ends!'
exclaimed Alroy, 'for there is no reason why you should not be friends,
spare me, spare me. I am poor, I am young, I am innocent. I am neither a
spy nor a merchant. I have no plots, no wealth. I am a pilgrim.'

'A decided spy,' exclaimed Scherirah; 'they are ever pilgrims.'

'He speaks too well to speak truth,' exclaimed Kisloch.

'All talkers are liars,' exclaimed Scherirah.

'That is why Kisloch is the most eloquent of the band.'

'A jest at the banquet may prove a curse in the field,' replied Kisloch.

'Pooh!' exclaimed Scherirah. 'Fellows, why do you hesitate? Search the
prisoner, I say!'

They advanced, they seized him. In vain he struggled.

'Captain,' exclaimed one of the band, 'he wears upon his breast a
jewel!'

'I told you so,' said the third robber.

'Give it me,' said Scherirah.

But Alroy, in despair at the thought of losing the talisman, remembering
the injunctions of Jabaster, and animated by supernatural courage, burst
from his searchers, and, seizing a brand from the fire, held them at
bay.

'The fellow has spirit,' said Scherirah, calmly. ''Tis pity it will cost
him his life.'

'Bold man,' exclaimed Alroy, 'for a moment hear me! I am a pilgrim,
poorer than a beggar. The jewel they talk of is a holy emblem, worthless
to you, to me invaluable, and to be forfeited only with my life. You
may be careless of that. Beware of your own. The first man who advances
dies. I pray you humbly, chieftain, let me go.'

'Kill him,' said Scherirah.

'Stab him!' exclaimed Kisloch.

'Give me the jewel,' said the third robber.

'The God of David be my refuge, then!' exclaimed Alroy.

'He is a Hebrew, he is a Hebrew,' exclaimed Scherirah, jumping up.
'Spare him, my mother was a Jewess.'

The assailants lowered their arms, and withdrew a few paces. Alroy still
remained upon his guard.

'Valiant pilgrim,' said Scherirah, advancing, with a softened voice,
'are you for the holy city?'

'The city of my fathers.'

'A perilous journey. And whence from?'

'Hamadan.'

'A dreary way. You need repose. Your name?'

'David.'

'David, you are among friends. Rest, and repose in safety. You hesitate.
Fear not! The memory of my mother is a charm that always changes me!'
Scherirah unsheathed his dagger, punctured his arm,[14] and, throwing
away the weapon, offered the bleeding member to Alroy. The Prince of the
Captivity touched the open vein with his lips.

'My troth is pledged,' said the bandit; '