselves mistaken4 ,mohammed will keep ,mecca as a sort of sacred spot1 dedicated to his worship--and the worship of ,allah6 with infinite scorn4 ,but ,khaibar is a pomegranate of the highest branches1 too mellow1 too luscious1 too tempting1 to elude his grasp4 ,yes1 ,manasseh1 ,khaibar will be his next point of attack4 ,however1 ,i am truly glad that ,yusuf and ,amzi have gone home4 ,the ,jews and ,christians in ,mecca will be safe enough for some time to come1 and our friends are getting too old to endure much fatigue of battle4 ,aye1 ,asru1 you and ,i are better fitted to face the brunt of the charge and the weariness of the march4 ,the work of ,yusuf and ,amzi should be milder1 though not less glorious1 than ours4 ,you say well1 returned the other1 with kindling eye4 ,asru1 for one1 can never forget what they have done for him4 ,asru1 are all the stories of the wickedness of your past life--your cruelty1 your treachery1 your blasphemy--true8 ,manasseh1 let my past life go into the tomb of oblivion if you will4 ',tis a sorry page for ,asru to look upon4 ,the cruelty1 the blasphemy1--aye1 boy1 ,i was full of it2 but treacherous1 never6 ,whatever ,asru was1 and no devil was blacker than he in many ways1 he was never guilty of perfidy1 except you call the trying to free ,amzi and poor ,dumah perfidy4 ,i am glad1 returned ,manasseh1 quietly2 yet it would not matter now1 since our ,asru is a changed man4 ,asru looked at the youth earnestly4 ,manasseh1 he said1 does the old nature never come back upon you8 ,or have you never known what it was to feel wrong impulses8 ,wrong impulses6 exclaimed the other4 ,yes1 ,asru1 many and many a time4 ,yet1 when one does not even look at the evil1 but keeps his face turned steadfastly towards the right1 the old self seems to lose its hold4 ,in drawing near to ,god we draw away from evil4 ,your words1 ,i know1 are true1 returned the other2 yet the keeping from doing wrong seems to me the hardest thing in living a ,christian life4 ,but1 ,asru1 said ,manasseh1 perhaps you are not loving enough4 ,the more you love ,jesus1 and the more you feel him in your life1 the easier it will be to turn from temptation--to hate the thing that inspires it4 ,if you really love him you simply cannot do what will pain him4 ,but the temptation to act hastily1 to speak unkindly1 comes upon me so often1 ,manasseh1 that ,i grow discouraged4 ,the only safety is in always looking ,above for help4 ,believe me1 ,asru1 ,i speak from experience4 ,temptation in itself is not sin2 the yielding to it is4 ,little by little the temptations bother us less1 and we grow in grace4 ,you know this is expected of us4 ,paul speaks of 'perfecting holiness in the fear of the ,lord4' ,he says1 too1 ',the weapons of our warfare are not carnal1 but mighty through ,god to the pulling down of strongholds4' ,he said1 also1 to the ,philippians1 ',it is ,god that worketh in you1 both to will and to do of his good pleasure1' and the ,lord himself has said1 ',my grace is sufficient for you1 for my strength is made perfect in weakness4' ,so1 ,asru1 my friend1 the whole secret is in accepting that gift1 in knowing him1 and in keeping the soul in a constant state of openness for the working of the ,holy ,spirit--a 'pray-without-ceasing' attitude in which one's whole life is resolved into the prayer3 ',thy will1 not mine1 be done4' ,asru regarded ,manasseh curiously4 ,how is it1 young as you are1 he said1 that these things are so plain to you8 ,ah1 you forget1 said ,manasseh1 what a blessed home training ,i have had1 and that from my childhood ,i have had ,yusuf for my counsellor4 ,for these ,christian friends of my childhood1 ,i never cease to be thankful4 ,asru turned his face away4 ,and ,i1 too1 have children1 ,manasseh1 he said in a low voice1 children who1 with their mother1 are little better than idolaters1 and ,i have never told them differently4 ,but you will teach them8 returned ,manasseh4 ,ah1 yes1 if ,god spares me through this perilous time ,i shall teach them4 ,have you heard or seen aught of ,kedar1 lately8 asked ,manasseh1 abruptly4 ,in the ,battle of the ,ditch ,i saw him for a moment1 charging furiously against one of ,abu ,sofian's divisions4 ,he was in advance of the rest1 riding with his head bent in the teeth of the tempest4 ,on a knoll above me1 ,i saw him for a moment1 between me and the sky1 his hair and long sash streaming in the wind2 then the rain came1 and ,i saw him no more4 ,aye1 but he is a brave lad6 ,poor cousin6 said ,manasseh4 ,it is misplaced bravery4 ,would he were one of us6 ,he is not a ,christian2 and1 unless he were so1 a spirit like his would scorn to be one of such a craven1 contention-torn mob as that which ,abu ,sofian brought to the field4 ,strange1 is it not1 that the little band of ,christians find themselves allied to a set of idolaters1 against one who would cast idols down8 ,aye1 but ,mohammed would trample ,christians and idolaters alike4 ,think you that defeat was owing wholly to cowardice of the soldiers8 ,not so much1 perhaps1 as to bad generalship of the leader1 returned ,asru4 ,nevertheless the superstition of the heathen ,arabs1 and their fear when the cry of ,mohammed's enchantment was raised1 made a craven of every one of them4 ,manasseh1 had we had ten thousand ,christian ,jews1 there might have been a different story4 ,we are nearly all ,jews1 here1 said ,manasseh1 proudly4 ,have you happy forebodings for the issue of the next combat8 ,asru shook his head1 gloomily4 ,there will be a brave resistance on the part of our garrisons1 he said1 although many of the men are well-nigh as ignorant and superstitious as the heathen ,arabs2 but ,mohammed's forces have swelled wondrously since the 'enchanted' storm4 ,well1 we can but do our best4 ,now1 ,i see that the council has assembled4 ,they call us4 ,come4 ,the two left the arbor and joined the others in the middle of the garden4 ,and there1 while the stars shone peacefully above in the evening sky1 and the palm-trees waved1 and a little bird twittered contentedly over its nest in an olive bush1 these men talked of measures of fortification1 of tactics of war1 and schemes of blood-shed2 a conversation forced upon them1 not as a matter of choice but of necessity--the necessity of a desperate few1 earthed by a relentless conqueror and a ruthless despot1 whose intolerance to all who denied his claims has never been surpassed in earth's history4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,,mohammed',s ,,pilgrimage4 ,five great enemies to peace inhabit with us1 viz43 ,avarice1 ,ambition1 ,envy1 ,anger1 and ,pride4--,petrarch4 ,in the meantime ,yusuf and ,amzi had taken up the old routine of life in ,mecca--the faithful doing of the daily round1 the little deeds of charity1 the duties of business1 the attendance at meetings in the little church4 ,everything seemed to sink back into the old way1 yet there was not a man in the city but held himself in readiness to take up arms were an attack made upon them to wrest from them their freedom4 ,and word came that ,mohammed was coming1--coming1 not in war1 but in peace1 on his first pilgrimage to the ,caaba4 ,mecca was instantly thrown into the wildest confusion4 ,some deemed the prophet's message honorable1 but the majority were dubious1 and thought that if ,mohammed once gained an entrance1 notwithstanding the fact that it was the sacred month ,doul ,kaada1 his coming would be but to deluge the streets with blood4 ,a hasty consultation was held1 and a troop of horse under one ,khaled ,ibn ,waled1 was sent out to check the prophet's advance4 ,mohammed1 however1 by means of his spies1 early got word of this sally1 and1 turning aside from the way1 he proceeded by ravines and by-paths through the mountains2 and1 ere the ,meccans were aware of his proximity1 his whole force was encamped near the city4 ,a deputation came from his army to the dignitaries of ,mecca bearing messages of peace2 but their reception was haughty4 ,go to him who sent you1 was the reply to their overtures1 and say that ,meccan doors are shut to one against whom every family in ,mecca owes the revenge of blood4 ,for days the deputation was sent1 with the same result1 until at last ambassadors of the prophet entered with the offer of a truce for ten years4 ,the promise of a long respite from blood1 and the hope of securing time to recuperate their forces1 caught the ear of the ,meccans4 ,a deputation was appointed to treat with the prophet1 and ,amzi1 though a ,christian1 by reason of his wisdom and learning was chosen as one of the representatives4 ,yusuf accompanied him to an eminence above the defile in which the ,moslem tents were pitched4 ,a strange sight it was4 ,far as eye could reach1 tents1 white and black1 dotted the narrow valley2 horses were picketed1 and camels browsed2 and in the foreground one thousand four hundred men were grouped1 waiting to hear the issue of the conference1--one thousand four hundred men1 bare-footed1 and with shaven heads1 and each wearing the white skirt and white scarf over the shoulder1 assumed by pilgrims4 ,strangely different were they from the ordinary troops of the prophet1 strangely unrecognizable in their garb of humility and peace2 yet a second glance revealed the fact that each carried a sheathed sword4 ,yusuf remained above1 but ,amzi descended with the embassy sent with the message that the treaty1 if suitable1 would be at once ratified4 ,mohammed1 who1 in place of his green garb1 now with obsequious humility wore the pilgrims' costume1 expressed his pleasure at the amicable attitude of the ,meccans4 ,he was seated upon a white camel named ,el ,kaswa in honor of the faithful beast which had borne him in the earlier vicissitudes of his fortunes4 ,beside him1 at a table placed on the sand1 sat his vizier and son-in-law1 ,ali1 to whom was given the task of writing the treaty as dictated by ,mohammed4 ,begin1 ,o ,ali1 said the prophet1 ',in the name of the most merciful ,god'-- ,sohail1 the spokesman of the ,meccan deputation1 immediately objected1 ,it is the custom of the ,meccans to begin1 ',in ,thy name1 ,o ,god4' ,so be it1 assented the prophet2 then1 continuing1 he dictated the opening of the body of the treaty--',these are the conditions on which ,mohammed1 the apostle of ,god1 has made peace with those of ,mecca4' ,a deep murmur of disapproval arose throughout the ,meccan embassy4 ,not so1 ,o ,mohammed6 cried ,sohail again4 ,had we indeed acknowledged you as the prophet of ,god1 think you we would have sent ,khaled ,ibn ,waled with armed men against you8 ,think you we would have closed the streets of ,mecca against one whom we recognized as an ambassador of the ,most ,high8 ,no1 ,mohammed1 son of ,abdallah1 it must not be 'apostle of ,god4' ,mohammed again bowed in token of submission4 ,write thus1 then1 ,o ,ali1 he said4 ',these are the conditions on which ,mohammed1 son of ,abdallah1 has made peace with those of ,mecca4' ,he then proceeded to the terms of the treaty1 stipulating that the prophet and his followers should have access to the city at any season during the period of truce1 provided they came unarmed1 habited as pilgrims1 and did not remain over three days at a time4 ,this business concluded1 the embassy from ,mecca retraced its way2 and ,mohammed1 changing his mind about entering the city at that time1 ordered that prayers should be offered up on the spot1 that seventy camels should there be sacrificed1 and that the pilgrims should then return home4 ,this was accordingly done1 and the people went back in some disappointment to ,medina1 where the prophet announced the success of his mission in a new passage from the ,koran3 ,now hath ,god verified unto his apostle the vision wherein he said1 ,ye shall surely enter the holy temple of ,mecca1 if ,god please1 in full security4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,,the ,,siege ,,of ,,khaibar4--,,kedar4 ,the drying up a single tear has more of honest fame than shedding seas of gore4 ,in the same year1 the seventh year of the ,hejira1 ,mohammed made the expected attack on ,khaibar4 ,the chief1 ,kenana1 got word of his approach1 