les south of Tetuan in the northern half
of the territory of the tribe of Akhmas, and the sun was two hours set
when Israel entered its beautiful valley between the two arms of
the mountain called Jebel Sheshawan. Going through the orchards and
vineyards that were round it, he was recognised by certain Jews; tanners
and pannier-makers, who in the days of his harder rule had fled from
Tetuan and his heavy taxings.

"It's Israel ben Oliel," whispered one.

"God of Jacob, save us!" whispered another.

"He has followed us for the arrears of taxes."

"We must fly."

"Let us go home first."

"No time for that."

"There is Rachel--"

"She's a woman."

"But I must warn my son--he has children."

"Then you are lost. Come on."

Before he reached the rude old masonry that had once been the fortress
and was now the prison, the poor followers of Absalam, who lay within,
had heard that he was coming, and, in their despair and the wild
disorder of all their senses, they looked for nothing but death from his
visit, as if they were to be cut to pieces instantly. Men and women
and young children, gaunt with hunger and begrimed with dirt, some
with faces that were hard and stony, some with faces that were weak and
simple, some with eyes that were red as blood, all weary with waiting
and wasted with long pain, ran hither and thither in the gloom of the
foul place where they were immured together. Shedding tears, beating
their flesh, and crying out with woeful clamour, these unhappy creatures
of God, who had been great of soul when they sang their death-song with
the precipice behind them and the soldiers in front, now quaked for
the miserable lives which they preserved in hunger and cherished in
bitterness.

By help of the seal of his master, which he always carried, Israel found
his way into the courtyard of the prison. The prisoners, who had been
gathered there for his inspection, heard his footsteps, and by one
impulse, as if an angel from heaven had summoned them, they fell to
their knees about the door whereby he must enter, men behind and women
in front, and mothers holding out their babes before their breasts so
that he might see them first, and have mercy upon them if he had a heart
made for pity.

Then the door of the place was thrown open, and Israel entered. His head
was bowed down, and his feet were bare. The people drew their breath in
wonder.

"Arise," he said; "I mean you no harm! See! Here is bread! Take