greater prospect is revealed. Hills, dales,
mountains, plains, valleys, forests, rivers, lakes, seas, all lovely,
and lovelier than what we see now, are comprehended within the scope of
my hidden and unseen eyes. What is this new sight or feeling, my
father? Canst thou tell me?"

"Ah, my child, it is simply the awakening of the hitherto latent mind;
or thought, exercised by but a faint experience, has been touched by
Nature, and begins to dawn," replied Amer. "God had endowed thee with
the power of thought and of mind when he gave thee life. It was
impossible that it could remain for ever hidden. The hour that a child
begins to exercise his mind seeth him advanced a step nearer to manhood.
It will kindle and expand as thou growest in years, and in each day's
march thou wilt find fresh food for it. It remains with God and thine
own nature to improve it with every breath of air thy lungs inhale. By
diligently reading the Kuran and studying the precepts of Mohammed--
blessed be his name!--thou wilt so protect that thought pure from evil
as the tiny germ God implanted in thy breast at thy birth."

"But tell me, father, one thing--it is different from that which thou
hast been just telling me," asked Selim. "Thou knowest Simba and Moto
are thy slaves. Is it right, or is it not, to own slaves?"

"It is right, certainly, my son. The Kuran sanctions it, and it has
been a custom from of old with our race to own slaves. What has
prompted thee to such a question? Is it another sign of the growth of
thy mind?" his father asked, with a smile.

"I know not," replied Selim, bending his head like one who hesitated to
speak his mind or was unable to comprehend the drift of his own thought.
"But thou knowest Simba and Moto are good; they love thyself and me
exceedingly, and as I know better than others that thou art just, and
lovest justice for its own sake, wouldst thou think it right to retain
thy slaves in bondage if they thought it injustice to them?"

"Ha! where is it possible thou couldst have gained such ideas, child?
But, never mind, since thy thoughts run so wild, I will answer thee,"
replied Amer. "No, it is not right in me, or any living man, to retain
a slave in his possession, if the slave thinks it injustice, or if his
slavery galls him; neither is it fair that, after I have purchased him
with my money, I should give him his liberty for the mere asking; but
strict justice would demand that I set a price of