ot what thou askest, my son. Ours is a hard life, one of
penitence, prostration, and prayer--our food is but of herbs and the
water of the spring; our rest is broken, and we know not where to lay
our heads. Depart, yaha bibi, my friend, depart in peace."

"But, father," replied I (for to tell your highness the truth,
notwithstanding the old man's assertions, as to their austerities of
life, I very much doubted the fact), "I am prepared for all this, if
necessary, and even more. I have brought my little wealth to add to the
store, and contribute to the welfare of your holy band; and I must not
be denied." I perceived that the old man's eyes twinkled at the bare
mention of gold, and I drew from my sash five and twenty sequins, which
I had separated from my hoard, with the intention of offering it. "See,
holy father," continued I, "the offering which I would make."

"Barik Allah--praise be to God," exclaimed the dervish, "that he has
sent us a true believer. Thy offering is accepted; but thou must not
expect yet to enter into the austerities of our holy order. I have many
disciples here, who wear the dress, and yet they are not as regular as
good dervishes should be; but there is a time for all things, and when
their appetite to do wrong fails them, they will (Inshallah, please
God), in all probability, become more holy and devout men. You are
accepted." And the old man held out his hand for the money, which he
clutched with eagerness, and hid away under his garment. "Ali," said
he, to one of the dervishes who had stood at some distance during my
audience, "this young man--what is your name--Hudusi--is admitted into
our fraternity. Take him with thee, give him a dress of the order, and
let him be initiated into our mysteries, first demanding from him the
oath of secrecy. Murakhas, good Hudusi, you are dismissed."

I followed the dervish through a narrow passage, until we arrived at a
door, at which he knocked; it was opened, and I passed through a
court-yard, where I perceived several of the dervishes stretched on the
ground in various postures, breathing heavily, and insensible.

"These," said my conductor, "are holy men who are favoured by Allah.
They are in a trance, and during that state, are visited by the Prophet,
and are permitted to enter the eighth heaven, and see the glories
prepared for true believers." I made no reply to his assertion, but as
it was evident that they were all in a state of beastl