ound, strewing heat. In the melee the robbers had thrust
lance or knife into several of the water-skins. Yet there was, it was
held, provision enough. The caravan went on. At midday the Bedouins
returned, reinforced. Zeyn al-Din and his mustered force beat them
off. No loss of goods or life, but much of time! The caravan went on,
that with laden beasts must move at best much like a tortoise. That
night the rest was shortened. Two hours after midnight and the strings
of camels were moving again, the asses and mules so monstrously
misshapen with bales of goods, the horses and horsemen and those
afoot. At dawn, not these Bedouins, but another roving band, harassed
them. Time was running like water from a cracked pitcher.

This day they cleared the robber bands. There spread before them,
around them, clean desert. Then returned that sickness.

"_O Zeyn al-Din, what could we expect who travel with him who denies
Allah?_"

The stricken caravan crept under the blaze across the red waste.
Camels fell and died. Their burdens were lifted from them and added to
the packs of others; their bodies were left to light and heat and
moving air.... It grew that an enchantment seemed to hold the feet of
the caravan. Evils came upon them, sickness of men and beasts. And now
it was seen that there was indeed little water.

"O Zeyn al-Din, rid us of this infidel!"

"The infidel is in you!" answered Zeyn al-Din. "Much speaking makes
for thirst and impedes motion. Let us cross this desert."

"O Zeyn al-Din, if you be no right head man we shall choose another!"

"Choose!" said Zeyn al-Din, and went to the head of a camel who would
not rise from the sand.

Ill luck clung and clung. Twelve hours and there began to be cabals.
These grew to factions. The larger of these swallowed the small fry,
swelled and mounted, took the shape of practically the whole caravan.
"Zeyn al-Din, if you do not harken to us it will be the worse for you!
Drive away the Christian dog!"

"Abu al-Salam, are you the chief, or I?--Now, companions, listen!
These are the reasons in nature for our troubles--"

But no! It was the noon halt. The desert swam in light and silence.
The great majority of the traders and their company undertook to play
divining, judging, determining Allah. The big Christian stood over
against them and looked at them, his arms folded.

"It is no such great matter!... Very good then! What do you want me
to do?"

"Turn your head and your ey