er the movement caused by the teaching of Christ when he was on
earth!" cried Yusuf. "Dare you compare this petty tempest with that?"

"Yet Christ's very words have been here where all might read them, for
long enough. Why have they not drawn the attention of, and, if divine,
why have they not shown their power among, our citizens?"

"Because ye have eyes that see not, and ears that hear not!" cried the
priest impetuously. "Can you not see that the doctrines of the
Scriptures are just those which Mohammed proclaims? He seizes upon them,
he gives them as his own, because he knows they are good, yet he commits
the sacrilege of posing as a divine agent! Good cannot come out of this
except in so far as a few precepts of the Gospel, all plagiarized as
they are, exert their influence upon the lives of people."

Amzi looked inconvincible. "I grant the excellence of Gospel teaching,"
he said, "but your conception of God's love I cannot seem to feel, often
as you have explained it to me. Mohammed's revelations appear plausible.
Yet, look not so doleful, brother. Amzi has not become a Mohammedan. He
is still ready to believe as soon as he can see."

"Yes, yes; like Thomas, you must see and feel ere you will believe. God
grant that the seeing and feeling may not come too late!"

Amzi smiled, and passed his arm affectionately about the priest's
shoulder. "What a thorn in the flesh to you is Amzi the benevolent," he
said, kindly. "Notwithstanding, give me your blessing, priest. Give me
credit for being, at least, honest, and bid me good speed before I go."

"Heaven forbid that aught but blessing from Yusuf should ever follow
Amzi!" returned the other, warmly. "May heaven keep and direct you, my
friend, my brother!"

The friends embraced, according to the custom of the land, and
separated; Amzi to join the half-naked pilgrims, who had not yet donned
their traveling-robes, Yusuf to lift his heart to Heaven, as he now did
in every circumstance. In this silent talk to God he received comfort,
and his heart was filled with hope for Amzi.

Even this journey, which seemed so inauspicious, might, he thought, be
but the beginning of a happy end. He had learned that there are no
trifles in life; that no event is so insignificant that God may not make
use of it. He felt that Amzi was not utterly indifferent to the
influence of divine power, so he waited in patience.

CHAPTER VIII.

WHEREIN IS TOLD THE STORY OF NATHAN'S LIBERATI