The screams and cries of Nell, who grasped the hands of the savage and begged him to let Stasch up, would have been of no avail had not Idris unexpectedly come to the boy’s rescue. He was older and much stronger than Gebhr, and from the beginning of their flight from Gharak el-Sultani every one obeyed his orders. Now he tore the scourge out of his brother’s hand, and throwing it far away, cried:
“Begone, you fool!”
“I shall beat this scorpion to death!” answered Gebhr, grinding his teeth.
But Idris caught hold of him by the chest, and looking him in the eyes said in a threatening undertone:
“The noble[[2]] Fatima has forbidden us to hurt these children, for they pleaded for her—”
“I shall beat him to death!” repeated Gebhr.
“And I tell you that you shall not lift the scourge against either of them again. If you do I will repay you ten times over each lash that you inflict.”
Then he tossed and shook him like a palm branch, and continued:
“These children are Smain’s property, and should one of them not arrive alive, the Mahdi himself, may God increase his days even more, would hang you. Do you understand, you fool?”
The name of the Mahdi had such an influence on all his believers that Gebhr immediately hung his head, and with great respect and fright continually repeated: