untains, for scorching
days and arid plains? The road is long--oh, so long--for weeks, months,
and years it lies to the west! Stay one moment longer, my Selim, and
let thy mother read thee what the Kuran's sacred page, which I've
divined, reveals. Remember, it is the sure decree of Fate, to which God
has affixed his own heavy seal. Hear these words, and stay with me:--

"A day will come, a day of saddest woe,
A day when Arabs meet the savage foe,
And Arabs vainly cry for strength and might,
And vainly strive to save themselves by flight.

"It is a day of woe, a day of doom,
A day surcharg'd with black and bitter gloom;
And sons shall mourn for Arab fathers slain,
And Arab wives shall shed their tears like rain.

"Wilt thou stay with me now? No! Proud boy, shun the death and misery
which wait this venture! Despise not the warning of Allah! Why wilt
thou, oh Selim, shake thy head so stubbornly? Speak."

"Dearest mother, it may not be. If Fate decrees my death and misery,
then why should I try to escape its sure laws by remaining behind? If
death awaits my father, Selim's place is by Amer's side, to die as
becomes the son of an Arab chief. But these are but trivial fears of
thine, my mother. Why shouldst thou fear for me? Am I not with my
father, the brave Amer son of Osman? Have I not my gun and long-sword?
What can the Pagan dogs do against all the great Arabs, and my father's
kinsmen, when Khamis bin Abdullah, and Amer bin Osman lead? Trust in
Allah, mother. Believe me, I shall return to thee, tall and strong,
with plenty of ivory and slaves to make thee rich--to hang such jewels
on thy neck as befits a chief's wife. Hark! the horn of the guide
sounds the signal of departure. My father is impatient, and I must go
to him. Embrace me, mother, and bless me ere I go."

Amina, seeing persuasion useless, needed no command for such an
affectionate duty. A full mother's love rose responsive to the call of
her son, but her son's impatience rendered the embrace, though fervid,
short.

"Allah go with thee, my boy!" cried the mother.

"And with thee also, for ever!" responded Selim.

They were parted at last, one to join his father, who was striding
forward with his caravan, the other to turn to a friend's house, to sob
and weep, and think of the loved ones now fast retiring towards the
west.

For a long time father and son were silent. Amer strode on quickly,
with an impassive cou