d he
embraced me and bid me farewell.

"After certain moons he returned covered with weals and scars, and his
bones protruded through his skin.

"'Whence are these weals and scars?' asked I, 'and what signifies this
protrusion of thy bones?'

"'The weals and the scars,' answered he, 'proceed from the floggings
inflicted upon me by command of the Caliph; and my bones protrude by reason
of the omission of his officers to furnish me with either food or drink in
the dungeon wherein I was imprisoned by his orders.'

"'O my son,' exclaimed I, 'in the eyes of faith and right reason these
scars are lovelier than the moles of beauty, and the sight of thy bones is
like the beholding of hidden treasure!'

"And Abdallah strove to look as though he believed me; nor did he entirely
fail therein. And I took him, and fed him, and healed him, and sent him
forth a second time into the world.

"And after a space he returned, covered as before with wounds and bruises,
but comely and somewhat fat.

"'Whence this sleekness of body, my son?' I asked.

"'Through the charity of the Caliph's wives,' he answered, 'who have fed me
secretly, I having assured them that in remembrance of this good work each
of them in the world to come would have seven husbands.'

"'How knewest thou this, my son?' I inquired.

"'In truth, father,' he said, 'I did not know it; but I thought it
probable.'

"'O my son! my son!' exclaimed I, 'thou art on a dangerous road. To win
over weak ignorant people by promises of what they shall receive in a
future life, whereof thou knowest no more than they do! Knowest thou not
that the inestimable blessings of religion are of an inward and spiritual
nature? Did I ever promise any disciple any recompense for his
enlightenment and good deeds, save flogging, starvation, and burning?'

"'Never, father," said he, 'and therefore thou hast had no follower of thy
law save one, and he hath broken it.'

"He left me after a shorter stay than before, and again went forth to
preach. After a long time he returned in good condition of body, yet
manifestly having something upon his mind.

"'Father,' he said, 'thy son hath preached with faithfulness and
acceptance, and turned thousands unto righteousness. But a sorcerer hath
arisen, saying, "Why follow ye Abdallah, seeing that he breathes not fire
out of his mouth and nostrils?" And the people give ear unto the words that
come from this man's lips, when they behold the flame t