urther south, I may, I hope, be of use to you."

After this conversation, he came to me one day and told me that the
sheikh and two marabouts, or priests, who were in the camp, had resolved
to make me and my companions turn Mohammedans. "I warn you, that you
may know how to behave. Let me advise you not to show any indignation,
but rather to pretend that you are ready to listen to what they call the
truth."

The very next day the sheikh summoned me into his presence. I found him
seated with the two marabouts; and they at once explained the doctrines
of the Mohammedan faith, and to which, according to Selim's advice, I
listened with all the respect I could assume.

"Are you acquainted, O sheikh, with my religion, from which you wish to
turn me?" I asked quietly.

"Yes; you worship Jins, and have dealings with the Evil One," he
answered in a confident tone, as if he knew all about the matter.

I have since met others, in more enlightened lands, equally confident as
to their knowledge of the religious opinions of those who differ from
them, and equally wrong.

"You have been misinformed, O sheikh; pardon me for saying so," I
replied calmly. "I worship the one true God. Listen to the prayer I
offer up every morning." I then repeated slowly, and with all due
emphasis, the Lord's Prayer. The sheikh and marabouts listened with
astonishment depicted on their countenances.

"Can this be so?" asked the sheikh. "Such a prayer as that any true
believer might be ready to offer up."

"Forgive us our offences, as we forgive them that offend against us," I
said slowly, looking at the sheikh. "Can you pray thus and expect to be
forgiven?" I asked.

"Truly the young Nazarene has put a puzzling question," observed the
sheikh, turning to the marabouts. They shook their heads, unable to
reply, but still unwilling to confess themselves defeated.

"Now, O sheikh, understand that we Christians desire to follow that
precept, not from cowardice or a mean spirit, but from obedience to our
Lord and Master; and would you therefore wish to induce me and my
companions to abandon a faith inculcating so pure and holy a precept?
Understand that where it is practised, blood feuds, and the many other
causes which produce the quarrels and bloody wars so constantly
prevailing in this region, are impossible. Peace and prosperity reign
in exact proportion as the true Christian faith gains the ascendency
among a people."

"You argue