and ordered that the country for miles around the capital should be laid waste4 ,for days the long roads leading into the city from every direction1 swarmed with a moving line of anxious-faced people1 driving their camels and sheep ahead of them1 and leading mules laden with household property4 ,low wagons creaked beneath the weight of fodder for the animals1 and corn and dates for the people2 and the loud ,yakh6 ,yakh6 of the camel-drivers mingled with the thud of the camel-sticks falling upon the thick hides of the lazy animals4 ,asru was given charge of the expedition for laying waste the country2 and never was a more considerate destroyer4 ,here1 here6 he would cry to an aged man1 let me load that animal for you6 and he would lift the heavy burden to the back of the pack-mule1 while the old man would say1 ,you are surely a kind soldier after all4 ,i will carry this sick girl1 he would say1 to another1 and would lift her as gently as a mother and place her in the shugduf in which she was to be conveyed to the city4 ,his spirit of gentleness spread among his men4 ,let us be kind to our friends1 men1 he would urge upon them4 ,the day is fast coming when we can scarcely be kind to our enemies1 be we never so willing4 ,so the people1 though sad as they looked back upon their smouldering homes and blazing palm trees1 were filled with love for the gentle soldiers1 and went up with a new motive in striking for their liberty1 for there is naught that will bring forth the strongest powers of action like the impulse of love4 ,ah1 the blight and misery of war6 ,manasseh looked out from the citadel upon the scene which he had deemed so fair--the waving corn-fields1 the groves of palms and olives and aloes1 the nestling houses1 the pastures covered with flocks--now but a blackened and smoking waste1 with here and there the skeleton of a palm tree pointing upward like a bony finger2 and here and there a reeking column of black smoke1 or the dull glare of a burning homestead4 ,the people murmured not4 ,better let it lie in ashes than permit it to fall into the hands of the impostor6 they cried1 and they muttered curses upon the head of the destroyer of their happiness and prosperity4 ,all were at last in and the anxious waiting began4 ,keen eyes peered from the citadel night and day4 ,watchmen were posted at every point of the out-works and spies were sent broadcast through the country4 ,then the fateful word came4 ,breathless scouts told of an army fast approaching1 twelve hundred men and two hundred horse1 commanded by the prophet himself1 his vizier ,ali1 and his friend ,abu ,beker4 ,al ,kamus1 the citadel1 was immediately crowded with men1 and soldiers were posted along the walls1 neither strong in numbers nor in arms1 for many were armed but with staves and stones4 ,desperation was in their hearts1 and calm1 resolute faces looked forth for the advancing host4 ,just as the morning sun flashed defiantly from the towers of ,al ,kamus1 the ,moslem army came in sight4 ,at first it seemed like a moving1 shapeless mass over the blackened fields1--and as the rising sun fell upon it1 the moving mass became dotted with glints and lines of silver1 like the ripple of waves on a sunlit sea2 but the watchers recognized the deadly import of those bright gleams1 and by the flash of scimitars and lances were able to compute in a vague way the strength of their opponents4 ,on they came until the stony place called ,mansela was reached1 and there1 beneath a great rock1 the host halted4 ,the anxious watchers from the city could not discern the exact meaning of this1 but more than one guessed that the halt was made for the offering of ostentatious prayer by the prophet4 ,this indeed was the case4 ,as ,mohammed came in full view of the citadel he cried out3 ,there1 ,o believers1 is the eyrie to which ye must climb4 ,but victory has been promised us4 ,angels shall again lend us their invisible aid4 ,therefore have courage1 ,o believers6 ,remember that for each of those vile infidels slain1 a double joy awaits you in paradise4 ,know ye that every drop of an unbelieving ,jew shed is as the crystal drops of nectar of paradise to the happy follower of ,mohammed1 the prophet of ,god4 ,and fear not that ye be slain in this combat1 ,o faithful6 ,ye will not be slain except your appointed time has come1 when ye must in any case die4 ,remember that to be slain in battle for the cause of ,islam is to reap a glorious reward6 ,then1 mounting the great rock1 he called with a loud voice3 ,la illaha il ,allah6 ,mohammed ,resoul ,allah6 7,there is no ,god but ,god6 ,mohammed is the prophet of ,god67 ,and while the fanatics below prostrated themselves he prayed long and loudly4 ,then the tents were pitched and the siege began4 ,for many days it lasted4 ,so abundant had been the supplies of food1 and so numerous the droves of animals brought into the city1 that those within the walls had no fear of famine4 ,but so complete was the devastation of the country that the prophet's troops began to suffer for want of food4 ,yet they waited1 as a suitable time of attack had not arrived4 ,in the meantime they were engaged in digging trenches as a protection to the troops4 ,manasseh and ,asru were much together4 ,they had become like brothers1 and night after night they met on the citadel and looked out over the strange scene that was presented to the inhabitants of ,khaibar every evening during the siege4 ,for1 daily1 just as the sun was setting1 the whole ,moslem army1 with the prophet praying loudly at its head1 set out in solemn procession1 then proceeded round and round the city until seven circuits were completed1 as in ,tawaf at the ,caaba4 ,many among the more superstitious ,jews of ,khaibar and their few ,koreish adherents felt a thrill of awe as they looked upon this ceremony1 fearing that the prophet was again practicing his arts of enchantment upon them2 but the performance never failed to bring the smile of scorn to ,asru's lips4 ,blind fanatics6 he exclaimed one evening4 ,a precious set of idiots6 ,but ,manasseh looked serious4 ,asru1 he said1 of course1 ,i do not believe in all this2 yet there is a something solemn in it to me4 ,it makes me think of the seven circuits made about ,jericho1 when the priests blew upon the trumpets and the walls fell4 ,ah1 but the voice of ,jehovah gave the order then2 now1--and he smiled contemptuously--the commanding voice is that of ,mohammed1 the peaceful ,meccan trader1 anon the gentle prophet of ,allah1 anon the blood-thirsty vulture and cut-throat robber1 destroyer of life and liberty4 ,verily1 ,asru the ,moslem soldier has completely changed1 returned ,manasseh1 smiling4 ,aye1 ,manasseh1 thanks to the peaceful ,gospel of ,jesus1 ,asru the ,moslem1 the lover of war1 would now fain see this fair land smiling with happy homes and peaceful tillers of the soil4 ,what is that about the child and the cockatrice8 ',and the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp1 and the weaned child shall lay its hand on the cockatrice' den4 ,they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain2 for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the ,lord1 as the waters cover the sea1' quoted ,manasseh solemnly4 ,asru looked thoughtfully out towards the distant hills1 but he did not see them4 ,he saw a quiet home in ,mecca1 where a pale-faced wife1 a beautiful daughter1 and two bright-eyed boys1 sat4 ,manasseh1 he said at length1 it may be that ,i shall be killed in this battle4 ,if ,i am and you are spared1 go to my wife and children4 ,tell them the ,gospel for me4 ,my great regret is that ,i myself put it off until too late4 ,will you1 ,manasseh8 ,manasseh pressed his friend's hand warmly4 ,you may trust me1 if ,i live1 he said simply4 ,and the soldier was satisfied4 ,manasseh1 ,i am rich1 he continued4 ,see that my wealth is used for the best4 ,manasseh pressed his hand again1 and the tall soldier left him1 feeling that1 whatever happened1 this young man's fidelity and integrity could be depended upon4 ,and now the ,moslem army began to weary of inaction4 ,several desultory attacks were made by them1 and battering-rams were set in play against the walls1 but with no effect1 until a grand attempt was decided upon4 ,night had scarcely faded into morning1 and the rock of ,mansela still stood black and shapeless against a gray sky1 when a commotion was seen in the ,moslem camp4 ,mohammed's troops no longer made the wild onslaught of untrained ,bedouin hordes4 ,the experience of scores of engagements had taught their leader the necessity of system2 and now the host began to move in regular order in three main divisions4 ,above the center one floated the sacred flag of the prophet2 to the right waved ,ali's standard1 a design of the sun2 and to the left fluttered the ,black ,eagle of ,abu ,beker's division4 ,the battle began by an assault led by ,abu ,beker4 ,scaling-ladders were placed1 and the ,moslems swarmed up the walls1 but a desperate band led by ,al ,hareth met them1 and the besieging party1 after a sharp fight1 was compelled to withdraw4 ,shouts of triumph and jeers of derision arose from the city walls4 ,the ,moslems were frantic4 ,cries of vengeance were heard from their ranks4 ,then ,ali1 shouting1 ,for ,god and the prophet6 dashed forward4 ,he was dressed in scarlet1 and wore a cuirass of steel4 ,over his head he waved the prophet's sword1 and at the head of his division floated a sacred banner4 ,straight on he dashed towards a breach in the wall1 and there1 on a pile of loose stones1 he fixed the standard4 ,al ,hareth rushed to the fore1 and a desperate1 single-handed combat ensued4 ,the ,moslem army and the garrison of the city alike held their breath4 ,the contest was unequal4 ,in a moment ,al ,hareth had fallen1 and a mighty cheer burst from the prophet's men4 ,manasseh was stationed at the head of a band of horsemen1 whom he was now with difficulty keeping in check4 ,yet for a moment he forgot all in watching a figure that was ascending the breach4 ,whose but ,asru's that gigantic form8 ,whose but ,asru's that floating turban of white--that helmet in which flashed a diamond placed there by ,kenana's own hand8 ,whose but ,asru's that clanking sword and that three-pronged spear which none but he could wield8 ,surely now the ,moslem will waver6 thought the youth2 and with bated breath he watched this second combat1 waged beside the bleeding form of ,asru's dead brother4 ,with dauntless air the ,moslem awaited the coming of ,asru4 ,they closed upon each other4 ,the armies looked on1 motionless1 breathless1 the combatants struggled1 a writhing mass1 broken only by the flash of the spear and glitter of the lance1 as deadly blows were dealt or parried--and the sunshine rained from above4 ,the very air seemed to stand still in watching1 and the clash of every stroke was borne1 with painful distinctness1 to the ears of ,asru's friend4 ,the combat was an equal one1 ,ali's agility matching well the superior strength of his antagonist1 and it was not soon over4 ,at last the ,moslem seemed to stagger4 ,there1 there1 ,asru1 strike6 ,he falls1 he falls6 ,there is your advantage6 ,strike6 ,joy1 joy6 victory is ours6 ,but no6 ,ye gods1 what is wrong6 ,why stands ,asru there1 helpless8 ,why does he not act8 ,by ,allah1 he loses time6 ,ha6 his turban end has become twisted over his eyes beneath his helmet6 ,help6 ,help6 ,ye gods6 ,ha6 ,ali rises with a sharp recoil6 ,he strikes6 ,woe6 ,woe6 ,asru is down6 ,a shout breaks afresh from the ,moslem army as the brave ,asru's body is dragged to one side of the breach4 ,and now the ,moslems dash forward like an avalanche4 ,the breach widens2 the green and yellow turbans swarm within the walls4 ,manasseh's horse dash forward4 ,over the open square a detachment of ,moslem horse is spurring1 the horsemen bending low as they ride1 their maddened animals1 gorgeous in trappings of scarlet1 yellow and blue1 with tails knotted at the ends1 like unto the heads of serpents4 ,with regular sway the long spears swing with the motion of the horses4 ,clash6 ,the opposing forces meet4 ,men fall4 ,horses roll over in