they do not possess higher courage or loftier spirit than
our own children. Who would have thought that such large independence
could hide within the little body of the American balyuz's son? That
small child cannot be twelve years old, yet he talks with the wisdom of
a man. All the Nazarenes are wonderful people--wonderful! Who are
stronger, richer than the Nazarenes of England?"

"Ah, but, father," said Selim; "do you not think the Nazarenes are
accursed of God, and of the prophet Mohammed--blessed be his name? The
American boy told me the Arabs are wicked, and are accursed of God.
Said he to me that same day in hearing of the Sultan's son, as if he was
not a bit afraid of the consequences, `The Lord God makes his anger
known against the Arabs by refusing knowledge and the gifts of
understanding unto them, because they are wicked, because they go forth
into Africa with armed servants a-plenty to destroy and kill the poor
black people, and to take slaves of parents and children, whom they
bring to Zanzibar to sell for their own profit.' Is he not an
unbeliever, father?"

"Peace, Selim; let not thy tongue utter such words against the true
believers, though they may have been said by a young dog like that.
Cast them away from thee entirely, and let not thy father hear thee
utter aught against thine own race and kindred. To the unbelievers God
has said, `Woe unto them; they shall be the prey of the flames.'"

"But, father, thou art not offended with me? Thou hast not yet given
thy consent to my going with thee and my kinsman."

"Dost thou know, my child, that the Pagans are fierce, that they have
great spears and knives, and will cut that slim neck of thine, and
perhaps eat thee without compunction?" asked Amer, smiling.

"I fear them not," answered Selim, tossing his head back proudly. "When
did a son of the great tribe of Beni-Hassan show fear? and shall I, the
son of a chief of that tribe--the son of Amer bin Osman--look upon the
faces of the Pagans with fear in my heart?"

"Then thou shalt go with me, were it only for those last words. But
fear not, Allah will care for thee," said Amer, solemnly laying his
broad hand on his son's head.

"Let us end this before the sun sets," said Khamis impatiently, watching
the descent of the sun. "How many men canst thou take with thee, Sheikh
Thani?"

"Thani has a son--Isa," answered that worthy trader. "Thani is poor
compared to Amer, but he can call round him