With a fearful oath he gave up the
argument, and ran for his life, amid a roar of laughter.

Then Iskender came out upon the pathway, and walked along it till he
reached the sakieh. As prearranged with Mitri, he feigned great
surprise at sight of the Emir, exclaiming:

"I thought you said the garden of Elias. This is the garden of Aziz
abu Suleyman."

"Something queer has happened," said his patron, showing great
uneasiness. "These people have been trying to explain to me, but I
can't understand them."

Iskender looked to the priest for elucidation. After a short
conference apart with him, he was in a position to inform his lord,
who, learning the deception put on him, was very angry. His Honour was
for leaving the place at once; but Mitri and the brother of Aziz would
not let him depart as if in dudgeon.

The little crowd of men, women, and children, having finished with
Elias, now drew near, and sat or lay in a half circle at a respectful
distance from the group upon the carpet. The brother of Aziz flung
oranges to them; and both he and Mitri asked for tidings of the
boaster, which Iskender was called upon to translate for the Frank's
behoof. The downfall of Elias seemed complete. But the victor could
not take much joy in it, for the face of his Emir still showed nothing
but annoyance.

If only Mitri and the rest would now retire, he thought impatiently, he
might throw himself at the feet of his dear lord. As it was, he was
forced to make his petition lamely, calmly, shorn of all that outward
self-abasement which the case demanded. It was something, however, to
be sure of privacy, to know himself alone with his Emir in knowledge of
the English tongue.

"Oh, sir," he faltered, "forgif me, do, or I shall die of grief. You
'f neffer been the same to me since goin' to the Mission. I luf you,
sir, enough to gif my life. I thought you would hate me if you knew my
mother was a washin'-woman! It break my heart ef'ry time you gif me
money; I luf to gif you things, not take things from you. If the
missionaries tell you contrary, they're dam' liars. Elias thinks of
money; but not me, because I luf you truly. I'll be a slafe to you.
Do blease belief me!"

His lord was deeply moved. He said, "That's all right," and gave his
hand to Iskender, who all at once beheld the beauty of the trees and
sky, the wealth of crimson flowers above the sakieh. But when the
suppliant pressed it to his lips, the Frank