“In the name of Allah, gladly,” consented Shems-ud-dìn, starting to consciousness.
Taking suggestion from the scene around them, he told of Lût and Ibrahìm the Friend, and how Allah destroyed the wicked cities which once stood where now the bitter sea shone gold to the setting sun. The villagers—men, women, and little children—approached to listen, edging nearer shyly, like wild things fascinated, till they formed a half-circle before the narrator. Soft breathed “Ma sh’ Allah!” punctuated his discourse. The Circassians, returning by twos and threes, lounged upon the ground within earshot. “It is a great saint, hear him! None like him in all the world!” they whispered to the breathless fellahìn; till Shems-ud-dìn observed how they whispered among themselves, and ceased speaking, in some annoyance. Till then he had been scarce aware of their presence. It was no time for preaching, his sorrow told him, nor for aught else wherein his soul took pride.
The villagers stole up, one by one, to kiss his hand, and he suffered it, but begged them to withdraw; which they presently did, with many a backward look. Certain of the women returned at nightfall, bringing slabs of bread, and earthen bowls full of curds and cooked meats, which they set upon the ground near him. They stayed not to haggle over the price, but took what was offered them and went away.
“Ma sh’ Allah!” said Hassan Agha, with his thunderous laugh. “It is good to travel with a holy one. To-morrow, it is likely, we shall find coined gold instead of stones in our path. Know also, O light of my eyes, that our enemies are delivered into our hands, an easy prey. The Lord knows we must thank thy sanctity for it, under Allah. Some dwellers in the House of Hair camp ahead of us within that crease of the mountain to be seen from here. My own eyes have beheld them. And one, a pilgrim to Neby Mûsa, who stood near, told me all there is to know concerning them.
“They are infidels, coming of a southern tribe which of old was perverted from the Faith; and they go now to keep the feast of the Nazarenes, which is nothing but a battle between two rival factions of that sect, decided annually in the church, called the Resurrection, in El Cûds. This fight is all their observance; for the rest, they have no religion more than other wild beasts. It is good to exterminate such men. In sh’ Allah, we shall slay every one of them or ever they behold the city. So shall my sons be avenged!”
“Be not so wicked in thy thoughts,” said Shems-ud-dìn sternly. “What are these men to thee? These slew not thy sons!”
Hassan shrugged up his shoulders, and began to roll a cigarette.
“Am I Allah, to tell one sparrow from his brother?”
“Thou wouldst not shed innocent blood!”
“Is their blood innocent? Allah knows: let Him decide. I know that men like to these in appearance slew my two sons ten years ago....”