the dust4 ,back6 ,back6 ,the ,moslems are in headlong flight6 ,yet one youth fights on4 ,straight for the young ,jewish leader he dashes4 ,blows rain on each side4 ,some of the ,jewish horse close round4 ,keep off1 men6 shouts ,manasseh4 ,would ye attack a man fifty to one8 ,blows fall faster and breath comes in short gasps4 ,the ,moslem's horse gives way beneath him1 and falls with a shriek backwards4 ,the gallant youth springs to his feet1 then throws up his arms and falls4 ,his turban drops off from his brow1 and1 for the first time1 ,manasseh recognizes ,kedar4 ,he turns sick4 ,is the ,moslem dead8 ,no1 his heart still beats4 ,here1 men1 take him into that house4 ,i will seek him later4 ,on goes the young leader to a fresh scene of battle4 ,alas6 in the meantime the poorly-armed ,jews have been everywhere driven back4 ,the ,moslems have entered the citadel2 the ,jews give way before them everywhere4 ,even his own hopeful spirit cannot revive them4 ,they are seized with a panic and fly1 leaving the brave youth almost alone4 ,manasseh was soon overpowered1 bound1 and thrown into the corner of a great hall of the citadel1 where he lay apparently forgotten1 listening1 with heavy heart1 to the shrieks and cries of his countrymen without1 and to the hum of war1 gradually growing fainter1 until it ceased1 and he knew that the conflict was over4 ,the ,moslems began to enter the hall1 among them ,mohammed4 ,the prophet took his seat at the end of the apartment1 and presently several of the chief citizens were brought in with hands bound4 ,manasseh perceived that a tribunal was being held1 and1 from his corner1 listened eagerly to the sentence passed upon each4 ,it soon appeared that treasure was the prophet's aim4 ,exorbitant demands were made upon the rich merchants1 who1 pale and trembling1 offered their all in exchange for their lives4 ,among the rest1 ,kenana1 with his handsome wife1 was brought in4 ,they tell me1 ,kenana1 said the prophet1 that you have immense wealth stored up in this citadel4 ,if you desire your life1 inform me where this treasure is4 ,i have no treasure in the citadel1 said ,kenana1 proudly2 and if ,i had1 the apostle of ,azazil should not know of it4 ,the prophet's face colored with passion4 ,apostle of ,azazil6 ,o blasphemer6 he exclaimed4 ,do you then thus defy the only1 the true prophet of ,allah8 ,i do4 ,then we shall see what can be done with a stubborn infidel spirit6 returned ,mohammed4 ,hither6 ,apply the torture6 ,a machine of fiendish invention was applied to the chief's hands4 ,his fingers were squeezed until the bones cracked2 his veins swelled in agony2 yet no sound escaped his lips4 ,he could not1 or would not1 tell where the treasure was concealed1 and he was handed over to a ,moslem whose brother ,kenana had slain4 ,manasseh closed his eyes in horror1 for he knew that ,kenana's fate was sealed4 ,illustration3 ,the ,moslem's horse gives way beneath him6--,see page #gf4 ,kenana's wife1 ,safiya1 was taken by ,mohammed1 and on the homeward march she became the wife of the prophet4 ,manasseh lay there in great depression of spirit4 ,he was weary in mind and cramped in body1 and it almost seemed as though he were completely forsaken4 ,yet his ever-present source of comfort returned to him1 and like a sweet refrain came the words into his mind3 ,thou hast been a strength to the poor1 a strength to the needy in his distress1 a refuge from the storm1 a shadow from the heat1 when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall4 ,the half-starved ,moslem troops now began to clamor for food1 and the defenceless ,jewish women were forced to prepare victuals and to serve their conquerors4 ,among these women entered ,zaynab1 the niece of ,asru4 ,she placed a shoulder of mutton before the prophet1 then went towards the door4 ,perceiving ,manasseh in the corner1 she severed his bonds with a quick stroke of a small dagger1 then1 shielding him as best she might1 she bade him begone4 ,have hope6 she whispered in his ear4 ,i have poisoned the prophet4 ,manasseh uttered an exclamation of horror4 ,why not8 she said1 with a laugh4 ,manasseh fights with a lance1 ,zaynab with poison4 ,now1 fly1 ere they see you6 ,manasseh hastened down the dark streets to the house in which ,kedar had been placed4 ,he found the youth moaning feebly4 ,hurrying out1 he caught a couple of stray camels1 and fastened a shugduf in its place4 ,then1 raising the youth in his strong arms1 he laid him in the shugduf1 and set off in the darkness4 ,to ,mecca he must go4 ,it was a long1 weary way4 ,he had little money1 and the few provisions which a ,jewish woman in the house gave him would not last long2 yet he trusted to ,providence1 and remembered with satisfaction that the dates were now at their ripest4 ,he would nurse ,kedar tenderly2 they would journey in the cool shades of night when there was less danger of being stopped on the way4 ,planning thus1 he proceeded1 as noiselessly as possible1 with his precious burden1 through a gap in the wall1 and urged his faithful beasts on in the cool night breezes over the blackened plain4 ,then he thought of ,asru4 ,asru must not be left to be rudely thrown into a grave by infidel hands4 ,there was danger in it1 but he must go back4 ,kedar was sleeping4 ,he fixed the camels by a charred palm grove1 and went back1 with flying feet1 through the gloom4 ,the towers of ,al ,kamus rose above him1 with lights twinkling on the battlements4 ,he wondered if the prophet were yet alive and what would be the result to ,arabia if he were dead4 ,on1 on1 through the darkness1 until the fatal breach was reached4 ,it was quite deserted1 peopled only by a heap of dead bodies1 from which1 in the night time1 the superstitious ,arabs shrank in horror4 ,groping among them1 he soon came upon ,asru's huge form1 which he readily recognized by its armor4 ,he dragged the precious clay of his friend from the mass of dead and brought it1 with difficulty1 outside of the wall2 and there beneath a palm tree1 he hollowed out a lonely grave1 loosening the clay with a battle-axe taken from a dead ,arab1 and throwing the clods out with his shield4 ,he then cut a wisp of hair from the dead soldier's long locks1 placed it in his bosom1 kissed the cold brow1 and uttered a short prayer over the lifeless form4 ,tenderly he placed the body in the shallow grave1 and covered it with the clay1 then1 breathing a last farewell1 left ,asru forever in this life4 ,in the meantime ,mohammed and one of his followers had begun to eat of the poisoned mutton4 ,the soldier was ravenous with hunger1 and set upon the tempting roast with eager relish4 ,mohammed partook of it more slowly4 ,suddenly the soldier threw up his arms1 and fell back in a convulsion4 ,mohammed started back in consternation4 ,he1 too1 felt pain1 and raised the cry of ,poison6 ,the ,moslems came rushing in in great alarm4 ,antidotes were given him1 and he shortly recovered1 with but a slight sensation of burning in his head4 ,the poor soldier was soon stiff in death4 ,mohammed sent for the woman who had brought him the mutton4 ,she came at once4 ,know you who put the poison in this meat8 he asked4 ,it was ,i1 she confessed1 boldly4 ,and how dared you perpetrate so wicked a scheme8 ,if you were a true prophet1 she replied1 you would have known that the meat was poisoned2 if not1 it were a favor to ,arabia to rid it of such a despot4 ,see then1 exclaimed the prophet1 how ,allah hath preserved the life of his apostle6 ,behold1 ,i forgive you4 ,return to your tribe1 and sin not in like manner again4 ,so saying1 with one of his strange freaks of magnanimity1 he waved her off1 and soon afterward went to rest4 ,illustration ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,,manasseh ,,and ,,kedar ,,at ,,mecca4 ,home1 sweet home4 ,the flame of a smoky oil-dip dimly lighted a spacious room in the house of ,amzi4 ,at the low table sat ,yusuf and his friend with a chart before them1 anxiously following1 with eye and finger1 the course of ,mohammed's northern exploits4 ,the thoughts of both were with ,manasseh4 ,a knock sounded at the bolted door4 ,yusuf opened it1 and there1 like a cameo in the setting of darkness1 was the youth himself4 ,manasseh1 my son6 cried both in astonishment4 ,he stepped in1 now laughing1 now brushing tears from his eyes4 ,there6 he said1 freeing himself from their embraces1 ,i have one more surprise4 ,i come like a grandee1 bearing my company in a litter4 ,help me bring him in4 ,they stepped out1 and ,manasseh's second face1 that of ,kedar1 peered from the curtains of the shugduf4 ,none the less warm was the greeting extended to the ,moslem1 whose weak and trembling frame was an instant call upon their sympathy4 ,now1 said ,manasseh1 piling up a heap of cushions1 in his impetuous way1 get us some supper1 will you not8 ,i can eat my own share1 and half of ,kedar's4 ,like the birds1 he takes but a peck at a time4 ,supper was ordered1 and soon attendants entered bearing platters1 until the copper table was burdened with the most tempting dishes of ,mecca--roast of spiced lamb1 slices of juicy melon and cucumber1 pyramids of rice1 pomegranates1 grapes of ,tayf1 sweetmeats1 fragrant draughts of coffee4 ,kedar watched with a languid smile4 ,the peace of this quiet home life affected him almost to tears4 ,strange had been his emotions when he awoke to consciousness in the shugduf1 alone with ,manasseh1 in the wilderness--feelings first of indignation1 then of gratitude1 then of admiration for ,manasseh1 in whom he now discovered the leader of the ,jewish horse4 ,and on the way this admiration had ripened into love for the unselfish ,jewish youth4 ,the weariness of the long journey began to tell upon him now1 and he was glad that he was among friends4 ,he could eat but little1 and was content to listen to ,manasseh's bright talk1 and to watch him as1 with flashing eye and eloquent gesture1 he fought over again the ,battle of ,khaibar1 or when1 with hushed tone and tearful eye1 he told of the death of ,asru1 and his lonely burial4 ,i must seek his widow and his children1 said he4 ,this is all ,i have brought them2 and he drew the tangled1 blood-stained lock of hair from his bosom4 ,silence fell on the little group as they looked upon it1 then ,yusuf's tones1 falling like the low1 deep cadence of a chant1 repeated the words3 ,and there shall be no more curse1 but the throne of ,god and of the ,lamb shall be in it2 and his servants shall serve him4 ,and they shall see his face2 and his name shall be in their foreheads4 ,and there shall be no night there2 and they need no candle1 neither light of the sun2 for the ,lord ,god giveth them light2 and they shall reign forever and forever4 ,amen6 responded ,amzi1 fervently4 ,and ,manasseh looked out of the window towards the bright heavens above ,abu ,kubays1 imagining that he could see ,asru1 clad in shining apparel1 with a happy smile on his lips1 and the courageous eyes of old looking forth with a new love-light from his radiant countenance4 ,do you know his family8 he asked4 ,ah1 yes2 they are now regular attendants at the ,christian church4 ,they have destroyed all their household gods4 ,what6 exclaimed ,manasseh1 is this true6 ,how ,i wish ,asru had known it6 ,what joy it would have given him6 ,amzi smiled4 ,dare you think1 ,manasseh1 that he does not know it long ere this1--that he did not know it even at the breach of ,khaibar8 ,i like to think that our ,asru now has a spiritual body wholly independent of time or space1 capable of transporting itself whenever and wherever the mind dictates4 ,we cannot know these things as they are1 in this time1 remarked ,yusuf4 ,but the day is not very far distant now1 ,amzi1 when you and ,i shall explore these mysteries for ourselves4 ,so the talk went on4 ,kedar listened with interest4 ,he thought it a curious conversation1 and felt so strangely out of place that it seemed as though he were dreaming1 and listening to the talk of genii4 ,next morning he was in a decided fever4 ,then came long days of pain and nights of delirium1 in which ,manasseh and his two friends hovered like ministering spirits