As a river-reach changes beneath a slant of the sun, that which had been a scattered mob changed to a court of most ancient justice. The hounds tore and sobbed at Abu Hussein's hearthstone, all unnoticed among the legs of the witnesses, and Gihon, also accustomed to laws, purred approval.
“You will not wait till the Judges come up the river to settle the dispute?” said the Governor at last.
“No!” shouted all the village save the man who had first asked to be beaten. “We will abide by Our Excellency's decision. Let Our Excellency turn out the creatures of the Emirs who stole our land in the days of the Oppression.”
“And thou sayest?” the Governor turned to the man who had first asked to be beaten.
“I say I will wait till the wise Judges come down in the steamer. Then I will bring my many witnesses,” he replied.
“He is rich. He will bring many witnesses,” the village Sheikh muttered.
“No need. Thy own mouth condemns thee!” the Governor cried. “No man lawfully entitled to his land would wait one hour before entering upon it. Stand aside!” The man, fell back, and the village jeered him.
The second claimant stooped quickly beneath the lifted hunting-crop. The village rejoiced.
“Oh, Such an one; Son of such an one,” said the Governor, prompted by the Sheikh, “learn, from the day when I send the order, to block up all the holes where Abu Hussein may hide—on—thy—land!”
The light flicks ended. The man stood up triumphant. By that accolade had the Supreme Government acknowledged his title before all men.