trembling like a leaf,
awaited his fate.

Nearer and nearer came the howling Dervish, till at last his long hair
could be seen floating in the air, as with rapid strides he preceded
the wind upon his endless journey.

On and on he came, his wild yell sending the blood, from very fear, to
unknown parts of the poor Hodja's body and leaving his face as yellow
as a melon.

To his utter dismay, the Hodja saw the Dervish approach the tree and
sit down under its shade.

Sighing deeply, the Dervish said in a loud voice, "Why have I come
into this world? Why were my forefathers born? Why was anybody born?
Oh, Allah! Oh, Allah! What have you done! Misery! Misery! Nothing but
misery to mankind and everything living. Shall I not be avenged for
all the misery my father and my father's fathers have suffered? I
shall be avenged."

Striking his chest a loud blow, as if to emphasize the decision he had
come to, the Dervish took a small bag that lay by his side, and slowly
proceeded to untie the leather strings that bound it. Bringing forth
from it a small image, he gazed at it a moment and then addressed it
in the following terms:

"You, Job! you bore much; you have written a book in which your
history is recorded; you have earned the reputation of being the most
patient man that ever lived; yet I have read your history and found
that when real affliction oppressed you, you cursed God. You have made
men believe, too, that there is a reward in this life for all the
afflictions they suffer. You have misled mankind. For these sins no
one has ever punished you. Now I will punish you," and taking his
long, curved sword in his hand he cut off the head of the figure.

The Dervish bent forward, took another image and, gazing upon it with
a contemptuous smile, thus addressed it:

"David, David, singer of songs of peace in this world and in the world
to come, I have read your sayings in which you counsel men to lead a
righteous life for the sake of the reward which they are to receive. I
have learned that you have misled your fellow-mortals with your songs
of peace and joy. I have read your history, and I find that you have
committed many sins. For these sins and for misleading your fellowmen
you have never been punished. Now I will punish you," and taking his
sword in his hand he cut off David's head.

Again the Dervish bent forward and brought forth an image which he
addressed as follows:

"You, Solomon, are reputed to have been