about the youth1 whose wounds had healed only to give place to disease far more deadly4 ,in those terrible nights of burning heat his parched tongue swelled so that he could scarcely swallow2 he tossed in agony1 now fancying himself chained to a rock unable to move1 while the prophet urged him on to the heights above where the battle was raging2 now imagining himself fastened near a burning furnace whose flames were fed by the bodies of those whom he had slain4 ,he would cry out in terror1 and beads of perspiration would start upon his forehead4 ,he lived the whole war over again1 and his only rest was at times when1 partially conscious1 he felt kindly hands placing cool bandages on his burning head1 or gently fanning his face4 ,the time at last came when he sank into a heavy sleep1 and awoke calling ,mother4 ,it was ,manasseh who came1 almost startled by the naturalness of the tone4 ,i have been very ill1 ,manasseh8 ,very4 ,long8 ,for weeks4 ,but you must not talk4 ,you will soon be well now4 ,the invalid closed his eyes1 not to sleep1 but to think4 ,presently he opened them4 ,manasseh1 if ,i had died1 would ,i have seen ,asru8 ,manasseh was embarrassed4 ,i--,i cannot say1 he stammered4 ,i do not know you well enough to be sure4 ,you do not think ,i should4 ,i do not think so either1 he returned decidedly1 and closed his eyes again4 ,in a few days he was able to talk4 ,manasseh1 did ,i hear ,yusuf praying for me once when ,i was ill8 ,he prayed for you every day1--not only that you might be spared to us1 but that you might come to know ,jesus1 and to reject ,mohammed4 ,i do not think that ,i ever accepted him--that is1 in a religious sense1 he returned4 ,manasseh's eyes opened wide in astonishment4 ,then why did you follow him8 he asked4 ,because1 ,i suppose1 his successes dazzled me4 ,it seemed a grand thing to be a hero in the war--to ride1 and charge1 and drive all before me4 ,aye1 ,manasseh1 it is after the war that the scales fall from one's eyes4 ,how could you1 then1 follow one whom you did not accept1 and must1 therefore1 have deemed an impostor8 ,i tell you1 ,manasseh1 ,i gave little heed to matters of religion4 ,for the first time1 during the last few days1 ,i have thought of a religious life1 or of a hereafter1 as ,i lay here feeling that but for you and your friends1 ,i should even now be in the unknown land beyond the grave4 ,manasseh talked long and earnestly to the now convalescent youth4 ,yusuf and ,amzi too talked gently to him when he seemed inclined to hear1 but1 in his present weak state1 they deemed that the consciousness of living in a godly house would appeal more strongly than words of theirs4 ,the weeks passed on1 yet he gave no indication that their hopes were being realized4 ,once indeed he said3 ,manasseh1 would that ,i had had a godly training such as yours6 ,did your mother not tell you of these things8 ,kedar shook his head4 ,my poor mother drifted away from her early training in our half-heathen ,bedouin atmosphere1 he said4 ,the ,bedouins know little of ,christ4 ,they have traditions of the creation1 of the deluge1 and such old-time stories2 in all else they are almost heathen4 ,when ,i am well1 ,manasseh1 we will go to them--to my father--and you will tell them1 ,manasseh8 ,manasseh nodded a smiling assent4 ,it was with no little trepidation that ,yusuf and ,amzi watched for some sign of spiritual growth in the young ,bedouin4 ,as the days wore on1 and he was able to get about1 though still weak1 he was willing to attend the ,christian meetings2 but he sat in silence1 and persisted in wearing the garb of a ,moslem4 ,the friends did not understand his attitude4 ,they did not recognize the sort of petulant shamefacedness that hindered him from coming forth boldly in defence of principles which he fully endorsed in his secret heart1 and made him fear to cut himself loose from the side on which he had taken so bold a stand1 lest the epithet of turncoat1 be fixed upon him4 ,kedar had not yet been touched by that live coal which alone can set man in touch with ,god1 and free him from all human restrictions4 ,but though he said little1 he was thinking deeply4 ,he was not indifferent2 and there is ever great room for hope where there is not indifference4 ,and while the little ,meccan household was thus engrossed in its own circle1 momentous events were happening without the capital4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,,intervening ,,events4 ,during the months that followed1 ,mohammed still went on in his career of conquest--a course rendered easier day by day1 as his enemies were now weak indeed4 ,the tribes of ,watiba1 ,selalima and ,bedr speedily gave way before him1 but were permitted to remain in their homes upon the payment of a heavy yearly tribute4 ,he made one more pilgrimage to ,mecca1 and on this occasion the ,koreish1 in accordance with the truce1 offered no resistance2 hence for three days the prophet and his shaven followers walked the streets of ,mecca1 and performed ,tawaf at the ,temple4 ,mohammed found the ,caaba still desecrated by idols1 and1 while pressing his lips to the sacred ,black ,stone1 he solemnly vowed to conquer ,mecca and to remove the pollution of images from the floor of the sanctuary4 ,in the meantime1 the prophet enticed many of the most prominent families of ,mecca to his standard4 ,by his marriage with the aunt of ,khaled ,ibn ,waled he secured the alliance of that famous soldier2 and by marrying ,omm ,habiba1 daughter of ,abu ,sofian1 he hoped to gain the friendship of his ancient and inveterate enemy4 ,but time seemed to lag1 and his restless spirit soon set itself to look about for some pretext by which he might attack ,mecca4 ,a casual skirmish of a few soldiers of the ,koreish with a detachment of his soldiers gave the necessary excuse1 and he at once charged the ,koreish with having broken the truce4 ,they were anxious to make overtures of peace1 but ,mohammed would listen to nothing4 ,all saw plainly that no concessions would conciliate a conqueror thus bent upon hostility1 and the attitude of ,mecca became that of a patient waiting1 a dread looking for a surely impending calamity ready to fall at any hour4 ,and yet1 when it did come1 the ,meccans were not expecting it1 so silent1 so sudden was the swoop of the conqueror4 ,every road leading to ,mecca was barred by ,mohammed1 so that none might tell of his plans4 ,all his allies received a mysterious summons to meet him at a point some distance from ,mecca1 and they came none the less readily that they did not know why they were thus assembled4 ,with a host of ten thousand men1 ,mohammed set out over the barren plains1 and through the defiles of the mountains4 ,like a vast funeral procession the long train wound its way in a silence broken only by the dull tread of the beasts and the whispered ejaculations of the soldiers4 ,in the night they reached the appointed valley4 ,lines of men came pouring in from every side1 and at last1 as a signal to all the rest1 ,omar1 the chief in command1 gave the order that the watch-fires be lighted1--and at once every summit sent up its spire of flame4 ,the citizens of ,mecca were stricken with awe4 ,i myself will go and see what this means1 said ,abu ,sofian2 and with a single companion he set out over the hills4 ,as they stood in sight of the great host below1 the step of men sounded near them4 ,they were seized as spies1 and hurried off to the tent of ,omar4 ,the bright light of ,omar's camp-fire revealed the white hair and flashing eye of the grim old warrior4 ,by the prophet of ,allah6 ,ye have brought in a rich prize6 exclaimed ,omar1 and his dagger flashed in the firelight as he drew it to plunge into ,abu ,sofian's bosom4 ,but deliverance was near4 ,out from the darkness galloped ,al ,abbas1 uncle of ,mohammed1 mounted on the prophet's white mule4 ,he caught the ,meccan up with him1 and hastened off to the tent of the prophet4 ,ha6 exclaimed ,mohammed1 you have come at last1 ,abu ,sofian1 to acknowledge the supremacy of the prophet of ,allah8 ,i come1 said ,abu ,sofian surlily1 to beg mercy for my people4 ,will you1 then1 acknowledge ,mohammed as the prophet of ,god8 ,do this1 ,abu ,sofian1 and thy life shall be spared1 and terms of peace granted to all ,meccans who are willing to follow their leader's example4 ,abu ,sofian gave a surly assent1 and was set free4 ,favorable terms for the inhabitants of the city were then presented to him2 and1 that he might be able to take back with him a full account of the strength of the prophet's army1 he was placed with ,al ,abbas at the head of a narrow defile1 through which the whole army1 with fluttering banners and proudly flapping standards1 passed before him4 ,even the stern old warrior stood aghast at the mighty multitude4 ,he returned to the city1 and1 from the roof of the ,caaba1 once more assembled the people of ,mecca4 ,then1 while they listened1 with bowed heads and heaving sobs1 he told them of the great host1 of the uselessness of resistance1 and of the terms offered in case of submission4 ,to this course1 humiliating as it was1 he strongly urged them4 ,silent in despair1 or weeping wildly1 they returned to their homes1 and that night the darkness which fell seemed like a pall upon the stricken city4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,,the ,,triumphant ,,entrance ,,into ,,mecca4 ,one murder made a villain2 millions1 a hero4--,porteus4 ,upon the following morning ere the sun rose1 a deputation was sent to the prophet to inform him that his terms had been accepted4 ,the people of ,mecca were curious to note the triumphant entrance of the great conqueror4 ,many1 indeed1 threw themselves upon their faces in agony of lost hope2 but the housetops swarmed with people1 and the side of ,abu ,kubays was moving with a dense crowd of women and children1 who1 at a safe distance1 watched for the strange pageant4 ,the prophet was allowed to enter the borders of the town unmolested1 but when the deserter1 ,khaled ,ibn ,waled1 appeared1 the rage of the ,koreish knew no bounds2 a howl of derision arose1 and an ungovernable mob fired straight upon him with their arrows4 ,khaled dashed upon them with sword and lance1 but ,mohammed1 noting the commotion1 rode up and ordered him to desist4 ,the melee subsided1 and1 just as the sun rose over ,abu ,kubays1 the conqueror entered the city4 ,he was habited in scarlet1 and mounted upon a large ,syrian camel2 and1 as he rode1 followed by the whole host of his army1 he repeated aloud passages from the ,koran4 ,straight on towards the ,caaba he went1 looking neither to right nor to left4 ,its gates were thrown open before him1 and the vast procession1 with the prophet at its head1 performed ,tawaf about the temple4 ,then1 ere the mighty trampling ceased1 ,mohammed entered the ,caaba--that ,caaba in which he had been spat upon and covered with mud thrown by derisive hands4 ,little wonder that he felt his triumph complete6 ,three hundred and sixty idols still stared from the walls of the temple1 and1 ere night fell1 not an image remained to pollute an edifice in which1 if in ever so blind a manner1 the name of the living ,god had been once mentioned4 ,mohammed then took his stand upon the little hill ,al ,safa1 and gave the command that every man1 woman1 and child in ,mecca1 save those detained by illness1 should pass before him4 ,kedar found his weakness a sufficient reason for remaining at home1 but ,yusuf1 ,amzi1 and ,manasseh were forced to join the long procession4 ,one by one1 the inhabitants knelt before the victor1 renouncing idolatry and declaring their fealty to him as their governor and spiritual head4 ,but a few among the ,christian ,jews refused to acknowledge him as the prophet of ,god4 ,as conqueror we accept you1 they said2 as subjects we will obey you in all that does not interfere with our worship of the true ,god1 and his ,son1 the ,christ4 ,but as ,mohammed prophet of ,god1 we will not acknowledge you4 ,the prophet1 however1 was in a lenient frame of mind4 ,at no time a cruel tyrant when victory was once assured1 he was still less inclined to be so upon a day when everything augured so favorably for the future4 ,moreover1 when it seemed to him practicable1 ,mohammed delighted in showing mercy4 ,this trait is but one of the incomprehensible features of his strange1 contradictory character4 ,so be it1 he returned1 graciously4 ,i give you your lives and property4 ,they are a gift from the prophet ye despise4 ,yet1 lest ye be stirrers up of sedition1 ,i enjoin you to leave the city with what expedition ye will4 ,go where ye please1 provided it be out of my dominions2 take what time ye need to settle your affairs1 and dispose of your property2 then1 in the name of ,allah1 ,i bid you good speed4 ,the ,jews1 among them ,yusuf and ,amzi1 passed thankfully on4 ,a tall1 gaunt1 ,bedouin woman1 with flashing eyes and hands showing like the claws of a vulture beneath her black robe1 came next4 ,it was ,henda in disguise4 ,what6 exclaimed the prophet1 with a smile1 has ,abu ,sofian taken to the hills again1 that his wife thus comes in ,bedouin garb8 ,henda1 seeing that her disguise was penetrated1 fell at his feet imploring for pardon4 ,i forgive you freely1 he said1 raising her to her feet4 ,you will now acknowledge your prophet8 ,never6 cried the ,koreish woman4 ,boldly said6 returned ,mohammed4 ,the wife of ,abu ,sofian doth not readily follow in the path of her master4 ,he has trained her but poorly4 ,yet1 go in peace1 ,o daughter of the ,koreish1 and know that the prophet of ,islam has a merciful heart4 ,thus passed the whole long day until the stars shone through the blue2 and ,mohammed went to rest1 serene in his triumph1 yet troubled by bodily pain1 for1 ever since he had eaten the poisoned mutton at ,khaibar1 his health had been steadily declining4 ,in a few days he returned to ,medina4 ,a fresh revelation of the ,koran1 commending fully his doctrine of the sword1 was there proclaimed from the mosque2 and to ,khaled was given the task of subjugating the remaining tribes4 ,the prophet's health now began to give way rapidly1 and he resolved upon a last pilgrimage to the holy city4 ,in the month ,ramadhan1 at the head of one hundred thousand men1 the mightiest expedition he had ever led1 he started for ,mecca4 ,he rode in a litter1 and about him were his nine wives1 also seated in litters2 while1 at the rear of the procession1 trudged a great array of camels destined for sacrifice1 and gayly decorated with ribbons and flowers4 ,about a day's journey from ,mecca1 at twilight1 the vast host met the troops of ,ali1 returning from an expedition into ,yemen1 and these immediately turned with the pilgrimage4 ,it was a weird and impressive scene4 ,in the night1 the augmented host now pressed onward1 with increased impatience1 over a plain strewn with basaltic drift4 ,the soft thud of padded feet sounded over the hard ground4 ,huge camels loomed shapelessly through the uncertain haze4 ,no voice of mirth or singing arose from the vast assemblage1 but the night-wind sighed through the ribs of the scant-leaved acacias above1 and stooped to blow the red flames of the torches back in a smoky glare2 while1 here and there1 a more pretentious light1 issuing from between the curtains of a shugduf1 shed a passing gleam upon the dusky faces of the pilgrims1 plodding like eerie genii of the night over the barren wilds4 ,next morning1 the host reached ,mecca4 ,the prophet once more entered the sacred court-yard of the temple1 and was borne sadly about the ,caaba in ,tawaf4 ,then1 weak as he was1 he insisted upon taking part in the sacrificial ceremony4 ,with his own hand he slew sixty-three camels1 one for each year of his life4 ,then he ascended the pulpit and preached to the people4 ,upon his return to ,medina1 he preached again from the mosque1 enjoining upon the faithful strict compliance with the form of worship set forth in the ,koran and by the example of the prophet--the giving of alms2 prayer towards the kebla2 the performance of ,tawaf1 and ablutions at ,zem-,zem2 prostration prayers at the ,caaba1 and all the rites of pilgrimage4 ,thus did ,mohammed formulate the rules for the future guidance of the ,moslem world4 ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,,kedar ,,at ,,the ,,caaba4 ,once more the shades of night hung over the ,eastern world4 ,and there1 while the hush of slumber fell upon the hills of the ,north1 the cities of the ,south awoke to life and bustle1 for during the earlier half of the hours of darkness the ,oriental awakes from the lethargy of the day1 and really begins to live4 ,the moon1 almost at full1 and glowing like a silver orb on a purple sea1 rose slowly over the black top of ,abu ,kubays1 tipping its crest with a shimmering line of light1 and throwing its radiance across the vale below1 where all lay shapeless in shade save the top of the huge temple1 which1 with its pall-like kiswah 7curtain71 arose like a bier above the low houses about it4 ,upon it the moonbeams fell with solemn1 white light1 and the young man standing alone by one of the pillars of the portico felt a thrill of awe as he looked upon the mysterious structure1 and thought of the great antiquity of the institution4 ,for the moment1 lost in contemplation1 he was oblivious to the swarming of the dusky multitudes now pouring into the court-yard on all sides4 ,then1 as the increasing hum fell upon his ears1 he gave them his attention4 ,it was the scene of which he had so often heard1 and upon which he now looked for the first time4 ,there were the people at ,tawaf1 walking1 running1 or standing with upturned eyes1 sanctimoniously repeating passages of the ,koran2 there were the frantic few clinging to the great folds of the kiswah1 as though its contact procured for them eternal salvation2 there were the crowds gulping down copious draughts of the brackish water of ,zem-,zem1 or pouring it upon their heads4 ,there1 too1 within a stone's throw of the temple1 were the busy stalls of the venders1 whence issued cries of3 ,cucumbers6 ,cucumbers ,o6 ,grapes6 ,grapes6--luscious and juicy with the crystal dews of ,tayf6 ,grapes1 ,o faithful6 ,who will buy cloth of ,damascus1 rich and fit for a king8 ,come1 buy thy lady a veil6 ,buy a veil to screen her charms blooming as the rosy light of morn1 to screen her hair black as midnight shades on the hills of ,nejd1 and her eyes sparkling like diamonds of ,oman6 ,o water6 ,precious water from ,zem-,zem6 ,water to wash away thy sin1 and help thee into ,paradise6 ,o believer1 buy water of ,zem-,zem6 ,and there1 beneath the twinkling lights of the portico1 sat a group of ,abyssinian girls1 waiting to be sold as slaves4 ,as the youth looked upon it all with no little curiosity he observed the crowd give way before a man clothed wholly in white1 who proceeded directly to the ,caaba and1 pausing beneath the door1 gave utterance to a loud prayer1 while the people about fell prostrate on the ground4 ,then1 in a loud voice1 he commanded that the stair be brought4 ,attendants hastened to roll the bulky structure into its place1 and the priest1 or guardian of the temple1 ascended1 and received from his attendants several buckets of water which he carried into the edifice4 ,presently1 small streams began to trickle from the doorway1 and the guardian's white vestments again appeared1 as he proceeded to sweep the water out1 dashing it far over the steps4 ,the people rushed beneath it1 crowding over one another in their anxiety holding their upturned faces towards it and counting themselves blessed if a drop of it fell upon them4 ,it was the ceremony of washing the ,caaba4 ,illustration3 ,be not discouraged1 my son1 was ,yusuf's reply4--,see page #hg4 ,the youth beside the pillar1 though he wore ,moslem garb1 looked on in contempt2 and1 barely waiting for the conclusion of the ceremony1 walked proudly from the enclosure1 merely pausing to examine somewhat critically the ,black ,stone1 which1 deserted for the moment1 was visible in the red light of a torch above4 ,then1 passing through the nearest gate1 he walked1 rather feebly1 towards the house of ,amzi4 ,yusuf1 wearied after a long day's work1 was resting upon the carpeted ,mastabah 7platform7 which forms a part of the vestibule of every comfortable house in ,mecca4 ,there was no light in the apartment save that afforded by the dim glimmer of a fire-pan1 over which bubbled a fragrant urn of coffee4 ,his thoughts had been wandering back over the events of his changeful life2 events which would culminate1 as far as his immediate history was concerned1 in his early banishment from this city of his adoption4 ,the little ,jewish band would go together--precisely where1 they did not know1--,amzi1 ,manasseh1 the family of ,asru1 a few other devoted souls1 and1 it was to be hoped1 ,kedar4 ,yusuf's thoughts dwelt upon ,kedar4 ,to-night he seemed to feel a sweet assurance that his prayers in the youth's behalf were soon to be answered2 and1 in the darkness1 he cried out for the lad's salvation1 until the blessed ,lord seemed so near that he almost fancied he could put forth his hand and feel the strong1 loving1 helping touch of ,him who said1 ,i am the good shepherd1 and know my sheep1 and am known of mine4444 ,and other sheep ,i have1 which are not of this fold2 them also ,i must bring2 and they shall hear my voice2 and there shall be one fold1 and one shepherd4 ,a step sounded on the door-stone1 and the very youth of whom ,yusuf was thinking entered4 ,well1 my ,kedar1 said the priest1 have you been enjoying the moon8 ,i have been to the ,caaba1 returned ,kedar1 with amused contempt in his voice1 yet ,i have neither swung by the kiswah nor drenched myself1 like a rain-draggled hen1 at ,zem-,zem4 ,and you have not kissed the ,black ,stone8 ,neither have ,i kissed the stone4 ,by my faith1 if it has become blackened by the kiss of sinners1 those poor simpletons caress it in vain6 ,on the word of a ,bedouin1 it can hold no more1 since it is as black as well may be already4 ,the worship of our little church1 then1 suits you better8 ,the priest's tone scarcely concealed the anxiety with which he asked the question4 ,you seem to worship in truth1 returned the youth1 solemnly4 ,you seem to find a comfort in your service which these poor blindlings seek in vain4 ,aye1 ,yusuf1 in living among you ,i have noted the peaceful tenor of your lives1 the rest and confidence which nothing seems to overthrow4 ,you rejoice in life1 yet you do not fear death6 ,could such a life be mine1 ,i would gladly accept it4 ,but ,i do not seem to be one of you4 ,the priest made no reply for a moment4 ,kedar did not know that he was praying for the fit word4 ,then his deep1 tender tones broke the silence4 ,you believe in ,jesus1 whom we love8 ,i believe that he was the ,son of ,god2 that he lived on the very hills to the north of us2 that he died to reveal to us the greatness of his love4 ,yet-- ,he paused4 ',whosoever believeth on the ,son hath everlasting life1' said ,yusuf in a low tone4 ,i know1 but-- the youth hesitated again4 ,but what1 ,kedar8 asked the priest4 ,jesus said to ,nicodemus1 returned the youth1 ',except a man be born again1 he cannot see the kingdom of heaven4' ,yusuf1 this is what bothers me4 ,i cannot understand this being born again4 ,let us call it1 then1 just 'beginning to love and trust ,jesus1' said ,yusuf quietly4 ,kedar almost started in his surprise4 ,this aspect of the question had never appeared to him before4 ,for a long time he sat1 deep in thought1 and ,yusuf did not break in upon his meditations4 ,is that all8 he asked at length4 ,that is all1 returned ,yusuf4 ,to trust him you must believe in him1 love him1 recognize his love1 and leave everything to his guidance--everything in this physical life1 in your spiritual life1 and in the life to come4 ,then you will find peace4 ,all your days will be spent in a loving round of happy labor1 in which no work seems low or trifling--happy because love to ,jesus begets the wish to do his will in every affair of life2 and perfect love renders service1 not a bondage1 but the joyful spontaneity of freedom4 ,kedar was again silent1 then he said slowly3 ,yusuf1 ,i begin to understand it all now2 yet--is