nasseh, would that I had had a godly training such as yours!"

"Did your mother not tell you of these things?"

Kedar shook his head. "My poor mother drifted away from her early
training in our half-heathen Bedouin atmosphere," he said. "The
Bedouins know little of Christ. They have traditions of the creation, of
the deluge, and such old-time stories; in all else they are almost
heathen. When I am well, Manasseh, we will go to them--to my father--and
you will tell them, Manasseh?"

Manasseh nodded a smiling assent.

It was with no little trepidation that Yusuf and Amzi watched for some
sign of spiritual growth in the young Bedouin. As the days wore on, and
he was able to get about, though still weak, he was willing to attend
the Christian meetings; but he sat in silence, and persisted in wearing
the garb of a Moslem. The friends did not understand his attitude. They
did not recognize the sort of petulant shamefacedness that hindered him
from coming forth boldly in defence of principles which he fully
endorsed in his secret heart, and made him fear to cut himself loose
from the side on which he had taken so bold a stand, lest the epithet of
"turncoat," be fixed upon him. Kedar had not yet been touched by that
"live coal" which alone can set man in touch with God, and free him from
all human restrictions. But though he said little, he was thinking
deeply. He was not indifferent; and there is ever great room for hope
where there is not indifference.

And while the little Meccan household was thus engrossed in its own
circle, momentous events were happening without the capital.

CHAPTER XXVI.

INTERVENING EVENTS.

During the months that followed, Mohammed still went on in his career of
conquest--a course rendered easier day by day, as his enemies were now
weak indeed. The tribes of Watiba, Selalima and Bedr speedily gave way
before him, but were permitted to remain in their homes upon the
payment of a heavy yearly tribute.

He made one more pilgrimage to Mecca, and on this occasion the Koreish,
in accordance with the truce, offered no resistance; hence for three
days the prophet and his shaven followers walked the streets of Mecca,
and performed Tawaf at the Temple.

Mohammed found the Caaba still desecrated by idols, and, while pressing
his lips to the sacred Black Stone, he solemnly vowed to conquer Mecca
and to remove the pollution of images from the floor of the sanctuary.

In the meantime, the prop