seven-year-old sister, known in later years
by the same title as that of her illustrious mother, and whose services
until the ripe old age of four score years and six, no less than her
exalted parentage, entitle her to the distinction of ranking as the
outstanding heroine of the Baha'i Dispensation, were also included among
the exiles who were now bidding their last farewell to their native
country. Of the two brothers who accompanied Him on that journey the first
was Mirza Musa, commonly called Aqay-i-Kalim, His staunch and valued
supporter, the ablest and most distinguished among His brothers and
sisters, and one of the "only two persons who," according to Baha'u'llah's
testimony, "were adequately informed of the origins" of His Faith. The
other was Mirza Muhammad-Quli, a half-brother, who, in spite of the
defection of some of his relatives, remained to the end loyal to the Cause
he had espoused.

The journey, undertaken in the depth of an exceptionally severe winter,
carrying the little band of exiles, so inadequately equipped, across the
snow-bound mountains of Western Persia, though long and perilous, was
uneventful except for the warm and enthusiastic reception accorded the
travelers during their brief stay in Karand by its governor Hayat-Quli
_Kh_an, of the Alliyu'llahi sect. He was shown, in return, such kindness
by Baha'u'llah that the people of the entire village were affected, and
continued, long after, to extend such hospitality to His followers on
their way to Ba_gh_dad that they gained the reputation of being known as
Babis.

In a prayer revealed by Him at that time, Baha'u'llah, expatiating upon
the woes and trials He had endured in the Siyah-_Ch_al, thus bears witness
to the hardships undergone in the course of that "terrible journey": "My
God, My Master, My Desire!... Thou hast created this atom of dust through
the consummate power of Thy might, and nurtured Him with Thine hands which
none can chain up.... Thou hast destined for Him trials and tribulations
which no tongue can describe, nor any of Thy Tablets adequately recount.
The throat Thou didst accustom to the touch of silk Thou hast, in the end,
clasped with strong chains, and the body Thou didst ease with brocades and
velvets Thou hast at last subjected to the abasement of a dungeon. Thy
decree hath shackled Me with unnumbered fetters, and cast about My neck
chains that none can sunder. A number of years have passed during which
afflictions hav