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diff --git a/1303-h/1303-h.htm b/1303-h/1303-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7950cd0 --- /dev/null +++ b/1303-h/1303-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,11671 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Scapegoat, by Hall Caine + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1303 ***</div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE SCAPEGOAT + </h1> + <h2> + By Hall Caine + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> + CHAPTER II </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> + CHAPTER VI </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> + CHAPTER X </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> + CHAPTER XIV </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> + CHAPTER XVIII </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0022"> + CHAPTER XXII </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0026"> + CHAPTER XXVI </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII </a><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + <i>Within sight of an English port, and within hail of English ships as + they pass on to our empire in the East, there is a land where the ways of + life are the same to-day as they were a thousand years ago; a land wherein + government is oppression, wherein law is tyranny, wherein justice is + bought and sold, wherein it is a terror to be rich and a danger to be + poor, wherein man may still be the slave of man, and women is no more than + a creature of lust—a reproach to Europe, a disgrace to the century, + an outrage on humanity, a blight on religion! That land is Morocco!</i> + </p> + <p> + <i>This is a story of Morocco in the last years of the Sultan Abd + er-Rahman. The ashes of that tyrant are cold, and his grandson sits in his + place; but men who earned his displeasure linger yet in his noisome + dungeons, and women who won his embraces are starving at this hour in the + prison-palaces in which he immured them. His reign is a story of + yesterday; he is gone, he is forgotten; no man so meek and none so mean + but he might spit upon his tomb. Yet the evil work which he did in his + evil time is done to-day, if not by his grandson, then in his grandson's + name—the degradation of man's honour, the cruel wrong of woman's, + the shame of base usury, and the iniquity of justice that may be bought! + Of such corruption this story will tell, for it is a tale of tyranny that + is every day repeated, a voice of suffering going up hourly to the powers + of the world, calling on them to forget the secret hopes and petty + jealousies whereof Morocco is a cause, to think no more of any scramble + for territory when the fated day of that doomed land has come, and only to + look to it and see that he who fills the throne of Abd er-Rahman shall be + the last to sit there.</i> + </p> + <p> + <i>Yet it is the grandeur of human nature that when it is trodden down it + waits for no decree of nations, but finds its own solace amid the baffled + struggle against inimical power in the hopes of an exalted faith. That cry + of the soul to be lifted out of the bondage of the narrow circle of life, + which carries up to God the protest and yearning of suffering man, never + finds a more sublime expression than where humanity is oppressed and + religion is corrupt. On the one hand, the hard experience of daily + existence; on the other hand, the soul crying out that the things of this + world are not the true realities. Savage vices make savage virtues. God + and man are brought face to face.</i> + </p> + <p> + <i>In the heart of Morocco there is one man who lives a life that is like + a hymn, appealing to God against tyranny and corruption and shame. This + great soul is the leader of a vast following which has come to him from + every scoured and beaten corner of the land. His voice sounds throughout + Barbary, and wheresoever men are broken they go to him, and wheresoever + women are fallen and wrecked they seek the mercy and the shelter of his + face. He is poor, and has nothing to give them save one thing only, but + that is the best thing of all—it is hope. Not hope in life, but hope + in death, the sublime hope whose radiance is always around him. Man that + veils his face before the mysteries of the hereafter, and science that + reckons the laws of nature and ignores the power of God, have no place + with the Mahdi. The unseen is his certainty; the miracle is all in all to + him; he throngs the air with marvels; God speaks to him in dreams when he + sleeps, and warns and directs him by signs when he is awake.</i> + </p> + <p> + <i>With this man, so singular a mixture of the haughty chief and the + joyous child, there is another, a woman, his wife. She is beautiful with a + beauty rarely seen in other women, and her senses are subtle beyond the + wonders of enchantment. Together these two, with their ragged fellowship + of the poor behind them, having no homes and no possessions, pass from + place to place, unharmed and unhindered, through that land of intolerance + and iniquity, being protected and reverenced by virtue of the superstition + which accepts them for Saints. Who are they? What have they been?</i> + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <h3> + ISRAEL BEN OLIEL + </h3> + <p> + Israel was the son of a Jewish banker at Tangier. His mother was the + daughter of a banker in London. The father's name was Oliel; the mother's + was Sara. Oliel had held business connections with the house of Sara's + father, and he came over to England that he might have a personal meeting + with his correspondent. The English banker lived over his office, near + Holborn Bars, and Oliel met with his family. It consisted of one daughter + by a first wife, long dead, and three sons by a second wife, still living. + They were not altogether a happy household, and the chief apparent cause + of discord was the child of the first wife in the home of the second. + Oliel was a man of quick perception, and he saw the difficulty. That was + how it came about that he was married to Sara. When he returned to Morocco + he was some thousand pounds richer than when he left it, and he had a + capable and personable wife into his bargain. + </p> + <p> + Oliel was a self-centred and silent man, absorbed in getting and spending, + always taking care to have much of the one, and no more than he could help + of the other. Sara was a nervous and sensitive little woman, hungering for + communion and for sympathy. She got little of either from her husband, and + grew to be as silent as he. With the people of the country of her + adoption, whether Jews or Moors, she made no headway. She never even + learnt their language. + </p> + <p> + Two years passed, and then a child was born to her. This was Israel, and + for many a year thereafter he was all the world to the lonely woman. His + coming made no apparent difference to his father. He grew to be a tall and + comely boy, quick and bright, and inclined to be of a sweet and cheerful + disposition. But the school of his upbringing was a hard one. A Jewish + child in Morocco might know from his cradle that he was not born a Moor + and a Mohammedan. + </p> + <p> + When the boy was eight years old his father married a second wife, his + first wife being still alive. This was lawful, though unusual in Tangier. + The new marriage, which was only another business transaction to Oliel, + was a shock and a terror to Sara. Nevertheless, she supported its + penalties through three weary years, sinking visibly under them day after + day. By that time a second family had begun to share her husband's house, + the rivalry of the mothers had threatened to extend to the children, the + domesticity of home was destroyed and its harmony was no longer possible. + Then she left Oliel, and fled back to England, taking Israel with her. + </p> + <p> + Her father was dead, and the welcome she got of her half-brothers was not + warm. They had no sympathy with her rebellion against her husband's second + marriage. If she had married into a foreign country, she should abide by + the ways of it. Sara was heartbroken. Her health had long been poor, and + now it failed her utterly. In less than a month she died. On her deathbed + she committed her boy to the care of her brothers, and implored them not + to send him back to Morocco. + </p> + <p> + For years thereafter Israel's life in London was a stern one. If he had no + longer to submit to the open contempt of the Moors, the kicks and insults + of the streets, he had to learn how bitter is the bread that one is forced + to eat at another's table. When he should have been still at school he was + set to some menial occupation in the bank at Holborn Bars, and when he + ought to have risen at his desk he was required to teach the sons of + prosperous men the way to go above him. Life was playing an evil game with + him, and, though he won, it must be at a bitter price. + </p> + <p> + Thus twelve years went by, and Israel, now three-and-twenty, was a tall, + silent, very sedate young man, clear-headed on all subjects, and a master + of figures. Never once during that time had his father written to him, or + otherwise recognised his existence, though knowing of his whereabouts from + the first by the zealous importunities of his uncles. Then one day a + letter came written in distant tone and formal manner, announcing that the + writer had been some time confined to his bed, and did not expect to leave + it; that the children of his second wife had died in infancy; that he was + alone, and had no one of his own flesh and blood to look to his business, + which was therefore in the hands of strangers, who robbed him; and + finally, that if Israel felt any duty towards his father, or, failing + that, if he had any wish to consult his own interest, he would lose no + time in leaving England for Morocco. + </p> + <p> + Israel read the letter without a throb of filial affection; but, + nevertheless, he concluded to obey its summons. A fortnight later he + landed at Tangier. He had come too late. His father had died the day + before. The weather was stormy, and the surf on the shore was heavy, and + thus it chanced that, even while the crazy old packet on which he sailed + lay all day beating about the bay, in fear of being dashed on to the ruins + of the mole, his father's body was being buried in the little Jewish + cemetery outside the eastern walls, and his cousins, and cousins' cousins, + to the fifth degree, without loss of time or waste of sentiment, were + busily dividing his inheritance among them. + </p> + <p> + Next day, as his father's heir, he claimed from the Moorish court the + restitution of his father's substance. But his cousins made the Kadi, the + judge, a present of a hundred dollars, and he was declared to be an + impostor, who could not establish his identity. Producing his father's + letter which had summoned him from London, he appealed from the Kadi to + the Aolama, men wise in the law, who acted as referees in disputed cases; + but it was decided that as a Jew he had no right in Mohammedan law to + offer evidence in a civil court. He laid his case before the British + Consul, but was found to have no claim to English intervention, being a + subject of the Sultan both by birth and parentage. Meantime, his dispute + with his cousins was set at rest for ever by the Governor of the town, + who, concluding that his father had left neither will nor heirs, + confiscated everything he had possessed to the public treasury—that + is to say, to the Kaid's own uses. + </p> + <p> + Thus he found himself without standing ground in Morocco, whether as a + Jew, a Moor, or an Englishman, a stranger in his father's country, and + openly branded as a cheat. That he did not return to England promptly was + because he was already a man of indomitable spirit. Besides that, the + treatment he was having now was but of a piece with what he had received + at all times. Nothing had availed to crush him, even as nothing ever does + avail to crush a man of character. But the obstacles and torments which + make no impression on the mind of a strong man often make a very sensible + impression on his heart; the mind triumphs, it is the heart that suffers; + the mind strengthens and expands after every besetting plague of life, but + the heart withers and wears away. + </p> + <p> + So far from flying from Morocco when things conspired together to beat him + down, Israel looked about with an equal mind for the means of settling + there. + </p> + <p> + His opportunity came early. The Governor, either by qualm of conscience or + further freak of selfishness, got him the place of head of the Oomana, the + three Administrators of Customs at Tangier. He held the post six months + only, to the complete satisfaction of the Kaid, but amid the muttered + discontent of the merchants and tradesmen. Then the Governor of Tetuan, a + bigger town lying a long day's journey to the east, hearing of Israel that + as Ameen of Tangier he had doubled the custom revenues in half a year, + invited him to fill an informal, unofficial, and irregular position as + assessor of tributes. + </p> + <p> + Now, it would be a long task to tell of the work which Israel did in his + new calling: how he regulated the market dues, and appointed a Mut'hasseb, + a clerk of the market, to collect them—so many moozoonahs for every + camel sold, so many for every horse, mule, and ass, so many floos for + every fowl, and so many metkals for the purchase and sale of every slave; + how he numbered the houses and made lists of the trades, assessing their + tribute by the value of their businesses—so much for gun-making, so + much for weaving, so much for tanning, and so on through the line of them, + great and small, good and bad, even from the trades of the Jewish + silversmiths and the Moorish packsaddle-makers down to the callings of the + Arab water-carriers and the ninety public women. + </p> + <p> + All this he did by the strict law and letter of the Koran, which entitled + the Sultan to a tithe of all earnings whatsoever; but it would not wrong + the truth to say that he did it also by the impulse of a sour and saddened + heart. The world had shown no mercy to him, and he need show no mercy to + the world. Why talk of pity? It was only a name, an idea a mocking + thought. In the actual reckoning of life there was no such name as pity. + Thus did Israel justify himself in all his dealings, whatever their + severity and the rigour wherewith they wrought. + </p> + <p> + And the people felt the strong hand that was on them, and they cursed it. + </p> + <p> + “Ya Allah! Allah!” the Moors would cry. “Who is this Jew—this son of + the English—that he should be made our master?” + </p> + <p> + They muttered at him in the streets, they scowled upon him, and at length + they insulted him openly. Since his return from England he had resumed the + dress of his race in his country—the long dark gabardine or kaftan, + with a scarf for girdle, the black slippers, and the black skull-cap. And, + going one day by the Grand Mosque, a group of the beggars; who lay always + by the gate, called on him to uncover his feet. + </p> + <p> + “Jew! Dog!” they cried, “there is no god but God! Curses on your + relations! Off with your slippers!” + </p> + <p> + He paid no heed to their commands, but made straight onward. Then one + blear-eyed and scab-faced cripple scrambled up and struck off his cap with + a crutch. He picked it up again without a look or a word, and strode away. + But next morning, at early prayers, there was a place empty at the door of + the mosque. Its accustomed occupant lay in the prison at the Kasbah. + </p> + <p> + And if the Muslimeen hated Israel for what he was doing for their + Governor, the Jews hated him yet more because it was being done for a + Moor. + </p> + <p> + “He has sold himself to our enemy,” they said, “against the welfare of his + own nation.” + </p> + <p> + At the synagogue they ignored him, and in taking the votes of their people + they counted others and passed him by. He showed no malice. Only his + strong face twitched at each fresh insult and his head was held higher. + Only this, and one other sign of suffering in that secret place of his + withering heart, which God's eye alone could see. + </p> + <p> + Thus far he had done no more to Moor and Jew than exact that tenth part of + their substance which the faiths of both required that they should pay. + But now his work went further. A little group of old Jews, all held in + honour among their people—Abraham Ohana, nicknamed Pigman, son of a + former rabbi; Judah ben Lolo, an elder of his synagogue; and Reuben + Maliki, keeper of the poor-box—were seized and cast into the Kasbah + for gross and base usury. + </p> + <p> + At this the Jewish quarter was thrown into wild hubbub. The hand that was + on their people was a daring and terrible one. None doubted whose hand it + was—it was the hand of young Israel the Jew. + </p> + <p> + When the three old usurers had bought themselves out of the Kasbah, they + put their heads together and said, “Let us drive this fellow out of the + Mellah, and so shall he be driven out of the town.” Then the owner of the + house which Israel rented for his lodging evicted him by a poor excuse, + and all other Jewish owners refused him as tenant. But the conspiracy + failed. By command of the Governor, or by his influence, Israel was lodged + by the Nadir, the administrator of mosque property, in one of the houses + belonging to the mosque on the Moorish side of the Mellah walls. + </p> + <p> + Seeing this, the usurers laid their heads together again and said, “Let us + see that no man of our nation serve him, and so shall his life be a + burden.” Then the two Jews who had been his servants deserted him, and + when he asked for Moors he was told that the faithful might not obey the + unbeliever; and when he would have sent for negroes out of the Soudan he + was warned that a Jew might not hold a slave. But the conspiracy failed + again. Two black female slaves from Soos, named Fatimah and Habeebah, were + bought in the name of the Governor and assigned to Israel's service. + </p> + <p> + And when it was seen at length that nothing availed to disturb Israel's + material welfare, the three base usurers laid their heads together yet + again, that they might prey upon his superstitious fears, and they said, + “He is our enemy, but he is a Jew: let the woman who is named the + prophetess put her curse upon him.” Then she who was so called, one + Rebecca Bensabbot, deaf as a stone, weak in her intellect, seventy years + of age, and living fifty years on the poor-box which Reuben Maliki kept, + crossed Israel in the streets, and cursed him as a son of Beelzebub + predicting that, even as he had made the walls of the Kasbah to echo with + the groans of God's elect, so should his own spirit be broken within them + and his forehead humbled to the earth. He stood while he heard her out, + and his strong lip trembled at he words; but he only smiled coldly, and + passed on in silence. + </p> + <p> + “The clouds are not hurt,” he thought, “by the bark of dogs.” + </p> + <p> + Thus did his brethren of Judah revile him, and thus did they torture him; + yet there was one among them who did neither. This was the daughter of + their Grand Rabbi, David ben Ohana. Her name was Ruth. She was young, and + God had given her grace and she was beautiful, and many young Jewish men, + of Tetuan had vied with each other in vain for he favour. Of Israel's duty + she knew little, save what report had said of it, that it was evil; and of + the act which had made him an outcast among his own people, and an Ishmael + among the sons of Ishmael she could form no judgment. But what a woman's + eyes might see in him, without help of other knowledge, that she saw. + </p> + <p> + She had marked him in the synagogue, that his face was noble and his + manners gracious; that he was young, but only as one who had been cheated + of his youth and had missed his early manhood, the when he was ignored he + ignored his insult, and when he was reviled he answered not again; in a + word, the he was silent and strong and alone, and, above all that he was + sad. + </p> + <p> + These were credentials enough to the true girl's favour, and Israel soon + learnt that the house of the Rabbi was open to him. There the lonely man + first found himself. The cold eyes of his little world had seen him as his + father's son, but the light and warmth of the eyes of Ruth saw him as the + son of his mother also. The Rabbi himself was old, very old—ninety + years of age—and length of days had taught him charity. And so it + was that when, in due time, Israel came with many excuses and asked for + Ruth in marriage, the Rabbi gave her to him. + </p> + <p> + The betrothal followed, but none save the notary and his witnesses stood + beside Israel when he crossed hands over the handkerchief; and, when the + marriage came in its course, few stood beside the Chief Rabbi. + Nevertheless, all the Jews of the quarter and all the Moors of Tetuan were + alive to what was happening, and on the night of the marriage a great + company of both peoples, though chiefly of the rabble among them, gathered + in front of the Rabbi's house that they might hiss and jeer. + </p> + <p> + The Chacham heard them from where he sat under the stars in his patio, and + when at last the voice of Rebecca the prophetess came to him above the + tumult, crying, “Woe to her that has married the enemy of her nation, and + woe to him that gave her against the hope of his people! They shall taste + death. He shall see them fall from his side and die,” then the old man + listened and trembled visibly. In confusion and fierce anger he rose up + and stumbled through the crooked passage to the door, and flinging it + wide, he stood in the doorway facing them that stood without. + </p> + <p> + “Peace! Peace!” he cried, “and shame! shame! Remember the doom of him that + shall curse the high priest of the Lord.” + </p> + <p> + This he spoke in a voice that shook with wrath. Then suddenly, his voice + failing him, he said in a broken whisper, “My good people, what is this? + Your servant is grown old in your service. Sixty and odd years he has + shared your sorrows and your burdens. What has he done this day that your + women should lift up their voices against him?” + </p> + <p> + But, in awe of his white head in the moonlight, the rabble that stood in + the darkness were silent and made no answer. Then he staggered back, and + Israel helped him into his house, and Ruth did what she could to compose + him. But he was woefully shaken, and that night he died. + </p> + <p> + When the Rabbi's death became known in the morning, the Jews whispered, + “It is the first-fruits!” and the Moors touched their foreheads and + murmured “It is written!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <h3> + THE BIRTH OF NAOMI + </h3> + <p> + Israel paid no heed to Jew or Moor, but in due time he set about the + building of a house for himself and for Ruth, that they might live in + comfort many years together. In the south-east corner of the Mellah he + placed it, and he built it partly in the Moorish and partly in the English + fashion, with an open court and corridors, marble pillars, and a marble + staircase, walls of small tiles, and ceilings of stalactites, but also + with windows and with doors. And when his house was raised he put no + haities into it, and spread no mattresses on the floors, but sent for + tables and chairs and couches out of England; and everything he did in + this wise cut him off the more from the people about him, both Moors and + Jews. + </p> + <p> + And being settled at last, and his own master in his own dwelling, out of + the power of his enemies to push him back into the streets, suddenly it + occurred to him for the first time that whereas the house he had built was + a refuge for himself, it was doomed to be little better than a prison for + his wife. In marrying Ruth he had enlarged the circle of his intimates by + one faithful and loving soul, but in marrying him she had reduced even her + friends to that number. Her father was dead; if she was the daughter of a + Chief Rabbi she was also the wife of an outcast, the companion of a + pariah, and save for him, she must be for ever alone. Even their bondwomen + still spoke a foreign dialect, and commerce with them was mainly by signs. + </p> + <p> + Thinking of all this with some remorse, one idea fixed itself on Israel's + mind, one hope on his heart—that Ruth might soon bear a child. Then + would her solitude be broken by the dearest company that a woman might + know on earth. And, if he had wronged her, his child would make amends. + </p> + <p> + Israel thought of this again and again. The delicious hope pursued him. It + was his secret, and he never gave it speech. But time passed, and no child + was born. And Ruth herself saw that she was barren, and she began to cast + down her head before her husband. Israel's hope was of longer life, but + the truth dawned upon him at last. Then, when he perceived that his wife + was ashamed, a great tenderness came over him. He had been thinking of + her; that a child would bring her solace, and meanwhile she had thought + only of him, that a child would be his pride. After that he never went + abroad but he came home with stories of women wailing at the cemetery over + the tombs of their babes, of men broken in heart for loss of their sons, + and of how they were best treated of God who were given no children. + </p> + <p> + This served his big soul for a time to cheat it of its disappointment, + half deceiving Ruth, and deceiving himself entirely. But one day the woman + Rebecca met him again at the street-corner by his own house, and she + lifted her gaunt finger into his face, and cried, “Israel ben Oliel, the + judgment of the Lord is upon you, and will not suffer you to raise up + children to be a reproach and a curse among your people!” + </p> + <p> + “Out upon you, woman!” cried Israel, and almost in the first delirium of + his pain he had lifted his hand to strike her. Her other predictions had + passed him by, but this one had smitten him. He went home and shut himself + in his room, and throughout that day he let no one come near to him. + </p> + <p> + Israel knew his own heart at last. At his wife's barrenness he was now + angry with the anger of a proud man whose pride had been abased. What was + the worth of it, after all, that he had conquered the fate that had first + beaten him down? What did it come to that the world was at his feet? + Heaven was above him, and the poorest man in the Mellah who was the father + of a child might look down on him with contempt. + </p> + <p> + That night sleep forsook his eyelids, and his mouth was parched and his + spirit bitter. And sometimes he reproached himself with a thousand + offences, and sometimes he searched the Scriptures, that he might persuade + himself that he had walked blameless before the Lord in the ordinances and + commandments of God. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Ruth, in her solitude, remembered that it was now three years + since she had been married to Israel, and that by the laws, both of their + race and their country, a woman who had been long barren might straightway + be divorced by her husband. + </p> + <p> + Next morning a message of business came from the Khaleefa, but Israel + would not answer it. Then came an order to him from the Governor, but + still he paid no heed. At length he heard a feeble knock at the door of + his room. It was Ruth, his wife, and he opened to her and she entered. + </p> + <p> + “Send me away from you!” she cried. “Send me away!” + </p> + <p> + “Not for the place of the Kaid,” he answered stoutly; “no, nor the throne + of the Sultan!” + </p> + <p> + At that she fell on his neck and kissed him, and they mingled their tears + together. But he comforted her at length, and said, “Look up, my dearest! + look up! I am a proud man among men, but it is even as the Lord may deal + with me. And which of us shall murmur against God?” + </p> + <p> + At that word Ruth lifted her head from his bosom and her eyes were full of + a sudden thought. + </p> + <p> + “Then let us ask of the Lord,” she whispered hotly, “and surely He will + hear our prayer.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the voice of the Lord Himself!” cried Israel; “and this day it + shall be done!” + </p> + <p> + At the time of evening prayers Israel and Ruth went up hand in hand + together to the synagogue, in a narrow lane off the Sok el Foki. And Ruth + knelt in her place in the gallery close under the iron grating and the + candles that hung above it, and she prayed: “O Lord, have pity on this Thy + servant, and take away her reproach among women. Give her grace in Thine + eyes, O Lord, that her husband be not ashamed. Grant her a child of Thy + mercy, that his eye may smile upon her. Yet not as she willeth, but as + Thou willest, O Lord, and Thy servant will be satisfied.” + </p> + <p> + But Israel stood long on the floor with his hand on his heart and his eyes + to the ground, and he called on God as a debtor that will not be appeased, + saying: “How long wilt Thou forget me, O Lord? My enemies triumph over me + and foretell Thy doom upon me. They sit in the lurking-places of the + streets to deride me. Confound my enemies, O Lord, and rebuke their + counsels. Remember Ruth, I beseech Thee, that she is patient and her heart + is humbled. Give her children of Thy servant, and her first-born shall be + sanctified unto Thee. Give her one child, and it shall be Thine—if + it is a son, to be a Rabbi in Thy synagogues. Hear me, O Lord, and give + heed to my cry, for behold, I swear it before Thee. One child, but one, + only one, son or daughter, and all my desire is before Thee. How long wilt + Thou forget me, O Lord?” + </p> + <p> + The message of the Khaleefa which Israel had not answered in his trouble + was a request from the Shereef of Wazzan that he should come without delay + to that town to count his rent-charges and assess his dues. This request + the Governor had transformed into a command, for the Shereef was a prince + of Islam in his own country, and in many provinces the believers paid him + tribute. So in three days' time Israel was ready to set out on his + journey, with men and mules at his door, and camels packed with tents. He + was likely to be some months absent from Tetuan, and it was impossible + that Ruth should go with him. They had never been separated before, and + Ruth's concern was that they should be so long parted, but Israel's was a + deeper matter. + </p> + <p> + “Ruth,” he said when his time came, “I am going away from you, but my + enemies remain. They see evil in all my doings, and in this act also they + will find offence. Promise me that if they make a mock at you for your + husband's sake you will not see them; if they taunt you that you will not + hear them; and if they ask anything concerning me that you will answer + them not at all.” + </p> + <p> + And Ruth promised him that if his enemies made a mock at her she should be + as one that was blind, if they taunted her as one that was deaf, and if + they questioned her concerning her husband as one that was dumb. Then they + parted with many tears and embraces. + </p> + <p> + Israel was half a year absent in the town and province of Wazzan, and, + having finished the work which he came to do, he was sent back to Tetuan + loaded with presents from the Shereef, and surrounded by soldiers and + attendants, who did not leave him until they had brought him to the door + of his own house. + </p> + <p> + And there, in her chamber, sat Ruth awaiting him, her eyes dim with tears + of joy, her throat throbbing like the throat of a bird, and great news on + her tongue. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” she whispered; “I have something to tell you—” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I know it,” he cried; “I know it already. I see it in your eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “Only listen,” she whispered again, while she toyed with the neck of his + kaftan, and coloured deeply, not daring to look into his face. + </p> + <p> + Their prayer in the synagogue had been heard, and the child they had asked + for was to come. + </p> + <p> + Israel was like a man beside himself with joy. He burst in upon the + message of his wife, and caught her to his breast again and again, and + kissed her. Long they stood together so, while he told her of the chances + which had befallen him during his absence from her, and she told him of + her solitude of six long months, unbroken save for the poor company of + Fatimah and Habeebah, wherein she had been blind and deaf and dumb to all + the world. + </p> + <p> + During the months thereafter until Ruth's time was full Israel sat with + her constantly. He could scarce suffer himself to leave her company. He + covered her chamber with fruits and flowers. There was no desire of her + heart but he fulfilled it. And they talked together lovingly of how they + would name the child when the time came to name it. Israel concluded that + if it was a son it should be called David, and Ruth decided that if it was + a daughter it should be called Naomi. And Ruth delighted to tell of how + when it was weaned she should take it up to the synagogue and say, “O + Lord: I am the woman that knelt before Thee praying. For this child I + prayed, and Thou hast heard my prayer.” And Israel told of how his son + should grow up to be a Rabbi to minister before God, and how in those days + it should come to pass that the children of his father's enemies should + crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread. Thus they built + themselves castles in the air for the future of the child that was to + come. + </p> + <p> + Ruth's time came at last, and it was also the time of the Feast of the + Passover, being in the month of Nisan. This was a cause of joy to Israel, + for he was eager to triumph over his enemies face to face, and he could + not wait eight other days for the Feast of the circumcision. So he set a + supper fit for a king: the fore-leg of a sheep and the fore-leg of an ox, + the egg roasted in ashes, the balls of Charoseth, the three Mitzvoth, and + the wine, And by the time the supper was ready the midwife had been + summoned, and it was the day of the night of the Seder. + </p> + <p> + Then Israel sent messengers round the Mellah to summon his guests. Only + his enemies he invited, his bitterest foes, his unceasing revilers, and + among them were the three base usurers, Abraham Pigman, Judah ben Lolo, + and Reuben Maliki. “They cursed me,” he thought, “and I shall look on + their confusion.” His heart thirsted to summon Rebecca Bensabbot also, but + well he knew that her dainty masters would not sit at meat with her. + </p> + <p> + And when the enemies were bidden, all of them excused themselves and + refused, saying it was the Feast of the Passover, when no man should sit + save in his own house and at his own table. But Israel was not to be + gainsaid. He went out to them himself, and said, “Come, let bygones be + bygones. It is the feast of our nation. Let us eat and drink together.” + So, partly by his importunity, but mainly in their bewilderment, yet + against all rule and custom, they suffered themselves to go with him. + </p> + <p> + And when they were come into his house and were seated about his table in + the patio, and he had washed his hands and taken the wine and blessed it, + and passed it to all, and they had drunk together, he could not keep back + his tongue from taunting them. Then when he had washed again and dipped + the celery in the vinegar, and they had drunk of the wine once more, he + taunted them afresh and laughed. But nothing yet had they understood of + his meaning, and they looked into each other's faces and asked, “What is + it?” + </p> + <p> + “Wait! Only wait!” Israel answered. “You shall see!” + </p> + <p> + At that moment Ruth sent for him to her chamber, and he went in to her. + </p> + <p> + “I am a sorrowful woman,” she said. “Some evil is about to befall—I + know it, I feel it.” + </p> + <p> + But he only rallied her and laughed again, and prophesied joy on the + morrow. Then, returning to the patio, where the passover cakes had been + broken, he called for the supper, and bade his guests to eat and drink as + much as their hearts desired. + </p> + <p> + They could do neither now, for the fear that possessed them at sight of + Israel's frenzy. The three old usurers, Abraham, Judah, and Reuben, rose + to go, but Israel cried, “Stay! Stay, and see what is come!” and under the + very force of his will they yielded and sat down again. + </p> + <p> + Still Israel drank and laughed and derided them. In the wild torrent of + his madness he called them by names they knew and by names they did not + know—Harpagon, Shylock, Bildad, Elihu—and at every new name he + laughed again. And while he carried himself so in the outer court the + slave woman Fatimah came from the inner room with word that the child was + born. + </p> + <p> + At that Israel was like a man distraught. He leapt up from the table and + faced full upon his guests, and cried, “Now you know what it is; and now + you know why you are bidden to this supper! You are here to rejoice with + me over my enemies! Drink! drink! Confusion to all of them!” And he lifted + a winecup and drank himself. + </p> + <p> + They were abashed before him, and tried to edge out of the patio into the + street; but he put his back to the passage, and faced them again. + </p> + <p> + “You will not drink?” he said. “Then listen to me.” He dashed the winecup + out of his hand, and it broke into fragments on the floor. His laughter + was gone, his face was aflame, and his voice rose to a shrill cry. “You + foretold the doom of God upon me, you brought me low, you made me ashamed: + but behold how the Lord has lifted me up! You set your women to prophesy + that God would not suffer me to raise up children to be a reproach and a + curse among my people; but God has this day given me a son like the best + of you. More than that—more than that—my son shall yet see—” + </p> + <p> + The slave woman was touching his arm. “It is a girl,” she said; “a girl!” + </p> + <p> + For a moment Israel stammered and paused. Then he cried, “No matter! She + shall see your own children fatherless, and with none to show them mercy! + She shall see the iniquity of their fathers remembered against them! She + shall see them beg their bread, and seek it in desolate places! And now + you can go! Go! go!” + </p> + <p> + He had stepped aside as he spoke, and with a sweep of his arm he was + driving them all out like sheep before him, dumbfounded and with their + eyes in the dust, when suddenly there was a low cry from the inner room. + </p> + <p> + It was Ruth calling for her husband. Israel wheeled about and went in to + her hurriedly, and his enemies, by one impulse of evil instinct, followed + him and listened from the threshold. + </p> + <p> + Ruth's face was a face of fear, and her lips moved, but no voice came from + them. + </p> + <p> + And Israel said, “How is it with you, my dearest joy of my joy and pride + of my pride?” + </p> + <p> + Then Ruth lifted the babe from her bosom and said “The Lord has counted my + prayer to me as sin—look, see; the child is both dumb and blind!” + </p> + <p> + At that word Israel's heart died within him, but he muttered out of his + dry throat, “No, no, never believe it!” + </p> + <p> + “True, true, it is true,” she moaned; “the child has not uttered a cry, + and its eyelids have not blinked at the light.” + </p> + <p> + “Never believe it, I say!” Israel growled, and he lifted the babe in his + arms to try it. + </p> + <p> + But when he held it to the fading light of the window which opened upon + the street where the woman called the prophetess had cursed him, the eyes + of the child did not close, neither did their pupils diminish. Then his + limbs began to tremble, so that the midwife took the babe out of his arms + and laid it again on its mother's bosom. + </p> + <p> + And Ruth wept over it, saying, “Even if it were a son never could it serve + in the synagogue! Never! Never!” + </p> + <p> + At that Israel began to curse and to swear. His enemies had now pushed + themselves into the chamber, and they cried, “Peace! Peace!” And old Judah + ben Lolo, the elder of the synagogue, grunted, and said, “Is it not + written that no one afflicted of God shall minister in His temples?” + </p> + <p> + Israel stared around in silence into the faces about him, first into the + face of his wife, and then into the faces of his enemies whom he had + bidden. Then he fell to laughing hideously and crying, “What matter? Every + monkey is a gazelle to its mother!” But after that he staggered, his knees + gave way, he pitched half forward and half aside, like a falling horse, + and with a deep groan he fell with his face to the floor. + </p> + <p> + The midwife and the slave lifted him up and moistened his lips with water; + but his enemies turned and left him, muttering among themselves, “The Lord + killeth and maketh alive, He bringeth low and lifteth up, and into the pit + that the evil man diggeth or another He causeth his foot to slip.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <h3> + THE CHILDHOOD OF NAOMI + </h3> + <p> + Throughout Tetuan and the country round about Israel was now an object of + contempt. God had declared against him, God had brought him low, God + Himself had filled him with confusion. Then why should man show him mercy? + </p> + <p> + But if he was despised he was still powerful. None dare openly insult him. + And, between their fear and their scorn of him, the shifts of the rabble + to give vent to their contempt were often ludicrous enough. Thus, they + would call their dogs and their asses by his name, and the dogs would be + the scabbiest in the streets, and the asses the laziest in the market. + </p> + <p> + He would be caught in the crush of the traffic at the town gate or at the + gate of the Mellah, and while he stood aside to allow a line of pack-mules + to pass he would hear a voice from behind him crying huskily, “Accursed + old Israel! Get on home to your mother!” Then, turning quickly round, he + would find that close at his heels a negro of most innocent countenance + was cudgelling his donkey by that title. + </p> + <p> + He would go past the Saints' Houses in the public ways, and at the sound + of his footsteps the bleached and eyeless lepers who sat under the white + walls crying “Allah! Allah! Allah!” would suddenly change their cry to + “Arrah! Arrah! Arrah!” “Go on! Go on! Go on!” + </p> + <p> + He would walk across the Sok on Fridays, and hear shrieks and peals of + laughter, and see grinning faces with gleaming white teeth turned in his + direction, and he would know that the story-tellers were mimicking his + voice and the jugglers imitating his gestures. + </p> + <p> + His prosperity counted for nothing against the open brand of God's + displeasure. The veriest muck-worm in the market-place spat out at sight + of him. Moor and Jew, Arab and Berber—they all despised him! + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, the disaster which had befallen his house had not crushed + him. It had brought out every fibre of his being, every muscle of his + soul. He had quarrelled with God by reason of it, and his quarrel with God + had made his quarrel with his fellow-man the fiercer. + </p> + <p> + There was just one man in the town who found no offence in either form of + warfare. The more wicked the one and the more outrageous the other, the + better for his person. + </p> + <p> + It was the Governor of Tetuan. His name was El Arby, but he was known as + Ben Aboo, the son of his father. That father had been none other than the + late Sultan. Therefore Ben Aboo was a brother of Abd er-Rahman, though by + another mother, a negro slave. To be a Sultan's brother in Morocco is not + to be a Sultan's favourite, but a possible aspirant to his throne. + Nevertheless Ben Aboo had been made a Kaid, a chief, in the Sultan's army, + and eventually a commander-in-chief of his cavalry. In that capacity he + had led a raid for arrears of tribute on the Beni Hasan, the Beni Idar, + and the Wad Ras These rebellious tribes inhabit the country near to + Tetuan, and hence Ben Aboo's attention had been first directed to that + town. When he had returned from his expedition he offered the Sultan + fifteen thousand dollars for the place of its Basha or Governor, and + promised him thirty thousand dollars a year as tribute. The Sultan took + his money, and accepted his promise. There was a Basha at Tetuan already, + but that was a trifling difficulty. The good man was summoned to the + Sultan's presence, accused of appropriating the Shereefian tributes, + stripped of all he had, and cast into prison. + </p> + <p> + That was how Ben Aboo had become Governor of Tetuan, and the story of how + Israel had become his informal Administrator of Affairs is no less + curious. At first Ben Aboo seemed likely to lose by his dubious + transaction. His new function was partly military and partly civil. He was + a valiant soldier—the black blood of his slave-mother had counted + for so much; but he was a bad administrator—he could neither read + nor write nor reckon figures. In this dilemma his natural colleague would + have been his Khaleefa, his deputy, Ali bin Jillool, but because this man + had been the deputy of his predecessor also, he could not trust him. He + had two other immediate subordinates, his Commander of Artillery and his + Commander of Infantry, but neither of them could spell the letters of his + name. Then there was his Taleb the Adel, his scribe the notary, Hosain ben + Hashem, styled Haj, because he had made the pilgrimage to Mecca, but he + was also the Imam, or head of the Mosque, and the wily Ben Aboo foresaw + the danger of some day coming into collision with the religious sentiment + of his people. Finally, there was the Kadi, Mohammed ben Arby, but the + judge was an official outside his jurisdiction, and he wanted a man who + should be under his hand. That was the combination of circumstances + whereby Israel came to Tetuan. + </p> + <p> + Israel's first years in his strange office had satisfied his master + entirely. He had carried the Basha's seal and acted for him in all affairs + of money. The revenues had risen to fifty thousand dollars, so that the + Basha had twenty thousand to the good. Then Ben Aboo's ambition began to + override itself. He started an oil-mill, and wanted Israel to select a + hundred houses owned by rich men, that he might compel each house to take + ten kollahs of oil—an extravagant quantity, at seven dollars for + each kollah—an exorbitant price. Israel had refused. “It is not + just,” he had said. + </p> + <p> + Other expedients for enlarging his revenue Ben Aboo had suggested, but + Israel had steadfastly resisted all of them. Sometimes the Governor had + pretended that he had received an order from the Sultan to impose a gross + and wicked tax, but Israel's answer had been the same. “There is no evil + in the world but injustice,” he had said. “Do justice, and you do all that + God can ask or man expect.” + </p> + <p> + For such opposition to the will of the Basha any other person would have + been cast into a damp dungeon at night, and chained in the hot sun by day. + Israel was still necessary. So Ben Aboo merely longed for the dawn of that + day whereon he should need him no more. + </p> + <p> + But since the disaster which had befallen Israel's house everything had + undergone a change. It was now Israel himself who suggested dubious means + of revenue. There was no device of a crafty brain for turning the very air + itself into money—ransoms, promissory notes, and false judgments—but + Israel thought of it. Thus he persuaded the Governor to send his small + currency to the Jewish shops to be changed into silver dollars at the rate + of nine ducats to the dollar, when a dollar was worth ten in currency. And + after certain of the shopkeepers, having changed fifty thousand dollars at + that rate, fled to the Sultan to complain, Israel advised that their + debtors should be called together, their debts purchased, and bonds drawn + up and certified for ten times the amounts of them. Thus a few were + banished from their homes in fear of imprisonment, many were sorely + harassed, and some were entirely ruined. + </p> + <p> + It was a strange spectacle. He whom the rabble gibed at in the public + streets held the fate of every man of them in his hand. Their dogs and + their asses might bear his name, but their own lives and liberty must + answer to it. + </p> + <p> + Israel looked on at all with an equal mind, neither flinching at his + indignities nor glorying in his power. He beheld the wreck of families + without remorse, and heard the wail of women and the cry of children + without a qualm. Neither did he delight in the sufferings of them that had + derided him. His evil impulse was a higher matter—his faith in + justice had been broken up. He had been wrong. There was no such thing as + justice in the world, and there could, therefore, be no such thing as + injustice. There was no thing but the blind swirl of chance, and the wild + scramble for life. The man had quarrelled with God. + </p> + <p> + But Israel's heart was not yet dead. There was one place, where he who + bore himself with such austerity towards the world was a man of great + tenderness. That place was his own home. What he saw there was enough to + stir the fountains of his being—nay, to exhaust them, and to send + him abroad as a river-bed that is dry. + </p> + <p> + In that first hour of his abasement, after he had been confounded before + the enemies whom he had expected to confound, Israel had thought of + himself, but Ruth's unselfish heart had even then thought only of the + babe. + </p> + <p> + The child was born blind and dumb and deaf. At the feast of life there was + no place left for it. So Ruth turned her face from it to the wall, and + called on God to take it. + </p> + <p> + “Take it!” she cried—“take it! Make haste, O God, make haste and + take it!” + </p> + <p> + But the child did not die. It lived and grew strong. Ruth herself suckled + it, and as she nourished it in her bosom her heart yearned over it, and + she forgot the prayer she had prayed concerning it. So, little by little, + her spirit returned to her, and day by day her soul deceived her, and hour + by hour an angel out of heaven seemed to come to her side and whisper + “Take heart of hope, O Ruth! God does not afflict willingly. Perhaps the + child is not blind, perhaps it is not deaf, perhaps it is not dumb. Who + shall ye say? Wait and see!” + </p> + <p> + And, during the first few months of its life, Ruth could see no difference + in her child from the children of other women. Sometimes she would kneel + by its cradle and gaze into the flower-cup of its eye, an the eye was blue + and beautiful, and there was nothing to say that the little cup was + broken, and the little chamber dark. And sometimes she would look at the + pretty shell of its ear, and the ear was round and full as a shell on the + shore, and nothing told her that the voice of the sea was not heard in it, + and that all within was silence. + </p> + <p> + So Ruth cherished her hope in secret, and whispered her heart and said, + “It is well, all is well with the child. She will look upon my face and + see it, and listen to my voice and hear it, and her own little tongue will + yet speak to me, and make me very glad.” And then an ineffable serenity + would spread over her face and transfigure it. + </p> + <p> + But when the time was come that a child's eyes, having grown familiar with + the light, should look on its little hands, and stare at its little + fingers, and clutch at its cradle, and gaze about in a peaceful perplexity + at everything, still the eyes of Ruth's child did not open in seeing, but + lay idle and empty. And when the time was ripe that a child's ears should + hear from hour to hour the sweet babble of a mother's love, and its tongue + begin to give back the words in lisping sounds, the ear of Ruth's child + heard nothing, and its tongue was mute. + </p> + <p> + Then Ruth's spirit sank, but still the angel out of heaven seemed to come + to her, and find her a thousand excuses, and say, “Wait, Ruth; only wait, + only a little longer.” + </p> + <p> + So Ruth held back her tears, and bent above her babe again, and watched + for its smile that should answer to her smile, and listened for the + prattle of its little lips. But never a sound as of speech seemed to break + the silence between the words that trembled from her own tongue, and never + once across her baby's face passed the light of her tearful smile. It was + a pitiful thing to see her wasted pains, and most pitiful of all for the + pains she was at to conceal them. Thus, every day at midday she would + carry her little one into the patio, and watch if its eyes should blink in + the sunshine; but if Israel chanced to come upon her then, she would drop + her head and say, “How sweet the air is to-day, and how pleasant to sit in + the sun!” + </p> + <p> + “So it is,” he would answer, “so it is.” + </p> + <p> + Thus, too, when a bird was singing from the fig-tree that grew in the + court, she would catch up her child and carry it close, and watch if its + ears should hear; but if Israel saw her, she would laugh—a little + shrill laugh like a cry—and cover her face in confusion. + </p> + <p> + “How merry you are, sweetheart,” he would say, and then pass into the + house. + </p> + <p> + For a time Israel tried to humour her, seeming not to see what he saw, and + pretending not to hear what he heard. But every day his heart bled at + sight of her, and one day he could bear up no longer, for his very soul + had sickened, and he cried, “Have done, Ruth!—for mercy's sake, have + done! The child is a soul in chains, and a spirit in prison. Her eyes are + darkness, like the tomb's, and her ears are silence, like the grave's. + Never will she smile to her mother's smile, or answer to her father's + speech. The first sound she will hear will be the last trump, and the + first face she will see will be the face of God.” + </p> + <p> + At that, Ruth flung herself down and burst into a flood of tears. The hope + that she had cherished was dead. Israel could comfort her no longer. The + fountain of his own heart was dry. He drew a long breath, and went away to + his bad work at the Kasbah. + </p> + <p> + The child lived and thrived. They had called her Naomi, as they had agreed + to do before she was born, though no name she knew of herself, and a + mockery it seemed to name her. At four years of age she was a creature of + the most delicate beauty. Notwithstanding her Jewish parentage, she was + fair as the day and fresh as the dawn. And if her eyes were darkness, + there was light within her soul; and if her ears were silence, there was + music within her heart. She was brighter than the sun which she could not + see, and sweeter than the songs which she could not hear. She was joyous + as a bird in its narrow cage, and never did she fret at the bars which + bound her. And, like the bird that sings at midnight, her cheery soul sang + in its darkness. + </p> + <p> + Only one sound seemed ever to come from her little lips, and it was the + sound of laughter. With this she lay down to sleep at night, and rose + again in the morning. She laughed as she combed her hair, and laughed + again as she came dancing out of her chamber at dawn. + </p> + <p> + She had only one sentinel on the outpost of her spirit, and that was the + sense of touch and feeling. With this she seemed to know the day from the + night, and when the sun was shining and when the sky was dark. She knew + her mother, too, by the touch of her fingers, and her father by the + brushing of his beard. She knew the flowers that grew in the fields + outside the gate of the town, and she would gather them in her lap, as + other children did, and bring them home with her in her hands. She seemed + almost to know their colours also, for the flowers which she would twine + in her hair were red, and the white were those which she would lay on her + bosom. And truly a flower she was of herself, whereto the wind alone could + whisper, and only the sun could speak aloud. + </p> + <p> + Sweet and touching were the efforts she sometimes made to cling to them + that were about her. Thus her heart was the heart of a child, and she knew + no delight like to that of playing with other children. But her father's + house was under a ban; no child of any neighbour in Tetuan was allowed to + cross its threshold, and, save for the children whom she met in the fields + when she walked there by her mother's hand, no child did she ever meet. + </p> + <p> + Ruth saw this, and then, for the first time, she became conscious of the + isolation in which she had lived since her marriage with Israel. She + herself had her husband for companion and comrade, but her little Naomi + was doubly and trebly alone—first, alone as a child that is the only + child of her parents; again, alone as a child whose parents are cut off + from the parents of other children; and yet again, once more, alone as a + child that is blind and dumb. + </p> + <p> + But Israel saw it also, and one day he brought home with him from the + Kasbah a little black boy with a sweet round face and big innocent white + eyes which might have been the eyes of an angel. The boy's name was Ali, + and he was four years old. His father had killed his mother for infidelity + and neglect of their child, and, having no one to buy him out of prison, + he had that day been executed. Then little Ali had been left alone in the + world, and so Israel had taken him. + </p> + <p> + Ruth welcomed the boy, and adopted him. He had been born a Mohammedan, but + secretly she brought him up as a Jew. And for some years thereafter no + difference did she make between him and her own child that other eyes + could see. They ate together, they walked abroad together, they played + together, they slept together, and the little black head of the boy lay + with the fair head of the girl on the same white pillow. + </p> + <p> + Strange and pathetic were the relations between these little exiles of + humanity I One knew not whether to laugh or cry at them. First, on Ali's + part, a blank wonderment that when he cried to Naomi, “Come!” she did not + hear, when he asked “Why?” she did not answer; and when he said “Look!” + she did not see, though her blue eyes seemed to gaze full into his face. + Then, a sort of amused bewilderment that her little nervous fingers were + always touching his arms and his hands, and his neck and his throat. But + long before he had come to know that Naomi was not as he was, that Nature + had not given her eyes to see as he saw, and ears to hear as he heard, and + a tongue to speak as he spoke, Nature herself had overstepped the barriers + that divided her from him. He found that Naomi had come to understand him, + whatever in his little way he did, and almost whatever in his little way + he said. So he played with her as he would have played with any other + playmate, laughing with her, calling to her, and going through his foolish + little boyish antics before her. Nevertheless, by some mysterious + knowledge of Nature's own teaching, he seemed to realise that it was his + duty to take care of her. And when the spirit and the mischief in his + little manly heart would prompt him to steal out of the house, and + adventure into the streets with Naomi by his side, he would be found in + the thick of the throng perhaps at the heels of the mules and asses, with + Naomi's hand locked in his hand, trying to push the great creatures of the + crowd from before her, and crying in his brave little treble, “Arrah!” + “Ar-rah!” “Ar-r-rah!” + </p> + <p> + As for Naomi, the coming of little black Ali was a wild delight to her. + Whatever Ali did, that would she do also. If he ran she would run; if he + sat she would sit; and meanwhile she would laugh with a heart of glee, + though she heard not what he said, and saw not what he did, and knew not + what he meant. At the time of the harvest, when Ruth took them out into + the fields, she would ride on Ali's back, and snatch at the ears of barley + and leap in her seat and laugh, yet nothing would she see of the yellow + corn, and nothing would she hear of the song of the reapers, and nothing + would she know of the cries of Ali, who shouted to her while he ran, + forgetting in his playing that she heard him not. And at night, when Ruth + put them to bed in their little chamber, and Ali knelt with his face + towards Jerusalem, Naomi would kneel beside him with a reverent air, and + all her laughter would be gone. Then, as he prayed his prayer, her little + lips would move as if she were praying too, and her little hands would be + clasped together, and her little eyes would be upraised. + </p> + <p> + “God bless father, and mother, and Naomi, and everybody,” the black boy + would say. + </p> + <p> + And the little maid would touch his hands and hi throat, and pass her + fingers over his face from his eyelids to his lips, and then do as he did, + and in her silence seem to echo him. + </p> + <p> + Pretty and piteous sights! Who could look on them without tears? One thing + at least was clear if the soul of this child was in prison, nevertheless + it was alive; and if it was in chains, nevertheless it could not die, but + was immortal and unmaimed and waited only for the hour when it should be + linked to other souls, soul to soul in the chains of speech. But the years + went on, and Naomi grew in beauty and increased in sweetness, but no angel + came down to open the darkened windows of her eyes, and draw aside the + heavy curtains of her ears. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <h3> + THE DEATH OF RUTH + </h3> + <p> + For all her joy and all her prettiness, Naomi was a burden which only love + could bear. To think of the girl by day, and to dream of her by night, + never to sit by her without pity of her helplessness, and never to leave + her without dread of the mischances that might so easily befall, to see + for her, to hear for her, to speak for her, truly the tyranny of the + burden was terrible. + </p> + <p> + Ruth sank under it. Through seven years she was eyes of the child's eyes, + and ears of her ears, and tongue of her tongue. After that her own sight + became dim, and her hearing faint. It was almost as if she had spent them + on Naomi in the yearning of dove and pity. Soon afterwards her bodily + strength failed her also, and then she knew that her time had come, and + that she was to lay down her burden for ever. But her burden had become + dear, and she clung to it. She could not look upon the child and think it, + that she, who had spent her strength for her from the first, must leave + her now to other love and tending. So she betook herself to an upper room, + and gave strict orders to Fatimah and Habeebah that Naomi was to be kept + from her altogether, that sight of the child's helpless happy face might + tempt her soul no more. + </p> + <p> + And there in her death-chamber Israel sat with her constantly, settling + his countenance steadfastly, and coming and going softly. He was more + constant than a slave, and more tender than a woman. His love was great, + but also he was eating out his big heart with remorse. The root of his + trouble was the child. He never talked of her, and neither did Ruth dwell + upon her name. Yet they thought of little else while they sat together. + </p> + <p> + And even if they had been minded to talk of the child, what had they to + say of her? They had no memories to recall, no sweet childish sayings, no + simple broken speech, no pretty lisp—they had nothing to bring back + out of any harvest of the past of all the dear delicious wealth that lies + stored in the treasure-houses of the hearts of happy parents. That way + everything was a waste. Always, as Israel entered her room, Ruth would + say, “How is the child?” And always Israel would answer, “She is well.” + But, if at that moment Naomi's laughter came up to them from the patio, + where she played with Ali, they would cover their faces and be silent. + </p> + <p> + It was a melancholy parting. No one came near them—neither Moor nor + Jew, neither Rabbi nor elder. The idle women of the Mellah would sometimes + stand outside in the street and look up at their house, knowing that the + black camel of death was kneeling at their gate. Other company they had + none. In such solitude they passed four weeks, and when the time of the + end seemed near, Israel himself read aloud the prayer for the dying, the + prayer Shema' Yisrael, and Ruth repeated the words of it after him. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, while Ruth lay in the upper chamber little Naomi sported and + played in the patio with Ali, but she missed her mother constantly. This + she made plain by many silent acts of helpless love that knew no way to + speak aloud. Thus she would lay flowers on the seats where her mother had + used to sit, and, if at night she found them untouched where she had left + them, her little face would fall, and her laughter die off her lips; but + if they had withered and some one had cast them into the oven, she would + laugh again and fetch other flowers from the fields, until the house would + be full of the odour of the meadow and the scent of the hill. + </p> + <p> + And well they knew, who looked upon her then, whom she missed, and what + the question was that halted on her tongue; yet how could they answer her? + There was no way to do that until she herself knew how to ask. + </p> + <p> + But this she did on a day near to the end. It was evening, and she was + being put to bed by Habeebah, and had just risen from her innocent + pantomime of prayer beside Ali, when Israel, coming from Ruth's chamber, + entered the children's room. Then, touching with her hand the seat whereon + Ruth had used to sit, Naomi laid down her head on the pillow, and then + rose and lay down again, and rose yet again and rose yet again lay down, + and then came to where Israel was and stood before him. And at that Israel + knew that the soul of his helpless child had asked him, as plainly as + words of the tongue can speak, how often she should lie to sleep at night + and rise to play in the morning before her mother came to her again. + </p> + <p> + The tears gushed into his eyes, and he left the children and returned to + his wife's chamber. + </p> + <p> + “Ruth,” he cried, “call the child to you, I beseech you!” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no!” cried Ruth. + </p> + <p> + “Let her come to you and touch you and kiss you, and be with you before it + is too late,” said Israel. “She misses you, and fills the house with + flowers for you. It breaks my heart to see her.” + </p> + <p> + “It will break mine also,” said Ruth. + </p> + <p> + But she consented that Naomi should be called, and Fatimah was sent to + fetch her. + </p> + <p> + The sun was setting, and through the window which looked out to the west, + over the river and the orange orchards and the palpitating plains beyond, + its dying rays came into the room in a bar of golden light. It fell at + that instant on Ruth's face, and she was white and wasted. And through the + other window of the room, which looked out over the Mellah into the town, + and across the market-place to the mosque and to the battery on the hill, + there came up from the darkening streets below the shuffle of the feet of + a crowd and the sound of many voices. The Jews of Tetuan were trooping + back to their own little quarter, that their Moorish masters might lock + them into it for the night. + </p> + <p> + Naomi was already in bed, and Fatimah brought her away in her nightdress. + She seemed to know where she was to be taken, for she laughed as Fatimah + held her by the hand, and danced as she was led to her mother's chamber. + But when she was come to the door of it, suddenly her laughter ceased, and + her little face sobered, as if something in the close abode of pain had + troubled the senses that were left to her. + </p> + <p> + It is, perhaps, the most touching experience of the deaf and blind that no + greeting can ever welcome them. When Naomi stood like a little white + vision at the threshold of the room, Israel took her hand in silence, and + drew her up to the pillow of the bed where her mother rested, and in + silence Ruth brought the child to her bosom. + </p> + <p> + For a moment Naomi seemed to be perplexed. She touched her mother's + fingers, and they were changed, for they had grown thin and long. Then she + felt her face, and that was changed also, for it was become withered and + cold. And, missing the grasp of one and the smile of the other, she first + turned her little head aside as one that listens closely, and then gently + withdrew herself from the arms that held her. + </p> + <p> + Ruth had watched her with eyes that overflowed, and now she burst into + sobs outright. + </p> + <p> + “The child does not know me!” she cried. “Did I not tell you it would + break my heart?” + </p> + <p> + “Try her again,” said Israel; “try her again.” + </p> + <p> + Ruth devoured her tears, and called on Fatimah to bring the child back to + her side. Then, loosening the necklace that was about her own neck, she + bound it about the neck of Naomi, and also the bracelets that were on her + wrists she unclasped and clasped them on the wrists of the child. This she + did that Naomi might remember the hands that had been kind to her always. + But when the child felt the ornaments she seemed only to know, by the + quick instinct of a girl, that she was decked out bravely, and giving no + thought to Ruth, who waited and watched for the grasp of recognition and + the kiss of joy, she withdrew herself again from her mother's arms, and + bounded into the middle of the room, and suddenly began to laugh and to + dance. + </p> + <p> + The sun's dying light, which had rested on Ruth's wasted face, now + glistened and sparkled on the jewels of the child, and glowed on her blind + eyes, and gleamed on her fair hair, and reddened her white nightdress, + while she danced and laughed to her mother's death. Nothing did the child + know of death, any more than Adam himself before Abel was slain, and it + was almost as if a devil out of hell had entered into her innocent heart + and possessed it, that she might make a mock of the dying of the dearest + friend she had known on earth. + </p> + <p> + On and on she danced, to no measure and no time, and not with a child's + uncertain step which breaks down at motion as its tongue breaks down at + speech, but wildly and deliriously. The room was darkening fast, but still + across the nether end, by the foot of the bed, streamed the dull red bar + of sunlight with the little red figure leaping and prancing and laughing + in the midst of it. + </p> + <p> + With an awful cry Ruth fell back on the pillow and turned her eyes to the + wall. The black woman dropped her head that she might not see. And Israel + covered his face and groaned in his tearless agony, “O Lord God, long hast + Thou chastised me with whips, and now I am chastised with scorpions!” + </p> + <p> + Ruth recovered herself quickly. “Bring her to me again!” she faltered; and + once more Fatimah brought Naomi back to the bedside. Then, embracing and + kissing the child, and seeming to forget in the torment of her trouble + that Naomi could not hear her, she cried, “It's your mother, Naomi! your + mother, darling, though so sick and changed! Don't you know her, Naomi? + Your mother, your own mother, sweet one, your dear mother who loves you + so, and must leave you now and see you no more!” + </p> + <p> + Now what it was in that wild plea that touched the consciousness of the + child at last, only God Himself can say. But first Naomi's cheeks grew + pale at the embrace of the arms that held her, and then they reddened, and + then her little nervous fingers grasped at Ruth's hands again, and then + her little lips trembled, and then, at length, she flung herself along + Ruth's bosom and nestled close in her embrace. + </p> + <p> + Ruth fell back on her pillow now with a cry of Joy; the black woman stood + and wept by the wall and Israel, unable to bear up his heart any longer + was melted and unmanned. The sun had gone down, and the room was darkening + rapidly, for the twilight in that land is short; the streets were quiet, + and the mooddin of the neighbouring minaret was chanting in the silence, + “God is great, God is great!” + </p> + <p> + After awhile the little one fell asleep at her mother's bosom, and, seeing + this, Fatimah would have lifted her away and carried her back to her own + bed; but Ruth said, “No; leave her, let me have her with me while I may.” + </p> + <p> + “No one shall take her from you,” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + Then she gazed down at the child's face and said, “It is hard to leave her + and never once to have heard her voice.” + </p> + <p> + “That is the bitterest cup of all,” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “I shall not return to her,” said Ruth, “but she shall come to me, and + then, perhaps—who knows?