they at last discovered recesses in the rocks for shade,
flowers, and springs. When Lockman perceived this he took them into
the mines, where he forced them to laborious employment. But even here
their fortune attended them. They learned of themselves to cut the ore
which they easily found. In this familiar intercourse with quiet,
sublime nature, their hearts opened, their minds became elevated, and
their bodies strengthened. They no longer loved wealth and vanity, but
God, the wonderful works of nature, and each other. Lockman had no
further power to molest them.

The only thing that still caused them exertion, and even bodily pain,
was a torn apron of thick, hard leather, such as miners wear, which
Lockman had given them to sew together. The needle often broke under
their bleeding fingers while sewing it. They shared their task freely,
each taking it when the other was tired. One evening, when it was
still far from being finished, Lockman ordered them, with violent
threats, to remain up all night to complete it by the next morning.
They exerted all their strength to accomplish this task, though they
hardly thought it possible, when Hussain, who was sewing, towards
morning, while Ibrahim was sleeping, unluckily thrust the awl so deep
into his hand that he screamed with pain, and in despair threw the hard
leather on the ground. Ibrahim awaking at this, sought his turban to
bind Hussain's wound. Whilst looking at it he perceived that it was
his son's, which he had mistaken for his own the last night they spent
together. As he now took off the cloth, the singular talisman which
Ali had concealed met his view. He looked long at it, and discovering
the many precious stones, said: "Our tyrant has a fancy for rare and
precious stones, and these are finer than I have ever seen, I will,
therefore, place this splendid jewel on his bed; he will rejoice on
awaking, and his stern mind will relent, perhaps, even though he may
not find the apron repaired." With this intention he went into the
cavern where Lockman slept, and placed the talisman on the bare chest
of the sorcerer. He then hastened back, bound his friend's wound, and
continued sewing as long as he was able.

The sun was now high, but Lockman still slept, contrary to his custom.
Hussain crept in and found him in a profound slumber. Both friends
thanked Providence, which saved them from ill-treatment, and Ibrahim
said: "Perhaps he may sleep the whole day,