s from the sick boy Mussoud to Tifum to give him
one little halt to rest, it was at last granted; more, however, to give
Tifum an opportunity to light his pipe than for the sake of the sick
boy.

No sooner had Tifum turned his back, than Selim bent down and began to
scrape together the dry, white, sandy dust from the road, and to rub his
feet, and hands, and face, and body with it, as if he were washing
himself; then turning his face to the north-east, in the direction of
Mecca, he began his prayer in a whisper:

"Oh, Thou who art the light of heaven and earth, whom all creatures
praise, unto whom all things belongeth, thou bounteous, wise, and
compassionate God! be gracious and merciful to one of the true
believers, who now standeth before Thy footstool.

"Thou art great, Thou art holy, Thou art almighty, Oh God! and unto
those who invoke Thee Thou hast promised, through Thy prophet Mohammed,
blessed be his name! to be attentive and to lend assistance.

"Thou all-knowing and gracious God! avert from me the torments of
Jehenna, which I suffer at the hands of these infidel savages.

"The unbelievers have laid cruel hands upon me, a true believer, and a
son of a true believer. Lo! they have bound me like unto a sheep about
to be slaughtered; they have laid their whips upon me, the cruel thongs
have cut into my bones, and with their sharp spears have they gashed me.

"Thou Powerful and Self-sufficient God! Thou hast promised to protect
the fatherless and the orphan, and to be solicitous for him, and to
punish those who oppress him.

"Thou compassionate and loving God! let the orphan's cries take the form
of prayers, and suffer them to ascend unto Thee before Thy footstool,
and do Thou bow down Thine head, and let them penetrate Thine ear.

"Thou one, only, and eternal God! hearken compassionately onto my
prayers, and rescue me from the unbelievers.

"Thou Lord of men, King of men, and God of men! save me from mine
enemies, by the promise Thou hast given unto all true believers through
Thy holy apostle Mohammed, and be Thy heart softened toward the orphan,
and hear his prayers."

When Selim had finished this urgent, sincere appeal to his God, he
prostrated himself to the earth, and then rose refreshed in body and
spirit.

Turning to Abdullah, who had been attending to his brother, he said:

"Abdullah, my friend, I feel refreshed and strong. I have a bright idea
in my head."

"I have seen you pray, Selim,