there something wrong still8--,i have not the overpowering thrill of joy1 the exuberance of feeling1 the wondrous rapture of delight1 which ,amzi says he experienced1 when1 in the prison of ,medina1 he saw the light4 ,be not discouraged1 my son1 was the reply4 ,to different temperaments1 in religion as in all else1 the truth appeals in different ways4 ,if you are trusting implicitly now in ,god's love1 go on without doubt or fear4 ,most ,christians--growing ,christians--find that at different stages in their experience certain truths stand out more clearly1 and1 as the days go by1 their difficulties clear away like mists before the morning sun4 ,yusuf1 can ,i ever become such a ,christian as you8 returned ,kedar1 in a half-awed tone at the thought4 ,my son1 look not on me1 returned ,yusuf1 tenderly4 ,strive only to perceive ,jesus in all your life1 to find him a reality to you--a companion1 ever with you1 walking by your side in the hot mart1 riding by you in the desert1 sitting by you in solitude1--then1 where he is1 evil cannot come4 ,your life will become all upright1 conscientious1 and loving1 for his life will show through yours4 ,and do temptations never come to those so blessed8 ,ah1 yes1 ,kedar1 so long as life lasts 'our adversary1 the devil1 goeth about as a roaring lion1 seeking whom he may devour4' ,yet1 think you that the ,god who 'stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain1 who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters1 who maketh the clouds his chariot1 who walketh upon the wings of the wind1 who maketh his angels spirits1 his ministers a naming fire'--think you that such an ,one is not able to stand between you and the tempter8 ,think you that he before whom devils cried out in fear1 is not able to deliver you from the power of evil8 ,kedar1 know that the ,christian may even glory in his own weakness1 for ,jesus has said1 ',my strength is made perfect in weakness2' and yet1 while thus feeling his helplessness1 the believer must ever be conscious of the unconquerable strength of ,christ1 and should rest serene in the knowledge that1 clothed in the full armor of ,god1 he is able to withstand all the darts of the wicked one4 ,kedar said no more1 but from that hour his humility1 his patience1 his gentleness1 began to show forth as the outcome of the power of that working of the ,spirit1 whose fruit is love1 joy1 peace1 long-suffering1 gentleness1 goodness1 faith1 meekness1 temperance4 ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,,kedar ,,returns ,,to ,,his ,,home4 ,death exempts not a man from being1 but only presents an alteration4--,bacon4 ,when ,kedar left ,yusuf on that memorable night it was not to sleep4 ,he ascended the stair and went out upon the hanging balcony1 where he could look at the sky and the mountains1 and ponder over the conversation of the evening4 ,his was not the excitable1 rapturous joy experienced by many1 but a feeling of quiet contentment that settled upon his soul1 and brought a calm smile to his features4 ,so he sat1 when ,manasseh burst upon him exclaiming1 ,what6 my invalid able to stay up all the night as well as half the day6 ,come1 listen to me6 ,i have news6 ,yes8 ,this evening a courier from ,medina arrived in the city4 ,he has with him a proclamation requiring all unsubmissive ,jews to leave ,mecca by to-morrow night at the latest4 ,so soon6 exclaimed ,kedar4 ,where are they to go8 ,i have just talked with ,yusuf1 and with ,amzi1 who1 poor fat man6 is trying to get a little sleep in the fresh air of the housetop4 ,they propose that we join my father's family in ,palestine4 ,of course1 ,i do not object6 added the youth1 with a smile4 ,think you it will be safe for so small a band to face the dangers of the desert alone8 asked ,kedar4 ,a caravan leaves for ,damascus to-morrow1 replied ,manasseh4 ,fortunately we may obtain its protection4 ,good6 ,then ,i shall turn aside to the table-lands of ,nejd and see my parents again1 said ,kedar4 ,think you your parents would join our band8 ,kedar shook his head4 ,not likely4 ,you see my father has lived all his days as a ,bedouin4 ,to be tied down to commerce he would consider a degradation4 ,neither would he become a shepherd1 as watching sheep is a task held fit for women only in our tribe4 ,and will you stay with them1 ,kedar8 asked ,manasseh4 ,i know not4 ,we will see what the future has in store2 but1 at any rate1 he added1 half slyly1 your cousin ,kedar will wear the ,moslem turban no more4 ,the tone1 rather than the words1 told all4 ,manasseh took a quick1 sharp look at the face smiling quietly in the moonlight1 then he seized ,kedar's hand warmly and whispered1 ,i am glad4 ,the following day was spent in packing and bidding adieux4 ,yusuf and ,amzi passed the last hours among their poor1 and1 from the housetop1 ,kedar and ,manasseh saw them returning in the evening1 followed by a ragged crowd who clung to their gowns or wiped tearful eyes with tattered sleeves4 ,the sun went down as the caravan left the city1 and on an eminence above1 the little ,jewish band stopped to take a last look at their old home--,mecca1 with its low houses1 its crooked streets1 its mystic ,caaba1 and its weird mountain scenery4 ,all gray it lay beneath the shades of falling night2 yet1 as they looked1 a wondrous change ensued4 ,gradually the landscape began to brighten2 the houses shone forth2 the aloe trees became green2 the side of ,abu ,kubays sparkled with a seemingly self-emitted light2 the rocks of the red mountain were dyed with a rosy glow2 the ,caaba grew more and more distinct1 until even the folds of its kiswah were visible2 and the sand of the narrow valley shone1 beneath a saffron sky above1 with a coppery radiance4 ,it was the wondrous after-glow of the ,orient1--a scene unique in its beauty1 yet not often beheld in so sheltered a spot as ,mecca4 ,the exiles1 with tearful eyes1 looked upon the fair landscape1 which thus seemed to bid them an inanimate farewell4 ,then1 as the glow paled and the rocks again took their sombre hue1 and the city faded in redoubled shadow1 the little band turned slowly away1 and followed in the wake of the caravan now winding through the pass at some distance4 ,the ,hebrew band consisted of twenty souls1 among whom were ,sherah1 the daughter of ,asru1 and her mother1 and the old white-haired man ,benjamin1 who had preached in the church and had become a father indeed to ,asru's family4 ,needless to speak of the long1 tedious journey4 ,suffice it to say that1 while the caravan wound through the north of ,el ,hejaz1 ,kedar and ,manasseh turned aside to the fresher plateaux of the ,nejd1 and the ,bedouin once more found himself amid the scenes of his boyhood4 ,his spirits rose as the cool breeze from the plains struck him4 ,the vision of sweet home--sweet to the roving ,bedouin as to the pampered child of luxury--rose before him1 and he urged his horse on with an ever-increasing anxiety4 ,from neighboring tribes they found out the way to ,musa's present encampment1 then1 spurring their horses on over a crisp plain1 and beguiling the time with many a laugh and jest1 they proceeded in the direction indicated1 until1 in a broad valley1 the circle of tents lay before them4 ,come1 ,manasseh1 said ,kedar1 let us give them a surprise4 ,let us take a turn up yonder hill and swoop down upon them like a falcon4 ,agreed6 quoth ,manasseh2 and1 with almost childish pleasure1 they proceeded to make a short detour1 and then galloped rapidly down from the hill-crest4 ,the encampment was strangely quiet4 ,what is the matter1 ,manasseh8 asked ,kedar4 ,there is scarcely anyone about4 ,a few dogs now set up a savage barking1 and a man came out with a heavy whip and drove them1 yelping1 away4 ,what is wrong1 ,tema8 asked ,kedar1 anxiously4 ,alas1 my young master1 said the man1 your father will soon be no more4 ,the youth sprang to the ground and entered the chief's tent4 ,there lay the brave old ,sheikh1 dying1 as he had scorned to die1 in his bed1 with pallid face and closed eyes1 his gray hair damp and tangled1 and his grizzled beard descending upon his brawny chest1 from which the folds of his garments were drawn back4 ,about him knelt his wife and children4 ,lois raised a tear-stained face to her son1 then buried it again in her hands4 ,kedar threw himself beside the couch4 ,the old man's lips moved4 ,aha6 cried he1 it is blood-revenge6 ,mizni1 bold chief1 ,i have you now6 ,yes1 fly up to your eyrie among the rocks1 if you can4 ,i shall reach you there6 ,blood must be spilled4 ,my honor6 ,my honor6 ,he was thinking of a fray of his youth in which he had paid the dues of blood for an only brother4 ,again1 he seemed to be dashing on in the chase4 ,on1 on1 ,zebe6 he cried1 in a hoarse whisper1 on1 good steed6 ,the quarry is ahead there6 ,see the falcon swoop6 ,good steed1 on6 ,his voice was growing fainter1 yet he continued to wave his arms feebly1 and to move his lips in inaudible muttering4 ,once more the words became distinct3 ,here1 ,kedar1 little man6 ,let father put you on his horse4 ,there1 boy1 there6 ,you will make a son for a ,bedouin to be proud of6 ,a tear rolled down ,kedar's cheek as the dying man thus pictured a happy scene of his childhood4 ,poor old father6 he murmured4 ,manasseh1 it is hard to see him die thus godlessly4 ,had ,i but come sooner6 ,the old ,sheikh's breath came shorter4 ,his hand moved more feebly2 he turned his head uneasily and opened his eyes4 ,he fixed them upon his son with a look of consciousness4 ,his face brightened4 ,dear father1 whispered the youth1 and kissed his cheek4 ,a smile spread over the old man's face4 ,his lips formed the words ,my son6 ,his eyes closed1 and the old ,bedouin was dead4 ,the women broke into a low wail1 and ,kedar1 with a tenderness not of the old time1 strove to comfort his mother4 ,the rites of anointing the body for burial were performed1 and all through the evening the different members of the tribe gathered mournfully in to take a last look at the brave old leader4 ,when night fell ,kedar went out2 the atmosphere of the tent seemed to choke him4 ,manasseh stood silently by his side4 ,the wail of the women sounded in a low burial-song from within1 and groups of men1 talking in whispers1 gathered before the door4 ,kedar stood with folded arms and head thrown back1 looking upon the heavens4 ,a star fell4 ,every ,bedouin bowed his head1 for the ,arabs believe that when a star falls a soul ascends to paradise4 ,manasseh1 said ,kedar in a low tone1 ,i cannot let them bury him4 ,they would do it with half-heathen rites4 ,can none among all these conduct ,christian service8 ,not one4 ,my mother is the only one who knows aught of ,christianity4 ,then1 said ,manasseh1 if you will let me1 ,i shall offer prayers above his grave4 ,no1 ,manasseh1 said ,kedar decidedly1 these people would resent it in a stranger4 ,i shall do it2 they will grant me the privilege as the right of a son4 ,and rightly1 exclaimed ,manasseh1 surprised and pleased at the staunchness with which his cousin took his new stand4 ,on the following day the funeral wound slowly up the defile to the place of the lonely grave4 ,and there ,kedar prayed simply and earnestly1 a prayer in which the spiritual enlightenment of the sorrowful people about him was the chief theme4 ,they did not understand all its meaning1 but they were impressed by the solemnity and sincerity of the young ,arab's manner4 ,then the little heap of sand was raised1 and four stone slabs were placed1 according to ,bedouin custom1 upon the grave4 ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,,the ,,death ,,of ,,mohammed4 ,nothing can we call our own but death--,shakespeare4 ,while ,musa thus lay dying in the tents of ,nejd1 the cold hand of death was fast closing upon another in the land of ,arabia4 ,day by day the germs of disease pulsed stronger and stronger through the veins of ,mohammed4 ,monarch of ,arabia1 originator of a creed which was eventually to push itself throughout ,egypt1 ,india1 ,afghanistan1 ,persia1 and even to the wild steppes of ,siberia1 he must now die4 ,he viewed the end with firmness1 and