er come back again,
that's clear. Allah acbar--God is great. Then must we mourn." And my
mother ran out into the street before the door, shrieking and screaming,
tearing her hair and her garments, so as to draw the attention and the
sympathy of all her neighbours, who asked her what was the matter. "Ah!
wahi, the head of my house is no more," cried she, "my heart is all
bitterness--my soul is dried up--my liver is but as water; ah! wahi, ah!
wahi," and she continued to weep and tear her hair, refusing all
consolation. The neighbours came to her assistance; they talked to her,
they reasoned with her, restrained her violence, and soothed her into
quietness. They all declared that it was a heavy loss, but that a true
believer had gone to Paradise; and they all agreed that no woman's
conduct could be more exemplary, that no woman was ever more fond of her
husband. I said nothing, but I must acknowledge that, from her previous
conversation with me, and the quantity of pilau which she devoured that
evening for her supper, I _very much doubted the fact_.

I did not remain long at home; as, although it was my duty to acquaint
my mother with my father's death, it was also my duty to appear to
return to my corps. This I had resolved never more to do. I reflected
that a life of quiet and ease was best suited to my disposition; and I
resolved to join some religious sect. Before I quitted my mother's roof
I gave her thirty sequins, which she was most thankful for, as she was
in straitened circumstances. "Ah!" cried she, as she wrapt up the money
carefully in a piece of rag, "if you could only have brought back your
poor father's head, Hudusi!"--I might have told her that she had just
received what I had sold it for--but I thought it just as well to say
nothing about it; so I embraced her, and departed.

There was a sort of dervishes, who had taken up their quarters about
seven miles from the village where my mother resided; and as they never
remained long in one place, I hastened to join them. On my arrival, I
requested to speak with their chief, and imagining that I was come with
the request of prayers to be offered up on behalf of some wished-for
object, I was admitted.

"Khoda shefa midehed--God gives relief," said the old man. "What
wishest thou, my son? Khosh amedeed--you are welcome."

I stated my wish to enter into the sect, from a religious feeling; and
requested that I might be permitted.

"Thou knowest n