The speaker had spread before him a square of carpet, and had prostrated himself, bowing before the setting sun.
“Allah be praised!”
The prayers were ended, but the man remained prostrate on the carpet.
In the distance a score of men stood, evidently waiting for their chief to rise.
When his devotions were concluded he stood up, looked in the direction of the setting sun, bowed his head once more, and sat down on the sand to put on his sandals.
The man was evidently an Arab of high rank.
Dressed in white, his face partly covered, after the manner of the chiefs of Arabia, he presented a most picturesque appearance.
Several of his escort, or guard, came forward and folded up the carpet, placing it with great care on the back of a camel, which had been brought forward.
The chief—Sherif el Habib—walked away from his servants, his companion being a youth, fair as a girl, but strong as a lion.
“Ibrahim, my heart is sad,” said Sherif el Habib to the youth.