—perhaps in the resurrection I shall + hear it.” + </p> + <p> + Israel made no answer. + </p> + <p> + Ruth gazed down at the child again, and said, “My helpless darling! Who + will care for you when I am gone?” + </p> + <p> + “Rest, rest, and sleep!” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, yes, I know,” said Ruth. “How foolish of me! You are her father, and + you love her also. Yet promise me—promise—” + </p> + <p> + “For love and tending she shall never lack,” said Israel. “And now lie you + still, my dearest; lie still and sleep.” + </p> + <p> + She stretched out her hand to him. “Yes, that was what I meant,” she said, + and smiled. Then a shadow crossed her face in the gloom. “But when I am + gone,” she said, “will Naomi ever know that her mother who is dead had + wronged her?” + </p> + <p> + “You have never wronged her,” said Israel. “Have done, oh, have done!” + </p> + <p> + “God punished us for our prayer, my husband,” said Ruth. + </p> + <p> + “Peace, peace!” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “But God is good,” said Ruth, “and surely He will not afflict our child + much longer.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush! Hush! You will awaken her,” said Israel, not thinking what he said. + “Now lie still and sleep, dearest. You are tired also.” + </p> + <p> + She lay quiet for a time, gazing, while the light remained, into the face + of the sleeping child, and listening, when the light failed, to her gentle + breathing. Then she babbled and crooned over her with a childish joy. + “Yes, yes, father is right, and mother must lie quiet—very quiet, + and so her little Naomi will sleep long—very long, and wake happy + and well in the morning. How bonny she will look! How fresh and rosy!” + </p> + <p> + She paused a moment. Her laboured breathing came quick and fast. “But + shall I be here to see her? shall I?” + </p> + <p> + She paused again, and then, as though to banish thought, she began to sing + in a low voice that was like a moan. Presently her singing ceased, and she + spoke again, but this time in broken whispers. + </p> + <p> + “How soft and glossy her hair is! I wonder if Fatimah will remember to + wash it every day. She should twist it around her fingers to keep it in + pretty curls. . . . Oh, why did God make my child so beautiful?. . . . + Dear me, her morning frock wanted stitching at the sleeves, it's a chance + if Habeebah has seen to it. Then there's her underclothing. . . . Will she + be deaf and blind and dumb always? I wonder if I shall see her when I. . . + . They say that angels are sent. . . . Yes, yes, that's it, when I am + there—there—I will go to God and say, 'O Lord! my little girl + whom I have left behind, she is. . . . You would never think, O Lord, how + many things may happen to one like her. Let me go—only let me watch + over her—O Lord, let me be her guar—'” + </p> + <p> + Her weakness had conquered her, and she was quiet at last. Israel sat in + silence by the post of the bed. His heart was surging itself out of his + choking breast. The black woman stood somewhere by the wall. After a time + Ruth seemed to awake as from sleep. She was in great excitement. + </p> + <p> + “Israel, Israel!” she cried in a voice of joy, “I have seen a vision. It + was Naomi. She was no longer deaf and blind and dumb. She was grown to be + a woman, but I knew her instantly. Not a woman either, but a young maiden, + and so beautiful, so beautiful! Yes, and she could see and hear and + speak.” + </p> + <p> + Israel thought Ruth had become delirious, and he tried to soothe her, but + her agitation was not to be overcome. “The Lord hath seen our tears at + last,” she cried. “He has put our sin beneath His feet. We are forgiven. + It will be well with the child yet.” + </p> + <p> + Israel did not try to gainsay her, and at sight and sound of her joy, + seeing it so beautiful, yet thinking it so vain, he could not help at last + but weep. Presently she became quiet again, and then again, after a little + while, she woke as from a sleep. + </p> + <p> + “I am ready now,” she said in a whisper, “quite ready, sweet Heaven, + quite, quite ready now.” + </p> + <p> + Then with her one free hand she felt in the darkness for Israel, where he + sat beside her, and touching his forehead she smoothed it, and said very + softly, “Farewell, my husband!” + </p> + <p> + And Israel answered her, “Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + “Good-night!” she whispered. + </p> + <p> + And Israel drew down her hand from his forehead to his lips and sobbed, + and said, “Good-night, beloved!” + </p> + <p> + Then she put her white lips to the child's blind eyes, and at that moment + the spirit of the Lord came to her, and the Lord took her, and she died. + </p> + <p> + When lamps had been brought into the room, and Fatimah saw that the end + had come, she would have lifted Naomi from Ruth's bosom, but the child + awoke as she was being moved, and clasped her little fingers about the + dead mother's neck and covered the mouth with kisses. And when she felt + that the lips did not answer to her lips, and that the arms which had held + her did not hold her any longer, but fell away useless, she clung the + closer, and tears started to her eyes. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <h3> + RUTH'S BURIAL + </h3> + <p> + The people of Tetuan were not melted towards Israel by the depth of his + sorrow and the breadth of shadow that lay upon him. By noon of the day + following the night of Ruth's death, Israel knew that he was to be left + alone. It was a rule of the Mellah that on notice being given of a death + in their quarter, the clerk of the synagogue should publish it at the + first service thereafter, in order that a body of men, called the Hebra + Kadisha of Kabranim, the Holy Society of Buriers, might straightway make + arrangements for burial. Early prayers had been held in the synagogue at + eight o'clock that morning, and no one had yet come near to Israel's + house. The men of the Hebra were going about their ordinary occupations. + They knew nothing of Ruth's death by official announcement. The clerk had + not published it. Israel remembered with bitterness that notice of it had + not been sent. Nevertheless, the fact was known throughout Tetuan. There + was not a water-carrier in the market-place but had taken it to each house + he called at, and passed it to every man he met. Little groups of idle + Jewish women had been many hours congregated in the streets outside, + talking of it in whispers and looking up at the darkened windows with awe. + But the synagogue knew nothing of it. Israel had omitted the customary + ceremony, and in that omission lay the advantage of his enemies. He must + humble himself and send to them. Until he did so they would leave him + alone. + </p> + <p> + Israel did not send. Never once since the birth of Naomi had he crossed + the threshold of the synagogue. He would not cross it now, whether in body + or in spirit. But he was still a Jew, with Jewish customs, if he had lost + the Jewish faith, and it was one of the customs of the Jews that a body + should be buried within twenty-four hours, at farthest, from the time of + death. He must do something immediately. Some help must be summoned. What + help could it be? + </p> + <p> + It was useless to think of the Muslimeen. No believer would lend a hand to + dig a grave for an unbeliever, or to make apparel for his dead. It was + just as idle to think of the Jews. If the synagogue knew nothing of this + burial, no Jew in the Mellah would be found so poor that he would have + need to know more. And of Christians of any sort or condition there were + none in all Tetuan. + </p> + <p> + The gall of Israel's heart rose to his throat. Was he to be left alone + with his dead wife? Did his enemies wish to see him howk out her grave + with his own hands? Or did they expect him to come to them with bowed + forehead and bended knee? Either way their reckoning was a mistake. They + might leave him terribly and awfully alone—alone in his hour of + mourning even as they had left him alone in his hour of rejoicing, when he + had married the dear soul who was dead. But his strength and energy they + should not crush: his vital and intellectual force they should not wither + away. Only one thing they could do to touch him—they could shrivel + up his last impulse of sweet human sympathy. They were doing it now. + </p> + <p> + When Israel had put matters to himself so, he despatched a message to the + Governor at the Kasbah, and received, in answer, six State prisoners, + fettered in pairs, under the guard of two soldiers. + </p> + <p> + The burial took place within the limit of twenty-four hours prescribed by + Jewish custom. It was twilight when the body was brought down from the + upper room to the patio. There stood the coffin on a trestle that had been + raised for it on chairs standing back to back. And there, too, sat Israel, + with Naomi and little black Ali beside him. + </p> + <p> + Israel's manner was composed; his face was as firm as a rock, and his + dress was more costly than Tetuan had ever seen him wear before. + Everything that related to the burial he had managed himself, down to the + least or poorest detail. But there was nothing poor about it in the larger + sense. Israel was a rich man now, and he set no value on his riches except + to subdue the fate that had first beaten him down and to abash the enemies + who still menaced him. Nothing was lacking that money could buy in Tetuan + to make this burial an imposing ceremony. Only one thing it wanted—it + wanted mourners, and it had but one. + </p> + <p> + Unlike her father, little Naomi was visibly excited. She ran to and fro, + clutched at Israel's clothes and seemed to look into his face, clasped the + hand of little Ali and held it long as if in fear. Whether she knew what + work was afoot, and, if she knew it, by what channel of soul or sense she + learnt it, no man can say. That she was conscious of the presence of many + strangers is certain, and when the men from the Kasbah brought the roll of + white linen down the stairway, with the two black women clinging to it, + kissing its fringe and wailing over it, she broke away from Israel and + rushed in among them with a startled cry, and her little white arms + upraised. But whatever her impulse, there was no need to check her. The + moment she had touched her mother she crept back in dread to her father's + side. + </p> + <p> + “God be gracious to my father, look at that,” whispered Fatimah. + </p> + <p> + “My child, my poor child,” said Israel, “is there but one thing in life + that speaks to you? And is that death? Oh, little one, little one!” + </p> + <p> + It was a strange procession which then passed out of the patio. Four of + the prisoners carried the coffin on their shoulders, walking in pairs + according to their fetters. They were gaunt and bony creatures. Hunger had + wasted their sallow cheeks, and the air of noisome dungeons had sunken + their rheumy eyes. Their clothes were soiled rags, and over them, and + concealing them down to their waists and yet lower, hung the deep, rich, + velvet pall, with its long silk fringes. In front walked the two remaining + prisoners, each bearing a great plume in his left hand—the right + arm, as well as the right leg, being chained. On either side was a + soldier, carrying a lighted lantern, which burnt small and feeble in the + twilight, and last of all came Israel himself, unsupported and alone. Thus + they passed through the little crowd of idlers that had congregated at the + door, through the streets of the Mellah and out into the marketplace, and + up the narrow lane that leads to the chief town gate. + </p> + <p> + There is something in the very nature of power that demands homage, and + the people of Tetuan could not deny it to Israel. As the procession went + through the town they cleared a way for it, and they were silent until it + had gone. Within the gate of the Mellah, a shocket was killing fowls and + taking his tribute of copper coins, but he stopped his work and fell back + as the procession approached. A blind beggar crouching at the other side + of the gate was reciting passages of the Koran, and two Arabs close at his + elbow were wrangling over a game at draughts which they were playing by + the light of a flare, but both curses and Koran ceased as the procession + passed under the arch. In the market-place a Soosi juggler was performing + before a throng of laughing people, and a story-teller was shrieking to + the twang of his ginbri; but the audience of the juggler broke up as the + procession appeared, and the ginbri of the storyteller was no more heard. + The hammering in the shops of the gunsmiths was stopped, and the tinkling + of the bells of the water-carriers was silenced. Mules bringing wood from + the country were dragged out of the path, and the town asses, with their + panniers full of street-filth, were drawn up by the wall. From the + market-place and out of the shops, out of the houses and out of the mosque + itself, the people came trooping in crowds, and they made a long close + line on either side of the course which the procession must take. And + through this avenue of onlookers the strange company made its way—the + two prisoners bearing the plumes, the four others bearing the coffin, the + two soldiers carrying the lanterns, and Israel last of all, unsupported + and alone. Nothing was heard in the silence of the people but the tramp of + the feet of the six men, and the clank of their chains. + </p> + <p> + The light of the lanterns was on the faces of some of them, and every one + knew them for what they were. It was on the face of Israel also, yet he + did not flinch. His head was held steadily upward; he looked neither to + the right nor to the left, but strode firmly along. + </p> + <p> + The Jewish cemetery was outside the town walls, and before the procession + came to it the darkness had closed in. Its flat white tombstones, all + pointing toward Jerusalem, lay in the gloom like a flock of sheep asleep + among the grass. It had no gate but a gap in the fence, and no fence but a + hedge of the prickly pear and the aloe. + </p> + <p> + Israel had opened a grave for Ruth beside the grave of the old rabbi her + father. He had asked no man's permission to do so, but if no one had + helped at that day's business, neither had any one dared to hinder. And + when the coffin was set down by the grave-side no ceremony did Israel + forget and none did he omit. He repeated the Kaddesh, and cut the notch in + his kaftan; he took from his breast the little linen bag of the white + earth of the land of promise and laid it under the head; he locked a + padlock and flung away the key. Last of all, when the body had been taken + out of the coffin and lowered to its long home, he stepped in after it, + and called on one of the soldiers to lend him a lantern. And then, + kneeling at the foot of his dead wife, he touched her with both his hands, + and spoke these words in a clear, firm voice, looking down at her where + she lay in the veil that she had used to wear in the synagogue, and + speaking to her as though she heard: “Ruth, my wife, my dearest, for the + cruel wrong which I did you long ago when I suffered you to marry me, + being a man such as I was, under the ban of my people, forgive me now, my + beloved, and ask God to forgive me also.” + </p> + <p> + The dark cemetery, the six prisoners in their clanking irons, the two + soldiers with their lanterns the open grave, and this strong-hearted man + kneeling within it, that he might do his last duty, according to the + custom of his race and faith, to her whom he had wronged and should meet + no more until the resurrection itself reunited them! The traffic of the + streets had begun again by this time, and between the words which Israel + had spoken the low hum of many voices had come over the dark town walls. + </p> + <p> + The six prisoners went back to the Kasbah with joyful hearts, for each + carried with him a paper which procured his freedom on the day following. + But Israel returned to his home with a soured and darkened mind. As he had + plucked his last handful of the grass, and flung it over his shoulder, + saying, “They shall spring in the cities as the grass in the earth,” he + had asked himself what it mattered to him though all the world were + peopled, now that she, who had been all the world to him, was dead. God + had left him as a lonely pilgrim in a dreary desert. Only one glimpse of + human affection had he known as a man, and here it was taken from him for + ever. + </p> + <p> + And when he remembered Naomi, he quarrelled with God again. She was a + helpless exile among men, a creature banished from all human intercourse, + a living soul locked in a tabernacle of flesh. Was it a good God who had + taken the mother from such a child—the child from such a mother? + Israel was heart-smitten, and his soul blasphemed. It was not God but the + devil that ruled the world. It was not justice but evil that governed it. + </p> + <p> + Thus did this outcast man rebel against God, thinking of the child's loss + and of his own; but nevertheless by the child itself he was yet to be + saved from the devil's snare, and the ways wherein this sweet flower, + fresh from God's hand, wrought upon his heart to redeem it were very + strange and beautiful. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <h3> + THE SPIRIT-MAID + </h3> + <p> + The promise which Israel made to Ruth at her death, that Naomi should not + lack for love and tending, he faithfully fulfilled. From that time forward + he became as father and mother both to the child. + </p> + <p> + At the outset of his charge he made a survey of her condition, and found + it more terrible than imagination of the mind could think or words of the + tongue express. It was easy to say that she was deaf and dumb and blind, + but it was hard to realise what so great an affliction implied. It implied + that she was a little human sister standing close to the rest of the + family of man, yet very far away from them. She was as much apart as if + she had inhabited a different sphere. No human sympathy could reach her in + joy or pain and sorrow. She had no part to play in life. In the midst of a + world of light she was in a land of darkness, and she was in a world of + silence in the midst of a land of sweet sounds. She was a living and + buried soul. + </p> + <p> + And of that soul itself what did Israel know? He knew that it had memory, + for Naomi had remembered her mother; and he knew that it had love, for she + had pined for Ruth, and clung to her. But what were love and memory + without sight and speech? They were no more than a magnet locked in a + casket—idle and useless to any purposes of man or the world. + </p> + <p> + Thinking of this, Israel realised for the first time how awful was the + affliction of his motherless girl. To be blind was to be afflicted once, + but to be both blind and deaf was not only to be afflicted twice, but + twice ten thousand times, and to be blind and deaf and dumb was not merely + to be afflicted thrice, but beyond all reckonings of human speech. + </p> + <p> + For though Naomi had been blind, yet, if she could have had hearing, her + father might have spoken with her, and if she had sorrows he must have + soothed them, and if she had joys he must have shared them, and in this + beautiful world of God, so full of things to look upon and to love, he + must have been eyes of her eyes that could not see. On the other hand, + though Naomi had been deaf, yet if she could have had sight her father + might have held intercourse with her by the light of her eyes, and if she + felt pain he must have seen it, and if she had found pleasure he must have + known it, and what man is, and what woman is, and what the world and what + the sea and what the sky, would have been as an open book for her to read. + But, being blind and deaf together, and, by fault of being deaf, being + dumb as well, what word was to describe the desolation of her state, the + blank void of her isolation—cut off, apart, aloof, shut in, + imprisoned, enchained, a soul without communion with other souls: alive, + and yet dead? + </p> + <p> + Thus, realising Naomi's condition in; the deep infirmity of her nature, + Israel set himself to consider how he could reach her darkened and silent + soul. And first he tried to learn what good gifts were left to her, that + he might foster them to her advantage and nourish them to his own great + comfort and joy. Yet no gift whatever could he find in her but the one + gift only whereof he had known from the beginning—the gift of touch + and feeling. With this he must make her to see, or else her light should + always be darkness, and with this he must make her to hear, or silence + should be her speech for ever. + </p> + <p> + Then he remembered that during his years in England he had heard strange + stories of how the dumb had been made to speak though they could not hear, + and the blind and deaf to understand and to answer. So he sent to England + for many books written on the treatment of these children of affliction, + and when they were come he pondered them closely and was thrilled by the + marvellous works they described. But when he came to practise the precepts + they had given him, his spirits flagged, for the impediments were great. + Time after time he tried, and failed always, to touch by so much as one + shaft of light the hidden soul of the child through its tenement of flesh + and blood. Neither the simplest thought nor the poorest element of an idea + found any way to her mind, so dense were the walls of the prison that + encompassed it. “Yes” was a mystery that could not at first be revealed to + her, and “No” was a problem beyond her power to apprehend. Smiles and + frowns were useless to teach her. No discipline could be addressed to her + mind or heart. Except mere bodily restraint, no control could be imposed + upon her. She was swayed by her impulses alone. + </p> + <p> + Israel did not despair. If he was broken down today he strengthened his + hands for tomorrow. At length he had got so far, after a world of toil and + thought, that Naomi knew when he patted her head that it was for approval, + and when he touched her hand it was for assent. Then he stopped very + suddenly. His hope had not drooped, and neither had his energy failed, but + the conviction had fastened upon him that such effort in his case must be + an offence against Heaven. Naomi was not merely an infirm creature from + the left hand of Nature; she was an afflicted being from the right hand of + God. She was a living monument of sin that was not her own. It was useless + to go farther. The child must be left where God had placed her. + </p> + <p> + But meanwhile, if Naomi lacked the senses of the rest of the human kind, + she seemed to communicate with Nature by other organs than they possessed. + It was as if the spiritual world itself must have taught her, and from + that source alone could she have imbibed her power. To tell of all she + could do to guide her steps, and to minister to her pleasures, and to + cherish her affections, would be to go beyond the limit of belief. Truly + it seemed as if Naomi, being blind with her bodily eyes, could yet look + upon a light that no one else could see, and, being deaf with her bodily + ears, could yet listen to voices that no one else could hear. + </p> + <p> + Thus, if she came skipping through the corridor of the patio, she knew + when any one approached her, for she would hold out her hands and stop. + Nay; but she knew also who it would be as well as if her eyes or ears had + taught her; for always, if it was her father, she reached out her hands to + take his left hand in both of hers, and then she pressed it against her + cheek; and always, if it was little Ali, she curved her arms to encircle + his neck; and always, if it was Fatimah, she leapt up to her bosom; and + always, if it was Habeebah, she passed her by. Did she go with Ali into + the streets, she knew the Mellah gate from the gate of the town, and the + narrow lanes from the open Sok. Did she pass the lofty mosque in the + market-place, she knew it from the low shops that nestled under and behind + and around. Did a troop of mules and camels come near her, she knew them + from a crowd of people; and did she pass where two streets crossed, she + would stand and face both ways. + </p> + <p> + And as the years grew she came to know all places within and around + Tetuan, the town of the Moors and the Mellah of the Jews, the Kasbah and + the narrow lane leading up to it, the fort on the hill and the river under + the town walls, the mountains on either side of the valley, and even some + of their rocky gorges. She could find her way among them all without help + or guidance, and no control could any one impose upon her to keep her out + of the way of harm. While Ali was a little fellow he was her constant + companion, always ready for any adventure that her unquiet heart + suggested; but when he grew to be a boy, and was sent to school every day + early and late, she would fare forth alone save for a tiny white goat + which her father had bought to be another playfellow. + </p> + <p> + And because feeling was sight to her, and touch was hearing, and the crown + of her head felt the winds of the heavens and the soles of her feet felt + the grass of the fields, she loved best to go bareheaded whether the sun + was high or the air was cool, and barefooted also, from the rising of the + morning until the coming of the stars. So, casting off her slippers and + the great straw hat which a Jewish maiden wears, and clad in her white + woollen shawl, wrapped loosely about her in folds of airy grace, and with + the little goat going before her, though she could neither see nor hear + it, she would climb the hill beyond the battery, and stand on the summit, + like a spirit poised in air. She could see nothing of the green valley + then stretched before her, or of the white town lying below, with its + domes and minarets, but she seemed to exult in her lofty place, and to + drink new life from the rush of mighty winds about her. Then coming back + to the dale, she would seem, to those who looked up at her, with fear and + with awe, to leap as the goat leapt in the rocky places; and as a bird + sweeps over the grass with wings outstretched, so with her arms spread + out, and her long fair hair flying loose, she would sweep down the hill, + as though her very tiptoes did not touch it. + </p> + <p> + By what power she did these things no man could tell, except it were the + power of the spiritual world itself; but the distemper of the mind, which + loved such dangers, increased upon her as she grew from a child into a + maid, and it found new ways of strangeness. Thus, in the spring, when the + rain fell heavily, or in the winter, when the great winds were abroad, or + in the summer, when the lightning lightened and the thunder thundered, her + restless spirit seemed to be roused to sympathetic tumults, and if she + could escape the eyes that watched her she would run and race in the + tempest, and her eyes would be aglitter, and laughter would be on her + lips. Then Israel himself would go out to find her, and, having found her + in the pelting storm without covering on her head or shoes on her feet, he + would fetch her home by the hand, and as they passed through the streets + together his forehead would be bowed and his eyes bent down. + </p> + <p> + But it was not always that Naomi made her father ashamed. More often her + joyful spirit cheered him, for above all things else she was a creature of + joy. A circle of joy seemed to surround her always. Her heart in its + darkness was full of radiance. As she grew her comeliness increased, + though this was strange and touching in her beauty, that her face did not + become older with her years, but was still the face of a child, with a + child's expression of sweetness through the bloom and flush of early + maidenhood. Her love of flowers increased also, and the sense of smell + seemed to come to her, for she filled the house with all fragrant flowers + in their season, twining them in wreaths about the white pillars of the + patio, and binding them in rings around the brown water-jars that stood in + it. And with the girl's expanding nature her love of dress increased as + well; but it was not a young maid's love of lovely things; it was a wild + passion for light, loose garments that swayed and swirled in native grace + about her. Truly she was a spirit of joy and gladness. She was happy as a + day in summer, and fresh as a dewy morning in spring. The ripple of her + laughter was like sunshine. A flood of sunshine seemed to follow in the + air wheresoever she went. And certainly for Israel, her father, she was as + a sunbeam gathering sunshine into his lonely house. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, the sunbeam had its cloud-shapes of gloom, and if Israel in + his darker hours hungered for more human company, and wished that the + little playfellow of the angels which had come down to his dwelling could + only be his simple human child, he sometimes had his wish, and many throbs + of anguish with it. For often it happened, and especially at seasons when + no winds were stirring, and blank peace and a doleful silence haunted the + air, that Naomi would seem to fall into a sick longing from causes that + were beyond Israel's power to fathom. Then her sweet face would sadden, + and her beautiful blind eyes would fill, and her pretty laughter would + echo no more through the house. And sometimes, in the dead of the night, + she would rise from her bed and go through the dark corridors, for + darkness and light were as one to her, until she came to Israel's room, + and he would awake from his sleep to find her, like a little white vision, + standing by his bedside. What she wanted there he could never know, for + neither had he power to ask nor she to answer, whether she were sick or in + pain, or whether in her sleep she had seen a face from the invisible + world, and heard a voice that called her away, or whether her mother's + arms had seemed to be about her once again and then to be torn from her + afresh, and she had come to him on awakening in her trouble, not knowing + what it is to dream, but thinking all evil dreams to be true fact and new + sorrow. So, with a sigh, he would arise and light his lamp and lead her + back to her bed, and more scalding than the tears that would be standing + in Naomi's eyes would be the hot drops that would gush into his own. + </p> + <p> + “My poor darling,” he would say, “can you not tell me your trouble, that I + may comfort you? No, no, she cannot tell me, and I cannot comfort her. My + darling, my darling.” + </p> + <p> + Most of all when such things befell would Israel long for some miracle out + of heaven to find a way to the little maiden's mind that she might ask and + answer and know, yet he dared not to pray for it, for still greater than + his pity for the child was his fear of the wrath of God. And out of this + fear there came to him at length an awful and terrible thought: though so + severed on earth, his child and he, yet before the bar of judgment they + would one day be brought together, and then how should it stand with her + soul? + </p> + <p> + Naomi knew nothing of God, having no way of speech with man. Would God + condemn her for that, and cast her out for ever? No, no, no! God would not + ask her for good works in the land of silence, and for labour in the land + of night. She had no eyes to see God's beautiful world, and no ears to + hear His holy word. God had created her so, and He would not destroy what + He had made. Far rather would He look with love and pity on His little + one, so long and sorely tried on earth, and send her at last to be a + blessed saint in heaven. + </p> + <p> + Israel tried to comfort himself so, but the effort was vain. He was a Jew + to the inmost fibre of his being, and he answered himself out of his own + mouth that it was his own sinful wish, and not God's will, that had sent + Naomi into the world as she was. Then, on the day of the great account, + how should he answer to her for her soul? + </p> + <p> + Visions stood up before him of endless retribution for the soul that knew + not God. These were the most awful terrors of his sleepless nights, but at + length peace came to him, for he saw his path of duty. It was his duty to + Naomi that he should tell her of God and reveal the word of the Lord to + her! What matter if she could not hear? Though she had senses as the sands + of the seashore, yet in the way of light the Lord alone could lead her. + What matter though she could not see? The soul was the eye that saw God, + and with bodily eyes had no man seen Him. + </p> + <p> + So every day thereafter at sunset Israel took Naomi by the hand and led + her to an upper room, the same wherein her mother died, and, fetching from + a cupboard of the wall the Book of the Law, he read to her of the + commandments of the Lord by Moses, and of the Prophets, and of the Kings. + And while he read Naomi sat in silence at his feet, with his one free hand + in both of her hands, clasped close against her cheek. + </p> + <p> + What the little maid in her darkness thought of this custom, what mystery + it was to her and wherefore, only the eye that looks into darkness could + see; but it was so at length that as soon as the sun had set—for she + knew when the sun was gone—Naomi herself would take her father by + the hand, and lead him to the upper room, and fetch the book to his knees. + </p> + <p> + And sometimes, as Israel read, an evil spirit would seem to come to him, + and make a mock at him, and say, “The child is deaf and hears not—go + read your book in the tombs!” But he only hardened his neck and laughed + proudly. And, again, sometimes the evil spirit seemed to say, “Why waste + yourself in this misspent desire? The child is buried while she is still + alive, and who shall roll away the stone?” But Israel only answered, “It + is for the Lord to do miracles, and the Lord is mighty.” + </p> + <p> + So, great in his faith, Israel read to Naomi night after night, and when + his spirit was sore of many taunts in the day his voice would be hoarse, + and he would read the law which says, “<i>Thou shalt not curse the deaf, + nor put a stumbling-block before the blind.</i>” But when his heart was at + peace his voice would be soft, and he would read of the child Samuel + sanctified to the Lord in the temple, and how the Lord called him and he + answered— + </p> + <p> + “<i>And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, + and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; and ere the lamp of + God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the Ark of God was, and + Samuel was laid down to sleep, that the Lord called Samuel, and he + answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli and said, Here am I, for thou + calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and + lay down. And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel rose and went + to Eli and said, Here am I for thou didst call me. And he answered, I + called not my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, + neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.</i>” + </p> + <p> + And, having finished his reading, Israel would close the book, and sing + out of the Psalms of David the psalm which says, “It is good for me that I + have been in trouble, that I may learn Thy statutes.” + </p> + <p> + Thus, night after night, when the sun was gone down, did Israel read of + the law and sing of the Psalms to Naomi, his daughter, who was both blind + and deaf. And though Naomi heard not, and neither did she see, yet in + their silent hour together there was another in their chamber always with + them—there was a third, for there was God. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> + <h3> + THE ANGEL IN ISRAEL'S HOUSE + </h3> + <p> + When Israel had been some twenty years at Tetuan, Naomi being then + fourteen years of age, Ben Aboo, the Basha, married a Christian wife. The + woman's name was Katrina. She was a Spaniard by birth, and had first come + to Morocco at the tail of a Spanish embassy, which travelled through + Tetuan from Ceuta to the Sultan at Fez. What her belongings were, and what + her antecedents had been, no one appeared to know, nor did Ben Aboo + himself seem to care. She answered all his present needs in her own + person, which was ample in its proportions and abundant in its charms. + </p> + <p> + In marrying Ben Aboo, the wily Katrina imposed two conditions. The first + was, that he should put away the full Mohammedan complement of four + Moorish wives, whom he had married already as well as the many concubines + that he had annexed in his way through life, and now kept lodged in one + unquiet nest in the women's hidden quarter of the Palace. The second + condition was, that she herself should never be banished to such + seclusion, but, like the wife of any European governor, should openly + share the state of her husband. + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo was in no mood to stand on the rights of a strict Mohammedan, and + he accepted both of her conditions. The first he never meant to abide by, + but the second she took care he should observe, and, as a prelude to that + public life which she intended to live by his side, she insisted on a + public marriage. + </p> + <p> + They were married according to the rites of the Catholic Church by a + Franciscan friar settled at Tangier, and the marriage festival lasted six + days. Great was the display, and lavish the outlay. Every morning the + cannon of the fort fired a round of shot from the hill, every evening the + tribesmen from the mountains went through their feats of powder-play in + the market-place, and every night a body of Aissawa from Mequinez yelled + and shrieked in the enclosure called the M'salla, near the Bab er-Remoosh. + Feasts were spread in the Kasbah, and relays of guests from among the + chief men of the town were invited daily to partake of them. + </p> + <p> + No man dared to refuse his invitation, or to neglect the tribute of a + present, though the Moors well knew that they were lending the light of + their countenance to a brazen outrage on their faith, and though it galled + the hearts of the Jews to make merry at the marriage of a Christian and a + Muslim—no man except Israel, and he excused himself with what grace + he could, being in no mood for rejoicing, but sick with sorrow of the + heart. + </p> + <p> + The Spanish woman was not to be gainsaid. She had taken her measure of the + man, and had resolved that a servant so powerful as Israel should pay her + court and tribute before all. Therefore she caused him to be invited + again; but Israel had taken his measure of the woman, and with some lack + of courtesy he excused himself afresh. + </p> + <p> + Katrina was not yet done. She was a creature of resource, and having heard + of Naomi with strange stories concerning her, she devised a children's + feast for the last day of the marriage festival, and caused Ben Aboo to + write to Israel a formal letter, beginning “To our well-beloved the + excellent Israel ben Oliel, Praise to the one God,” and setting forth that + on the morrow, when the “Sun of the world” should “place his foot in the + stirrup of speed,” and gallop “from the kingdom of shades,” the Governor + would “hold a gathering of delight” for all the children of Tetuan and he, + Israel, was besought to “lighten it with the rays of his face, rivalled + only by the sun,” and to bring with him his little daughter Naomi, whose + arrival “similar to a spring breeze,” should “dissipate the dark night of + solitude and isolation.” This despatch written in the common cant of the + people, concluded with quotations from the Prophet on brotherly love and a + significant and more sincere assurance that the Basha would not admit of + excuses “of the thickness of a hair.” + </p> + <p> + When Israel received the missive, his anger was hot and furious. He leapt + to the conclusion that, in demanding the presence of Naomi, the Spanish + woman, who must know of the child's condition desired only to make a show + of it. But, after a fume, he put that thought from him as uncharitable and + unwarranted, and resolved to obey the summons. + </p> + <p> + And, indeed, if he had felt any further diffidence, the sight of Naomi's + own eagerness must have driven it away. The little maid seemed to know + that something unusual was going on. Troops of poor villagers from every + miserable quarter of the bashalic came into the town each day, beating + drums, firing long guns, driving their presents before them—bullocks, + cows, and sheep—and trying to make believe that they rejoiced and + were glad. Naomi appeared to be conscious of many tents pitched in the + marketplace, of denser crowds in the streets, and of much bustle + everywhere. + </p> + <p> + Also she seemed to catch the contagion of little Ali's excitement. The + children of all the schools of the town, both Jewish and Moorish, had been + summoned through their Talebs to the festival; there was to be dancing and + singing and playing on musical instruments and Ali himself, who had lately + practised the kanoon—the lute, the harp—under his teacher, was + to show his skill before the Governor. Therefore, great was the little + black man's excitement, and, in the fever of it, he would talk to every + one of the event forthcoming—to Fatima, to Habeebah, and often to + Naomi also, until the memory of her infirmity would come to him, or + perhaps the derisive laugh of his schoolfellows would stop him, and then, + thinking they were laughing at the girl, he would fall on them like a + fury, and they would scamper away. + </p> + <p> + When the great day came, Ali went off to the Kasbah with his school and + Taleb, in the long procession of many schools and many Talebs. Every child + carried a present for the rich Basha; now a boy with a goat, then a girl + with a lamb, again a poor tattered mite with a hen, all cuddling them + close like pets they must part with, yet all looking radiantly happy in + their sweet innocency, which had no alloy of pain from the tree of the + knowledge of good and evil. + </p> + <p> + Israel took Naomi by the hand, but no present with either of them, and + followed the children, going past the booths, the blind beggars, the + lepers, and the shrieking Arabs that lay thick about the gate, through the + iron-clamped door, and into the quadrangle, where groups of women stood + together closely covered in their blankets—the mothers and sisters + of the children, permitted to see their little ones pass into the Kasbah, + but allowed to go no farther—then down the crooked passage, past the + tiny mosque, like a closet, and the bath, like a dungeon, and finally into + the pillared patio, paved and walled with tiles. + </p> + <p> + This was the place of the festival, and it was filled already with a great + company of children, their fathers and their teachers. Moors, Arabs, + Berbers, and Jews, clad in their various costumes of white and blue and + black and red—they were a gorgeous, a voluptuous, and, perhaps, a + beautiful spectacle in the morning sunlight. + </p> + <p> + As Israel entered, with Naomi by the hand, he was conscious that every eye + was on them, and as they passed through the way that was made for them, he + heard the whispered exclamations of the people. “Shoof!” muttered a Moor. + “See!” “It's himself,” said a Jew. “And the child,” said another Jew. + “Allah has smitten her,” said an Arab “Blind and dumb and deaf,” said + another Moor “God be gracious to my father!” said another Arab. + </p> + <p> + Musicians were playing in the gallery that ran round the court, and from + the flat roof above it the women of the Governor's hareem, not yet + dispersed, his four lawful Mohammedan wives, and many concubines, were + gazing furtively down from behind their haiks. There was a fountain in the + middle of the patio, and at the farther end of it, within an alcove that + opened out of a horseshoe arch, beneath ceilings hung with stalactites, + against walls covered with silken haities, and on Rabat rugs of many + colours, sat Ben Aboo and his Christian bride. + </p> + <p> + It was there that Israel saw the Spaniard for the first time, and at the + instant of recognition he shivered as with cold. She was a handsome woman, + but plainly a heartless one—selfish, vain, and vulgar. + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo hailed Israel with welcomes and peace-blessings, and Katrina drew + Naomi to her side. + </p> + <p> + “So this is the little maid of whom wonderful rumours are so rife?” said + Katrina. + </p> + <p> + Israel bent his head and shuddered at seeing the child at the woman's + feet. + </p> + <p> + “The darling is as fair as an angel,” said Katrina, and she kissed Naomi. + </p> + <p> + The kiss seemed to Israel to smite his own cheeks like a blow. + </p> + <p> + Then the performances of the children began, and truly they made a pretty + and affecting sight; the white walls, the deep blue sky, the black shadows + of the gallery, the bright sunlight, the grown people massed around the + patio, and these sweet little faces coming and going in the middle of it. + First, a line of Moorish girls in their embroidered hazzams dancing after + their native fashion, bending and rising, twisting and turning, but + keeping their feet in the same place constantly. Then, a line of Jewish + girls in their kilted skirts dancing after the Jewish manner tripping on + their slippered toes, whirling and turning around with rapid motions, and + playing timbrels and tambourines held high above their heads by their + shapely arms and hands. Then passages of the Koran chanted by a group of + Moorish boys in their jellabs, purple and chocolate and white, peaked + above their red tarbooshes. Then a psalm by a company of Jewish boys in + their black skull-caps—a brave old song of Zion sung by silvery + young voices in an alien land. Finally, little black Ali, led out by his + teacher, with his diminutive Moorish harp in his hands, showing no fear at + all, but only a negro boy's shy looks of pleasure—his head aside, + his eyes gleaming, his white teeth glinting, and his face aglow. + </p> + <p> + Now down to this moment Naomi, at the feet of the woman, had been agitated + and restless, sometimes rising, then sinking back, sometimes playing with + her nervous fingers, and then pushing off her slippers. It was as though + she was conscious of the fine show which was going forward, and knew that + they were children who were making it. Perhaps the breath of the little + ones beat her on the level of her cheeks, or perhaps the light air made by + the sweep of their garments was wafted to her sensitive body. Whatsoever + the sense whereby the knowledge came to her, clearly it was there in her + flushed and twitching face, which was full of that old hunger for + child-company which Israel knew too well. + </p> + <p> + But when little Ali was brought out and he began to play on his kanoon, + his harp, it was impossible to repress Naomi's excitement. The girl leaped + up from her place at the woman's feet, and with the utmost rapidity of + motion she passed like a gleam of light across the patio to the boy's + side. And, being there, she touched the harp as he played it, and then a + low cry came from her lips. Again she touched it, and her eyes, though + blind, seemed for an instant to flame like fire. Then, with both her hands + she clung to it, and with her lips and her tongue she kissed it, while her + whole body quivered like a reed in the wind. + </p> + <p> + Israel saw what she did, and his very soul trembled at the sight with wild + thoughts that did not dare to take the name of hope. As well as he could + in the confusion of his own senses he stepped forward to draw the little + maiden back but the wife of the Governor called on him to leave her. + </p> + <p> + “Leave her!” she cried. “Let us see what the child will do!” + </p> + <p> + At that moment Ali's playing came to as end, and the boy let the harp pass + to Naomi's clinging fingers, and then, half sitting, half kneeling on the + ground beside it, the girl took it to herself. She caressed it, she patted + it with her hand, she touched its strings, and then a faint smile crossed + her rosy lips. She laid her cheek against it and touched its strings + again, and then she laughed aloud. She flung off her slippers and the + garment that covered her beautiful arms, and laid her pure flesh against + the harp wheresoever her flesh might cling, and touched its strings once + more, and then her very heart seemed to laugh with delight. + </p> + <p> + Now, what is to follow will seem to be no better than a superstitious + saying, but true it is, nevertheless, and simple sooth for all it sounds + so strange, that though Naomi was deaf as the grave, and had never yet + heard music, and though she was untaught and knew nothing of the notes of + a harp to strike them yet she swept the strings to strange sounds such as + no man had ever listened to before and none could follow. + </p> + <p> + It was not music that the little maiden made to her ear, but only motion + to her body, and just as the deaf who are deaf alone are sometimes found + to take pleasure in all forms of percussion, and to derive from them some + of the sensations of sound—the trembling of the air after thunder, + the quivering of the earth after cannon, and the quaking of vast walls + after the ringing of mighty bells—so Naomi, who was blind as well + and had no sense save touch, found in her fingers, which had gathered up + the force of all the other senses, the power to reproduce on this + instrument of music the movement of things that moved about her—the + patter of the leaves of the fig-tree in the patio of her home, the swirl + of the great winds on the hill-top, the plash of rain on her face, and the + rippling of the levanter in her hair. + </p> + <p> + This was all the witchery of Naomi's playing, yet, because every emotion + in Nature had its harmony, so there was harmony of some wild sort in the + music that was struck by the girl's fingers out of the strings of the + harp. But, more than her music, which was perhaps, only a rhapsody of + sound, was the frenzy of the girl herself as she made it. She lifted her + head like a bird, her throat swelled, her bosom heaved, and as she played, + she laughed again and again. + </p> + <p> + There was something fascinating and magical in the spectacle of the + beautiful fair face aglow with joy, the rounded limbs (visible through the + robes) clinging to the sides of the harp, and the delicate white fingers + flying across the strings. There was something gruesome and awful, as + well, for the face of the girl was blind, and her ears heard nothing of + the sounds that her fingers were making. + </p> + <p> + Every eye was on her, and in the wide circle around every mouth was agape. + And when those who looked on and listened had recovered from their first + surprise, very strange and various were the whispered words they passed + between them. “Where has she learnt it?” asked a Moor. “From her master + himself,” muttered a Jew. “Who is it?” asked the Moor. “Beelzebub,” + growled the Jew. “God pity me, the evil eye is on her,” said an Arab. “God + will show,” said a Shereef from Wazzan. “They say her mother was a + childless woman, and offered petitions for Hannah's blessing at the tomb + of Rabbi Amran.” “No,” said the Arab; “she sent her girdle.” “Anyhow, the + child is a saint,” whispered the Shereef. “No, but a devil,” snorted the + Jew. + </p> + <p> + “Brava, brava, brava!” cried the new wife of Ben Aboo, and she cheered and + laughed as the girl played. “What did I tell you?” she said, looking + toward her husband. “The child is not deaf, no, nor blind either. Oh, it's + a brave imposture! Brava, brave!” + </p> + <p> + Still the little maiden played, but now her brow was clouded, her head + dropped, her eyelashes were downcast, and she hung over the harp and + sighed audibly. + </p> + <p> + “Good again!” cried the woman. “Very good!” and she clapped her hands, + whereupon the Arabs and the Moors, forgetting their dread, felt + constrained to follow her example, and they cheered in their wilder way, + but the Jews continued to mutter, “Beelzebub, Beelzebub!” + </p> + <p> + Israel saw it all, and at first, amid the commotion of his mind and the + confusion of his senses, his heart melted at sight of what Naomi did. Had + God opened a gateway to her soul? Were the poor wings of her spirit to + spread themselves out at last? Was this, then, the way of speech that + Heaven had given her? But hardly had Israel overflowed with the tenderness + of such thoughts when the bleating and barking of the faces about him + awakened his anger. Then, like blows on his brain, came the cries of the + wife of the Governor, who cheered this awakening of the girl's soul as it + were no better than a vulgar show; and at that Israel's wrath rose to his + throat. + </p> + <p> + “Brava, brava!” cried the woman again; and, turning to Israel, she said, + “You shall leave the child with me. I must have her with me always.” + </p> + <p> + Israel's throat seemed to choke him at that word. He looked at Katrina, + and saw that she was a woman lustful of breath and vain of heart, who had + married Ben Aboo because he was rich. Then he looked at Naomi, and + remembered that her heart was clear as the water, and sweet as the + morning, and pure as the snow. + </p> + <p> + And at that moment the wife of the Governor cheered again, and again the + people echoed her, and even the women on the housetops made bold to take + up her cry with their cooing ululation. The playing had ceased, the spell + had dissolved, Naomi's fingers had fallen from the harp, her head had + dropped into her breast, and with a sigh she had sunk forward on to her + face. + </p> + <p> + “Take her in!” said the wife of Ben Aboo, and two Arab soldiers stepped up + to where the little maiden lay. But before they had touched her Israel + strode out with swollen lips and distended nostrils. + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” he cried. + </p> + <p> + The Arabs hesitated, and looked towards their master. + </p> + <p> + “Do as you are bidden—take her in!” said Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” cried Israel again, in a loud voice that rang through the court. + Then, parting the Arabs with a sweep of his arms, he picked up the + unconscious maiden, and faced about on the new wife of Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “Madam,” he cried, “I, Israel ben Oliel, may belong to the Governor, but + my child belongs to me.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he passed out of the court, carrying the girl in his arms, and + in the dead silence and blank stupor of that moment none seemed to know + what he had done until he was gone. + </p> + <p> + Israel went home in his anger; but nevertheless, out of this event he + found courage in his heart to begin his task again. Let his enemies bleat + and bark “Beelzebub,” yet the child was an angel, though suffering for his + sin, and her soul was with God. She was a spirit, and the songs she had + played were the airs of paradise. But, comforting himself so, Israel + remembered the vision of Ruth, wherein Naomi had recovered her powers. He + had put it from him hitherto as the delirium of death, but would the Lord + yet bring it to pass? Would God in His mercy some day take the angel out + of his house, though so strangely gifted, so radiant and beautiful and + joyful, and give him instead for the hunger of his heart as a man this + sweet human child, his little, fair-haired Naomi, though helpless and + simple and weak? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <h3> + THE VISION OF THE SCAPEGOAT + </h3> + <p> + Israel's instinct had been sure: the coming of Katrina proved to be the + beginning of his end. He kept his office, but he lost his power. No longer + did he work his own will in Tetuan; he was required to work the will of + the woman. Katrina's will was an evil one, and Israel got the blame of it, + for still he seemed to stand in all matters of tribute and taxation + between the people and the Governor. It galled him to take the woman's + wages, but it vexed him yet more to do her work. Her work was to burden + the people with taxes beyond all their power of paying; her wages was to + be hated as the bane of the bashalic, to be clamoured against as the + tyrant of Tetuan, and to be ridiculed by the very offal of the streets. + </p> + <p> + One day a gang of dirty Arabs in the market-place dressed up a blind + beggar in clothes such as Israel wore, and sent him abroad through the + town to beg as one that was destitute and in a miserable condition. But + nothing seemed to move Israel to pity. Men were cast into prison for no + reason save that they were rich, and the relations of such as were there + already were allowed to redeem them for money, so that no felon suffered + punishment except such as could pay nothing. People took fright and fled + to other cities. Israel's name became a curse and a reproach throughout + Barbary. + </p> + <p> + Yet all this time the man's soul was yearning with pity for the people. + Since the death of Ruth his heart had grown merciful. The care of the + child had softened him. It had brought him to look on other children with + tenderness, and looking tenderly on other children had led him to think of + other fathers with compassion. Young or old, powerful or weak, mighty or + mean, they were all as little children—helpless children who would + sleep together in the same bed soon. + </p> + <p> + Thinking so, Israel would have undone the evil work of earlier years; but + that was impossible now. Many of them that had suffered were dead; some + that had been cast into prison had got their last and long discharge. At + least Israel would have relaxed the rigour whereby his master ruled, but + that was impossible also. Katrina had come, and she was a vain woman and a + lover of all luxury, and she commanded Israel to tax the people afresh. He + obeyed her through three bad years; but many a time his heart reproached + him that he dealt corruptly by the poor people, and when he saw them + borrowing money for the Governor's tributes on their lands and houses, and + when he stood by while they and their sons were cast into prison for the + bonds which they could not pay to the usurers Abraham or Judah or Reuben, + then his soul cried out against him that he ate the bread of such a + mistress. + </p> + <p> + But out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth + sweetness, and out of this coming of the Spanish wife of Ben Aboo came + deliverance for Israel from the torment of his false position. + </p> + <p> + There was an aged and pious Moor in Tetuan, called Abd Allah, who was + rumoured to have made savings from his business as a gunsmith. Going to + mosque one evening, with fifteen dollars in his waistband, he unstrapped + his belt and laid it on the edge of the fountain while he washed his feet + before entering, for his back was no longer supple. Then a younger Moor, + coming to pray at the same time, saw the dollars, and snatched them up and + ran. Abd Allah could not follow the thief, so he went to the Kasbah and + told his story to the Governor. + </p> + <p> + Just at that time Ben Aboo had the Kaid of Fez on a visit to him. “Ask him + how much more he has got,” whispered the brother Kaid to Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + Abd Allah answered that he did not know. + </p> + <p> + “I'll give you two hundred dollars for the chance of all he has,” the Kaid + whispered again. + </p> + <p> + “Five bees are better than a pannier of flies—done!” said Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + So Abd Allah was sold like a sheep and carried to Fez, and there cast into + prison on a penalty of two hundred and fifty dollars imposed upon him on + the pretence of a false accusation. + </p> + <p> + Israel sat by the Governor that day at the gate of the hall of justice, + and many poor people of the town stood huddled together in the court + outside while the evil work was done. No one heard the Kaid of Fez when he + whispered to Ben Aboo, but every one saw when Israel drew the warrant that + consigned the gunsmith to prison, and when he sealed it with the + Governor's seal. + </p> + <p> + Abd Allah had made no savings, and, being too old for work, he had lived + on the earnings of his son. The son's name was Absalam (Abd es-Salem), and + he had a wife whom he loved very tenderly, and one child, a boy of six + years of age. Absalam followed his father to Fez, and visited him in + prison. The old man had been ordered a hundred lashes, and the flesh was + hanging from his limbs. Absalam was great of heart, and, in pity of his + father's miserable condition he went to the Governor and begged that the + old man might be liberated, and that he might be imprisoned instead. His + petition was heard. Abd Allah was set free, Absalam was cast into prison, + and the penalty was raised from two hundred and fifty dollars to three + hundred. + </p> + <p> + Israel heard of what had happened, and he hastened to Ben Aboo, in great + agitation, intending to say “Pay back this man's ransom, in God's name, + and his children and his children's children will live to bless you.” But + when he got to the Kasbah, Katrina was sitting with her husband, and at + sight of the woman's face Israel's tongue was frozen. + </p> + <p> + Absalam had been the favourite of his neighbours among all the gunsmiths + of the market-place, and after he had been three months at Fez they made + common cause of his calamities, sold their goods at a sacrifice, collected + the three hundred dollars of his fine, bought him out of prison, and went + in a body through the gate to meet him upon his return to Tetuan. But his + wife had died in the meantime of fear and privation, and only his aged + father and his little son were there to welcome him. + </p> + <p> + “Friends,” he said to his neighbours standing outside the walls, “what is + the use of sowing if you know not who will reap?” + </p> + <p> + “No use, no use!” answered several voices. + </p> + <p> + “If God gives you anything, this man Israel takes it away,” said Absalam. + </p> + <p> + “True, true! Curse him! Curse his relations!” cried the others. + </p> + <p> + “Then why go back into Tetuan?” said Absalam. + </p> + <p> + “Tangier is no better,” said one. “Fez is worse,” said another. “Where is + there to go?” said a third. + </p> + <p> + “Into the plains,” said Absalam—“into the plains and into the + mountains, for they belong to God alone.” + </p> + <p> + That word was like the flint to the tinder. + </p> + <p> + “They who have least are richest, and they that have nothing are best off + of all,” said Absalam, and his neighbours shouted that it was so. + </p> + <p> + “God will clothe us as He clothes the fields,” said Absalam, “and feed our + children as He feeds the birds.” + </p> + <p> + In three days' time ten shops in the market-place, on the side of the + Mosque, were sold up and closed, and the men who had kept them were gone + away with their wives and children to live in tents with Absalam on the + barren plains beyond the town. + </p> + <p> + When Israel heard of what had been done he secretly rejoiced; but Ben Aboo + was in a commotion of fear, and Katrina was fierce with anger, for the + doctrine which Absalam had preached to his neighbours outside the walls + was not his own doctrine merely, but that of a great man lately risen + among the people, called Mohammed of Mequinez, nicknamed by his enemies + Mohammed the Third. + </p> + <p> + “This madness is spreading,” said Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Katrina; “and if all men follow where these men lead, who will + supply the tables of Kaids and Sultans?” + </p> + <p> + “What can I do with them?” said Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “Eat them up,” said Katrina. + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo proceeded to put a literal interpretation upon his wife's + counsel. With a company of cavalry he prepared to follow Absalam and his + little fellowship, taking Israel along with him to reckon their taxes, + that he might compel them to return to Tetuan, and be town-dwellers and + house-dwellers and buy and sell and pay tribute as before, or else deliver + themselves to prison. + </p> + <p> + But Absalam and his people had secret word that the Governor was coming + after them, and Israel with him. So they rolled their tents, and fled to + the mountains that are midway between Tetuan and the Reef country, and + took refuge in the gullies of that rugged land, living in caves of the + rock, with only the table-land of mountain behind them, and nothing but a + rugged precipice in front. This place they selected for its safety, + intending to push forward, as occasion offered, to the sanctuaries of + Shawan, trusting rather to the humanity of the wild people, called the + Shawanis, than to the mercy of their late cruel masters. But the valley + wherein they had hidden is thick with trees, and Ben Aboo tracked them and + came up with them before they were aware. Then, sending soldiers to the + mountain at the back of the caves, with instructions that they should come + down to the precipice steadily, and kill none that they could take alive, + Ben Aboo himself drew up at the foot of it, and Israel with him, and there + called on the people to come out and deliver themselves to his will. + </p> + <p> + When the poor people came from their hiding-places and saw that they were + surrounded, and that escape was not left to them on any side, they thought + their death was sure. But without a shout or a cry they knelt, as with one + accord, at the mouth of the precipice, with their backs to it, men and + women and children, knee to knee in a line, and joined hands, and looked + towards the soldiers, who were coming steadily down on them. On and on the + soldiers came, eye to eye with the people, and their swords were drawn. + </p> + <p> + Israel gasped for his breath, and waited to see the people cut in pieces + at the next instant, when suddenly they began to sing where they knelt at + the edge of the precipice, “God is our refuge and our strength, a very + present help in trouble.” + </p> + <p> + In another moment the soldiers had drawn up as if swords from heaven had + fallen on them, and Israel was crying out of his dry throat, “Fear + nothing! Only deliver your bodies to the Governor, and none shall harm + you.” + </p> + <p> + Absalam rose up from his knees and called to his father and his son. And + standing between them to be seen by all, and first looking upon both with + eyes of pity, he drew from the folds of his selham a long knife such as + the Reefians wear, and taking his father by his white hair he slew him and + cast his body down the rocks. After that he turned towards his son, and + the boy was golden-haired and his face was like the morning, and Israel's + heart bled to see him. + </p> + <p> + “Absalam!” he cried in a moving voice; “Absalam, wait, wait!” + </p> + <p> + But Absalam killed his son also, and cast him down after his father. Then, + looking around on his people with eyes of compassion, as seeming to pity + them that they must fall again into the hands of Israel and his master, he + stretched out his knife and sheathed it in his own breast, and fell + towards the precipice. + </p> + <p> + Israel covered his face and groaned in his heart, and said, “It is the + end, O Lord God, it is the end—polluted wretch that I am, with the + blood of these people upon me!” + </p> + <p> + The companions of Absalam delivered themselves to the soldiers, who + committed them to the prison at Shawan, and Ben Aboo went home in content. + </p> + <p> + Rumour of what had come to pass was not long in reaching Tetuan, and + Israel was charged with the guilt of it. In passing through the streets + the next day on his way to his house the people hissed him openly. “Allah + had not written it!” a Moor shouted as he passed. “Take care!” cried an + Arab, “Mohammed of Mequinez is coming!” + </p> + <p> + It chanced that night, after sundown, when Naomi, according to her wont, + led her father to the upper room, and fetched the Book of the Law from the + cupboard of the wall and laid it upon his knees, that he read the passage + whereon the page opened of itself, scarce knowing what he read when he + began to read it, for his spirit was heavy with the bad doings of those + days. And the passage whereon the book opened was this— + </p> + <p> + “<i>Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats: one lot for the Lord, and + the other lot for the scapegoat. . . . Then shall he kill the goat of the + sin-offering that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail. + And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the + uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions + in all their sins. . . . And when he hath, made an end of reconciling the + holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he + shall bring the live goat: and Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the + head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the + children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, + putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the + hand of a fit man into the wilderness. And the goat shall bear upon him + all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited.</i>” + </p> + <p> + That same night Israel dreamt a dream. He had been asleep, and had + awakened in a place which he did not know. It was a great arid wilderness. + Ashen sand lay on every side; a scorching sun beat down on it, and nowhere + was there a glint of water. Israel gazed, and slowly through the blazing + sunlight he discerned white roofless walls like the ruins of little + sheepfolds. “They are tombs,” he told himself, “and this is a Mukabar—an + Arab graveyard—the most desolate place in the world of God.” But, + looking again, he saw that the roofless walls covered the ground as far as + the eye could see, and the thought came to him that this ashen desert was + the earth itself, and that all the world of life and man was dead. Then, + suddenly, in the motionless wilderness, a solitary creature moved. It was + a goat, and it toiled over the hot sand with its head hung down and its + tongue lolled out. “Water!” it seemed to cry, though it made no voice, and + its eyes traversed the plain as if they would pierce the ground for a + spring. Fever and delirium fell upon Israel. The goat came near to him and + lifted up its eyes, and he saw its face. Then he shrieked and awoke. The + face of the goat had been the face of Naomi. + </p> + <p> + Now Israel knew that this was no more than a dream, coming of the passage + which he had read out of the book at sundown, but so vivid was the sense + of it that he could not rest in his bed until he had first seen Naomi with + his waking eyes, that he might laugh in his heart to think how the eye of + his sleep had fooled him. So he lit his lamp, and walked through the + silent house to where Naomi's room was on the lower floor of it. + </p> + <p> + There she lay, sleeping so peacefully, with her sunny hair flowing over + the pillow on either side of her beautiful face, and rippling in little + curls about her neck. How sweet she looked! How like a dear bud of + womanhood just opening to the eye! + </p> + <p> + Israel sat down beside her for a moment. Many a time before, at such + hours, he had sat in that same place, and then gone his ways, and she had + known nothing of it. She was like any other maiden now. Her eyes were + closed, and who should see that they were blind? Her breath came gently, + and who should say that it gave forth no speech? Her face was quiet, and + who should think that it was not the face of a homely-hearted girl? Israel + loved these moments when he was alone with Naomi while she slept, for then + only did she seem to be entirely his own, and he was not so lonely while + he was sitting there. Though men thought he was strong, yet he was very + weak. He had no one in the world to talk to save Naomi, and she was dumb + in the daytime, but in the night he could hold little conversations with + her. His love! his dove! his darling! How easily he could trick and + deceive himself and think, She will awake presently, and speak to me! Yes; + her eyes will open and see me here again, and I shall hear her voice, for + I love it! “Father!” she will say. “Father—father—” + </p> + <p> + Only the moment of undeceiving was so cruel! + </p> + <p> + Naomi stirred, and Israel rose and left her. As he went back to his bed, + through the corridor of the patio, he heard a night-cry behind him that + made his hair to rise. It was Naomi laughing in her sleep. + </p> + <p> + Israel dreamt again that night, and he believed his second dream to be a + vision. It was only a dream, like the first; but what his dream would be + to us is nought, and what it was to him is everything. The vision as he + thought he saw it was this, and these were the words of it as he thought + he heard them— + </p> + <p> + It was the middle of the night, and he was lying in his own room, when a + dull red light as of dying flame crossed the foot of the bed, and a voice + that was as the voice of the Lord came out of it, crying “Israel!” + </p> + <p> + And Israel was sorely afraid, and answered, “Speak, Lord, Thy servant + heareth.” + </p> + <p> + Then the Lord said, “Thou has read of the goats whereon the high priest + cast lots, one lot for the sin offering and one lot for the scapegoat.” + </p> + <p> + And Israel answered trembling, “I have read.” + </p> + <p> + Then the Lord said to Israel, “Look now upon Naomi, thy child, for she is + as the sin-offering for thy sins, to make atonement for thy + transgressions, for thee and for thy household, and therefore she is dumb + to all uses of speech, and blind to all service of sight, a soul in chains + and a spirit in prison, for behold, she is as the lot that is cast for + justice and for the Lord.” + </p> + <p> + And Israel groaned in his agony and cried, “Would that the lot had fallen + upon me, O Lord, that Thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and + be clear when Thou judgest, for I alone am guilty before Thee.” + </p> + <p> + Then said the Lord to Israel, “On thee, also, hath the lot fallen, even + the lot of the scapegoat of the enemies of the people of God.” + </p> + <p> + And Israel quaked with fear, and the Lord called to him again, and said, + “Israel, even as the scapegoat carries the iniquities of the people, so + cost thou carry the iniquities of thy master, Ben Aboo, and of his wife, + Katrina; and even as the goat bears the sins of the people into the + wilderness, so, in the resurrection, shalt thou bear the sins of this man + and of this woman into a land that no man knoweth.” + </p> + <p> + Then Israel wrestled no longer with the Lord, but sweated as it were drops + of blood, and cried, “What shall I do, O Lord?” + </p> + <p> + And the Lord said, “Lie unto the morning, and then arise, get thee to the + country by Mequinez and to the man there whereof thou hast heard tidings, + and he shall show thee what thou shalt do.” + </p> + <p> + Then Israel wept with gladness, and cried, saying, “Shall my soul live? + Shall the lot be lifted from off me, and from off Naomi, my daughter?” + </p> + <p> + But the Lord left him, the red light died out from across the bed, and all + around was darkness. + </p> + <p> + Now to the last day and hour of his life Israel would have taken oath on + the Scriptures that he saw this vision, and he heard this voice, not in + his sleep and as in a dream, but awake, and having plain sight of all + common things about him—his room and his bed; and the canopy that + covered it. And on rising in the morning, at daydawn, so actual was the + sense of what he had seen and heard, and so powerful the impression of it, + that he straightway set himself to carry out the injunction it had made, + without question of its reality or doubt of its authority. + </p> + <p> + Therefore, committing his household to the care of Ali, who was now grown + to be a stalwart black lad his constant right hand and helpmate, Israel + first sent to the Governor, saying he should be ten days absent from + Tetuan, and then to the Kasbah for a soldier and guide, and to the + market-place for mules. + </p> + <p> + Before the sun was high everything was in readiness, and the caravan was + waiting at the door. Then Israel remembered Naomi. Where was the girl, + that he had not seen her that morning? They answered him that she had not + yet left her room, and he sent the black woman Fatimah to fetch her. And + when she came and he had kissed her, bidding her farewell in silence, his + heart misgave him concerning her, and, after raising his foot to the + stirrup, he returned to where she stood in the patio with the two + bondwomen beside her. + </p> + <p> + “Is she well?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, well—very well,” said Fatimah, and Habeebah echoed her. + Nevertheless, Israel remembered that he had not heard the only language of + her lips, her laugh, and, looking at her again, he saw that her face, + which had used to be cheerful, was now sad. At that he almost repented of + his purpose, and but for shame in his own eyes he might have gone no + farther, for it smote him with terror that, though she were sick, nothing + could she say to stay him, and even if she were dying she must let him go + his ways without warning. + </p> + <p> + He kissed her again, and she clung to him, so that at last, with many + words of tender protest which she did not hear, he had to break away from + the beautiful arms that held him. + </p> + <p> + Ali was waiting by the mules in the streets, and the soldier and guide and + muleteers and tentmen were already mounted, amid a chattering throng of + idle people looking on. + </p> + <p> + “Ali, my lad,” said Israel, “if anything should befall Naomi while I am + away, will you watch over her and guard her with all your strength?” + </p> + <p> + “With all my life,” said Ali stoutly. He was Naomi's playfellow no longer, + but her devoted slave. + </p> + <p> + Then Israel set off on his journey. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <h3> + ISRAEL'S JOURNEY + </h3> + <p> + MOHAMMED of Mequinez, the man whom Israel went out to seek, had been a + Kadi and the son of a Kadi. While he was still a child his father died, + and he was brought up by two uncles, his father's brothers, both men of + yet higher place, the one being Naib es-sultan, or Foreign Minister, at + Tangier, and the other Grand Vizier to the Sultan at Morocco. Thus in a + land where there is one noble only, the Sultan himself, where ascent and + descent are as free as in a republic, though the ways of both are mired + with crime and corruption, Mohammed was come as from the highest nobility. + Nevertheless, he renounced his rank and the hope of wealth that went along + with it at the call of duty and the cry of misery. + </p> + <p> + He parted from his uncles, abandoned his judgeship, and went out into the + plains. The poor and outcast and down-trodden among the people, the + shamed, the disgraced, and the neglected left the towns and followed him. + He established a sect. They were to be despisers of riches and lovers of + poverty. No man among them was to have more than another. They were never + to buy or sell among themselves, but every one was to give what he had to + him that wanted it. They were to avoid swearing, yet whatever they said + was to be firmer than an oath. They were to be ministers of peace, and if + any man did them violence they were never to resist him. Nevertheless they + were not to lack for courage, but to laugh to scorn the enemies that + tormented them, and smile in their pains and shed no tear. And as for + death, if it was for their glory they were to esteem it more than life, + because their bodies only were corruptible, but their souls were immortal, + and would mount upwards when released from the bondage of the flesh. Not + dissenters from the Koran, but stricter conformers to it; not Nazarenes + and not Jews, yet followers of Jesus in their customs and of Moses in + their doctrines. + </p> + <p> + And Moors and Berbers, Arabs and Negroes, Muslimeen and Jews, heard the + cry of Mohammed of Mequinez, and he received them all. From the streets, + from the market-places, from the doors of the prisons, from the service of + hard masters, and from the ragged army itself, they arose in hundreds and + trooped after him. They needed no badge but the badge of poverty, and no + voice of pleading but the voice of misery. Most of them brought nothing + with them in their hands, and some brought little on their backs save the + stripes of their tormentors. A few had flocks and herds, which they drove + before them. A few had tents, which they shared with their fellows; and a + few had guns, with which they shot the wild boar for their food and the + hyena for their safety. Thus, possessing little and desiring nothing, + having neither houses nor lands, and only considering themselves secure + from their rulers in having no money, this company of battered human + wrecks, life-broken and crime-logged and stranded, passed with their + leader from place to place of the waste country about Mequinez. And he, + being as poor as they were, though he might have been so rich, cheered + them always, even when they murmured against him, as Absalam had cheered + his little fellowship at Tetuan: “God will feed us as He feeds the birds + of the air, and clothe our little ones as He clothes the fields.” + </p> + <p> + Such was the man whom Israel went out to seek. But Israel knew his people + too well to make known his errand. His besetting difficulties were enough + already. The year was young, but the days were hot; a palpitating haze + floated always in the air, and the grass and the broom had the dusty and + tired look of autumn. It was also the month of the fast of Ramadhan, and + Israel's men were Muslims. So, to save himself the double vexation of + oppressive days and the constant bickerings of his famished people, Israel + found it necessary at length to travel in the night. In this way his + journey was the shorter for the absence of some obstacles, but his time + was long. + </p> + <p> + And, just as he had hidden his errand from the men of his own caravan, so + he concealed it from the people of the country that he passed through, and + many and various, and sometimes ludicrous and sometimes very pitiful were + the conjectures they made concerning it. While he was passing through his + own province of Tetuan, nothing did the poor people think but that he had + come to make a new assessment of their lands and holdings, their cattle + and belongings, that he might tax them afresh and more fully. So, to buy + his mercy in advance, many of them came out of their houses as he drew + near, and knelt on the ground before his horse, and kissed the skirts of + his kaftan, and his knees, and even his foot in his stirrup, and called + him <i>Sidi</i> (master, my lord), a title never before given to a Jew, + and offered him presents out of their meagre substance. + </p> + <p> + “A gift for my lord,” they would say, “of the little that God has given + us, praise His merciful name for ever!” + </p> + <p> + Then they would push forward a sheep or a goat, or a string of hens tied + by the legs so as to hang across his saddle-bow, or, perhaps, at the two + trembling hands of an old woman living alone on a hungry scratch of land + in a desolate place, a bowl of buttermilk. + </p> + <p> + Israel was touched by the people's terror, but he betrayed no feeling. + </p> + <p> + “Keep them,” he would answer; “keep them until I come again,” intending to + tell them, when that time came, to keep their poor gifts altogether. + </p> + <p> + And when he had passed out of the province of Tetuan into the bashalic of + El Kasar, the bareheaded country-people of the valley of the Koos hastened + before him to the Kaid of that grey town of bricks and storks and + palm-trees and evil odours, and the Kaid, with another notion of his + errand, came to the tumble-down bridge to meet him on his approach in the + early morning. + </p> + <p> + “Peace be with you!” said the Kaid. “So my lord is going again to the + Shereef at Wazzan; may the mercy of the Merciful protect him!” + </p> + <p> + Israel neither answered yea nor nay, but threaded the maze of crooked + lanes to the lodging which had been provided for him near the + market-place, and the same night he left the town (laden with the presents + of the Kaid) through a line of famished and half-naked beggars who looked + on with feverish eyes. + </p> + <p> + Next day, at dawn, he came to the heights of Wazzan (a holy city of + Morocco), by the olives and junipers and evergreen oaks that grow at the + foot of the lofty, double-peaked Boo-Hallal, and there the young grand + Shereef himself, at the gate of his odorous orange-gardens, stood waiting + to give audience with yet another conjecture as to the intention of his + journey. + </p> + <p> + “Welcome! welcome!” said the Shereef; “all you see is yours until Allah + shall decree that you leave me too soon on your happy mission to our lord + the Sultan at Fez—may God prolong his life and bless him!” + </p> + <p> + “God make you happy!” said Israel, but he offered no answer to the + question that was implied. + </p> + <p> + “It is twenty and odd years, my lord,” the Shereef continued, “since my + father sent for you out of Tetuan, and many are the ups and downs that + time has wrought since then, under Allah's will; but none in the past have + been so grateful as the elevation of Israel ben Oliel, and none in the + future can be so joyful as the favours which the Sultan (God keep our lord + Abd er-Rahman!) has still in store for him.” + </p> + <p> + “God will show,” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + No Jew had ever yet ridden in this Moroccan Mecca; but the Shereef + alighted from his horse and offered it to Israel, and took Israel's horse + instead and together they rode through the market-place, and past the old + Mosque that is a ruin inhabited by hawks and the other mosque of the + Aissawa, and the three squalid fondaks wherein the Jews live like cattle. + A swarm of Arabs followed at their heels in tattered greasy rags, a group + of Jews went by them barefoot and a knot of bedraggled renegades leaning + against the walls of the prison doffed the caps from their dishevelled + heads and bowed. + </p> + <p> + That day, while the poor people of the town fasted according to the + ordinance of the Ramadhan, Israel's little company of Muslimeen—guests + in the house of the descendants of the Prophet—were, by special + Shereefian dispensation, permitted as travellers to eat and drink at their + pleasure. And before sunset, but at the verge of it, Israel and his men + started on their journey afresh, going out of the town, with the Shereef's + black bodyguard riding before them for guide and badge of honour, through + the dense and noisome market-place, where (like a clock that is warning to + strike) a multitude of hungry and thirsty people with fierce and dirty + faces, under a heavy wave of palpitating heat, and amid clouds of hot + dust, were waiting for the sound of the cannon that should proclaim the + end of that day's fast. Water-carriers at the fountains stood ready to + fill their empty goats' skins, women and children sat on the ground with + dishes of greasy soup on their knees and balls of grain rolled in their + fingers, men lay about holding pipes charged with keef, and flint and + tinder to light them, and the mooddin himself in the minaret stood looking + abroad (unless he were blind) to where the red sun was lazily sinking + under the plain. + </p> + <p> + Israel's soul sickened within him, for well he knew that, lavish as were + the honours that were shown him, they were offered by the rich out of + their selfishness and by the poor out of their fear. While they thought + the Sultan had sent for him, they kissed his foot who desired no homage, + and loaded him with presents who needed no gifts. But one word out of his + mouth, only one little word, one other name, and what then of this + lip-service, and what of this mock-honour! + </p> + <p> + Two days later Israel and his company reached before dawn the snake-like + ramparts of Mequinez the city of walls. And toiling in the darkness over + the barren plain and the belt of carrion that lies in front of the town, + through the heat and fumes of the fetid place, and amid the furious barks + of the scavenger dogs which prowl in the night around it, they came in the + grey of morning to the city gate over the stream called the Father of + Tortoises. The gate was closed, and the night police that kept it were + snoring in their rags under the arch of the wall within. + </p> + <p> + “Selam! M'barak! Abd el Kader! Abd el Kareem!” shouted the Shereef's black + guard to the sleepy gate-keepers. They had come thus far in Israel's + honour, and would not return to Wazzan until they had seen him housed + within. + </p> + <p> + From the other side of the gate, through the mist and the gloom, came + yawns and broken snores and then snarls and curses. “Burn your father! + Pretty hubbub in the middle of the night!” + </p> + <p> + “Selam!” shouted one of the black guard. “You dog of dogs! Your father was + bewitched by a hyena! I'll teach you to curse your betters. Quick! get up,—or + I'll shave your beard. Open! or I'll ride the donkey on your head! There!—and + there!—and there again!” and at every word the butt of his long gun + rang on the old oaken gate. + </p> + <p> + “Hamed el Wazzani!” muttered several voices within. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” shouted the Shereef's man. “And my Lord Israel of Tetuan on his way + to the Sultan, God grant him victory. Do you hear, you dogs? Sidi Israel + el Tetawani sitting here in the dark, while you are sleeping and snoring + in your dirt.” + </p> + <p> + There was a whispered conference on the inside, then a rattle of keys, and + then the gate groaned back on its hinges. At the next moment two of the + four gatemen were on their knees at the feet of Israel's horse, asking + forgiveness by grace of Allah and his Prophet. In the meantime, the other + two had sped away to the Kasbah, and before Israel had ridden far into the + town, the Kaid—against all usage of his class and country—ran + and met him—afoot, slipperless, wearing nothing but selham and + tarboosh, out of breath, yet with a mouth full of excuses. + </p> + <p> + “I heard you were coming,” he panted—“sent for by the Sultan—Allah + preserve him!—but had I known you were to be here so soon—I—that + is—” + </p> + <p> + “Peace be with you!” interrupted Israel. + </p> + <p> + “God grant you peace. The Sultan—praise the merciful Allah!” the + Kaid continued, bowing low over Israel's stirrup—“he reached Fez + from Marrakesh last sunset; you will be in time for him.” + </p> + <p> + “God will show,” said Israel, and he pushed forward. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, true—yes—certainly—my lord is tired,” puffed the + Kaid, bowing again most profoundly. “Well, your lodging is ready—the + best in Mequinez—and your mona is cooking—all the dainties of + Barbary—and when our merciful Abd er-Rahman has made you his Grand + Vizier—” + </p> + <p> + Thus the man chattered like a jay, bowing low at nigh every word, until + they came to the house wherein Israel and his people were to rest until + sunset; and always the burden of his words was the same—the Sultan, + the Sultan, the Sultan, and Abd er-Rahman, Abd er-Rahman! + </p> + <p> + Israel could bear no more. “Basha,” he said “it is a mistake; the Sultan + has not sent for me, and neither am I going to see him.” + </p> + <p> + “Not going to him?” the Kaid echoed vacantly. + </p> + <p> + “No, but to another,” said Israel; “and you of all men can best tell me + where that other is to be found. A great man, newly risen—yet a poor + man—the young Mahdi Mohammed of Mequinez.” + </p> + <p> + Then there was a long silence. + </p> + <p> + Israel did not rest in Mequinez until sunset of that day. Soon after + sunrise he went out at the gate at which he had so lately entered, and no + man showed him honour. The black guard of the Shereef of Wazzan had gone + off before him, chuckling and grinning in their disgust, and behind him + his own little company of soldiers, guides, muleteers, and tentmen, who, + like himself, had neither slept nor eaten, were dragging along in dudgeon. + The Kaid had turned them out of the town. + </p> + <p> + Later in the day, while Israel and his people lay sheltering within their + tents on the plain of Sais by the river Nagar, near the tent-village + called a Douar, and the palm-tree by the bridge, there passed them in the + fierce sunshine two men in the peaked shasheeah of the soldier, riding at + a furious gallop from the direction of Fez, and shouting to all they came + upon to fly from the path they had to pass over. They were messengers of + the Sultan, carrying letters to the Kaid of Mequinez, commanding him to + present himself at the palace without delay, that he might give good + account of his stewardship, or else deliver up his substance and be cast + into prison for the defalcations with which rumour had charged him. + </p> + <p> + Such was the errand of the soldiers, according to the country-people, who + toiled along after them on their way home from the markets at Fez; and + great was the glee of Israel's men on hearing it, for they remembered with + bitterness how basely the Kaid had treated them at last in his false + loyalty and hypocrisy. But Israel himself was too nearly touched by a + sense of Fate's coquetry to rejoice at this new freak of its whim, though + the victim of it had so lately turned him from his door. Miserable was the + man who laid up his treasure in money-bags and built his happiness on the + favour of princes! When the one was taken from him and the other failed + him, where then was the hope of that man's salvation, whether in this + world or the next? The dungeon, the chain, the lash, the wooden jellab—what + else was left to him? Only the wail of the poor whom he has made poorer, + the curse of the orphan whom he has made fatherless, and the execration of + the down-trodden whom he has oppressed. These followed him into his + prison, and mingled their cries with the clank of his irons, for they were + voices which had never yet deserted the man that made them, but clamoured + loud at the last when his end had come, above the death-rattle in his + throat. One dim hour waited for all men always, whether in the prison or + in the palace—one lonely hour wherein none could bear him company—and + what was wealth and treasure to man's soul beyond it? Was it power on + earth? Was it glory? Was it riches? Oh! glory of the earth—what + could it be but a will-o'-the-wisp pursued in the darkness of the night! + Oh! riches of gold and silver—what had they ever been but marsh-fire + gathered in the dusk! The empire of the world was evil, and evil was the + service of the prince of it! + </p> + <p> + Then Israel thought of Naomi, his sweet treasure—so far away. Though + all else fell from him like dry sand from graspless fingers, yet if by + God's good mercy the lot of the sin-offering could be lifted away from his + child, he would be content and happy! Naomi! His love! His darling! His + sweet flower afflicted for his transgression. Oh! let him lose anything, + everything, all that the world and all that the devil had given him; but + let the curse be lifted from his helpless child! For what was gold without + gladness, and what was plenty without peace? + </p> + <p> + Israel lit upon the Mahdi at last in the country of the verbena and the + musk that lies outside the walls of Fez. The prophet was a young man of + unusual stature, but no great strength of body, with a head that drooped + like a flower and with the wild eyes of an enthusiast. His people were a + vast concourse that covered the plain a furlong square, and included + multitudes of women and children. Israel had come upon them at an evil + moment. The people were murmuring against their leader. Six months ago + they had abandoned their houses and followed him They had passed from + Mequinez to Rabat, from Rabat to Mazagan, from Mazagan to Mogador, from + Mogador to Marrakesh, and finally from Marrakesh through the treacherous + Beni Magild to Fez. At every step their numbers had increased but their + substance had diminished, for only the destitute had joined them. + Nevertheless, while they had their flocks and herds they had borne their + privations patiently—the weary journeys, the exposure, the long + rains of the spring and the scorching heat of summer. But the soldiers of + the Kaids whose provinces they had passed through had stripped them of + both in the name of tribute. The last raid on their poverty had been made + that very day by the Kaid of Fez, and now they were without goats or sheep + or oxen, or even the guns with which they had killed the wild bear, and + their children were crying to them for bread. + </p> + <p> + So the people's faces grew black, and they looked into each other's eyes + in their impotent rage. Why had they been brought out of the cities to + starve? Better to stay there and suffer than come out and perish! What of + the vain promises that had been made to them that God would feed them as + He fed the birds! God was witness to all their calamities; He was seeing + them robbed day by day, He was seeing them famish hour by hour, He was + seeing them die. They had been fooled! A vain man had thought to plough + his way to power. Through their bodies he was now ploughing it. “The + hunger is on us!” “Our children are perishing!” “Find us food!” “Food!” + “Food!” + </p> + <p> + With such shouts, mingled with deep oaths, the hungry multitude in their + madness had encompassed Mohammed of Mequinez as Israel and his company + came up with them. And Israel heard their cries, and also the voice of + their leader when he answered them. + </p> + <p> + First the young prophet rose up among his people, with flashing eyes and + quivering nostrils. “Do you think I am Moses,” he cried, “that I should + smite the rock and work you a miracle? If you are starving, am I full? If + you are naked, am I clothed?” + </p> + <p> + But in another instant the fire of anger was gone from his face, and he + was saying in a very moving voice, “My good people, who have followed me + through all these miseries, I know that your burdens are heavier than you + can bear, and that your lives are scarce to be endured, and that death + itself would be a relief. Nevertheless, who shall say but that Allah sees + a way to avert these trials of His poor servants, and that, unknown to us + all, He is even at this moment bringing His mercy to pass! Patience, I beg + of you; patience, my poor people—patience and trust!” + </p> + <p> + At that the murmurs of discontent were hushed. Then Israel remembered the + presents with which the Kaid of El Kasar and the Shereef of Wazzan had + burdened him. They were jewels and ornaments such as are sometimes worn + unlawfully by vain men in that country—silver signet rings and + earrings, chains for the neck, and Solomon's seal to hang on the breast as + safeguard against the evil eye—as well as much gold filagree of the + kind that men give to their women. Israel had packed them in a box and + laid them in the leaf pannier of a mule, and then given no further thought + to them; but, calling now to the muleteer who had charge of them, he said, + “Take them quickly to the good man yonder, and say, 'A present to the man + of God and to his people in their trouble.'” + </p> + <p> + And when the muleteer had done this, and laid the box of gold and silver + open at the feet of the young Mahdi, saying what Israel had bidden him, it + was the same to the young man and his followers as if the sky had opened + and rained manna on their heads. + </p> + <p> + “It is an answer to your prayer,” he cried; “an angel from heaven has sent + it.” + </p> + <p> + Then his people, as soon as they realised what good thing had happened to + them, took up his shout of joy, and shouted out of their own parched + throats— + </p> + <p> + “Prophet of Allah, we will follow you to the world's end!” + </p> + <p> + And then down on their knees they fell around him, the vast concourse of + men and women, all grinning like apes in their hunger and glee together, + and sobbing and laughing in a breath, like children, and sent up a great + broken cry of thanks to God that He had sent them succour, that they might + not die. At last, when they had risen to their feet again, every man + looked into the eyes of his fellow and said, as if ashamed, “I could have + borne it myself, but when the children called to me for bread. I was a + fool.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <h3> + THE WATCHWORD OF THE MAHDI + </h3> + <p> + Early the next day Israel set his face homeward, with this old word of the + new prophet for his guide and motto: “Exact no more than is just; do + violence to no man; accuse none falsely; part with your riches and give to + the poor.” That was all the answer he got out of his journey, and if any + man had come to him in Tetuan with no newer story, it must have been an + idle and a foolish errand; but after El Kasar, after Wazzan, after + Mequinez, and now after Fez, it seemed to be the sum of all wisdom. “I'll + do it,” he said; “at all risks and all costs, I'll do it.” + </p> + <p> + And, as a prelude to that change in his way of life which he meant to + bring to pass he sent his men and mules ahead of him, emptied his pockets + of all that he should not need on his journey, and prepared to return to + his own country on foot and alone. The men had first gaped in amazement, + and then laughed in derision; and finally they had gone their ways by + themselves, telling all who encountered them that the Sultan at Fez had + stripped their master of everything, and that he was coming behind them + penniless. + </p> + <p> + But, knowing nothing of this graceless service. Israel began his homeward + journey with a happy heart. He had less than thirty dollars in his + waistband of the more than three hundred with which he had set out from + Tetuan; he was a hundred and fifty miles from that town, or five long + days' travel; the sun was still hot, and he must walk in the daytime. + Surely the Lord would see it that never before had any man done so much to + wipe out God's displeasure as he was now doing and yet would do. He had + said nothing of Naomi to the Mahdi even when he told him of his vision; + but all his hopes had centred in the child. The lot of the sin-offering + must be gone from her now, and in the resurrection he would meet her + without shame. If he had brought fruits meet to repentance, then must her + debt also be wiped away. Surely never before had any child been so smitten + of God, and never had any father of an afflicted child bought God's mercy + at so dear a price! + </p> + <p> + Such were the thoughts that Israel cherished secretly, though he dared not + to utter them, lest he should seem to be bribing God out of his love of + the child. And thus if his heart was glad as he turned towards home, it + was proud also, and if it was grateful it was also vain; but vanity and + pride were both smitten out of it in an hour, before he went through the + gates of Fez (wherein he had slept the night preceding), by three sights + which, though stern and pitiful, were of no uncommon occurrence in that + town and province. + </p> + <p> + First, it chanced that as he was passing from the south-east of the new + town of Fez to the gate that is at the north-west corner, going by the + high walls of the Sultan's hareem, where there is room for a thousand + women, and near to the Karueein mosque that is the greatest in Morocco and + rests on eight hundred pillars, he came upon two slaveholders selling + twelve or fourteen slaves. The slaves were all girls, and all black, and + of varying ages, ranging from ten years to about thirty. They had lately + arrived in caravans from the Soudan, by way of Tafilet and the Wargha, and + some of them looked worn from the desert passage. Others were fresh and + cheerful, and such as had claims to negro beauty were adorned, after their + doubtful fashion, or the fancy of their masters, with love-charms of + silver worn about their necks, with their fingers pricked out with hennah, + and their eyelids darkened with kohl. Thus they were drawn up in a line + for public auction; but before the sale of them could begin among the + buyers that had gathered about them in the street, the overseers of the + Sultan's hareem had to come and make a selection for their master. This + the eunuchs presently did, and when two of them nicknamed Areefahs—gaunt + and hairless men, with the faces of evil old women and the hoarse voices + of ravens—had picked out three fat black maidens, the business of + the auction began by the sale of a negro girl of seventeen who was brought + out from the rest and passed around. + </p> + <p> + “Now, brothers,” said the slave-master, “look see; sound of wind and limb—how + much?” + </p> + <p> + “Eighty dollars,” said a voice from the crowd. + </p> + <p> + “Eighty? Well, eighty to start with. Look at her—rosy lips, fit for + the kisses of a king, eh? How much?” + </p> + <p> + “A hundred dollars.” + </p> + <p> + “A hundred dollars offered; only a hundred. It's giving the girl away. + Look at her teeth, brothers, white and sound.” + </p> + <p> + The slave-master thrust his thumb into the girl's mouth and walked her + round the crowd again. + </p> + <p> + “Breath like new-mown hay, brothers. Now's the chance for true believers. + How much?” + </p> + <p> + “A hundred and ten.” + </p> + <p> + “A hundred and ten—thanks, Sidi! A hundred and ten for this jewel of + a girl. Dirt cheap yet, brothers. Try her muscles. Look at her flesh. Not + a flaw anywhere. Pass her round, test her, try her, talk to her—she + speaks good Arabic. Isn't she fit for a Sultan? She's the best thing I'll + offer to-day, and by the Prophet, if you are not quick I'll keep her for + myself. Now, for the third and last time—seventeen years of age, + sound, strong, plump, sweet, and intact—how much?” + </p> + <p> + Israel's blood tingled to see how the bidders handled the girl, and to + hear what shameless questions they asked of her, and with a long sigh he + was turning away from the crowd, when another man came up to it. The man + was black and old and hard-featured, and visibly poor in his torn white + selham. But when he had looked over the heads of those in front of him, he + made a great shout of anguish, and, parting the people, pushed his way to + the girl's side, and opened his arms to her, and she fell into them with a + cry of joy and pain together. + </p> + <p> + It turned out that he was a liberated slave, who, ten years before, had + been brought from the Soos through the country of Sidi Hosain ben Hashem, + having been torn away from his wife, who was since dead, and from his only + child, who thus strangely rejoined him. This story he told, in broken + Arabic; to those that stood around, and, hard as were the faces of the + bidders, and brutal as was their trade; there was not an eye among them + all but was melted at his story. + </p> + <p> + Seeing this, Israel cried from the back of the crowd, “I will give twenty + dollars to buy him the girl's liberty,” and straightway another and + another offered like sums for the same purpose until the amount of the + last bid had been reached, and the slave-master took it, and the girl was + free. + </p> + <p> + Then the poor negro, still holding his daughter by the hand, came to + Israel, with the tears dripping down his black cheeks, and said in his + broken way: “The blessing of Allah upon you, white brother, and if you + have a child of your own may you never lose her, but may Allah favour her + and let you keep her with you always!” + </p> + <p> + That blessing of the old black man was more than Israel could bear, and, + facing about before hearing the last of it, he turned down the dark arcade + that descends into the old town as into a vault, and having crossed the + markets, he came upon the second of the three sights that were to smite + out of his heart his pride towards God. A man in a blue tunic girded with + a red sash, and with a red cotton handkerchief tied about his head, was + driving a donkey laden with trunks of light trees cut into short lengths + to lie over its panniers. He was clearly a Spanish woodseller and he had + the weary, averted, and downcast look of a race that is despised and kept + under. His donkey was a bony creature, with raw places on its flank and + shoulders where its hide had been worn by the friction of its burdens. He + drove it slowly; crying “Arrah!” to it in the tongue of its own country, + and not beating it cruelly. At the bottom of the arcade there was an open + place where a foul ditch was crossed by a rickety bridge. Coming to this + the man hesitated a moment, as if doubtful whether to drive his donkey + over it or to make the beast trudge through the water. Concluding to cross + the bridge, he cried “Arrah!” again, and drove the donkey forward with one + blow of his stick. But when the donkey was in the middle of it, the rotten + thing gave way, and the beast and its burden fell into the ditch. The + donkey's legs were broken, and when a throng of Arabs, who gathered at the + Spaniard's cry, had cut away its panniers and dragged it out of the water + on to the paving-stones of the street, the film covered its eyes, and in a + moment it was dead. + </p> + <p> + At that the man knelt down beside it, and patted it on its neck, and + called on it by its name, as if unwilling to believe that it was gone. And + while the Arabs laughed at him for doing so—for none seemed to pity + him—a slatternly girl of sixteen or seventeen came scudding down the + arcade, and pushed her way through the crowd until she stood where the + dead ass lay with the man kneeling beside it. Then she fell on the man + with bitter reproaches. “Allah blot out your name, you thief!” she cried. + “You've killed the creature, and may you starve and die yourself, you dog + of a Nazarene!” + </p> + <p> + This was more than Israel could listen to, and he commanded the girl to + hold her peace. “Silence, you young wanton!” he cried, in a voice of + indignation. “Who are you, that you dare trample on the man in his + trouble?” + </p> + <p> + It turned out that the girl was the man's daughter, and he was a renegade + from Ceuta. And when she had gone off, cursing Israel and his father and + his grandfather, the poor fellow lifted his eyes to Israel's face, and + said, “You are very kind, my father. God bless you! I may not be a good + man, sir, and I've not lived a right life, but it's hard when your own + children are taught to despise you. Better to lose them in their cradles, + before they can speak to you to curse you.” + </p> + <p> + Israel's hair seemed to rise from his scalp at that word, and he turned + about and hurried away. Oh no, no, no! He was not, of all men, the most + sorely tried. Worse to be a slave, torn from the arms he loves! Worse to + be a father whose children join with his enemies to curse him! + </p> + <p> + He had been wrong. What was wealth, that it was so noble a sacrifice to + part with it? Money was to give and to take, to buy and to sell, and that + was all. But love was for no market, and he who lost it lost everything. + And love was his, and would be his always, for he loved Naomi, and she + clung to him as the hyssop clings to the wall. Let him walk humbly before + God, for God was great. + </p> + <p> + Now these sights, though they reduced Israel's pride, increased his + cheerfulness, and he was going out at the gate with a humbler yet lighter + spirit, when he came upon a saint's house under the shadow of the town + walls. It was a small whitewashed enclosure, surmounted by a white flag; + and, as Israel passed it, the figure of a man came out to the entrance. He + was a poor, miserable creature—ragged, dirty, and with dishevelled + hair—and, seeing Israel's eyes upon him, he began to talk in some + wild way and in some unknown tongue that was only a fierce jabber of + sounds that had no words in them, and of words that had no meaning. The + poor soul was mad, and because he was distraught he was counted a holy man + among his people, and put to live in this place, which was the tomb of a + dead saint—though not more dead to the ways of life was he who lay + under the floor than he who lived above it. The man continued his wild + jabber as long as Israel's eyes were on him, and Israel dropped two coins + into his hand and passed on. + </p> + <p> + Oh no, no, no; Naomi was not the most afflicted of all God's creatures. + And yet, and yet, and yet, her bodily infirmities were but the type and + sign of how her soul was smitten. + </p> + <p> + On the hill outside the town the young Mahdi, with a great company of his + people, was waiting for him to bid him godspeed on his journey. And then, + while they walked some paces together before parting, and the prophet + talked of the poor followers of Absalam lying in the prison at Shawan (for + he had heard of them from Israel), Israel himself mentioned Naomi. + </p> + <p> + “My father,” he said, “there is something that I have not told you.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell it now, my son,” said the Mahdi. + </p> + <p> + “I have a little daughter at home, and she is very sweet and beautiful. + You would never think how like sunshine she is to me in my lonely house, + for her mother is gone, and but for her I should be alone, and so she is + very near and dear to me. But she is in the land of silence and in the + land of night. Nothing can she see, and nothing hear, and never has her + voice opened the curtains of the air, for she is blind and dumb and deaf.” + </p> + <p> + “Merciful Allah!” cried the Mahdi. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! is her state so terrible? I thought you would think it so. Yes, for + all she is so beautiful, she is only as a creature of the fields that + knows not God.” + </p> + <p> + “Allah preserve her!” cried the Mahdi. + </p> + <p> + “And she is smitten for my sin, for the Lord revealed it to me in the + vision, and my soul trembles for her soul. But if God has washed me with + water should not she also be clean?” + </p> + <p> + “God knows,” said the Mahdi. “He gives no rewards for repentance.” + </p> + <p> + “But listen!” said Israel. “In a vision of death her mother saw her, and + she was afflicted no more. No, for she could see, and hear, and speak. Man + of God, will it come to pass?” + </p> + <p> + “God is good,” said the Mahdi. “He needs that no man should teach Him + pity.” + </p> + <p> + “But I love her,” cried Israel, “and I vowed to her mother to guard her. + She is joy of my joy and life of my life. Without her the morning has no + freshness and the night no rest. Surely the Lord sees this, and will have + mercy?” + </p> + <p> + The Mahdi held back his tears, and answered, “The Lord sees all. Go your + way in trust. Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + “Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> + <h3> + ISRAEL'S HOME-COMING + </h3> + <p> + ISRAEL'S return home was an experience at all points the reverse of his + going abroad. He had seven dollars in the pocket of his waistband on + setting away from Fez, out of the three hundred and more with which he had + started from Tetuan. His men had gone on before him and told their story. + So the people whom he came upon by the way either ignored him or jeered at + him, and not one that on his coming had run to do him honour now stepped + aside that he might pass. + </p> + <p> + Two days after leaving Fez he came again to Wazzan. Women were going home + from market by the side of their camels, and charcoal-burners were riding + back to the country on the empty burdas of their mules. It was nigh upon + sunset when Israel entered the town, and so exactly was everything the + same that he could almost have tricked himself and believed that scarce + two minutes had passed since he had left it. There at the fountains were + the water-carriers waiting with their water-skins, and there in the + market-place sat the women and children with their dishes of soup; there + were the men by the booths with their pipes ready charged with keef, and + there was the mooddin in the minaret, looking out over the plain. + Everything was the same save one thing, and that concerned Israel himself. + No Grand Shereef stood waiting to exchange horses with him, and no black + guard led him through the town. Footsore and dirty, covered with dust, and + tired, he walked through the streets alone. And when presently the voice + rang out overhead, and the breathless town broke instantly into bubbles of + sounds—the tinkling of the bells of the water-carriers, the shouts + of the children, and the calls of the men—only one man seemed to see + him and know him. This was an Arab, wearing scarcely enough rags to cover + his nakedness, who was bathing his hot cheeks in water which a + water-carrier was pouring into his hands, and he lifted his glistening + face as Israel passed, and called him “Dog!” and “Jew!” and commanded him + to uncover his feet. + </p> + <p> + Israel slept that night in one of the three squalid fondaks of Wazzan + inhabited by the Jews. His room was a sort of narrow box, in a square + court of many such boxes, with a handful of straw shaken over the earth + floor for a bed. On the doorpost the figure of a hand was painted in red, + and over the lintel there was a rude drawing of a scorpion, with an + imprecation written under it that purported to be from the mouth of the + Prophet Joshua, son of Nun. If the charm kept evil spirits from the place + of Israel's rest, it did not banish good ones. Israel slept in that poor + bed as he had never slept under the purple canopy of his own chamber, and + all night long one angel form seemed to hover over him. It was Naomi. He + could see her clearly. They were together in a little cottage somewhere. + The house was a mean one, but jasmine and marjoram and pinks and roses + grew outside of it, and love grew inside. And Naomi! How bright were her + eyes, for they could see! Yes, and her ears could hear, and her tongue + could speak! + </p> + <p> + Two days after Israel left Wazzan he was back in the bashalic of Tetuan. + Each night he had dreamt the same dream, and though he knew each morning + when he awoke with a sigh that his dream was only a reflection of his dead + wife's vision, yet he could not help but think of it the long day through. + He tried to remember if he had ever seen the cottage with his waking eyes, + and where he had seen it, and to recall the voice of Naomi as he had heard + it in his dream, that he might know if it was the same as he used to think + he heard when he sat by her in his stolen watches of the night while she + lay asleep. Sometimes when he reflected he thought he must be growing + childish, so foolish was his joy in looking forward to the night—for + he had almost grown in love with it—that he might dream his dream + again. + </p> + <p> + But it was a dear, delicious folly, for it helped him to bear the troubles + of his journey, and they were neither light nor few. After passing through + El Kasar he had been robbed and stripped both of his small remaining + moneys and the better part of his clothes by a gang of ruffians who had + followed him out of the town. Then a good woman—the old wife, turned + into the servant of a Moor who had married a young one—had taken + pity on his condition and given him a disused Moorish jellab. His + misfortune had not been without its advantage. Being forced to travel the + rest of his way home in the disguise of a Moor, he had heard himself + discussed by his own people when they knew nothing of his presence. Every + evil that had befallen them had been attributed to him. Ben Aboo, their + Basha, was a good, humane man, who was often driven to do that which his + soul abhorred. It was Israel ben Oliel who was their cruel taxmaster. + </p> + <p> + When Israel was within a day's journey of Tetuan a terrible scourge fell + upon the country. A plague of locusts came up like a dense cloud from the + direction of the desert, and ate up every leaf and blade of grass that the + scorching sun had left green, so that the plain over which it had passed + was as black and barren as a lava stream. The farmers were impoverished, + and the poorer people made beggars. Even this last disaster they charged + in their despair to Israel, for Allah was now cursing them for Israel's + sake. They were the same people that had thrust their presents upon him + when he was setting out. + </p> + <p> + At the lonesome hut of the old woman who had offered him a bowl of + buttermilk Israel rested and asked for a drink of water. She gave him a + dish of zummetta—barley roasted like coffee—and inquired if he + was going on to Tetuan. He told her yes, and she asked if his home was + there. And when he answered that it was, she looked at him again, and said + in a moving way, “Then Allah help you, brother.” + </p> + <p> + “Why me more than another, sister?” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “Because it is plain to see that you are a poor man,” said the old woman. + “And that is the sort he is hardest upon.” + </p> + <p> + Israel faltered and said, “He? Who, mother? Ah, you mean—” + </p> + <p> + “Who else but Israel the Jew?” said she, and then added, as by a sudden + afterthought, “But they say he is gone at last, and the Sultan has + stripped him. Well, Allah send us some one else soon to set right this + poor Gharb of ours! And what a man for poor men he might have been—so + wise and powerful!” + </p> + <p> + Israel listened with his head bent down, and, like a moth at the flame, he + could not help but play with the fire that scorched him. “They tell me,” + he said, “that Allah has cursed him with a daughter that has devils.” + </p> + <p> + “Blind and dumb, poor soul,” said the old woman; “but Allah has pity for + the afflicted—he is taking her away.” + </p> + <p> + Israel rose. “Away?” + </p> + <p> + “She is ill since her father went to Fez.” + </p> + <p> + “Ill?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I heard so yesterday—dying.” + </p> + <p> + Israel made one loud cry like the cry of a beast that is slaughtered, and + fled out of the hut. Oh, fool of fools, why had he been dallying with + dreams—billing and cooing with his own fancies—fondling and + nuzzling and coddling them? Let all dreams henceforth be dead and damned + for ever; for only devils out of hell had made them that poor men's souls + might be staked and lost! Oh, why had he not remembered the pale face of + Naomi when he left her, and the silence of her tongue that had used to + laugh? Fool, fool! Why had he ever left her at all? + </p> + <p> + With such thoughts Israel hurried along, sometimes running at his utmost + velocity, and then stopping dead short; sometimes shouting his + imprecations at the pitch of his voice and beating his fist against the + sharp aloes until it bled, and then whispering to himself in awe. + </p> + <p> + Would God not hear his prayer? God knew the child was very near and dear + to him, and also that he was a lonely man. “Have pity on a lonely man, O + God!” he whispered. “Let me keep my child; take all else that I have, + everything, no matter what! Only let me keep her—yes, just as she + is, let me have her still! Time was when I asked more of Thee, but now I + am humble, and ask that alone.” + </p> + <p> + On his knees in a lonesome place, with the fierce sun beating down on his + uncovered head, amid the blackened leaves left by the locust, he prayed + this prayer, and then rose to his feet and ran. + </p> + <p> + When he got to Tetuan the white city was glistening under the setting sun. + Then he thought of his Moorish jellab, and looked at himself, and saw that + he was returning home like a beggar; and he remembered with what splendour + he had started out. Should he wait for the darkness, and creep into his + house under the cover of it? If the thought had occurred an hour before he + must have scouted it. Better to brave the looks of every face in Tetuan + than be kept back one minute from Naomi. But now that he was so near he + was afraid to go in; and now that he was so soon to learn the truth he + dreaded to hear it. So he walked to and fro on the heath outside the town, + paltering with himself, struggling with himself, eating out his heart with + eagerness, trying to believe that he was waiting for the night. + </p> + <p> + The night came at length, and, under a deep-blue sky fast whitening with + thick stars, Israel passed unknown through the Moorish gate, which was + still open, and down the narrow lane to the market square. At the gate of + the Mellah, which was closed, he knocked, and demanded entrance in the + name of the Kaid. The Moorish guards who kept it fell back at sight of him + with looks of consternation. + </p> + <p> + “Israel!” cried one, and dropped his lantern. + </p> + <p> + Israel whispered, “Keep your tongue between your teeth!” and hurried on. + </p> + <p> + At the door of his own house, which was also closed, he knocked again, but + more fearfully. The black woman Habeebah opened it cautiously, and, seeing + his jellab, she clashed it back in his face. + </p> + <p> + “Habeebah!” he cried, and he knocked once more. + </p> + <p> + Then Ali came to the door. “What Moorish man are you?” cried Ali, pushing + him back as he pressed forward. + </p> + <p> + “Ali! Hush! It is I—Israel.” + </p> + <p> + Then Ali knew him and cried, “God save us! What has happened?” + </p> + <p> + “What has happened here?” said Israel. “Naomi,” he faltered, “what of + her?” + </p> + <p> + “Then you have heard?” said Ali. “Thank God, she is now well.” + </p> + <p> + Israel laughed—his laugh was like a scream. + </p> + <p> + “More than that—a strange thing has befallen her since you went + away,” said Ali. + </p> + <p> + “What?” + </p> + <p> + “She can hear!” + </p> + <p> + “It's a lie!” cried Israel, and he raised his hand and struck Ali to the + floor. But at the next minute he was lifting him up and sobbing and + saying, “Forgive me, my brave boy. I was mad, my son; I did not know what + I was doing. But do not torture me. If what you tell me is true, there is + no man so happy under heaven; but if it is false, there is no fiend in + hell need envy me.” + </p> + <p> + And Ali answered through his tears, “It is true, my father—come and + see.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> + <h3> + THE BAPTISM OF SOUND + </h3> + <p> + WHAT had happened at Israel's house during Israel's absence is a story + that may be quickly told. On the day of his departure Naomi wandered from + room to room, seeming to seek for what she could not find, and in the + evening the black women came upon her in the upper chamber where her + father had read to her at sunset, and she was kneeling by his chair and + the book was in her hands. + </p> + <p> + “Look at her, poor child,” said Fatimah. “See, she thinks he will come as + usual. God bless her sweet innocent face!” + </p> + <p> + On the day following she stole out of the house into the town and made her + way to the Kasbah, and Ali found her in the apartments of the wife of the + Basha, who had lit upon her as she seemed to ramble aimlessly through the + courtyard from the Treasury to the Hall of Justice, and from there to the + gate of the prison. + </p> + <p> + The next day after that she did not attempt to go abroad, and neither did + she wander through the house, but sat in the same seat constantly, and + seemed to be waiting patiently. She was pale and quiet and silent; she did + not laugh according to her wont, and she had a look of submission that was + very touching to see. + </p> + <p> + “Now the holy saints have pity on the sweet jewel,” said Fatimah. “How + long will she wait, poor darling?” + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the day following that her quiet had given place to + restlessness, and her pallor to a burning flush of the face. Her hands + were hot, her head was feverish, and her blind eyes were bloodshot. + </p> + <p> + It was now plain that the girl was ill, and that Israel's fears on setting + out from home had been right after all. And making his own reckoning with + Naomi's condition, Ali went off for the only doctor living in Tetuan—a + Spanish druggist living in the walled lane leading to the western gate. + This good man came to look at Naomi, felt her pulse, touched her throbbing + forehead, with difficulty examined her tongue, and pronounced her illness + to be fever. He gave some homely directions as to her treatment—for + he despaired of administering drugs to such a one as she was—and + promised to return the next day. + </p> + <p> + About the middle of that night Naomi became delirious. Fatimah stood + constantly by her bed, bathing her hot forehead with vinegar and water; + Habeebah slept in a chair at her feet; and Ali crouched in a corner + outside the door of her room. + </p> + <p> + The druggist came in the morning, according to his promise; but there was + nothing to be done, so he looked wise, wagged his head very solemnly, and + said, “I will come again after two days more, when the fever must be near + to its height, and bring a famous leech out of Tangier along with me!” + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Naomi's delirium continued. It was gentle as her own spirit tent + there was this that was strange and eerie about her unconsciousness—that + whereas she had been dumb while her mind in its dark cell must have been + mistress of itself and of her soul, she spoke without ceasing throughout + the time of her reason's vanquishment. Not that her poor tongue in its + trouble uttered speech such as those that heard could follow and + understand, but only a restless babble of empty sounds, yet with tones of + varying feeling, sometimes of gladness, sometimes of sorrow, sometimes of + remonstrance, and sometimes of entreaty. + </p> + <p> + All that night, and the next night also, the two black women sat together + by her bedside, holding each other's hands like little children in great + fear. Also Ali crouched again like a dog in the darkness outside the door, + listening in terror to the silvery young voice that had never echoed in + that house before. This was the night when Israel, sleeping at the squalid + inn of the Jews of Wazzan, was hearing Naomi's voice in his dreams. + </p> + <p> + At the first glint of daylight in the morning the lad was up and gone, and + away through the town-gate to the heath beyond, as far as to the fondak, + which stands on the hill above it, that he might strain his wet eyes in + the pitiless sunlight for Israel's caravan that should soon come. On the + first morning he saw nothing, but on the second morning he came upon + Israel's men returning without him, and telling their lying story that he + had been stripped of everything by the Sultan at Fez, and was coming + behind them penniless. + </p> + <p> + Now, Israel was to Ali the greatest, noblest, mightiest man among men. + That he should fall was incredible, and that any man should say he had + fallen was an affront and an outrage. So, stripling as he was, the lad + faced the rascals with the courage of a lion. “Liars and thieves!” he + cried; “tell that story to another soul in Tetuan, and I will go straight + to the Kaid at the Kasbah, and have every black dog of you all whipped + through the streets for plundering my master.” + </p> + <p> + The men shouted in derision and passed on, firing their matchlocks as a + mock salute. But Ali had his will of them; they told their tale no more, + and when they entered Tetuan, and their fellows questioned them concerning + their journey, they took refuge in the reticence that sits by right of + nature on the tongues of Moors—they said and knew nothing. + </p> + <p> + While Ali was on the heath looking out for Israel, the doctor out of + Tangier came to Naomi. The girl was still unconscious, and the wise leech + shook his head over her. Her case was hopeless; she was sinking—in + plain words, she was dying—and if her father did not come before the + morrow he would come too late to find her alive. + </p> + <p> + Then the black women fell to weeping and wailing, and after that to + spiritual conflict. Both were born in Islam, but Fatimah had secretly + become a Jewess by persuasion of her mistress who was dead. She was, + therefore, for sending for the Chacham. But Habeebah had remained a + Muslim, and she was for calling the Imam. “The Imam is good, the Imam is + holy; who so good and holy as the Imam?” “Nay, but our Sidi holds not with + the Imam, for our lord is a Jew, and our lord is our master, our lord is + our sultan, our lord is our king.” “Shoof! What is Sidi against paradise? + And paradise is for her who makes a follower of Moosa into a follower of + Mohammed. Let but the child die with the Kelmah on her lips, and we are + all three blest for ever—otherwise we will burn everlastingly in the + fires of Jehinnum.” “But, alack! how can the poor girl say the Kelmah, + being as dumb as the grave?” “Then how can she say the Shemang either?” + </p> + <p> + Having heard the verdict of the doctor, Ali returned in hot haste and + silenced both the bondwomen: “The Imam is a villain, and the Chacham is a + thief.” There was only one good man left in Tetuan, and that was his own + Taleb, his schoolmaster, the same that had taught him the harp in the days + of the Governor's marriage. This person was an old negro, bewrinkled by + years, becrippled by ague, once stone deaf, and still partially so, half + blind, and reputed to be only half wise, a liberated slave from the + Sahara, just able to read the Koran and the Torah, and willing to teach + either impartially, according to his knowledge, for he was neither a Jew + nor a Muslim, but a little of both, as he used to say, and not too much of + either. For such a hybrid in a land of intolerance there must have been no + place save the dungeons of the Kasbah, but that this good nondescript was + a privileged pet of everybody. In his dark cellar, down an alley by the + side of the Grand Mosque in the Metamar, he had sat from early morning + until sunset, year in year out, through thirty years on his rush-covered + floor, among successive generations of his boys; and as often as night + fell he had gone hither and thither among the sick and dying, carrying + comfort of kind words, and often meat and drink of his meagre substance. + </p> + <p> + Such was Ali's hero after Israel, and now, in Israel's absence and his own + great trouble, he tried away for him. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” cried the lad, “does it not say in the good book that the prayer + of a righteous man availeth much?” + </p> + <p> + “It does, my son,” said the Taleb “You have truth. What then?” + </p> + <p> + “Then if you will pray for Naomi she will recover,” said Ali. + </p> + <p> + It was a sweet instance of simple faith. The old black Taleb dismissed his + scholars, closed down his shutter, locked it with a padlock, hobbled to + Naomi's bedside in his tattered white selham, looked down at her through + the big spectacles that sprawled over his broad black nose, and then, + while a dim mist floated between the spectacles and his eyes, and a great + lump rose at his throat to choke him, he fell to the floor and prayed, and + Ali and the black women knelt beside him. + </p> + <p> + The negro's prayer was simple to childishness. It told God everything; it + recited the facts to the heavenly Father as to one who was far away and + might not know. The maiden was sick unto death. She had been three days + and nights knowing no one, and eating and drinking nothing. She was blind + and dumb and deaf. Her father loved her and was wrapped up in her. She was + his only child, and his wife was dead, and he was a lonely man. He was + away from his home now, and if, when he returned, the girl were gone and + lost—if she were dead and buried—his strong heart would be + broken and his very soul in peril. + </p> + <p> + Such was the Taleb's prayer, and such was the scene of it—the dumb + angel of white and crimson turning and tossing on the bed in an aureole of + her streaming yellow hair, and the four black faces about her, eager and + hot and aflame, with closed eyelids and open lips, calling down mercy out + of heaven from the God that might be seen by the soul alone. + </p> + <p> + And so it was, but whether by chance or Providence let no man dare to + tell, that even while the four black people were yet on their knees by the + bed, the turning and tossing of the white face stopped suddenly and Naomi + lay still on her pillow. The hot flush faded from her cheeks; her + features, which had twitched, were quiet; and her hands, which had been + restless, lay at peace on the counterpane. + </p> + <p> + The good old Taleb took this for an answer to his prayer, and he shouted + “El hamdu l'Illah!” (Praise be to God), while the big drops coursed down + the deep furrows of his streaming face. And then, as if to complete the + miracle, and to establish the old man's faith in it, a strange and + wondrous thing befell. First, a thin watery humour flowed from one of + Naomi's ears, and after that she raised herself on her elbow. Her eyes + were open as if they saw; her lips were parted as though they were + breaking into a smile; she made a long sigh like one who has slept softly + through the night and has just awakened in the morning. + </p> + <p> + Then, while the black people held their breath in their first moment of + surprise and gladness, her parted lips gave forth a sound. It was a laugh—a + faint, broken, bankrupt echo of her old happy laughter. And then + instantly, almost before the others had heard the sound, and while the + notes of it were yet coming from her tongue, she lifted her idle hand and + covered her ear, and over her face there passed a look of dread. + </p> + <p> + So swift had this change been that the bondwomen had not seen it, and they + were shouting “Hallelujah!” with one voice, thinking only that she who had + been dead to them was alive again. But the old Taleb cried eagerly, “Hush! + my children, hush! What is coming is a marvellous thing! I know what it is—who + knows so well as I? Once I was deaf, my children, but now I hear. Listen! + The maiden has had fever—fever of the brain. Listen! A watery humour + had gathered in her head. It has gone, it has flowed away. Now she will + hear. Listen, for it is I that know it—who knows it so well as I? + Yes; she will be no longer deaf. Her ears will be opened. She will hear. + Once she was living in a land of silence; now she is coming into the land + of sound. Blessed be God, for He has wrought this wondrous work. God is + great! God is mighty! Praise the merciful God for ever! El hamdu l'Illah!” + </p> + <p> + And marvellous and passing belief as the old Taleb's story seemed to be, + it appeared to be coming to pass, for even while he spoke, beginning in a + slow whisper and going on with quicker and louder breath, Naomi turned her + face full upon him; and when the black women in their ready faith, joined + in his shouts of praise, she turned her face towards them also; and + wherever a voice sounded in the room she inclined her head towards it as + one who knew the direction of the sounds, and also as one who was in fear + of them. + </p> + <p> + But, seeing nothing of her look of pain, and knowing nothing but one thing + only, and that was the wondrous and mighty change that she who had been + deaf could now hear, that she who had never before heard speech now heard + their voices as they spoke around her, Ali, in his frantic delight + laughing and crying together, his white teeth aglitter, and his round + black face shining with tears, began to shout and to sing, and to dance + around the bed in wild joy at the miracle which God had wrought in answer + to his old Taleb's prayer. No heed did he pay to the Taleb's cries of + warning, but danced on and on, and neither did the bondwomen see the old + man's uplifted arms or his big lips pursed out in hushes, so overpowered + were they with their delight, so startled and so joy drunken. But over + their tumult there came a wild outburst of piercing shrieks. They were the + cries of Naomi in her blind and sudden terror at the first sounds that had + reached her of human voices. Her face was blanched, her eyelids were + trembling, her lips were restless, her nostrils quivered, her whole being + seemed to be overcome by a vertigo of dread, and, in the horrible disarray + of all her sensations her brain, on its wakening from its dolorous sleep + of three delirious days, was tottering and reeling at its welcome in this + world of noise. + </p> + <p> + Then Ali ended suddenly his frantic dance, the bondwomen held their peace + in an instant, and blank silence in the chamber followed the clamour of + tongues. + </p> + <p> + It was at this great moment that Israel, returning from his journey in the + jellab of a Moor, knocked like a stranger at his outer door. When he + entered the chamber, still clad as a torn and ragged man, too eager to + remove the sorry garments which had been given to him on the way, Naomi + was resting against the pillar of the bed. He saw that her countenance was + changed, and that every feature of her face seemed to listen. No longer + was it as the face of a lamb that is simple and content, neither was it as + the face of a child that is peaceful and happy; but it was hot and + perplexed. Fear sat on her face, and wonder and questioning; and as + Fatimah stood by her side, speaking tender words to comfort her, no cheer + did she seem to get from them, but only dread, for she drew away from her + when she spoke, as though the sound of the voice smote her ears with + terror of trouble. All this Israel saw on the instant, and then his sight + grew dim, his heart beat as if it would kill him, a thick mist seemed to + cover everything, and through the dense waves of semi-consciousness he + heard the dull hum of Fatimah's muffled voice coming to him as from far + away. + </p> + <p> + “My pretty Naomi! My little heart! My sweet jewel of gold and silver! It + is nothing! Nothing! Look! See! Her father has come back! Her dear father + has come back to her!” + </p> + <p> + Presently the room ceased to go round and round, and Israel knew that + Naomi's arms surrounded him, that his own arms enlaced her, and that her + head was pressed hard against his bosom. Yes, it was she! It was Naomi! + Ali had told him truth. She lived! She was well! She could hear! The old + hope that had chirped in his soul was justified, and the dear delicious + dream was come true. Oh! God was great, God was good, God had given him + more than he had asked or deserved! + </p> + <p> + Thus for some minutes he stood motionless, blessing the God of Jacob, yet + uttering no words, for his heart was too full for speech, only holding + Naomi closely to him, while his tears fell on her blind face. And the + black people in the chamber wept to see it, that not more dumb in that + great hour of gladness was she who was born so than he to whose house had + come the wonderful work that God had wrought. + </p> + <p> + No heed had Israel given yet to the bodeful signs in Naomi's face, in joy + over such as were joyful. When he had taken her in his arms she had known + him, and she had clung to him in her glad surprise. But when she continued + to lie on his bosom it was not only because he was her father and she + loved him, and because he had been lost to her and was found, it was also + because he alone was silent of all that were about her. + </p> + <p> + When he saw this his heart was humbled; but he understood her fears, that, + coming out of a land of great silence, where the voice of man was never + heard, where the air was songless as the air of dreams and darkling as the + air of a tomb, her soul misgave her, and her spirit trembled in a new + world of strange sounds. For what was the ear but a little dark chamber, a + vault, a dungeon in a castle, wherein the soul was ever passing to and + fro, asking for news of the world without? Through seventeen dark and + silent years the soul of Naomi had been passing and repassing within its + beautiful tabernacle of flesh, crying daily and hourly, “Watchman, what of + the world?” At length it had found an answer, and it was terrified. The + world had spoken to her soul and its voice was like the reverberations of + a subterranean cavern, strange and deep and awful. + </p> + <p> + In that first moment of Israel's consciousness after he entered the room, + all four black folks seemed to be speaking together. + </p> + <p> + Ali was saying, “Father, those dogs and thieves of tentmen and muleteers + returned yesterday, and said—” + </p> + <p> + And the bondwomen were crying, “Sidi, you were right when you went away!” + “Yes, the dear child was ill!” “Oh, how she missed you when you were + gone.” “She has been delirious, and the doctor, the son of Tetuan—” + </p> + <p> + And the old Taleb was muttering, “Master, it is all by God's mercy. We + prayed for the life of the maiden, and lo! He has given us this gateway to + her spirit as well.” + </p> + <p> + Then Israel saw that as their voices entered the dark vault of Naomi's + ears they startled and distressed her. So, to pacify her, he motioned them + out of the chamber. They went away without a word. The reason of Naomi's + fears began to dawn upon them. An awe seemed to be cast over her by the + solemnity of that great moment. It was like to the birth-moment of a soul. + </p> + <p> + And when the black people were gone from the room, Israel closed the door + of it that he might shut out the noises of the streets, for women were + calling to their children without, and the children were still shouting in + their play. This being done, he returned to Naomi and rested her head + against his bosom and soothed her with his hand, and she put her arms + about his neck and clung to him. And while he did so his heart yearned to + speak to her, and to see by her face that she could hear. Let it be but + one word, only one, that she might know her father's voice—for she + had never once heard it—and answer it with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “Daughter! My dearest! My darling.” + </p> + <p> + Only this, nothing more! Only one sweet word of all the unspoken + tenderness which, like a river without any outlet, had been seventeen + years dammed up in his breast. But no, it could not be. He must not speak + lest her face should frown and her arms be drawn away. To see that would + break his heart. Nevertheless, he wrestled with the temptation. It was + terrible. He dared not risk it. So he sat on the bed in silence, hardly + moving, scarcely breathing—a dust-laden man in a ragged jellab, + holding Naomi in his arms. + </p> + <p> + It was still the month of Ramadhan, and the sun was but three hours set. + In the fondak called El Oosaa, a group of the town Moors, who had fasted + through the day, were feasting and carousing. Over the walls of the + Mellah, from the direction of the Spanish inn at the entrance to the + little tortuous quarter of the shoemakers, there came at intervals a + hubbub of voices, and occasionally wild shouts and cries. The day was + Wednesday, the market-day of Tetuan, and on the open space called the + Feddan many fires were lighted at the mouths of tents, and men and women + and children—country Arabs and Barbers—were squatting around + the charcoal embers eating and drinking and talking and laughing, while + the ruddy glow lit up their swarthy faces in the darkness. But presently + the wing of night fell over both Moorish town and Mellah; the traffic of + the streets came to an end; the “Balak” of the ass-driver was no more + heard, the slipper of the Jew sounded but rarely on the pavement, the + fires on the Feddan died out, the hubbub of the fondak and the wild shouts + of the shoemakers' quarter were hushed, and quieter and more quiet grew + the air until all was still. + </p> + <p> + At the coming of peace Naomi's fears seemed to abate. Her clinging arms + released their hold of her father's neck, and with a trembling sigh she + dropped back on to the pillow. And in this hour of stillness she would + have slept; but even while Israel was lifting up his heart in thankfulness + to God, that He was making the way of her great journey easy out of the + land of silence into the land of speech, a storm broke over the town. + Through many hot days preceding it had been gathering in the air, which + had the echoing hollowness of a vault. It was loud and long and terrible. + First from the direction of Marteel, over the four miles which divide + Tetuan from the coast, came the warning which the sea sends before trouble + comes to the land—a deep moan as of waters falling from the sky. + Next came the moan of the wind down the valley that opens on the gate + called the Bab el Marsa, and along the river that flows to the port. Then + came the roll of thunder, like a million cannons, down the gorges of the + Reef mountains and across the plain that stretches far away to Kitan. Last + of all, the black clouds of the sky emptied themselves over the town, and + the rain fell in floods on the roof of the house and on the pavement of + the patio, and leapt up again in great loud drops, making a noise to the + ear like to the tramp, tramp, tramp of a hidden multitude. Thus sound + after sound broke over the darkness of the night in a thousand awful + voices, now near, now far, now loud, now low, now long, now short, now + rising, now falling, now rushing, now running—a mighty tumult and a + fearsome anarchy. + </p> + <p> + At last Naomi's terror was redoubled. Every sound seemed to smite her body + as a blow. Hitherto she had known one sense only, the sense of touch, and + though now she knew the sense of hearing also, she continued to refer all + sensations to feeling. At the sound of the sea she put out her arms before + her; at the sound of the wind she buried her face in her palms; and at the + sound of the thunder she lifted her hands as if to protect her head. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Israel sat beside her and cherished her close at his bosom. He + yearned to speak words of comfort to her, soft words of cheer, tender + words of love, gentle words of hope. + </p> + <p> + “Be not afraid, my daughter! It is only the wind, it is only the rain; it + is only the thunder. Once you loved to run and race in them. They shall + not harm you, for God is good, and He will keep you safe. There, there, my + little heart! See, your father is with you. He will guard you. Fear not, + my child, fear not!” + </p> + <p> + Such were the words which Israel yearned to speak in Naomi's ears, but, + alas! what words could she understand any more than the wind which moaned + about the house and the thunder which rolled overhead? And again and + again, alas! as surely as he spoke to her she must shrink from the solace + of his voice even as she shrank from the tumult of the voices of the + storm. + </p> + <p> + Israel fell back helpless and heartbroken. He began to see in its fulness + the change which had befallen Naomi, yet not at once to realise it, so + sudden and so numbing was the stroke. He began to know that with the + mighty blessing for which he had hoped and prayed—the blessing of a + pathway to his daughter's soul—a misfortune had come as well. What + was it to him now that Naomi had ears to hear if she could not understand? + And what was this tempest to the maiden new-born out of the land of + silence into the world of sound, yet still both blind and dumb, but a + circle of darkness alive with creatures that groaned and cried and + shrieked and moved around her? + </p> + <p> + Thus nothing could Israel do but watch the creeping of Naomi's terror, and + smooth her forehead and chafe her hands. And this he did, until at length, + in a fresh outbreak of the storm, when the vault of the heavens seemed + rent asunder, a strong delirium took hold of her, and she fell into a long + unconsciousness. Then Israel held back his heart no longer, but wept above + her, and called to her, and cried aloud upon her name— + </p> + <p> + “Naomi! Naomi! My poor child! My dearest! Hear me! It is nothing! nothing! + Listen! It is gone! Gone!” + </p> + <p> + With such passionate cries of love and sorrow; Israel gave vent to his + soul in its trouble. And while Naomi lay in her unconsciousness, he knew + not what feelings possessed him, for his heart was in a great turmoil. + Desolate! desolate! All was desolate! His high-built hopes were in ashes! + </p> + <p> + Sometimes he remembered the days when the child knew no sorrow, and when + grief came not near her, when she was brighter than the sun which she + could not see and sweeter than the songs which she could not hear, when + she was joyous as a bird in its narrow cage and fretted not at the bars + which bound her, when she laughed as she braided her hair and came dancing + out of her chamber at dawn. And remembering this, he looked down at her + knitted face, and his heart grew bitter, and he lifted up his voice + through the tumult of the storm, and cried again on the God of Jacob, and + rebuked Him for the marvellous work which He had wrought. + </p> + <p> + If God were an almighty God, surely He looked before and after, and + foresaw what must come to pass. And, foreseeing and knowing all, why had + God answered his prayer? He himself had been a fool. Why had he craved + God's pity? Once his poor child was blither than the panther of the + wilderness and happier than the young lamb that sports in springtime. If + she was blind, she knew not what it was to see; and if she was deaf, she + knew not what it was to hear; and if she was dumb, she knew not what it + was to speak. Nothing did she miss of sight or sound or speech any more + than of the wings of the eagle or the dove. Yet he would not be content; + he would not be appeased. Oh! subtlety of the devil which had brought this + evil upon him! + </p> + <p> + But the God whom Israel in his agony and his madness rebuked in this + manner sent His angel to make a great silence, and the storm lapsed to a + breathless quiet. + </p> + <p> + And when the tempest was gone Naomi's delirium passed away. She seemed to + look, and nothing could she see; and then to listen, and nothing could she + hear; and then she clasped the hand of her father that lay over her hand, + and sighed and sank down again. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” + </p> + <p> + It was even as if peace had come to her with the thought that she was back + in the land of great silence once again, and that the voices which had + startled her, and the storm which had terrified her, had been nothing but + an evil dream. + </p> + <p> + In that sweet respite she fell asleep, and Israel forgot the reproaches + with which he had reproached his God, and looked tenderly down at her, and + said within himself, “It was her baptism. Now she will walk the world with + confidence, and never again will she be afraid. Truly the Lord our God is + king over all kingdoms and wise beyond all wisdom!” + </p> + <p> + Then, with one look backward at Naomi where she slept, he crept out of the + room on tiptoe. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> + <h3> + NAOMI'S GREAT GIFT + </h3> + <p> + With the coming of the gift of hearing, the other gifts with which Naomi + had been gifted in her deafness, and the strange graces with which she had + been graced, seemed suddenly to fall from her as a garment when she + disrobed. + </p> + <p> + It seemed as though her old sense of touch had become confused by her new + sense of hearing, She lost her way in her father's house, and though she + could now hear footsteps, she did not appear to know who approached. They + led her into the street, into the Feddan, into the walled lane to the + great gate, into the steep arcades leading to the Kasbah; and no more as + of old did she thread her way through the people, seeming to see them + through the flesh of her face and to salute them with the laugh on her + lips, but only followed on and on with helpless footsteps. They took her + to the hill above the battery, and her breath came quick as she trod the + familiar ways; but when she was come to the summit, no longer did she + exult in her lofty place and drink new life from the rush of mighty winds + about her, but only quaked like a child in terror as she faced the world + unseen beneath and hearkened to the voices rising out of it, and heard the + breeze that had once laved her cheeks now screaming in her ears. They gave + Ali's harp into her hands, the same that she had played so strangely at + the Kasbah on the marriage of Ben Aboo; but never again as on that day did + she sweep the strings to wild rhapsodies of sound such as none had heard + before and none could follow, but only touched and fumbled them with + deftless fingers that knew no music. + </p> + <p> + She lost her old power to guide her footsteps and to minister to her + pleasures and to cherish her affections. No longer did she seem to + communicate with Nature by other organs than did the rest of the human + kind. She was a radiant and joyous spirit maid no more, but only a + beautiful blind girl, a sweet human sister that was weak and faint. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, Israel recked nothing of her weakness, for joy at the loss + of those powers over which his enemies throughout seventeen evil years had + bleated and barked “Beelzebub!” And if God in His mercy had taken the + angel out of his house, so strangely gifted, so strangely joyful, He had + given him instead, for the hunger of his heart as a man, a sweet human + daughter, however helpless and frail. + </p> + <p> + Thus in the first days of Naomi's great change Israel was content. But day + by day this contentment left him, and he was haunted by strange sinkings + of the heart. Naomi's frailty appeared to be not only of the body but also + of the spirit. It seemed as if her soul had suddenly fallen asleep. She + betrayed neither joy nor sorrow. No sound escaped her lips; no thought for + herself or for others seemed to animate her. She neither laughed nor wept. + When Israel kissed her pale brow, she did not stretch out her arms as she + had done before to draw down his head to her lips. Calmly, silently, + sadly, gracefully, she passed from day to day, without feeling and without + thought—a beautiful statue of flesh and blood. + </p> + <p> + What God was doing with her slumbering spirit then, only He Himself knows; + but the time of her awakening came, and with it came her first delight in + the new gift with which God had gifted her. + </p> + <p> + To revive her spirits and to quicken her memory, Israel had taken her to + walk in the fields outside the town where she had loved to play in her + childhood—the wild places covered with the peppermint and the pink, + the thyme, the marjoram, and the white broom, where she had gathered + flowers in the old times, when God had taught her. The day was sweet, for + it was the cool of the morning, the air was soft, and the wind was gentle, + and under the shady trees the covert of the reeds lay quiet. And whither + Naomi would, thither they had wandered, without object and without + direction. + </p> + <p> + On and on, hand in hand, they had walked through the winding paths of the + oleander, between the creeping fences of the broom, and the sprawling + limbs of the prickly pear, until they came to a stream, a tributary of the + Marteel, trickling down from the wild heights of the Akhmas, over the + light pebbles of its narrow bed. And there—but by what impulse or + what chance Israel never knew—Naomi had withdrawn her hand from his + hand; and at the next moment, in scarcely more time than it took him to + stoop to the ground and rise again, suddenly as if she had sunk into the + earth, or been lifted into the sky, Naomi disappeared from his sight. + </p> + <p> + Israel pushed the low boughs apart, expecting to find her by his side, but + she was nowhere near. He called her by her name, thinking she would answer + with the only language of her lips, the old language of her laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Naomi! Naomi! Come, come, my child, where are you?” + </p> + <p> + But no sound came back to him. + </p> + <p> + Again he called, not as before in a tone of remonstrance, but with a voice + of fear. + </p> + <p> + “Naomi, Naomi! Where are you? where? where?” + </p> + <p> + Then he listened and waited, yet heard nothing, neither her laugh nor the + rustle of her robe, nor the light beat of her footstep. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, she had passed over the grass from the spot where she had + left him, without waywardness or thought of evil, only missing his hand + and trying to recover it, then becoming afraid and walking rapidly, until + the dense foliage between them had hidden her from sight and deadened the + sound of his voice. + </p> + <p> + Opening a way between the long leaves of an aloe, Israel found her at + length in the place whereto she had wandered. It was a short bend of the + brook, where dark old trees overshadowed the water with forest gloom. She + was seated on the trunk of a fallen oak, and it seemed as if she had sat + herself down to weep in her dumb trouble, for her blind eyes were still + wet with tears. The river was murmuring at her feet; an old olive-tree + over her head was pattering with its multitudinous tongues; the little + family of a squirrel was chirping by her side, and one tiny creature of + the brood was squirling up her dress; a thrush was swinging itself on the + low bough of the olive and singing as it swung, and a sheep of solemn face—gaunt + and grim and ancient—was standing and palpitating before her. Bees + were humming, grasshoppers were buzzing, the light wind was whispering, + and cattle were lowing in the distance. The air of that sweet spot in that + sweet hour was musical with every sweet sound of the earth and sky, and + fragrant with all the wild odours of the wood. + </p> + <p> + “My darling,” cried Israel in the first outburst of his relief, and then + he paused and looked at her again. + </p> + <p> + The wet eyes were open, and they appeared to see, so radiant was the light + that shone in them. A tender smile played about her mouth; her head was + held forward; her nostrils quivered; and her cheeks were flushed. She had + pushed her hat back from her head, and her yellow hair had fallen over her + neck and breast. One of her hands covered one ear, and the other strayed + among the plants that grew on the bank beside her. She seemed to be + listening intently, eagerly, rapturously. A rare and radiant joy, a pure + and tender delight, appeared to gush out of her beautiful face. It was + almost as though she believed that everything she heard with the great new + gift which God had given her was speaking to her, and bidding her welcome + and offering her love; as if the garrulous old olive over her head were + stretching down his arms to sport with her hair, and pattering; “Kiss me, + little one! kiss me, sweet one! kiss me! kiss me!”—as if the + rippling river at her feet were laughing and crying, “Catch me, naked + feet! catch me, catch me!” as if the thrush on the bough were singing, + “Where from, sunny locks? where from? where from?”—as if the young + squirrel were chirping, “I'm not afraid, not afraid, not afraid!” and as + if the grey old sheep were breathing slowly, “Pat me, little maiden! you + may, you may!” + </p> + <p> + “God bless her beautiful face!” cried Israel. “She listens with every + feature and every line of it.” + </p> + <p> + It was the awakening of her soul to the soul of music, and from that day + forward she took pleasure in all sweet and gentle sounds whatsoever—in + the voices of children at play—in the bleat of the goat—in the + footsteps of them she loved—in the hiss and whirr of her mother's + old spinning-wheel, which now she learned to work—and in Ali's harp, + when he played it in the patio in the cool of the evening. + </p> + <p> + But even as no eye can see how the seed which has been sown in the ground + first dies and then springs into life, so no tongue can tell what change + was wrought in the pure soul of Naomi when, after her baptism of sound, + the sweet voices of earth first entered it. Neither she herself nor any + one else ever fully realised what that change was, for it was a beautiful + and holy mystery. It was also a great joy, and she seemed to give herself + up to it. No music ever escaped her, and of all human music she took most + pleasure in the singing of love songs. These she listened to with a simple + and rapt delight; their joy seemed to answer to her joy, and the + joyousness of a song of love seemed to gather in the air wheresoever she + went. + </p> + <p> + There were few of the kind she ever heard, and few of that few were + beautiful, and none were beautifully sung. Fatimah's homely ditties were + all she knew, the same that had been crooned to her a thousand times when + she had not heard. Most of these were songs of the desert and the caravan, + telling of musk and ambergris, and odorous locks and dancing cypress, and + liquid ruby, and lips like wine; and some were warm tales which the good + soul herself hardly understood, of enchanting beauties whose silence was + the door of consent, and of wanton nymphs whose love tore the veil of + their chastity. + </p> + <p> + But one of them was a song of pure and true passion that seemed to be the + yearning cry of a hungering, unfilled, unsatisfied heart to call down love + out of the skies, or else be carried up to it. This had been a favourite + song of Naomi's mother, and it was from Ruth that Fatimah had learned it + in those anxious watches of the early uncertain days when she sang it over + the cradle to her babe that was deaf after all and did not hear. Naomi + knew nothing of this, but she heard her mother's song at last, though + silent were the lips that first sang it, and it was her chief and dear + delight. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + O, where is Love? + Where, where is Love? + Is it of heavenly birth? + Is it a thing of earth? + Where, where is Love? +</pre> + <p> + In her crazy, creechy voice the black woman would sing the song, when + Israel was out of hearing; and the joy Naomi found in it, and the simple + silent arts she used, being mute and blind, to show her pleasure while it + lasted, and to ask for it again when it was done, were very sweet and + touching. + </p> + <p> + And so it came about at last, that even as the human mother loves that + child most among many children that most is helpless, so the earth-mother + of Naomi made her ears more keen because her eyes were blind. Thus she + seemed to hear many things that are unheard by the rest of the human + family. It is only a dim echo of the outer world that the ears of men are + allowed to hear, just as it is only a dim shadow of the outer world that + the eyes of men are allowed to see; but the ears of Naomi seemed to hear + all. + </p> + <p> + There is one hearing of men, and another hearing of the beasts, and a + third of the birds, and one hearing differs from another in keenness even + as one sight differs from another in strength. And all the earth is full + of voices, and everything that moves upon the face of it has its sound; + but the bird hears that which is unheard of the beast, and the beast hears + that which is unheard of men. But Naomi appeared to hear all that is heard + of each. + </p> + <p> + Listening hour after hour, listening always, listening only, with nothing + that she could do but listen, nothing moved on the ground but she dropped + her face, and nothing flew in the sky but she lifted her eyes. And whereas + before the coming of her great gift her face had been all feeling, and she + seemed to feel the sunset, and to feel the sky, and to feel the thunder + and the light, now her face was all hearing, and her whole body seemed to + hear, for she was like a living soul floating always in a sea of sound. + </p> + <p> + Thus, day after day, she was busy in her silence and in her darkness, + building up notions of man and of the world by the new gift with which God + had gifted her; but what strange thing the earth was to her then, what the + sun was with its warmth, and what the sea was with its roar, and what the + face of man was, and the eyes of woman, none could know, and neither could + she tell, for her soul was not linked to other souls—soul to soul, + in the chains of speech. + </p> + <p> + And for all that she could not answer; yet Israel did not forget that, + beside the sounds of earth and sky, Naomi was hearing words, and that + words had wings, and were alive, and, for good or ill, made their mark on + the soul that listened to them. So he continued to read to her out of the + Book of the Law, day after day at sunset, according to his wont and + custom. And when an evil spirit seemed to make a mock at him, and to say, + “Fool! she hears, but does she understand?” he remembered how he had read + to her in the days of her deafness, and he said to himself, “Shall I have + less faith now that she can hear?” + </p> + <p> + But, though he turned his back on the temptation to let go of Naomi's soul + at last, yet sometimes his heart misgave him; for when he spoke to her it + seemed to him that he was like a man that shouts into a cavern and gets + back no answer but the sound of his own voice. If he told her of the sky, + that it was broad as the ocean, what could she see of the great deeps to + measure them? And if he told her of the sea, that it was green as the + fields, what could she see of the grass to know its colour? And sometimes + as he spoke to her it smote him suddenly that the words themselves which + he used to speak with were no more to Naomi than the notes which Ali + struck from his dead harp, or the bleat of the goat at her feet. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, his faith was great, and he said in his heart, “Let the Lord + find His own way to her spirit.” So he continued to speak with her as + often as he was near her, telling her of the little things that concerned + their household, as well as of the greater things it was good for her soul + to know. + </p> + <p> + It was a touching sight—the lonely man, the outcast among his + people, talking with his daughter though she was blind and dumb, telling + her of God, of heaven, of death and resurrection, strong in his faith that + his words would not fail, but that the casket of her soul would be opened + to receive them, and that they would lie within until the great day of + judgment, when the Lord Himself would call for them. + </p> + <p> + Did Naomi hear his words to understand them, or did they fall dead on her + ear like birds on a dead sea? In her darkness and her silence was she + putting them together, comparing them, interpreting them, pondering them, + imitating them, gathering food for her mind from them, and solace for her + spirit? Israel did not know; and, watch her face as he would, he could + never learn. Hope! Faith! Trust! What else was left to him? He clung to + all three, he grappled them to him; they were his sheet-anchor and his + pole-star. But one day they seemed to be his calenture also—the + false picture of green fields and sweet female faces that rises before the + eye of the sailor becalmed at sea. + </p> + <p> + It was some three weeks after his return from his journey, and the fierce + blaze of the sun continued. The storm that had broken over the town had + left no results of coolness or moisture, for the ground had been baked + hard, and the rain had been too short and swift to penetrate it. And what + the withering heat had spared of green leaf and shrub a deadlier blight + had swept away. The locusts had lately come up from the south and the + east, in numbers exceeding imagination, millions on millions, making the + air dark as they passed and obscuring the blue sky. They had swept the + country of its verdure, and left a trail of desolation behind them. The + grass was gone, the bark of the olives and almonds was stripped away, and + the bare trees had the look of winter. + </p> + <p> + The first to feel the plague had been the cattle and beasts of burden. + Without food to eat or water to drink they had died in hundreds. A + Mukabar, a cemetery, was made for the animals outside the walls of the + town. It was a charnel yard on the hill-side, near to one of the town's + six gates. The dead creatures were not buried there, but merely cast on + the bare ground to rot and to bleach in the sun and the heated wind. It + was a horrible place. + </p> + <p> + The skinny dogs of the town soon found it. And after these scavengers of + the East had torn the putrefying flesh and gnawed the multitude of bones, + they prowled around the country, with tongues lolling out, in search of + water. By this time there was none that they could come at nearer than the + sea, and that was salt. Nevertheless, they lapped it, so burning was their + thirst, and went mad, and came back to the town. Then the people hunted + them and killed them. + </p> + <p> + Now, it chanced that a mad dog from the Mukabar was being hunted to death + on a day when Naomi, who had become accustomed to the tumult of the + streets, had first ventured out in them alone, save for her goat, that + went before her. The goat was grown old, but it was still her constant + companion and also it was now her guide and guardian, for the little dumb + creature seemed to know that she was frail and helpless. And so it was + that she was crossing the Sok el Foki, a market of the town, and + hearkening only to the patter of the feet of the goat going in front, when + suddenly she heard a hundred footsteps hurrying towards her, with shouts + and curses that were loud and deep. She stood in fear on the spot where + she was, and no eyes had she to see what happened next, and she had none + save the goat to tell her. + </p> + <p> + But out of one of the dark arcades on the left, leading downward from the + hill, the mad dog came running, before a multitude of men and boys. And + flying in its despair, it bit out wildly at whatever lay in its way, and + Naomi, in her blindness, stood straight in front of it. Then she must have + fallen before it, but instantly the goat flung itself across the dog's + open jaws, and butted at its foaming teeth, and sent up shrill cries of + terror. + </p> + <p> + The dog stopped a moment, for such love was human, and it seemed as if the + madness of the monster shrank before it. But the people came down with + their wild shouts and curses, and the dog sprang upon the goat and felled + it, and fled away. The people followed it, and then Naomi was alone in the + market-place, and the goat lay at her feet. + </p> + <p> + Ali found her there, and brought her home to her father's house in the + Mellah, and her dying champion with her. And out of this hard chance, and + not out of Israel's teaching, Naomi was first to learn what life is and + what is death. She felt the goat with her hands, and as she did so her + fingers shook. Then she lifted it to its feet, and when they slipped from + under it she raised her white face in wonder. Again she lifted it, and + made strange noises at its ear; but when it did not answer with its bleat + her lips began to tremble. Then she listened for its breathing, and felt + for its breath; but when neither the one came to her ear, nor the other to + her cheek, her own breath beat hot and fast. At length she fondled it in + her arms, and kissed it with her lips; and when it gave back no sign of + motion nor any sound of voice, a wild labouring rose at her heart. At + last, when the power of life was low in it, the goat opened its heavy eyes + upon her and put forth its tongue and licked her hand. With that last + farewell the brave heart of the little creature broke, and it stretched + itself and died. + </p> + <p> + Israel saw it all. His heart bled to see the parting in silence between + those two, for not more dumb was the goat that now was dead than the human + soul that was left alive. He tried to put the goat from Naomi's arms, + saying, “It was only a goat, my child; think of it no more,” though it + smote him with pain to say it, for had not the creature given its life for + her life? And where, O God, was the difference between them? But Naomi + clung to the goat, and her throat swelled and her bosom fluttered, and her + whole body panted, and it was almost as if her soul were struggling to + burst through the bonds that bound it, that she might speak and ask and + know. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what does it mean? Why is it? Why? Why?” + </p> + <p> + Such were the questions that seemed ready to break from her tongue. And, + thinking to answer her, Israel drew her to him and said, “It is dead, my + child—the goat is dead.” + </p> + <p> + But as he spoke that word he saw by her face, as by a flash of light in a + dark place, that, often as he had told her of death, never until that hour + had she known what it was. Then, if the words that he had spoken of death + had carried no meaning, what could he hope of the words that he had spoken + of life, and of the little things which concerned their household? And if + Naomi had not heard the words he had said of these—if she had not + pondered and interpreted them—if they had fallen on her ear only as + voices in a dark cavern—only as dead birds on a dead sea—what + of the other words, the greater words, the words of the Book of the Law + and the Prophets, the words of heaven and of the resurrection and of God? + </p> + <p> + Had the hope of his heart been vanity? Did Naomi know nothing? Was her + great gift a mockery? + </p> + <p> + Israel's feet were set in a slippery place. Why had he boasted himself of + God's mercy? What were ears to hear to her that could not understand? Only + a torment, a terror, a plague, a perpetual desolation! When Naomi had + heard nothing she had known nothing, and never had her spirit asked and + cried in vain. Now she was dumb for the first time, being no longer deaf. + Miserable man that he was, why had the Lord heard his supplication and why + had He received his prayer? + </p> + <p> + But, repenting of such reproaches, in memory of the joy that Naomi's new + gift had given her, he called on God to give her speech as well. + </p> + <p> + “Give her speech, O Lord!” he cried, “speech that shall lift her above the + creatures of the field, speech whereby alone she may ask and know! Give + her speech, O God my God, and Thy servant will be satisfied!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> + <h3> + ISRAEL AT SHAWAN + </h3> + <p> + AFTER Israel's return from his journey he had followed the precepts of the + young Mahdi of Mequinez. Taking a view of his situation, that by his + hardness of heart in the early days, and by base submission to the will of + Katrina, the Kaid's Christian wife, in the later ones, he had filled the + land with miseries, he now spared no cost to restore what he had unjustly + extorted. So to him that had paid double in the taxings he had returned + double—once for the tax and once for the excess; and if any man, + having been unjustly taxed for the Kaid's tribute, had given bond on his + lands for his debt and been cast into the Kasbah and died, without + ransoming them, then to his children he had returned fourfold—double + for the lands and double for the death. Israel had done this continually, + and said nothing to Ben Aboo, but paid all charges out of his own purse, + so that from being a rich man he had fallen within a month to the + condition of a poor one, for what was one man's wealth among so many? Yet + no goodwill had he won thereby, but only pity and contempt, for the people + that had taken his money had thanked the Kaid for it, who, according to + their supposals, had called on him to correct what he had done amiss. And + with Ben Aboo himself he had fared no better, for the Basha was provoked + to anger with him when he heard from Katrina of the good money that he had + been casting away in pity for the poor. + </p> + <p> + “What have I told you a score of times?” said the woman. “That man has + mints of money.” + </p> + <p> + “My money, burn his grandfather,” said Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + Thus, on every side Israel had fallen in the world's reckoning. When he + lifted his hand from off that plough wherewith he had done the devil's + work, he had made many enemies, and such as he had before he had made more + powerful. People who had showed him lip-service when he was thought to be + rich did not conceal the joy they had that he was brought down so near to + be a beggar. Upstarts, who owed their promotion to his intercession, found + in his charities an easy handle given them to be insolent, for, by + carrying to Katrina their secret messages of his mercy to the people, they + brought things at length to such a pass between him and the Kaid that Ben + Aboo openly upbraided Israel for his weakness, not once or twice but many + times. + </p> + <p> + “And pray what is this I hear of your fine charities, master Israel?” said + Ben Aboo. “Ah, do not look surprised. There are little birds enough to + twitter of such follies. So you are throwing away silver like bones to the + dogs! Pity you've got too much of it, Israel ben Oliel; pity you've got + too much of it, I say.” + </p> + <p> + “The people are poor, Lord Basha,” said Israel; “they are famishing, and + they have no refuge save with God and with us.” + </p> + <p> + “Tut!” cried Ben Aboo. “A famine in my bashalic! Let no man dare to say + so. The whining dogs are preying upon your simpleness, mistress Israel. + You poor old grandmother! I always suspected,” he added, facing about upon + his attendants, “I always suspected that I was served by a woman. Now I am + sure of it.” + </p> + <p> + Israel felt the indignity. He had given good proof of his manhood in the + past by standing five-and-twenty years scapegoat for Ben Aboo between him + and his people, making him rich by his extortions, keeping him safe in his + seat, and thereby saving him from the wooden jellab which Abd er-Rahman, + the Sultan, kept for Kaids that could not pay. But Israel mastered his + anger and held his peace. + </p> + <p> + Word went through the town that Israel had fallen from the favour of the + Basha, and then some of the more bold and free laughed at him in the + streets when they saw him relieve the miseries of the poor, thinking + himself accountable to God for their sufferings. He could have crushed the + better part of his insulters to death in his brawny arms, but he was slow + to anger and long-suffering. All the heed he paid to their insults was to + do his good work with more secrecy. + </p> + <p> + Remembering his Moorish jellab, and how effectually it had disguised him + on the night of his return home, he had recourse to it in this difficulty. + When darkness fell he donned it again, drawing the hood well down over his + black Jewish skull-cap and as far as might be over his face. In this + innocent disguise he went out night after night for many nights among the + poorer Moors that lived in the dismal quarters of the grain markets near + the Bab Ramooz. How he bore himself being there, with what harmless + deceptions he unburdened his soul by stealth, what guileless pretences he + made that he might restore to the poor the money that had been stolen from + them, would be a long story to tell. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” he was asked a hundred times. + </p> + <p> + “A friend,” he answered + </p> + <p> + “Who told you of our trouble?” + </p> + <p> + “Allah has angels,” he would reply. + </p> + <p> + Often, on his nightly rambles, he heard himself reviled, and saw the very + children of the streets spit over their fingers at the mention of his + name. And sometimes as he passed he heard blind people whisper together + and say, “He is a saint. He comes from the Kabar at nightfall. Allah sends + him to help poor men who have been in the clutches of Israel the Jew.” + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, Israel kept his secret. What did the word of man avail for + good or evil? It would count for nothing at the last. Do justice and ask + nought; neither praise, for it was a wayward wind, nor gratitude, for it + was the breath of angels. + </p> + <p> + One day, about a month after his return from his journey, when he was near + to the end of his substance, a message came to him that the followers of + Absalam were perishing of hunger in their prison at Shawan. Their + relatives in Tetuan had found them in food until now, but the plague of + the locust had fallen on the bread-winners, and they had no more bread to + send. Israel concluded that it was his duty to succour them. From a just + view of his responsibilities he had gone on to a morbid one. If in the + Judgment the blood of the people of Absalam cried to God against him, he + himself, and not Ben Aboo, would be cast out into hell. + </p> + <p> + Israel juggled with his heart no further, but straightway began to take a + view of his condition. Then he saw, to his dismay, that little as he had + thought he possessed, even less remained to him out of the wreck of his + riches. Only one thing he had still, but that was a thing so dear to his + heart that he had never looked to part with it. It was the casket of his + dead wife's jewels. Nevertheless, in his extremity he resolved to sell it + now, and, taking the key, he went up to the room where he kept it—a + closet that was sacred to the relics of her who lay in his heart for ever, + but in his house no more. + </p> + <p> + Naomi went up with him, and when he had broken the seal from the doorpost, + and the little door creaked back on its hinge, the ashy odour came out to + them of a chamber long shut up. It was just as if the buried air itself + had fallen in death to dust, for the dust of the years lay on everything. + But under its dark mantle were soft silks and delicate shawls and gauzy + haiks, and veils and embroidered sashes and light red slippers, and many + dainty things such as women love. And to him that came again after ten + heavy years they were as a dream of her that had worn them when she was + young that now was dead when she was beautiful that now was in the grave. + </p> + <p> + “Ah me, ah me! Ruth! My Ruth!” he murmured. “This was her shawl. I brought + it from Wazzan. . . . And these slippers—they came from Rabat. Poor + girl, poor girl! . . . . This sash, too, it used to be yellow and white. + How well I remember the first time she wore it! She had put it over her + head for a hood, pretending to be a Moorish woman. But her brown curls + fell out over her face, or she could not imprison them. And then she + laughed. My poor dear girl. How happy we were once in spite of everything! + It is all like yesterday. When I think Ah no, I must think no more, I must + think no more.” + </p> + <p> + Israel had little heart for such visions, so he turned to the casket of + the jewels where it stood by the wall. With trembling hands he took it and + opened it, and here within were necklaces and bracelets, and rings and + earrings, glistening of gold and rubies under their covering of dust. He + lifted them one by one over his wrinkled fingers, and looked at them while + his eyes grew wet. + </p> + <p> + “Not for myself,” he murmured, “not for myself would I have sold them, not + for bread to eat or water to drink; no, not for a wilderness of worlds!” + </p> + <p> + All this time he had given little thought to Naomi, where she stood by his + side, but in her darkness and silence she touched the silks and looked + serious, and the slippers and looked perplexed, and now at the jingling of + the jewels she stretched out her hand and took one of them from her + father's fingers, and feeling it, and finding it to be a necklace, she + clasped it about her neck and laughed. + </p> + <p> + At the sound of her laughter Israel shook like a reed. It brought back the + memory of the day when she danced to her mother's death, decked in that + same necklace and those same ornaments. More on this head Israel could not + think and hold to his purpose, so he took the jewels from Naomi's neck and + returned them to the casket, and hastened away with it to a man to whom he + designed to sell it. + </p> + <p> + This was no other than Reuben Maliki, keeper of the poor box of the Jews; + for as well as a usurer he was a silversmith, and kept his shop in the Sok + el Foki. Israel was moved to go to this person by the remembrance of two + things, of which either seemed enough for his preference—first, that + he had bought the jewels of Reuben in the beginning, and next, the Reuben + had never since ceased to speak of them in Tetuan as priceless beyond the + gems of Ethiopia and the gold of Ophir. + </p> + <p> + But when Israel came to him now with the casket that he might buy, he eyed + both with looks of indifference, though it was more dear to his covetous + and revengeful heart that Israel should humble himself in his need, and + bring these jewels, than almost any other satisfaction that could come to + it. + </p> + <p> + “And what is this that you bring me?” said Reuben languidly. + </p> + <p> + “A case of jewels,” said Israel, with a downward look. + </p> + <p> + “Jewels? umph! what jewels?” + </p> + <p> + “My poor wife's. You know them, Reuben See!” + </p> + <p> + Israel opened the casket. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, your wife's. Umph! yes, I suppose I must have seen them somewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “You have seen them here, Reuben.” + </p> + <p> + “Here?—do you say here?” + </p> + <p> + “Reuben, you sold them to me eighteen years ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Sold them to you? Never. I don't remember it. Surely you must be + mistaken. I can never have dealt in things like these.” + </p> + <p> + Reuben had taken the casket in his hands, and was pursing up his lips in + expressions of contempt. + </p> + <p> + Israel watched him closely. “Give them back to me,” he said; “I can go + elsewhere. I have no time for wrangling.” + </p> + <p> + Reuben's lip straightened instantly. “Wrangling? Who is wrangling, + brother? You are too impatient, Sidi.” + </p> + <p> + “I am in haste,” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” + </p> + <p> + There was an ominous silence, and then in a cold voice Reuben said, “The + things are well enough in their way. What do you wish me to do with them?” + </p> + <p> + “To buy them,” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Buy</i> them?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “But I don't want them.” + </p> + <p> + “Are they worth your money?—you don't want that either.” + </p> + <p> + “Umph!” + </p> + <p> + A gleam of mockery passed over Reuben's face, and he proceeded to examine + the casket. One by one he trifled with the gems—the rich onyx, the + sapphire, the crystal, the coral, the pearl, the ruby, and the topaz, and + first he pushed them from him, and then he drew them back again. And + seeing them thus cheapened in Reuben's hairy fingers, the precious jewels + which had clasped his Ruth's soft wrist and her white neck, Israel could + scarcely hold back his hand from snatching them away. But how can he that + is poor answer him that is rich? So Israel put his twitching hands behind + him, remembering Naomi and the poor people of Absalam, and when at length + Reuben tendered him for the casket one half what he had paid for it, he + took the money in silence and went his way. + </p> + <p> + “Five hundred dollars—I can give no more,” Reuben had said. + </p> + <p> + “Do you say five hundred—five?” + </p> + <p> + “Five—take it or leave it.” + </p> + <p> + It was market morning, and the market-square as Israel passed through was + a busy and noisy place. The grocers squatted within their narrow wooden + boxes turned on their sides, one half of the lid propped up as a shelter + from the sun, the other half hung down as a counter, whereon lay raisins + and figs, and melons and dates. On the unpaved ground the bakers crouched + in irregular lines. They were women enveloped in monstrous straw hats, + with big round cakes of bread exposed for sale on rush mats at their feet. + Under arcades of dried leaves—made, like desert graves, of upright + poles and dry branches thrown across—the butchers lay at their ease, + flicking the flies from their discoloured meat. “Buy! buy! buy!” they all + shouted together. A dense throng of the poor passed between them in torn + jellabs and soiled turbans, and haggled and bought. Asses and mules + crushed through amid shouts of “Arrah!” “Arrah!” and “Balak!” “Ba-lak!” It + was a lively scene, with more than enough of bustle and swearing and + vociferation. + </p> + <p> + There was more than enough of lying and cheating also, both practised with + subtle and half-conscious humour. Inside a booth for the sale of sugar in + loaf and sack a man sat fingering a rosary and mumbling prayers for + penance. “God forgive me,” he muttered, “<i>God forgive me, God forgive + me,</i>” and at every repetition he passed a bead. A customer approached, + touched a sugar loaf and asked, “How much?” The merchant continued his + prayers and did his business at a breath. “(<i>God forgive me</i>) How + much? (<i>God forgive me</i>) Four pesetas (<i>God forgive me</i>),” and + round went the restless rosary. “Too much,” said the buyer; “I'll give + three.” The merchant went on with his prayers, and answered, “(<i>God + forgive me</i>) Couldn't take it for as much as you might put in your + tooth (<i>God forgive me</i>); gave four myself (<i>God forgive me</i>).” + “Then I'll leave it, old sweet-tooth,” said the buyer, as he moved away. + “Here! take it for nothing (<i>God forgive me</i>),” cried the merchant + after the retreating figure. “(<i>God forgive me</i>) I'm giving it away (<i>God + forgive me</i>); I'll starve, but no matter (<i>God forgive me</i>), you + are my brother (<i>God forgive me, God forgive me, God forgive me</i>).” + </p> + <p> + Israel bought the bread and the meat, the raisins and the figs which the + prisoners needed—enough for the present and for many days to come. + Then he hired six mules with burdas to bear the food to Shawan, and a man + two days to lead them. Also he hired mules for himself and Ali, for he + knew full well that, unless with his own eyes he saw the followers of + Absalam receive what he had bought, no chance was there, in these days of + famine, that it would ever reach them. And, all being ready for his short + journey, he set out in the middle of the day, when the sun was highest, + hoping that the town would then be at rest, and thinking to escape + observation. + </p> + <p> + His expectation was so far justified that the market-place, when he came + to it again, with his little caravan going before him, was silent and + deserted. But, coming into the walled lane to the Bab Toot, the gate at + which the Shawan road enters, he encountered a great throng and a strange + procession. It was a procession of penance and petition, asking God to + wipe out the plague of locusts that was destroying the land and eating up + the bread of its children. A venerable Jew, with long white beard, walked + side by side with a Moor of great stature, enshrouded in the folds of his + snow-white haik. These were the chief Rabbi of the Jews and the Imam of + the Muslims, and behind them other Jews and Moors walked abreast in the + burning sun. All were barefooted, and such as were Berbers were bareheaded + also. + </p> + <p> + “In the name of Allah, the Compassionate and Merciful!” the Imam cried, + and the Muslims echoed him. + </p> + <p> + “By the God of Jacob!” the Rabbi prayed, and the Jews repeated the words + after him. + </p> + <p> + “Spare us! Spare the land!” they all cried together. “Send rain to destroy + the eggs of the locust!” cried the Rabbi. “Else will they rise on the + ground in the sunshine like rice on the granary floor; and neither fire + nor river nor the army of the Sultan will stop them; and we ourselves will + die, and our children with us!” + </p> + <p> + And the Jews cried, “God of Jacob, be our refuge.” + </p> + <p> + And the Muslims shouted, “Allah, save us!” + </p> + <p> + It was a strange sight to look upon in that land of intolerance—the + haughty Moor and the despised Jew, with all petty hatreds sunk out of + sight and forgotten in the grip of the death that threatened both alike, + walking and praying in the public streets together. + </p> + <p> + Israel drew close to the wall and passed by unobserved. And being come + into the open road outside the town, he began to take a view of the + motives that had brought him away from his home again. Then he saw that, + if he was not a hypocrite like Reuben, no credit could he give himself for + what he was doing, and if he was poor who had before been rich, no merit + could he make of his poverty. + </p> + <p> + “Naomi, Naomi, all for her, all for her,” he thought. Naomi was his hope + and his salvation. His faith in God was his love of the child. He was only + bribing God to give her grace. And well he knew it, while he journeyed + towards the prison behind his six mules laden with bread for them that lay + there, that, much as he owed them, being a cause of their miseries, the + mercy he was about to show them was but as mercy shown to himself. So the + nearer he came to it the lower his head sank into his breast, as if the + sun itself that beat down so fiercely upon his head had eyes to peer into + his deceiving soul. + </p> + <p> + The town of Shawan lies sixty miles south of Tetuan in the northern half + of the territory of the tribe of Akhmas, and the sun was two hours set + when Israel entered its beautiful valley between the two arms of the + mountain called Jebel Sheshawan. Going through the orchards and vineyards + that were round it, he was recognised by certain Jews; tanners and + pannier-makers, who in the days of his harder rule had fled from Tetuan + and his heavy taxings. + </p> + <p> + “It's Israel ben Oliel,” whispered one. + </p> + <p> + “God of Jacob, save us!” whispered another. + </p> + <p> + “He has followed us for the arrears of taxes.” + </p> + <p> + “We must fly.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us go home first.” + </p> + <p> + “No time for that.” + </p> + <p> + “There is Rachel—” + </p> + <p> + “She's a woman.” + </p> + <p> + “But I must warn my son—he has children.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are lost. Come on.” + </p> + <p> + Before he reached the rude old masonry that had once been the fortress and + was now the prison, the poor followers of Absalam, who lay within, had + heard that he was coming, and, in their despair and the wild disorder of + all their senses, they looked for nothing but death from his visit, as if + they were to be cut to pieces instantly. Men and women and young children, + gaunt with hunger and begrimed with dirt, some with faces that were hard + and stony, some with faces that were weak and simple, some with eyes that + were red as blood, all weary with waiting and wasted with long pain, ran + hither and thither in the gloom of the foul place where they were immured + together. Shedding tears, beating their flesh, and crying out with woeful + clamour, these unhappy creatures of God, who had been great of soul when + they sang their death-song with the precipice behind them and the soldiers + in front, now quaked for the miserable lives which they preserved in + hunger and cherished in bitterness. + </p> + <p> + By help of the seal of his master, which he always carried, Israel found + his way into the courtyard of the prison. The prisoners, who had been + gathered there for his inspection, heard his footsteps, and by one + impulse, as if an angel from heaven had summoned them, they fell to their + knees about the door whereby he must enter, men behind and women in front, + and mothers holding out their babes before their breasts so that he might + see them first, and have mercy upon them if he had a heart made for pity. + </p> + <p> + Then the door of the place was thrown open, and Israel entered. His head + was bowed down, and his feet were bare. The people drew their breath in + wonder. + </p> + <p> + “Arise,” he said; “I mean you no harm! See! Here is bread! Take it, and + God bless you!” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he motioned with his trembling hand to where Ali and the + muleteer brought in the burden of food behind him. + </p> + <p> + And when the poor souls could believe it at last, that he whom they had + looked for as their judge had come as their saviour, their hearts surged + within them. Their hunger left them, and only the children could eat. For + a moment they stood in silence about Israel, and their tears stained their + wasted faces. And Israel, in their midst, tasted a new joy in his new + poverty such as his riches had never brought him—no, not once in all + the days of his old prosperity. + </p> + <p> + At length an old man—he was a Muslim—looked steadily into + Israel's face and said, “May the God of Jacob bless thee also, brother!” + </p> + <p> + After that they all recovered their voices and began to thank him out of + their blind gratitude, falling to their knees at his feet as before, yet + with hearts so different. + </p> + <p> + “May the Father of the fatherless requite thee!” + </p> + <p> + “May the child of thy wife be blessed!” + </p> + <p> + “Stop,” he cried; “stop! you don't know what you are saying.” + </p> + <p> + He turned away from them with a look of pain, as if their words had stung + him. They followed him and touched his kaftan with their lips; they pushed + their children under his hands for his blessing. + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” he cried; “no, no, no!” + </p> + <p> + Then he passed out of the place with rapid steps and fled from the town + like one who was ashamed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> + <h3> + THE MEETING ON THE SOK + </h3> + <p> + Although Israel did not know it, and in the hunger of his heart he would + have given all the world to learn it, yet if any man could have peered + into the dark chamber where the spirit of Naomi had dwelt seventeen years + in silence, he would have seen that, dear as the child was to the father, + still dearer and more needful was the father to the child. Since her + mother left her he had been eyes of her eyes and ears of her ears, + touching her hand for assent, patting her head for approval, and guiding + her fingers to teach them signs. + </p> + <p> + Thus Israel was more to Naomi than any father before to any daughter, more + to her than mother or sister or brother or kindred; for he was her sole + gateway to the world she lived in, the one alley whereby her spirit gazed + upon it, the key that opened the closed doors of her soul; and without him + neither could the world come in to her, nor could she go out to the world. + Soft and beautiful was the commerce between them, mute on one side of all + language save tears and kisses, like the commerce of a mother with her + first-born child, as holy in love, as sweet in mystery as pure from taint, + and as deep in tenderness. While her father was with her, then only did + Naomi seem to live, and her happy heart to be full of wonder at the + strange new things that flowed in upon it. And when he was gone from her, + she was merely a spirit barred and shut within her body's close abode, + waiting to be born anew. + </p> + <p> + When Israel made ready to go to Shawan, Naomi clung to him to hinder him, + as if remembering his long absence when he went to Fez, and connecting it + with the illness that came to her in his absence; or as seeming to see, + with those eyes that were blind to the ways of the world, what was to + befall him before he returned. He put her from him with many tender words, + and smoothed her hair and kissed her forehead, as though to chide her + while he blessed her for so much love. But her dread increased, and she + held to him like a child to its mother's robe. And at last, when he + unloosed her hands and pushed them away as if in anger, and after that + laughed lightly as if to tell her that he knew her meaning yet had no + fear, her trouble rose to a storm and she fell to a fit of weeping. + </p> + <p> + “Tut! tut! what is this?” he said. “I will be back to-morrow. Do you hear, + my child?—tomorrow! At sunset to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + When he was gone, the terror that had so suddenly possessed her seemed to + increase. Her face was red, her mouth was dry, her eyelids quivered, and + her hands were restless. If she sat she rose quickly; if she stood she + walked again more fast. Sometimes she listened with head aside, sometimes + moaned, sometimes wept outright, and sometimes she muttered to herself in + noises such as none had heard from her lips before. + </p> + <p> + The bondwomen could find no-way to comfort her. Indeed, the trouble of her + heart took hold of them. When she plucked Fatimah by the gown, and with + her blind eyes, that were also wet, seemed to look sadly into the black + woman's face, as if asking for her father, like a dog for its master that + is dead, Fatimah shed tears as well, partly in pity of her fears, and + partly in terror of the unknown troubles still to come which God Himself + might have revealed to her. + </p> + <p> + “Alas! little dumb soul, what is to happen now?” cried Fatimah. + </p> + <p> + “Alack! girl,” said Habeebah, “the maid is sickening again.” + </p> + <p> + And this was all that the good souls could make of her restless agitation. + She slept that night from sheer exhaustion, a deep lethargic slumber, + apparently broken once or twice by troubled dreams. When she awoke in the + morning at the first sound of the voice of the mooddin, the evil dreams + seemed to be with her still. She appeared to be moving along in them like + one spell-bound by a great dread that she could not utter, as if she were + living through a nightmare of the day. Then long hour followed long hour, + but the inquietude of her mood did not abate. Her bosom heaved, her throat + throbbed, her excitement became hysterical. Sometimes she broke into wild, + inarticulate shouts, and sometimes the black women could have believed, in + spite of knowledge and reason, that she was muttering and speaking words, + though with a wild disorder of utterance. + </p> + <p> + At last the day waned and the sun went down. Naomi seemed to know when + this occurred, for she could scent the cool air. Then, with a fresh + intentness, she listened to the footsteps outside, and, having listened, + her trouble increased. What did Naomi hear? The black women could hear + nothing save the common sounds of the streets—the shouts of children + at play, the calls of women, the cries of the mule-drivers, and now and + again the piercing shrieks of a black story-teller from the town of the + Moors—only this varied flow of voices, and under it the indistinct + murmur of multitudinous life coming and going on every side. + </p> + <p> + Did other sounds come to Naomi's ears? Was her spiritual power, which was + unclogged by any grosser sense than that of hearing, conscious of some + terrible undertone of impending trouble? Or was her disquietude no more + than recollection of her father's promise to be back at sunset, and mere + anxiety for his return? Fatimah and Habeebah knew nothing and saw nothing. + All that they could do was to wring their hands. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Naomi's agitation became yet more restless, and nothing would + serve her at last but that she should go out into the streets. And the + black women, seeing her so steadfastly minded, and being affected by her + fears, made her ready, and themselves as well, and then all three went out + together. + </p> + <p> + “Where are we going?” said Habeebah. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, how should I know?” said Fatimah. + </p> + <p> + “We are fools,” said Habeebah. + </p> + <p> + It was now an hour after sunset, the light was fading, and the traffic was + sinking down. Only at the gate of the Mellah, which, contrary to custom, + had not yet been closed, was the throng still dense. A group of Jews stood + under it in earnest and passionate talk. There was a strange and bodeful + silence on every side. The coffee-house of the Moors beyond the gate was + already lit up, and the door was open, but the floor was empty. No + snake-charmers, no jugglers, no story-tellers, with their circles of + squatting spectators, were to be seen or heard. These professors of + science and magic and jocularity had never before been absent. Even the + blind beggars, crouching under the town walls, were silent. But out of the + mosques there came a deep low chant as of many voices, from great numbers + gathered within. + </p> + <p> + “The girl was right,” said Fatimah; “something has happened.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” said Habeebah. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, how should I know that either?” said Fatimah. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you we are a pair of fools,” said Habeebah. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Naomi held their hands, and they must needs follow where she led. + Her body was between them; they were borne along by her feeble frame as by + an irresistible force. And pitiful it would have seemed, and perhaps + foolish also, if any human eye had seen them then, these helpless children + of God, going whither they knew not and wherefore they knew not, save that + a fear that was like to madness drew them on. + </p> + <p> + “Listen! I hear something,” said Fatimah. + </p> + <p> + “Where?” said Habeebah. + </p> + <p> + “The way we are going,” said Fatimah. + </p> + <p> + On and on Naomi passed from street to street. They were the same streets + whereby she had returned to her father's house on the day that her goat + was slain. Never since then had she trodden them, but she neither altered + not turned aside to the right or the left, but made straight forward, + until she came to the Sok el Foki, and to the place where the goat had + fallen before the foaming jaws of the dog from the Mukabar. Then she could + go no farther. + </p> + <p> + “Holy saints, what is this?” cried Habeebah. + </p> + <p> + “Didn't I tell you—the girl heard something?” said Fatimah. + </p> + <p> + “God's face shine on us,” said Habeebah. “What is all this crowd?” + </p> + <p> + An immense throng covered the upper half of the market-square, and + overflowed into the streets and arched alleys leading to the Kasbah. It + was not a close and dense crowd of white-hooded forms such as gathered on + that spot on market morning—a seething, steaming, moving mass of + haiks and jellabs and Maghribi blankets, with here and there a bare shaven + head and plaited crown-lock—but a great crowd of dark figures in + black gowns and skull-caps. The assemblage was of Jews only—Jews of + every age and class and condition, from the comely young Jewish butcher in + his blood-stained rags to the toothless old Jewish banker with gold braid + on his new kaftan. + </p> + <p> + They were gathered together to consider the posture of affairs in regard + to the plague of locusts. Hence the Moorish officials had suffered them to + remain outside the walls of their Mellah after sunset. Some of the Moors + themselves stood aside and watched, but at a distance, leaving a vacant + space to denote the distinction between them. The scribes sat in their + open booths, pretending to read their Koran or to write with their reed + pens; the gunsmiths stood at their shop-doors; and the country Berbers, + crowded out of their usual camping ground on the Sok, squatted on the + vacant spots adjacent. All looked on eagerly, but apparently impassively, + at the vast company of Jews. + </p> + <p> + And so great was the concourse of these people, and so wild their + commotion, that they were like nothing else but a sea-broken by + tempestuous winds. The market-place rang as a vault with the sounds of + their voices, their harsh cries, their protests, their pleadings, their + entreaties, and all the fury of their brazen throats. And out of their + loud uproar one name above all other names rose in the air on every side. + It was the name of Israel ben Oliel. Against him they were breathing out + threats, foretelling imminent dangers from the hand of man, and predicting + fresh judgments from God. There was no evil which had befallen him early + or late but they were remembering it, and reckoning it up and rejoicing in + it. And there was no evil which had befallen themselves but they were + laying it to his charge. + </p> + <p> + Yesterday, when they passed through the town in their procession of + penance, following their Grand Rabbi as he walked abreast of the Imam, + that they might call on God to destroy the eggs of the locust, they had + expected the heavens to open over their heads, and to feel the rain fall + instantly. The heavens had not opened, the rain had not fallen, the thick + hot cake as of baked air had continued to hang and to palpitate in the + sky, and the fierce sun had beaten down as before on the parched and + scorching earth. Seeing this, as their petitions ended, while the Muslims + went back to their houses, disappointed but resigned, and muttering to + themselves, “It is written,” they had returned to their synagogues, + convinced that the plague was a judgment, and resolved, like the sailors + of the ship going down to Tarshish, to cast lots and to know for whose + cause the evil was upon them. + </p> + <p> + They were more than a hundred and twenty families, and had thought they + were therefore entitled to elect a Synhedrin. This was in defiance of + ceremonial law, for they knew full well that the formation of a Synhedrin + and the right to try a capital charge had long been forbidden. But they + were face to face with death, and hence the anachronism had been adopted, + and they had fallen back on the custom of their fathers. So + three-and-twenty judges they had appointed, without usurers, or + slave-dealers, or gamblers, or aged men or childless ones. + </p> + <p> + The judges had sat in session the same night, and their judgment had been + unanimous. The lot of Jonah had fallen on Israel. He had sold himself to + their masters and enemies, the Moors, against the hope and interest of his + own people; he had driven some of the sons of his race and nation into + exile in distant cities; he had brought others to the Kasbah, and yet + others to death: he was a man at open enmity with God, and God had given + him, as a mark of His displeasure, a child who was cursed with devils, a + daughter who had been born blind and dumb and deaf, and was still without + sight and speech. + </p> + <p> + Could the hand of God's anger be more plain if it were printed in fire + upon the sky? Israel was the evil one for whose sin they suffered this + devastating plague. The Lord was rebuking them for sparing him, even as He + had rebuked Saul for sparing the king and cattle of the Amalekites. + Seventeen years and more he had been among them without being of them, + never entering a synagogue, never observing a fast, never joining in a + feast. Not until their judgment went out against him would God's anger be + appeased. Let them cut him off from the children of his race, and the + blessed rain would fall from heaven, and the thirsty earth would drink it, + and the eggs of the locust would be destroyed. But let them put off any + longer their rightful task and duty before God and before the people, and + their evil time would soon come. Within eight-and-twenty days the eggs + would be hatched, and within eight-and-forty other days the young locust + would have wings. Before the end of those seventy-and-six days the harvest + of wheat and barley would be yellow to the scythe and ripe for the + granary, but the locust would cover the face of the earth, and there would + be no grain to gather. The scythe would be idle, the granaries would be + empty, the tillers of the ground would come hungry into the markets, and + they themselves that were town-dwellers and tradesmen would be perishing + for bread, both they and their children with them. + </p> + <p> + Thus in Israel's absence, while he was away at Shawan, the + three-and-twenty judges of the new Synhedrin of Tetuan had—contrary + to Jewish custom—tried and convicted him. God would not let them + perish for this man's life, and neither would He charge them with his + blood. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, judges though they were, they could not kill him. They could + only appeal against him to the Kaid. And what could they say? That the + Lord had sent this plague of locusts in punishment of Israel's sin? Ben + Aboo would laugh in their faces and answer them, “It is written.” That to + appease God's wrath it was expedient that this Jew should die? Convince + the Muslim that a Jew had brought this desolation upon the land of the + Shereefs, and he would arise, and his soldiers with him, and the whole + community of the Jewish people would be destroyed. + </p> + <p> + The judges had laid their heads together. It was idle to appeal to Ben + Aboo against Israel on any ground of belief. Nay, it was more than idle, + for it was dangerous. There was nothing in common between his faith and + their own. His God was not their God, save in name only. The one was + Allah, great, stern, relentless, inexorable, not to be moved striding on + to an inevitable end, heedless of man and trampling upon him—though + sometimes mocked with the names of the Compassionate and the Merciful. But + the other was Jehovah, the father of His people Israel, caring for them, + upholding them, guiding the world for them, conquering for them; but + visiting His anger upon them when they fell away from Him. + </p> + <p> + The three-and-twenty judges in session in the synagogue up the narrow lane + of the Sok el Foki had sat far into the night, with the light of the + oil-lamps gleaming on their perplexed and ashen faces. Some other ground + of appeal against Israel had to be found, and they could not find it. At + length they had remembered that, by ancient law and custom the trial of an + Israelite, for life or death, must end an hour after sunset. Also they had + been reminded that the day that heard the evidence in a capital case must + not be the same whereon the verdict was pronounced. So they had broken up + and returned home. And, going out at the gate, they had told the crowds + that waited there that judgment had fallen upon Israel ben Oliel, but that + his doom could not be made known until sunset on the following day. + </p> + <p> + That time was now come. In eagerness and impatience, in hot blood and + anger, the people had gathered in the Sok three hours after midday. The + Judges had reassembled in the synagogue in the early morning. They had not + broken bread since yesterday, for the day that condemned a son of Israel + to death must be a fast-day to his judges. + </p> + <p> + As the afternoon wore on, the doors of the synagogue were thrown open. The + sentence was not ready yet, but the judges in council were near to their + decision. At the open door the reader of the synagogue had stationed + himself, holding a flag in his hand. Under the gate of the Mellah a second + messenger was standing, so placed that he could see the movement of the + flag. If the flag fell, the sentence would be “death,” and the man under + the gate would carry the tidings to the people gathered in the + market-place. Then the three-and-twenty judges would come in procession + and tell what steps had been taken that the doom pronounced might be + carried into effect. + </p> + <p> + Amid all their loud uproar, and notwithstanding the wild anger which + seemed to consume them, the people turned at intervals of a few minutes to + glance back towards the Mellah gate. + </p> + <p> + If the angels were looking down, surely it was a pitiful sight—these + children of Zion in a strange land, where they were held as dogs and + vermin and human scavengers to the Muslim; thinking and speaking and + acting as their fathers had done any time for five thousand years before; + again judging it expedient that one man should die rather than the whole + people be brought to destruction; again probing their crafty heads, if not + their hearts, for an artifice whereby their scapegoat might be killed by + the hand of their enemy; children indeed, for all that some of their heads + were bald, and some of their beards were grizzled, and some of their faces + were wrinkled and hard and fierce; little children of God writhing in the + grip of their great trouble. + </p> + <p> + Such was the scene to which Naomi had come, and such had been the doings + of the town since the hour when her father left her. What hand had led + her? What power had taught her? Was it merely that her far-reaching ears + had heard the tumult? Had some unknown sense, groping in darkness, filled + her with a vague terror, too indefinite to be called a thought, of great + and impending evil? Or was it some other influence, some higher leading? + Was it that the Lord was in His heaven that night as always, and that when + the two black bondwomen in their helpless fear were following the blind + maiden through the darkening streets she in her turn was following God? + </p> + <p> + When Fatimah and Habeebah saw what it was to which Naomi had led them, + though they were sorely concerned at it, yet they were relieved as well, + and put by the worst of the fears with which her strange behaviour had + infected them. And remembering that she was the daughter of Israel, and + they were his servants, and neither thinking themselves safe from danger + if they stayed any longer where his name was bandied about as a reproach, + nor fully knowing how many of the curses that were heaped upon him found a + way to Naomi's mind, they were for turning again and going back to the + house. + </p> + <p> + “Come,” said Habeebah; “let us go—we are not safe.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Fatimah; “let us take the poor child back.” + </p> + <p> + “Come along, then,” said Habeebah, and she laid hold of Naomi's hand. + </p> + <p> + “Naomi, Naomi,” whispered Fatimah in the girl's ear, “we are going home. + Come, dearest, come.” + </p> + <p> + But Naomi was not to be moved. No gentle voice availed to stir her. She + stood where she had placed herself on the outskirts of the crowd, + motionless save for her heaving bosom and trembling limbs, and silent save + for her loud breathing and the low muttering of her pale lips, yet + listening eagerly with her neck outstretched. + </p> + <p> + And if, as she listened, any human eye could have looked in on her dumb + and imprisoned soul, the tumult it would have seen must have been + terrible. For, though no one knew it as a certainty, yet in her darkness + and muteness since the coming of her gift of hearing she had been learning + speech and the different voices of men. All that was spoken in that crowd + she understood, and never a word escaped her, and what others saw she + felt, only nearer and more terrible, because wrapped in the darkness + outside her eyes that were blind. + </p> + <p> + First there came a lull in the general clamour, and then a coarse, + jarring, stridulous voice rose in the air. Naomi knew whose voice it was—it + was the voice of old Abraham Pigman, the usurer. + </p> + <p> + “Brothers of Tetuan,” the old man cried, “what are we waiting for? For the + verdict of the judges? Who wants their verdict? There is only one thing to + do. Let us ask the Kaid to remove this man. The Kaid is a humane master. + If he has sometimes worked wrong by us, he has been driven to do that + which in his soul he abhors. Let us go to him and say: 'Lord Basha, + through five-and-twenty years this man of our people has stood over us to + oppress us, and your servants have suffered and been silent. In that time + we have seen the seed of Israel hunted from the houses of their fathers + where they have lived since their birth. We have seen them buffeted and + smitten, without a resting-place for the soles of their feet, and + perishing in hunger and thirst and nakedness and the want of all things. + Is this to your honour, or your glory, or your profit?'” + </p> + <p> + The people broke into loud cries of approval, and when they were once more + silent, the thick voice went on: “And not the seed of Israel only, but the + sons of Islam also, has this man plunged in the depths of misery. Under a + Sultan who desires liberty and a Kaid who loves justice, in a land that + breathes freedom and a city that is favoured of God, our brethren the + Muslimeen sink with us in deep mire where there is no standing. Every day + brings to both its burden of fresh sorrow. At this moment a plague is upon + us. The country is bare; the town is overflowing; every man stumbles over + his fellow our lives hang in doubt; in the morning we say 'Would it were + evening'; in the evening we say, 'Would it were morning'; stretch out your + hand and help us!” + </p> + <p> + Again the crowd burst into shouts of assent, and the stridulous voice + continued: “Let us say to him 'Lord Basha, there is no way of help but + one. Pluck down this man that is set over us. He belongs to our own race + and nation; but give us a master of any other race and nation; any Moor, + any Arab, any Berber, any negro; only take back this man of our own + people, and your servants will bless you.'” + </p> + <p> + The old man's voice was drowned in great shouts of “Ben Aboo!” “To Ben + Aboo!” “Why wait for the judges?” “To the Kasbah!” “The Kasbah!” + </p> + <p> + But a second voice came piercing through the boom and clash of those waves + of sound, and it was thin and shrill as the cry of a pea-hen. Naomi knew + this voice also—it was the voice of Judah ben Lolo, the elder of the + synagogue, who would have been sitting among the three-and-twenty-judges + but that he was a usurer also. + </p> + <p> + “Why go to the Kaid?” said the voice like a peahen. “Does the Basha love + this Israel ben Oliel? Has he of late given many signs of such affection? + Bethink you, brothers, and act wisely! Would not Ben Aboo be glad to have + done with this servant who has been so long his master? Then why trouble + him with your grievance? Act for yourselves, and the Kaid will thank you! + And well may this Israel ben Oliel praise the Lord and worship Him, that + He has not put it into the hearts of His people to play the game of + breaker of tyrants by the spilling of blood, as the races around them, the + Arabs and the Berbers, who are of a temper more warm by nature, must long + ago have done, and that not unjustly either, or altogether to the + displeasure of a Kaid who is good and humane and merciful, and has never + loved that his poor people should be oppressed.” + </p> + <p> + At this word, though it made pretence to commend the temperance of the + crowd, the fury broke out more loudly than before. “Away with the man!” + “Away with him!” rang out on every side in countless voices, husky and + clear, gruff and sharp, piping and deep. Not a voice of them all called + for mercy or for patience. + </p> + <p> + While the anger of the people surged and broke in the air, a third voice + came through the tumult, and Naomi knew it, for it was the harsh voice of + Reuben Maliki, the silversmith and keeper of the poor-box. + </p> + <p> + “And does God,” said Reuben, “any more than Ben Aboo—blessings on + his life!—love that His people should be oppressed? How has He dealt + with this Israel ben Oliel? Does He stand steadfastly beside him, or has + His hand gone out against him? Since the day he came here, five-and-twenty + years ago, has God saved him or smitten him? Remember Ruth, his wife, how + she died young! Remember her father, our old Grand Rabbi, David ben Ohana, + how the hand of the Lord fell upon him on the night of the day whereon his + daughter was married! Remember this girl Naomi, this offspring of sin, + this accursed and afflicted one, still blind and speechless!” + </p> + <p> + Then the voices of the crowd came to Naomi's ears like the neigh of a + breathless horse. Fatimah had laid hold of her gown and was whispering. + “Come! Let us away!” But Naomi only clutched her hand and trembled. + </p> + <p> + The harsh voice of Reuben Maliki rose in the air again. “Do you say that + the Lord gave him riches? Behold him!—he swallowed them down, but + has he not vomited them up? Examine him!—that which he took by + extortions has he not been made to restore? Does God's anger smoke against + him? Answer me, yes or no!” + </p> + <p> + Like a bolt out of the sky there came a great shout of “Yes!” And + instantly afterwards, from another direction, there came a fourth voice, a + peevish, tremulous voice, the voice of an old woman. Naomi knew it—it + was the voice of Rebecca Bensabott, ninety-and-odd years of age, and still + deaf as a stone. + </p> + <p> + “Tut! What is all this talking about?” she snapped and grunted. “Reuben + Maliki, save your wind for your widows—you don't give them too much + of it. And, Abraham Pigman, go home to your money-bags. I am an old fool, + am I? Well, I've the more right to speak plain. What are we waiting here + for? The judges? Pooh! The sentence? Fiddle-faddle! It is Israel ben + Oliel, isn't it? Then stone him! What are you afraid of? The Kaid? He'll + laugh in your faces. A blood-feud? Who is to wage it? A ransom? Who is to + ask for it? Only this mute, this Naomi, and you'll have to work her a + miracle and find her a tongue first. Out on you! Men? Pshaw! You are + children!” + </p> + <p> + The people laughed—it was the hard, grating, hollow laugh that sets + the teeth on edge behind the lips that utter it. Instantly the voices of + the crowd broke up into a discordant clangour, like to the + counter-currents of an angry sea. “She's right,” said a shrill voice. “He + deserves it,” snuffled a nasal one. “At least let us drive him out of the + town,” said a third gruff voice. “To his house!” cried a fourth voice, + that pealed over all. “To his house!” came then from countless hungry + throats. + </p> + <p> + “Come, let us go,” whispered Fatimah to Naomi, and again she laid hold of + her arm to force her away. But Naomi shook off her hand, and muttered + strange sounds to herself. + </p> + <p> + “To his house! Sack it! Drive the tyrant out!” the people howled in a + hundred rasping voices; but, before any one had stirred, a man riding a + mule had forced his way into the middle of the crowd. + </p> + <p> + It was the messenger from under the Mellah gate. In their new frenzy the + people had forgotten him. He had come to make known the decision of the + Synhedrin. The flag had fallen; the sentence was death. + </p> + <p> + Hearing this doom, the people heard no more, and neither did they wait for + the procession of the judges, that they might learn of the means whereby + they, who were not masters in their own house, might carry the sentence + into effect. The procession was even then forming. It was coming out of + the synagogue; it was passing under the gate of the Mellah; it was + approaching the Sok el Foki. The Rabbis walked in front of it. At its tail + came four Moors with shamefaced looks. They were the soldiers and + muleteers whom Israel had hired when he set out on his pilgrimage to that + enemy of all Kaids and Bashas, Mohammed of Mequinez. By-and-by they were + to betray him to Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + But no one saw either Rabbis or Moors. The people were twisting and + turning like worms on an upturned turf. “Why sack his house?” cried some. + “Why drive him out?” cried others. “A poor revenge!” “Kill him!” “Kill + him!” + </p> + <p> + At the sound of that word, never before spoken, though every ear had + waited for it, the shouts of the crowd rose to madness. But suddenly in + the midst of the wild vociferations there was a shrill cry of “He is + there!” and then there was a great silence. + </p> + <p> + It was Israel himself. He was coming afoot down the lane under the town + walls from the gate called the Bab Toot, where the road comes in from + Shawan. At fifty paces behind him Ali, the black boy, was riding one mule + and leading another. + </p> + <p> + He was returning from the prison, and thinking how the poor followers of + Absalam, after he had fed them of his poverty, had blest him out of their + dry throats, saying, “May the God of Jacob bless you also, brother!” and + “May the child of your wife be blessed!” Ah! those blessings, he could + hear them still! They followed him as he walked. He did not fly from them + any longer, for they sang in his ears and were like music in his melted + soul. Once before he had heard such music. It was in England. The organ + swelled and the voices rose, and he was a lonely boy, for his mother lay + in her grave at his feet. His mother! How strangely his heart was softened + towards himself and-all the world And Ruth! He could think of nothing + without tenderness. And Naomi! Ah! the sun was nigh two hours down, and + Naomi would be waiting for him at home, for she was as one that had no + life without his presence. What would befall if he were taken from her? + That thought was like the sweeping of a dead hand across his face. So his + body stooped as he walked with his staff, and his head was held down, and + his step was heavy. + </p> + <p> + Thus the old lion came on to the market-place, where the people were + gathered together as wolves to devour him. On he came, seeing nothing and + hearing nothing and fearing nothing, and in the silence of the first + surprise at sight of him his footsteps were heard on the stones. + </p> + <p> + Naomi heard them. + </p> + <p> + Then it seemed to Naomi's ears that a voice fell, as it were, out of the + air, crying, “God has given him into our hands!” After that all sounds + seemed to Naomi to fade far-away, and to come to her muffled and stifled + by the distance. + </p> + <p> + But with a loud shout, as if it had been a shout out of one great throat, + the crowd encompassed Israel crying, “Kill him!” Israel stopped, and + lifted his heavy face upon the people; but neither did he cry out nor make + any struggle for his life. He stood erect and silent in their midst, and + massive and square. His brave bearing did not break their fury. They fell + upon him, a hundred hands together. One struck at his face, another tore + at his long grey hair, and a third thrust him down on to his knees. + </p> + <p> + No one had yet observed on the outer rim of the crowd the pale slight girl + that stood there—blind, dumb, powerless, frail, and so softly + beautiful—a waif on the margin of a tempestuous sea. Through the + thick barriers of Naomi's senses everything was coming to her ugly and + terrible. Her father was there! They were tearing him to pieces! + </p> + <p> + Suddenly she was gone from the side of the two black women. Like a flash + of light she had passed through the bellowing throng. She had thrust + herself between the people and her father, who was on the ground: she was + standing over him with both arms upraised, and at that instant God loosed + her tongue, for she was crying, “Mercy! Mercy!” + </p> + <p> + Then the crowd fell back in great fear. The dumb had spoken. No man dared + to touch Israel any more. The hands that had been lifted against him + dropped back useless, and a wide circle formed around him. In the midst of + it stood Naomi. Her blind face quivered; she seemed to glow like a spirit. + And like a spirit she had driven back the people from their deed of blood + as with the voice of God—she, the blind, the frail, the helpless. + </p> + <p> + Israel rose to his feet, for no man touched him again, and the procession + of judges, which had now come up, was silent. And, seeing how it was that + in the hour of his great need the gift of speech had come upon Naomi, his + heart rose big within him, and he tried to triumph over his enemies and + say, “You thought God's arm was against me, but behold how God has saved + me out of your hands.” + </p> + <p> + But he could not speak. The dumbness that had fallen from his daughter + seemed to have dropped upon him. + </p> + <p> + At that moment Naomi turned to him and said, “Father!” + </p> + <p> + Then the cup of Israel's heart was full. His throat choked him. So he took + her by the hand in silence and down a long alley of the people they passed + through the Mellah gate and went home to their house. Her eyes were to the + earth, and she wept as she walked; but his face was lifted up, and his + tears and his blood ran down his cheeks together. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> + <h3> + NAOMI'S BLINDNESS + </h3> + <p> + Although Naomi, in her darkness and muteness since the coming of her gift + of hearing, had learned to know and understand the different tongues of + men, yet now that she tried to call forth words for herself, and to put + out her own voice in the use of them, she was no more than a child + untaught in the ways of speech. She tripped and stammered and broke down, + and had to learn to speak as any helpless little one must do, only + quicker, because her need was greater, and better, because she was a girl + and not a babe. And, perceiving her own awkwardness, and thinking shame of + it, and being abashed by the patient waiting of her father when she halted + in her talk with him, and still more humbled by Ali's impetuous help when + she miscalled her syllables, she fell back again on silence. + </p> + <p> + Hardly could she be got to speak at all. For some days after the night + when her emancipated tongue had rescued Israel from his enemies on the + Sok, she seemed to say nothing beyond “Yes” and “No,” notwithstanding + Ali's eager questions, and Fatimah's tearful blessings, and Habeebah's + breathless invocations, and also notwithstanding the hunger and thirst of + the heart of her father, who, remembering with many throbs of joy the + voice that he heard with his dreaming ears when he slept on the straw bed + of the poor fondak at Wazzan, would have given worlds of gold, if he had + possessed them still, to hear it constantly with his waking ears. + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, little one; come, come, speak to us, only speak,” Israel + would say. + </p> + <p> + His appeals were useless. Naomi would smile and hang her sunny head, and + lift her father's hairy hand to her cheek, and say nothing. + </p> + <p> + But just about a week later a beautiful thing occurred. Israel was + returning to the Mellah after one of his secret excursions in the poor + quarter of the Bab Ramooz, where he had spent the remainder of the money + which old Reuben had paid him for the casket of his wife's jewels. The + night was warm, the moon shone with steady lustre, and the stars were + almost obliterated as separate lights by a luminous silvery haze. It was + late, very late, and far and near the town was still. + </p> + <p> + With his innocent disguise, his Moorish jellab, hung over his arm, Israel + had passed the Mellah gate, being the only Jew who was allowed to cross it + after sunset. He was feeling happy as he walked home through the sleeping + streets, with his black shadow going in front. The magic of the summer + night possessed him, and his soul was full of joy. + </p> + <p> + All his misgivings had fallen away. The coming to Naomi of the gift of + speech had seemed to banish from his mind the dark spirit of the past. He + had no heart for reprisals upon the enemies who had sought to kill him. + Without that blind effort on their part, perhaps his great blessing had + not come to pass. Man's extremity had indeed been God's opportunity and + Ruth's vision was all but realised. + </p> + <p> + Ah, Ruth! Ruth! It had escaped Israel's notice until then that he had been + thinking of his dead wife the whole night through. When he put it to + himself so, he saw the reason of it at once. It was because there was a + sort of secret charm in the certainty that where she was she must surely + know that her dream was come true. There was also a kind of bitter pathos + in the regret that she was only an angel now and not a woman; therefore + she could not be with him to share his human joy. + </p> + <p> + As he walked through the Mellah, Israel thought of her again: how she had + sung by the cradle to her babe that could not hear. Sung? Yes, he could + almost fancy that he heard her singing yet. That voice so soft, so clear + even in its whispers—there had been nothing like it in all the + world. And her songs! Israel could also fancy that he heard her favourite + one. It was a song of love, a pure but passionate melody wherein his own + delicious happiness in the earlier days, before the death of the old Grand + Rabbi, had seemed to speak and sing. + </p> + <p> + Israel began to laugh at himself as he walked. To think that the warmth + and softness of the night, the sweet caressing night, the light and beauty + of the moon and the stillness and slumber of the town, could betray an old + fellow into forgotten dreams like these! + </p> + <p> + He had taken out of his pocket the big key of the clamped door to his + house, and was crossing the shadowed lane in front of it, when suddenly he + thought he heard music coating in the air above him. He stopped and + listened. Then he had no longer any doubt. It was music, it was singing; + he knew the song, and he knew the voice. The song was the song he had been + thinking of, and the voice was the voice of Ruth. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + O where is Love? + Where, where is Love? + Is it of heavenly birth? + Is it a thing of earth? + Where, where is Love? +</pre> + <p> + Israel felt himself rooted to the spot, and he stood some time without + stirring. He looked around. All else was still. The night was as silent as + death. He listened attentively. The singing seemed to come from his own + house. Then he thought he must be dreaming still, and he took a step + forward. But he stopped again and covered both his ears. That was of no + avail, for when he removed his hands the voice was there as before. + </p> + <p> + A shiver ran over his limbs, yet he could not believe what his soul was + saying. The key dropped out of his hand and rang on the stone. When the + clangour was done the voice continued. Israel bethought him then that his + household must be asleep, and it flashed on his mind that if this were a + human voice the singing ought to awaken them. Just at that moment the + night guard went by and saluted him. “God bless your morning!” the guard + cried; and Israel answered, “Your morning be blessed!” That was all. The + guard seemed to have heard nothing. His footsteps were dying away, but the + voice went on. + </p> + <p> + Then a strange emotion filled Israel's heart, and he reflected that even + if it were Ruth she could have come on no evil errand. That thought gave + him courage, and he pushed forward to the door. As he fumbled the key into + the lock he saw that a beggar was crouching by the doorway in the shadow + cast by the moonlight. The man was asleep. Israel could hear his + breathing, and smell his rags. Also he could hear the thud of his own + temples like the beating of a drum in his brain. + </p> + <p> + At length, as he was groping feebly through the crooked passage, a new + thought came to him. “Naomi,” he told himself in a whisper of awe. It was + she. By the full flood of the moonlight in the patio he saw her. She was + on the balcony. Her beautiful white-robed figure was half sitting on the + rail, half leaning against the pillar. The whole lustre of the moon was + upon her. A look of joy beamed on her face. She was singing her mother's + song with her mother's voice, and all the air, and the sky, and the quiet + white town seemed to listen:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Within my heart a voice + Bids earth and heaven rejoice + Sings—“Love, great Love + O come and claim shine own, + O come and take thy throne + Reign ever and alone, + Reign, glorious golden Love.” + </pre> + <p> + Then Israel's fear was turned to rapture. Why had he not thought of this + before? Yet how could he have thought of it? He had never once heard + Naomi's voice save in the utterance of single words. But again, why had he + not remembered that before the tongues of children can speak words of + their own they sing the words of others? + </p> + <p> + The singing ended, and then Israel, struggling with his dry throat, + stepped a pace forward—his foot grated on the pavement—and he + called to the singer— + </p> + <p> + “Naomi!” + </p> + <p> + The girl bent forward, as if peering down into the darkness below, but + Israel could see that her fixed eyes were blind. + </p> + <p> + “My father!” she whispered. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you learn it?” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “Fatimah, she taught me,” Naomi answered; and then she added quickly, as + if with great but childlike pride, saying what she did not mean, “Oh yes, + it was I! Was I not beautiful?” + </p> + <p> + After that night Naomi's shyness of speech dropped away from her, and what + was left was only a sweet maidenly unconsciousness of all faults and + failings, with a soft and playful lisp that ran in and out among the + simple words that fell from her red lips like a young squirrel among the + fallen leaves of autumn. It would be a long task to tell how her lisping + tongue turned everything then to favour and to prettiness. On the coming + of the gift of hearing, the world had first spoken to her; and now, on the + coming of the gift of speech, she herself was first speaking to the world. + What did she tell it at that first sweet greeting? She told it what she + had been thinking of it in those mute days that were gone, when she had + neither hearing nor speech, but was in the land of silence as well as in + the land of night. + </p> + <p> + The fancies of the blind maid so long shut up within the beautiful casket + of her body were strange and touching ones. Israel took delight in them at + the beginning. He loved to probe the dark places of the mind they came + from, thinking God Himself must surely have illumined it at some time with + a light that no man knew, so startling were some of Naomi's replies, so + tender and so beautiful. + </p> + <p> + One evening, not long after she had first spoken, he was sitting with her + on the roof of their house as the sun was going down over the palpitating + plains towards Arzila and Laraiche and the great sea beyond. Twilight was + gathering in the Feddan under the Mosque, and the last light of day, which + had parleyed longest with the snowy heights of the Reef Mountains, was + glowing only on the sky above them. + </p> + <p> + “Sweetheart,” said Israel, “what is the sun?” + </p> + <p> + “The sun is a fire in the sky,” Naomi answered; “my Father lights it every + morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Truly, little one, thy Father lights it,” said Israel; “thy Father which + is in heaven.” + </p> + <p> + “Sweetheart,” he said again, “what is darkness?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, darkness is cold,” said Naomi promptly, and she seemed to shiver. + </p> + <p> + “Then the light must be warmth, little one?” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and noise,” she answered; and then she added quickly, “Light is + alive.” + </p> + <p> + Saying this, she crept closer to his side, and knelt there, and by her old + trick of love she took his hand in both of hers, and pressed it against + her cheek, and then, lifting her sweet face with its motionless eyes she + began to tell him in her broken words and pretty lisp what she thought of + night. In the night the world, and everything in it, was cold and quiet. + That was death. The angels of God came to the world in the day. But God + Himself came in the night, because He loved silence, and because all the + world was dead. Then He kissed things, and in the morning all that God had + kissed came to life again. If you were to get up early you would feel + God's kiss on the flowers and on the grass. And that was why the birds + were singing then. God had kissed them in the night, and they were glad. + </p> + <p> + One day Israel took Naomi to the mearrah of the Jews, the little cemetery + outside the town walls where he had buried Ruth. And there he told her of + her mother once more; that she was in the grave, but also with God; that + she was dead, but still alive; that Naomi must not expect to find her in + that place, but, nevertheless, that she would see her yet again. + </p> + <p> + “Do you remember her, Naomi?” he said. “Do you remember her in the old + days, the old dark and silent days? Not Fatimah, and not Habeebah, but + some one who was nearer to you than either, and loved you better than + both; some one who had soft hands, and smooth cheeks, and long, silken, + wavy hair—do you remember, little one?” + </p> + <p> + “Y-es, I think—I <i>think</i> I remember,” said Naomi. + </p> + <p> + “That was your mother, my darling.” + </p> + <p> + “My mother?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you don't know what a mother is, sweetheart. How should you? And how + shall I tell you? Listen. She is the one who loves you first and last and + always. When you are a babe she suckles you and nourishes you and fondles + you, and watches for the first light of your smile, and listens for the + first accent of your tongue. When you are a young child she plays with + you, and sings to you, and tells you little stories, and teaches you to + speak. Your smile is more bright to her than sunshine, and your childish + lisp more sweet than music. If you are sick she is beside you constantly, + and when you are well she is behind you still. Though you sin and fall and + all men spurn you, yet she clings to you; and if you do well and God + prospers you, there is no joy like her joy. Her love never changes, for it + is a fount which the cold winds of the world cannot freeze. . . . And if + you are a little helpless girl—blind and deaf and dumb maybe—then + she loves you best of all. She cannot tell you stories, and she cannot + sing to you, because you cannot hear; she cannot smile into your eyes, + because you cannot see; she cannot talk to you, because you cannot speak; + but she can watch your quiet face, and feel the touch of your little + fingers and hear the sound of your merry laughter.” + </p> + <p> + “My mother! my mother!” whispered Naomi to herself, as if in awe. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Israel, “your mother was like that, Naomi, long ago, in the + days before your great gifts came to you. But she is gone, she has left + us, she could not stay; she is dead, and only from the blue mountains of + memory can she smile back upon us now.” + </p> + <p> + Naomi could not understand, but her fixed blue eyes filled with tears, and + she said abruptly, “People who die are deceitful. They want to go out in + the night to be with God. That is where they are when they go away. They + are wandering about the world when it is dead.” + </p> + <p> + The same night Naomi was missed out of the house, and for many hours no + search availed to find her. She was not in the Mellah, and therefore she + must have passed into the Moorish town before the gates closed at sunset. + Neither was she to be seen in the Feddan or at the Kasbah, or among the + Arabs who sat in the red glow of the fires that burnt before their tents. + At last Israel bethought him of the mearrah, and there he found her. It + was dark, and the lonesome place was silent. The reflection of the lights + of the town rose into the sky above it, and the distant hum of voices came + over the black town walls. And there, within the straggling hedge of + prickly pear, among the long white stones that lay like sheep asleep among + the grass, Naomi in her double darkness, the darkness of the night and of + her blindness was running to and fro, and crying, “Mother! Mother!” + </p> + <p> + Fatimah took her the four miles to Marteel, that the breath of the sea + might bring colour to her cheeks, which had been whitened by the heat and + fumes of the town. The day was soft and beautiful, the water was quiet, + and only a gentle wind came creeping over it. But Naomi listened to every + sound with eager intentness—the light plash of the blue wavelets + that washed to her feet, the ripple of their crests when the Levanter + chased them and caught them, the dip of the oars of the boatman, the + rattle of the anchor-chains of ships in the bay, and the fierce + vociferations of the negroes who waded up to their waists to unload the + cargoes. + </p> + <p> + And when she came home, and took her old place at her father's knees, with + his hand between hers pressed close against her cheek, she told him + another sweet and startling story. There was only one thing in the world + that did not die at night, and it was water. That was because water was + the way from heaven to earth. It went up into the mountains and over them + into the air until it was lost in the clouds. And God and His angels came + and went on the water between heaven and earth. That was why it was always + moving and never sleeping, and had no night and no day. And the angels + were always singing. That was why the waters were always making a noise, + and were never silent like the grass. Sometimes their song was joyful, and + sometimes it was sad, and sometimes the evil spirits were struggling with + the angels, and that was when the waters were terrible. Every time the sea + made a little noise on the shore, an angel had stepped on to the earth. + The angel was glad. + </p> + <p> + Israel had begun to listen to Naomi's fancies with a doubting heart. Where + had they come from? Was it his duty to wipe out these beautiful + dream-stories of the maid born blind and newly come upon the joy of + hearing with his own sadder tales of what the world was and what life was, + and death and heaven? The question was soon decided for him. + </p> + <p> + Two days after Naomi had been taken to Marteel she was missed again. + Israel hurried away to the sea, and there he came upon her. Alone, without + help, she had found a boat on the beach and had pushed off on to the + water. It was a double-pronged boat, light as a nutshell, made of ribs of + rush, covered with camel-skin, and lined with bark. In this frail craft + she was afloat, and already far out in the bay not rowing, but sitting + quietly, and drifting away with the ebbing tide. The wind was rising, and + the line of the foreshore beyond the boat was white with breakers. Israel + put off after her and rescued her. The motionless eyes began to fill when + she heard his voice. + </p> + <p> + “My darling, my darling!” cried Israel; “where did you think you were + going?” + </p> + <p> + “To heaven,” she answered. + </p> + <p> + And truly she had all but gone there. + </p> + <p> + Israel had no choice left to him now. He must sadden the heart of this + creature of joy that he might keep her body safe from peril. Naomi was no + more than a little child, swayed by her impulses alone, but in more danger + from herself than any child before her, because deprived of two of her + senses until she had grown to be a maid, and no control could be imposed + upon her. + </p> + <p> + At length Israel nerved himself to his bitter task; and one evening while + Naomi sat with him on the roof while the sun was setting, and there were + noises in the streets below of the Jewish people shuffling back into the + Mellah, he told her that she was blind. The word made no impression upon + her mind at first. She had heard it before, and it had passed her by like + a sound that she did not know. She had been born blind, and therefore + could not realise what it was to see. To open a way for the awful truth + was difficult, and Israel's heart smote him while he persisted. Naomi + laughed as he put his fingers over her eyes that he might show her. She + laughed again when he asked if she could see the people whom she could + only hear. And once more she laughed when the sun had gone down, and the + mooddin had come out on the Grand Mosque in the Metamar, and he asked if + she could see the old blind man in the minaret, where he was crying, “God + is great! God is great!” + </p> + <p> + “Can you see him, little one?” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “See him?” said Naomi; “why yes, you dear old father, of course I can see + him. Listen,” she cried, ceasing her laughter, lifting one finger, and + holding her head aslant, “listen: God is great! God is great! There—I + saw him then.” + </p> + <p> + “That is only hearing him, Naomi—hearing him with your ears—with + this ear and with this. But can you see him, sweetheart?” + </p> + <p> + Did her father mean to ask her if she could <i>feel</i> the mooddin in his + minaret far above them? Once more she laid her head aslant. There was a + pause, and then she cried impulsively— + </p> + <p> + “Oh, <i>I</i> know. But, you foolish old father, how <i>can</i> I? He is + too far away.” + </p> + <p> + Then she flung her arms about Israel's neck and kissed him. + </p> + <p> + “There,” she cried, in a tone of one who settles differences, “I have seen + my <i>father</i> anyway.” + </p> + <p> + It was hard to check her merriment, but Israel had to do it. He told her, + with many throbs in his throat, that she was not like other maidens—not + like her father, or Ali, or Fatimah, or Habeebah; that she was a being + afflicted of God; that there was something she had not got, something she + could not do, a world she did not know, and had never yet so much as + dreamt of. Darkness was more than cold and quiet, and light was more than + warmth and noise. The one was day—day ruled by the fiery sun in the + sky—and the other was night, lit by the pale moon and the bright + stars in heaven. And the face of man and the eyes of woman were more than + features to feel—they were spirit and soul, to watch and to follow + and to love without any hand being near them. + </p> + <p> + “There is a great world about you, little one,” he said, “which you have + never seen, though you can hear it and feel it and speak to it. Yes, it is + true, Naomi, it is true. You have never seen the mountains and the + dangerous gullies on their rocky sides. You have never seen the mighty + deep, and the storms that heave and swell in it. You have never seen man + or woman or child. Is that very strange, little one? Listen: your mother + died nine years ago, and you had never seen her. Your father is holding + your head in his hands at this moment, but you have never seen his face. + And if the dark curtains were to fall from your eyes, and you were to see + him now, you would not know him from another man, or from woman, or from a + tree. You are blind, Naomi, you are blind.” + </p> + <p> + Naomi listened intently. Her cheeks twitched, her fingers rested nervously + on her dress at her bosom, and her eyes grew large and solemn, and then + filled with tears. Israel's throat swelled. To tell her of all this, + though he must needs do it for her safety, was like reproaching her with + her infirmity. But it was only the trouble in her father's voice that had + found its way to the sealed chamber of Naomi's mind. The awful and + crushing truth of her blindness came later to her consciousness, probed in + and thrust home by a frailer and lighter hand. + </p> + <p> + She had always loved little children, and since the coming of her hearing + she had loved them more than ever. Their lisping tongues, their pretty + broken speech, their simple words, their childish thoughts, all fitted + with her own needs, for she was nothing but a child herself, though grown + to be a lovely maid. And of all children those she loved best were not the + children of the Jews, nor yet the children of the Moorish townsfolk, but + the ragged, barefoot, black and olive-skinned mites who came into Tetuan + with the country Arabs and Berbers on market mornings. They were simplest, + their little tongues were liveliest, and they were most full of joy and + wonder. So she would gather them up in twos and threes and fours, on + Wednesdays and Sundays, from the mouths of their tents on the Feddan, and + carry them home by the hand. + </p> + <p> + And there, in the patio, Ali had hung a swing of hempen rope, suspended + from a bar thrown from parapet to parapet, and on this Naomi would sport + with her little ones. She would be swinging in the midst of them, with one + tiny black maiden on the seat beside her, and one little black man with + high stomach and shaven poll holding on to the rope behind her, and + another mighty Moor in a diminutive white jellab pushing at their feet in + front, and all laughing together, or the children singing as the swing + rose, and she herself listening with head aslant and all her fair hair + rip-rip-rippling down her back and over her neck, and her smiling white + face resting on her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + It was a beautiful scene of sunny happiness, but out of it came the first + great shadow of the blind girl's life. For it chanced one day that one of + the children—a tiny creature with a slice of the woman in her—brought + a present for Naomi out of her mother's market-basket. It was a flower, + but of a strange kind, that grew only in the distant mountains where lay + the little black one's home. Naomi passed her fingers over it, and she did + not know it. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “It's blue,” said the child. + </p> + <p> + “What is blue?” said Naomi + </p> + <p> + “Blue—don't you know?—blue!” said the child. + </p> + <p> + “But what is blue?” Naomi asked again, holding the flower in her restless + fingers. + </p> + <p> + “Why, dear me! can't you see?—blue—the flower, you know,” said + the child, in her artless way. + </p> + <p> + Ali was standing by at the time, and he thought to come to Naomi's relief. + “Blue is a colour,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “A colour?” said Naomi. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, like—like the sea,” he added. + </p> + <p> + “The sea? Blue? How?” Naomi asked. + </p> + <p> + Ali tried again. “Like the sky,” he said simply. + </p> + <p> + Naomi's face looked perplexed. “And what is the sky like?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + At that moment her beautiful face was turned towards Ali's face, and her + great motionless blue orbs seemed to gaze into his eyes. The lad was + pressed hard, and he could not keep back the answer that leapt up to his + tongue. “Like,” he said—“like—” + </p> + <p> + “Well?” + </p> + <p> + “Like your own eyes, Naomi.” + </p> + <p> + By the old habit of her nervous fingers, she covered her eyes with her + hands, as if the sense of touch would teach her what her other senses + could not tell. But the solemn mystery had dawned on her mind at last: + that she was unlike others; that she was lacking something that every one + else possessed; that the little children who played with her knew what she + could never know; that she was infirm, afflicted, cut off; that there was + a strange and lovely and lightsome world lying round about her, where + every one else might sport and find delight, but that her spirit could not + enter it, because she was shut off from it by the great hand of God. + </p> + <p> + From that time forward everything seemed to remind her of her affliction, + and she heard its baneful voice at all times. Even her dreams, though they + had no visions, were full of voices that told of them. If a bird sang in + the air above her, she lifted her sightless eyes. If she walked in the + town on market morning and heard the din of traffic—the cries of the + dealers, the “Balak!” of the camel-men, the “Arrah!” of the muleteers, and + the twanging ginbri of the story-tellers—she sighed and dropped her + head into her breast. Listening to the wind, she asked if it had eyes or + was sightless; and hearing of the mountains that their snowy heads rose + into the clouds, she inquired if they were blind, and if they ever talked + together in the sky. + </p> + <p> + But at the awful revelation of her blindness she ceased to be a child, and + became a woman. In the week thereafter she had learned more of the world + than in all the years of her life before. She was no longer a restless + gleam of sunlight, a reckless spirit of joy, but a weak, patient, blind + maiden, conscious of her great infirmity, humbled by it, and thinking + shame of it. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon, deserting the swing in the patio, she went out with the + children into the fields. The day was hot, and they wandered far down the + banks and dry bed of the Marteel. And as they ran and raced, the little + black people plucked the wild flowers, and called to the cattle and the + sheep and the dogs, and whistled to the linnets that whistled to their + young. + </p> + <p> + Thus the hours went on unheeded. The afternoon passed into evening, the + evening into twilight, the twilight into early night. Then the air grew + empty like a vault, and a solemn quiet fell upon the children, and they + crept to Naomi's side in fear, and took her hands and clung to her gown. + She turned back towards the town, and as they walked in the double silence + of their own hushed tongues and the songless and voiceless world, the + fingers of the little ones closed tightly upon her own. + </p> + <p> + Then the children cried in terror, “See!” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” said Naomi. + </p> + <p> + The little ones could not tell her. It was only the noiseless summer + lightning, but the children had never seen it before. With broad white + flashes it lit up the land as far as from the bed of the river in the + valley to the white peaks of the mountains. At every flash the little + people shrieked in their fear, and there was no one there to comfort them + save Naomi only, and she was blind and could not see what they saw. With + helpless hands she held to their hands and hurried home, over the + darkening fields, through the palpitating sheets of dazzling light, + leading on, yet seeing nothing. + </p> + <p> + But Israel saw Naomi's shame. The blindness which was a sense of + humiliation to her became a sense of burning wrong to him. He had asked + God to give her speech, and had promised to be satisfied. “Give her + speech, O Lord,” he had cried, “speech that shall lift her above the + creatures of the field, speech whereby alone she may ask and know.” But + what was speech without sight to her who had always been blind? What was + all the world to one who had never seen it? Only as Paradise is to Man, + who can but idly dream of its glories. + </p> + <p> + Israel took back his prayer. There were things to know that words could + never tell. Now was Naomi blind for the first time, being no longer dumb. + “Give her sight, O Lord,” he cried; “open her eyes that she may see; let + her look on Thy beautiful world and know it! Then shall her life be safe, + and her heart be happy, and her soul be Thine, and Thy servant at last be + satisfied!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> + <h3> + ISRAEL'S GREAT RESOLVE + </h3> + <p> + It was six-and-twenty days since the night of the meeting on the Sok, and + no rain had yet fallen. The eggs of the locust might be hatched at any + time. Then the wingless creatures would rise on the face of the earth like + snow, and the poor lean stalks of wheat and barley that were coming green + out of the ground would wither before them. The country people were in + despair. They were all but stripped of their cattle; they had no milk; and + they came afoot to the market. Death seemed to look them in the face. + Neither in the mosques nor in the synagogues did they offer petitions to + God for rain. They had long ceased their prayers. Only in the Feddan at + the mouths of their tents did they lift up their heavy eyes to the hot + haze of the pitiless sky and mutter, “It is written!” + </p> + <p> + Israel was busy with other matters. During these six-and-twenty days he + had been asking himself what it was right and needful that he should do. + He had concluded at length that it was his duty to give up the office he + held under the Kaid. No longer could he serve two masters. Too long had he + held to the one, thinking that by recompense and restitution, by fair + dealing and even-handed justice, he might atone to the other. Recompense + was a mockery of the sufferings which had led to death; restitution was no + longer possible—his own purse being empty—without robbery of + the treasury of his master; fair dealing and even justice were a vain hope + in Barbary, where every man who held office, from the heartless Sultan in + his hareem to the pert Mut'hasseb in the market, must be only as a human + torture-jellab, made and designed to squeeze the life-blood out of the man + beneath him. + </p> + <p> + To endure any longer the taunts and laughter of Ben Aboo was impossible, + and to resist the covetous importunities of his Spanish woman, Katrina, + was a waste of shame and spirit. Besides, and above all, Israel remembered + that God had given him grace in the sacrifices which he had made already. + Twice had God rewarded him, in the mercy He had shown to Naomi, for + putting by the pomp and circumstance of the world. Would His great hand be + idle now—now when he most needed its mighty and miraculous power + when Naomi, being conscious of her blindness, was mourning and crying for + sweet sight of the world and he himself was about to put under his feet + the last of his possessions that separated him from other men—his + office that he wrought for in the early days with sweat of brow and blood, + and held on to in the later days through evil report and hatred, that he + might conquer the fate that had first beaten him down! + </p> + <p> + Israel was in the way of bribing God again, forgetting, in the heat of his + desire, the shame of his journey to Shawan. He made his preparations, and + they were few. His money was gone already, and so were his dead wife's + jewels. He had determined that he would keep his house, if only as a + shelter to Naomi (for he owed something to her material comfort as well as + her spiritual welfare), but that its furniture and belongings were more + luxurious than their necessity would require or altered state allow. + </p> + <p> + So he sold to a Jewish merchant in the Mellah the couches and great chairs + which he had bought out of England, as well as the carpets from Rabat, the + silken hangings from Fez, and the purple canopies from Morocco city. When + these were gone, and nothing remained but the simple rugs and mattresses + which are all that the house of a poor man needs in that land where the + skies are kind, he called his servants to him as he sat in the patio—Ali + as well as the two bondwomen—for he had decided that he must part + with them also, and they must go their ways. + </p> + <p> + “My good people,” he said, “you have been true and faithful servants to me + this many a year—you, Fatimah, and you also, Habeebah, since before + the days when my wife came to me—and you too, Ali, my lad, since you + grew to be big and helpful. Little I thought to part with you until my + good time should come; but my life in our poor Barbary is over already, + and to-morrow I shall be less than the least of all men in Tetuan. So this + is what I have concluded to do. You, Fatimah, and you, Habeebah, being + given to me as bondwomen by the Kaid in the old days when my power, which + now is little and of no moment, was great and necessary—you belong + to me. Well, I give you your liberty. Your papers are in the name of Ben + Aboo, and I have sealed them with his seal—that is the last use but + one that I shall put it to. Here they are, both of them. Take them to the + Kadi after prayers in the morning, and he will ratify your title. Then you + will be free women for ever after.” + </p> + <p> + The black women had more than once broken in upon Israel's words with + exclamations of surprise and consternation. “Allah!” “Bismillah!” “Holy + Saints!” “By the beard of the Prophet!” And when at length he put the + deeds of emancipation into their hands they fell into loud fits of + hysterical weeping. + </p> + <p> + “As for you, Ali, my son,” Israel continued, “I cannot give you your + freedom, for you are a freeman born. You have been a son to me these + fourteen years. I have another task for you—a perilous task, a + solemn duty—and when it is done I shall see you no more. My brave + boy, you will go far, but I do not fear for you. When you are gone I shall + think of you; and if you should sometimes think of your old master who + could not keep you, we may not always be apart.” + </p> + <p> + The lad had listened to these words in blank bewilderment. That strange + disasters had of late befallen their household was an idea that had forced + itself upon his unwilling mind. But that Israel, the greatest, noblest, + mightiest man in the world—let the dogs of rasping Jews and the + scurvy hounds of Moors yelp and bark as they would—should fall to be + less than the least in Tetuan, and, having fallen that he should send him + away—him, Ali, his boy whom he had brought up, Naomi's old + playfellow—Allah! Allah! in the name of the merciful God, what did + his master mean? + </p> + <p> + Ali's big eyes began to fill, and great beads rolled down his black + cheeks. Then, recovering his speech he blurted out that he would not go. + He would follow his father and serve him until the end of his life. What + did he want with wages? Who asked for any? No going his ways for him! A + pretty thing, wasn't it, that he should go off, and never see his father + again, no, nor Naomi—Naomi—that-that—but God would show! + God would show! + </p> + <p> + And, following Ali's lead, Fatimah stepped up to Israel and offered her + paper back. “Take it,” she said; “I don't want any liberty. I've got + liberty enough as I am. And here—here,” fumbling in her waistband + and bringing out a knitted purse; “I would have offered it before, only I + thought shame. My wages? Yes. You've paid us wages these nine years, + haven't you; and what right had we to any, being slaves? You will not take + it, my lord? Well, then, my dear master, if I must go, if I must leave + you, take my papers and sell me to some one. I shall not care, and you + have a right to do it. Perhaps I'll get another good master—who + knows?” + </p> + <p> + Her brows had been knitted, and she had tried to look stern and angry, but + suddenly her cheeks were a flood of tears. + </p> + <p> + “I'm a fool!” she cried. “I'll never get a good master again; but if I get + a bad one, and he beats me, I'll not mind, for I'll think of you, and my + precious jewel of gold and silver, my pretty gazelle, Naomi—Allah + preserve her!—that you took my money, and I'm bearing it for both of + you, as we might say—working for you—night and day—night + and day—” + </p> + <p> + Israel could endure no more. He rose up and fled out of the patio into his + own room, to bury his swimming face. But his soul was big and triumphant. + Let the world call him by what names it would—tyrant, traitor, + outcast pariah—there were simple hearts that loved and honoured him—ay, + honoured him—and they were the hearts that knew him best. + </p> + <p> + The perilous task reserved for Ali was to go to Shawan and to liberate the + followers of Absalam, who, less happy than their leader, whose strong soul + was at rest, were still in prison without abatement of the miseries they + lay under. He was to do this by power of a warrant addressed to the Kaid + of Shawan and drawn under the seal of the Kaid of Tetuan. Israel had drawn + it, and sealed it also, without the knowledge or sanction of Ben Aboo; + for, knowing what manner of man Ben Aboo was, and knowing Katrina also, + and the sway she held over him, and thinking it useless to attempt to move + either to mercy, he had determined to make this last use of his office, at + all risks and hazards. + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo might never hear that the people were at large, for Ali was to + forbid them to return to Tetuan, and Shawan was sixty weary miles away. + And if he ever did hear, Israel himself would be there to bear the brunt + of his displeasure, but Ali the instrument of his design, must be far + away. For when the gates of the prison had been opened, and the prisoners + had gone free, Ali was neither to come back to Tetuan nor to remain in + Morocco, but with the money that Israel gave him out of the last wreck of + his fortune he was to make haste to Gibraltar by way of Ceuta, and not to + consider his life safe until he had set foot in England. + </p> + <p> + “England!” cried Ali. “But they are all white men there.” + </p> + <p> + “White-hearted men, my lad,” said Israel; “and a Jewish man may find rest + for the sole of his foot among them.” + </p> + <p> + That same day the black boy bade farewell to Israel and to Naomi. He was + leaving them for ever, and he was broken-hearted. Israel was his father, + Naomi was his sister, and never again should he set his eyes on either. + But in the pride of his perilous mission he bore himself bravely. + </p> + <p> + “Well, good-night,” he said, taking Naomi's hand, but not looking into her + blind face. + </p> + <p> + “Good-night,” she answered, and then, after a moment, she flung her arms + about his neck and kissed him. He laughed lightly, and turned to Israel. + </p> + <p> + “Good-night, father,” he said in a shrill voice. + </p> + <p> + “A safe journey to you, my son,” said Israel; “and may you do all my + errands.” + </p> + <p> + “God burn my great-grandfather if I do not!” said Ali stoutly. + </p> + <p> + But with that word of his country his brave bearing at length broke down, + and drawing Israel aside, that Naomi might not hear, he whispered, sobbing + and stammering, “When—when I am gone, don't, don't tell her that I + was black.” + </p> + <p> + Then in an instant he fled away. + </p> + <p> + “In peace!” cried Israel after him. “In peace! my brave boy, simple, + noble, loyal heart!” + </p> + <p> + Next morning Israel, leaving Naomi at home, set off for the Kasbah, that + he might carry out his great resolve to give up the office he held under + the Kaid. And as he passed through the streets his head was held up, and + he walked proudly. A great burden had fallen from him, and his spirit was + light. The people bent their heads before him as he passed, and scowled at + him when he was gone by. The beggars lying at the gate of the Mosque spat + over their fingers behind his back, and muttered “Bismillah! In the name + of God!” A negro farmer in the Feddan, who was bent double over a hoof as + he was shoeing a bony and scabby mule, lifted his ugly face, bathed in + sweat, and grinned at Israel as he went along. A group of Reefians, dirty + and lean and hollow-eyed, feeding their gaunt donkeys, and glancing + anxiously at the sky over the heads of the mountains, snarled like dogs as + he strode through their midst. The sky was overcast, and the heads of the + mountains were capped with mist. “Balak!” sounded in Israel's ears from + every side. “Arrah!” came constantly at his heels. A sweet-seller with his + wooden tray swung in front of him, crying, “Sweets, all sweets, O my lord + Edrees, sweets, all sweets,” changed the name of the patron saint of + candies, and cried, “Sweets, all sweets, O my lord Israel, sweets, all + sweets!” The girl selling clay peered up impudently into Israel's eyes, + and the oven-boy, answering the loud knocking of the bodiless female arms + thrust out at doors standing ajar, made his wordless call articulate with + a mocking echo of Israel's name. + </p> + <p> + What matter? Israel could not be wroth with the poor people. + Six-and-twenty years he had gone in and out among them as a slave. This + morning he was a free man, and to-morrow he would be one of themselves. + </p> + <p> + When he reached the Kasbah, there was something in the air about it that + brought back recollections of the day—now nearly four years past—of + the children's gathering at Katrina's festival. The lusty-lunged Arabs + squatting at the gates among soldiers in white selhams and peaked + shasheeahs the women in blankets standing in the outer court, the dark + passages smelling of damp, the gusts of heavy odour coming from the inner + chambers, and the great patio with the fountain and fig-trees—the + same voluptuous air was over everything. And as on that day so on this, in + the alcove under the horseshoe arch sat Ben Aboo and his Spanish wife. + </p> + <p> + Time had dealt with them after their kind, and the swarthy face of the + Kaid was grosser, the short curls under his turban were more grey and his + hazel eyes were now streaked and bleared, but otherwise he was the same + man as before, and Katrina also, save for the loss of some teeth of the + upper row, was the same woman. And if the children had risen up before + Israel's eyes as he stood on the threshold of the patio, he could not have + drawn his breath with more surprise than at the sight of the man who stood + that morning in their place. + </p> + <p> + It was Mohammed of Mequinez. He had come to ask for the release of the + followers of Absalam from their prison at Shawan. In defiance of courtesy + his slippers were on his feet. He was clad in a piece of untanned + camel-skin, which reached to his knees and was belted about his waist. His + head, which was bare to the sun and drooped by nature like a flower, was + held proudly up, and his wild eyes were flashing. He was not supplicating + for the deliverance of the people, but demanding it, and taxing Ben Aboo + as a tyrant to his throat. + </p> + <p> + “Give me them up, Ben Aboo,” he was saying as Israel came to the + threshold, “or, if they die in their prison, one thing I promise you.” + </p> + <p> + “And pray what is that?” said Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “That there will be a bloody inquiry after their murderer.” + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo's brows were knitted, but he only glanced at Katrina, and made + pretence to laugh, and then said, “And pray, my lord, who shall the + murderer be?” + </p> + <p> + Then Mohammed of Mequinez stretched out his hand and answered, “Yourself.” + </p> + <p> + At that word there-was silence for a moment, while Ben Aboo shifted in his + seat, and Katrina quivered beside him. + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo glanced up at Mohammed. He was Kaid, he was Basha, he was master + of all men within a circuit of thirty miles, but he was afraid of this man + whom the people called a prophet. And partly out of this fear, and partly + because he had more regard to Mohammed's courageous behaviour in thus + bearding him in his Kasbah and by the walls of his dungeons than to the + anger his hot word had caused him, Ben Aboo would have promised him at + that moment that the prisoners at Shawan should be released. + </p> + <p> + But suddenly Katrina remembered that she also had cause of indignation + against this man, for it had been rumoured of late that Mohammed had + openly denounced her marriage. + </p> + <p> + “Wait, Sidi,” she said. “Is not this the fellow that has gone up and down + your bashalic, crying out on our marriage that it was against the law of + Mohammed?” + </p> + <p> + At that Ben Aboo saw clearly that there was no escape for him, so he made + pretence to laugh again, and said, “Allah! so it is! Mohammed the Third, + eh? Son of Mequinez, God will repay you! Thanks! Thanks! You could never + think how long I've waited that I might look face to face upon the prophet + that has denounced a Kaid.” + </p> + <p> + He uttered these big words between bursts of derisive laughter, but + Mohammed struck the laughter from his lips in an instant. “Wait no longer, + O Ben Aboo,” he cried, “but look upon him now, and know that what you have + done is an unclean thing, and you shall be childless and die!” + </p> + <p> + Then Ben Aboo's passion mastered him. He rose to his feet in his anger, + and cried, “Prophet, you have destroyed yourself. Listen to me! The + turbulent dogs you plead for shall lie in their prison until they perish + of hunger and rot of their sores. By the beard of my father, I swear it!” + </p> + <p> + Mohammed did not flinch. Throwing back his head, he answered, “If I am a + prophet, O Ben Aboo hear me prophesy. Before that which you say shall come + to pass, both you and your father's house will be destroyed. Never yet did + a tyrant go happily out of the world, and you shall go out of it like a + dog.” + </p> + <p> + Then Katrina also rose to her feet, and, calling to a group of barefooted + Arab soldiers that stood near, she cried, “Take him! He will escape!” + </p> + <p> + But the soldiers did not move, and Ben Aboo fell back on his seat, and + Mohammed, fearing nothing, spoke again. + </p> + <p> + “In a vision of last night I saw you, O Ben Aboo and for the contempt you + had cast upon our holy laws, and for the destruction you had wrought on + our poor people, the sword of vengeance had fallen upon you. And within + this very court, and on that very spot where your feet now rest, your + whole body did lie; and that woman beside you lay over you wailing and + your blood was on her face and on her hands, and only she was with you, + for all else had forsaken you—all save one, and that was your enemy, + and he had come to see you with his eyes, and to rejoice over you with his + heart, because you were fallen and dead.” + </p> + <p> + Then, in the creeping of his terror, Ben Aboo rose up again and reeled + backward and his eyes were fixed steadfastly downward at his feet where + the eyes of Mohammed had rested. It was almost as if he saw the awful + thing of which Mohammed had spoken, so strong was the power of the vision + upon him. + </p> + <p> + But recovering himself quickly, he cried, “Away! In the name of God, + away!” + </p> + <p> + “I will go,” said Mohammed; “and beware what you do while I am gone.