it has been a matter of controversy as to whether in these later days he still had the hallucination of being a prophet4 ,too feeble to walk to the mosque1 he lay1 tended by his wives1 in the tent of ,ayesha1 his favorite4 ,not many days before his death he asked that he might be carried to the mosque4 ,willing arms bore him thither1 and placed him in the pulpit1 from whence he could look down upon the city1 and away to the palm-groves of ,kuba4 ,then1 turning his face towards the holy city1 ,mecca1 he addressed the crowds of waiting people below4 ,if there be any man1 said he1 whom ,i have unjustly scourged1 ,i submit my own back to the lash of retaliation4 ,have ,i aspersed the reputation of any ,mussulman8--let him proclaim my faults in the face of the congregation4 ,has anyone been despoiled of his goods8--the little that ,i possess shall compensate the principal and the interest of the debt4 ,he then liberated his slaves1 gave directions as to the order of his funeral1 and appointed ,abu ,beker to supply his place in offering public prayer4 ,this seemed to indicate that ,abu ,beker was to be his successor in office2 and the long-tried friend accordingly became the first caliph of the ,saracen empire4 ,after this the prophet was conveyed again to the house of ,ayesha4 ,the fever increased1 and the pain in his head became so great that he more than once pressed his hands upon it exclaiming1 ,the poison of ,khaibar6 ,the poison of ,khaibar6 ,once1 perceiving the mother of ,bashar1 the soldier who had died of the poison in the fatal city1 he said3 ,o mother of ,bashar1 the cords of my heart are now breaking of the food which ,i ate with your son at ,khaibar6 ,at another time1 springing up in delirium1 he called for pen and ink that he might write a new revelation2 but owing to his weak state1 his request was refused4 ,in talking to those about him he said that ,azrael1 the ,angel of ,death1 had not dared to take his soul until he had asked his permission4 ,a few nights before his death1 he awoke from a troubled sleep1 and1 starting wildly from his couch1 sprang up with unnatural strength from his bed4 ,come1 ,belus6 he cried to an attendant4 ,come with me to the burial-place of ,el ,bakia6 ,the dead call to me from their graves1 and ,i must go thither to pray for them4 ,alone they passed into the night2 through the long1 silent streets they walked like phantoms2 up the white road of ,nedj they glided1 until the few low tombs of the cemetery to the southeast of the city were in sight4 ,at the border of the bleak1 lonely field1 where the wind moaned among the tombs like the sighing of a weeping ,rachel1 ,mohammed paused4 ,peace be with you1 ,o people of ,el ,bakia6 he cried4 ,peace be with you1 martyrs of ,el ,bakia6 ,one and all1 peace be with you6 ,we verily1 if ,allah please1 are about to join you6 ,o ,allah1 pardon us and them6 ,and the mercy of ,god and his blessings be upon us all6 ,thus he prayed1 stretching his hands towards the spot where his friends lay in their long sleep4 ,his companion stood in awe behind him1 shivering in superstitious terror1 as the white tombs gleamed like moving apparitions through the gloom1 and the night-owls hooted with a mournful cadence o'er the dreary waste4 ,when he had concluded1 the prophet turned towards home4 ,but the excitement of mind which had endowed him with almost supernatural strength now deserted him4 ,his steps grew feeble and he was fain to lean upon ,belus on his painful way back4 ,he grew rapidly worse4 ,his wife ,ayesha1 and his daughter ,fatima1 wife of ,ali1 seldom left his bedside4 ,when the last came1 he raised his eyes to the ceiling and exclaimed1 ,o ,allah1 pardon my sins6 ,he then1 with his own feeble hand1 sprinkled his face with water1 and soon afterwards1 with his head on ,ayesha's bosom1 he departed1 in the sixty-third year of his age1 and the eleventh year of the ,hejira1 ,a4,d4 #fcb4 ,the frenzied people would not believe that he was dead4 ,he will arise1 like ,jesus1 they said4 ,but no returning breath quivered through the cold lips or animated the rigid form of him whom they passionately called to life2 and not until ,abu ,beker assured them that he was really no more1 saying1 ,did he not himself assure us that he must experience the common fate of all8 ,did he not say in the ,koran1 ',mohammed is no more than an apostle2 the other apostles have already deceased before him2 if he die therefore1 or be slain1 will ye turn back on your heels8'--not until then did they disperse1 with deep groans4 ,mohammed was buried in the house in which he died1 his grave being dug in the spot beneath his bed2 but some years later a stone tomb was erected over the grave1 and until the present day the place is held so sacred that it is at the risk of his life that anyone but a ,mussulman dares enter4 ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,,the ,,new ,,home4 ,on these small cares of daughter1 wife1 or friend1 ,the almost sacred joys of ,home depend4 --,hannah ,more4 ,in the quiet valley in ,palestine life had been dealing gently with ,nathan and his family4 ,the long1 long absence of ,manasseh was the one thing lacking for their perfect contentment4 ,it is well1 ,nathan would say1 yet his eyes would turn wistfully towards the ,south1 as though he half-hoped to see the beloved face of his son appearing over the hill4 ,the mother grew weary with waiting1 yet she did not murmur1 but whispered to her lonely heart1 ,living or dead1 it must be well4 ,only once she said1 ,husband1 he is surely dead1 and ,nathan replied3 ,let us still hope1 wife1 that we may yet see the goodness of the ,lord in permitting us to behold his face4 ,so they hoped on1 and worked on1 amid their orange trees1 their corn and vegetables1 and their sheep browsing peacefully on the hills4 ,and ,mary tended the jasmine flowers and rose-bushes at the door1 carrying water to them night and morning1 that they might look at their prettiest when ,manasseh came4 ,only one letter had reached them--a cheery1 hopeful letter1--but it had been a long time on the way1 and the events of which it told had taken place many weeks before it reached the ,jordan valley4 ,it had told them of ,yusuf and ,amzi1 of the little church1 of the sender's strange meeting with ,kedar1 and the news he had gathered of ,lois4 ,then it had told of the war1 and had closed with an affectionate farewell1 in which the writer expressed his wish1 rather than his expectation1 of being able to make his way to the new home soon4 ,how long it seemed to ,mary since that last word had come6 ,and he was not home yet6 ,she kept the precious manuscript in her bosom1 and twenty times a day she looked down the long valley for the well-known form4 ,one morning she sat by the river1 idly plashing her bare feet in its golden ripples1 and looking at the shadows on the little stones near the shore4 ,about her gamboled a pet lamb1 and above1 a soft blue sky was flecked with fleecy white clouds4 ,she twirled a sprig of blossoms in her hand1 but her thoughts were far away in dear1 hot1 dusty1 dreary ,mecca4 ,it is not so pleasant as this1 though1 she thought1 if ,manasseh were only here4 ,just then the tinkle of a camel-bell was heard1--a strange sound in that secluded spot4 ,mary looked up1 and saw what seemed to be a great many people coming over the hill1 camels bearing shugdufs1 too1 and pack-mules1 heavily laden4 ,trembling1 she rushed into the house4 ,oh1 mother1 what means this8 ,see the people6 ,manasseh would not bring all of those with him8 ,the mother shaded her eyes with her hand1 and looked forth1 anxiously4 ,nearer and nearer came the train4 ,who were they8 ,not ,manasseh2 ,manasseh would not come so slowly4 ,can it be8 ,not ,yusuf6 ,not ,amzi6 ,yes1 yes6 ,o joy6 ,it is they6--and many other familiar faces smile also from the train6 ,is ,manasseh well8 ,yes1 ,manasseh is well1 and happy4 ,so questions were asked and answered in joyful confusion2 and ,nathan came in from the hills to bid the travelers welcome4 ,then the dusty1 travel-stained tents were pitched once more1 this time on a grassy slope by the rippling ,jordan4 ,a simple repast was spread1 and the company dined in royal state4 ,with what surprise did ,nathan and his household greet the wife of ,asru and her sweet-faced daughter as sisters in ,christ1 and with what sympathy did they hear of ,asru's sad death6 ,then plans for the immediate settlement of the little party were made4 ,pasture-land in abundance was to be had2 hence the majority of the new-comers would be speedily and comfortably provided with new homes4 ,amzi would take up his abode in some comfortable town-house not far distant1 and ,yusuf would remain with him for the present4 ,mary and ,sherah were friends at once1 and ere evening fell1 they sat1 as girls will1 in a cozy nook by the river-side forming plans for walks and talks during the long1 bright1 summer days4 ,every cloud had drifted1 for the time being1 from the happy company2 and1 ere they retired to rest1 all united with fervor in the words of the grand song3 ,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul1 and forget not all his benefits3 who forgiveth all thine iniquities2 who healeth all thy diseases2 who redeemeth thy life from destruction2 who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies2 who satisfieth thy mouth with good things2 so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's4 ,the ,lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed4444 ,bless the ,lord1 all his works1 in all places of his dominion6 ,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul6 ,and later in that same evening1 another group came to ,nathan's house4 ,the door was closed1 for the evening was chill without4 ,a knock was heard4 ,mary opened the door1 and there was ,manasseh himself1 radiantly happy2 and close behind him was another ,manasseh with ,bedouin eyes4 ,mother1 sister1 and father pressed round the youth until he could scarcely move4 ,there1 there6 he said1 shaking them off playfully1 my cousin ,kedar will be jealous4 ,mother1 this is ,lois' son1 and there is someone in the darkness here still4 ,the youth went out4 ,who was this that he assisted from the shugduf8--the living image of ,lois in her girlhood days6 ,not ,lois1 but her daughter1 a ,bedouin maid1 fresh as the breeze from her native hills4 ,and can this be ,lois--this sad-faced yet stately woman8 ,it is1 indeed1 and the long-separated sisters are once more united4 ,kedar's brothers are there too1 and one more family is added to the little community4 ,,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,a ,,wedding ,,in ,,palestine4 ,god1 the best maker of all marriages4--,shakespeare4 ,for a moment let us look more closely at the little district where the ,jewish band found a home after all their wanderings4 ,they settled at a point where the ,jordan ,river1 that strange river flowing for its entire length through a depression one thousand feet below the level of the sea1 is cut up by many a cataract2 and the rushing noise of the water1 carried from its mysterious source at the foot of ,mount ,hermon1 fills the valley with a music not lost upon ears long accustomed to the dry wastes of ,arabian deserts4 ,to the north lie plains where cold blasts blow1 and mountains whose crests gleam with never-failing snow2 yet in the fair vales of ,jordan the tempered breeze fans the air with the mildness of a never-ceasing-summer1 and the soft alluvial soil is luxuriant with the rich growth of the tropics4 ,to the west the rugged and picturesque mountains of ,judea rise1 and to the east1 at a distance of some ten miles1 lie the blue-tinted mountains of ,moab1 rich in associations of sacred history4 ,in this favored spot1 shaded by waving groves and hidden by vines1 was the house of ,asru's wife2 and at a little distance from it was a well1 an old-fashioned well such as is seen only in the ,east1 walled about with ancient and worn flag-stones1 between which1 at one side1 the water trickled and ran over mossy stones to the river below4 ,a large tamarisk tree waved above it1 and in its shade1 with one