“Lo! thy Sheikh, thy Branch of Honour, hath led thee through these courts of the Fáda—wherefore dost thou not honour him?”
“It was thy voice alone that rallied us when we were failing, and guided us at the critical moment unto a victory great and glorious!” cried one of the warriors, a statement that was hailed with extreme approbation.
Gracefully she bowed in recognition of the compliment, saying, “What I have done hath been in accordance with the promise given unto me. Once again have I led thee to victory, though it be for the last time.”
A murmur of dissent went round, and a voice inquired the reason.
“Because,” she said,—“Because thou hast conquered the City of the Ahír, therefore thou hast no further need of my services—”
“I have. Thou shalt now become Pearl of my Harem!” Hadj Absalam interrupted, with a scowl of displeasure upon his furrowed face.
This declaration produced a sensation almost electrical, and it seemed that, even though the prospect might be distasteful to them, none dare challenge the autocrat. Zoraida, too, turned pale, clenched her tiny hands, and bit her lips to the blood.
“Brothers,” she gasped, her voice faltering, “I, Daughter of the Sun, am thy sister. Oft-times have I risked my life to ensure success in thy forays. Art thou still loyal unto me?”
“We are,” they answered, as with one voice.
“Then I fear not mine enemies,” she exclaimed, drawing herself up and flinging back her blood—besmirched silken robe with a defiant air. “To-day thou hast broken the power of a great Sultan and beheaded him; thou hast invested the palace that all thought impregnable; thou hast captured many slaves, and thou hast secured plunder almost as valuable as the Treasure of Askiá, which lieth hidden. I led thee hither, but the tenure of my leadership is at an end. Bow now unto the authority of thy Sheikh, and treat me only as one who hath rendered thee a service.”