Yusuf immediately took his place in their circle with the salutation of "Peace!" This at once enlisted their good-will.
"Peace: behold the Jew: he hath put trust in us; he hath no fear."
"The children of the Sahel do not injure their guests; I have travelled since morning fasting; hunger will make the fawn brave."
"God's protection is over you," said another.
"Eat!—behold the food God provides is before you."
Yusuf looked round at them and at their slender store of provisions.
"You are four," he said; "your hunting may be prolonged; before the setting of to-morrow's sun you may be in more want of it than I. Direct me on my way; hunger can be borne."
"Art thou not an infidel?" said a third. "Hast thou no trust in God? Cannot God, who has sent us to your assistance, likewise provide us with food when we are in need of it? Eat. O Jew! eat. He who breaks not bread with the Arab is not the Arab's friend."
"Bismillah!" said Yusuf, at this conclusive argument, joining at once in their hard fare. He then asked, "Has the Soudan Cafila passed, or is it expected? and am I far from its track?"