"Father," asked Abdullah, "will you now marry us, since we are
Christians?"
"I would," answered the priest, "but it is necessary to have two witnesses."
Abdullah's face fell, but in an instant it brightened again. He went to the door of the hut and stood, listening. In a moment he turned and said, "Allah is good, or, rather, God is good. This new religion works well. Here are our witnesses."
And, even as he spoke, there came out of the darkness the halt-cry of the camel-driver.
"It is Ali," said Abdullah, "and Nicha's maid is with him. They have caught us up."
He ran out and found the camels kneeling and Ali easing the surcingles.
"Ali," he cried, "you must change your religion."
"Willingly," said Ali; "what shall the new one be? The old one has done little for me."
"Christian," said Abdullah.
"That suits me," said Ali; "under it one may drink wine, and one may curse. It is a useful religion for a trader."