knee resting on the flag-stone1 her hands clasped behind her head1 and her large eyes fixed upon the mountains of ,moab beyond1 stood ,sherah1 ere the sun rose1 on one beautiful autumn morning4 ,an earthen water-pitcher1 such as is carried by the girls of the ,orient1 was beside her1 yet she moved not to execute her errand4 ,the sun arose behind the mountain2 the amber sky became golden2 the rosy pink clouds changed to radiant silver2 the birds sang2 the dew glittered2 and the sun shone through the leaves of the trees with a flush of green-gold4 ,the beauty of the scene touched the girl4 ,in a low1 clear voice1 spontaneous as the song of a bird1 she sang3 ,for the ,lord shall comfort ,zion2 he will comfort her waste places3 and he will make her wilderness like ,eden1 and her desert like the garden of the ,lord2 joy and gladness shall be found therein1 thanksgiving and the voice of melody4 ,the song brought comfort to her2 for was she not soon to leave this fairy spot1 this ,aidenn1 to return to the land of the ,mussulman2 not the land of-- ,deep myrrh thickets blowing round ,the stately cedar1 tamarisks4 ,thick rosaries of scented thorn1 ,tall ,orient shrubs1 and obelisks ,graven with emblems of the time1 but to the bleak1 treeless plains of ,nejd1 breezy with the warm breath of desert-swept winds1 bounded by rolling mountains1 and dotted by the black tents of those roving hordes of whom it has been said that their hand is against every man1 and every man's hand is against them1--the fierce1 cruel yet generous1 impulsive1 courteous tribes of the desert4 ,for ,manasseh and ,kedar were both going back to the desert tribes1 braving the dangers of persecution1 that they might exert an influence in christianizing the ,bedouin tribes over whom the ,moslems as yet had little power4 ,sherah was going back as ,manasseh's wife1 and this was her wedding-day4 ,she was willing to go1 yet she could not help feeling a little lonely on this last morning in her mother's home4 ,presently the call ,sherah6 ,sherah6 came through the olive groves1 and the old nurse hobbled out4 ,the woman was a thorough type of an aged ,arab1 lean1 wrinkled1 hook-nosed1 with skin like shrunken leather1 and a voice like a raven4 ,yet ,sherah knew her goodness of heart1 and loved her dearly4 ,she was taking the old woman back with her1 for1 oddly enough1 ,zama had never felt at home in the new land1 and often craved that her bones might be buried in the old soil4 ,why disturb me1 ,zama8 said the young woman kindly4 ,see you not that ,i am bidding farewell to this dear valley8 ,aye1 aye1 child1 muttered the old nurse1 but we must put the wedding-gown upon you1 and twine jasmine in your hair4 ,she stroked the glossy masses fondly4 ,ah1 to-morrow it must be braided in the plaits of the matron1 and the coins will be placed about my precious one's neck2 yet it seems only yesterday that she was a toddling baby at my feet4 ,the two women1 the one tall and lithe as a willow1 the other bent and shrunken1 took their way to the house4 ,mary was already there1 and assisted in adorning the bride4 ,the guests arrived1 and the simple ceremony was soon over2 then the company sat down to the wedding feast4 ,lois and her sister talked in low tones to the mother of ,sherah1 who grieved a little at the separation from her daughter4 ,happy jests and laughter passed about among the young people4 ,amzi went1 with beaming face1 from group to group2 and ,yusuf looked quietly on4 ,in the midst of the entertainment some one came to the door4 ,it is a peddler6 cried one4 ,let us see what he has--perhaps another gift for our fair bride4 ,the young people gathered about the glittering trinkets4 ,manasseh came near1 and1 with a merry twinkle in his eyes1 placed his hand on the man's shoulder4 ,the peddler looked up1 and his face blanched with fear4 ,it was the little ,jew1 who1 having escaped like an eel from ,manasseh's care after the ,battle of ,ohod1 and having become thoroughly frightened at the idea of remaining longer in a war-ridden district1 had disappeared like magic from the plains of ,arabia1 and had become once more the insignificant ,jewish peddler in the more secure provinces to the north4 ,do not be frightened1 laughed ,manasseh4 ,we no longer take prisoners of war2 yet1 for the sake of old acquaintance1 ,i claim you to partake of our feast4 ,the little man was half-dragged to the table and given a place by ,nathan1 who spoke kindly to him4 ,yet he did not feel at ease4 ,the stolen cup seemed to point an accusing finger at him2 and he ate little1 and talked less4 ,presently he caught a glimpse of ,yusuf4 ,the sight of the man whom he had so nearly delivered to death was too much for him4 ,his little eyes darted about as if suspicious of some design upon his freedom4 ,he could not understand the magnanimity of these people1 and1 deeming discretion the better part of valor1 he sprang from the table1 shouldered his pack1 and was off1 to be seen no more4 ,illustration ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,,the ,,farewell4 ,sondry folk1 by aventure y-falle in felaweschipe4--,chaucer4 ,and now1 our tale draws to a close1 and time permits but a parting glance at those who have been so long a goodly company of friends4 ,amzi has1 in his descent to old age1 developed a wonderful activity of mind and body4 ,he has become one of the most influential members of the little town in which he has taken up his abode4 ,realizing as never before the duty which man owes to man1 and fully awakened at last to the fact that our talents are given us to be exercised fully1 he no longer dreams away time in the ,arab ,kaif2 but1 from morning to night1 his plump figure and good-natured old face are seen1 up and down1 in the mart1 in the council-chamber1 in the church1 wherever he can lend a helping hand4 ,he has even assumed the role of schoolmaster1 and upon the earthen floor of an unused hall he gathers day by day a troop of little ones1 over whom he bends patiently as they cling to his gown for sympathy in their small trials1 or as they trace upon their wax tablets1 with little1 uncertain hands and in almost illegible characters1 the words of a copy1 or text4 ,aye1 he says1 who knows what these little ones may some day become8 ,they are as impressionable as the wax upon which they write4 ,heaven grant that the impression made upon them may be mighty for good6 ,kedar has married a ,bedouin maid1 and is happy in his free life in the old land4 ,naught but the desert could satisfy him2 he would stagnate in the calm life which those in the ,jordan valley are finding so pleasant4 ,as yet he and ,manasseh have not been molested in their work by the ,moslems2 and in their remote mountain recesses they are persistently fighting against heathendom1 and are leading many to live better and nobler lives4 ,and ,yusuf8 ,he is in his home-land again4 ,once more he stands upon the highest point of the ,guebre temple4 ,the priests have not refused him admittance1 for no one has recognized in this harmless old man the once ,guebre ,yusuf4 ,ah1 it is heathen ,persia still6 ,the fires flicker upon the altar1 and the idolatrous chants arise on the air4 ,yusuf covers his face with his mantle and weeps4 ,he has but a few years of strength before him1 but he will spend them in trying to bring the ,gospel of love to these poor1 blind people4 ,he grieves for his benighted country2 but when the moon slowly rises1 shedding her soft rays over the old scene1 the mountains1 the valleys below1 all calm1 peaceful1 radiant1 he is comforted4 ,he thinks of ,him who created the lesser orb to rule the night1 and a great joy fills his heart that he has been led to a recognition of ,him1 and that he has been enabled to lead others to ,him4 ,his face glows with serene happiness and hope4 ,he raises his eyes to the calm1 deep heavens1 and says3 ,o ,father1 ,i thank thee that 'mine eyes have seen the ,king1 the ,lord of hosts1' and his dear ,son6 ,i thank thee that thou hast led me to see ,truth6 ,o ,god1 thou hast taught me from my youth1 and hitherto have ,i declared thy wondrous works6 ,now also when ,i am old and gray-headed1 ,o ,god1 forsake me not until ,i have showed thy strength unto this generation1 and thy power to every one that is to come6 ,and now1 ,father1 'what wait ,i for8 ,my hope is in thee1' the great ,god1 the ever-loving ,father1 now and for evermore4 ,amen and amen4 ,and there will we leave him4 ,may he live ,longer than ,i have time to tell his years6 ,ever beloved and loving1 may his rule be6 ,and when old ,time shall lead him to his end1 ,goodness and he fill up one monument6 --,shakespeare4 ,,the ,,end4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,the month of ,ramadhan was held as holy prior to ,mohammed's time2 its sanctity was but confirmed by him4 #b ,medina at this time bore the name of ,yathrib1 but in this volume we shall give it the later and better-known name of ,medina1 derived from the earlier ,mahdinah4 #c ,the ,moslems now assert that the sacred fire went out of itself at the birth of ,mohammed4 #d ,a fourth1 the ,darb-el-,sharki1 or ,eastern ,road1 has since been built by order of the wife of the famous ,haroun al ,raschid4 #e ,joseph ,pitts1 ,a4,d4 #afhj1 says3 ,mecca is surrounded for several miles with many thousands of little hills which are very near to one another4 ,they are all stony-rock1 and blackish1 and pretty near of a bigness1 appearing at a distance like cocks of hay1 but all pointing towards ,mecca4 #f ,burton says the black stone is volcanic1 but is thought by some to be a meteorite or aerolite4 ,burckhardt thought it composed of lava4 ,of its appearance ,ali ,bey says3 ,it is a block of volcanic basalt1 whose circumference is sprinkled with little crystals1 with rhombs of tile-red feldspath on a dark background like velvet or charcoal4 #g ,by the latest statistics the number of ,mohammedans now scattered throughout ,asia1 ,africa1 and the south-eastern part of ,europe amounts to some #agf1hcd1cgb4 #h ,moslems assert that upon this night ,mohammed was carried through the seven heavens of which ,el ,islam tells4 #i ,the initial ,a is placed at the top of all ,arabian writings4 ,it is the initial of ,allah and the first letter of the alphabet1 and is symbolic of the origin of creation4 #aj ,burton gives seven hundred4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,transcriber',s ,,notes3 ,obvious printing errors were repaired2 these changes are listed below4 ,title ,page ,original text3 ,elgin1 ,ill1 ,correction3 ,elgin1 ,ill41 ,original text3 ,david ,c ,cook ,correction3 ,david ,c4 ,cook ,chapter ,v ,original text3 may know thee as we should4' ,correction3 may know thee as we should4 ,chapter ,,vi ,original text3 ,this hullucination ,correction3 ,this hallucination ,original text3 ,mc,lellan1 ,psychology ,correction3 ,mc,lellan1 ,psychology4 ,original text3 ,see page #bc ,correction3 ,see page #bc4 ,original text3 called ',el ,amin ,correction3 called ',el ,amin' ,chapter ,,vii ,original text3 be poured on my defenseless and ,correction3 be poured on my defenceless and ,chapter ,,ix ,original text3 ,death is the end of life ,correction3 ,death is the end of life ,original text3 ,ikh6 ,ikh6 ,correction3 ,ikh6 ,ikh6 ,chapter ,,xiv ,original text3 ,he forebore to thrust ,correction3 ,he forbore to thrust ,chapter ,,xvi ,original text3 ,for this ,i am thankful4 ,correction3 ,for this ,i am thankful1 ,chapter ,,xvii ,original text3 giving him a shake4 what ,correction3 giving him a shake1 what ,original text3 the fair little ,imra ,correction3 the fair little ,imri ,chapter ,,xix ,original text3 ,here1 ,manasseh6 interupted ,yusuf ,correction3 ,here1 ,manasseh6 interrupted ,yusuf ,chapter ,,xxiii ,original text3 peace with those of ,mecca4 ,correction3 peace with those of ,mecca4' ,chapter ,,xxvii ,original text3 thus comes in ,bedouin garb8' ,correction3 thus comes in ,bedouin garb8 ,footnote #b ,original text3 derived from the earlier ,mahdinah ,correction3 derived from the earlier ,mahdinah4 ,footnote #f ,original text3 like velvet or charcoal4 ,correction3 like velvet or charcoal4