ing_ dervishes; all our religion consisted in howling like jackals
or hyenas, with all our might, until we fell down in real or pretended
convulsions. My howl was considered as the most appalling and unearthly
that was ever heard, and, of course, my sanctity was increased in
proportion. We were on our way to Scutari, where was our real place of
residence, and only lodged here and there on our journey to fleece those
who were piously disposed. I had not joined more than ten days when
they continued their route, and after a week of very profitable
travelling, passed through Constantinople, crossed the Bosphorus, and
regained their place of domiciliation, and were received with great joy
by the inhabitants, to whom the old chief and many others of our troop
were well known.

Your sublime highness must be aware that the dervishes are not only
consulted by, but often become the bankers of, the inhabitants, who
intrust them with the care of their money. My old chief (whose name I
should have mentioned before was Ulu-bibi) held large sums in trust for
many of the people with whom he was acquainted; but his avarice inducing
him to lend the money out on usury, it was very difficult to recover it
when it was desired, although it was always religiously paid back. I had
not been many months at Scutari, before I found myself in high favour,
from my superior howling and the duration of my convulsions. But during
this state, which by habit soon became spasmodic, continuing until the
vital functions were almost extinct, the mind was as active as ever, and
I lay immersed in a sea of doubt which was most painful. In my state of
exhaustion I doubted everything. I doubted if my convulsions were
convulsions or only feigned; I doubted if I was asleep or awake; I
doubted whether I was in a trance, or in another world, or dead, or----

* * * * *

"Friend Hudusi," interrupted Mustapha, "we want the facts of your story,
and not your doubts. Say I not well, your highness? What is all this but
bosh?--nothing."

"It is well said," replied the pacha.

"Sometimes I thought that I had seized possession of a fact, but it
slipped through my fingers like the tail of an eel."

"Let us have the facts, which did not escape thee, friend, and let the
mists of doubt be cleared away before the glory of the pacha," replied
Mustapha.

One day I was sitting in the warmth of the sun, by the tomb of a true
believer, when an old