sway she held over him, and thinking
it useless to attempt to move either to mercy, he had determined to make
this last use of his office, at all risks and hazards.

Ben Aboo might never hear that the people were at large, for Ali was to
forbid them to return to Tetuan, and Shawan was sixty weary miles away.
And if he ever did hear, Israel himself would be there to bear the brunt
of his displeasure, but Ali the instrument of his design, must be
far away. For when the gates of the prison had been opened, and the
prisoners had gone free, Ali was neither to come back to Tetuan nor to
remain in Morocco, but with the money that Israel gave him out of the
last wreck of his fortune he was to make haste to Gibraltar by way
of Ceuta, and not to consider his life safe until he had set foot in
England.

"England!" cried Ali. "But they are all white men there."

"White-hearted men, my lad," said Israel; "and a Jewish man may find
rest for the sole of his foot among them."

That same day the black boy bade farewell to Israel and to Naomi. He was
leaving them for ever, and he was broken-hearted. Israel was his father,
Naomi was his sister, and never again should he set his eyes on either.
But in the pride of his perilous mission he bore himself bravely.

"Well, good-night," he said, taking Naomi's hand, but not looking into
her blind face.

"Good-night," she answered, and then, after a moment, she flung her arms
about his neck and kissed him. He laughed lightly, and turned to Israel.

"Good-night, father," he said in a shrill voice.

"A safe journey to you, my son," said Israel; "and may you do all my
errands."

"God burn my great-grandfather if I do not!" said Ali stoutly.

But with that word of his country his brave bearing at length broke
down, and drawing Israel aside, that Naomi might not hear, he whispered,
sobbing and stammering, "When--when I am gone, don't, don't tell her
that I was black."

Then in an instant he fled away.

"In peace!" cried Israel after him. "In peace! my brave boy, simple,
noble, loyal heart!"

Next morning Israel, leaving Naomi at home, set off for the Kasbah, that
he might carry out his great resolve to give up the office he held under
the Kaid. And as he passed through the streets his head was held up, and
he walked proudly. A great burden had fallen from him, and his spirit
was light. The people bent their heads before him as he passed, and
scowled at him when he was gone by. The begg