sole object,
apparently, in life was to become one of the Forty Wise Men, who
presided over the people and protected them from all ills.

The years went on, and still without a reward he patiently labored, no
doubt contenting himself with the idea that the day would come when
the merit of his actions would be recognized by Allah. That was a
mistake, my friends; true faith expecteth nothing. However, the day
did come, and the Dervish's great desire had every appearance of being
realized. One of the Forty Wise Men having accomplished his mission on
earth, departed this life. The remaining thirty-nine, who still had
duties to fulfil, consulted as to whom they should call to aid them in
their work. A eulogy was pronounced in favor of the Dervish. They not
unjustly considered how he had labored among the poor in Scutari; ever
ready to help the needy, ever ready to counsel the rash, ever ready to
comfort and encourage the despairing. It was decided that he should be
nominated. A deputation consisting of three, two to listen, one to
speak, was named, and with the blessing of their brethren, for
success, they entered a caique and were rowed to Scutari. Arriving at
the Dervish's gate, the spokesman thus addressed the would-be member
of the Forty Wise Men:

"Brother in the flesh, thy actions have been noted, and we come to put
a proposition to thee, which, after consideration, thou wilt either
accept or reject as thou thinkest best for all interested therein. We
would ask thee to become one of us. We are sent hither by, and are the
representatives of, the sages who preside over the people. Brother, we
number in all one hundred and thirty-eight in spirit;--ninety-nine,
having accomplished their task in the flesh, have departed;
thirty-nine, still in the flesh, endeavor their duty to fulfil. And it
is the desire of the one hundred and thirty-eight souls to add to us
thyself, in order to complete our number of laborers in the flesh.
Brother, thy duties, which will be everlasting, thou wilt learn when
with us. Do thou consider, and we will return at the setting of the
sun of the third day, to receive thy answer."

And they turned to depart. But the Dervish stopped them, saying:
"Brothers, I have no need to consider the subject for three days,
seeing that my inmost desire for thirty years, and my sole object in
life has been to become worthy of being one of you. In spirit I have
long been your brother, in the flesh it is easy to co