another might take pride in. Is it not time he girt a scimitar about his
waist and trod the poop of one of thy galleys?"

"Indeed, indeed, O my father!" begged Marzak himself.

"What?" barked the old Moor. "And is it so? And wouldst thou go forth
then against the Spaniard? What knowledge hast thou that shall equip
thee for such a task?"

"What can his knowledge be since his father has never been concerned to
school him?" returned Fenzileh. "Dost thou sneer at shortcomings that
are the natural fruits of thine own omissions?"

"I will be patient with thee," said Asad, showing every sign of losing
patience. "I will ask thee only if in thy judgment he is in case to win
a victory for Islam? Answer me straightly now."

"Straightly I answer thee that he is not. And, as straightly, I tell
thee that it is full time he were. Thy duty is to let him go upon this
expedition that he may learn the trade that lies before him."

Asad considered a moment. Then: "Be it so," he answered slowly. "Shalt
set forth, then, with Sakr-el-Bahr, my son."

"With Sakr-el-Bahr?" cried Fenzilch aghast.

"I could find him no better preceptor."

"Shall thy son go forth as the servant of another?"

"As the pupil," Asad amended. "What else?"

"Were I a man, O fountain of my soul," said she, "and had I a son, none
but myself should be his preceptor. I should so mould and fashion him
that he should be another me. That, O my dear lord, is thy duty to
Marzak. Entrust not his training to another and to one whom despite thy
love for him I cannot trust. Go forth thyself upon this expedition with
Marzak here for thy kayia."

Asad frowned. "I grow too old," he said. "I have not been upon the seas
these two years past. Who can say that I may not have lost the art of
victory. No, no." He shook his head, and his face grew overcast and
softened by wistfulness. "Sakr-el-Bahr commands this time, and if Marzak
goes, he goes with him."

"My lord...." she began, then checked. A Nubian had entered to announce
that Sakr-el-Bahr was come and was awaiting the orders of his lord in
the courtyard. Asad rose instantly and for all that Fenzileh, greatly
daring as ever, would still have detained him, he shook her off
impatiently, and went out.

She watched his departure with anger in those dark lovely eyes of hers,
an anger that went near to filming them in tears, and after he had
passed out into the glaring sunshine beyond the door, a silence dwelt in
the cool dar