unpitying, were worse than
foes as they rose up to harass me. None was there to defend 'Abdu'l-Baha,
no helper, no protector, no ally, no champion. I was drowning in a
shoreless sea, and ever beating upon my ears were the raven-croaking
voices of the disloyal.

At every daybreak, triple darkness. At eventide, stone-hearted tyranny.
And never a moment's peace, and never any balm for the spear's red wounds.
From moment to moment, word would come of my exile to the Fezzan sands;
from hour to hour, I was to be cast into the endless sea. Now they would
say that these homeless wanderers were ruined at last; again that the
cross would soon be put to use. This wasted frame of mine was to be made
the target for bullet or arrow; or again, this failing body was to be cut
to ribbons by the sword.

Our alien acquaintances could not contain themselves for joy, and our
treacherous friends exulted. 'Praise be to God,' one would exclaim, 'Here
is our dream come true.' And another, 'God be thanked, our spear-head
found the heart.'

Affliction beat upon this captive like the heavy rains of spring, and the
victories of the malevolent swept down in a relentless flood, and still
'Abdu'l-Baha remained happy and serene, and relied on the grace of the
All-Merciful. That pain, that anguish, was a paradise of all delights;
those chains were the necklace of a king on a throne in heaven. Content
with God's will, utterly resigned, my heart surrendered to whatever fate
had in store, I was happy. For a boon companion, I had great joy.

Finally a time came when the friends turned inconsolable, and abandoned
all hope. It was then the morning dawned, and flooded all with unending
light. The towering clouds were scattered, the dismal shadows fled. In
that instant the fetters fell away, the chains were lifted off the neck of
this homeless one and hung round the neck of the foe. Those dire straits
were changed to ease, and on the horizon of God's bounties the sun of hope
rose up. All this was out of God's grace and His bestowals.

And yet, from one point of view, this wanderer was saddened and
despondent. For what pain, in the time to come, could I seek comfort? At
the news of what granted wish could I rejoice? There was no more tyranny,
no more affliction, no tragical events, no tribulations. My only joy in
this swiftly-passing world was to tread the stony path of God and to
endure hard tests and all material griefs. For otherwise, this earthly
life