"I will come back with you. I should like it."
"Come along, then."
A short walk brought them to the bank, the two Arabs following at a respectful distance stately and indifferent.
The sun was setting now, and, behold! a wonder met their eyes. The dark stream was transfigured, as if by the wand of an angel. It poured rejoicing on its way, a torrent of liquid gold; for it had taken to its heart of hearts all the glory of the setting sun, and gave it back to the beholder in a marvel of radiance. So might look to mortal eyes the river of God, the river of the water of life, that runs through the shining streets of the New Jerusalem. The boy uttered a cry of wonder and delight. The father gazed in silence. At last he said, "So the dark river turns to gold."
"But come, my boy," he added presently, "before the sun sets. Let us take away with us in memory this look of the Euphrates."
Chapter II FATHER AND SON
"I cannot rest from travel, I will drink
Life to the lees."