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you threaten me?” cried Ben Aboo. “Will you go to the Sultan? Will you + appeal to Abd er-Rahman?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Ben Aboo; but to God.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, Mohammed of Mequinez strode out of the place, for no man + hindered him. Then Ben Aboo sank back on to his seat as one that was + speechless, and nothing had the crimson on his body availed him, or the + silver on his breast, against that simple man in camel-skin, who owned + nothing and asked nothing, and feared neither Kaid nor King. + </p> + <p> + When Ben Aboo had regained himself, he saw Israel standing at the doorway, + and he beckoned to him with the downward motion, which is the Moorish + manner. And rising on his quaking limbs he took him aside and said, “I + know this fellow. Ya Allah! Allah! For all his vaunts and visions he has + gone to Abd er-Rahman. God will show! God will show! I dare not take him! + Abd er-Rahman uses him to spy and pry on his Bashas! Camel-skin coat? + Allah! a fine disguise! Bismillah! Bismillah!” + </p> + <p> + Then, looking back at the place where Mohammed in the vision saw his body + lie outstretched, he dropped his voice to a whisper, and said, “Listen! + You have my seal?” + </p> + <p> + Israel without a word, put his hand into the pocket of his waistband, and + drew out the seal of Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “Right! Now hear me, in the name of the merciful God. Do not liberate + these infidel dogs at Shawan and do not give them so much as bread to eat + or water to drink, but let such as own them feed them. And if ever the + thing of which that fellow has spoken should come to pass—do you + hear?—in the hour wherein it befalls—Allah preserve me!—in + that hour draw a warrant on the Kaid of Shawan and seal it with my seal—are + you listening?—a warrant to put every man, woman, and child to the + sword. Ya Allah! Allah! We will deal with these spies of Abd er-Rahman! So + shall there be mourning at my burial—Holy Saints! Holy Saints!—mourning, + I say, among them that look for joy at my death.” + </p> + <p> + Thus in a quaking voice, sometimes whispering, and again breaking into + loud exclamations, Ben Aboo in his terror poured his broken words into + Israel's ear. + </p> + <p> + Israel made no answer. His eyes had become dim—he scarcely saw the + walls of the place wherein they stood. His ears had become dense—he + scarcely heard the voice of Ben Aboo, though the Kaid's hot breath was + beating upon his cheek. But through the haze he saw the shadow of one + figure tramping furiously to and fro, and through the thick air the voice + of another figure came muffled and harsh. For Katrina, having chased away + with smiles the evil looks of Ben Aboo, had turned to Israel and was + saying— + </p> + <p> + “What is this I hear of your beautiful daughter—this Naomi of yours—that + she has recovered her speech and hearing! When did that happen, pray? No + answer? Ah, I see, you are tired of the deception. You kept it up well + between you. But is she still blind? So? Dear me! Blind, poor child. Think + of it!” + </p> + <p> + Israel neither answered nor looked up, but stood motionless on the same + place, holding the seal in his hand. And Ben Aboo, in his restless + tramping up and down, came to him again, and said, “Why are you a Jew, + Israel ben Oliel? The dogs of your people hate you. Witness to the + Prophet! Resign yourself! Turn Muslim, man—what's to hinder you?” + </p> + <p> + Still Israel made no reply. But Ben Aboo continued: “Listen! The people + about me are in the pay of the Sultan, and after all you are the best + servant I have ever had. Say the Kelmah, and I'll make you my Khaleefa. Do + you hear?—my Khaleefa, with power equal to my own. Man, why don't + you speak? Are you grown stupid of late as well as weak and womanish?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII + </h2> + <h3> + THE LIGHT-BORN MESSENGER + </h3> + <p> + “Basha,” said Israel—he spoke slowly and quietly; but with forced + calmness—“Basha, you must seek another hand for work like that—this + hand of mine shall never seal that warrant.” + </p> + <p> + “Tut, man!” whispered Ben Aboo. “Do your new measles break out everywhere? + Am I not Kaid? Can I not make you my Khaleefa?” + </p> + <p> + Israel's face was worn and pale, but his eye burned with the fire of his + great resolve. + </p> + <p> + “Basha,” he said again calmly and quietly, “if you were Sultan and could + make me your Vizier, I would not do it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” cried Ben Aboo; “why? why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because,” said Israel, “I am here to deliver up your seal to you.” + </p> + <p> + “You? Grace of God!” cried Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “I am here,” continued Israel, as calmly as before, “to resign my office.” + </p> + <p> + “Resign your office? Deliver up your seal?” cried Ben Aboo. “Man, man, are + you mad?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Basha, not to-day,” said Israel quietly. “I must have been that when + I came here first, five-and-twenty years ago.” + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo gnawed his lip and scowled darkly, and in the flush of his anger, + his consternation being over, he would have fallen upon Israel with + torrents of abuse, but that he was smitten suddenly by a new and terrible + thought. Quivering and trembling, and muttering short prayers under his + breath, he recoiled from the place where Israel stood, and said, “There is + something under all this? What is it? Let me think! Let me think!” + </p> + <p> + Meantime the face of Katrina beneath its covering of paint had grown + white, and in scarcely smothered tones of wrath, by the swift instinct of + a suspicious nature, she was asking herself the same question, “What does + it mean? What does it mean?” + </p> + <p> + In another moment Ben Aboo had read the riddle his own way. “Wait!” he + cried, looking vainly for help and answer into the faces of his people + about him. “Who said that when he was away from Tetuan he went to Fez? The + Sultan was there then. He had just come up from Soos. That's it! I knew + it! The man is like all the rest of them. Abd er-Rahman has bought him. + Allah! Allah! What have I done that every soul that eats my bread should + spy and pry on me?” + </p> + <p> + Satisfied with this explanation of Israel's conduct, Ben Aboo waited for + no further assurance, but fell to a wild outburst of mingled prayers and + protests. “O Giver of Good to all! O Creator! It is Abd er-Rahman again. + Ya Allah! Ya Allah! Or else his rapacious satellites—his thieves, + his robbers, his cut-throats! That bloated Vizier! That leprous Naib + es-Sultan! Oh, I know them. Bismillah! They want to fleece me. They want + to squeeze me of my little wealth—my just savings—my hard + earnings after my long service. Curse them! Curse their relations! O + Merciful! O Compassionate! They'll call it arrears of taxes. But no, by + the beard of my father, no! Not one feels shall they have if I die for it. + I'm an old soldier—they shall torture me. Yes, the bastinado, the + jellab—but I'll stand firm! Allah! Allah! Bismillah! Why does Abd + er-Rahman hate me? It's because I'm his brother—that's it, that's + it! But I've never risen against him. Never, never! I've paid him all! + All! I tell you I've paid everything. I've got nothing left. You know it + yourself, Israel, you know it.” + </p> + <p> + Thus, in the crawling of his fear he cried with maudlin tears, pleaded and + entreated and threatened fumbling meantime the beads of his rosary and + tramping nervously to and fro about the patio until he drew up at length, + with a supplicating look, face to face with Israel. And if anything had + been needed to fix Israel to his purpose of withdrawing for ever from the + service of Ben Aboo, he must have found it in this pitiful spectacle of + the Kaid's abject terror, his quick suspicion, his base disloyalty, and + rancorous hatred of his own master, the Sultan. + </p> + <p> + But, struggling to suppress his contempt, Israel said, speaking as slowly + and calmly as at first, “Basha, have no fear; I have not sold myself to + Abd er-Rahman. It is true that I was at Fez—but not to see the + Sultan. I have never seen him. I am not his spy. He knows nothing of me. I + know nothing of him, and what I am doing now is being done for myself + alone.” + </p> + <p> + Hearing this, and believing it, for, liars and prevaricators as were the + other men about him, Israel had never yet deceived him, Ben Aboo made what + poor shift he could to cover his shame at the sorry weakness he had just + betrayed. And first he gazed in a sort of stupor into Israel's steadfast + face; and then he dropped his evil eyes, and laughed in scorn of his own + words, as if trying to carry them off by a silly show of braggadocio, and + to make believe that they had been no more than a humorous pretence, and + that no man would be so simple as to think he had truly meant them. But, + after this mockery, he turned to Israel again, and, being relieved of his + fears, he fell back to his savage mood once more, without disguise and + without shame. + </p> + <p> + “And pray, sir,” said he, with a ghastly smile, “what riches have you + gathered that you are at last content to hoard no more?” + </p> + <p> + “None,” said Israel shortly. + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo laughed lustily, and exchanged looks of obvious meaning with + Katrina. + </p> + <p> + “And pray, again,” he said, with a curl of the lip, “without office and + without riches how may you hope to live?” + </p> + <p> + “As a poor man among poor men,” said Israel, “serving God and trusting to + His mercy.” + </p> + <p> + Again Ben Aboo laughed hoarsely, and Katrina joined him, but Israel stood + quiet and silent, and gave no sign. + </p> + <p> + “Serving God is hard bread,” said Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “Serving the devil is crust!” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + At that answer, though neither by look nor gesture had Israel pointed it, + the face of Ben Aboo became suddenly discoloured and stern. + </p> + <p> + “Allah! What do you mean?” he cried. “Who are you that you dare wag your + insolent tongue at me?” + </p> + <p> + “I am your scapegoat, Basha,” said Israel, with an awful calm—“your + scapegoat, who bears your iniquities before the eyes of your people. Your + scapegoat, who sins against them and oppresses them and brings them by + bitter tortures to the dust and death. That's what I am, Basha, and have + long been, shame upon me! And while I am down yonder in the streets among + your people—hated, reviled, despised, spat upon, cut off—you + are up here in the Kasbah above them, in honour and comfort and wealth, + and the mistaken love of all men.” + </p> + <p> + While Israel said this, Ben Aboo in his fury came down upon him from the + opposite side of the patio with a look of a beast of prey. His swarthy + cheeks were drawn hard, his little bleared eyes flashed, his heavy nose + and thick lips and massive jaw quivered visibly, and from under his turban + two locks of iron-grey fell like a shaggy mane over his ears. + </p> + <p> + But Israel did not flinch. With a look of quiet majesty, standing face to + face with the tyrant, not a foot's length between them, he spoke again and + said, “Basha, I do not envy you, but neither will I share your business + nor your rewards. I mean to be your scapegoat no more. Here is your seal. + It is red with the blood of your unhappy people through these + five-and-twenty bad years past. I can carry it no longer. Take it.” + </p> + <p> + In a tempest of wrath Ben Aboo struck the seal out of Israel's hand as he + offered it, and the silver rolled and rang on the tiled pavement of the + patio. + </p> + <p> + “Fool!” he cried. “So this is what it is! Allah! In the name of the most + merciful God, who would have believed it? Israel ben Oliel a prophet! A + prophet of the poor! O Merciful! O Compassionate!” + </p> + <p> + Thus, in his frenzy, pretending to imitate with airs of manifest mockery + his outbreak of fear a few minutes before, Ben Aboo raved and raged and + lifted his clenched fist to the sky in sham imprecation of God. + </p> + <p> + “Who said it was the Sultan?” he cried again. “He was a fool. Abd + er-Rahman? No; but Mohammed of Mequinez! Mohammed the Third! That's it! + That's it!” + </p> + <p> + So saying, and forgetting in his fury what he had said before of Mohammed + himself, he laughed wildly, and beat about the patio from side to side + like a caged and angry beast. + </p> + <p> + “And if I am a tyrant,” he said in a thick voice, “who made me so? If I + oppress the poor, who taught me the way to do it? Whose clever brain + devised new means of revenue? Ransoms, promissory notes, bonds, false + judgments—what did I know of such things? Who changed the silver + dollars at nine ducats apiece? And who bought up the debts of the people + that murmured against such robbery? Allah! Allah! Whose crafty head did + all this? Why, yours—yours—Israel ben Oliel! By the beard of + the Prophet, I swear it!” + </p> + <p> + Israel stood unmoved, and when these reproaches were hurled at him, he + answered calmly and sadly, “God's ways are not our ways, neither are His + thoughts our thoughts. He works His own will, and we are but His + ministers. I thought God's justice had failed, but it has overtaken + myself. For what I did long ago of my own free will and intention to + oppress the poor, I have suffered and still am suffering.” + </p> + <p> + All this time the Spanish wife of Ben Aboo had sat in the alcove with lips + whitening under their crimson patches of paint, beating her fan restlessly + on the empty air, and breathing rapid and audible breath. And now, at this + last word of Israel, though so sadly spoken, and so solemn in its note of + suffering, she broke into a trill of laughter, and said lightly, “Ah! I + thought your love of the poor was young. Not yet cut its teeth, poor + thing! A babe in swaddling clothes, eh? When was it born?” + </p> + <p> + “About the time that you were, madam,” said Israel, lifting his heavy eyes + upon her. + </p> + <p> + At that her lighter mood gave place to quick anger. “Husband,” she cried, + turning upon Ben Aboo with the bitterness of reproach, “I hope you now see + that I was right about this insolent old man. I told you from the first + what would come of him. But no, you would have your own foolish way. It + was easy to see that the devil's dues were in him. Yet you would not + believe me! You would believe him. Simpleton as you are, you are believing + him now! The poor? Fiddle-faddle and fiddlesticks! I tell you again this + man is trying to put his foot on your neck. How? Oh, trust him, he's got + his own schemes! Look to it, El Arby, look to it! He'll be master in + Tetuan yet!” + </p> + <p> + Saying this, she had wrought herself up to a pitch of wrath, sometimes + laughing wildly, and then speaking in a voice that was like an angry cry. + And now, rising to her feet and facing towards the Arab soldiers, who + stood aside in silence and wonder, she cried, “Arabs, Berbers, Moors, + Christians, fight as you will, follow the Basha as you may, you'll lie in + the same bed yet! But where? Under the heels of the Jew!” + </p> + <p> + A hoarse murmur ran from lip to lip among the men, and the ghostly smile + came back into the face of Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “You must be right,” he said, “you must be right! Ya Allah! Ya Allah! This + is the dog that I picked out of the mire. I found him a beggar, and I gave + him wealth. An impostor, a personator, a cheat, and I gave him place and + rank. When he had no home, I housed him, and when he could find no one to + serve him, I gave him slaves. I have banished his enemies, and imprisoned + those he hated. After his wife had died, and none came near him, and he + was left to howk out her grave with his own hands, I gave him prisoners to + bury her, and when he was done with them I set them free. All these years + I have heaped fortune upon him. Ya Allah! His master! No, but his servant, + doing his will at the lifting of his finger. And all for what? For this! + For this! For this! Ingrate!” he cried in his thick voice, turning hotly + upon Israel again, “if you must give up your seal, why should you do it + like a fool? Could you not come to me and say, 'Kaid, I am old and weary; + I am rich, and have enough; I have served you long and faithfully; let me + rest'—why not? I say, why not?” + </p> + <p> + Israel answered calmly, “Because it would have been a lie, Basha.” + </p> + <p> + “So it would,” cried Ben Aboo sharply, “so it would: you are right—it + would have been a lie, an accursed lie! But why must you come to me and + say, 'Basha, you are a tyrant, and have made me a tyrant also; you have + sucked the blood of your people, and made me to drink it.” + </p> + <p> + “Because it is true, Basha,” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + At that Ben-Aboo stopped suddenly, and his swarthy face grew hideous and + awful. Then, pointing with one shaking hand at the farther end of the + patio, he said, “There is another thing that is true. It is true that on + the other side of that wall there is a prison,” and, lifting his voice to + a shriek, he added, “you are on the edge of a gulf, Israel ben Oliel. One + step more—” + </p> + <p> + But just at that moment Israel turned full upon him, face to face, and the + threat that he was about to utter seemed to die in his stifling throat. If + only he could have provoked Israel to anger he might have had his will of + him. But that slow, impassive manner, and that worn countenance so noble + in sadness and suffering, was like a rebuke of his passion, and a retort + upon his words. + </p> + <p> + And truly it seemed to Israel that against the Basha's story of his + ingratitude he could tell a different tale. This pitiful slave of rage and + fear, this thing of rags and patches, this whining, maudlin, shrieking, + bleating, barking-creature that hurled reproaches at him, was the master + in whose service he had spent his best brain and best blood. But for the + strong hand that he had lent him, but for the cool head wherewith he had + guarded him, where would the man be now? In the dungeons of Abd er-Rahman, + having gone thither by way of the Sultan's wooden jellabs and his houses + of fierce torture. By the mind's eye Israel could see him there at that + instant—sightless, eyeless, hungry, gaunt. But no, he was still here—fat, + sleek, voluptuous, imperious. And good men lay perishing in his prisons, + and children, starved to death, lay in their graves, and he himself, his + servant and scapegoat, whose brains he had drained, whose blood he had + sweated, stood before him there like an old lion, who had been wandering + far and was beaten back by his cubs. + </p> + <p> + But what matter? He could silence the Basha with a word; yet why should he + speak it? Twenty times he had saved this man, who could neither read nor + write nor reckon figures, from the threatened penalties of the Shereefean + Court, and he could count them all up to him; yet why should he do so? + Through five-and-twenty evil years he had built up this man's house; yet + why should he boast of what was done, being done so foully? He had said + his say, and it was enough. This hour of insult and outrage had been + written on his forehead, and he must have come to it. Then courage! + courage! + </p> + <p> + “Husband,” cried the woman, showing her toothless jaw in a bitter smile to + Ben Aboo as he crossed the patio, “you must scour this vermin out of + Tetuan!” + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” he answered. “By Allah, you are right! And henceforth I + will be served by soldiers, not by scribblers.” + </p> + <p> + Then, wheeling about once more to where Israel stood, he said in a voice + of mockery, “Master, my lord, my Sultan, you came to resign your office? + But you shall do more than that. You shall resign your house as well, and + all that's in it, and leave this town as a beggar.” + </p> + <p> + Israel stood unmoved. “As you will,” he said quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Where are the two women—the slaves?” asked Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “At home,” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “They are mine, and I take them back,” said Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + Israel's face quivered, and he seemed to be about to protest, but he only + drew a longer breath, and said again, “As you will, Basha.” + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo's voice gathered vehemence at every fresh question. “Where is + your money?” he cried; “the money that you have made out of my service—out + of me—<i>my</i> money—where is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Nowhere,” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “It's a lie—another lie!” cried Ben Aboo. “Oh yes, I've heard of + your charities, master. They were meant to buy over my people, were they? + Were they? Were they, I ask?” + </p> + <p> + “So you say, Basha,” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “So I know!” cried Ben Aboo; “but all you had is not gone that way. You're + a fool, but not fool enough for that! Give up your keys—the keys of + your house!” + </p> + <p> + Israel hesitated, and then said, “Let me return for a minute—it is + all I ask.” + </p> + <p> + At that the woman laughed hysterically. “Ah! he has something left after + all!” she cried. + </p> + <p> + Israel turned his slow eyes upon her, and said, “Yes, madam, I <i>have</i> + something left—after all.” + </p> + <p> + Paying no heed to the reply, Katrina cried to Ben Aboo again, saying, “El + Arby, make him give up the key of that house. He has treasure there!” + </p> + <p> + “It is true, madam,” said Israel; “it is true that I have a treasure + there. My daughter—my little blind Naomi.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that all?” cried Katrina and Ben Aboo together. + </p> + <p> + “It is all,” said Israel, “but it is enough. Let me fetch her.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't allow it!” cried Katrina. + </p> + <p> + Israel's face betrayed feeling. He was struggling to suppress it. “Make me + homeless if you will,” he said, “turn me like a beggar out of your town, + but let me fetch my daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “She'll not thank you,” cried Katrina. + </p> + <p> + “She loves me,” said Israel, “I am growing old, I am numbering the steps + of death. I need her joyous young life beside me in my declining age. + Then, she is helpless, she is blind, she is my scapegoat, Basha, as I am + yours, and no one save her father—” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Ah! Ah!” + </p> + <p> + Israel had spoken warmly, and at the tender fibres of feeling that had + been forced out of him at last the woman was laughing derisively. “Trust + me,” she cried, “I know what daughters are. Girls like better things. No, + I'll give her what will be more to her taste. She shall stay here with + me.” + </p> + <p> + Israel drew himself up to his full height and answered, “Madam, I would + rather see her dead at my feet.” + </p> + <p> + Then Ben Aboo broke in and said, “Don't wag your tongue at your mistress, + sir.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Your</i> mistress, Basha,” said Israel; “not mine.” + </p> + <p> + At that word Katrina, with all her evil face aflame came sweeping down + upon Israel, and struck him with her fan on the forehead. He did not + flinch or speak. The blow had burst the skin, and a drop of blood trickled + over the temple on to the cheek. There was a short deep pause. + </p> + <p> + Then the hard tension of silence was broken by a faint cry. It came from + behind, from the doorway; it was the voice of a girl. + </p> + <p> + In the blank stupor of the moment, every eye being on the two that stood + in the midst, no one had observed until then that another had entered the + patio. It was Naomi. How long she had been there no one knew, and how she + had come unnoticed through the corridors out of the streets scarce any one—even + when time sufficed to arrange the scattered thoughts of the Makhazni, the + guard at the gate—could clearly tell. She stood under the arch, with + one hand at her breast, which heaved visibly with emotion, and the other + hand stretched out to touch the open iron-clamped door, as if for help and + guidance. Her head was held up, her lips were apart, and her motionless + blind eyes seemed to stare wildly. She had heard the hot words. She had + heard the sound of the blow that followed them. Her father was smitten! + Her father! Her father! It was then that she uttered the cry. All eyes + turned to her. Quaking, reeling, almost falling, she came tottering down + the patio. Soul and sense seemed to be struggling together in her blind + face. What did it all mean? What was happening? Her fixed eyes stared as + if they must burst the bonds that bound them, and look and see, and know! + </p> + <p> + At that moment God wrought a mighty work, a wondrous change, such as He + has brought to pass but twice or thrice since men were born blind into His + world of light. In an instant, at a thought, by one spontaneous flash, as + if the spirit of the girl tore down the dark curtains which had hung for + seventeen years over the windows of her eyes, Naomi saw! + </p> + <p> + They all knew it at once. It seemed to them as if every feature of the + girl's face had leapt into her eyes; as if the expression of her lips, her + brow, her nostrils, had sprung to them: as if her face, so fair before, so + full of quivering feeling, must have been nothing until then but a blank. + Nay, but they seemed to see her now for the first time. This, only this, + was she! + </p> + <p> + And to Naomi also, at that moment, it was almost as if she had been newly + born into life. She was meeting the world at last face to face, eye to + eye. Into her darkened chamber, that had never known the light, everything + had entered at a blow—the white glare of the sun, the blue sky, the + tiled patio, the faces of the Kaid and his wife and his soldiers, and of + the old man also, with the unshed tears hanging on the fringe of his + eyelid. She could not realise the marvel. She did not know what vision + was. She had not learned to see. Her trembling soul had gone out from its + dark chamber and met the mighty light in his mansion. “Oh! oh!” she cried, + and stood bewildered and helpless in the midst. The picture of the world + seemed to be falling upon her, and she covered her eyes with her hands, + that she might abolish it altogether. + </p> + <p> + Israel saw everything. “Naomi!” he cried in a choking voice, and stretched + out his hands to her. Then she uncovered her eyes, and looked, and paused + and hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “Naomi!” he cried again, and made a step towards her. She covered her eyes + once more that she might shut out the stranger they showed her, and only + listen to the voice that she knew so well. Then she staggered into her + father's arms. And Israel's heart was big, and he gathered her to his + breast, and, turning towards the woman, he said, “Madam, we are in the + hands of God. Look! See! He has sent His angel to protect His servant.” + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Ben Aboo was quaking with fear. He too, saw the finger of God in + the wondrous thing which had come to pass. And, falling back on his + maudlin mood, he muttered prayers beneath his breath, as he had done + before when the human majesty, the Sultan Abd er-Rahman, was the object of + his terror. “O Giver of good to all! What is this? Allah save us! + Bismillah! Is it Allah or the Jinoon? Merciful! Compassionate! Curses on + them both! Allah! Allah!” + </p> + <p> + The soldiers were affected by the fears of the Basha, and they huddled + together in a group. But Katrina fell to laughing. + </p> + <p> + “Brava!” she cried. “Brava! Oh! a brave imposture! What did I say long + ago? Blind? No more blind than you were! But a pretty pretence! Well + acted! Very well acted! Brava! Brava!” + </p> + <p> + Thus she laughed and mocked, and the Basha, hearing her, took shame of his + crawling fears, and made a poor show of joining her. + </p> + <p> + Israel heard them, and for a moment, seeing how they made sport of Naomi, + a fire was kindled in his anger that seemed to come up from the lowest + hell. But he fought back the passion that was mastering him, and at the + next instant the laughter had ceased, and Ben Aboo was saying— + </p> + <p> + “Guards, take both of them. Set the man on an ass, and let the girl walk + barefoot before him; and let a crier cry beside them, 'So shall it be done + to every man who is an enemy of the Kaid, and to every woman who is a + play-actor and a cheat!' Thus let them pass through the streets and + through the people until they are come to a gate of the town, and then + cast them forth from it like lepers and like dogs!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX + </h2> + <p> + THE RAINBOW SIGN + </p> + <p> + While this bad work had been going forward in the Kasbah a great blessing + had fallen on the town. The long-looked for, hoped for, prayed for—the + good and blessed rain—had come at last. In gentle drops like dew it + had at first been falling from the rack of dark cloud which had gathered + over the heads of the mountains, and now, after half an hour of such + moisture, the sky over the town was grey, and the rain was pouring down + like a flood. + </p> + <p> + Oh! the joy of it, the sweetness, the freshness, the beauty, the odour! + The air overhead, which had been dense with dust, was clearing and + whitening as if the water washed it. And the ground underfoot, which had + reeked of creeping and crawling things, was running like a wholesome + river, and bearing back to the lips a taste as of the sea. + </p> + <p> + And the people of the town, in their surprise and gladness at the falling + of the rain, had come out of their houses to meet it. The streets and the + marketplace were full of them. In childish joy they wandered up and down + in the drenching flood, without fear or thought of harm, with laughing + eyes and gleaming white teeth, holding out their palms to the rain and + drinking it. Hailing each other in the voices of boys, jesting and + shouting and singing, to and fro they went and came without aim or + direction. The Jews trooped out of the Mellah, chattering like jays, and + the Moors at the gate salaamed to them. Mule-drivers cried “Balak” in + tones that seemed to sing; gunsmiths and saddle-makers sat idle at their + doors, greeting every one that passed; solemn Talebs stood in knots, with + faces that shone under the closed hoods of their dark jellabs; and the + bareheaded Berbers encamped in the market-square capered about like + flighty children, grinned like apes, fired their long guns into the air + for love of hearing the powder speak, often wept, and sometimes embraced + each other, thinking of their homes that were far away. + </p> + <p> + Now, it was just when the town was alive with this strange scene that the + procession which had been ordered by Ben Aboo came out from the Kasbah. At + the head of it walked a soldier, staff in hand and gorgeous—notwithstanding + the rain—in peaked shasheeah and crimson selham. Behind him were + four black police, and on either side of the company were two criers of + the street, each carrying a short staff festooned with strings of copper + coin, which he rattled in the air for a bell. Between these came the + victims of the Basha's order—Naomi first, barefooted, bareheaded, + stripped of all but the last garment that hid her nakedness, her head held + down, her face hidden, and her eyes closed—and Israel afterwards, + mounted on a lean and ragged ass. A further guard of black police walked + at the back of all. Thus they came down the steep arcades into the + market-square, where the greater body of the townspeople had gathered + together. + </p> + <p> + When the people saw them, they made for them, hastening in crowds from + every side of the Feddan, from every adjacent alley, every shop, tent, and + booth. And when they saw who the prisoners were they burst into loud + exclamations of surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Ya Allah! Israel the Jew!” cried the Moors. + </p> + <p> + “God of Jacob, save us! Israel ben Oliel!” cried the people of the Mellah. + </p> + <p> + “What is it? What has happened? What has befallen them?” they all asked + together. + </p> + <p> + “Balak!” cried the soldier in front, swinging his staff before him to + force a passage through the thronging multitude. “Attention! By your + leave! Away! Out of the way!” + </p> + <p> + And as they walked the criers chanted, “So shall it be done to every man + who is an enemy of the Kaid, and to every woman who is a play-actor and a + cheat.” + </p> + <p> + When the people had recovered from their consternation they began to look + black into each other's face, to mutter oaths between their teeth, and to + say in voices of no pity or rush, “He deserved it!” “Ya Allah, but he's + well served!” “Holy Saints, we knew what it would come to!” “Look at him + now!” “There he is at last!” “Brave end to all his great doings!” “Curse + him! Curse him!” + </p> + <p> + And over the muttered oaths and pitiless curses, the yelping and barking + of the cruel voices of the crowd, as the procession moved along, came + still the cry of the crier, “So shall it be done to every man who is an + enemy of the Kaid, and to every woman who is a play-actor and a cheat.” + </p> + <p> + Then the mood of the multitude changed. The people began to titter, and + after that to laugh openly. They wagged their heads at Israel; they + derided him; they made merry over his sorry plight. Where he was now he + seemed to be not so much a fallen tyrant as a silly sham and an imposture. + Look at him! Look at his bony and ragged ass! Ya Allah! To think that they + had ever been afraid of him! + </p> + <p> + As the procession crossed the market-place, a woman who was enveloped in a + blanket spat at Israel as he passed. Then it was come to the door of the + Mosque, an old man, a beggar, hobbled through the crowd and struck Israel + with the back of his hand across the face. The woman had lost her husband + and the man his son by death sentences of Ben Aboo. Israel had succoured + both when he went about on his secret excursions after nightfall in the + disguise of a Moor. + </p> + <p> + “Balak! Balak!” cried the soldier in front, and still the chant of the + crier rang out over all other noises. + </p> + <p> + At every step the throng increased. The strong and lusty bore down the + weak in the struggle to get near to the procession. Blind beggars and + feeble cripples who could not see or stir shouted hideous oaths at Israel + from the back of the crowd. + </p> + <p> + As the procession went past the gates of the Mellah, two companies came + out into the town. The one was a company of soldiers returning to the + Kasbah after sacking and wrecking Israel's house; the other was a company + of old Jews, among whom were Reuben Maliki, Abraham Pigman, and Judah ben + Lolo. At the advent of the three usurers a new impulse seized the people. + They pretended to take the procession for a triumphal progress—the + departure of a Kaid, a Shereef, a Sultan. The soldier and police fell into + the humour of the multitude. Salaams were made to Israel; selhams were + flung on the ground before the feet of Naomi. Reuben Maliki pushed through + the crowd, and walked backward, and cried, in his harsh, nasal croak— + </p> + <p> + “Brothers of Tetuan, behold your benefactor! Make way for him! Make way! + make way!” + </p> + <p> + Then there were loud guffaws, and oaths, and cries like the cry of the + hyena. Last of all, old Abraham Pigman handed over the people's heads a + huge green Spanish umbrella to a negro farrier that walked within; and the + black fellow, showing his white teeth in a wide grim, held it over + Israel's head. + </p> + <p> + Then from fifty rasping throats came mocking cries. + </p> + <p> + “God bless our Lord!” + </p> + <p> + “Saviour of his people!” + </p> + <p> + “Benefactor! King of men!” + </p> + <p> + And over and between these cries came shrieks and yells of laughter. + </p> + <p> + All this time Israel had sat motionless on his ass, neither showing + humiliation nor fear. His face was worn and ashy, but his eyes burned with + a piteous fire. He looked up and saw everything; saw himself mocked by the + soldier and the crier, insulted by the Muslimeen, derided by the Jews, + spat upon and smitten by the people whose hungry mouths he had fed with + bread. Above all, he saw Naomi going before him in her shame, and at that + sight his heart bled and his spirit burred. And, thinking that it was he + who had brought her to this ignominy, he sometimes yearned to reach her + side and whisper in her ear, and say, “Forgive me, my child, forgive me.” + But again he conquered the desire, for he remembered what God had that day + done for her; and taking it for a sign of God's pleasure, and a warranty + that he had done well, he raised his eyes on her with tears of bitter joy, + and thought, in the wild fever of his soul, “She is sharing the triumph of + my humiliation. She is walking through the mocking and jeering crowd, but + see! God Himself is walking beside her!” + </p> + <p> + The procession had now come to the walled lane to the Bab Toot, the gate + going out to Tangier and to Shawan. There the way was so narrow and the + concourse so great that for a moment the procession was brought to a + stand. Seizing this opportunity, Reuben Maliki stepped up to Israel and + said, so that all might hear, “Look at the crowds that have come out to + speed you, O saviour of your people! Look! look! We shall all remember + this day!” + </p> + <p> + “So you shall!” cried Israel. “Until your days of death you shall all + remember it!” + </p> + <p> + He had not spoken before, and some of the Moors tried to laugh at his + answer; but his voice, which was like a frenzied cry, went to the hearts + of the Jews, and many of them fell away from the crowd straightway, and + followed it no farther. It was the cry of the voice of a brother. They had + been insulting calamity itself. + </p> + <p> + “Balak!” shouted the soldier, and the crier cried once more, and the + procession moved again. + </p> + <p> + It was the hour of Israel's last temptation. Not a glance in his face + disclosed passion, but his heart was afire. The devil seemed to be jarring + at his ear, “Look! Listen! Is it for people like these that you have come + to this? Were they worth the sacrifice? You might have been rich and + great, and riding on their heads. They would have honoured you then, but + now they despise you. Fool! You have sold all and given to the poor, and + this is the end of it.” But in the throes and last gasp of his agony, + hearing his voice in his ear, and seeing Naomi going barefooted on the + stones before him, an angel seemed to come to him and whisper, “Be strong. + Only a little longer. Finish as you have begun. Well done, servant of God, + well done!” + </p> + <p> + He did not flinch, but rode on without a word or a cry. Once he lifted his + head and looked down at the steaming, gaping, grinning cauldron of faces + black and white. “O pity of men!” he thought. “What devil is tempting <i>them</i>?” + </p> + <p> + By this time the procession had come to the town walls at a point near to + the Bab Toot. No one had observed until then that the rain was no longer + falling, but now everybody was made aware of this at once by sight of a + rainbow which spanned the sky to the north-west immediately over the arch + of the gate. + </p> + <p> + Israel saw the rainbow, and took it for a sign. It was God's hand in the + heavens. To this gate then, and through it, out of Tetuan, into the land + beyond—the plains, the hills, the desert where no man was wronged—God + Himself, and not these people, had that day been leading them! + </p> + <p> + What happened next Israel never rightly knew. His proper sense of life + seemed lost. Through thick waves of hot air he heard many voices. + </p> + <p> + First the voice of the crier, “So shall it be done to every man who is an + enemy of the Kaid, and to every woman who is a play-actor and a cheat.” + </p> + <p> + Then the voice of the soldier, “Balak! Balak!” + </p> + <p> + After that a multitudinous din that seemed to break off sharply and then + to come muffled and dense as from the other side of the closed gate. + </p> + <p> + When Israel came to himself again he was walking on a barren heath that + was dotted over with clumps of the long aloe, and he was holding Naomi by + the hand. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX + </h2> + <p> + LIFE'S NEW LANGUAGE + </p> + <p> + Two days after they had been cast out of Tetuan, Israel and Naomi were + settled in a little house that stood a day's walk to the north of the + town, about midway between the village of Semsa and the fondak which lies + on the road to Tangier. From the hour wherein the gates had closed behind + them, everything had gone well with both. The country people who lay + encamped on the heath outside had gathered around and shown them kindness. + One old Arab woman, seeing Naomi's shame, had come behind without a word + and cast a blanket over her head and shoulders. Then a girl of the Berber + folk had brought slippers and drawn them on to Naomi's feet. The woman + wore no blanket herself, and the feet of the girl were bare. Their own + people were haggard and hollow-eyed and hungry, but the hearts of all were + melted towards the great man in his dark hour. “Allah had written it,” + they muttered, but they were more merciful than they thought their God. + </p> + <p> + Thus, amid silent pity and audible peace-blessings, with cheer of kind + words and comfort of food and drink, Israel and Naomi had wandered on + through the country from village to village, until in the evening, an hour + after sundown, they came upon the hut wherein they made their home. It was + a poor, mean place—neither a round tent, such as the mountain + Berbers build, nor a square cube of white stone, with its garden in a + court within, such as a Moorish farmer rears for his homestead, but an + oblong shed, roofed with rushes and palmetto leaves in the manner of an + Irish cabin. And, indeed, the cabin of an Irish renegade it had been, who, + escaping at Gibraltar from the ship that was taking him to Sidney, had + sailed in a Genoese trader to Ceuta, and made his way across the land + until he came to this lonesome spot near to Semsa. Unlike the better part + of his countrymen, he had been a man of solitary habit and gloomy temper, + and while he lived he had been shunned by his neighbours, and when he died + his house had been left alone. That was the chance whereby Israel and + Naomi had come to possess it, being both poor and unclaimed. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, though bare enough of most things that man makes and values, + yet the little place was rich in some of the wealth that comes only from + the hand of God. Thus marjoram and jasmine and pinks and roses grew at the + foot of its walls, and it was these sweet flowers which had first caught + the eyes of Israel. For suddenly through the mazes of his mind, where + every perception was indistinct at that time, there seemed to come back to + him a vague and confused recollection of the abandoned house, as if the + thing that his eyes then saw they had surely seen before. How this should + be Israel could not tell, seeing that never before to his knowledge had he + passed on his way to Tangier so near to Semsa. But when he questioned + himself again, it came to him, like light beaming into a dark room, that + not in any waking hour at all had he seen the little place before, but in + a dream of the night when he slept on the ground in the poor fondak of the + Jews at Wazzan. + </p> + <p> + This, then, was the cottage where he had dreamed that he lived with Naomi; + this was where she had seemed to have eyes to see and ears to hear and a + tongue to speak; this was the vision of his dead wife, which when he awoke + on his journey had appeared to be vainly reflected in his dream; and now + it was realised, it was true, it had come to pass. Israel's heart was + full, and being at that time ready to see the leading of Heaven in + everything, he saw it in this fact also; and thus, without more ado than + such inquiries as were necessary, he settled himself with Naomi in the + place they had chanced upon. + </p> + <p> + And there, through some months following, from the height of the summer + until the falling of winter, they lived together in peace and content, + lacking much, yet wanting nothing; short of many things that are thought + to make men's condition happy, but grateful and thanking God. + </p> + <p> + Israel was poor, but not penniless. Out of the wreck of his fortune, after + he sold the best contents of his house, he had still some three hundred + dollars remaining in the pocket of his waistband when he was cast out of + the town. These he laid out in sheep and goats and oxen. He hired land + also of a tenant of the Basha, and sent wool and milk by the hand of a + neighbour to the market at Tetuan. The rains continued, the eggs of the + locust were destroyed, the grass came green out of the ground, and Israel + found bread for both of them. With such simple husbandry, and in such a + home, giving no thought to the morrow, he passed with cheer and comfort + from day to day. + </p> + <p> + And truly, if at any weaker moment he had been minded to repine for the + loss of his former poor greatness, or to fail of heart in pursuit of his + new calling, for which heavier hands were better fit, he had always + present with him two bulwarks of his purpose and sheet-anchors of his + hope. He was reminded of the one as often as in the daytime he climbed the + hillside above his little dwelling and saw the white town lying far away + under its gauzy canopy of mist, and whenever in the night the town lamps + sent their pale sheet of light into the dark sky. + </p> + <p> + “They are yonder,” he would think, “wrangling, contending, fighting, + praying, cursing, blessing, and cheating; and I am here, cut off from them + by ten deep miles of darkness, in the quiet, the silence, and sweet odour + of God's proper air.” + </p> + <p> + But stronger to sustain him than any memory of the ways of his former life + was the recollection of Naomi. God had given back all her gifts, and what + were poverty and hard toil against so great a blessing? They were as dust, + they were as ashes, they were what power of the world and riches of gold + and silver had been without it. And higher than the joy of Israel's + constant remembrance that Naomi had been blind and could now see, and deaf + and could now hear, and dumb and could now speak, was the solemn thought + that all this was but the sign and symbol of God's pleasure and assurance + to his soul that the lot of the scapegoat had been lifted away. + </p> + <p> + More satisfying still to the hunger of his heart as a man was his + delicious pleasure in Naomi's new-found life. She was like a creature born + afresh, a radiant and joyful being newly awakened into a world of strange + sights. + </p> + <p> + But it was not at once that she fell upon this pleasure. What had happened + to her was, after all, a simple thing. Born with cataract on the pupils of + her eyes, the emotion of the moment at the Kasbah, when her father's life + seemed to be once more in danger, had—like a fall or a blow—luxated + the lens and left the pupils clear. That was all. Throughout the day + whereon the last of her great gifts came to her, when they were cast out + of Tetuan, and while they walked hand in hand through the country until + they lit upon their home, she had kept her eyes steadfastly closed. The + light terrified her. It penetrated her delicate lids, and gave her pain. + When for a moment she lifted her lashes and saw the trees, she put out her + hand as if to push them away; and when she saw the sky, she raised her + arms as if to hold it off. Everything seemed to touch her eyes. The bars + of sunlight seemed to smite them. Not until the falling of darkness did + her fears subside and her spirits revive. Throughout the day that followed + she sat constantly in the gloom of the blackest corner of their hut. + </p> + <p> + But this was only her baptism of light on coming out of a world of + darkness, just as her fear of the voices of the earth and air had been her + baptism of sound on coming out of a land of silence. Within three days + afterwards her terror began to give place to joy; and from that time + forward the world was full of wonder to her opened eyes. Then sweet and + beautiful, beyond all dreams of fancy, were her amazement and delight in + every little thing that lay about her—the grass, the weeds, the + poorest flower that blew, even the rude implements of the house and the + common stones that worked up through the mould—all old and familiar + to her fingers, but new and strange to her eyes, and marvellous as if an + angel out of heaven had dropped them down to her. + </p> + <p> + For many days after the coming of her sight she continued to recognise + everything by touch and sound. Thus one morning early in their life in the + cottage, and early also in the day, after Israel had kissed her on the + eyelids to awaken her, and she had opened them and gazed up at him as he + stooped above her, she looked puzzled for an instant, being still in the + mists of sleep, and only when she had closed her eyes again, and put out + her hand to touch him, did her face brighten with recognition and her lips + utter his name. “My father,” she murmured, “my father.” + </p> + <p> + Thus again, the same day, not an hour afterwards, she came running back to + the house from the grass bank in front of it, holding a flower in her + hand, and asking a world of hot questions concerning it in her broken, + lisping, pretty speech. Why had no one told her that there were flowers + that could see? Here was one which while she looked upon it had opened its + beautiful eye and laughed at her. “What is it?” she asked; “what is it?” + </p> + <p> + “A daisy, my child,” Israel answered. + </p> + <p> + “A daisy!” she cried in bewilderment; and during the short hush and quick + inspiration that followed she closed her eyes and passed her nervous + fingers rapidly over the little ring of sprinkled spears, and then said + very softly, with head aslant as if ashamed, “Oh, yes, so it is; it is + only a daisy.” + </p> + <p> + But to tell of how those first days of sight sped along for Naomi, with + what delight of ever-fresh surprise, and joy of new wonder, would be a + long task if a beautiful one. They were some miles inside the coast, but + from the little hill-top near at hand they could see it clearly; and one + day when Naomi had gone so far with her father, she drew up suddenly at + his side, and cried in a breathless voice of awe, “The sky! the sky! Look! + It has fallen on to the land.” + </p> + <p> + “That is the sea, my child,” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “The sea!” she cried, and then she closed her eyes and listened, and then + opened them and blushed and said, while her knitted brows smoothed out and + her beautiful face looked aside, “So it is—yes, it is the sea.” + </p> + <p> + Throughout that day and the night which followed it the eyes of her mind + were entranced by the marvel of that vision, and next morning she mounted + the hill alone, to look upon it again; and, being so far, she walked + farther and yet farther, wandering on and on, through fields where + lavender grew and chamomile blossomed, on and on, as though drawn by the + enchantment of the mighty deep that lay sparkling in the sun, until at + last she came to the head of a deep gully in the coast. Still the wonder + of the waters held her, but another marvel now seized upon her sight. The + gully was a lonesome place inhabited by countless sea-birds. From high up + in the rocks above, and from far down in the chasm below, from every cleft + on every side, they flew out, with white wings and black ones and grey and + blue, and sent their voices into the air, until the echoing place seemed + to shriek and yell with a deafening clangour. + </p> + <p> + It was midday when Naomi reached this spot, and she sat there a long hour + in fear and consternation. And when she returned to her father, she told + him awesome stories of demons that lived in thousands by the sea, and + fought in the air and killed each other. “And see!” she cried; “look at + this, and this, and this!” + </p> + <p> + Then Israel glanced at the wrecks she had brought with her of the devilish + warfare that she had witnessed and “This,” said he, lifting one of them, + “is a sea-bird's feather; and this,” lifting another, “is a sea-bird's + egg; and this,” lifting the third, “is a dead sea-bird itself.” + </p> + <p> + Once more Naomi knit her brows in thought, and again she closed her eyes + and touched the familiar things wherein her sight had deceived her. “Ah + yes,” she said meekly, looking into her father's eye, with a smile, “they + are only that after all.” And then she said very quietly, as if speaking + to herself, “What a long time it is before you learn to see!” + </p> + <p> + It was partly due to the isolation of her upbringing in the company of + Israel that nearly every fresh wonder that encountered her eyes took + shapes of supernatural horror or splendour. One early evening, when she + had remained out of the house until the day was well-nigh done, she came + back in a wild ecstasy to tell of angels that she had just seen in the + sky. They were in robes of crimson and scarlet, their wings blazed like + fire, they swept across the clouds in multitudes, and went down behind the + world together, passing out of the earth through the gates of heaven. + </p> + <p> + Israel listened to her and said, “That was the sunset my child. Every + morning the sun rises and every night it sets.” + </p> + <p> + Then she looked full into his face and blushed. Her shame at her sweet + errors sometimes conquered her joy in the new heritage of sight, and + Israel heard her whisper to herself and say, “After all, the eyes are + deceitful.” Vision was life's new language, and she had yet to learn it. + </p> + <p> + But not for long was her delight in the beautiful things of the world to + be damped by any thought of herself. Nay, the best and rarest part of it, + the dearest and most delicious throb it brought her, came of herself + alone. On another early day Israel took her to the coast, and pushed off + with her on the waters in a boat. The air was still, the sea was smooth, + the sun was shining, and save for one white scarf of cloud the sky was + blue. They were sailing in a tiny bay that was broken by a little island, + which lay in the midst like a ruby in a ring, covered with heather and + long stalks of seeding grass. Through whispering beds of rushes they + glided on, and floated over banks of coral where gleaming fishes were at + play. Sea-fowl screamed over their heads, as if in anger at their + invasion, and under their oars the moss lay in the shallows on the pebbles + and great stones. It was a morning of God's own making, and, for joy of + its loveliness no less than of her own bounding life, Naomi rose in the + boat and opened her lips and arms to the breeze while it played with the + rippling currents of her hair, as if she would drink and embrace it. + </p> + <p> + At that moment a new and dearer wonder came to her, such as every maiden + knows whom God has made beautiful, yet none remembers the hour when she + knew it first. For, tracing with her eyes the shadow of the cliff and of + the continent of cloud that sailed double in two seas of blue to where + they were broken by the dazzling half-round of the sun's reflected disc on + the shadowed quarter of the boat, she leaned over the side of it, and then + saw the reflection of another and lovelier vision. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” she cried with alarm, “a face in the water! Look! look!” + </p> + <p> + “It is your own, my child,” said Israel. “Mine!” she cried. + </p> + <p> + “The reflection of your face,” said Israel; “the light and the water make + it.” + </p> + <p> + The marvel was hard to understand. There was something ghostly in this + thing that was herself and yet not herself, this face that looked up at + her and laughed and yet made no voice. She leaned back in the boat and + asked Israel if it was still in the water. But when at length she had + grasped the mystery, the artlessness of her joy was charming. She was like + a child in her delight, and like a woman that was still a child in her + unconscious love of her own loveliness. Whenever the boat was at rest she + leaned over its bulwark and gazed down into the blue depths. + </p> + <p> + “How beautiful!” she cried, “how beautiful!” + </p> + <p> + She clapped her hands and looked again, and there in the still water was + the wonder of her dancing eyes. “Oh! how very beautiful!” she cried + without lifting her face, and when she saw her lips move as she spoke and + her sunny hair fall about her restless head she laughed and laughed again + with a heart of glee. + </p> + <p> + Israel looked on for some moments at this sweet picture, and, for all his + sense of the dangers of Naomi's artless joy in her own beauty, he could + not find it in his heart to check her. He had borne too long the pain and + shame of one who was father of an afflicted child to deny himself this + choking rapture of her recovery. “Live on like a child always, little + one,” he thought; “be a child as long as you can, be a child for ever, my + dove, my darling! Never did the world suffer it that I myself should be a + child at all.” + </p> + <p> + The artlessness of Naomi increased day by day, and found constantly some + new fashion of charming strangeness. All lovely things on the earth seemed + to speak to her, and she could talk with the birds and the flowers. Also + she would lie down in the grass and rest like a lamb, with as little shame + and with a grace as sweet. Not yet had the great mystery dawned that drops + on a girl like an unseen mantle out of the sky, and when it has covered + her she is a child no more. Naomi was a child still. Nay, she was a child + a second time, for while she had been blind she had seemed for a little + while to become a woman in the awful revelation of her infirmity and + isolation. Now she was a weak, patient, blind maiden no longer, but a + reckless spirit of joy once again, a restless gleam of human sunlight + gathering sunshine into her father's house. + </p> + <p> + It was fit and beautiful that she who had lived so long without the better + part of the gifts of God should enjoy some of them at length in rare + perfection. Her sight was strong and her hearing was keen, but voice was + the gift which she had in abundance. So sweet, so full, so deep, so soft a + voice as Naomi's came to be, Israel thought he had never heard before. + Ruth's voice? Yes, but fraught with inspiration, replete with sparkling + life, and passionate with the notes of a joyous heart. All day long Naomi + used it. She sang as she rose in the morning, and was still singing when + she lay down at night. Wherever people came upon her, they came first upon + the sound of her voice. The farmers heard it across the fields, and + sometimes Israel heard it from over the hill by their hut. Often she + seemed to them like a bird that is hidden in a tree, and only known to be + there by the outbursts of its song. + </p> + <p> + Fatimah's ditties were still her delight. Some of them fell strangely from + her pure lips, so nearly did they border on the dangerous. But her + favourite song was still her mother's:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Oh, come and claim thine own, + Oh, come and take thy throne, + Reign ever and alone + Reign glorious, golden Love. +</pre> + <p> + Into these words, as her voice ripened, she seemed to pour a deeper + fervour. She was as innocent as a child of their meaning, but it was + almost as if she were fulfilling in some way a law of her nature as a maid + and drifting blindly towards the dawn of Love. Never did she think of + Love, but it was just as if Love were always thinking of her; it was even + as if the spirit of Love were hovering over her constantly, and she were + walking in the way of its outstretched wings. + </p> + <p> + Israel saw this, and it set him to chasing day-dreams that were like the + drawing up of a curtain. A beautiful phantom of Naomi's future would rise + up before him. Love had come to her. The great mystery! the rapture, the + blissful wonder, the dear, secret, delicious palpitating joy. He knew it + must come some day—perhaps to day, perhaps to-morrow. And when it + came it would be like a sixth sense. + </p> + <p> + In quieter moments—generally at night, when he would take a candle + and look at her where she lay asleep—Israel would carry his dreams + into Naomi's future one stage farther, and see her in the first dawn of + young motherhood. Her delicate face of pink an cream; her glance of pride + and joy and yearning, an then the thrill of the little spreading red + fingers fastening on her white bosom—oh, what a glimpse was there + revealed to him! + </p> + <p> + But struggle as he would to find pleasure in these phantoms, he could not + help but feel pain from them also. They had a perilous fascination for + him, but he grudged them to Naomi. He thought he could have given his + immortal soul to her, but these shadows he could not give. That was his + poor tribute to human selfishness; his last tender, jealous frailty as a + father. He dreaded the coming of that time when another—some other + yet unseen—should come before him, and he should lose the daughter + that was now his own. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes the memory of their old troubles in Tetuan seemed to cross like + a thundercloud the azure of Naomi's sky, but at the next hour it was gone. + The world was too full of marvels for any enduring sense but wonder. Once + she awoke from sleep in terror, and told Israel of something which she + believed to have happened to her in the night. She had been carried away + from him—she could not say when—and she knew no more until she + found herself in a great patio, paved and wailed with tiles. Men were + standing together there in red peaked caps and flowing white kaftans. And + before them all was one old man in garments that were of the colour of the + afternoon sun, with sleeves like the mouths of bells, a curling silver + knife at his waistband, and little leather bags hung by yellow cords about + his neck. Beside this man there was a woman of a laughing cruel face; and + she herself, Naomi—alone her father being nowhere near—stood + in the midst with all eyes upon her. What happened next she did not know, + for blank darkness fell upon everything, and in that interval they who had + taken her away must have brought her back. For when she opened her eyes + she was in her own bed, and the things of their little home were about + her, and her father's eyes were looking down at her, and his lips were + kissing her, and the sun was shining outside, and the birds were singing, + and the long grass was whispering in the breeze, and it was the same as if + she had been asleep during the night and was just awakening in the + morning. + </p> + <p> + “It was a dream, my child,” said Israel, thinking only with how vivid a + sense her eyes had gathered up in that instant of first sight the picture + of that day at the Kasbah. + </p> + <p> + “A dream!” she cried; “no, no! I <i>saw</i> it!” + </p> + <p> + Hitherto her dreams had been blind ones, and if she dreamt of her own + people it had not been of their faces, but of the touch of their hands or + the sound of their voices. By one of these she had always known them, and + sometimes it had been her mother's arms that had been about her, and + sometimes her father's lips that had pressed her forehead, and sometimes + Ali's voice that had rung in her ears. + </p> + <p> + Israel smoothed her hair and calmed her fears, but thinking both of her + dream and of her artless sayings, he said in his heart, “She is a child, a + child born into life as a maid, and without the strength of a child's + weakness. Oh! great is the wisdom which orders it so that we come into the + world as babes.” + </p> + <p> + Thus realising Naomi's childishness, Israel kept close guard and watch + upon her afterwards. But if she was a gleam of sunlight in his lonely + dwelling, like sunlight she came and went in it, and one day he found her + near to the track leading up to the fondak in talk with a passing + traveller by the way, whom he recognised for the grossest profligate out + of Tetuan. Unveiled, unabashed, with sweet looks of confidence she was + gazing full into the man's gross face, answering his evil questions with + the artless simplicity of innocence. At one bound Israel was between them; + and in a moment he had torn Naomi away. And that night, while she wept out + her very heart at the first anger that her father had shown her, Israel + himself, in a new terror of his soul, was pouring out a new petition to + God. “O Lord, my God,” he cried, “when she was blind and dumb and deaf she + was a thing apart, she was a child in no peril from herself for Thy hand + did guide her, and in none from the world, for no man dared outrage her + infirmity. But now she is a maid, and her dangers are many, for she is + beautiful, and the heart of man is evil. Keep me with her always, O Lord, + to guard and guide her! Let me not leave her, for she is without knowledge + of good and evil. Spare me a little while longer, though I am stricken in + years. For her sake spare me, Oh Lord—it is the last of my prayers—the + last, O Lord, the last—for her sake spare me!” + </p> + <p> + God did not hear the prayer of Israel. Next morning a guard of soldiers + came out from Tetuan and took him prisoner in the name of the Kaid. The + release of the poor followers of Absalam out of the prison at Shawan had + become known by the blind gratitude of one of them, who, hastening to + Israel's house in the Mellah, had flung himself down on his face before + it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI + </h2> + <h3> + ISRAEL IN PRISON + </h3> + <p> + Short as the time was—some three months and odd days—since the + prison at Shawan had been emptied by order of the warrant which Israel had + sealed without authority in the name of Ben Aboo, it was now occupied by + other prisoners. The remoteness of the town in the territory of the + Akhmas, and the wild fanaticism of the Shawanis, had made the old fortress + a favourite place of banishment to such Kaids of other provinces as looked + for heavier ransoms from the relatives of victims, because the locality of + their imprisonment was unknown or the danger of approaching it was + terrible. And thus it happened that some fifty or more men and boys from + near and far were already living in the dungeon from which Israel and Ali + together had set the other prisoners free. + </p> + <p> + This was the prison to which Israel was taken when he was torn from Naomi + and the simple home that he had made for himself near Semsa. “Ya Allah! + Let the dog eat the crust which he thought too hard for his pups!” said + Ben Aboo, as he sealed the warrant which consigned Israel to the Kaid of + Shawan. + </p> + <p> + Israel was taken to the prison afoot, and reached it on the morning of the + second day after his arrest. The sun was shining as he approached the rude + old block of masonry and entered the passage that led down to the dungeon. + In a little court at the door of the place the Kaid el habs, the jailer, + was sitting on a mattress, which served him for chair by day and bed by + night. He was amusing himself with a ginbri, playing loud and low + according as the tumult was great or little which came from the other side + of a barred and knotted doorway behind him, some four feet high, and + having a round peephole in the upper part of it. On the wall above hung + leather thongs, and a long Reefian flintlock stood in the corner. + </p> + <p> + At Israel's approach there were some facetious comments between the jailer + and the guard. Why the ginbri? Was he practising for the fires of + Jehinnum? Was he to fiddle for the Jinoon? Well, what was a man to do + while the dogs inside were snarling? Were the thongs for the correction of + persons lacking understanding? Why, yes; everybody knew their old saying, + “A hint to the wise, a blow to the fool.” + </p> + <p> + A bunch of great keys rattled, the low doorway was thrown open, Israel + stooped and went in, the door closed behind him, the footsteps of the + guard died away, and the twang of the ginbri began again. + </p> + <p> + The prison was dark and noisome, some sixty feet long by half as many + broad, supported by arches resting on rotten pillars, lighted only by + narrow clefts at either hand, exuding damp from its walls, dropping + moisture from its roof, its air full of vermin, and its floor reeking of + filth. And only less horrible than the prison itself was the condition of + the prisoners. Nearly all wore iron fetters on their legs, and some were + shackled to the pillars. At one side a little group of them—they + were Shereefs from Wazzan—were conversing eagerly and gesticulating + wildly; and at the other side a larger company—they were Jews from + Fez—were languidly twisting palmetto leaves into the shape of + baskets. Four Berbers at the farther end were playing cards, and two Arabs + that were chained to a column near the door squatted on the ground with a + battered old draughtboard between them. From both groups of players came + loud shouts and laughter and a running fire of expostulation and of + indignant and sarcastic comment. Down went the cards with triumphant + bangs, and the moves of the “dogs” were like lightning. First a mocking + voice: “<i>You</i> call yourself a player! There!—there!—there!” + Then a meek, piping tone: “So—so—verily, you are my master. + Well, let us praise Allah for your wisdom.” But soon a wild burst of + irony: “You are like him who killed the dog and fell into the river. See! + thus I teach you to boast over your betters! I shave your beard! There!—there!