"This evening a courier from Medina arrived in the city. He has with him a proclamation requiring all unsubmissive Jews to leave Mecca by to-morrow night at the latest."
"So soon!" exclaimed Kedar. "Where are they to go?"
"I have just talked with Yusuf, and with Amzi, who, poor fat man! is trying to get a little sleep in the fresh air of the housetop. They propose that we join my father's family in Palestine. Of course, I do not object!" added the youth, with a smile.
"Think you it will be safe for so small a band to face the dangers of the desert alone?" asked Kedar.
"A caravan leaves for Damascus to-morrow," replied Manasseh. "Fortunately we may obtain its protection."
"Good! Then I shall turn aside to the table-lands of Nejd and see my parents again," said Kedar.
"Think you your parents would join our band?"
Kedar shook his head. "Not likely. You see my father has lived all his days as a Bedouin. To be tied down to commerce he would consider a degradation. Neither would he become a shepherd, as watching sheep is a task held fit for women only in our tribe."
"And will you stay with them, Kedar?" asked Manasseh.
"I know not. We will see what the future has in store; but, at any rate," he added, half slyly, "your cousin Kedar will wear the Moslem turban no more."