! An overwhelming
pity for the ignorant, subterranean people, who were content to live
like rats in their holes, filled his soul. How could the _Omdeh_
permit it? He seemed kind and he knew that he was intelligent.
Probably when the poor were in trouble they instinctively came to him;
he administered the affairs of the village, no doubt, with scrupulous
impartiality. In this ancient and conservative land it was simply a
part of his inherited belief and tradition that such extremes would
always exist, that the condition of these people was the condition of
which they were worthy, that it was no man's business but their own.
They were in Allah's hands. If He willed it, He would help them to
rise above it. Our wants make us poor--these men and women had no
wants; they were not poor.

It was with much difficulty that Michael at last bade his host adieu,
an adieu of abounding phraseology and grace of speech. The _Omdeh_,
with native hospitality, had tried to persuade his guest to remain with
him for some days, or if he could not do that, to at least do honour to
his humble house by spending one night in it. If the honourable
Effendi would only remain, he would tell his servant to kill a sheep
and have it roasted; he would send for a noted dancer, to beguile the
later hours of the evening; he would have his four gazelles brought to
the _selamlik_ and Michael should see how beautifully they ran and
jumped--they were of a very rare species, much admired by all who could
appreciate their points.

To all these inducements Michael turned a deaf ear, even to the last, a
blind musician, whose _'ood_ playing was greatly celebrated. It was
not easy to refuse these pressing inducements, which were all put
before Michael with the elaborate charm of Arabic speech. It was he
who was to confer the pleasure by remaining; it was he who was to be
unselfish and bestow so unexpected and great a pleasure on his humble
host.

Determined to get on his way that same afternoon, Michael hardened his
heart. He told the _Omdeh_ that Abdul had arranged that they were to
travel to within one day's journey of their destination that same day;
their camp would be in readiness. On the following day Abdul and he
were to leave the servants in charge of the camp and start out on the
last portion of their journey. They were now but one day and a half
from the Promised Land.

Michael had agreed with Abdul that their secret must not be divulged,