—and + there!” + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the reeking floor, so placed that the thin shaft of light + from the clefts at the ends might fall on them—a barber-doctor was + bleeding a youth from a vein in the arm. “We're all having it done,” he + was saying. “It's good for the internals. I did it to a shipload of + pilgrims once.” A wild-looking creature sat in a corner—he was a + saint, a madman, of the sect of the Darkaoa—rocking himself to and + fro, and crying “Allah! All-lah! All-l-lah! All-l-l-lah!” Near to this + person a haggard old man of the Grega sect was shaking and dancing at his + prayers. And not far from either a Mukaddam, a high-priest of the Aissa, + brotherhood—a juggler who had travelled through the country with a + lion by a halter—was singing a frantic mockery of a Christian hymn + to a tune that he had heard on the coast. + </p> + <p> + Such was the scene of Israel's imprisonment, and such were the companions + that were to share it. There had been a moment's pause in the clamour of + their babel as the door opened and Israel entered. The prisoners knew him, + and they were aghast. Every eye looked up and every mouth was agape. + Israel stood for a time with the closed door behind him. He looked around, + made a step forward, hesitated, seemed to peer vainly through the darkness + for bed or mattress, and then sat down helplessly by a pillar on the + ground. + </p> + <p> + A young negro in a coarse jellab went up to him and offered a bit of + bread. “Hungry, brother? No?” said the youth. “Cheer up, Sidi! No good + letting the donkey ride on your head!” + </p> + <p> + This person was the Irishman of the company—a happy, reckless, + facetious dog, who had lost little save his liberty and cared nothing for + his life, but laughed and cheated and joked and made doggerel songs on + every disaster that befell them. He made one song on himself— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + El Arby was a black man + They called him “'Larby Kosk:” + He loved the wives of the Kasbah, + And stole slippers in the Mosque. +</pre> + <p> + Israel was stunned. Since his arrest he had scarcely spoken. “Stay here,” + he had said to Naomi when the first outburst of her grief was quelled; + “never leave this place. Whatever they say, stay here. I will come back.” + After that he had been like a man who was dumb. Neither insult nor tyranny + had availed to force a word or a cry out of him. He had walked on in + silence doggedly, hardly once glancing up into the faces of his guard, and + never breaking his fast save with a draught of water by the way. + </p> + <p> + At Shawan, as elsewhere in Barbary, the prisoners were supported by their + own relatives and friends, and on the day after Israel's arrival a number + of women and children came to the prison with provisions. It was a wild + and gruesome scene that followed. First, the frantic search of the + prisoners for their wives and sons and daughters, and their wild shouts as + each one found his own. “Blessed be God! She's here! here!” Then the + maddening cries of the prisoners whose relatives had not come. “My Ayesha! + Where is she? Curses on her mother! Why isn't she here?” After that the + shrieks of despair from such as learned that their breadwinners were dying + off one by one. “Dead, you say?” “Dead!” “No, no!” “Yes, yes!” “No, no, I + say!” “I say yes! God forgive me! died last week. But don't you die too. + Here take this bag of zummetta.” Then inquiries after absent children. + “Little Selam, where is he?” “Begging in Tetuan.” “Poor boy! poor boy! And + pretty M'barka, what of her?” “Alas! M'barka's a public woman now in + Hoolia's house at Marrakesh. No, don't curse her, Jellali; the poor child + was driven to it. What were we to do with the children crying for bread? + And then there was nothing to fetch you this journey, Jellali.” “I'll not + eat it now it's brought. My boy a beggar and my girl a harlot? By Allah! + May the Kaid that keeps me here roast alive in the fires of hell!” Then, + apart in one quiet corner, a young Moor of Tangier eating rice out of the + lap of his beautiful young wife. “You'll not be long coming again, + dearest?” he whispers. She wipes her eyes and stammers, “No—that is—well—” + “What's amiss?” “Ali, I must tell you—” “Well?” “Old Aaron Zaggoory + says I must marry him, or he'll see that both of us starve.” “Allah! And + you—<i>you</i>?” “Don't look at me like that, Ali; the hunger is on + me, and whatever happens I—I can love nobody else.” “Curses on Aaron + Zaggoory! Curses on you! Curses on everybody!” + </p> + <p> + No one had come with food for Israel, and seeing this 'Larby the negro + swaggered up to him, singing a snatch and offering a round cake of bread— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Rusks are good and kiks are sweet + And kesksoo is both meat and drink; + It's this for now, and that for then, + But khalia still for married men. +</pre> + <p> + “You're like me, Sidi,” he said, “you want nothing,” and he made an upward + movement of his forefinger to indicate his trust in Providence. That was + the gay rascal's way of saying that he stole from the bags of his comrades + while they slept. + </p> + <p> + “No? Fasting yet?” he said, and went off singing as he came— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + It will make your ladies love you; + It will make them coo and kiss— +</pre> + <p> + “What?” he shouted to some one across the prison “eating khalia in the + bird-cage? Bad, bad, bad!” + </p> + <p> + All this came to Israel's mind through thick waves of half-consciousness, + but with his heart he heard nothing, or the very air of the place must + have poisoned him. He sat by the pillar at which he had first placed + himself, and hardly ever rose from it. With great slow eyes he gazed at + everything, but nothing did he see. Sometimes he had the look of one who + listens, but never did he hear. Thus in silence and languor he passed from + day to day, and from night to night, scarcely sleeping, rarely eating, and + seeming always to be waiting, waiting, waiting. + </p> + <p> + Fresh prisoners came at short intervals, and then only was Israel's + interest awakened. One question he asked of all. “Where from?” If they + answered from Fez, from Wazzan, from Mequinez, or from Marrakesh, Israel + turned aside and left them without more words. Then to his fellows they + might pour out their woes in loud wails and curses, but Israel would hear + no more. + </p> + <p> + Strangers from Europe travelling through the country were allowed to look + into the prison through the round peephole of the door kept by the Kaid el + habs, who played the ginbri. The Jews who made baskets took this + opportunity to offer their work for sale; and so that he might see the + visitors and speak with them Israel would snatch up something and hang it + out. Always his question was the same. “Where from last?” he would say in + English, or Spanish, or French, or Moorish. Sometimes it chanced that the + strangers knew him. But he showed no shame. Never did their answers + satisfy him. He would turn back to his pillar with a sigh. + </p> + <p> + Thus weeks went on, and Israel's face grew worn and tired. His fellow + prisoners began to show him deference in their own rude way. When he came + among them at the first they had grinned and laughed a little. To do that + was always the impulse of the poor souls, so miserably imprisoned, when a + new comrade joined him. But the majesty and the suffering in Israel's face + told on their hearts at last. He was a great man fallen, he had nothing + left to him; not even bread to eat or water to drink. So they gathered + about him and hit on a way to make him share their food. Bringing their + sacks to his pillar, they stacked them about it, and asked him to serve + out provisions to all, day by day, share and share alike. He was honest, + he was a master, no one would steal from him, it was best, the stuff would + last longest. It was a touching sight. + </p> + <p> + Still the old eagerness betrayed itself in Israel's weary manner as often + as the door opened and fresh prisoners arrived. Once it happened that + before he uttered his usual question he saw that the newcomers were from + Tetuan, and then his restlessness was feverish. “When—were you—have + you been of late—” he stammered, and seemed unable to go farther. + </p> + <p> + But the Tetawanis knew and understood him. “No,” said one in answer to the + unspoken question; “Nor I,” said another; “Nor I,” said a third, “Nor I + neither,” said a fourth, as Israel's rapid eyes passed down the line of + them. + </p> + <p> + He turned away without a word more, sat down by the pillar and looked + vacantly before him while the new prisoners told their story. Ben Aboo was + a villain. The people of Tetuan had found him out. His wife was a harlot + whose heart was a deep pit. Between them they were demoralising the entire + bashalic. The town was worse than Sodom. Hardly a child in the streets was + safe, and no woman, whether wife or daughter, whom God had made comely, + dare show herself on the roofs. Their own women had been carried off to + the palace at the Kasbah. That was why they themselves were there in + prison. + </p> + <p> + This was about a month after the coming of Israel to Shawan. Then his + reason began to unsettle. It was pitiful to see that he was conscious of + the change that was befalling him. He wrestled with madness with all the + strength of a strong man. If it should fall upon him, where then would be + his hope and outlook? His day would be done, his night would be closed in, + he would be no more than a helpless log, rolling in an ice-bound sea, and + when the thaw came—if it ever came—he would be only a broken, + rudderless, sailless wreck. Sometimes he would swear at nothing and fling + out his arms wildly, and then with a look of shame hang down his head and + mutter, “No, no, Israel; no, no, no!” + </p> + <p> + Other prisoners arrived from Tetuan, and all told the same story. Israel + listened to them with a stupid look, seeming hardly to hear the tale they + told him. But one morning, as life began again for the day in that slimy + eddy of life's ocean, every one became aware that an awful change had come + to pass. Israel's face had been worn and tired before, but now it looked + very old and faded. His black hair had been sprinkled with grey, and now + it was white; and white also was his dark beard, which had grown long and + ragged. But his eye glistened, and his teeth were aglitter in his open + mouth. He was laughing at everything, yet not wildly, not recklessly, not + without meaning or intention, but with the cheer of a happy and contented + man. + </p> + <p> + Israel was mad, and his madness was a moving thing to look upon. He + thought he was back at home and a rich man still, as he had been in + earlier days, but a generous man also, as he was in later ones. With + liberal hand he was dispensing his charities. + </p> + <p> + “Take what you need; eat, drink, do not stint; there is more where this + has come from; it is not mine; God has lent it me for the good of all.” + </p> + <p> + With such words, graciously spoken, he served out the provisions according + to his habit, and only departed from his daily custom in piling the + measures higher, and in saluting the people by titles—Sid, Sidi, + Mulai, and the like—in degree as their clothes were poor and ragged. + It was a mad heart that spoke so, but also it was a big one. + </p> + <p> + From that time forward he looked upon the prisoners as his guests, and + when fresh prisoners came to the prison he always welcomed them as if he + were host there and they were friends who visited him. “Welcome!” he would + say; “you are very welcome. The place is your own. Take all. What you + don't see, believe we have not got it. A thousand thousand welcomes home!” + It was grim and painful irony. + </p> + <p> + Israel's comrades began to lose sense of their own suffering in observing + the depth of his, and they laid their heads together to discover the cause + of his madness. The most part of them concluded that he was repining for + the loss of his former state. And when one day another prisoner came from + Tetuan with further tales of the Basha's tyranny, and of the people's + shame at thought of how they had dealt by Israel, the prisoners led the + man back to where Israel was standing in the accustomed act of dispensing + bounty, that he might tell his story into the rightful ears. + </p> + <p> + “They're always crying for you,” said the Tetawani; “'Israel ben Oliel! + Israel ben Oliel!' that's what you hear in the mosques and the streets + everywhere.' Shame on us for casting him out, shame on us! He was our + father!' Jews and Muslimeen, they're all saying so.” + </p> + <p> + It was useless. The glad tidings could not find their way. That black page + of Israel's life which told of the people's ingratitude was sealed in the + book of memory. Israel laughed. What could his good friend mean? Behold! + was he not rich? Had he not troops of comrades and guests about him? + </p> + <p> + The prisoners turned aside, baffled and done. At length one man—it + was no other than 'Larby the wastrel—drew some of them apart and + said, “You are all wrong. It's not his former state that he's thinking of. + <i>I</i> know what it is—who knows so well as I? Listen! you hear + his laughter! Well, he must weep, or he will be mad for ever. He must be + <i>made</i> to weep. Yes, by Allah! and I must do it.” + </p> + <p> + That same night, when darkness fell over the dark place, and the prisoners + tied up their cotton headkerchiefs and lay down to sleep, 'Larby sat + beside Israel's place with sighs and moans and other symptoms of a + dejected air. + </p> + <p> + “Sidi, master,” he faltered, “I had a little brother once, and he was + blind. Born blind, Sidi, my own mother's son. But you wouldn't think how + happy he was for all that? You see, Sidi he never missed anything, and so + his little face was like laughing water! By Allah! I loved that boy better + than all the world! Women? Why—well, never mind! He was six and I + was eighteen, and he used to ride on my back! Black curls all over, Sidi, + and big white eyes that looked at you for all they couldn't see. Well a + bleeder came from Soos—curse his great-grandfather! Looked at little + Hosain—'Scales!' said he—burn his father! Bleed him and he'll + see! So they bled him, and he did see. By Allah! yes, for a minute—half + a minute! 'Oh, 'Larby,' he cried—I was holding him; then he—he—' + 'Larby,' he cried faint, like a lamb that's lost in the mountains—and + then—and then—'Oh, oh, 'Larby,' he moaned Sidi, Sidi, I <i>paid</i> + that bleeder—there and then—<i>this</i> way! That's why I'm + here!” + </p> + <p> + It was a lie, but 'Larby acted it so well that his voice broke in his + throat, and great drops fell from his eyes on to Israel's hand. + </p> + <p> + The effect on Israel himself was strange and even startling. While 'Larby + was speaking, he was beating his forehead and mumbling: “Where? When? + Naomi!” as if grappling for lost treasures in an ebbing sea. And when + 'Larby finished, he fell on him with reproaches. “And you are weeping for + that?” he cried. “You think it much that the sweet child is dead—God + rest him! So it is to the like of you, but look at me!” + </p> + <p> + His voice betrayed a grim pride in his miseries. “Look at me! Am I + weeping? No; I would scorn to weep. But I have more cause a thousandfold. + Listen! Once I was rich; but what were riches without children? Hard bread + with no water for sop. I asked God for a child. He gave me a daughter; but + she was born blind and dumb and deaf. I asked God to take my riches and + give her hearing. He gave her hearing; but what was hearing without + speech? I asked God to take all I had and give her speech. He gave her + speech, but what was speech without sight? I asked God to take my place + from me and give her sight. He gave her sight, and I was cast out of the + town like a beggar. What matter? She had all, and I was forgiven. But when + I was happy, when I was content, when she filled my heart with sunshine, + God snatched me away from her. And where is she now? Yonder, alone, + friendless, a child new-born into the world at the mercy of liars and + libertines. And where am I? Here, like a beast in a trap, uttering + abortive groans, toothless, stupid, powerless, mad. No, no, not mad, + either! Tell me, boy, I am not mad!” + </p> + <p> + In the breaking waters of his madness he was struggling like a drowning + man. “Yet I do not weep,” he cried in a thick voice. “God has a right to + do as He will. He gave her to me for seventeen years. If she dies she'll + be mine again soon. Only if she lives—only if she falls into evil + hands—Tell me, <i>have</i> I been mad?” + </p> + <p> + He gave no time for an answer. “Naomi!” he cried, and the name broke in + his throat. “Where are you now? What has—who have—your father + is thinking of you—he is—No, I will not weep. You see I have a + good cause, but I tell you I will never weep. God has a right—Naomi!—Na—” + </p> + <p> + The name thickened to a sob as he repeated it, and then suddenly he rose + and cried in an awful voice, “Oh, I'm a fool! God has done nothing for me. + Why should I do anything for God? He has taken all I had. He has taken my + child. I have nothing more to give Him but my life. Let Him take that too. + Take it, I beseech Thee!” he cried—the vault of the prison rang—“Take + it, and set me free!” + </p> + <p> + But at the next moment he had fallen back to his place, and was sobbing + like a little child. The other prisoners had risen in their amazement, and + 'Larby, who was shedding hot tears over his cold ones, was capering down + the floor, and singing, “El Arby was a black man.” + </p> + <p> + Then there was a rattling of keys, and suddenly a flood of light shot into + the dark place. The Kaid el habs was bringing a courier, who carried an + order for Israel's release. Abd er-Rahman, the Sultan, was to keep the + feast of the Moolood at Tetuan, and Ben Aboo, to celebrate the visit, had + pardoned Israel. + </p> + <p> + It was coals of fire on Israel's head. “God is good,” he muttered. “I + shall see her again. Yes, God has a right to do as He will. I shall see + her soon. God is wise beyond all wisdom. I must lose no time. Jailer can I + leave the town to-night? I wish to start on my journey. To-night?—yes, + to-night! Are the gates open? No? You will open them? You are very good. + Everybody is very good. God is good. God is mighty.” + </p> + <p> + Then half in shame, and partly as apology for his late intemperate + outburst, with a simpleness that was almost childish, he said, “A man's a + fool when he loses his only child. I don't mean by death. Time heals that. + But the living child—oh, it's an unending pain! You would never + think how happy we were. Her pretty ways were all my joy. Yes, for her + voice was music, and her breath was like the dawn. Do you know, I was very + fond of the little one—I was quite miserable if I lost sight of her + for an hour. And then to be wrenched away! . . . . But I must hasten back. + The little one will be waiting. Yes, I know quite well she'll be looking + out from the door in the sunshine when she awakes in the morning. It's + always the way of these tender creatures, is it not? So we must humour + them. Yes, yes, that's so that's so.” + </p> + <p> + His fellow-prisoners stood around him each in his night-headkerchief + knotted under his chin—gaunt, hooded figures, in the shifting light + of the jailer's lantern. + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, brothers!” he cried; and one by one they touched his hand and + brought it to their breasts. + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, master!” “Peace, Sidi!” “Farewell!” “Peace!” “Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + The light shot out; the door clasped back; there were footsteps dying away + outside; two loud bangs as of a closing gate, and then silence—empty + and ghostly. + </p> + <p> + In the darkness the hooded figures stood a moment listening, and then a + croaking, breaking, husky, merry voice began to sing— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + El Arby was a black man, + They called him “'Larby Kosk;” + He loved the wives of the Kasbah, + And stole slippers in the Mosque. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII + </h2> + <h3> + HOW NAOMI TURNED MUSLIMA + </h3> + <p> + What had happened to Naomi during the two months and a half while Israel + lay at Shawan is this: After the first agony of their parting, in which + she was driven back by the soldiers when she attempted to follow them, she + sat down in a maze of pain, without any true perception of the evil which + had befallen her, but with her father's warning voice and his last words + in her ear: “Stay here. Never leave this place. Whatever they say, stay + here. I will come back.” + </p> + <p> + When she awoke in the morning, after a short night of broken sleep and + fitful dreams, the voice and the words were with her still, and then she + knew for the first time what the meaning was, and what the penalty, of + this strange and dread asundering. She was alone, and, being alone, she + was helpless; she was no better than a child, without kindred to look to + her and without power to look to herself, with food and drink beside her, + but no skill to make and take them. + </p> + <p> + Thus her awakening sense was like that of a lamb whose mother has been + swallowed up in the night by the sand-drifts of the simoom. It was not so + much love as loss. What to do, where to look, which way to turn first, she + knew no longer, and could not think, for lack of the hand that had been + wont to guide her. + </p> + <p> + The neighbouring Moors heard of what had happened to Naomi, and some of + the women among them came to see her. They were poor farming people, + oppressed by cruel taxmasters; and the first things they saw were the + cattle and sheep, and the next thing was the simple girl with the + child-face, who knew nothing yet of the ways wherein a lonely woman must + fend for herself. + </p> + <p> + “You cannot live here alone, my daughter,” they said; “you would perish. + Then think of the danger—a child like you, with a face like a + flower! No, no, you must come to us. We will look to you like one of our + own, and protect you from evil men. And as for the creatures—” + </p> + <p> + “But he said I was never to leave this place,” said Naomi. “'Stay here,' + he said; 'whatever they say, stay here. I will come back.'” + </p> + <p> + The women protested that she would starve, be stolen, ruined, and + murdered. It was in vain. Naomi's answer was always the same: “He told me + to stay here, and surely I must do so.” + </p> + <p> + Then one after another the poor folks went away in anger. “Tut!” they + thought, “what should we want with the Jew child? Allah! Was there ever + such a simpleton? The good creatures going to waste, too! And as for her + father, he'll never come back—never. Trust the Basha for that!” + </p> + <p> + But when the humanity of the true souls had conquered their selfishness, + they came again one by one and vied with each other in many simple offices—milking + and churning, and baking and delving—in pity of the sweet girl with + the great eyes who had been left to live alone. And Naomi, seeing her + helplessness at last, put out all her powers to remedy it, so that in a + little while she was able to do for herself nearly everything that her + neighbours at first did for her. Then they would say among themselves, + “Allah! she's not such a baby after all; and if she wasn't quite so + beautiful, poor child, or if the world wasn't so wicked—but then, + God is great! God is great!” + </p> + <p> + Not at first had Naomi understood them when they told her that her father + had been cast into prison, and every night when she left her lamp alight + by the little skin-covered window that was half-hidden under the dropping + eaves, and every morning when she opened her door to the radiance of the + sun she had whispered to herself and said, “He will come back, Naomi; only + wait, only wait; maybe it will be tonight, maybe it will be to-day; you + will see, you will see.” + </p> + <p> + But after the awful thought of what prison was had fully dawned upon her + as last, by help of what she saw and heard of other men who had been + there, her old content in her father's command that she should never leave + that place was shaken and broken by a desire to go to him. + </p> + <p> + “Who's to feed him, poor soul? He will be famishing. If the Kaid finds him + in bread, it will only be so much more added to his ransom. That will come + to the same thing in the end, or he'll die in prison.” + </p> + <p> + Thus she had heard the gossips talk among themselves when they thought she + did not listen. And though it was little she understood of Kaids and + ransoms, she was quick to see the nature of her father's peril, and at + length she concluded that, in spite of his injunction, go to him she + should and must. With that resolve, her mind, which had been the mind of a + child seemed to spring up instantly and become the mind of a woman, and + her heart, that had been timid, suddenly grew brave, for pity and love + were born in it. “He must be starving in prison,” she thought, “and I will + take him food.” + </p> + <p> + When her neighbours heard of her intention they lifted their hands in + consternation and horror. “God be gracious to my father!” they cried. + “Shawan? You? Alone? Child, you'll be lost, lost—worse, a thousand + times worse! Shoof! you're only a baby still.” + </p> + <p> + But their protests availed as little to keep Naomi at her home now as + their importunities had done before to induce her to leave it. “He must be + starving in prison,” she said, “and I will take him food.” + </p> + <p> + Her neighbours left her to her stubborn purpose. + </p> + <p> + “Allah!” they said, “who would have believed it, that the little + pink-and-white face had such a will of her own!” + </p> + <p> + Without more ado Naomi set herself to prepare for her journey. She saved + up thirty eggs, and baked as many of the round flat cakes of the country; + also she churned some butter in the simple way which the women had taught + her, and put the milk that was left in a goat's-skin. In three days she + was ready, and then she packed her provisions in the leaf panniers of a + mule which one of the neighbours had lent to her, and got up before them + on the front of the burda, after the manner of the wives whom she had seen + going past to market. + </p> + <p> + When she was about to start her gossips came again, in pity of her wild + errand, to bid her farewell and to see the last of her. “Keep to the track + as far as Tetuan,” they said to her, “and then ask for the road to + Shawan.” One old creature threw a blanket over her head in such a way that + it might cover her face. “Faces like yours are not for the daylight,” the + old body whispered, and then Naomi set forward on her journey. The women + watched her while she mounted the hill that goes up to the fondak, and + then sinks out of sight beyond it. “Poor mad little fool,” they whimpered; + “that's the end of her! She'll never come back. Too many men about for + that. And now,” they said, facing each other with looks of suspicion and + envy, “what of the creatures?” + </p> + <p> + While the good souls were dividing her possessions among them, Naomi was + awakening to some vague sense of her difficulties and dangers. She had + thought it would be easy to ask her way, but now that she had need to do + so she was afraid to speak. The sight of a strange face alarmed her, and + she was terrified when she met a company of wandering Arabs changing + pasture, with the young women and children on camels, the old women + trudging on foot under loads of cans and kettles, the boys driving the + herds, and the men, armed with long flintlocks, riding their prancing + barbs. Her poor little mule came to a stand in the midst of this + cavalcade, and she was too bewildered to urge it on. Also her fear which + had first caused her to cover her face with the blanket that her neighbour + had given her, now made her forget to do so, and the men as they passed + her peered close into her eyes. Such glances made her blood to tingle. + They seared her very soul, and she began to know the meaning of shame. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, she tried to keep up a brave heart and to push forward. “He + is starving in prison,” she told herself; “I must lose no time.” It was a + weary journey. Everything was new to her, and nearly everything was + terrible. She was even perplexed to see that however far she travelled she + came upon men and women and children. It was so strange that all the world + was peopled. Yet sometimes she wished there were more people everywhere. + That was when she was crossing a barren waste with no house in sight and + never a sign of human life on any side. But oftener she wished that the + people were not so many; and that was when the children mocked at her + mule, or the women jeered at her as if she must needs be a base person + because she was alone, or the men laughed and leered into her uncovered + face. + </p> + <p> + Before she had gone many miles her heart began to fail. Everything was + unlike what she expected. She had thought the world so good that she had + but to say to any that asked her of her errand, “My father is in prison, + they say that he is starving; I am taking him food,” and every one would + help her forward. Though she had never put it to herself so, yet she had + reckoned in this way in spite of the warnings of her neighbours. But no + one was helping her forward; few were looking on her with goodwill, and + fewer still with pity and cheer. + </p> + <p> + The jogging of the mule, a most bony and stiff-limbed beast, had flattened + the panniers that hung by its side, and made the round cakes of bread to + protrude from the open mouth of one of them. Seeing this, a line of + market-women going by, with bags of charcoal on their backs, snatched a + cake each as they passed and munched them and laughed. Naomi tried to + protest. “The bread is for my father,” she faltered; “he is in prison; + they say he—” But the expostulation that began thus timidly broke + down of itself, for the women laughed again out of their mouths choked + with the bread, and in another moment they were gone. + </p> + <p> + Naomi's spirit was crushed, but she tried to keep up a brave front still. + To speak of her father again would be to shame him. The poor little + illusions of the sweetness and goodness of the world which, in spite of + vague recollections of Tetuan, she had struggled, since the coming of her + sight, to build up in her fresh young soul, were now tumbling to pieces. + After all, the world was very cruel. It was the same as if an angel out of + the clouds had fallen on to the earth and found her feet mired with clay. + </p> + <p> + Six hours after she had set out from her home Naomi came to a fondak which + stood in those days outside the walls of Tetuan on the south-western side. + The darkness had closed in by this time, and she must needs rest there for + the night, but never until then had she reflected that for such + accommodation she would need money. Only a few coppers were necessary, + only twenty moozoonahs, that she might lie in the shelter and safety of + one of the pens that were built for the sleep of human creatures, and that + her mule might be tethered and fed on the manure heap that constituted the + square space within. At last she bethought her of her eggs, and, though it + went to her heart to use for herself what was meant for her father, she + parted with twelve of them, and some cakes of the bread besides, that she + might be allowed to pass the gate, telling herself repeatedly, with big + throbs of remorse between her protestations, that unless she did so her + father might never get anything at all. + </p> + <p> + The fondak was a miserable place, full of farming people who were to go on + to market at Tetuan in the morning, of many animals of burden, and of + countless dogs. It was the eve of the month of Rabya el-ooal, and between + the twilight and the coming of night certain of the men watched for the + new moon, and when its thin bow appeared in the sky they signalled its + advent after their usual manner by firing their flintlocks into the air, + while their women, who were squatting around, kept up a cooing chorus. + Then came eating and drinking, and laughing and singing, and playing the + ginbri, and feats of juggling, as well as snarling and quarrelling and + fighting, and also peacemaking by means of a cudgel wielded by the keeper + of the fondak. With such exercises the night passed into morning. + </p> + <p> + Naomi was sick. Her head ached. The smell of rotten fish, the stench of + the manure heap, the braying of the donkeys, the barking of the dogs, the + grunt of the camels, and the tumult of human voices made her light-headed. + She could neither eat nor sleep. Almost as soon as it was light she was up + and out and on her way. “I must lose no time,” she thought, trying not to + realise that the blue sky was spinning round her, that noises were ringing + in her head, and that her poor little heart, which had been so stout only + yesterday, was sinking very low. + </p> + <p> + “He must be starving,” she told herself again, and that helped her to + forget her own troubles and to struggle on. But oh, if the world were only + not so cruel, oh, if there were anyone to give her a word of cheer, nay, a + glance of pity! But nobody had looked at her except the women who stole + her bread and the men who shamed her with their wicked eyes. + </p> + <p> + That one day's experience did more than all her life before it to fill her + with the bitter fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Her + illusions fell away from her, and her sweet childish faith was broken + down. She saw herself as she was: a simple girl, a child ignorant of the + ways of the world, going alone on a long journey unknown to her, thinking + to succour her father in prison, and carrying a handful of eggs and a few + poor cakes of bread. When at length the scales fell from the eyes of her + mind, and as she trudged along on her bony mule, afraid to ask her way, + she saw herself, with all her fine purposes shrivelled up, do what she + would to be brave, she could not help but cry. It was all so vain, so + foolish; she was such a weak little thing. Her father knew this, and that + was why he told her to stay where he left her. What if he came home while + she was absent! Should she go back? + </p> + <p> + She had almost resolved to return, struggle as she might to push forward, + when going close under the town walls, near to the very gate, the Bab Toot + whereat she had been cast out with her father remembering this scene of + their abasement with a new sense of its cruelty and shame born of her own + simple troubles, she lit upon a woman who was coming out. + </p> + <p> + It was Habeebah. She was now the slave of Ben Aboo, and was just then + stealing away from the Kasbah in the early morning that she might go in + search of Naomi, whose whereabouts and condition she had lately learned. + </p> + <p> + The two might have passed unknown, for Habeebah was veiled, but that Naomi + had forgotten her blanket and was uncovered. In another moment the poor + frightened girl, with all her brave bearing gone, was weeping on the black + woman's breast. + </p> + <p> + “Whither are you going?” said Habeebah. + </p> + <p> + “To my father,” Naomi began. “He is in prison; they say he is starving; I + was taking food to him, but I am lost, I don't know my way; and besides—” + </p> + <p> + “The very thing!” cried Habeebah. + </p> + <p> + Habeebah had her own little scheme. It was meant to win emancipation at + the hands of her master, and paradise for her soul when she died. Naomi, + who was a Jewess, was to turn Muslima. That was all. Then her troubles + would end, and wondrous fortune would descend upon her, and her father who + was in prison would be set free. + </p> + <p> + Now, religion was nothing to Naomi; she hardly understood what it meant. + The differences of faith were less than nothing, but her father was + everything, and so she clutched at Habeebah's bold promises like a + drowning soul at the froth of a breaker. + </p> + <p> + “My father will be let out of prison? You are sure—quite sure?” she + asked. + </p> + <p> + “Quite sure,” answered Habeebah stoutly. + </p> + <p> + Naomi's hopes of ever reaching her father were now faint, and her poor + little stock of eggs and bread looked like folly to her new-born + worldliness. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” she said. “I will turn Muslima.” + </p> + <p> + A few minutes afterwards she was riding by Habeebah's side into the town, + through the Bab Toot across the Feddan, and up to the courtyard of the + Kasbah, which had witnessed the beginning of her own and her father's + degradation. Then, tethering the beast in the open stables there, Habeebah + took Naomi into her own little room and left her alone for some minutes, + while she hastened to Ben Aboo in secret with her wondrous news. + </p> + <p> + “Lord Basha,” she said, “the beautiful Jewess Naomi, the daughter of + Israel ben Oliel, will turn Muslima.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is she?” said Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “Sidi,” said Habeebah, “I have promised that you will liberate her + father.” + </p> + <p> + “Fetch her,” said Ben Aboo, “and it shall be done.” + </p> + <p> + But meanwhile Fatimah had gone to Habeebah's room and found Naomi there, + and heard of the vain hope which had brought her. + </p> + <p> + “My sweet jewel of gold and silver,” the black woman cried, “you don't + know what you are doing. Turn Muslima, and you will be parted from your + father for ever. He is a Jew, and will have no right to you any more. You + will never, never see him again. He will be lost to you—lost—I + say—lost!” + </p> + <p> + Habeebah, with two of the guard, came back to take Naomi to Ben Aboo. The + poor girl was bewildered. She had seen nothing but her father in Fatimah's + protest, just as she had seen nothing but her father in Habeebah's + promises. She did not know what to do, she was such a poor weak little + thing, and there was no strong hand to guide her. + </p> + <p> + They led her through dark passages to an open place which she thought she + had seen before. It was a great patio, paved and walled with tiles. Men + were standing together there in red peaked caps and flowing white kaftans. + And before them all was one old man in garments that were of the colour of + the afternoon sun, with sleeves like the mouths of bells, a silver knife + at his waistband, and little leather bags, hung by yellow cords, about his + neck. Beside this man there was a woman of a laughing cruel face, and she + herself, Naomi, stood in the midst, with every eye upon her. Where had she + seen all this before? + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo had often bethought him of the beautiful girl since he committed + her father to prison. He cherished schemes concerning her which he did not + share with his wife Katrina. But he had hitherto been withheld by two + considerations: the first being that he was beset with difficulties + arising out of the demands of the Sultan for more money than he could + find, and the next that he foresaw the necessity that might perchance + arise of recalling Israel to his post. Out of these grave bedevilments he + had extricated himself at length by imposing dues on certain tribes of + Reefians, who had never yet acknowledged the Sultan's authority, and by + calling on the Sultan's army to enforce them. The Sultan had come in + answer to his summons, the Reefians had been routed, their villages burnt, + and that morning at daybreak he had received a message saying that Abd + er-Rahman intended to keep the feast of the Moolood at Tetuan. So this + capture of Naomi was the luckiest chance that could have befallen him at + such a moment. She should witness to the Prophet; her father, the Jew, + would thereby lose his rights in her; and he himself, as her sole + guardian, would present her as a peace-offering to the Sultan on crossing + the boundary of his bashalic. + </p> + <p> + Such was the new plan which Ben Aboo straightway conceived at hearing the + news of Habeebah, and in another moment he had propounded it to Katrina. + But when Naomi came into the patio, looking so soft, so timid, so tired, + yet so beautiful, so unlike his own painted beauties, with the light of + the dawn on her open face, with her clear eyes and the sweet mouth of a + child, his evil passions had all they could do not to go back to his + former scheme. + </p> + <p> + “So you wish to turn Muslima?” he said. + </p> + <p> + Naomi gave one dazed look around, and then cried in a voice of fear “No, + no, no!” + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo glanced at Habeebah, and Habeebah fell upon Naomi with protests + and remonstrances. “She said so,” Habeebah cried. “'I will turn Muslima,' + she said. Yes, Sidi, she said so, I swear it!” + </p> + <p> + “Did you say so?” asked Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Naomi faintly. + </p> + <p> + “Then, by Allah, there can be no going back now,” said Ben Aboo; and he + told her what was the penalty of apostasy. It was death. She must choose + between them. + </p> + <p> + Naomi began to cry, and Ben Aboo to laugh at her and Habeebah to plead + with her. Still she saw one thing only. “But what of my father?” she said. + </p> + <p> + “He shall be liberated,” said Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + “But shall I see him again? Shall I go back to him?” said Naomi. + </p> + <p> + “The girl is a simpleton!” said Katrina. + </p> + <p> + “She is only a child,” said Ben Aboo, and with one glance more at her + flower-like face, he committed her for three days to the apartments of his + women. + </p> + <p> + These apartments consisted of a garden overgrown by straggling weeds, with + a fountain of muddy water in the middle, an oblong room that was stifling + from many perfumes, and certain smaller chambers. The garden was inhabited + by a gazelle, whose great startled eyes looked out through the long grass; + and the oblong room by a number of women of varying ages, among whom were + a matronly Mooress, called Tarha, in a scarlet head-dress, and with a + string of great keys swung from shoulder to waist; a Circassian, called + Hoolia, in a gorgeous rida of red silk and gold brocade; a Frenchwoman, + called Josephine, with embroidered red slippers and black stockings; and a + Jewess, called Sol, with a band of silk handkerchiefs tied round her + forehead above her coal-black curls, with her fingers pricked out with + henna and her eyes darkened with kohl. + </p> + <p> + Such were Ben Aboo's wives and concubines and captives, whom he had not + divorced according to his promise; and when Naomi came among them they did + their duty by their master faithfully. Being trapped themselves, they + tried to entrap Naomi also. They overwhelmed her with caresses, they went + into ecstasies over her beauty, and caused the future which awaited her to + shine before her eyes. She would have a noble husband, magnificent + dresses, a brilliant palace, and the world would be at her feet. “And + what's the difference between Moosa and Mohammed?” said Sol; “look at me!” + “Tut!” said Josephine, “there's nothing to choose between them.” “For my + part,” said Tarha, “I don't see what it matters to us; they say Paradise + is for the men!” “And think of the jewels, and the earrings as big as a + bracelet,” said Hoolia, “instead of this,” and she drew away between her + thumb and first finger the blanket which Naomi's neighbour had given her. + </p> + <p> + It was all to no purpose. “But what of my father?” Naomi asked again and + again. + </p> + <p> + The women lost patience at her simplicity, gave up their solicitations, + ignored her, and busied themselves with their own affairs. “Tut!” they + said, “why should we want her to be made a wife of the Sultan? She would + only walk over us like dirt whenever she came to Tetuan.” + </p> + <p> + Then, sitting alone in their midst, listening to their talk, their tales, + their jests, and their laughter, the unseen mantle fell upon Naomi at + last, which made her a woman who had hitherto been a child. In this + hothouse of sickly odours these women lived together, having no occupation + but that of eating and drinking and sleeping, no education but devising + new means of pleasing the lust of their husband's eye, no delight than + that of supplanting one another in his love, no passion but jealousy, no + diversion but sporting on the roofs, no end but death and the Kabar. + </p> + <p> + Seeing the uselessness of the siege, Ben Aboo transferred Naomi to the + prison, and set Habeebah to guard her. The black woman was in terror at + the turn that events had taken. There was nothing to do now but to go on, + so she importuned Naomi with prayers. How could she be so hard-hearted? + Could she keep her father famishing in prison when one word out of her + lips would liberate him? Naomi had no answer but her tears. She remembered + the hareem, and cried. + </p> + <p> + Then Ben Aboo thought of a daring plan. He called the Grand Rabbi, and + commanded him to go to Naomi and convert her to Islam. The Rabbi obeyed + with trembling. After all, it was the same God that both peoples + worshipped, only the Moors called Him Allah and the Jews Jehovah. Naomi + knew little of either. It was not of God that she was thinking: it was + only of her father. She was too innocent to see the trick, but the Rabbi + failed. He kissed her, and went away wiping his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Rumour of Naomi's plight had passed through the town, and one night a + number of Moors came secretly to a lane at the back of the Kasbah, where a + narrow window opened into her cell. They told her in whispers that what + she held as tragical was a very simple matter. “Turn Muslima,” they + pleaded, “and save yourself. You are too young to die. Resign yourself, + for God's sake.” But no answer came back to them where they were gathered + in the darkness, save low sobs from inside the wall. + </p> + <p> + At last Ben Aboo made two announcements. The first, a public one, was that + Abd er-Rahman would reach Tetuan within two days, on the opening of the + feast of the Moolood, and the other, a private one, that if Naomi had not + said the Kelmah by first prayers the following morning she should die and + her father be cut off as the penalty of her apostasy. + </p> + <p> + That night the place under the narrow window in the dark lane was occupied + by a group of Jews. “Sister,” they whispered, “sister of our people, + listen. The Basha is a hard man. This day he has robbed us of all we had + that he may pay for the Sultan's visit. Listen! We have heard something. + We want Israel ben Oliel back among us. He was our father, he was our + brother. Save his life for the sake of our children, for the Basha has + taken their bread. Save him, sister, we beg, we entreat, we pray.” + </p> + <p> + Naomi broke down at last. Next morning at dawn, kneeling among men in the + Grand Mosque in the Metamar, she repeated the Word after the Iman: “I + testify that there is no God but God, and that our Lord Mohammed is the + messenger of God; I am truly resigned.” + </p> + <p> + Then she was taken back to the women's apartments, and clad gorgeously. + Her child face was wet with tears. She was only a poor weak little thing, + she knew nothing of religion, she loved her father better than God, and + all the world was against her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII + </h2> + <h3> + ISRAEL'S RETURN FROM PRISON + </h3> + <p> + Such was the method of Israel's release. But, knowing nothing of the price + which had been paid for it, he was filled with an immense joy. Nay, his + happiness was quite childish, so suddenly had the darkness which hung over + his life been lifted away. Any one who had seen him in prison would have + been puzzled by the change as he came away from it. He laughed with the + courier who walked with him to the town gate, and jested with the gate + porter as with an old acquaintance. His voice was merry, his eye gleamed + in the rays of the lantern, his face was flushed, and his step was light. + “Afraid to travel in the night? No, no, I'll meet nothing worse than + myself. Others <i>may</i> who meet me? Ha, ha! Perhaps so, perhaps so!” + “No evil with you, brother?” “No evil, praise be God.” “Well, peace be to + you!” “On you be peace!” “May your morning be blessed! Good-night!” + “Good-night!” Then with a wave of the hand he was gone into the darkness. + </p> + <p> + It was a wonderful night. The moon, which was in its first quarter, was + still low in the east, but the stars were thick overhead, making a silvery + dome that almost obliterated the blue. Rivers were rumbling on the + hillside, an owl was hooting in the distance, kine that could not be seen + were chewing audibly near at hand, and sheep like patches of white in the + gloom were scuttling through the grass before Israel's footsteps. Israel + walked quickly, tracing his course between the two arms of the Jebel + Sheshawan, whose summits were visible against the sky. The air was cool + and moist, and a gentle breeze was blowing from the sea. Oh! the joy of it + to him who had lain long months in prison! Israel drank in the night air + as a young colt drinks in the wind. + </p> + <p> + And if it was night in the world without, it was day in Israel's heart. “I + am going to be happy,” he told himself, “yes, very happy, very happy.” He + raised his eyes to heaven, and a star, bigger and brighter than the rest, + hung over the path before him. “It is leading me to Naomi,” he thought. He + knew that was folly, but he could not restrain his mind from foolishness. + And at least she had the same moon and stars above her sleep, for she + would be sleeping now. “I am coming,” he cried. He fixed his eye on the + bright star in front and pushed forward, never resting, never pausing. + </p> + <p> + The morning dawned. Long rippling waves of morning air came down the + mountains, cool, chill, and moist. The grey light became tinged with red. + Then the sun rose somewhere. It had not yet appeared, but the peak of the + western hill was flushed and a raven flew out and perched on the point of + light. Israel's breast expanded, and he strode on with a firmer step. “She + will be waking soon,” he told himself. + </p> + <p> + The world awoke. From unseen places birds began to sing—the wheatear + in the crevices of the rocks, the sedge-warbler among the rushes of the + rivers. The sun strode up over the hill summit, and then all the earth + below was bright. Dewdrops sparkled on the late flowers, and lay like vast + spiders' webs over the grass; sheep began to bleat, dogs to bark, kine to + low, horses to cross each other's necks, and over the freshness of the air + came the smell of peat and of green boughs burning. Israel did not stop, + but pushed on with new eagerness. “She will have risen now,” he told + himself. He could almost fancy he saw her opening the door and looking out + for him in the sunlight. + </p> + <p> + “Poor little thing,” he thought, “how she misses me! But I am coming, I am + coming!” + </p> + <p> + The country looked very beautiful, and strangely changed since he saw it + last. Then it had been like a dead man's face; now it was like a face that + was always smiling. And though the year was so old it seemed to be quite + young. No tired look of autumn, no warning of winter; only the freshness + and vigour of spring. “I am going to see my child, and I shall be happy + yet,” thought Israel. The dust of life seemed to hang on him no longer. + </p> + <p> + He came to a little village called Dar el Fakeer—“the house of the + poor one.” The place did not even justify its name, for it was a cinereous + wreck. Not a living creature was to be seen anywhere. The village had been + sacked by the Sultan's army, and its inhabitants had fled to the + mountains. Israel paused a moment, and looked into one of the ruined + houses. He knew it must have been the house of a Jew, for he could + recognise it by its smell. The floor was strewn over with rubbish—cans, + kettles, water-bottles, a woman's handkerchief, and a dainty red slipper. + On the ragged grass in the court within there were some little stones + built up into tiny squares, and bits of stick stuck into the ground in + lines. A young girl had lived in that house; children had played there; + the gaunt and silent place breathed of their spirits still. “Poor souls!” + thought Israel, but the troubles of others could not really touch him. At + that very moment his heart was joyful. + </p> + <p> + The day was warm, but not too hot for walking. Israel did not feel weary, + and so he went on without resting. He reckoned how far it was from Shawan + to his home near Semsa. It was nearly seventy miles. That distance would + take two days and two nights to cover on foot. He had left the prison on + Wednesday night, and it would be Friday at sunset before he reached Naomi. + It was now Thursday morning. He must lose no time. “You see, the poor + little thing will be waiting, waiting, waiting,” he told himself. “These + sweet creatures are all so impatient; yes, yes, so foolishly impatient. + God bless them!” + </p> + <p> + He met people on the road, and hailed them with good cheer. They answered + his greetings sadly, and a few of them told him of their trouble. + Something they said of Ben Aboo, that he demanded a hundred dollars which + they could not pay, and something of the Sultan, that he had ransacked + their houses and then gone on with his great army, his twenty wives, and + fifteen tents to keep the feast at Tetuan. But Israel hardly knew what + they told him, though he tried to lend an ear to their story. He was + thinking out a wonderful scheme for the future. With Naomi he was to leave + Morocco. They were to sail for England. Free, mighty, noble, beautiful + England! Ah, how it shone in his memory, the little white island of the + sea! His mother's home! England! Yes, he would go back to it. True, he had + no friends there now; but what matter of that? Ah, yes, he was old, and + the roll-call of his kindred showed him pitiful gaps. His mother! Ruth! + But he had Naomi still. Naomi! He spoke her name aloud, softly, tenderly, + caressingly, as if his wrinkled hand were on her hair. Then recovering + himself, he laughed to think that he could be so childish. + </p> + <p> + Near to sunset he came upon a dooar, a tent village, in a waste place. It + was pitched in a wide circle, and opened inwards. The animals were + picketed in the centre, where children and dogs were playing, and the + voices of men and women came from inside the tents. Fires were burning + under kettles swung from triangles, and sight of this reminded Israel that + he had not eaten since the previous day. “I must have food,” he thought, + “though I do not feel hungry.” So he stopped, and the wandering Arabs + hailed him. “Markababikum!” they cried from where they sat within. + </p> + <p> + “You are very welcome! Welcome to our lofty land!” Their land was the + world. + </p> + <p> + Israel went into one of the tents, and sat down to a dish of boiled beans + and black bread. It was very sweet. A man was eating beside him; a woman, + half dressed, and with face uncovered, was suckling a child while she + worked a loom which was fastened to the tent's two upright poles. Some + fowls were nestling for the night under the tent wing, and a young girl + was by turns churning milk by tossing it in a goat's-skin and baking cakes + on a fire of dried thistles crackling in a hole over three stones. All + were laughing together, and Israel laughed along with them. + </p> + <p> + “On a long journey, brother?” said the man. + </p> + <p> + “No, oh no, no,” said Israel. “Only to Semsa, no farther.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you must sleep here to-night,” said the Arab. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I cannot do that,” said Israel. + </p> + <p> + “No?” + </p> + <p> + “You see, I am going back to my little daughter. She is alone, poor child, + and has not seen her old father for months. Really it is wrong of a man to + stay away such a time. These tender creatures are so impatient, you know. + And then they imagine such things, do they not? Well, I suppose we must + humour them—that's what I always say.” + </p> + <p> + “But look, the night is coming, and a dark one, too!” said the woman. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, nothing, that's nothing, sister,” said Israel. “Well, peace! Farewell + all, farewell!” + </p> + <p> + Waving his hand he went away laughing, but before he had gone far the + darkness overtook him. It came down from the mountains like a dense black + cloud. Not a star in the sky, not a gleam on the land, darkness ahead of + him, darkness behind, one thick pall hanging in the air on every side. + Still for a while he toiled along. Every step was an effort. The ground + seemed to sink under him. It was like walking on mattresses. He began to + feel tired and nervous and spiritless. A cold sweat broke out on his brow, + and at length, when the sound of a river came from somewhere near, though + on which side of him he could not tell, he had no choice but to stop. + “After all, it is better,” he thought. “Strange, how things happen for the + best! I must sleep to-night, for to-morrow night I will get no sleep at + all. No, for I shall have so many things to say and to ask and to hear.” + </p> + <p> + Consoling him thus, he tried to sleep where he was, and as slumber crept + upon him in the darkness, with five-and-twenty heavy miles of dense night + between him and his home, he crooned and talked to himself in a childish + way that he might comfort his aching heart. “Yes, I must sleep—sleep—to-morrow + <i>she</i> must sleep and I must watch by her—watch by her as I used + to do—used to do—how soft and beautiful—how beautiful—sleeping—sleep—Ah!” + </p> + <p> + When he awoke the sun had risen. The sea lay before him in the distance, + the blue Mediterranean stretching out to the blue sky. He was on the + borders of the country of the Beni-Hassan, and, after wading the river, + which he had heard in the night, he began again on his journey. It was now + Friday morning, and by sunset of that day he would be back at his home + near Semsa. Already he could see Tetuan far away, girt by its white walls, + and perched on the hillside. Yonder it lay in the sunlight, with the + snow-tipped heights above it, a white blaze surrounded by orange orchards. + </p> + <p> + But how dizzy he was! How the world went round! How the earth trembled! + Was the glare of the sun too fierce that morning, or had his eyes grown + dim? Going blind? Well, even so, he would not repine, for Naomi could see + now. She would see for him also. How sweet to see through Naomi's eyes! + Naomi was young and joyous, and bright and blithe. All the world was new + to her, and strange and beautiful. It would be a second and far sweeter + youth. + </p> + <p> + Naomi—Naomi—always Naomi! He had thought of her hitherto as + she had appeared to him during the few days of their happy lives at Semsa. + But now he began to wonder if time had not changed her since then. Two + months and a half—it seemed so long! He had visions of Naomi grown + from a sweet girl to a lovely woman. A great soul beamed out of her big, + slow eyes. He himself approached her meekly, humbly, reverently. + Nevertheless, he was her father still—her old, tired, dim-eyed + father; and she led him here and there, and described things to him. He + could see and hear it all. First Naomi's voice: “A bow in the sky—red, + blue, crimson—oh!” Then his own deeper one, out of its lightsome + darkness: “A rainbow, child!” Ah! the dreams were beautiful! + </p> + <p> + He tried to recall the very tones of Naomi's voice—the voice of his + poor dead Ruth—and to remember the song that she used to sing—the + song she sang in the patio on that great night of the moonlight, when he + was returning home from the Bab Ramooz, and heard her singing from the + street— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Within my heart a voice + Bids earth and heaven rejoice. +</pre> + <p> + He sang the song to himself as he toiled along. With a little lisp he sang + it, so that he might cheat himself and think that the voice he was making + was Naomi's voice and not his own. + </p> + <p> + Towards midday Israel came under the walls of Tetuan, between the Sultan's + gardens and the flour-mills that are turned by the escaping sewers, and + there he lit upon a company of Jews. They were a deputation that had come + out from the town to meet him, and at first sight of his face they were + shocked. He had left Tetuan a stricken man, it was true, but strong and + firm, fifty years of age and resolute. Six months had passed, and he was + coming back as a weak, broken, shattered, doddering, infirm old man of + eighty. Their hearts fell low before they spoke, but after a pause one of + them—Israel knew him: a grey-bearded man, his name was Solomon + Laredo—stepped up and said, “Israel ben Oliel, our poor Tetuan is in + trouble. It needs you. Alas! we dealt ill with you, but God has punished + us, and we are brothers now. Come back to us, we pray of you; for we have + heard of a great thing that is coming to pass. Listen!” + </p> + <p> + Something they told him then of Mohammed of Mequinez, follower of Seedna + Aissa (Jesus of Nazareth), but a good man nevertheless, and also something + they said of the Spaniards and of one Marshal O'Donnel, who was to bombard + Marteel. But Israel heard very little. “I think my hearing must be failing + me,” he said; and then he laughed lightly, as if that did not greatly + matter. “And to tell you the truth, though I pity my poor brethren, I can + no longer help them. God will raise up a better minister.” + </p> + <p> + “Never!” cried the Jews in many voices. + </p> + <p> + “Anyhow,” said Israel, “my life among you is ended. I set no store by + place and power. What does the English poet say, 'In the great hand of God + I stand.' Shakespeare—oh, a mighty creature—one who knew where + the soul of a man lay. But I forget, you've not lived in England. Do you + know I am to go there again, and to take my little daughter? You remember + her—Naomi—a charming girl. She can see now, and hear, and + speak also! Yes for God has lifted His hand away from her, and I am going + to be very happy. Well, I must leave you, brothers. The little one will be + waiting. I must not keep her too long, must I? Peace, peace!” + </p> + <p> + Seeing his profound faith, no one dared to tell him the truth that was on + every tongue. A wave of compassion swept over all. The deputation stood + and watched him until he had sunk under the hill. + </p> + <p> + And now, being come thus near to home, Israel's impatience robbed him of + some of his happy confidence and filled him with fears. He began to think + of all the evil chances that might have befallen Naomi. His absence had + been so long, and so many things might have happened since he went away. + In this mood he tried to run. It was a poor uncertain shamble. At nearly + every step the body lurched for poise and balance. + </p> + <p> + At last he came to a point of the path from which, as he knew, the little + rush-covered house ought to be seen. “It's yonder,” he cried, and pointed + it out to himself with uplifted finger. The sun was sinking, and its + strong rays were in his face. “She's there, I see her!” he shouted. A few + minutes later he was near the door. “No, my eyes deceived me,” he said in + a damp voice. “Or perhaps she has gone in—perhaps she's hiding—the + sweet rogue!” + </p> + <p> + The door was half open; he pushed it and entered the house. “Naomi!” he + called in a voice like a caress. “Naomi!” His voice trembled now. “Come to + me, come, dearest; come quickly, quickly, I cannot see!” He listened. + There was not a sound, not a movement. “Naomi!” The name was like a gurgle + in his throat. There was a pause, and then he said very feebly and simply, + “She's not here.” + </p> + <p> + He looked around, and picked up something from the floor. It was a slipper + covered with mould. As he gazed upon it a change came over his face. Dead? + Was Naomi dead? He had thought of death before—for himself, for + others, never for Naomi. At a stride the awful thing was on him. Death! + Oh, oh! + </p> + <p> + With a helpless, broken, blind look he was standing in the middle of the + floor with the slipper in his hand, when a footstep came to the door. He + flung the slipper away and threw open his arms. Naomi—it must be + she! + </p> + <p> + It was Fatimah. She had come in secret, that the evil news of what had + been done at the Kasbah and the Mosque might not be broken to Israel too + suddenly. He met her with a terrible question. “Where is she laid?” he + said in a voice of awe. + </p> + <p> + Fatimah saw his error instantly. “Naomi is alive,” she said, and, seeing + how the clouds lifted off his face, she added quickly, “and well, very + well.” + </p> + <p> + That is not telling a falsehood, she thought; but when Israel, with a cry + of joy which was partly pain, flung his arms about her, she saw what she + had done. + </p> + <p> + “Where is she?” he cried. “Bring her, you dear, good soul. Why is she not + here? Lead me to her, lead me!” + </p> + <p> + Then Fatimah began to wring her hands. “Alas!” she said, weeping, “that + cannot be.” + </p> + <p> + Israel steadied himself and waited. “She cannot come to you, and neither + can you go to her.” said Fatimah. “But she is well, oh! very well. Poor + child, she is at the Kasbah—no, no, not the prison—oh no, she + is happy—I mean she is well, yes, and cared for—indeed, she is + at the palace—the women's palace—but set your mind easy—she—” + </p> + <p> + With such broken, blundering words the good woman blurted out the truth, + and tried to deaden the blow of it. But the soul lives fast, and Israel + lived a lifetime in that moment. + </p> + <p> + “The palace!” he said in a bewildered way. “The women's palace—the + women's—” and then broke off shortly. “Fatimah, I want to go to + Naomi,” he said. + </p> + <p> + And Fatimah stammered, “Alas! alas! you cannot, you never can—” + </p> + <p> + “Fatimah,” said Israel, with an awful calm. “Can't you see, woman, I have + come home? I and Naomi have been long parted. Do you not understand?—I + want to go to my daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” said Fatimah; “but you can never go to her any more. She is in + the women's apartments—” + </p> + <p> + Then a great hoarse groan came from Israel's throat. + </p> + <p> + “Poor child, it was not her fault. Listen,” said Fatimah; “only listen.” + </p> + <p> + But Israel would hear no more. The torrent of his fury bore down + everything before it. Fatimah's feeble protests were drowned. “Silence!” + he cried. “What need is there for words? She is in the palace!—that's + enough. The women's palace—the hareem—what more is there to + say?” + </p> + <p> + Putting the fact so to his own consciousness, and seeing it grossly in all + its horror, his passion fell like a breaking in of waters. “O God!” he + cried, “my enemy casts me into prison. I lie there, rotting, starving. I + think of my little daughter left behind alone. I hasten home to her. But + where is she? She is gone. She is in the house of my enemy. Curse her! . . + . . Ah! no, no; not that, either! Pardon me, O God; not that, whatever + happens! But the palace—the women's palace. Naomi! My little + daughter! Her face was so sweet, so simple. I could have sworn that she + was innocent. My love! my dove! I had only to look at her to see that she + loved me! And now the hareem—that hell, and Ben Aboo—that + libertine! I have lost her for ever! Yet her soul was mine—I + wrestled with God for it—” + </p> + <p> + He stopped suddenly, his face became awfully discoloured, he dropped to + his knees on the floor, lifted his eyes and his hands towards heaven, and + cried in a voice at once stern and heartrending, “Kill her, O God! Kill + her body, O my God, that her soul may be mine again!” + </p> + <p> + At this awful cry Fatimah fled out of the hut. It was the last voice of + tottering reason. After that he became quiet, and when Fatimah returned + the following morning he was talking to himself in a childish way while + sitting at the door, and gazing before him with a lifeless look. Sometimes + he quoted Scriptures which were startlingly true to his own condition: “I + am alone, I am a companion to owls. . . . I have cleansed my heart in + vain. . . . My feet are almost gone, my steps have well-nigh slipped. . . + . I am as one whom his mother comforteth.” + </p> + <p> + Between these Scriptures there were low incoherent cries and simple + foolish play-words. Again and again he called on Naomi, always softly and + tenderly, as if her name were a sacred thing. At times he appeared to + think that he was back in prison, and made a little prayer—always + the same—that some one should be kept from harm and evil. Once he + seemed to hear a voice that cried, “Israel ben Oliel! Israel ben Oliel!” + “Here! Israel is here!” he answered. He thought the Kaid was calling him. + The Kaid was the King. “Yes, I will go back to the King,” he said. Then he + looked down at his tattered kaftan, which was mired with dirt, and tried + to brush it clean, to button it, and to tie up the ragged threads of it. + At last he cried, as if servants were about him and he were a master + still, “Bring me robes—clean robes—white robes; I am going + back to the King!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV + </h2> + <h3> + THE ENTRY OF THE SULTAN + </h3> + <p> + Meantime Tetuan was looking for the visit of His Shereefian Majesty, the + Sultan Abd er-Rahman. He had been heard of about four hours away, encamped + with his Ministers, a portion of his hareem, and a detachment of his army, + somewhere by the foot of Beni Hosmar. His entry was fixed for eight + o'clock next morning, and preparations for his coming were everywhere + afoot. All other occupations were at a standstill, and nothing was to be + heard but the noise and clamour of the cleansing of the streets, and the + hanging of flags and of carpets. + </p> + <p> + Early on the following morning a street-crier came, beating a drum, and + crying in a hoarse voice, “Awake! Awake! Come and greet your Lord! Awake! + Awake!” + </p> + <p> + In a little while the streets were alive with motley and noisy crowds. The + sun was up, if still red and hazy, and sunlight came like a tunnel of gold + down the swampy valley and from over the sea; the orange orchards lying to + the south, called the gardens of the Sultan, were red rather than yellow, + and the snowy crests of the mountain heights above them were crimson + rather than white. In the town itself the small red flag that is the + Moorish ensign hung out from every house, and carpets of various colours + swung on many walls. + </p> + <p> + The sun was not yet high before the Sultan's army began to arrive. It was + a mixed and noisy throng that came first, a sort of ragged regiment of + Arabs, with long guns, and with their gun-cases wrapped about their heads—a + big gang of wild country-folk lately enlisted as soldiers. They poured + into the town at the western gate, and shuffled and jostled and squeezed + their way through the narrow streets firing recklessly into the air, and + shouting as they went, “Abd er-Rahman is coming! The Sultan is coming! + Dogs! Men! Believers! Infidels! Come out! come out!” + </p> + <p> + Thus they went puffing along, covered with dust and sweltering in + perspiration, and at every fresh shot and shout the streets they passed + through grew denser. But it was a grim satire on their lawless loyalty + that almost at their heels there came into the town, not the Sultan + himself, but a troop of his prisoners from the mountains. Ten of them + there were in all, guarded by ten soldiers, and they made a sorry + spectacle. They were chained together, man to man in single file, not hand + to hand or leg to leg but neck to neck. So had they walked a hundred + miles, never separated night or day, either sleeping or waking, or faint + or strong. The feet of some were bare and torn, and dripping blood; the + faces of all were black with grime, and streaked with lines of sweat. And + thus they toiled into the streets in that sunlight of God's own morning, + under the red ensigns of Morocco, by the many-coloured carpets of Rabat, + to the Kasbah beyond the market-place. They were Reefians whose homes the + Sultan had just stripped, whose villages he had just burnt, whose wives + and children he had just driven into the mountains. And they were going to + die in his dungeons. + </p> + <p> + It was seven o'clock by this time, and rumour had it that the Sultan's + train was moving down the valley. From the roofs of the houses a vast + human ant-hill could be seen swarming across the plain in the distance. + Then came some rapid transformations of the scene below. First the streets + were deserted by every decent blue jellab and clean white turban within + range of sight. These presently reappeared on the roofs of the principal + thoroughfare, where groups of women, closely covered in their haiks, had + already begun to congregate with their dark attendants. Next, a body of + the townsmen who possessed firearms mounted guard on the walls to protect + the town from the lawlessness of the big army that was coming. Then into + the Feddan, the square marketplace, came pouring from their own little + quarter within its separate walls a throng of Jewish people, in their + black gabardines and skull-caps, men and women and children, carrying + banners that bore loyal inscriptions, twanging at tambourines and crying + in wild discords, “God bless our Lord!” “God give victory to our Lord the + Sultan!” + </p> + <p> + The poor Jews got small thanks for such loyalty to the last of the Caliphs + of the Prophet. Every ragged Moor in the streets greeted them with + exclamations of menace and abhorrence. Even the blind beggar crouching at + the gate lifted up his voice and cursed them. + </p> + <p> + “Get out, you Jew! God burn your father! Dogs, take off your slippers—Abd + er-Rahman is coming!” + </p> + <p> + Thus they were scolded and abused on every side, kicked, cuffed, jostled, + and wedged together well-nigh to suffocation. Their banners were torn out + of their hands, their tambourines were broken, their voices were drowned, + and finally they were driven back into their Mellah and shut up there, and + forbidden to look upon the entry of the Sultan even from their roofs. + </p> + <p> + And the vagabonds and ragamuffins among the faithful in the streets, + having got rid of the unbelievers had enough ado to keep peace among + themselves. They pushed and struggled and stormed and cried and laughed + and clamoured down this main artery of the town through which the Sultan's + train must pass. Men and boys, women also and young girls, donkeys with + packs, bony mules too, and at least one dirty and terrified old camel. It + was a confused and uproarious babel. Angry black faces thrust into white + ones, flashing eyes and gleaming white teeth, and clenched fists uplifted. + Human voices barking like dogs, yelping like hyenas, shrill and guttural, + piercing and grating. Prayings, beggings, quarrellings, cursings. + </p> + <p> + “Arrah! Arrah! Arrah!” + </p> + <p> + “O Merciful! O Giver of good to all!” + </p> + <p> + “Curses on your grandfather!” + </p> + <p> + “Allah! Allah! Allah!” + </p> + <p> + “Balak! Balak! Balak!” + </p> + <p> + But presently the wild throng fell into order and silence. The gate of the + Kasbah was thrown open, and a line of soldiers came out, headed by the + Kaid of Tetuan, and moved on towards the city wall. The rabble were thrust + back, the soldiers were drawn up in lines on either side of the street, + and the Kaid, Ben Aboo himself, took a position by the western gate. + </p> + <p> + By this time there was commotion on the town walls among the townsmen who + had gathered there. The Sultan's army was drawing near, a confused and + disorderly mass of human beings moving on from the plain. As they came up + to the walls, the people who were standing on the house-roofs could see + them, and as they were ordered away to encamp by the river, none could + help but hear their shouts and oaths. + </p> + <p> + When the motley and noisy concourse had been driven off to their + camping-ground, the gates of the town were thrown wide, for the Sultan + himself was at hand. + </p> + <p> + First came two soldiers afoot, and then followed five artillerymen, with + their small pieces packed on mules. Next came mounted standard-bearers + four deep, some in red, some in blue, and some in green. Then came the + outrunners and the spearmen, and then the Sultan's six led horses. And + then at length with the great red umbrella of royalty held over him, came + the Sultan himself, the elderly sensualist, with his dusky cheeks, his + rheumy eyes, his thick lips, and his heavy nostrils. The fat Father of + Islam was mounted that day on a snow-white stallion, bedecked in gorgeous + trappings. Its bridle was of green silk, embroidered in gold. Solomon's + seal was stamped on its headgear, and the tooth of a boar—a + safeguard against the evil eye—was suspended from its neck. Its + saddle was of orange damask, with girths of stout silk, and its stirrups + were of chased silver. The Sultan's own trappings were of the colour of + his horse. His kaftan was of white cloth, with an embroidered leathern + girdle; his turban was of white cotton, and his kisa was also white and + transparent. + </p> + <p> + As he passed under the archway of the town's gate the cannon of the Kasbah + boomed forth a salute, Ben Aboo dismounted and kissed his stirrup, and the + crowds in the streets burst upon him with blessings. + </p> + <p> + “God bless our Lord!” + </p> + <p> + “Sultan Abd er-Rahman!” + </p> + <p> + “God prolong the life of our Lord!” + </p> + <p> + He seemed hardly to hear them. Once his hand touched his breast when the + Kaid approached him. After that he looked neither to the right nor to the + left, nor gave any sign of pleasure or recognition. Nevertheless the + people in the streets ceased not to greet him with deafening acclamations. + </p> + <p> + “All's well, all's well,” they told each other, and pointed to the white + horse—the sign of peace—which the Sultan rode, and to the + riderless black horse—the sign of strife—that pranced behind + him. + </p> + <p> + The women on the housetops also, in their hooded cloaks, welcomed the + Sultan with a shrill ululation: “Yoo-yoo, yoo-yoo, yoo-yoo!” + </p> + <p> + Not content with this, the usual greeting of their sex and nation, some of + them who had hitherto been closely veiled threw back their muslin + coverings, exposed their faces to his face, and welcomed him with more + articulate cries. + </p> + <p> + He gave them neither a smile nor a glance, but rode straight onward. + Beside him walked the fly-flappers, flapping the air before his podgy + cheeks with long scarfs of silk, and behind him rode his Ministers of + State, five sleek dogs who daily fed his appetites on carrion that his + head might be like his stomach, and their power over him thereby the + greater. After the Ministers of State came a part of the royal hareem. The + ladies rode on mules, and were attended by eunuchs. + </p> + <p> + Such was the entry into Tetuan of the Sultan Abd er-Rahman. In their heart + of hearts did the people rejoice at his visit? No. Too well they knew that + the tyrant had done nothing for his subjects but take their taxes. Not a + man had he protected from injustice; not a woman had he saved from + dishonour. Never a rich usurer among them but trembled at his messages, + nor a poor wretch but dreaded his dungeons. His law existed only for + himself; his government had no object but to collect his dues. And yet his + people had received him amid wild vociferations of welcome. + </p> + <p> + Fear, fear! Fear it was in the heart of the rich man on the housetops, + whose moneys were hidden, as well as in the darkened soul of the blind + beggar at the gate, whose eyes had been gouged out long ago because he + dared not divulge the secret place of his wealth. + </p> + <p> + But early in the evening of that same day, at the corners of quiet + streets, in the covered ways, by the doors of bazaars, among the horses + tethered in the fondaks, wheresoever two men could stand and talk unheard + and unobserved by a third, one secret message of twofold significance + passed with the voice of smothered joy from lip to lip. And this was the + way and the word of it: + </p> + <p> + “She is back in the Kasbah!” + </p> + <p> + “The daughter of Ben Oliel? Thank God! But why? Has she recanted?” + </p> + <p> + “She has fallen sick.” + </p> + <p> + “And Ben Aboo has sent her to prison?” + </p> + <p> + “He thinks that the physician who will cure her quickest.” + </p> + <p> + “Allah save us! The dog of dogs! But God be praised! At least she is saved + from the Sultan.” + </p> + <p> + “For the present, only for the-present.” + </p> + <p> + “For ever, brother, for ever! Listen! your ear. A word of news for your + news: the Mahdi is coming! The boy has been for him.” + </p> + <p> + “Bismillah! Ben Oliel's boy?” + </p> + <p> + “Ali. He is back in Tetuan. And listen again! Behind the Mahdi comes the—” + </p> + <p> + “Ya Allah! well?” + </p> + <p> + “Hark! A footstep on the street—some one is near—” + </p> + <p> + “But quick. Behind the Mahdi—what?” + </p> + <p> + “God will show! In peace, brother, in peace!” + </p> + <p> + “In peace!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV + </h2> + <h3> + THE COMING OF THE MAHDI + </h3> + <p> + The Mahdi came back in the evening. He had no standard-bearers going + before him, no outrunners, no spearmen, no fly-flappers, no ministers of + state; he rode no white stallion in gorgeous trappings, and was himself + bedecked in no snowy garments. His ragged following he had left behind + him; he was alone; he was afoot; a selham of rough grey cloth was all his + bodily adornment; yet he was mightier than the monarch who had entered + Tetuan that day. + </p> + <p> + He passed through the town not like a sultan, but like a saint; not like a + conquering prince, but like an avenging angel. Outside the town he had + come upon the great body of the Sultan's army lying encamped under the + walls. The townspeople who had shut the soldiers out, with all the rabble + of their following, had nevertheless sent them fifty camels' load of + kesksoo, and it had been served in equal parts, half a pound to each man. + Where this meal had already been eaten, the usual charlatans of the + market-place had been busily plying their accustomed trades. Black + jugglers from Zoos, sham snake-charmers from the desert, and story-tellers + both grave and facetious, all twanging their hideous ginbri, had been + seated on the ground in half-circles of soldiers and their women. But the + Mahdi had broken up and scattered every group of them. + </p> + <p> + “Away!” he had cried. “Away with your uncleanness and deception.” + </p> + <p> + And the foulest babbler of them all, hot with the exercise of the indecent + gestures wherewith he illustrated his filthy tale, had slunk off like a + pariah dog. + </p> + <p> + As the Mahdi entered the town a number of mountaineers in the Feddan were + going through their feats of wonder-play before a multitude of excited + spectators. Two tribes, mounted on wild barbs, were charging in line from + opposite sides of the square, some seated, some kneeling, some standing. + Midway across the market-place they were charging, horses at full gallop, + firing their muskets, then reining in at a horse's length, throwing their + barbs on their haunches, wheeling round and galloping back, amid deafening + shouts of “Allah! Allah! Allah!” + </p> + <p> + “Allah indeed!” cried the Mahdi, striding into their midst without fear. + “That is all the part that God plays in this land of iniquity and + bloodshed. Away, away!” + </p> + <p> + The people separated, and the Mahdi turned towards the Kasbah. As he + approached it, the lanes leading to the Feddan were being cleared for the + mad antics of the Aissawa. Before they saw him the fanatics came out in + all the force of their acting brotherhood, a score of half-naked men, and + one other entirely naked, attended by their high-priests, the Mukaddameen, + three old patriarchs with long white beards, wearing dark flowing robes + and carrying torches. Then goats and dogs were riven alive and eaten raw; + while women and children; crouching in the gathering darkness overhead + looked down from the roofs and shuddered. And as the frenzy increased + among the madmen, and their victims became fewer, each fanatic turned upon + himself, and tore his own skin and battered his head against the stones + until blood ran like water. + </p> + <p> + “Fools and blind guides!” cried the Mahdi sweeping them before him like + sheep. “Is this how you turn the streets into a sickening sewer? Oh, the + abomination of desolation! You tear yourselves in the name of God, but + forget His justice and mercy. Away! You will have your reward. Away! + Away!” + </p> + <p> + At the gate of the Kasbah he demanded to see the Kaid, and, after various + parleyings with the guards and negroes who haunted the winding ways of the + gloomy place, he was introduced to the Basha's presence. The Basha + received him in a room so dark that he could but dimly see his face. Ben + Aboo was stretched on a carpet, in much the position of a dog with his + muzzle on his forepaws. + </p> + <p> + “Welcome,” he said gruffly, and without changing his own unceremonious + posture, he gave the Mahdi a signal to sit. + </p> + <p> + The Mahdi did not sit. “Ben Aboo,” he said in a voice that was half choked + with anger, “I have come again on an errand of mercy, and woe to you if + you send me away unsatisfied.” + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo lay silent and gloomy for a moment, and then said with a growl, + “What is it now?” + </p> + <p> + “Where is the daughter of Ben Oliel?” said the Mahdi. + </p> + <p> + With a gesture of protestation the Basha waved one of the hands on which + his dusky muzzle had rested. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, do not lie to me,” cried the Mahdi. “I know where she is—she is + in prison. And for what? For no fault but love of her father, and no crime + but fidelity to her faith. She has sacrificed the one and abandoned the + other. Is that not enough for you, Ben Aboo? Set her free.” + </p> + <p> + The Basha listened at first with a look of bewilderment, and some + half-dozen armed attendants at the farther end of the room shuffled about + in their consternation. At length Ben Aboo raised his head, and said with + an air of mock inquiry, “Ya Allah! who is this infidel?” + </p> + <p> + Then, changing his tone suddenly, he cried, “Sir, I know who you are! You + come to me on this sham errand about the girl, but that is not your + purpose, Mohammed of Mequinez! Mohammed the Third! What fool said you were + a spy of the Sultan? Abd er-Rahman is here—my guest and protector. + You are a spy of his enemies, and a revolutionary, come hither to ruin our + religion and our State. The penalty for such as you is death, and by Allah + you shall die!” + </p> + <p> + Saying this, he so wrought upon his indignation, that in spite of his + superstitious fears, and the awe in which he stood of the Mahdi, he half + deceived himself, and deceived his attendants entirely. But the Mahdi took + a step nearer and looked straight into his face, and said— + </p> + <p> + “Ben Aboo, ask pardon of God; you are a fool. You talk of putting me to + death. You dare not and you cannot do it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” cried Ben Aboo, with a thrill of voice that was like a swagger. + “What's to hinder me? I could do it at this moment, and no man need know.” + </p> + <p> + “Basha,” said the Mahdi, “do you think you are talking to a child? Do you + think that when I came here my visit was not known to others than + ourselves outside? Do you think there are not some who are waiting for my + return? And do you think, too,” he cried, lifting one hand and his voice + together, “that my Master in heaven would not see and know it on an errand + of mercy His servant perished? Ben Aboo, ask pardon of God, I say; you are + a fool.” + </p> + <p> + The Basha's face became black and swelled with rage. But he was cowed. He + hesitated a moment in silence, and then said with an air of braggadocio— + </p> + <p> + “And what if I do not liberate the girl?” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said the Mahdi, “if any evil befalls her the consequences shall be + on your head.” + </p> + <p> + “What consequences?” said the Basha. + </p> + <p> + “Worse consequences than you expect or dream,” said the Mahdi. + </p> + <p> + “What consequences?” said the Basha again. + </p> + <p> + “No matter,” said the Mahdi. “You are walking in darkness, and do not know + where you are going.” + </p> + <p> + “What consequences?” the Basha cried once more. + </p> + <p> + “That is God's secret,” said the Mahdi. + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo began to laugh. “Light the infidel out of the Kasbah,” he shouted + to his people. + </p> + <p> + “Enough!” cried the Mahdi. “I have delivered my message. Now woe to you, + Ben Aboo! A second time I have come to you as a witness, but I will come + no more. Fill up the measure of your iniquity. Keep the girl in prison. + Give her to the Sultan. But know that for all these things your reward + awaits you. Your time is near. You will die with a pale face. The sword + will reach to your soul.” + </p> + <p> + Then taking yet another step nearer, until he stood over the Basha where + he lay on the ground, he cried with sudden passion, “This is the last word + that will pass between you and me. So part we now for ever, Ben Aboo—I + to the work that waits for me, and you to shame and contempt, and death + and hell.” + </p> + <p> + Saying this, he made a downward sweep of his open hand over the place + where the Basha lay, and Ben Aboo shrank under it as a worm shrinks under + a blow. Then with head erect he went out unhindered. + </p> + <p> + But he was not yet done. In the garden of the palace, as he passed through + it to the street, he stood a moment in the darkness under the stars before + the chamber where he knew the Sultan lay, and cried, “Abd er-Rahman! Abd + er-Rahman! slave of the Merciful! Listen: I hear the sound of the trumpet + and the alarum of war. My heart makes a noise in me for my country, but + the day of her tribulation is near. Woe to you, Abd er-Rahman! You have + filled up the measure of your fathers. Woe to you, slave of the + Compassionate!” + </p> + <p> + The Sultan heard him, and so did the Ministers of State; the women of the + hareem heard him, and so did the civil guards and the soldiers. But his + voice and his message came over them with the terror of a ghostly thing, + and no man raised a hand to stop him. + </p> + <p> + “The Mahdi,” they whispered with awe, and fell back when he approached. + </p> + <p> + The streets were quiet as he left the Kasbah. The rabble of mountaineers + of Aissawa were gone. Hooded Talebs, with prayer-mats under their arms, + were picking their way in the gloom from the various mosques; and from + these there came out into the streets the plash of water in the porticos + and the low drone of singing voices behind the screens. + </p> + <p> + The Mahdi lodged that night in the quarter of the enclosure called the + M'Salla, and there a slave woman of Ben Aboo's came to him in secret. It + was Fatimah, and she told him much of her late master, whom she had + visited by stealth, and just left in great trouble and in madness; also of + her dead mistress, Ruth who was like rose-perfume in her memory, as well + as of Naomi, their daughter, and all her sufferings. In spasms, in gasps, + without sequence and without order, she told her story; but he listened to + her with emotion while the agitated black face was before him, and when it + was gone he tramped the dark house in the dead of night, a silent man, + with tender thoughts of the sweet girl who was imprisoned in the dungeons + of the Kasbah, and of her stricken father, who supposed that she was + living in luxury in the palace of his enemy while he himself lay sick in + the poor hut which had been their home. These false notions, which were at + once the seed and the fruit of Israel's madness, should at least be + dispelled. Let come what would, the man should neither live nor die in + such bitterness of cruel error. + </p> + <p> + The Mahdi resolved to set out for Semsa with the first grey of morning, + and meantime he went up to the house-top to sleep. The town was quiet, the + traffic of the street was done, the raggabash of the Sultan's following + had slunk away ashamed or lain down to rest. It was a wonderful night. The + air was cool, for the year was deep towards winter, but not a breath of + wind was stirring, and the orange-gardens behind the town wall did not + send over the river so much as the whisper of a leaf. Stars were out and + the big moon of the East shone white on the white walls and minarets. + Nowhere is night so full of the spirit of sleep as in an Eastern city. + Below, under the moonlight, lay the square white roofs, and between them + were the dark streets going in and out, trailing through and along, like + to narrow streams of black water in a bed of quarried chalk. Here or + there, where a belated townsman lit himself homeward with a lamp, a red + light gleamed out of one of the thin darknesses, crept along a few paces, + and then was gone. Sometimes a clamour of voices came up with their own + echo from some unseen place, and again everything was still. Sleep, sleep, + all was sleep. + </p> + <p> + “O Tetuan,” thought the Mahdi, “how soon will your streets be uprooted and + your sanctuaries destroyed!” + </p> + <p> + The Mooddin was chanting the call to prayers, and the old porter at the + gate was muttering over his rosary as the Mahdi left the town in the dawn. + He had to pick his way among the soldiers who were lying on the bare soil + outside, uncovered to the sky. Not one of them seemed to be awake. Even + their camels were still sleeping, nose to nose, in the circles where they + had last fed. Only their mules and asses, all hobbled and still saddled, + were up and feeding. + </p> + <p> + The Mahdi found Israel ben Oliel in the hut at Semsa. So poor a place he + had not seen in all his wanderings through that abject land. Its walls + were of clay that was bulged and cracked, and its roof was of rushes, + which lay over it like sea-wreck on a broken barrel. Israel was in his + right mind. He was sitting by the door of his house, with a dejected air, + a hopeless look, but the slow sad eyes of reason. His clothing was one + worn and torn kaftan; his feet were shoeless, and his head was bare. But + so grand a head the Mahdi thought he had never beheld before. Not until + then had he truly seen him, for the poverty and misery that sat on him + only made his face stand out the clearer. It was the face of a man who for + good or ill, for struggle or submission, had walked and wrestled with God. + </p> + <p> + With salutations, barely returned to him, the Mahdi sat down beside Israel + at a little distance. He began to speak to him in a tender way, telling + him who he was, and where they had met before, and why he came, and + whither he was going. And Israel listened to him at first with a brave + show of composure as if the very heart of the man were a frozen clod, + whereby his eyes and the muscles of his face and even the nerves of his + fingers were also frozen. + </p> + <p> + Then the Mahdi spoke of Naomi, and Israel made a slow shake of the head. + He told him what had happened to her when her father was taken to prison, + and Israel listened with a great outward calmness. After that he described + the girl's journey in the hope of taking food to him, and how she fell + into the hands of Habeebah; and then he saw by Israel's face that the + affection of the father was tearing his old heart woefully. At last he + recited the incidents of her cruel trial, and how she had yielded at + length, knowing nothing of religion, being only a child, seeing her father + in everything and thinking to save his life, though she herself must see + him no more (for all this he had gathered from Fatimah), and then the + great thaw came to Israel, and his fingers trembled, and his face + twitched, and the hot tears rained down his cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “My poor darling!” he muttered in a trembling undertone, and then he asked + in a faltering voice where she was at that time. + </p> + <p> + The Mahdi told him that she was back in prison, for rebelling against the + fortune intended for her—that of becoming a concubine of the Sultan. + </p> + <p> + “My brave girl!” he muttered, and then his face shone with a new light + that was both pride and pain. + </p> + <p> + He lifted his eyes as if he could see her, and his voice as if she could + hear: “Forgive me, Naomi! Forgive me, my poor child! Your weak old father; + forgive him, my brave, brave daughter!” + </p> + <p> + This was as much as the Mahdi could bear; and when Israel turned to him, + and said in almost a childish tone, “I suppose there is no help for it + now, sir. I meant to take her to England—to my poor mother's home, + but—” + </p> + <p> + “And so you shall, as sure as the Lord lives,” said the Mahdi, rising to + his feet, with the resolve that a plan for Naomi's rescue which he had + thought of again and again, and more than once rejected, which had + clamoured at the door of his heart, and been turned away as a barbarous + impulse, should at length be carried into effect. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI + </h2> + <h3> + ALI'S RETURN TO TETUAN + </h3> + <p> + The plan which the Mahdi thought of had first been Ali's, for the black + lad was back in Tetuan. After he had fulfilled his errand of mercy at + Shawan; he had gone on to Ceuta; and there, with a spirit afire for the + wrongs of his master, from whom he was so cruelly parted, he had set + himself with shrewdness and daring to incite the Spanish powers to + vengeance upon his master's enemies. This had been a task very easy of + execution, for just at that time intelligence had come from the Reef, of + barbarous raids made by Ben Aboo upon mountain tribes that had hitherto + offered allegiance to the Spanish crown. A mission had gone up to Fez, and + returned unsatisfied. War was to be declared, Marteel was to be bombarded, + the army of Marshal O'Donnel was to come up the valley of the river, and + Tetuan was to be taken. + </p> + <p> + Such were the operations which by the whim of fate had been so strangely + revealed to Ali, but Ali's own plan was a different matter. This was the + feast of the Moolood, and on one of the nights of it, probably the eighth + night, the last night, Friday night, Ben Aboo the Basha was to give a + “gathering of delight,” to the Sultan, his Ministers, his Kaids, his + Kadis, his Khaleefas, his Umana, and great rascals generally. Ali's stout + heart stuck at nothing. He was for having the Spaniards brought up to the + gates of the town, on the very night when the whole majesty and iniquity + of Barbary would be gathered in one room; then, locking the entire kennel + of dogs in the banqueting hall, firing the Kasbah and burning it to the + ground, with all the Moorish tyrants inside of it like rats in a trap. + </p> + <p> + One danger attended his bold adventure, for Naomi's person was within the + Kasbah walls. To meet this peril Ali was himself to find his way into the + dungeon, deliver Naomi, lock the Kasbah gate, and deliver up to another + the key that should serve as a signal for the beginning of the great + night's work. + </p> + <p> + Also one difficulty attended it, for while Ali would be at the Kasbah + there would be no one to bring up the Spaniards at the proper moment for + the siege—no one in Tetuan on whom the strangers could rely not to + lead them blindfold into a trap. To meet this difficulty Ali had gone in + search of the Mahdi, revealed to him his plan, and asked him to help in + the downfall of his master's enemies by leading the Spaniards at the right + moment to the gates that should be thrown open to receive them. + </p> + <p> + Hearing Ali's story, the Mahdi had been aflame with tender thoughts of + Naomi's trials, with hatred of Ben Aboo's tyrannies, and pity of Israel's + miseries. But at first his humanity had withheld him from sympathy with + Ali's dark purpose, so full, as it seemed, of barbarity and treachery. + </p> + <p> + “Ali,” he had said, “is it not all you wish for to get Naomi out of prison + and take her back to her father?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Sidi,” Ali had answered promptly. + </p> + <p> + “And you don't want to torture these tyrants if you can do what you desire + without it?” + </p> + <p> + “No-o, Sidi,” Ali had said doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Then,” the Mahdi had said, “let us try.” + </p> + <p> + But when the Mahdi was gone to Tetuan on his errand of warning that proved + so vain, Ali had crept back behind him, so that secretly and independently + he might carry out his fell design. The towns-people were ready to receive + him, for the air was full of rebellion, and many had waited long for the + opportunity of revenge. To certain of the Jews, his master's people, who + were also in effect his own, he went first with his mission, and they + listened with eagerness to what he had come to say. When their own time + came to speak they spoke cautiously, after the manner of their race, and + nervously, like men who knew too well what it was to be crushed and kept + under; but they gave their help notwithstanding, and Ali's scheme + progressed. + </p> + <p> + In less than three days the entire town, Moorish and Jewish, was + honeycombed with subterranean revolt. Even the civil guard, the soldiers + of the Kasbah, the black police that kept the gates, and the slaves that + stood before the Basha's table were waiting for the downfall to come. + </p> + <p> + The Mahdi had gone again by this time, and the people had resumed their + mock rejoicings over the Sultan's visit. These were the last kindlings of + their burnt-out loyalty, a poor smouldering pretence of fire. Every + morning the town was awakened by the deafening crackle of flintlocks, + which the mountaineers discharged in the Feddan by way of signal that the + Sultan was going to say his prayers at the door of some saint's house. + Beside the firing of long guns and the twanging of the ginbri the chief + business of the day seemed to be begging. One bow-legged rascal in a + ragged jellab went about constantly with a little loaf of bread, crying, + “An ounce of butter for God's sake!” and when some one gave him the alms + he asked he stuck the white sprawling mess on the top of the loaf and + changed his cry to “An ounce of cheese for God's sake!” A pert little + vagabond—street Arab in a double sense—promenaded the town + barefoot, carrying an odd slipper in his hand, and calling on all men by + the love of God and the face of God and the sake of God to give him a + moozoonah towards the cost of its fellow. Every morning the Sultan went to + mosque under his red umbrella, and every evening he sat in the hall of the + court of justice, pretending to hear the petitions of the poor, but + actually dispensing charms in return for presents. First an old wrinkled + reprobate with no life left in him but the life of lust: “A charm to make + my young wife love me!” Then an ill-favoured hag behind a blanket: “A + charm to wither the face of the woman that my husband has taken instead of + me!” Again, a young wife with a tearful voice: “A charm to make me bear + children!” A greasy smile from the fat Sultan, a scrap of writing to every + supplicant, chinking coins dropped into the bag of the attendant from the + treasury, and then up and away. It was a nauseous draught from the + bitterest waters of Islam. + </p> + <p> + But, for all the religious tumult, no man was deceived by the outward + marks of devotion. At the corners of the streets, on the Feddan, by the + fountains, wherever men could meet and talk unheard, there they stood in + little groups, crossing their forefingers, the sign of strife, or rubbing + them side by side, the sign of amity. It was clear that, notwithstanding + the hubbub of their loyalty to the sultan, they knew that the Spaniard was + coming and were glad of it. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Ali waited with impatience for the day that was to see the end of + his enterprise. To beguile himself of his nervousness in the night, during + the dark hours that trailed on to morning, he would venture out of the + lodging where he lay in hiding throughout the day, and pick his steps in + the silence up the winding streets, until he came under a narrow opening + in an alley which was the only window to Naomi's prison. And there he + would stay the long dark hours through, as if he thought that besides the + comfort it brought to him to be near to Naomi, the tramp, tramp, tramp of + his footsteps, which once or twice provoked the challenge of the + night-guard on his lonely round, would be company to her in her solitude. + And sometimes, watching his opportunity that he might be unseen and + unheard, he would creep in the darkness under the window and cry up the + wall in an underbreath, “Naomi! Naomi! It is I, Ali! I have come back! All + will be well yet!” + </p> + <p> + Then if he heard nothing from within he would torture himself with a + hundred fears lest Naomi should be no longer there, but in a worse place; + and if he heard a sob he would slink away like a dog with his muzzle to + the dust, and if he heard his own name echoed in the softer voice he knew + so well he would go off with head erect, feeling like a man who walked on + the stars rather than the stones of the street. But, whatever befell, + before the day dawned he went back to his lodging less sore at heart for + his lonely vigil, but not less wrathful or resolute. + </p> + <p> + The day of the feast came at length, and then Ali's impatience rose to + fever. All day he longed for the night, that the thing he had to do could + be done. At last the sunset came and the darkness fell, and from his place + of concealment Ali saw the soldiers of the assaseen going through the + streets with lanterns to lead honoured guests to the banquet. Then he set + out on his errand. His foresight and wit had arranged everything. The + negro at the gate of the Kasbah pretended to recognise him as a messenger + of the Vizier's, and passed him through. He pushed his way as one with + authority along the winding passages to the garden where the Mahdi had + called on Abd er-Rahman and foretold his fate. The garden opened upon the + great hall, and a number of guests were standing there, cooling themselves + in the night air while they waited for the arrival of the Sultan. His + Shereefian Majesty came at length, and then, amid salaams and + peace-blessings, the company passed in to the banquet. “Peace on you!” + “And on you the peace!” “God make your evening!” “May your evening be + blessed!” + </p> + <p> + Did Ali shrink from the task at that moment? No, a thousand times no! + While he looked on at these men in their muslin and gauze and linen and + scarlet, sweeping in with bows and hand-touchings to sup and to laugh and + to tell their pretty stories, he remembered Israel broken and alone in the + poor hut which had been described to him, and Naomi lying in her damp cell + beyond the wall. + </p> + <p> + Some minutes he stood in the darkness of the garden, while the guests + entered, and until the barefooted servants of the kitchen began to troop + in after them with great dishes under huge covers. Then he held a short + parley with the negro gatekeeper, two keys were handed to him, and in + another minute he was standing at the door of Naomi's prison. + </p> + <p> + Now, carefully as Ali had arranged every detail of his enterprise, down to + the removal of the black woman Habeebah from this door, one fact he had + never counted with, and that seemed to him then the chief fact of all—the + fact that since he had last looked upon Naomi she had come by the gift of + sight, and would now first look upon <i>him</i>. That he would be the same + as a stranger to her, and would have to tell her who he was; that she + would have to recognise him by whatsoever means remained to belie the + evidence of the newborn sense—this was the least of Ali's trouble. + By a swift rebound his heart went back to the fear that had haunted him in + the days before he left her with her father on his errand to Shawan. He + was black, and she would see him. + </p> + <p> + With the gliding of the key into the lock all this, and more than this, + flashed upon his mind. His shame was abject. It cut him to the quick. On + the other side of that door was she who had been as a sister to him since + times that were lost in the blue clouds of childhood. She had played with + him and slept by his side, yet she had never seen his face. And she was + fair as the morning, and he was black as the night! He had come to deliver + her. Would she recoil from him? + </p> + <p> + Ali had to struggle with himself not to fly away and leave everything. But + his stout heart remembered itself and held to its purpose. “What matter?” + he thought. “What matter about me?” he asked himself aloud in a shrill + voice and with a brave roll of his round head. Then he found himself + inside the cell. + </p> + <p> + The place was dark, and Ali drew a long breath of relief. Naomi must have + been lying at the farther end of it. She spoke when the door was opened. + As though by habit, she framed the name of her jailer Habeebah, and then + stopped with a little nervous cry and seemed to rise to her feet. In his + confusion Ali said simply, “It is I,” as though that meant everything. + Recovering himself in a moment he spoke again, and then she knew his + voice: “Naomi!” + </p> + <p> + “It's Ali,” she whispered to herself. After that she cried in a trembling + undertone “Ali! Ali! Ali!” and came straight in the accustomed darkness to + the spot where he stood. + </p> + <p> + Then, gathering courage and voice together, Ali told her hurriedly why he + was there. When he said that her father was no longer in prison, but at + their home near Semsa and waiting to receive her, she seemed almost + overcome by her joy. Half laughing, half weeping, clutching at her breast + as if to ease the wild heaving of her bosom she was transformed by his + story. + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” said Ali; “not a sound until we are outside the town,” and Naomi + knitted her fingers in his palm, and they passed out of the place. + </p> + <p> + The banquet was now at its height, and hastening down dark corridors where + they were apt to fall, for they had no light to see by, and coming into + the garden, they heard the ripple and crackle of laughter from the great + hall where Ben Aboo and his servile rascals feasted together. They reached + the quiet alley outside the Kasbah (for the negro was gone from his post), + and drew a lone breath, and thanked Heaven that this much was over. There + had been no group of beggars at the gate, and the streets around it were + deserted; but in the distance, far across the town in the direction of the + Bab el Marsa, the gate that goes out to Marteel, they heard a low hum as + of vast droves of sheep. The Spaniard was coming, and the townsmen were + going out to meet him. Casual passers-by challenged them, and though Ali + knew that even if recognised they had nothing to fear from the people, yet + more than once his voice trembled when he answered, and sometimes with a + feeling of dread he turned to see that no one was following. + </p> + <p> + As he did so he became aware of something which brought back the shame of + that awful moment when he stood with the key in hand at the door of + Naomi's prison. By the light of the lamps in the hands of the passers-by + Naomi was looking at him. Again and again, as the glare fell for an + instant, he felt the eyes of the girl upon his face. At such moments he + thought she must be drawing away from him, for the space between them + seemed wider. But he firmly held to the outstretched arm, kept his head + aside, and hastened on. + </p> + <p> + “What matter about me?” he whispered again. But the brave word brought him + no comfort. “Now she's looking at my hand,” he told himself, but he could + not draw it away. “She is doubting if I am Ali after all,” he thought. + “Naomi!” he tried to say with averted head, so that once again the sound + of his voice might reassure her; but his throat was thick, and he could + not speak. Still he pushed on. + </p> + <p> + The dark town just then was like a mountain chasm when a storm that has + been gathering is about to break. In the air a deep rumble, and then a + loud detonation. Blackness overhead, and things around that seemed to move + and pass. + </p> + <p> + Drawing near to the Bab Toot, the gate that witnessed the last scene of + Israel's humiliation and Naomi's shame, Ali, with the girl beside him, + came suddenly into a sheet of light and a concourse of people. It was the + Mahdi and his vast following with lamps in their hands, entering the town + on the west, while the Spaniards whom they had brought up to the gates + were coming in on the east. The Mahdi himself was locking the synagogues + and the sanctuaries. + </p> + <p> + “Lock them up,” he was saying. “It is enough that the foreigner must burn + down the Sodom of our tyrant; let him not outrage the Zion of our God.” + </p> + <p> + Ali led Naomi up to the Mahdi, who saw her then for the first time. + </p> + <p> + “I have brought her,” he said breathlessly; “Naomi, Israel's daughter, + this is she.” And then there was a moment of surprise and joy, and pain + and shame and despair, all gathered up together into one look of the eyes + of the three. + </p> + <p> + The Mahdi looked at Naomi, and his face lightened. Naomi looked at Ali, + and her pale face grew paler, and she passed a tress of her fair hair + across her lips to smother a little nervous cry that began to break from + her mouth. Then she looked at the Mahdi, and her lips parted and her eyes + shone. Ali looked at both, and his face twitched and fell. + </p> + <p> + This was only the work of an instant, but it was enough. Enough for the + Mahdi, for it told him a secret that the wisdom of life had not yet + revealed; enough for Naomi, for a new sense, a sixth sense, had surely + come to her; enough for Ali also, for his big little heart was broken. + </p> + <p> + “What matter about me?” thought Ali again. “Take her, Mahdi,” he said + aloud in a shrill voice. “Her father is waiting for her—take her to + him.” + </p> + <p> + “Lady,” said the Mahdi, “can you trust me?” + </p> + <p> + And then without a word she went to him; like the needle to the magnet she + went to the Mahdi—a stranger to her, when all strangers were as + enemies—and laid her hand in his. + </p> + <p> + Ali began to laugh, “I'm a fool,” he cried. “Who could have believed it? + Why, I've forgotten to lock the Kasbah! The villains will escape. No + matter, I'll go back.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” cried the Mahdi. + </p> + <p> + But Ali laughed so loudly that he did not hear. “I'll see to it yet,” he + cried, turning on his heel. “Good night, Sidi! God bless you! My love to + my father! Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + And in another moment he was gone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII + </h2> + <h3> + THE FALL OF BEN ABOO + </h3> + <p> + The roysterers in the Kasbah sat a long half-hour in ignorance of the doom + that was impending. Squatting on the floor in little circles, around + little tables covered with steaming dishes, wherein each plunged his + fingers, they began the feast with ceremonious wishes, pious exclamations, + cant phrases, and downcast eyes. First, “God lengthen your age,” “God + cover you,” and “God give you strength.” Then a dish of dates, served with + abject apologies from Ben Aboo: “You would treat us better in Fez, but + Tetuan is poor; the means, Seedna, the means, not the will!” Then fish in + garlic, eaten with loud “Bismillah's.” Then kesksoo covered with powdered + sugar and cinnamon, and meat on skewers, and browned fowls, and fowls and + olives, and flake pastry and sponge fritters, each eaten in its turn amid + a chorus of “La Ilah illa Allah's.” Finally three cups of green tea, as + thick and sweet as syrup, drunk with many “Do me the favour's,” and + countless “Good luck's.” Last of all, the washing of hands, and the + fumigating of garments and beard and hair by the live embers of scented + wood burning in a brass censer, with incessant exchanges of “The Prophet—God + rest him—loved sweet odours almost as much as sweet women.” + </p> + <p> + But after supper all this ceremony fell away, and the feasters thawed down + to a warm and flowing brotherhood. Lolling at ease on their rugs, trifling + with their egg-like snuff-boxes, fumbling their rosaries for idleness more + than piety, stretching their straps, and jingling on the pavement the + carved ends of their silver knife-shields, they laughed and jested, and + told dubious stories, and held doubtful discourse generally. The talk + turned on the distinction between great sins and little ones. In the + circle of the Sultan it was agreed that the great sins were two: unbelief + in the Prophet, whereby a man became Jew and dog; and smoking keef and + tobacco, which no man could do and be of correct life and unquestionable + Islam. The atonement for these great sins were five prayers a day, + thirty-four prostrations, seventeen chapters of the Koran, and as many + inclinations. All the rest were little sins; and as for murder and + adultery, and bearing false witness—well, God was Merciful, God was + Compassionate, God forgave His poor weak children. + </p> + <p> + This led to stories of the penalises paid by transgressors of the great + sins. These were terrible. Putting on a profound air, the Vizier, a fat + man of fifty, told of how one who smoked tobacco and denied the Prophet + had rotted piecemeal; and of how another had turned in his grave with his + face from Mecca. Then the Kaid of Fez, head of the Mosque and general + Grand Mufti, led away with stories of the little sins. These were + delightful. They pictured the shifts of pretty wives, married to worn out + old men, to get at their youthful lovers in the dark by clambering in + their dainty slippers from roof to roof. Also of the discomfiture of pious + old husbands and the wicked triumph of rompish little ladies, under + pretences of outraged innocence. + </p> + <p> + Such, and worse, and of a kind that bears not to be told, was the + conversation after supper of the roysterers in the Kasbah. At every fresh + story the laughter became louder, and soon the reserve and dignity of the + Moor were left behind him and forgotten. At length Ben Aboo, encouraged by + the Sultan's good fellowship, broke into loud praises of Naomi, and yet + louder wails over the doom that must be the penalty of her apostasy; and + thereupon Abd er-Rahman, protesting that for his part he wanted nothing + with such a vixen, called on him to uncover her boasted charms to them. + “Bring her here, Basha,” he said; “let us see her,” and this command was + received with tumultuous acclamations. + </p> + <p> + It was the beginning of the end. In less than a minute more, while the + rascals lolled over the floor in half a hundred different postures, with + the hazy lights from the brass lamps and the glass candelabras on their + dusky faces, their gleaming teeth, and dancing eyes, the messenger who had + been sent for Naomi came back with the news that she was gone. Then Ben + Aboo rose in silent consternation, but his guests only laughed the louder, + until a second messenger, a soldier of the guard, came running with more + startling news. Marteel had been bombarded by the Spaniards; the army of + Marshall O'Donnel was under the walls of Tetuan, and their own people were + opening the gates to him. + </p> + <p> + The tumult and confusion which followed upon this announcement does not + need to be detailed. Shoutings for the mkhaznia, infuriated commands to + the guards, racings to the stables and the Kasbah yard, unhobbling of + horses, stamping and clattering of hoofs, and scurryings through dark + corridors of men carrying torches and flares. There was no attempt at + resistance. That was seen to be useless. Both the civil guard and the + soldiery had deserted. The Kasbah was betrayed. Terror spread like fire. + In very little time the Sultan and his company with their women and + eunuchs, were gone from the town through the straggling multitude of their + disorderly and dissolute and worthless soldiery lying asleep on the + southern side of it. + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo did not fly with Abd er-Rahman. He remembered that he had + treasure, and as soon as he was alone he went in search of it. There were + fifty thousand dollars, sweat of the life-blood of innocent people. No one + knew the strong-room except himself, for with his own hand he had killed + the mason who built it. In the dark he found the place, and taking bags in + both his hands and hiding them under the folds of his selham, he tried to + escape from the Kasbah unseen. + </p> + <p> + It was too late; the Spanish soldiers were coming up the arcades, and Ben + Aboo, with his money-bags, took refuge in a granary underground, near the + wall of the Kasbah gate. From that dark cell, crouching on the grain, + which was alive with vermin, he listened in terror to the sounds of the + night. First the galloping of horses on the courtyard overhead; then the + furious shouts of the soldiers, and, finally, the mad cries of the crowd. + “Damn it—they've given us the slip.” “Yes; they've crawled off like + rats from a sinking ship.” “Curse it all, it's only a bungle.” This in the + Spanish tongue, and then in the tongue of his own country Ben Aboo heard + the guttural shouts of his own people: “Sidi, try the palace.” “Try the + apartments of his women, Sidi.” “Abd er-Rahman's gone, but Ben Aboo's + hiding.” “Death to the tyrant!” “Down with the Basha!” “Ben Aboo! Ben + Aboo!” Last of all a terrific voice demanding silence. “Silence, you + shrieking hell-babies, silence!” + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo was in safety; but to lie in that dark hole underground and to + hear the tumult above him was more than he could bear without going mad. + So he waited until the din abated, and the soldiers, who had ransacked the + Kasbah, seemed to have deserted it; and then he crept out, made for the + women's apartments, and rattled at their door. It was folly, it was + lunacy; but he could not resist it, for he dared not be alone. He could + hear the sounds of voices within—wailing and weeping of the women—but + no one answered his knocking. Again and again he knocked with his elbows + (still gripping his money-bags with both hands), until the flesh was raw + through selham and kaftan by beating against the wood. Still the door + remained unopened, and Ben Aboo, thinking better of his quest for company, + fled to the patio, hoping to escape by a little passage that led to the + alley behind the Kasbah. + </p> + <p> + Here he encountered Katrina and a guard of five black soldiers who were + helping her flight. “We are safe,” she whispered—“they've gone back + into the Feddan—come;” and by the light of a lamp which she carried + she made for the winding corridor that led past the bath and the sanctuary + to the Kasbah gate. But Ben Aboo only cursed her, and fumbled at the low + door of the passage that went out from the alcove to the alley. He was + lumbering through with his armless roll, intending to clash the door back + in Katrina's face, when there was a fierce shout behind him, and for some + minutes Ben Aboo knew no more. + </p> + <p> + The shout was Ali's. After leaving the Mahdi on the heath outside the Bab + Toot, the black lad had hunted for the Basha. When the Spanish soldiers + abandoned the Kasbah he continued his search. Up and down he had traversed + the place in the darkness; and finding Ben Aboo at last, on the spot where + he had first seen him, he rushed in upon him and brought him to the + ground. Seeing Ben Aboo down, the black soldiers fell upon Ali. The brave + lad died with a shout of triumph. “Israel ben Oliel,” he cried, as if he + thought that name enough to save his soul and damn the soul of Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + But Ben Aboo was not yet done with his own. The blow that had been aimed + at his heart had no more than grazed his shoulder. “Get up,” whispered + Katrina, half in wrath; and while she stooped to look for his wounds, her + face and hands as seen in the dim light of the lantern were bedaubed with + his blood. At that moment the guards were crying that the Kasbah was + afire, and at the next they were gone, leaving Katrina alone with the + unconscious man. “Get up,” she cried again, and tugging at Ben Aboo's + unconscious body she struck it in her terror and frenzy. It was every one + for himself in that bad hour. Katrina followed the guards, and was never + afterwards heard of. + </p> + <p> + When Ben Aboo came to himself the patio was aglow with flames. He + staggered to his feet, still grappling to his breast the money-bags hidden + under his selham. Then, bleeding from his shoulder and with blood upon his + beard, he made afresh for the passage leading to the back alley. The + passage was narrow and dark. There were three winding steps at the end of + it. Ben Aboo was dizzy and he stumbled. + </p> + <p> + But the passage was silent, it was safe, and out in the alley a sea of + voices burst upon him. He could hear the tramp of countless footsteps, the + cries of multitudes of voices, and the rattle of flintlocks. Lanterns, + torches, flares and flashes of gunpowder came and went at both ends of the + long dark tunnel. In the light of these he saw a struggling current of + angry faces. The living sea encircled him. He knew what had happened. At + the first certainty that his power was gone and that there was nothing to + fear from his vengeance, his own people had gathered together to destroy + him. + </p> + <p> + There were two small mean houses on the opposite side of the alley, and + Ben Aboo tried to take refuge in the first of them. But the woman who came + with uncovered face to the door was the widow of the mason who had built + his strong-room. “Murderer and dog!” she cried, and shut the door against + him. He tried the other house. It was the house of the mason's son. + “Forgive me,” he cried. “I am corrected by Allah! Yes, yes, it is true I + did wrong by your father, but forgive me and save me.” Thus he pleaded, + throwing himself on the ground and crawling there. “Dog and coward,” the + young man shouted, and beat him back into the street. + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo's terror was now appalling to look upon. His face was that of a + snared beast. With bloodshot eyes, hollow cheeks, and short thick breath, + he ran from dark alley to dark alley, trying every house where he thought + he might find a friend. “Alee, don't you know me?” “Mohammed, it is I, Ben + Aboo.” “See, El Arby, here's money, money; it's yours, only save me, save + me!” With such frantic cries he raced about in the darkness like a hunted + wolf. But not a house would shelter him. Everywhere he met relatives of + men who had died through his means, and he was driven away with curses. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, a rumour that Ben Aboo was in the streets had been bruited + abroad among the people, and their lust of blood was thereby raised to + madness. Screaming and spitting and raving, and firing their flintlocks, + they poured from street into street, watching for their victim and seeing + him in every shadow. “He's here!” “He's there!” “No, he's yonder!” “He's + scaling the high wall like a cat!” + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo heard them. Their inarticulate cries came to him laden with one + message only—death. He could see their faces, their snarling teeth. + Sometimes he would rave and blaspheme. Then he would make another effort + for his life. But the whirlpool was closing in upon him; and at last, like + one who flings himself over a precipice from dizziness, fears, and + irresistible fascination, he flung himself into the middle of the + infuriated throng as they scurried across the open Feddan. + </p> + <p> + From that moment Ben Aboo's doom was sealed. The people received him with + a long furious roar, a cry of triumphant execration, as if their own + astuteness at length had entrapped him. He stood with his back to the high + wall; the bellowing crowd was before him on either side. By the torches + that many carried all could see him. Turban and shasheeah had fallen off, + and the bald crown of his head was bare. His face retained no human + expression but fear. He was seen to draw his arms from beneath his selham, + to hold both his money-bags against his breast, to plunge a hand into the + necks of them, and fling handfuls of coins to the people. “Silver,” he + cried; “silver, silver for everybody.” + </p> + <p> + The despairing appeal was useless. Nobody touched the money. It flashed + white through the air, and fell unheard. “Death to the Kaid!” was shouted + on every side. Nevertheless, though half the men carried guns, no man + fired. By unspoken consent it seemed to be understood that the death of + Ben Aboo was not to be the act of one, but of all. “Stones,” cried + somebody out of the crowd, and in another moment everybody was picking + stones, and piling them at his feet or gathering them in the skirt of his + jellab. + </p> + <p> + Ben Aboo knew his awful fate. Gesticulating wildly, having flung the + money-bags from him, slobbering and screaming, the blighted soul was seen + to raise his eyes towards the black sky, his thick lubber lips working + visibly, as if in wild invocation of heaven. At the next instant the + stones began to fall on him. Slowly they fell at first, and he reeled + under them like a drunken man; the back of his neck arched itself like the + neck of a bull, and like the roar of a bull was the groan that came from + his throat. Then they fell faster, and he swayed to and fro, and grunted, + with his beard bobbing at his breast, and his tongue lolling out. Faster + and faster, and thicker and thicker they showered upon him, darting out of + the darkness like swallows of the night. His clothes were rent, his blood + spirted over them, he staggered as a beast staggers in the slaughter, and + at length his thick knees doubled up, and he fell in a round heap like a + ball. + </p> + <p> + The ferocity of the crowd was not yet quelled. They hailed the fall of Ben + Aboo with a triumphant howl, but their stones continued to shower upon his + body. In a little while they had piled a cairn above it. Then they left it + with curses of content and went their ways. When the Spanish soldiers, who + had stood aside while the work was done, came up with their lanterns to + look at this monument of Eastern justice, the heap of stones was still + moving with the terrific convulsions of death. + </p> + <p> + Such was the fall of El Arby, nicknamed Ben Aboo. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII + </h2> + <h3> + “ALLAH-U-KABAR” + </h3> + <p> + Travelling through the night,—Naomi laughing and singing snatches in + her new-found joy, and the Mahdi looking back at intervals at the huge + outline of Tetuan against the blackness of the sky,—they came to the + hut by Semsa before dawn of the following day. But they had come too late. + Israel ben Oliel was not, after all, to set out for England. He was going + on a longer journey. His lonely hour had come to him, his dark hour + wherein none could bear him company. On a mattress by the wall he lay + outstretched, unconscious, and near to his end. Two neighbours from the + village were with him, and but for these he must have been alone—the + mighty man in his downfall deserted by all save the great Judge and God. + </p> + <p> + What Naomi did when the first shock of this hard blow fell upon her, what + she said, and how she bore herself, it would be a painful task to tell. + Oh, the irony of fate! Ay, the irony of God! That scene, and what followed + it, looked like a cruel and colossal jest—none the less cruel + because long drawn out and as old as the days of Job. + </p> + <p> + It was useless to go out in search of a doctor. The country was as + innocent of leechcraft as the land of Canaan in the days of Abraham. All + they could do was to submit, absolutely and unconditionally. They were in + God's hands. + </p> + <p> + The light was coming yellow and pink through the window under the eaves as + Israel awoke to consciousness. He opened his eyes as if from sleep, and + saw Naomi beside him. No surprise did he show at this, and neither did he + at first betray pleasure. Dimly and softly he looked upon her, and then + something that might have been a smile but for lack of strength passed + like sunshine out of a cloud across his wasted face. Naomi pressed a + pillow-under his loins, and another under his head, thinking to ease the + one and raise the other. But the iron hand of unconsciousness fell upon + him again, and through many hours thereafter Naomi and the Mahdi sat + together in silence with the multitudinous company of invisible things. + </p> + <p> + During that interval Fatimah came in hot haste, and they had news of + Tetuan. The Spaniards had taken the town, but Abd er-Rahman and most of + his Ministers had escaped. Ben Aboo had tried to follow them, but he had + been killed in the alcove of the patio. Ali had killed him. He had rushed + in upon him through a line of his guards. One of the guards had killed + Ali. The brave black lad had fallen with the name of Israel on his lips + and with a dauntless shout of triumph. The Kasbah was afire; it had been + burning since the banquet of the night before. + </p> + <p> + Towards sunset peace fell upon Israel ben Oliel, and then they knew that + the end was very near. Naomi was still kneeling at his right hand, and the + Mahdi was standing at his left. Israel looked at the girl with a world of + tenderness, though the hard grip of death was fast stiffening his noble + face. More than once he glanced at the Mahdi also as if he wished to say + something, and yet could not do so, because the power of life was low; but + at last his voice found strength. + </p> + <p> + “I have left it too late,” he said. “I cannot go to England.” + </p> + <p> + Naomi wept more than ever at the sound of these faltering words, and it + was not without effort that the Mahdi answered him. + </p> + <p> + “Think no more of that,” he said, and then he stopped, as if the word that + he had been about to speak had halted on his tongue. + </p> + <p> + “It is hard to leave her,” said Israel, “for she is alone; and who will + protect her when I am gone?” + </p> + <p> + “God lives,” said the Mahdi, “and He is Father to the fatherless.” + </p> + <p> + “But what Jew,” said Israel, “would not repeat for her her father's + troubles, and what Muslim could save her from her own?” + </p> + <p> + “Who that trusts in God,” said the Mahdi, “need fear the Kaid?” + </p> + <p> + “But what man can save her?” cried Israel again. + </p> + <p> + And then the Mahdi, touched by Naomi's tears as well as her father's + importunities, answered out of a hot heart and said— + </p> + <p> + “Peace, peace! If there is no one else to take her, from this day forward + she shall go with me.” + </p> + <p> + Naomi looked up at him then with such a light in her beautiful eyes as he + has often since, but had never before seen there, and Israel ben Oliel who + had been holding at his hand, clutched suddenly at his wrist. + </p> + <p> + “God bless you!” he said, as well as he could for the two angels, the + angel of love and the angel of death, were struggling at his throat. + </p> + <p> + Israel looked steadily at the Mahdi for a moment more, and then said very + softly— + </p> + <p> + “Death may come to me now; I am ready. Farewell, my father! I tried to do + your bidding. Do you remember your watchword? But God <i>has</i> given me + rewards for repentance—see,” and he turned his eyes towards the eyes + of Naomi with a wasting yet sunny smile. + </p> + <p> + “God is good,” said the Mahdi; “lie still, lie still,” and he laid his + cool hand on Israel's forehead. + </p> + <p> + “I am leaving her to you,” said Israel; “and you alone can protect her of + all men living in this land accursed of God, for God's right arm is round + you. Yes, God is good. As long as you live you will cherish her. Never was + she so dear to me as now, so sweet, so lovable, so gentle. But you will be + good to her. God is very good to me. Guard her as the apple of your eye. + It will reward you. And let her think of me sometimes—only + sometimes. Ah! how nearly I shipwrecked all this! Remember! Remember!” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, hush! Do not increase your pains,” said the Mahdi. “Are you feeling + better now?” + </p> + <p> + “I am feeling well,” said Israel, “and happy—so happy.” + </p> + <p> + The sun had set, and the swift twilight was passing into night, when + another messenger arrived from Tetuan. It was Ali's old Taleb, shedding + tears for his boy, but boasting loudly of his brave death. He had heard of + it from the black guards themselves. After Ali fell he lived a moment, + though only in unconsciousness. The boy must have thought himself back at + Israel's side, “I've done it, father,” he said; “he'll never hurt you + again. You won't drive me away from you any more; will you, father?” + </p> + <p> + They could see that Israel had heard the story. The eyes of the dying are + dry, but well they knew that the heart of the man was weeping. + </p> + <p> + The Taleb came with the idea that Israel also was gone, for a rumour to + that effect had passed through the town. “El hamdu l'Illah!” he cried, + when he saw that Israel was still alive. But then he remembered something, + and whispered in the Mahdi's farther ear that a vast concourse of Moors + and Jews including his own vast fellowship was even then coming out to + bury Israel, thinking he was dead. + </p> + <p> + Israel overheard him and smiled. It seemed as if he laughed a little also. + “It will soon be true,” he muttered under his breath, that came so quick. + And hardly had he spoken when a low deep sound came from the distance. It + was the funeral wail of Israel ben Oliel. + </p> + <p> + Nearer and nearer it came, and clearer and more clear. First a mighty bass + voice: “Allah Akbar!” Again another and another voice: “Allah Akbar!” and + then the long roar of a vast multitude: “Al—l—lah-u-kabar!” + Finally a slow melancholy wail, rising and falling on the darkening air: + “There is no God but God, and Mohammed is the Prophet of God.” + </p> + <p> + It was a solemn sound—nay, an awful one, with the man himself alive + to hear it. + </p> + <p> + O gratitude that is only a death-song! O fame that is only a funeral! + </p> + <p> + Israel listened and smiled again. “Ah, God is great!” he whispered; “God + is great!” + </p> + <p> + To ease his labouring chest a moment the Mahdi rose and stepped to the + door, and then in the distance he could descry the procession approaching—a + moving black shadow against the sky. Also over their billowy heads he + could see a red glow far away in the clouds. It was the last smouldering + of the fire of the modern Sodom. + </p> + <p> + While he stood there he was startled by the sound of a thick voice behind + him. It was Israel's voice. He was speaking to Naomi. “Yes,” he was + saying, “it is hard to part. We were going to be very happy. . . . But you + must not cry. Listen! When I am there—eh? you know, <i>there</i>—I + will want to say, 'Father, you did well to hear my prayer. My little + daughter—she is happy, she is merry, and her soul is all sunshine.' + So you must not weep. Never, never, never! Remember! . . . . Ah! that's + right, that's right. My simple-hearted darling! My sunny, merry, happy + girl!” + </p> + <p> + Naomi was trying to laugh in obedience to her father's will. She was + combing his white beard with her fingers—it was knotted and tangled—and + he was labouring hard to speak again. + </p> + <p> + “Naomi, do you remember?” he said; and then he tried to sing, and even to + lisp the words as he sang them, just as a child might have done. “Do you + remember— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Within my heart a voice + Bids earth and heaven rejoice, + Sings 'Love'—” + </pre> + <p> + But his strength was spent, and he had to stop. + </p> + <p> + “Sing it,” he whispered, with a poor broken smile at his own failure. And + then the brave girl—all courage and strength, a quivering bow of + steel—took up the song where he had left it, though her voice + trembled and the tears started to her eyes. + </p> + <p> + As Naomi sang Israel made some poor shift to beat the time to her, though + once and again his feeble hand fell back into his breast. When she had + done singing Israel looked at the Mahdi and then at her, and smiled, as if + he and she and the song were one to him. + </p> + <p> + But indeed Naomi had hardly finished when the wail came again, now nearer + than before, and louder. Israel heard it. “Hark! They are coming. Keep + close,” he muttered. + </p> + <p> + He fumbled and tugged with one hand at the breast of his kaftan. The Mahdi + thought his throat wanted air, but Naomi, with the instinct of help that a + woman has in scenes like these, understood him better. In the disarray of + his senses this was his way of trying to raise himself that he might + listen the easier to the song outside. The girl slid her arm under his + neck, and then his shrunken hand was at rest. “Ah! closer. 'God is + great'!” he murmured again. “'God—is—great'!” With that word + on his lips he smiled and sighed, and sank back. It was now quite dark. + </p> + <p> + When the Mahdi returned to his place at Israel's feet the dying man seemed + to have been feeling for his hand. Taking it now, he brought it to his + breast, where Naomi's hand lay under his own trembling one. With that last + effort, and a look into the girl's face that must have pursued him home, + his grand eyes closed for ever. + </p> + <p> + In the silence that followed after the departing spirit the deep swell of + the funeral wail came rolling heavily on the night air: “Allah Akbar! + Al-lah-u-kabar!” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes more the procession of the people of Tetuan who had come + out to bury Israel ben Oliel had arrived at the house. + </p> + <p> + “He has gone,” said the Mahdi, pointing down; and then lifting his eyes + towards heaven, he added, “TO THE KING!” + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> Notes: <br /> <br /> 1. Where spelling inconsistencies in the printed + text appear to be unintentional, they have been made consistent in this + Etext version, either by adopting the dictionary spelling or the spelling + most frequently used in the printed text. <br /> <br /> 2. In the printed + text, many representations of Arabic words use accented characters; in + this Etext version, the accents have been removed to allow transmission by + email using the 7-bit character set. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1303 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |