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UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
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UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 SAEA MILLER 
 
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 PHILADELPHIA 
 
 The Jewish Publication Society of America 
 
 1899 
 
I „ Copyright, 1899, by 
 
 •|* he Jewish Publication Society of America 
 
 f &>ri*4ppts 
 
 Z$t JSorb (gaUimovt (pre** 
 
 THE FRIEDENWALD COMPANY 
 
 BALTIMORE, MO., U. S. A. 
 
PREFATORY NOTE 
 
 The portrait of Moses Maimonides 
 which forms the frontispiece of this 
 volume is indirectly derived from 
 the Thesaurus Ugolini, Venice, 1744, 
 volume I, page 384. The author of 
 the Thesaurus makes the statement 
 that it was taken from an old 
 painting. Its authenticity cannot, 
 however, be said to be established. 
 The signature is after a photograph 
 of a letter recovered from the Cairo 
 Genizah by Dr. S. Schechter. 
 
 ^45487 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Chapter 
 
 Page 
 
 I A Stranger from the North . . 7 
 
 II The Beginning of a Friendship . . 25 
 
 III Stolen Waters 47 
 
 IV The Seder 66 
 
 V Champion of His Faith .... 81 
 
 VI A Perillous Mission .... gs 
 
 VII A Desert Journey .... 113 
 
 VIII An Old Score 141 
 
 IX The Moslem Camp .... iqq 
 
 X The Jew's Revenge 190 
 
 XI Dreams Fulfilled 222 
 
UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 A STRANGER FROM THE NORTH 
 
 During the reign of Sultan Saladin, 
 Europe, swept by an outburst of 
 religious feeling, prepared a great 
 military expedition, the purpose of 
 which was to wrest the Holy Sepul- 
 chre from its Saracen possessors. 
 So enormous was the extent of the 
 enterprise, and so great the excite- 
 ment attending it, that there was 
 hardly a Christian of standing who, 
 though he had but a handful of fol- 
 lowers, was not making ready to 
 join the Crusade. 
 
#,; «j DTfp^ THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 The wealth of that time consisted 
 principally of large estates, owned 
 by noblemen and cultivated by 
 vassals. The dependents, in return 
 for a lord's protection and the use 
 of his lands, rendered him a tithe 
 of their crops and what military 
 service he demanded. Thus many 
 a nobleman, whose bounteous board 
 and great castle made it no tax to 
 support a company of men-at-arms, 
 was now hard put to it to secure 
 equipment and transportation for 
 his followers. Even kings felt the 
 lack of ready money. 
 
 Commerce, always the greatest 
 source of wealth to a nation, was 
 almost entirely in the hands of the 
 Jews. Forbidden to possess lands, 
 they were obliged to turn to barter 
 as a means of livelihood. Every 
 
A STRANGER FROM THE NORTH 9 
 
 occupation closed to him, the Jew 
 bent all his energies upon the ac- 
 cumulation of treasures, and many- 
 were the tales told of the fabulous 
 wealth of Jewish merchants. 
 
 When the leaders of the Crusade 
 began to feel the need of gold, their 
 attention naturally turned to the 
 hoarded riches of these despised 
 people. Even so great a king as 
 Richard of England considered it 
 no shame to appropriate by vio- 
 lence the money he required. Fan- 
 atical mobs robbed and pillaged the 
 Jewish quarters, and it was a com- 
 mon occurrence for half the Jews 
 of a city to be murdered. 
 
 So it happened that, having been 
 orphaned by the excess of piety 
 which usually followed the Jew's 
 denial of a Christian's demands, 
 
10 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 Joseph Ibn Assan found himself 
 wandering about the Egyptian city 
 of Fostat, hoping there to find the 
 refuge he sought. 
 
 It was Friday, the Mahometan 
 Sabbath. The muezzins were chant- 
 ing the noon salutation from the 
 minarets of a mosque Closely 
 wrapped in his burnoose, Joseph 
 rested in the shade of neighboring 
 trees and shrubbery. As he watched 
 the crowds moving toward their 
 place of worship, he changed his 
 position in order to see the devotions 
 of the Moslems, but he was careful 
 to remain unobserved, for he knew 
 that at their prayers the Mahome- 
 tans tolerated none whom they con- 
 sidered infidels. 
 
 The service was long finished, but 
 our youth still lingered, unwilling 
 
A STRANGER FROM THE NORTH 11 , 
 
 to leave the shelter of his lounging- 
 place for the uncertainty of the 
 streets. Finally he arose, and, giv- 
 ing himself a shake, shouldered his 
 bundle. 
 
 " Joseph, my lad," he said, "thou 
 hadst best be jogging along, for 
 thou must find shelter ere the Sab- 
 bath sets in." He forthwith de- 
 serted the shade of the grove for 
 the streets, where he stood in un- 
 certainty, until, seeing that his per- 
 plexity was attracting notice, he 
 made bold to accost a passer-by. 
 
 " Canst thou tell me," he asked, 
 mustering the Arabic his father 
 had taught him, " where Moses Ibn 
 Maimon dwells ? " 
 
 "One could scarcely remain a 
 day in Fostat, and not discover 
 that," answered the pedestrian, "for 
 
* 12 UKDEB THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 we all have cause to know him. 
 The physician of the Sultan, may 
 Allah preserve him, is the best 
 known of all great men. Well is he 
 called Moses, for who but one that 
 deserves to be ranked with Allah's 
 saints could be so noble and still a 
 Jew ? If thou seekest the benefit of 
 his healing art, thou must wait until 
 his duties at the palace are over. 
 So many are the poor he attendeth 
 that, 'tis said, he giveth to them as 
 much time as to the royal family." 
 " Tis not as a patient I would see 
 him," answered Joseph, while the 
 man stared at the travel-stained 
 and ragged youth, who apparently 
 had no idea of the eminence of 
 Maimon's position. He courteously 
 gave the requested information, 
 and Joseph, thanking him, con- 
 
A STRANGER FEOM THE NORTH 13 
 
 tinued his quest. He searched the 
 better part of the city, scanning 
 closely the overhanging casements 
 and deep-set doors, until he found 
 the house which corresponded to 
 the description given him. Here 
 he paused, somewhat daunted by 
 its palatial appearance and the lack 
 of life which it shared with its 
 neighbors. At not a single window 
 a face was visible. There he stood, 
 uncertain how to proceed, and feel- 
 ing so strange and homesick that 
 he almost regretted having come. 
 With an effort he aroused himself, 
 saying, "He who dares not, wins 
 not," and ventured in. 
 
 Undiscovered he penetrated to a 
 small court, evidently meant for 
 the visitors of the great physician, 
 but now empty. 
 
14 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 Excepting the space occupied by 
 a cooling fountain, the ground 
 was paved with black and white 
 marble. At the sides were low 
 seats covered with cushions. The 
 corners were filled with a profusion 
 of potted plants, which gave the 
 place a garden-like appearance. 
 
 Joseph was wondering if he ought 
 to announce his presence, or wait 
 until he was observed, when he be- 
 came aware of a slave who re- 
 garded him with natural suspicion. 
 
 "Who art thou, and what dost 
 thou here?" she asked sharply. 
 
 " I ask pardon if I have trans- 
 gressed in entering thus, for, being 
 a stranger in the city, I know not 
 its ways. I would fain see Rabbi 
 Maimon, if he dwells here." 
 
 " It is his home, but what wouldst 
 thou of him?" 
 
A STRANGER FROM THE NORTH 15 
 
 " Prithee, tell him that a stranger 
 from the North doth crave speech 
 of him." 
 
 She soon returned, and, bidding 
 Joseph follow, entered the house 
 through a door which opened into 
 the court. They passed through a 
 room, luxurious in its furnishing 
 and indicating the wealth of the 
 owners, who had surrounded them- 
 selves with the best that Moorish 
 art could suggest. Rich draperies 
 were hung from cornices of carved 
 wood, and what little wood was vis- 
 ible in the furniture was wrought 
 in delicate, open-work fashion. The 
 mosaic floor was partially covered 
 with heavy rugs. Close to the wall 
 was the estrade usually seen in 
 Eastern houses, in this case uphol- 
 stered with brocade and decorated 
 
16 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 with piles of brightly covered cush- 
 ions. 
 
 " Evidently a reception room," 
 thought Joseph, as they left it to 
 enter one of far different appear- 
 ance, which might have been either 
 the laboratory of a chemist or the 
 study of a scholar. 
 
 Seated at a table, a dignified man 
 of apparently fifty was intently 
 watching the contents of a tube be- 
 fore him, while he absent-mindedly 
 stroked his beard. Without raising 
 his eyes, he motioned the visitor to 
 a low stool, and continued to ob- 
 serve the progress of his experi- 
 ment. 
 
 Nothing loath, Joseph sat down 
 an interested spectator, but his 
 attention soon wandered to the 
 chemist, whose stern face with its 
 
A STRANGER FROM THE NORTH 17 
 
 heavy black beard was made more 
 forbidding by a deep frown. Joseph 
 was not surprised, for Maimonides 
 was known throughout the Jewish 
 world as the foremost scholar of 
 his time, whose wonderfully acute 
 works had earned for him the 
 epithet of the " Great Eagle," as well 
 as made him many enemies within 
 the Synagogue, in which he was a 
 leader. As Joseph sat there, he could 
 not help wondering if the face before 
 him ever relaxed into a smile. His 
 thoughts were answered by a twin- 
 kle in the deep-set eyes of the Rabbi, 
 who had noticed the boy watching 
 him as solemn as a sphinx. 
 
 Laying aside the tube, which had 
 ceased its bubbling and hissing, he 
 greeted his visitor, asking his name 
 and errand. 
 
18 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 "I am come from the North to 
 seek the assistance of the former 
 friend of Benjamin Ibn Assan, 
 whose son I am," said Joseph. 
 "This letter, which he bade me 
 bear unto you, the illustrious Rabbi, 
 was written when he knew that 
 death had claimed him.'" 
 
 "Benjamin Ibn Assan," mused 
 the Rabbi. " It must be he whom I 
 knew in Cordova, where we were 
 fellow-students. Tis many years 
 since he returned to his home in 
 France, and my news of him hath 
 been scant. And he is no more?" 
 he added. "If his manhood bore 
 out the promise of his youth, then, 
 indeed, Israel hath lost a noble 
 son." 
 
 " Never was truer word spoken," 
 answered Joseph, his face suddenly 
 
A STEANGEE FB0M THE NOETH 19 
 
 glowing with enthusiasm. " No 
 human being appealed to him in 
 vain, for he was ever ready to wel- 
 come Jew or Gentile who stood in 
 need of succor. Yet it becomes me 
 little to boast of that which hath 
 found scant favor in the eyes of 
 other a' ' 
 
 The Rabbi raised his eyebrows 
 interrogatively, and looked with 
 some amusement at the youth, 
 neither abashed on account of 
 his strangeness nor yet over-bold. 
 
 " Naught it availed him, when 
 the Count de Fournoire, casting 
 about for plunder wherewith to 
 satisfy his free lances, fell upon 
 Benjamin Ibn Assan as one rich 
 in goods and silver. In vain my 
 father endeavored to still his 
 enemy's avarice,'' Joseph continued 
 
20 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 bitterly. " When neither threats 
 nor torture produced more treas- 
 ure, they killed him in a manner 
 which brooks not description. Thus 
 they showed how lightly they held 
 the life of a Jew." 
 
 Then, forgetting all but the sense 
 of his misfortune, he buried his 
 head in his hands. His shoulders 
 shook, but he uttered no sound. 
 
 The Rabbi musing paced to and 
 fro. He sympathized with the boy, 
 although he said nothing, for he 
 was considering less the tale — com- 
 mon enough in those days — than 
 the probable character of the youth 
 before him. He debated what was 
 to be done for him, since he was so 
 plainly in need of help. Actuated 
 by such feelings, he addressed his 
 visitor, who had now become calmer. 
 
A STEANGEE FEOM THE NOETH 21 
 
 " Had thy father spoken aught 
 to thee of thy training ? " he asked. 
 
 "I was apprenticed to a gold- 
 smith, and had nigh served my 
 term when I was robbed of his 
 love and aid. Therefore I made 
 bold to appeal to you, hoping for 
 permission to enter the warehouse 
 of the great Maimon." 
 
 The Rabbi, impressed by the 
 boy's seriousness, looked at him 
 with new interest. 
 
 " When thou hast completed thy 
 service, what then ? " he asked. 
 
 "I shall try to bear my father's 
 name worthily," — here the sense of 
 his wrongs fired him — "and mete 
 out to the Count de Fournoire such 
 punishment as he rightly deserves." 
 
 The latter speech made Maimon 
 smile. 
 
22 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 "Thou shalt have thy chance," 
 said he, adding in a more serious 
 tone, " Do but show thyself worthy, 
 and thou shalt not find me nig- 
 gardly of advancement." 
 
 " I have not words wherewith to 
 thank you," Joseph answered, his 
 voice trembling. " Never shall you 
 regret your bounty, if, by faithful 
 and zealous service, I may prove 
 my gratitude." 
 
 "I believe thee," said Maimon, 
 reseating himself. Taking one of the 
 quills upon the table, he drew his 
 writing materials toward him, and 
 began to write an order upon his 
 superintendent for the admission 
 of Joseph Ibn Assan as apprentice 
 into the warehouse of the brothers 
 Maimon. 
 
 Having finished and sealed the 
 
A STKANGER FEOM THE NOKTH 23 
 
 missive, the Rabbi rose, and clapped 
 his hands twice. 
 
 "Thou hast much to learn con- 
 cerning the customs of our city," 
 he said to Joseph, "for thou art 
 come from a Christian country, and 
 a stranger, be he Jew or Gentile, 
 stands in peril an he conforms not 
 to Mahometan customs." 
 
 Then he turned to the boy who 
 had entered, and was awaiting his 
 orders. 
 
 "Thou may est tell Abdah that 
 the work is satisfactory, " he said, 
 while the boy saluted in Eastern 
 fashion, "and, Raphael, thou shalt 
 be this youth's guide. Show him 
 where he may procure proper garb 
 and aught else that he may stand 
 in need of." 
 
 "This order," he continued to 
 
24 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 Joseph, "give to the master to 
 whom Raphael will direct thee. 
 And now there remains but for me 
 to hear a statement of thy wealth," 
 he added, smiling kindly. 
 
 "I have still a few pieces, more 
 than sufficient for my scant needs," 
 replied Joseph, coloring, "but I 
 thank you none the less for your 
 interest. 7 ' 
 
 " Then haste thee to secure lodg- 
 ing and clothing, for 'twould be but 
 wanton risk to be seen abroad 
 thus," said Maimonides, dismissing 
 them with a " God be with you." 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF A FRIENDSHIP 
 
 As they passed into the street, 
 Joseph looked wonderingly at the 
 light, freckled skin of his com- 
 panion and at his grey eyes, which 
 twinkled beneath his turban; for 
 Raphael's merry face with its 
 northern cast of features seemed 
 incongruous with Arab garb, which 
 Joseph had always associated with 
 Moslem gravity. 
 
 Raphael, who had no mind to 
 bear this scrutiny with quiet, broke 
 the silence by saying gaily : "And 
 so thou art come to grace our wor- 
 thy brotherhood of goldsmiths?" 
 
26 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 " Such is indeed my intention, but 
 methinks there is more immediate 
 need of added grace here/ 7 answered 
 Joseph, with a smile, as he glanced 
 at his dusty clothes. 
 
 "In truth, thou art right, and 
 since fate has decreed that we are 
 to work together, we may as well 
 join hands in friendship," said 
 Raphael more seriously. 
 
 "Right gladly will I," replied 
 Joseph, clasping the proffered hand. 
 a Thy name is Raphael, I know ; I 
 am Joseph, son of Benjamin Ibn 
 Assan." 
 
 " And now, friend Joseph, let us 
 to this other gear, as the Franks 
 say," responded Raphael briskly. 
 " Thou must have lodgings first of 
 all, wherein thou mayest remain 
 until I procure thee proper garb. 
 
BEGINNING OF A FKIENDSHIP 27 
 
 What sayest thou to sharing my 
 room? I do not follow the usual 
 custom of apprentices, but have a 
 separate lodging, that I may come 
 and go freely." 
 
 "Twill suit me excellently, if the 
 fee be not too great, for I must live 
 somewhat closely." 
 
 "Nay, Dame Rebecca will not 
 make a great demand, for she is of 
 our own people, moreover, she is 
 kindly disposed," Raphael answered, 
 as he led the way down a side street 
 that they might escape observation. 
 "The dwelling," he continued, "is 
 without the gates of the Mellah, as 
 they call the Jewish quarter. For I 
 had no stomach to wear their badge 
 and bear their spittings and revil- 
 ings with humility, for, although 
 the Sultan, whom the Lord pre- 
 
28 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 serve, hath decreed freedom of wor- 
 ship to the Jews, 'tis as though he 
 had not spoken among the ignorant 
 zealots, who must hate a Jew be- 
 cause their fathers did. Why, look 
 thee, Joseph," said he, stopping 
 short in the road and speaking im- 
 pressively, "if one doth wear the 
 badge of Jewry, he may be set 
 upon and robbed without being able 
 to seek redress. A Jew may be 
 murdered even, and no one suffer 
 for it. Therefore, many of us dwell 
 without the Mellah, and pass for 
 Moslems, thereby also escaping the 
 tax, which hath been increased of 
 late." 
 
 Then, as they walked on, he 
 asked, " Tell me, is it otherwise in 
 the North?" 
 
 "Nay, it is said that there is 
 
BEGINNING OF A FRIENDSHIP 29 
 
 more freedom and safety here. 
 But how didst thou guess that I 
 come from the North ? " 
 
 "Thy Arabic comes somewhat 
 slowly, as though thou wert not 
 over-accustomed to it — but here we 
 are," he added. They stopped be- 
 fore the door of a house which had 
 the white-washed walls of many of 
 the city buildings. 
 
 Raphael bestowed a vigorous 
 knock upon the panels before him, 
 and the door was opened. Within 
 the entrance they came upon a ra- 
 ther stout woman, who smiled good- 
 naturedly when she saw Raphael. 
 
 "I might have known that no 
 other than thou would come thun- 
 dering thus at the door, thou mad- 
 cap ! " she exclaimed. 
 
 "Nay, good dame, 'twas but in 
 
30 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 anxiety that thou shouldst see my 
 friend, Joseph Ibn Assan," he said, 
 blandly waving his hand toward 
 Joseph, "who, being a stranger 
 within our gates, doth ask for hos- 
 pitality. That is to say," continued 
 he in sober tones, "we have come 
 to see if thou canst receive another 
 of our people who hath not much 
 to offer thee in return. He may 
 share my room, and will require 
 but little else." 
 
 " Right gladly I will receive him," 
 the dame answered. "Thoumayest 
 take him with thee now, Raphael-" 
 
 " I thank thee, good dame," said 
 Joseph, speaking for the first time. 
 " But what arrangements shall we 
 make as to requital? " 
 
 "That we shall discuss at some 
 other season," answered Rebecca, 
 
BEGINNING OF A FEIENDSHIP 31 
 
 laughing, as she beat a hasty re- 
 treat. 
 
 Raphael led the way to the room, 
 which was of tolerable size, with 
 two windows overlooking the court- 
 yard. It was sparely furnished, the 
 most noticeable feature being a 
 couch, or divan, upon which Joseph 
 threw himself with a sigh of relief. 
 Drawing a purse from his girdle, 
 he handed a few pieces of money to 
 Raphael, who went to purchase the 
 necessary garments. 
 
 Joseph fell into a nap, and sud- 
 denly awoke to find Raphael sitting 
 gravely upon the floor, surrounded 
 by his purchases, which he had 
 secured in the Mellah. 
 
 " Will the gracious S'id be pleased 
 to array himself?" he asked with 
 mock humility as Joseph arose. 
 
32 UKDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 Then, spreading out the garments, 
 he proceeded to give him instruc- 
 tions in their uses and advantages, 
 not forgetting to criticise Joseph's 
 personal appearance, of which he 
 rather approved. Although the 
 two boys were of nearly the same 
 age, Joseph was much the taller. 
 Being broad of shoulder, he looked 
 more than his sixteen years, which 
 was in his favor in the East, where 
 a boy is expected at eighteen to 
 have the dignity of a man. Nor 
 did their dissimilarity in appear- 
 ance end here, for Joseph was dark 
 in complexion, with a clearly cut 
 and rather aquiline nose, firmly 
 set jaw and chin, and dark, serious 
 eyes. Comparison of the two lads 
 made Raphael's mischievous face 
 seem all the more boyish. 
 
BEGINNING OF A FEIENDSHIP 33 
 
 Having donned his new clothing, 
 the full trousers closing at the 
 ankles and the sash about the waist 
 amusing him not a little, Joseph 
 stood before his companion, who 
 surveyed him critically, with head 
 cocked and one eye closed. 
 
 "Thou lookest the veriest Mos- 
 lem," he said. "With a turban, 
 thou mightst be son to Mahomet 
 himself.' 7 
 
 " Perchance I may be questioned," 
 said Joseph anxiously, " and I know 
 not Moslem ceremonies." 
 
 "Thou hast but to say, 'There is 
 but one God ' — which is true — ' and 
 Mahomet is his Prophet' — which 
 thou needst not believe," he added 
 in parenthesis, " and thou art safe." 
 
 "'Tis curious how oft we Jews 
 must change," remarked Joseph. 
 
34 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 "In the North we must wear the 
 yellow cap and badge of Jewry that 
 each man-at-arms may know that 
 we are safe plunder ; here we es- 
 cape the same degradation by wear- 
 ing the garb and performing the 
 ceremonies of the Moslem." 
 
 "Tis not a change," answered 
 Raphael thinking. " We are indeed 
 as the leopard who changes not his 
 spots ; we do but don another coat 
 for convenience. What glory were 
 gained in fighting Mahomet, who 
 hath no more divinity than our 
 Maimon?" 
 
 "It were wiser to outwit him," 
 said Joseph slowly. "These perse- 
 cutions do but hold us faster to our 
 faith. Who knows," he continued 
 with shining eyes, "but that the 
 future may see Israel again re- 
 
BEGINNING OF A FRIENDSHIP 35 
 
 spected and ranked among the 
 nations ? " 
 
 "A truce to thy meditations," 
 interrupted Raphael. " There is 
 that within me which calls still 
 more loudly than our wrongs, for 
 'tis long past the evening meal. 
 Let us take our supper to the roof 
 and see the sun set.' 7 
 
 Taking a mat of twisted grass, 
 some figs, a loaf of bread, and a jar 
 of milk, all of which he had bought 
 in the Mellah, he prepared to ascend 
 to the roof, Joseph following. There 
 Joseph saw what was new to him, 
 though common enough in Eastern 
 houses. A sort of garden had been 
 formed by planting vines and small 
 shrubs in boxes around the edge of 
 the roof. Mingled with these were 
 bright flowers and at intervals 
 
36 UNDEE THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 small palms in pots. The centre 
 was covered with a rug, upon which 
 were seats made of cushions, and 
 overhead was a sort of awning to 
 serve as a shield from the sun's 
 rays. Here they sat, eating their 
 frugal meal and breathing the per- 
 fume of the flowers, while they 
 watched the brilliant and con- 
 stantly changing colors of the sink- 
 ing sun. 
 
 "1 would thou toldest me what 
 magic thou didst use with the 
 Rabbi," said Raphael suddenly, 
 14 for never have I seen him unbend 
 so much as unto thee." 
 
 "I have always heard his great 
 goodness praised," answered Joseph, 
 "but, truth to tell, his seeming 
 sternness did damp my courage at 
 first. E'en now I hardly know 
 
BEGINNING OF A FEIENDSHIP 37 
 
 whether he helped me from kind- 
 ness of heart, or because I was an 
 unfortunate Jew." 
 
 "Stern he is," said Raphael, "but 
 withal the kindest man in Fostat 
 and mayhap, next to the Sultan, 
 the greatest. Indeed he is one of 
 the most powerful and envied at 
 court. Such a man is not like to 
 wear his kindness as we do, there 
 being too many ready to profit by 
 it an it were too easily reached." 
 
 Joseph thought of the boldness 
 he had shown in supplicating one 
 so high in station. "Truly," he 
 thought, " ignorance will dare 
 when wisdom hesitates. Had I 
 known that Maimon was so far 
 removed, methinks I should have 
 considered twice ere I ventured 
 into his presence. Nevertheless I 
 
38 TJNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 have learned that a Jew, e'en 
 though he be great among Gentiles, 
 feels for his own." 
 
 The morning following the Sab- 
 bath Joseph was awakened by 
 Raphael, who asked his friend to 
 accompany him to the bath, which 
 Joseph was glad to do, feeling the 
 need of more vigorous ablutions 
 than he had yet obtained in Fostat. 
 In cleanliness, as in many other 
 points of civilization, the East rose 
 superior to Europe. There was 
 very little life in the narrow, 
 crooked streets, for the shops which 
 lined both sides of the thorough- 
 fares were not yet open. Here and 
 there they met a sleepy-looking 
 porter just opening the wooden 
 street gates which he had closed 
 the night before. They turned into 
 
BEGINNING OF A FEIENDSHIP 39 
 
 a by-way, hardly more than a lane, 
 with balconies and casements on 
 opposite sides, which seemed ludi- 
 crously out of place in such narrow 
 quarters. They passed on into a 
 broader street, and approached the 
 baths. To Joseph the building 
 seemed extremely beautiful for this 
 part of the city. The exterior was 
 ornamented in red and white, 
 making it resemble the front of a 
 mosque upon which the best archi- 
 tectural skill had been spent. 
 
 At the door of the bath, they were 
 met by a servant, who, taking their 
 shoes, provided them with wooden 
 clogs, for the pavement was wet. 
 Then they entered a large apart- 
 ment with floors and walls of 
 white marble. Overhead there was 
 a kind of glazed dome through 
 
40 UKDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 which the sun's light penetrated, 
 and in the centre was a fountain 
 with a marble basin, around the 
 edge of which were seats. Here the 
 boys prepared for the bath, and 
 then went into the next room, the 
 inner apartment, which was heated 
 by hot water rising in great steam- 
 ing jets from a fountain. There 
 were several divans, and upon these 
 as well as upon the seats around 
 the fountain were bathers, perspir- 
 ing profusely. They were attended 
 by servants, who were kneading 
 and wringing their bodies until 
 each joint cracked. Joseph viewed 
 this operation with rather comic 
 alarm. 
 
 "I am not minded to have my 
 poor limbs so wrenched and twisted 
 that they will seem to have been 
 
BEGINNING OF A FRIENDSHIP 41 
 
 upon the rack of the northern Gen- 
 tiles," said he whimsically. 
 
 Raphael, laughing, said, "Then 
 thou shalt not undergo the dreadful 
 ordeal, though 'tis good after one 
 has grown accustomed to it. Come 
 thou with me." 
 
 They passed into another cham- 
 ber, where the attendant lathered 
 their bodies with soap, using as 
 a sponge the fibre of the palm- 
 tree, or leef. After a dip in a tank 
 of warm water and brisk rubbing 
 with napkins, the boys were ready 
 to return home for a breakfast as 
 plain as the supper of the night 
 before. 
 
 Their meal finished, they turned 
 their steps toward the part of the 
 city which was to be the scene of 
 Joseph's new service. After walk- 
 
42 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 ing a short distance, they came to 
 a plain, white- washed building, the 
 door of which stood open. Joseph, 
 following Raphael, entered a long, 
 narrow room, with a number of 
 windows at each side. Against 
 these were work-benches, about ten 
 in number, which were not in use, 
 but Joseph noticed that at each table 
 there was a boy evidently prepar- 
 ing for the day's labor. 
 
 Raphael took his friend to the 
 bench at which he worked, saying : 
 
 " Since my preceptor, who is the 
 overseer, is not yet come, thou 
 mayest wait here. I must arrange 
 what tools and materials are neces- 
 sary for the work. 'Tis the cus- 
 tom here for each apprentice to 
 make ready his preceptor's bench." 
 
 After waiting a while, Joseph 
 
BEGINNING OF A FKIENDSHIP 43 
 
 saw a man enter, who, he fancied, 
 was the superintendent. A nod 
 from Raphael proving that his sur- 
 mise was correct, he advanced 
 toward the new-comer, whose grim- 
 looking features became no pleas- 
 anter as he said curtly, "With 
 whom hast thou traffic thus 
 early ?" 
 
 11 1 have a communication for the 
 S'id Abdah," answered Joseph, hold- 
 ing out Maimon's missive and won- 
 dering what kind of life an ap- 
 prentice would lead under such a 
 chief. 
 
 Abdah— this was the overseer's 
 name— read the note, and, pointing 
 to an unoccupied bench, told Joseph 
 to seat himself. He gave him a 
 design drawn on paper, and asked 
 him if he could engrave it upon the 
 
44 UKDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 base of the silver vase which stood 
 upon the table. He stood by in si- 
 lence, watching the work, but never 
 changing his expression. Joseph 
 looked up occasionally, hoping for 
 some sign of approval. Seeing 
 none, he began to fear that his work 
 was not satisfactory. 
 
 Finally the superintendent asked 
 in his harsh voice : 
 
 "What did thy former mentor 
 say of thy task ? " 
 
 " He greatly praised my advance- 
 ment," answered Joseph a little 
 timidly, "and promised that in a 
 short time I might become a mas- 
 ter-workman." 
 
 Abdah nodded his head slowly. 
 
 "Thou hast indeed but little need 
 of longer apprenticeship," he said. 
 " When thou hast finished that vase, 
 
BEGINNING OF A FEIENDSHIP 45 
 
 thou mayest engrave this piece, 
 that I may see if thou hast aught 
 of originality. " So saying, he gave 
 Joseph a silver goblet, and, seating 
 himself at a bench near by, began 
 to work at a delicate gold orna- 
 ment, while Joseph stared at the 
 silver piece in astonishment, for 
 Abdah's manner had led him to 
 expect anything but approbation. 
 
 At sundown the day's work was 
 ended, and the boys bent their steps 
 homeward, Raphael elated by his 
 friend's success, Joseph quiet and 
 happy in the thought that he had 
 won Abdah's approval. 
 
 They walked along, speaking 
 little until they heard the voice of 
 the muezzins announcing the time 
 for prayer. As all others in the 
 streets cast themselves upon the 
 
46 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 ground, prayer carpets under knees 
 and faces towards Mecca, Joseph 
 and Eaphael were obliged to do 
 likewise, pretending to repeat the 
 prayers which the Moslem recites 
 at sundown. 
 
 Upon reaching home they found 
 Dame Rebecca and supper awaiting 
 them. The rest of the evening they 
 spent upon the roof playing chess, 
 which was then an ordinary form 
 of amusement. 
 
 So passed Joseph's first day in 
 the service of Maimonides, and 
 many like it followed. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 STOLEN WATERS 
 
 As Joseph was one of the older 
 boys, and had practically finished 
 his apprenticeship, Abdah watched 
 him closely, observing the earnest- 
 ness and fidelity with which he 
 worked. After a month or more 
 Joseph began to notice the confi- 
 dence which the overseer seemed to 
 place in him, and he was further 
 encouraged by being occasionally 
 sent with messages to Moses Mai- 
 mon. The Rabbi, in order to pursue 
 his studies, left the greater part of 
 the business responsibility to his 
 brother David and his represen- 
 
48 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 tative Abdah. Besides holding the 
 position of court-physician, Mai- 
 mon, or Maimonides, as he is also 
 called, was at the head of the con- 
 gregations of Egypt, and his name 
 stands out as that of the most intel- 
 lectual Eabbi and deeply religious 
 philosopher of medieval times. Fol- 
 lowing the example of other Rabbis, 
 he considered it nobler to study the 
 Law for the love of it and to depend 
 upon other pursuits for support. 
 
 David Maimon, however, made 
 expeditions to the Indies, at that 
 time the centre of the world's 
 wealth, and during his brother's 
 absence it was necessary to consult 
 the Eabbi more than usually. Often 
 he was too much occupied to visit 
 the workshop, and at such times 
 Joseph was sent to him. However, 
 
STOLEN WATERS 49 
 
 he saw him but rarely ; he generally 
 delivered his message to a servant, 
 and awaited the answer in the court. 
 One day he was detained longer 
 than usually, the Rabbi being occu- 
 pied, and our youth was fain to 
 employ himself with a manuscript 
 book which he had found on the 
 seat. As he sat there, a young girl 
 entered the court. She was dark- 
 haired and dark-eyed, and her loose 
 white silk vest with its silver clasps 
 made a striking setting for her 
 beauty, the vivacity of which did 
 not permit it to be classed as Ori- 
 ental. "Without looking about, she 
 seated herself, and began to play 
 upon the lute she carried. Joseph, 
 believing that she had not seen him, 
 returned to his reading, and he was 
 so absorbed that some minutes 
 
50 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 passed before he became conscious 
 of the fact that his companion had 
 ceased to play. Glancing up, he 
 met her look of curiosity, which 
 changed to amusement when she 
 saw his embarrassment ; for it was 
 considered a breach of etiquette for 
 a stranger to see the women of a 
 noble family. 
 
 " I had not meant to intrude upon 
 your privacy," he began, blushing 
 furiously, " and do ask your pardon 
 if my remaining here hath been 
 unseemly." 
 
 "Thou hast no need to look as 
 one discovered in guilt," she an- 
 swered, smiling, " for truth to tell, 
 'tis I who am unseemly, since I did 
 know of thy presence. Art thou 
 not Joseph Ibn Assan ? " 
 
 " Such is indeed my name, though 
 
STOLEN WATEES 51 
 
 how thou didst guess it passeth my 
 understanding," he answered, won- 
 dering who she was, and why she 
 was so friendly. 
 
 11 1 am Esther, daughter of David 
 Maimon," said she brightly, "and 
 as for knowing thee, when I saw 
 thee reading and looking as grave 
 as the most solemn of Israel's 
 judges, methought that yonder 
 sprig could be no other than he of 
 whom my uncle did tell my father." 
 
 " I give thee thanks for thy cour- 
 tesy. One of thy father's artificers 
 should be happy, indeed, if he hath 
 given amusement even unwitting- 
 ly," he answered, not made too 
 comfortable by her raillery. 
 
 " Oh, 'twas vastly amusing," said 
 she, mischief gleaming in her dark 
 eyes, " to see thee poring over yonder 
 
52 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 volume, as if naught else in life had 
 savor for thee." 
 
 " Tell me," she added, her impulse 
 changing, " dost thou indeed care to 
 read such ? " pointing to the book. 
 
 "'Tis truly a pleasure I prize 
 above all others," he answered earn- 
 estly, "though but rarely I have 
 the opportunity to gratify my taste 
 for it, for such a book costs as 
 much as I may earn in a year." 
 
 u My uncle hath many which, me- 
 thinks, he would lend thee, if thou 
 didst but ask." 
 
 " Seyid Moses hath already been 
 my benefactor, and far be it from 
 me to presume upon his kindness 
 with such a request." 
 
 " But some he hath which he doth 
 read no more," said she hesitat- 
 ingly. 
 
STOLEN WATERS 53 
 
 " If thou but wilt ! " he exclaimed, 
 instantly guessing her meaning. 
 
 " It is simple enough. Thou canst 
 take that one, for it was lent to me, 
 and when thou returnest it, place it 
 behind this palm. It is my plant, 
 and the jar is never moved. Thou 
 mayest always take with thee the 
 one I shall place there.'" 
 
 Joseph was so astonished at his 
 good fortune that he nearly forgot 
 to thank Esther, who, in fact, hardly 
 waited, for she suddenly remem- 
 bered her mother's injunction con- 
 cerning the propriety of speaking to 
 strangers. With visions of confine- 
 ment to her room, accompanied by 
 a diet of bread and water, she seized 
 her lute, and fled into the house. 
 
 "I had thought it a dream," 
 mused Joseph, "but that she had 
 
54 UJSTDEB THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 too much of gaiety and kindliness 
 to be aught but living. To gain her 
 friendship were worth a great risk, 
 even incurring the Rabbi's anger 
 — if perchance we do meet again, , 
 for truly she left me with over- 
 suddenness." 
 
 He was still marvelling at her 
 sudden departure when the servant 
 delivered the answer, and he re- 
 turned to his work, happier than he 
 had been in many a day. 
 
 Raphael stared open-mouthed 
 when Joseph told him of his luck, 
 and when he heard of the arrange- 
 ment between Esther and his friend 
 for the future supply and return of 
 books, his astonishment knew no 
 bounds. 
 
 " Thou art a bold one," he exclaim- 
 ed. " Esther Maimon, in sooth! 
 
STOLEN WATERS 55 
 
 'Tis a wonder that your worship 
 hath not requested a favor of the 
 Sultan." 
 
 11 Thou needst not make so much 
 of it," answered Joseph, nettled at 
 Raphael's irony. "And as for the 
 Sultan, should circumstances war- 
 rant it, methinks I should not be 
 backward in asking." 
 
 It was at the end of the day, and 
 they were seated upon the roof. 
 Raphael arose, walked a little dis- 
 tance, then turned, and performed 
 an elaborate obeisance, 
 
 " Room for the Seyid Assan," he 
 commanded, waving his arms to- 
 ward imaginary crowds. 
 
 11 Have done with thy mocking," 
 responded Joseph, laughing. " Thou 
 knowest thou art as glad as I am." 
 
 "Tell me," said Raphael suddenly, 
 
56 UNDEE THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 "was there much astir at the 
 Rabbi's house ? All Fostat is agog 
 with excitement, for 'tis said that 
 the great Abdel-latif hath journeyed 
 from Bagdad expressly to visit Mai- 
 mon, so far-famed hath our Eagle be- 
 come. Methinks that no Jew hath 
 been so honored since we have be- 
 come wanderers." 
 
 " I saw naught of it," said Joseph, 
 listening to this new evidence of 
 Maimon's greatness with interest. 
 
 "Thou wert too much absorbed 
 by thy new acquaintance to have 
 eyes or ears for much else," retorted 
 Raphael, but his friend was not 
 listening. 
 
 "Bethink thee, Raphael," said 
 Joseph, coming out of a brown 
 study, "how many books we may 
 be able to read. The Rabbi Maimon 
 
STOLEN WATEES 57 
 
 hath even all written by the great 
 Kabbis of Bagdad and the Moorish 
 philosophers of Cordova. Rare in- 
 terest we shall find in the thoughts 
 of the world's sages." 
 < "Thou art learning-mad, me- 
 thinks," said Raphael, looking won- 
 deringly at his friend. "As for me, 
 it is not to my liking. Why should 
 I ponder over musty volumes, when 
 so many learned men do naught 
 else, and do it to much better pur- 
 pose than I could? Surely, it is 
 sufficient to obey the Law and leave 
 study to wise men." 
 
 "If thou dost really believe so, 
 thou art no genuine son of Israel ; 
 for doth not our strength depend 
 upon the true interpretation of 
 God's Law ? My father was wont 
 to say, that ' he who increaseth his 
 
58 UNDEE THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 knowledge of the Law, and aug- 
 menteth his study, doth increase 
 in life and in wisdom.' Therefore 
 thou wilt read with me," pleaded 
 Joseph, throwing his arm around 
 Raphael's neck. 
 
 " If thou wilt, thou wilt, and me- 
 thinks I had better not oppose thee, 
 for thou wilt but din thy reading 
 into mine ears morning, noon, and 
 night," answered Raphael, glad to 
 share his friend's studies, yet not 
 willing to relinquish the chance of 
 teasing upon so fruitful a subject. 
 
 Joseph continued to receive the 
 books, and was often met by Esther, 
 who always was greatly interested 
 in all he had to tell of his work and 
 reading. Thus their chance ac- 
 quaintance ripened into warm 
 friendship, of a kind as unusual in 
 
STOLEN WATEES 59 
 
 the East then as now, for Oriental 
 customs have never permitted girls 
 to possess such freedom as Esther 
 enjoyed, and, indeed, had she not 
 been an only and much petted 
 daughter, Joseph would never have 
 delighted in the friendship which he 
 valued so highly, and which became 
 a necessity to him. Raphael bore 
 himself as a kind of younger broth- 
 er, whose business it was to admire 
 and tease his senior. To Esther 
 Joseph could turn for such sympa- 
 thy and encouragement as brothers 
 usually expect from sisters. Truth 
 to tell, they had known each other 
 scarce three months ere Esther had 
 heard of his past life and future 
 hopes. 
 
 u, Tis splendid to be a man and 
 do as one wills," she said, sighing, 
 
60 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 " though my uncle says that to be a 
 true housewife is as good in the eyes 
 of the Lord as to be a great mer- 
 chant or scholar. Knowest thou," 
 she continued, "that in a week I 
 shall be fourteen ? I shall don the 
 garb of a woman, and my uncle 
 hath promised that I shall read such 
 of his books as beseem a Jewish 
 woman. But with gossip I had nigh 
 forgot what I meant to tell thee, for 
 'tis great news. Thou hast heard 
 of the poet Alsaid ? " 
 
 Joseph nodded his head as she 
 continued, " He hath writ a poem, 
 which was recited last week at 
 court. It doth run : 
 
 'All bod'ly ills great Galen's craft can cure, 
 But Maimon heals man's body and his soul ; 
 Nor can, before his skill, which all extol, 
 The malady of ignorance endure. 
 
STOLEN WATEES 61 
 
 And if the moon would call upon his art, 
 Her spots, when full her orb, would disappear, 
 And he could always round her waning sphere, 
 When in conjunction she doth lose a part. 1 " 
 
 "It created some excitement, I 
 promise thee," exclaimed Joseph 
 with animation. 
 
 "Some were like to turn green 
 with envy," answered she, "but 
 for that Maimon cares not a whit. 
 His preferment at court he values, 
 believing that thus he will be able 
 to befriend the Jews, toward whom 
 'tis said the Sultan is well dis- 
 posed. 'Tis scarce a fortnight since 
 the wise Abdel-latif did say, that 
 from Spain to India and from the 
 sources of the Euphrates and the 
 Tigris to the banks of the Nile there 
 was none to compare with Maimon. 
 But all this thou must know, for 
 
62 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 here in Fostat they call him 'the 
 Enlightener of the eyes of Israel.' 
 Yet, with all the honor heaped upon 
 him, he is still the kindest and best 
 of uncles. But 'tis near the time for 
 the assembling of the patients, and I 
 must not linger with thee," she 
 added, smiling as she left him. 
 
 The next week Esther met him 
 clad in her new clothes and walking 
 demurely. Joseph could guess at 
 the mischievous smile and dancing 
 eyes lurking behind the veil, which 
 she had thrown over her face in- 
 stead of letting it conceal the part 
 of her countenance below the eyes, 
 as was usually done. Then, throw- 
 ing back her veil, she stood like a 
 child waiting for admiration of her 
 pretty garments. Her loose gown 
 of soft silk was gathered at the 
 
STOLEN WATEES 63 
 
 throat, and fastened by gold clasps 
 set with pearls. The sleeves were 
 loose and open at the wrists, show- 
 ing the gold bracelets between the 
 hand and the elbow. Over her gown 
 she wore a short vest of heavy 
 material embroidered with pearls. 
 Her silk veil was attached to the 
 gold band which bound her dark 
 hair, and was meant to be dropped 
 over her face at the approach of a 
 stranger. There was nothing odd 
 in this to Joseph, for it was the 
 garb and custom of Jews as well as 
 of other Oriental nations. 
 
 " Hereafter thou must not expect 
 to see me here," she said, " for what 
 the maid did, were not seemly in a 
 woman." 
 
 " Those strange new gewgaws of 
 thine have worked a wonderful 
 
64 UKDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 change," responded Joseph wrath- 
 fully, "if thou art so ready to 
 forget me. I shall have to get me 
 a silken rag to wear before mine 
 eyes, if 'twill make me forget thee." 
 
 "If thou art not enough to try 
 the patience of a Patriarch!" she 
 exclaimed. "Canst thou not com- 
 prehend that I must now sit with 
 the women of the household, and do 
 as they do ? " 
 
 Then she suddenly remembered 
 what he had said, and she began to 
 wonder how he, with his sprouting 
 mustache, would look in a veil. 
 
 "Right proper and maidenly 
 wouldst thou seem in a veil ! " she 
 exclaimed with a peal of laughter, 
 in which Joseph joined. " But thou 
 needst not fear," she added after a 
 little. "Continue as thou hast 
 
STOLEN WATERS 65 
 
 begun, and thou shalt not regret it. 
 More I may not tell thee now, but 
 this thou mayest as well know: 
 to-morrow thou art to be bidden to 
 join us upon the first night of Pass- 
 over to take the place of my brother, 
 who is absent with my father on a 
 journey to the Indies." 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 THE SEDER 
 
 And so it happened. The next day, 
 to the great astonishment and ex- 
 citement of the other boys, who 
 regarded Joseph as their leader, 
 and could not imagine the Rabbi's 
 purpose, our youth was summoned 
 from his work to receive the invita- 
 tion of which Esther had spoken. 
 As for Raphael, who was in the 
 secret, no words could picture his 
 state. He was continually discov- 
 ering new reasons for Joseph's in- 
 vitation, and it would be difficult to 
 say how many possibilities he had 
 pictured as the consequence of his 
 
THE SEDEE 67 
 
 friend's visit, or how many air- 
 castles he had built. 
 
 "I knew," said he, "that the 
 Rabbi would not be long in detect- 
 ing that thou art no common ap- 
 prentice. This must surely mean 
 thy promotion. Thou wilt now 
 have a chance to become a famous 
 goldsmith, and then thou wilt 
 amass great wealth. I can almost 
 see thee in a magnificent house, a 
 man of position, with that grave air 
 thou hast even now. Perchance we 
 shall not be friends then," he added 
 wistfully. 
 
 "Methinks that thou art just a 
 little before season with thy lugu- 
 brious farewells," responded Joseph, 
 laughing. " Thou art like the youth 
 in the tale, who could see a palace 
 and great station rising from the 
 
68 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 sale of a basket of common pottery, 
 and, behold, so engrossed was he in 
 his idle dream that he kicked his 
 basket over, and shattered its con- 
 tents, ere he had an opportunity to 
 sell the first piece. So, now, awake 
 thee, dreamer, and look upon the 
 reality of day-time. To me 'tis 
 more than probable that Maimon 
 regards me in the light of the poor 
 stranger whom Jews are bidden to 
 receive upon holy days — but, look 
 thou, should I not purchase some 
 garments more fit than any I 
 have?" 
 
 Eaphael, shaking his head and 
 unconvinced, accompanied Joseph 
 to one of the street bazaars, or 
 shops, which resembled nothing so 
 much as an open shop window with 
 its display of goods. The merchant 
 
THE SEDEK 69 
 
 sat, cross-legged, upon a cushion, 
 while the boys made their selection 
 of a white linen suit with a bright 
 silk sash. This over, they marched 
 home with the clothes to repeat the 
 tale to Dame Rebecca, who was 
 almost as sanguine over it as 
 Raphael. And next evening, when 
 Joseph was arrayed in his new 
 finery, what joy there was! For 
 Raphael had no trace of jealousy in 
 his disposition, and Dame Rebecca 
 cared as much for the homeless boy 
 as though he had been her own son. 
 
 Not without trepidation Joseph 
 repaired to the Rabbi's. It was the 
 first time he was to go as a guest, 
 and it was no small matter to be 
 invited to so great a house. 
 
 He was met in the reception room 
 by the Rabbi, who conducted him 
 
70 UKDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 to another and richer apartment, 
 where he was received by the rest 
 of the family, including the wife 
 and daughter of David Maimon. 
 He was welcomed by each member 
 so cordially that he felt instantly 
 at ease, and conversed readily with 
 the Rabbi's wife, who was beauti- 
 fully dressed, and wore much 
 precious jewelry. She was inter- 
 ested in Joseph, and to him she 
 seemed just the kind of big-hearted, 
 motherly weman to whom it was a 
 pleasure for a boy to talk. 
 
 During his conversation with her 
 aunt, Esther watched him. A mis- 
 chievous smile played about the 
 corners of her mouth, when it 
 occurred to her that she must re- 
 ceive him as a stranger, though she 
 had known him so long. As soon 
 
THE SEDEE 71 
 
 as she had an opportunity, she de- 
 murely bade him welcome, adding 
 in a low tone that she was glad to 
 see him among them, and have her 
 mother know him. From this 
 Joseph inferred that, as he was now 
 known to the family, there was no 
 wrong in their friendship, and that 
 she could thereafter recognize him 
 without seeming ill-bred. To show 
 that he meant to take full advan- 
 tage of his privilege, he continued to 
 talk to her until the Rabbi led the 
 way into another room, which in 
 modern times would be called a 
 dining-room. In the centre stood a 
 long, rather low table, which took 
 the place of the small individual 
 tables generally used in the East. 
 It was covered with a white damask 
 cloth, ornamented with an embroi- 
 
72 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 dered border and fringes of gold 
 thread. Upon it were three beau- 
 tifully chased plates of gold, one of 
 which held the shank-bone of a 
 lamb and an egg, signifying the 
 Paschal Lamb and the offering of 
 the Festival. Upon the second plate 
 were three cakes of unleavened 
 bread, and upon the third, the bitter 
 herbs to be eaten in memory of 
 Israel's captivity in Egypt, and the 
 bricks and mortar of their bondage 
 were represented by a paste of 
 almonds and apples, which had 
 been placed in a gold bowl. Sus- 
 pended from the ceiling was a 
 chandelier of silver inlaid with 
 gold. Its seven arms were curious- 
 ly wrought lamps, whose flames 
 were fed by perfumed oils. Before 
 each person was a cup filled with 
 
THE SEDER 73 
 
 wine, which was brought from 
 Europe, for none could be obtained 
 in Mahometan countries, and the 
 Jews spared no expense or sacrifice 
 in their religious observances. 
 
 When all was ready, the servants, 
 who were also Hebrews, took their 
 places at the table, for since high 
 and low had been alike in the eyes 
 of the Lord during Israel's bondage, 
 the Rabbi said that so they were 
 to be considered after redemption. 
 Then the ceremony began. 
 
 Maimon, as the master of the 
 house, intoned the Sanctification, 
 after which they drank of the wine. 
 Other prayers followed, which called 
 for the eating of the bitter herbs 
 and the breaking of one of the 
 cakes, the bread of affliction. Then, 
 touching the lamb, they prayed to 
 
74 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 be allowed to return to the land 
 of Israel; after which came the 
 history of Israel's servitude and 
 the praises of the Lord sung by 
 Israel's priests since the founding 
 of the Temple. 
 
 The services concluded, the pre- 
 cious vessels were carefully remov- 
 ed and the meal served. 
 
 Forks and knives being unknown, 
 the meats were all finely chopped 
 and stewed, so that they might be 
 eaten with thumb and forefinger. 
 The only unstewed meat which ap- 
 peared was a roasted chicken stuff- 
 ed with raisins and pistachio nuts. 
 Jujubes, peaches, and apricots were 
 cooked with the meats, for sweets 
 were the chief feature of the repast, 
 even most of the vegetables being 
 flavored with them. To Joseph it 
 
THE SEDER 75 
 
 seemed as though it were a feast 
 out of a tale. 
 
 In truth, it was an occasion to be 
 remembered and spoken of during 
 many an evening and Sabbath 
 afterwards. Raphael listened with 
 wonder to the description of the 
 dinner and the splendor of the table 
 appointments. Joseph had seen 
 parts of the house never pene- 
 trated by strangers. Under Esther's 
 guidance he had beheld marvellous 
 furniture of ebony, carved and in- 
 laid with silver, and cushions em- 
 broidered in gold and silver. Hang- 
 ings there were, too, of velvet 
 brought from Genoa and silks from 
 India. 
 
 u But the grandest of all were the 
 books," said Joseph. " It seemed to 
 me as though I had entered an 
 
76 UNDEB THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 enchanted palace, there were so 
 many of them placed upon shelves, 
 and they appeared so tempting. 
 Truly, I forgot Esther's presence and 
 where I was, and stood longing to 
 handle them," he continued, almost 
 sighing with regret. 
 
 " Books again ! " exclaimed Ra- 
 phael with a grimace. "It doth 
 seem as though thou wilt never 
 have enough." 
 
 Joseph smiled, for he understood. 
 Raphael remained silent for a few 
 minutes, busily forming a plan 
 from the idea which had suddenly 
 entered his mind. 
 
 "Why shouldst thou not attend 
 some of the lectures at the Azhar ? " 
 he asked. "They are free to all, 
 and thou mayest come and go as 
 thou listest. 7 Tis said that the 
 
THE SEDER 77 
 
 libraries are the finest outside of 
 Cordova and Bagdad, and it is now 
 the seat of learning in the East. I 
 shall find out how and when the 
 lectures are given." 
 
 " 'Twill be the best of all ! " ex- 
 claimed Joseph, his face bright with 
 anticipation. "It will be a joy to 
 advance as rapidly as we shall 
 then.' 7 
 
 "We, indeed !" responded Ra- 
 phael with playful show of indigna- 
 tion. " But," continued he blandly, 
 " I presume that my presence will 
 be necessary to keep thee out of 
 mischief. If thou art not under 
 some such control, who knows but 
 that thou wilt be up to some of thy 
 pranks, and outrage the dignity of 
 some venerable Imam." 
 
 " Tis very likely that I shall dis- 
 
78 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 grace a sedate fellow like thee," an- 
 swered Joseph sarcastically. " Who 
 was it, I wonder," he continued, 
 addressing the surrounding atmos- 
 phere, " that one day, when Yussuf 
 fell asleep, placed inside of his tur- 
 ban a leef soaked with water ? When 
 the poor fellow awakened, he did 
 but more firmly press the turban 
 upon his head, and thus brought 
 down a shower, which made him 
 believe that the heavens had sud- 
 denly opened." 
 
 Raphael laughed as he remem- 
 bered his fellow-apprentice's plight 
 when he clapped his hands upon the 
 palm sponge in his turban. 
 
 " We shall allow it to pass with- 
 out further remark," he continued 
 with gravity of deportment contra- 
 dicted by his twinkling eyes. 
 
THE SEDEE 79 
 
 As the Sabbath was the only 
 day of the week which was their 
 own, they made their expedition 
 to the University of El Azhar, " the 
 splendid mosque/ 7 on the following 
 Saturday. 
 
 It was a great building, con- 
 structed so as to surround a square 
 court. Toward Mecca — the holy 
 city — a spacious portico was used 
 as a place of prayer. On each of 
 the other three sides were porticoes, 
 somewhat smaller, and divided into 
 apartments, each destined for a 
 certain number of students. 
 
 Each apartment contained a lib- 
 rary for the use of its frequenters, 
 and from these books and the lec- 
 tures of the professors the students 
 were expected to acquire their edu- 
 cation. Upon their first attendance 
 
80 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 the boys listened to a lecture on 
 algebra, but as it was the Sabbath, 
 they were unable to obtain problems 
 from the library, and were obliged to 
 return for them another day. After 
 this they went as often as they could, 
 and even Raphael became so inter- 
 ested that he forgot to grumble at 
 what he considered his friend's 
 hobby. 
 
 Life ran on very evenly for them; 
 there was little to disturb them. 
 After their work was done, they 
 spent the evening upon the roof 
 reading or playing dameh, which 
 corresponds to our modern game of 
 draughts. On Fridays, however, 
 they went to the bath, and attended 
 the Sabbath services at the syna- 
 gogue in the Mellah, spending the rest 
 of the evening with Dame Rebecca. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 CHAMPION OF HIS FAITH 
 
 Joseph had been over a year at 
 Fostat, when one day a youth arriv- 
 ed at the work-shop, who seemed 
 known to the others, and appeared 
 to have been formerly employed 
 among them. 
 
 Joseph noted with surprise his 
 white linen garments, usually worn 
 only by the higher classes, and dur- 
 ing the day he saw that the stranger 
 remained at Abdah's side, and 
 assisted him in the weighing of 
 gold and the assorting of precious 
 stones, which were the chief of the 
 superintendent's duties. 
 
82 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 It was not until after midday, 
 when a short time was allowed for 
 the noon rest, that Joseph had an 
 opportunity to speak to Raphael. 
 The two boys occasionally occupied 
 this time in strolling about the city, 
 Eaphael pointing out the synagogue, 
 of which Maimonides was the head, 
 or some other noteworthy place in 
 the Mellah. Thus Joseph had soon 
 become acquainted with all the 
 places of interest in the Jewish 
 community, and had come to feel 
 as much at home in Fostat as 
 though born and bred in the city. 
 
 As a usual thing, however, the 
 two spent this recess in a sort of 
 cave, which they had found in the 
 outskirts of the city, and to this 
 retreat they went on this day. 
 They were lying upon the ground, 
 
CHAMPION OF HIS FAITH 83 
 
 which they had covered with an 
 old piece of carpet, when Joseph 
 recalled the advent of the strange 
 youth. 
 
 "Thou must mean Hacam, who 
 arrived to-day," said Eaphael in 
 reply to Joseph's question. "He is 
 the son of some dignitary in Damas- 
 cus, and doth come here to learn 
 the value of precious stones and 
 metals, in order to cultivate his 
 talent for bartering. Thou hast not 
 seen him before, because he was 
 with the Seyid David Ibn Maimon, 
 who hath made a great expedition 
 to the Indies, and hath but returned 
 with a cargo of silks, spices, and 
 precious goods." 
 
 " Strange that he should come all 
 the way from Damascus to learn 
 these things," commented Joseph. 
 
84 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 u, Tis because the goldsmithy of 
 Maimon is so extensive and well- 
 known, for our chief hath much 
 knowledge acquired in the great city 
 of Cordova, which, as thou knowest, 
 is the fountain-head of all Eastern 
 art. Mayhap Hacam is not averse 
 to using the influence of our Kabbi, 
 who hath the right ear of the Sultan, 
 may he be blessed by the Lord, for 
 he is wise and just. 'Tis a pity that 
 he cannot order the people to his 
 way of thinking. There is much 
 strife with which he hath to con- 
 tend, and I ween he hath no wish 
 to combat prejudice which is 
 stronger than he, else we Jews were 
 not obliged to humor such as this 
 Hacam." 
 
 "Thou dost not seem to bear him 
 great love," remarked Joseph, pick- 
 
CHAMPION OF HIS FAITH 85 
 
 ing up a pebble and carefully 
 aiming it at Raphael's foot. 
 
 "I do but hope that he hath not 
 again brought with him a stock of 
 trinkets, as he did last time," replied 
 Raphael, drawing in his foot. "I 
 would fain keep my last half-year's 
 wage," he added as regretfully as if 
 he had already invested his earnings. 
 
 "Thou hast no need to spend, 
 if thou will it not," said Joseph, 
 amused by his companion's unusu- 
 ally serious mien. 
 
 "Much thou knowest, thou wise 
 man," retorted Raphael. "Look 
 thou, being the son of a great man, 
 Hacam doth take advantage of his 
 power to make us purchase his gew- 
 gaws for twice their worth. Thou 
 hadst best not let him wot of thy 
 money, else 'tis lost." 
 
86 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 "I shall not spend one dirhem, if 
 I do not so choose," answered Joseph 
 with determined air. 
 
 "I pray thee, dispute him not/' 
 said Eaphael anxiously. " He doth 
 more than suspect that some of us 
 who seem Moslems are secretly Jews, 
 and it behooves us to be cautious, for 
 a word from him will bring a mob 
 about our ears." 
 
 " It is not needful to seek his com- 
 pany," responded Joseph, " nor shall 
 I. Nevertheless, if he cometh my 
 way, he shall not lord it as he does 
 with the others. Besides, Raphael," 
 he suddenly burst> out, " I like not 
 this masking as Mahometans, for is 
 it not expressly ordained that we 
 should suffer death rather than 
 worship falsely ? " 
 
 "That I cannot answer," replied 
 
CHAMPION OF HIS FAITH 87 
 
 Raphael, " but this I do know, that 
 the Rabbi Moses doth recommend 
 outward conformity rather than 
 useless opposition, and did himself 
 pretend Islamism before he gained 
 the protection of the Sultan. And 
 Maimon the whole world knows 
 as an authority, for he is, indeed, a 
 second Moses, come forth to glorify 
 our faith and elevate us in the eyes 
 of the world. So great is his power 
 that both Jew and Gentile consult 
 his wisdom, and thou knowest that 
 every Rabbi and student of the Law 
 uses but Holy Writ and Maimon's 
 Religious Code. 'Tis therefore that 
 the few envious ones here complain 
 that Rabbi Moses' word is allowed 
 to supersede the Talmud. Thus 
 shouldst thou be able to quiet thy 
 conscience. But, Joseph, tell me, 1 ' 
 
88 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 he continued curiously, " wherefore 
 hast thou tarried here, if it was not 
 to thy liking, for surely there are 
 other cities where the Jews are 
 powerful ? Perchance thou mightst 
 become a doctor of the Law, for 
 truly thou wert meant to be greater 
 than a mere goldsmith." 
 
 "It is because I have found a 
 home here," the other answered, 
 staring at the ground as though he 
 were thinking of other things. 
 " But wherefore should I not tell 
 thee?" he continued softly as he 
 raised his eyes. "Since it will 
 always be before me, thou mayest 
 as well know, so that there shall be 
 no secret betwixt us, but only that 
 confidence which should be; for 
 thou wert as ready with thy friend- 
 ship as though thou hadst been 
 
CHAMPION OF HIS FAITH 89 
 
 my born brother. Listen then, Ra- 
 phael," he added passionately. " 'Tis 
 not a story that I love to tell, for it 
 hath been burned into my memory 
 with the red-hot irons of grief and 
 desire for revenge." And he told 
 Raphael the tale of his father's 
 death. 
 
 "And I have become a gold- 
 smith," he continued, u that I may 
 gain wealth, for is it not the one 
 means by which we Jews may now 
 win power ? All their hate of us is 
 naught but envy of the gold which 
 they have neither the wit to gain 
 nor the thrift to save. Give me 
 treasure, and I shall procure the 
 protection of the most Christian 
 king of Europe or the most austere 
 Moslem ruler of Africa. Thus, with 
 gold, even I shall have the power to 
 
90 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 wreak vengeance upon the Count 
 de Fournoire, since I shall not sub- 
 mit quietly to the injury which 
 every man of them believes he hath 
 the right to inflict upon us. Mark 
 thou this, Kaphael, if every Jew 
 had been less submissive, and had 
 shown some of the fire and courage 
 which animated our forefathers, 
 we should not now be a despised 
 and persecuted people." 
 
 "Now thou knowest," he added 
 after a little, " why I shall not fol- 
 low the steps of learned men, which, 
 indeed, were nearer my heart." 
 
 " I had no inkling that thou didst 
 carry such thoughts. Verily, thou 
 hast been planning and thinking 
 this past year as a man would, and 
 I have thought thee simply a boy 
 like myself, with just as much love 
 
CHAMPION OF HIS FAITH 91 
 
 of fun and frolic and a greater 
 liking for books," said Raphael, 
 looking at Joseph with all the ad- 
 miration he would have shown for 
 an elder brother. Silently they re- 
 turned to their work, Joseph walk- 
 ing with his hand on the shoulder 
 of Eaphael, who felt that he now 
 understood his friend better than 
 ever before. 
 
 Concerning Hacam, Raphael said 
 nothing more. He hoped that for- 
 tune would keep the two boys 
 apart. 
 
 A few days later, Joseph, Ra- 
 phael, and a number of the other 
 apprentices, were spending the noon 
 hour beneath a tree, playing with 
 an ivory ball, which they attempted 
 to toss into a hole a few feet away. 
 Presently they were joined by 
 
92 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 Hacam, who quietly watched the 
 game for a little while. Then he 
 offered for sale a small, prettily or- 
 namented ball, which he had taken 
 from his sash. The boys, one after 
 the other, timidly refused, because 
 they had already spent their sav- 
 ings. When it came his turn, how- 
 ever, Joseph said boldly that he did 
 not want it. Hacam looked at him 
 in surprise. 
 
 "It is the custom here to pur- 
 chase what I offer," he said. 
 
 " Mayhap it be," answered Joseph 
 calmly, "nevertheless I have no 
 wish for the trinket." 
 
 " And I have no wish to keep my 
 stock," returned the other, his thin 
 face flushing and his small eyes 
 glittering with ill-suppressed anger. 
 
 Joseph felt his heart beat faster 
 
CHAMPION OF HIS FAITH 93 
 
 and the blood rush to his face, but 
 he answered quietly : 
 
 " Since I have no money, and do 
 not desire the ball, further dispute 
 were in vain, Hacam." 
 
 "Thou hast no money?" asked 
 Hacam, his face wrinkling in deri- 
 sion. " Get it then, for buy the ball 
 thou shalt, thou dog of a Jew." 
 
 "I aim not to quarrel with thee," 
 returned Joseph, losing his temper, 
 "but if thou swallow not those last 
 words of thine, I shall speedily de- 
 liver thee a sermon such as thou 
 hast long stood in need of." 
 
 Both boys were standing now? 
 Hacam sneering and Joseph's eyes 
 sparkling with anger. The others 
 looked on in wonder. 
 
 "Do, if thou darest, thou dog- 
 Jew!" Hacam responded, dealing 
 
94 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 Joseph a blow with his fist, which 
 was quickly returned with hearty- 
 interest. Before the rest could real- 
 ize it, the two boys had cast prudence 
 to the winds, and were pommelling 
 each other in good earnest. 
 
 As soon as Raphael had partly 
 recovered from his astonishment, 
 for no one had believed that Joseph 
 would be so daring, he began, with 
 the assistance of the others, to 
 separate the two combatants; but 
 he did not succeed before Hacam 
 had been partly thrashed, and 
 Joseph somewhat bruised. 
 
 As the boys were returning to 
 their work, Hacam addressed 
 Joseph, and said threateningly: 
 
 "Thou shalt answer for this! " 
 
 "As speedily as it may please 
 thee," coolly answered Joseph, no 
 
CHAMPION OF HIS FAITH 95 
 
 suspicion of the sort of revenge 
 Hacam would seek crossing his 
 mind. 
 
 That evening, as they walked 
 home, Raphael gave vent to the 
 fears he had been nursing all after- 
 noon. 
 
 " A pretty day's labor thou hast 
 made of it, Joseph," he said. " Ha- 
 cam will not fight it out with thee 
 as men would settle such a disagree- 
 ment, but will shield himself behind 
 his father's greatness, and then seek 
 to do thee some great injury. May- 
 hap he will watch thee at some 
 Jewish observance, and then de- 
 nounce thee as a renegade Moslem." 
 
 "Ay, but ' first he must capture 
 the lion, ere he can sell its skin,' " 
 answered Joseph lightly. "But of 
 this, my mentor, I think we may 
 
96 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 rest assured — in future he will not 
 be so eager to force his stock upon 
 us." 
 
 Here they were interrupted by the 
 muezzin's command, "To prayer! 
 to prayer ! all ye faithful, for there 
 is no God but Allah, the God of 
 Mahomet." This summons the boys 
 were obliged to obey, although it 
 was always with a guilty pang that 
 Joseph performed a Mahometan 
 ceremony. They knelt in apparent 
 supplication until many had finished 
 their prayer, so that they might 
 arise without exciting suspicion. 
 No sooner had they gained their 
 feet than they were confronted by 
 Hacam's almost cadaverous face, 
 the more repulsive now by reason 
 of a sarcastic grin. The boys re- 
 sumed their walk without further 
 
CHAMPION OF HIS FAITH 97 
 
 remark, but, notwithstanding his 
 seeming ease of mind, Joseph could 
 not help having a slight foreboding 
 as to the result of his battle. In 
 truth, he had not long to wait ere 
 he discovered that there were good 
 grounds for disquiet. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 A PERILLOUS MISSION 
 
 The following morning Abdah ap- 
 proached Joseph, and without even 
 the preface of a greeting spoke of 
 yesterday's dispute. 
 
 "What brawl is this in which 
 thou wast yestreen engaged?" he 
 asked. "It doth seem that 'twere 
 sufficient for thee to attend to thy 
 duties, without stirring up the ap- 
 prentices. Thou art old enough, 
 and hast enough of the looks of a 
 man to warrant thy carrying thy- 
 self as one," he continued, grimly 
 glancing at the young mustache 
 and beard which Joseph had ten- 
 
A PEEILLOUS MISSION 99 
 
 derly cherished during the past 
 year. 
 
 " Hacam did truly earn what he re- 
 ceived," said Joseph, wishing to let 
 Abdah know that he had not begun 
 the quarrel, l ' and he hath no cause to 
 murmur, for he had the advantage in 
 age, being three years older than I." 
 
 "With thy experience, thou 
 shouldst have had the advantage 
 in judgment," responded Abdah, 
 his face losing some of its habitual 
 grimness. "Next year thou wilt 
 be eighteen and the full-grown man 
 thou dost already seem. But," he 
 added, "think not that thou hast 
 heard the end of this, for it hath 
 come to the ears of the Seyid Moses 
 Ibn Maimon, who would have 
 speech with thee, and demands thy 
 immediate attendance." 
 
100 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 Joseph, surprised that so trivial 
 a matter should have reached 
 Abdah, much more his employer, 
 repaired to the Kabbi's house, in- 
 dignant at the want of manliness 
 which had led Hacam to complain, 
 and apprehensive lest he had in- 
 curred his master's displeasure. 
 
 He was directed to the laboratory, 
 where he found the Rabbi, who 
 greeted him gravely. 
 
 " News of yesterday's altercation 
 hath reached me," Maimon began, 
 while Joseph felt his heart sink, 
 "and I have sent for thee that thou 
 mightst be warned for the future. 
 In antagonizing Hacam thou hast 
 created an enemy who may do 
 more to thy hurt than a hundred 
 friends can benefit thee. Mayhap 
 thou hast done more than this, for 
 
A PEEILLOUS MISSION 101 
 
 'tis possible that, by thy lack of 
 discretion, thou hast brought mis- 
 fortune upon many in my house. 
 Thou art aware of the danger from 
 Mahometan bigots, who, though 
 they know that we are Jews, are 
 not disposed to meddle, seeing that 
 I have the Sultan's protection, 
 unless perchance they be prompted 
 by some malicious person, and then 
 all the flower of Saladin's army 
 would avail us nothing against the 
 fanatical fury of a religious mob, 
 urged on by those who are jealous 
 of the Sultan's favor." 
 
 Joseph, who had grown red and 
 embarrassed while the Rabbi spoke, 
 forgot his discomfiture, and looked 
 up in alarm. 
 
 "Indeed, sir," he said earnestly, 
 " I meant not to do aught that could 
 
102 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 harm you. It was in this wise that 
 it occurred. It hath gone somewhat 
 against the grain for me to play the 
 Moslem, and when Hacam cast my 
 being a Jew into my face, as though 
 it were a degradation, my blood 
 boiled, and methinks I lost sight of 
 all but the insult." 
 
 " I comprehend what thy feeling 
 was," responded the Eabbi some- 
 what thoughtfully, "for thou art 
 not the only Jew who regards such 
 treatment with resentment, but we 
 must all be cautious in giving vent 
 to our emotions. As for this acting 
 the Moslem, it is a question which 
 hath many aspects. I infer that 
 thou hast been thus affected : thou 
 hast not felt it right to pray in 
 private as a Jew and in public as a 
 Mahometan, consequently brawling 
 
A PEKILLOUS MISSION 103 
 
 with Hacam served as an outlet for 
 thy guilty feeling. Is it not so ? " he 
 queried, smiling gravely. 
 
 Joseph assented, too perturbed to 
 say much, while his master con- 
 tinued : 
 
 "Thou needst have no qualms 
 about so worshipping, as I have said 
 in the synagogue; we in no sense 
 pay homage to heathenism by our 
 actions, and do but repeat an empty 
 formula, which cultivated Mahom- 
 etans themselves know is not uttered 
 in sincerity, but because 'tis neces- 
 sary to circumvent the bigoted 
 ignorance of the masses." 
 
 So interested was Joseph by this 
 time, and so glad to have his doubts 
 settled by such an authority, that 
 everything but the wrongs of the 
 faith he loved slipped from his mind. 
 
104 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 " Doth it ever seem strange to 
 you, O illustrious Rabbi, that God 
 should permit heathens to persecute 
 his chosen people ? " he asked. 
 
 " Who are we that we should ven- 
 ture to question the ways of Israel's 
 God, exalted be His name," answer- 
 ed the Rabbi devoutly. " The sage 
 hath said, that ' if God allows those 
 who transgress His will to live hap- 
 pily on earth, how infinitely great 
 must be the happiness which He 
 hath stored up in the world to come 
 for those who observe His com- 
 mands P " 
 
 "And I, like a fool, have doubted 
 the sagacity of our leaders ! " Joseph 
 exclaimed. " Perchance through 
 over- wisdom I have drawn evil upon 
 my benefactor. It were better that 
 I should journey hence, ere the mat- 
 
A PEEILLOUS MISSION 105 
 
 ter is noised about," he added, look- 
 ing anxiously at the Eabbi. 
 
 "Thou hast now no need of so 
 serious a step," Maimon answered, 
 " Hacam hath this day returned to 
 Damascus, and perhaps he thinks 
 no more of the matter, nevertheless 
 let it be a warning. But," contin- 
 ued he, " it is of another matter that 
 I would speak to thee. I have need 
 of a messenger who can travel 
 quickly and secretly, letting neither 
 fatigue nor danger easily overcome 
 him." 
 
 " You will choose me, I pray you," 
 interrupted Joseph eagerly — 
 
 "Nay," said Maimon, slowly 
 stroking his black beard, yet pleased 
 with Joseph's alacrity, "that thou 
 shalt decide, for 'tis a mission 
 fraught with some danger, one 
 
106 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 requiring circumspection, Word 
 hath been brought me that Odo, 
 Lord of Jerbail, hath made over- 
 tures to the Frankish invaders, and 
 doth meditate delivering into their 
 hands one of the strongholds of Sal- 
 adin. Tis my duty to warn my 
 lord, and it is for that I require a 
 messenger who hath both courage 
 and intelligence. Mayhap he must 
 travel through the enemy's coun- 
 try, for it is not known in Fostat 
 where the Sultan's army lieth. Art 
 thou willing to undertake it ? " 
 
 "Blithely shall I, were it but to 
 prove my gratitude to my benefac- 
 tor," quickly answered Joseph, his 
 face brightening at the prospect of 
 some chance adventure, for it was 
 the age of chivalry in both the 
 Christian and the Moslem world. 
 
A PEKLLLOUS MISSION 107 
 
 Many were the glowing tales told 
 of great and noble undertakings, 
 firing the adventurous spirit of 
 young and old, although little 
 chance had a Jewish youth of grat- 
 ifying his taste in that direction. 
 
 " Well and nobly answered ! " ex- 
 claimed the Rabbi. "I do gladly 
 avail myself of thy service, for I 
 believe that thy wit and fidelity will 
 carry thee through. Listen, then," 
 he continued. " To the Sultan thou 
 shalt deliver a letter, but breathe 
 not a word of thy mission to any 
 one. Shouldst thou, perchance, be 
 questioned, thou bearest medicines 
 to the Sultan from his physician 
 Maimon. Of the Sultan's exact 
 whereabouts I can give thee little 
 intelligence, as I did tell thee. He 
 hath broken camp, and travelled 
 
108 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 northward to meet the attack of 
 Richard of England and the other 
 Frankish leaders. At Damascus 
 seek Rabbi David, to whom also I 
 shall give thee a letter. Him thou 
 mayest trust, and to him apply for 
 what directions thou mayest need. 
 It is my belief that thou wilt over- 
 take the Sultan between Jerusalem 
 and Beyrout, for the Frankish ex- 
 pedition has set sail from the Isle 
 of Cyprus, and will land as near the 
 Holy City as may be. Go thou now, 
 and prepare thyself to start at day- 
 break," the Rabbi concluded, "for 
 the matter brooks no delay. Thou 
 shalt find me at the East Gate with 
 horses and what attendance thou 
 mayest require." 
 
 Joseph left the physician. He 
 was overwhelmed by the import- 
 
A PEKILLOUS MISSION 109 
 
 ance of the errand entrusted to him, 
 but as he began to realize the 
 confidence reposed in him, a new 
 feeling of self-reliance took posses- 
 sion of him, and he felt that he 
 was entering upon man's estate. 
 
 He returned to his lodgings to 
 make the necessary arrangements 
 for his departure. He knew that 
 if he fell into the hands of the 
 Crusaders, there was possibility 
 of his not coming back, neither 
 Jew nor Moslem being treated with 
 much consideration. He told Dame 
 Rebecca that he was leaving the 
 city, and was not sure of return- 
 ing, giving her at the same time 
 some of his clothing to be bestowed 
 upon some needy Jew. 
 
 The more precious of his posses- 
 sions he put into a small chest, 
 
110 UNDEB THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 which was to be delivered into Ra- 
 phael's keeping, and in the event 
 of Joseph's not returning was to 
 belong to his friend. Having done 
 this, he went to the roof to await 
 his comrade's coming and de- 
 cide upon what he might need in 
 the way of arms and equipment. 
 When Raphael came, Joseph told 
 him as much as he might of his 
 mission, in which there was nothing 
 surprising to Raphael, unbounded 
 as his acjmiration for Joseph was. 
 They then set out to make a few 
 purchases, including a small dagger 
 for Joseph's personal use. They 
 rightly concluded that the Rabbi 
 would provide what large arms 
 were needed. 
 
 Very little sleep either Joseph or 
 Raphael got that night, and both 
 
A PERILLOUS MISSION 111 
 
 were up betimes next morning. 
 After taking their morning meal, 
 which had been made ready the 
 preceding evening, Joseph took 
 leave of Dame Rebecca, who was 
 by that time stirring. Then he 
 returned to his companion. The 
 thought of parting and Raphael's 
 unnaturally sober face robbed him 
 of words. They sat looking at 
 each other, silent, until Joseph re- 
 membered that time was passing. 
 Arising, he placed his dagger in his 
 sash, and threw his long-hooded 
 cloak over his shoulder. Turning 
 to Raphael, who was now stand- 
 ing, he said gently, " What must be, 
 must be, Raphael." 
 
 But Raphael threw his arms 
 about his friend's neck, and the two 
 held each other in close embrace. 
 
112 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 " Perchance I may never see thee 
 again, Joseph," said Raphael, his 
 eyes bright and his voice breaking. 
 
 "And perchance, by some stroke 
 of luck, I shall make both our for- 
 tunes," his friend replied with an 
 attempt at gaiety. "Take it not 
 so seriously, for we shall soon be 
 together again, and do thou not 
 neglect the lectures at El Azhar, 
 for I shall expect thee to tell me 
 much when I return. Thou art 
 almost a man, and, as for me, it 
 seems as though years had passed 
 since I indulged in boyish pleas- 
 ures. So then, let us part like men, 
 for I may not tarry longer. May 
 God be ever with thee, my friend." 
 
 "And with thee also," softly re- 
 sponded Raphael as Joseph left 
 him. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 A DESERT JOURNEY 
 
 Upon reaching the street Joseph 
 walked rapidly through the de- 
 serted lanes and by-ways in the 
 direction of the East Gate. Hardly 
 had he arrived there when a cloud 
 of dust warned him of the ap- 
 proach of horsemen. They proved 
 to be Maimon with some four or 
 five followers, mounted and armed. 
 The entire party halted while the 
 Rabbi rode forward, and, dismount- 
 ing, greeted Joseph, with whom he 
 walked a few steps so as to be be- 
 yond earshot of the others. 
 Giving Joseph a package bound 
 
114 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 with gold thread and bearing the 
 official seal of the Sultan's physi- 
 cian, he said : 
 
 "This packet contains the med- 
 icines on account of which thou art 
 supposed to be journeying to the 
 Sultan. Place it in thy girdle, and 
 let all believe that it is the cause of 
 thy errand. When thou reachest 
 the camp, demand to see the Sultan 
 in the name of his physician. The 
 packet, as thou seest, has three 
 seals, but the middle one bears 
 the secret sign known only to the 
 Sultan and his council." 
 
 Joseph examined the seal, and 
 found that what seemed at first 
 to be the physician's sign was in 
 reality another device, two daggers 
 crossed. 
 
 "If there are courtiers with his 
 
A DESERT JOURNEY 115 
 
 Majesty, offer the medicines with 
 the seals uppermost. When he sees 
 the manner of sealing, he will give 
 thee a sign, for which I shall give 
 thee the countersign. From this 
 he will understand that thou dost 
 wish a private audience. This mis- 
 sive," he continued, handing Joseph 
 a letter tied with gold thread and 
 sealed with the secret sign, "thou 
 art to deliver to the Sultan when 
 none are by. It contains the in- 
 formation which is the reason of 
 thy journey. Place it within thy 
 tunic, and," he said impressively, 
 "let none wot of its existence, for 
 the air is full of treachery, and 
 in these war times a man scarce 
 knows friend from foe. Joseph",— 
 the Rabbi's voice became gentle as 
 he placed his hand upon the youth's 
 
116 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 shoulder — " I trust thee greatly. Be 
 but faithful, and thou wilt render 
 me a service for which I shall see 
 thee duly recompensed." 
 
 "You may rest assured of the 
 loyalty and fidelity which are my 
 benefactor's due," responded Joseph, 
 much moved by the Rabbi's man- 
 ner, and resolving to let no obstacle 
 stand in the way of serving his 
 patron. 
 
 " This hath Esther requested me 
 to deliver unto thee," continued 
 Maimon, smiling imperceptibly and 
 giving Joseph a folded paper tied 
 with silver thread. " It doth seem to 
 me," he added, gravely, " that though 
 having seen thee only once, she takes 
 great interest in thy welfare." 
 
 Joseph grew red, but remained 
 silent while the Rabbi went on — 
 
A DESERT JOURNEY 117 
 
 " Nay, blush not so, for I under- 
 stand that thou dost not wish to 
 tell that she has known thee all 
 along; but think not that Esther 
 saw thee without her uncle's knowl- 
 edge, although her mother divined 
 it not." 
 
 " You knew it?" asked Joseph in 
 wonder. " Believe me, Rabbi," he 
 continued rapidly, " Esther is not to 
 be censured, for I did persuade her 
 into so meeting me." 
 
 " I believe thee, inasmuch as thou 
 wouldst shield my madcap niece," 
 answered Maimon laughing, "but 
 neither thou, nor I, nor any one 
 else had so persuaded her, had it 
 not been to her inclination. I did 
 never agree with her mother that 
 a maiden should be held as a 
 blossom to whom the least rough 
 
118 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 breath may do injury, and it did 
 please me mightily to see her take 
 interest in the books I lent her, for 
 I warrant thee that she delivered 
 them not without first looking be- 
 tween the lids." 
 
 "And you were aware that she 
 lent your books to a strange youth, 
 and yet interfered not?" said Joseph 
 astonished and yet relieved that the 
 Rabbi did not take it seriously. 
 
 "Who but me, didst think, put 
 certain books in her way ? " asked 
 Maimon. " It were hardly natural 
 for a maiden to choose the works of 
 the learned Rabbis or the philosophy 
 of Greece as interesting reading, 
 but I had a wish to know of what 
 stuff thine intellect was made. 
 But," continued he in a serious tone, 
 "let us to this matter in hand! 
 
A DESERT JOURNEY 119 
 
 These four men are to accompany 
 thee to the camp, and upon the one 
 who is first thou mayest rely as 
 a guide. The others are of the 
 Sultan's household, and will give 
 credibility to thine errand, as they 
 wear the livery of the palace." 
 
 Advancing with Joseph toward 
 the horsemen, who had remained 
 in the road, Maimonides spoke to 
 the foremost : 
 
 " Ibrahim, this is the youth whom 
 thou and the others are to accom- 
 pany, and whom ye are to regard 
 as your leader." 
 
 Here the four threw themselves 
 from the horses, and after bowing 
 before the royal physician, greeted 
 their young master with another 
 obeisance. 
 
 "Spare neither horse-flesh nor 
 
120 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 gold," said the Rabbi in a tone of 
 stern command, which seemed to 
 belong to his dignified carriage, 
 " but reach Damascus as speedily as 
 may be. Should you be attacked 
 in the desert, see to it that the 
 youth is safe at the risk of all else, 
 for 'tis upon his Majesty's errand 
 that he journeys." 
 
 "He who travelleth from the 
 illustrious Maimon to the great 
 Sultan, upon whom may Allah 
 shower his choicest blessings, hath 
 the right to be protected by our last 
 drop of blood," answered Ibrahim, 
 again bending low. "Upon our 
 courage and good faith the Seyid 
 may rely." 
 
 Joseph mounted the horse which 
 had been brought for him, and 
 received a light shield of rhinoceros 
 
A DESERT JOURNEY 121 
 
 hide and a long spear, which was 
 used as the lance was employed in 
 Europe. After placing in his sash 
 the scimitar and another dagger 
 which were given to him, he was 
 fully armed. The party accordingly 
 set off, Joseph, who had already 
 exchanged farewells with Maimon, 
 leading. 
 
 They rode on in silence, for time 
 was too precious for trifling, and, 
 indeed, Joseph, grown unaccus- 
 tomed to riding, was at first too 
 much occupied in accommodating 
 himself to his horse's rapid pace to 
 attend to much else. 
 
 The scenery was not new to him; 
 it was only a repetition of the fertile 
 fields of waving grain which Ra- 
 phael and he had often seen in their 
 holiday excursions. So familiar it 
 
122 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 all appeared that our youth soon 
 fell to thinking of the friend whom 
 he had left. He was so busy with 
 his thoughts that he did not observe 
 the intensity of the sun's heat, 
 until Ibrahim suggested a halt for 
 the midday rest. 
 
 They dismounted at the border of 
 a small wood, and while one man 
 went in search of a spring, another 
 went to gather dates from a group 
 of palms which grew^ near by. 
 Those who remained, Joseph among 
 them, looked to their horses, for, 
 like wise travellers, they attended 
 to the wants of their steeds before 
 their own. 
 
 They enjoyed their meal of bread 
 and dates, and drank the water 
 from the spring, which had been 
 carried in the leather bottles 
 
A DESEKT J0UENEY 123 
 
 brought for the purpose. After 
 this the men retired a little dis- 
 tance to take the noon sleep. Joseph 
 took advantage of solitude to ex- 
 amine Esther's missive. Breaking 
 the thread, he found that it was 
 folded like a letter, and upon open- 
 ing it he saw the words: "God 
 speed thee, and give thee success." 
 And then he fell to thinking of 
 Esther and after that of Maimon's 
 last words to him, at which he still 
 wondered, remembering Raphael's 
 rosy predictions when he, the 
 obscure Joseph Ibn Assan, had 
 attracted the notice of the illus- 
 trious Maimon. His veins tingled 
 with excitement, as it flashed into 
 his mind that perhaps the Rabbi's 
 condescension toward him was in 
 reality a sign of interest and not 
 
124 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 the mark of courtesy which the 
 distinguished man would bestow 
 upon any Jew. "But why should 
 Maimon, who is the Sultan's attend- 
 ant, and whose companions are the 
 highest nobles in the Empire, look 
 upon nameless me otherwise than 
 as a Jew whose need he has 
 relieved? In truth," thought he 
 proudly, " right happy am I that 
 this journey doth give me a chance 
 to make some payment of the 
 debt." 
 
 He was aroused from his revery 
 by his attendants, who had re- 
 saddled the horses, and stood 
 awaiting his pleasure. Brought 
 back to every-day thoughts and 
 the importance of his present labor, 
 he quickly gave the order to mount 
 and continue upon their way. 
 
A DESEET JOURNEY 125 
 
 They passed out of Egypt into 
 Arabia, traversing the country 
 through which, centuries before, 
 the tribes of Israel had wandered, 
 uniting into a nation whose ancient 
 glory was to be sung after they had 
 again become scattered, this time 
 over the face of the earth. 
 
 Of this Joseph thought as he 
 observed the change in the char- 
 acter of the scenery. They had 
 reached the sandy plains of the 
 coast, and the monotony of the 
 outlook was varied only by the 
 sand-hills, a continuation of the 
 mountains in the distance. As 
 night drew on, and the sun's rays 
 became less oppressive, Joseph paid 
 more attention to the landscape. 
 The moon, which had just risen, 
 emphasized the blackness of the 
 
126 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 sterile plain, covered as it was with 
 pebbles of basalt and flint, and 
 seemed to intensify its general 
 gloom, while the occasional patches 
 of sand or withered grass were 
 rendered more conspicuous by the 
 brightness of the planet's white 
 light. They rode on silently and 
 swiftly, keeping close together, in 
 order not to attract the attention of 
 the roving marauders who lived 
 among the hills. Wrapped in their 
 dark cloaks, our party seemed too 
 indistinguishable a mass to appear, 
 even to the keen eyes of a bandit, 
 as other than a cloud of sand. 
 The excitement of the danger 
 and hard riding had already begun 
 to tell on both men and horses, 
 when Joseph decided upon the need 
 of a short rest, but the night had 
 
A DESERT JOURNEY 127 
 
 worn well on before they entered a 
 depression in the plain which would 
 afford them the necessary shelter. 
 Here they saw a patch of vegetation, 
 which, with a well and a group of 
 black tents, announced the tem- 
 porary residence of a wandering 
 tribe. 
 
 Joseph, having given the signal 
 to dismount, summoned Ibrahim. 
 After a hurried consultation in 
 whispers, they decided to trust to 
 the proverbial hospitality of the 
 Arab nomad rather than to the 
 honesty of his friends of the moun- 
 tains. Accordingly Ibrahim was 
 despatched with a request for the 
 entertainment of the party, and 
 soon returned with an invitation. 
 At the entrance of the largest 
 tent they were met by an elderly 
 
128 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 man, who, notwithstanding his 
 dignity, had a look of cunning, 
 which made Joseph fearful of trust- 
 ing him. He seemed to be at the 
 head of the small colony, and turned 
 to Joseph as the leader of the party. 
 With a smile he bade them wel- 
 come " in the name of God and his 
 Prophet," and conducted them into 
 the tent. As they seated them- 
 selves upon the mats, he clapped 
 his hands. Three ill-clad attend- 
 ants entered in obedience to the 
 summons. At a word from the 
 chief, they placed before the travel- 
 lers vessels containing camel's milk, 
 which, with coarse bread, formed 
 their supper. The chief sat silently 
 by until they had finished their 
 meal, and then he addressed Joseph. 
 " Most worthy traveller," said he, 
 
A DESEET JOUKNEY 129 
 
 "'tis some time since we have had 
 speech with one who dwells in the 
 city, and we should greatly value 
 tidings of the Sultan, may the 
 Holy Prophet bless and protect his 
 descendant." 
 
 "What little I may know is thine, 
 gracious host," answered Joseph, 
 wishing to make up for the lack 
 of confidence which he feared he 
 had shown. " When we rode from 
 Fostat, 'twas said that our illustri- 
 ous Saladin had new foes in the 
 form of certain Frankish warriors, 
 who have set their minds upon 
 gaining what they are pleased to 
 call the Holy Land." 
 
 "As though their Frankish arms 
 could stand firm before the prowess 
 of Mahomet's followers ! " exclaimed 
 the chief. " Doubtless thou dost go 
 
130 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 with thy men to follow the stand- 
 ard of Saladin." 
 
 " It is even so," answered Joseph, 
 glad of any excuse. "And if thou 
 wilt not deem it a poor reward for 
 thine hospitality, I shall ask thee 
 to show us where to rest, for we 
 have ridden long and hard, and 
 have little time for sleep." 
 
 "Pardon the curiosity which 
 made me forget my guests' com- 
 fort," said the man with humility 
 for which Joseph liked him none 
 the better. "The men will find 
 couches in another tent, but your 
 honor shall rest in the shelter of 
 mine." 
 
 Joseph felt his distrust again 
 rising, but he tried to answer cor- 
 dially : 
 
 "Thy thoughtfulness doth claim 
 
A DESERT JOUKNEY 131 
 
 my gratitude, and if thou wilt but 
 show me to my place of rest, I 
 shall relieve my worthy host of my 
 company." 
 
 The Arab raised a coarse brown 
 curtain at the other side of the 
 tent, disclosing a small recess con- 
 taining a mattress over which 
 a rug had been thrown. Joseph 
 entered this apartment, and the 
 curtain fell. Believing himself to 
 be alone, he placed the package of 
 medicines and the bag containing 
 the money he had received from 
 Maimon beside him. Had he turned, 
 he would have seen a bright black 
 eye peering through a hole in the 
 curtain. As it was, he could not 
 shake off the feeling of suspicion 
 which had assailed him before. 
 
 " Had I not feared to arouse the 
 
132 UNDEE THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 covetousness of yon old miscreant, 
 I should have had Ibrahim sleep 
 by me. Still, I shall keep this dag- 
 ger by my hand, for if ever man 
 had the eye of a rogue, then is my 
 host so gifted," thought he, as he 
 resolved to sleep with one eye open. 
 Made restless by these thoughts, 
 he slept fitfully, and finally fell into 
 a doze, only to be awakened by a 
 fumbling at the mattress. Sleepy 
 as he was, Joseph was still conscious 
 enough to make no movement. 
 Slowly opening his eyes, he saw a 
 long brown arm thrust through 
 the curtain and reaching for the 
 precious package at his side. As 
 though moving in his sleep, he 
 managed to place his hand upon 
 the blade of his dagger. Swiftly 
 he aimed a blow at the hand near 
 
m 
 
A DESERT JOURNEY 133 
 
 his side. The large handle of the 
 weapon descended so heavily that 
 it might easily have broken the 
 wrist. With a sharp cry of pain, 
 the thief quickly withdrew his arm, 
 and all was silent again. Joseph, 
 now alert, sat up and listened, but 
 heard no movement. He felt for 
 the medicines and the money, and 
 found that they were safe. 
 
 "I did the old fellow no wrong 
 when I doubted his honesty," 
 thought he. " A right shrewd blow 
 I gave him, but it will teach him 
 to keep his hand at his own side 
 henceforth. Though all is safe, he 
 hath destroyed the rest I needed 
 mightily. I shall sleep no more, 
 but await the arising of the 
 others." 
 
 Just before dawn Ibrahim 
 
134 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 brought him his breakfast of dried 
 dates and bread, and went to fill 
 the leather bottles at the well. 
 This done, the horses were brought 
 to the tent, and their leader was 
 summoned. 
 
 Their host, his right wrist bound 
 up, came forward to Joseph, who 
 had not neglected to reward him, 
 though not sumptuously enough 
 to excite his cupidity. 
 
 "May you soon grace our poor 
 tent again," said this worthy with 
 a pretense of cordiality. 
 
 " It will be my pleasure to travel 
 many miles to reward so sweet a 
 night's rest," responded Joseph, 
 giving the man a significant look 
 as they rode off. 
 
 The sky was cloudless, allowing 
 full play to the fierceness of the 
 
A DESERT JOURNEY 135 
 
 sun's rays, which, had there been 
 no other cause, would have made 
 our travellers anxious to have their 
 journey over the plain behind 
 them. As far as the eye could 
 reach, there was no sign of life, 
 and the glare of the sun upon the 
 sands was almost blinding, but at 
 noon the heat was so intense that 
 Joseph was obliged to call a halt. 
 A sort of tent was improvised by 
 placing the spears upright in the 
 ground and using their cloaks as 
 an awning. 
 
 Here they took their midday 
 meal of bread and dried fruit, 
 which Ibrahim had brought, and 
 the water in the leather cases 
 served as liquid refreshment. The 
 men cared for the horses, while 
 Ibrahim kept close watch upon the 
 
136 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 hills, fearing an unexpected attack. 
 A very short rest sufficed, for to 
 linger was to court the notice of 
 wandering bandits, and they re- 
 sumed their journey, continuing to 
 ride close together, with one always 
 acting as sentinel. 
 
 Toward evening Joseph, casting 
 his eyes toward the hills, discerned 
 what seemed to be a party of horse- 
 men issuing from them. He ob- 
 served them curiously for a few 
 moments, never thinking that dan- 
 ger could attend an appearance 
 made so openly ; but when he called 
 Ibrahim's attention to the approach- 
 ing cavalcade, the guide watched it 
 with marked interest. 
 
 " By the beard of the Prophet!" 
 he ejaculated, "they are no other 
 than the same hill-robbers whom 
 
A DESERT JOURNEY 137 
 
 we have been trying to escape. I 
 can tell by the manner of their 
 riding." 
 
 Here an arrow struck with a rat- 
 tle upon one of the men's shields as 
 a warning to conclude the council. 
 
 " Do you, Seyid," continued Ibra- 
 him quickly, "ride in the middle. 
 Fall around the master, men, and 
 bear the brunt of the attack. See 
 to it that he is as well protected as 
 may be, for so did my lord Moses 
 command." 
 
 "Luckily we are well armed," 
 said Joseph, not altogether relish- 
 ing this arrangement, elated as he 
 was at the prospect of adventure. 
 
 "With your leave, young S'id, I 
 would suggest that we fight not 
 unless it must be, but trust rather 
 to our horses' heels, for these 
 
138 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 mountaineers are hardy fighters, 
 whom even the Sultan's soldiers 
 find it nigh impossible to defeat." 
 
 " But the horses are not fresh. 
 Shall we be able to outrace them, 
 thinkestthou?" 
 
 "At the first sign of danger they 
 will be as fresh as a flower with the 
 morning dew upon it. They are 
 from the Sultan's stables, and their 
 equal is not to be found even in 
 Araby. Many a horse have my 
 legs bestrode, but never before such 
 an one as this." 
 
 "While Ibrahim was talking, Jo- 
 seph considered his advice, and as 
 the guide ceased to speak, came to 
 a conclusion. 
 
 "We shall do as thou say est, 
 Ibrahim, and may we make our 
 escape good." 
 
A DESERT JOUBNEY 139 
 
 " Ride quickly and lightly as the 
 wind," he said to the others, at the 
 same time urging his own horse, 
 which responded as though per- 
 fectly comprehending the danger. 
 
 Swiftly they rode through the 
 clouds of sand, moving as lightly 
 as a flying bird skims the surface 
 of the water. They soon out-dis- 
 tanced their pursuers, whose horses 
 were no match for the royal steeds. 
 On they rode, having no time to 
 discuss their escape or even the 
 single mark of the encounter, an 
 arrow that had clung to Ibrahim's 
 shield. There was but slight dan- 
 ger of another attack; still they 
 rested as little as possible, until 
 they came in view of the minarets 
 of Damascus. Here they halted at 
 an inn, and, while the men looked 
 
140 UNDEE THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 to the care of the animals, Joseph 
 hastily refreshed himself, and then 
 set out to obtain the necessary direc- 
 tions for the rest of the journey. 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 AN OLD SCORE 
 
 The sun was shining brightly upon 
 the gilded minarets and marble 
 palaces of Damascus, "the earthly 
 Paradise" of Mahomet, when Joseph 
 passed the gates which shut off the 
 squalid Jewish quarter. Venders 
 were calling out their wares, and 
 were travelling to and fro, some 
 seeking custom beyond the Mellah, 
 others returning with empty packs. 
 Our youth singled out, from a multi- 
 plicity of red brick walls, the one 
 which belonged to the house of the 
 Rabbi David, revered as a teacher 
 and an expounder of the Talmud. 
 
142 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 The Rabbi was an old man and 
 tall, with the stoop of the scholar 
 and the beard of a patriarch. He 
 was at his books when Joseph was 
 shown into a room dimly lighted 
 by a latticed window. Arising with 
 gentle dignity, he asked his visitor's 
 business. 
 
 " May it please you," said Joseph, 
 bowing, " to pardon this unseemly 
 interruption, for I had not presumed 
 so far but that I bore a missive 
 from the Rabbi Moses Ibn Maimon." 
 
 "Thou comest from Maimon? 
 Thou wert welcome an thou didst 
 but bring fresh tidings of him, who 
 is, indeed, Israel's banner," cor- 
 dially answered the Rabbi as he 
 took the letter. After reading it, 
 he continued, "The information 
 thou dost seek I can give thee, since 
 
AN OLD SCOKE 143 
 
 I have but this morn had speech 
 with Manasseh, who deals in arms. 
 But first the housewife must 
 prepare thee a meal, for doubtless 
 thou hast obtained no ritually 
 prepared meat on thy journey." 
 
 While the meal was being made 
 ready, the Rabbi proceeded to give 
 his visitor the required directions. 
 
 "The army," he said, "lieth to 
 the west of Damascus toward 
 Beyrout. With a good animal thou 
 shouldst be able to reach its borders 
 within a few hours, for there are 
 good roads, over which is much 
 travel. When thou comest in sight 
 of the tents, turn boldly from the 
 road, and ride into the camp, as 
 though thou wert going to join 
 some warrior. Further I can aid 
 thee but little, since no more than 
 
144 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 scant knowledge of camp-life hath 
 been vouchsafed me. If the Lord, 
 our God, Whose name be exalted, 
 hath seen fit to let His children weep 
 in foreign lands, He hath also, in His 
 infinite mercy, removed us far from 
 the turmoil of the battle-field. There- 
 fore, upon thine own wit thou wilt 
 have to rely for the chance of reach- 
 ing the Sultan, ere thou hast 
 revealed thine errand. But here is 
 the poor refreshment which I would 
 offer thee," he concluded, as a 
 servant entered with a steaming 
 tray, and placed it on a low stand 
 next to Joseph, who sat upon a seat 
 made of cushions. 
 
 It was still early in the afternoon 
 when Joseph started to rejoin his 
 companions, having refused the 
 Rabbi's invitation to spend the 
 
AN OLD SCOKE 145 
 
 night under his roof, since he felt 
 that it was necessary to make 
 arrangements for pursuing their 
 journey. 
 
 The Rabbi accompanied him to 
 the end of the Quarter and even 
 beyond it, Joseph thanking his host 
 for his kindness and receiving the 
 venerable scholar's wishes for his 
 success and welfare. 
 
 After they had parted, Joseph 
 strolled leisurely along, looking 
 into the gardens, a number of 
 which were very fine. Many of the 
 houses were as splendid as the 
 palaces of Fostat, and Joseph 
 rightly judged that he was in the 
 better part of the city. Suddenly, 
 as he stood looking at a pomegran- 
 ate tree, all scarlet with its blos- 
 soms, he felt that he was being 
 
146 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 watched. Glancing up curiously at 
 one of the latticed windows, he 
 caught sight of Hacam, who, how- 
 ever, showed no sign of recognition. 
 Joseph was amused, and smiled as 
 he walked on, wondering if Hacam 
 were petty enough still to nurse 
 his anger. But he had not gone 
 far, when he felt a touch on the 
 shoulder. He turned and saw two 
 swarthy soldiers. 
 
 "Art thou Joseph Ibn Assan?" 
 asked one of the men. 
 
 "Yes," answered the astonished 
 Joseph. 
 
 "Then thou must accompany us 
 to appear before the Vizier," an- 
 nounced the soldier. 
 
 "Wherefore should I appear be- 
 fore the Vizier," Joseph demanded, 
 expecting to get some explanation. 
 
AN OLD SCORE 147 
 
 "That is not for us to answer. 
 Thou shalt find out in good time, 
 and may the reason be to thy 
 liking," the man replied, grinning. 
 
 Believing that there was some 
 mistake, Joseph accompanied the 
 men without more ado, hoping to 
 have the matter quickly settled. 
 
 The passers-by looked at the trio 
 with curiosity, but made no attempt 
 to follow. Nothing in the prison- 
 er's appearance promised any sen- 
 sational development, and none of 
 them had much inclination to be 
 drawn into contact with the ju- 
 diciary. 
 
 They came to a stop before a 
 great house of stone. The man 
 who had first accosted Joseph still 
 retained his hold upon the prisoner's 
 arm, and turned to the other. 
 
148 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 "Do thou go within," he said, 
 " and see if he is wanted, or if he is 
 to be taken to the guard-house." 
 
 Joseph still wondered at the 
 occurrence, and stood endeavoring 
 to come to some conclusion as to its 
 cause. He felt sure that it could 
 come from no desire to interfere 
 with his journey, for no one knew 
 the motive of it, and he could think 
 of no act which would make him 
 amenable to the law of Damascus. 
 
 The soldier, returning, signified 
 that they were to enter. Accord- 
 ingly, Joseph was led through the 
 court-yard to the inner court, which 
 was of the most magnificent kind. 
 The marble pavement was inlaid 
 with geometric designs in mosaics, 
 and the overhanging balconies, also 
 of white marble, were filled with 
 
AN OLD SCORE 149 
 
 blossoming plants, which shed their 
 perfume over the court below. 
 Around the fountain was an oc- 
 tagonal basin of white marble to 
 receive the water which first 
 sprayed high into the air, and then 
 fell into a succession of small basins, 
 thus forming a kind of waterfall. 
 
 At the farther end of the court 
 was an estrade, raised by some 
 four or five steps and extending 
 the entire length of the space. It 
 was of marble, covered with heavy 
 rugs, and in the middle was a seat 
 of carved wood, cushioned with 
 brocade. Stationed in a line across 
 the platform were about twenty 
 slaves, with brightly colored sashes 
 and scarfs and gleaming weapons, 
 a most barbarous guard. Upon the 
 pavement sat the secretary, sur- 
 
150 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 rounded by all the paraphernalia 
 for writing. As the soldiers with 
 their prisoner took their position, 
 the door leading to the palace 
 opened, and two men entered the 
 court. The foremost, whom, from 
 his stern appearance together with 
 his green turban and rich dress, 
 Joseph rightly took to be the Vizier, 
 ascended the steps, and as he took 
 his seat, those in the court bent low. 
 He motioned his companion to a 
 low seat of cushions, and all was 
 silent for a moment. Joseph's 
 glance wandered from the Vizier to 
 the youth who sat at his left, and 
 was idly toying with his dagger. 
 With a start he recognized Hacam, 
 who met his look nonchalantly. 
 Instantly Joseph connected his 
 enemy's presence with his arrest. 
 
AN OLD SCORE 151 
 
 The soldiers, performing a low 
 salaam, told theVizier — who seemed 
 in need of no such information — 
 that the prisoner had been arrested 
 at the instance of the Seyid Hacam. 
 
 Hearing this and feeling that 
 Hacam had formed some delib- 
 erate plan, Joseph grew appre- 
 hensive lest he should be pre- 
 vented from accomplishing his 
 mission. 
 
 "Joseph Ibn Assan," began the 
 Vizier, his harsh voice echoing 
 through the court, "thou art 
 charged with repeating Jewish 
 prayers and performing other re- 
 ligious duties which belong to the 
 infidel Jewish faith." 
 
 Then, believing that the judge 
 wished to exact the tribute de- 
 manded of Jews in many Ma- 
 
152 TJNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 hometan cities, Joseph answered, 
 after bowing, 
 
 " "Tis true, O Vizier, that I pray 
 according to the liturgy of my 
 people, but, being a traveller pass- 
 ing through the city, I had not 
 thought of the tax." 
 
 "It is to answer another and 
 greater charge that thou art 
 here," said the Vizier, his counte- 
 nance and tone becoming more 
 severe, while Hacam made no 
 effort to conceal the triumphant 
 smile which rose at Joseph's look 
 of blank astonishment. As his gaze 
 travelled back to the Vizier's face, 
 Joseph beheld an expression which 
 filled him with fearful expectation. 
 
 Waving his hand toward Hacam, 
 whom he seemed to treat as a social 
 equal, the judge said : 
 
AN OLD SCOEE 153 
 
 "Give thy testimony, inasmuch 
 as the prisoner must offer his 
 defense." 
 
 Then Hacam arose, and, descend- 
 ing from the dais upon which he 
 had been seated, took his place at a 
 little distance from Joseph. Bow- 
 ing low before the Yizier, he began : 
 
 " Know, O Judge, this youth who 
 is now before you was known to me 
 in El Fostat as a Moslem. This 
 morning, as I came from the 
 mosque, I saw him enter the city, 
 and I followed him in order to 
 renew our acquaintance," — here, 
 despite his apprehension, Joseph 
 could not suppress an ironical smile, 
 for the picture of Hacam's welcom- 
 ing him appealed to his sense of 
 humor — "but hearing him ask his 
 way to the Mellah, I began to 
 
154 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 believe that there were grounds for 
 the suspicions which I had for some 
 time harbored. These were con- 
 firmed when I overheard him con- 
 verse with a Jewish Rabbi. In my 
 horror at seeing one who had been 
 given the liberty of a true believer 
 return to his own perverted faith 
 at the first opportunity, I immedi- 
 ately sought the great Vizier's pres- 
 ence, knowing that in all Arabia 
 there is no truer follower of the 
 Prophet, nor one better fitted 
 to punish this youth's offense. 
 Therefore, your Excellency," con- 
 tinued Hacam, slowly and dramatic- 
 ally, "I charge the prisoner with 
 being a renegade from our Mahomet 
 and from Allah, the God of the 
 Prophet." 
 Having spoken, Hacam resumed 
 
AN OLD SCORE 155 
 
 his seat, while the Vizier, with a 
 sternness calculated to strike terror 
 to the boldest heart, said to Joseph, 
 "What hast thou to say ? " 
 
 The sound of the playing water 
 in the fountain could be heard 
 through the court, and the sun- 
 beams danced brightly upon the 
 polished weapons of the slaves, 
 while Joseph made a great effort to 
 collect his wits, for the seriousness 
 of the situation was now borne in 
 upon him. Also bowing low before 
 his judge, he made answer : 
 
 "My lord, Hacam in a measure 
 speaks the truth, and yet not all 
 the truth. That I passed for a 
 Moslem in El Fostat is true, but 
 never have I been other than a 
 Jew. Though I wore not the Jew- 
 ish badge, never have I for an 
 
156 TJKDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 instant wavered in my loyalty to 
 my God and the faith of His chosen 
 people. I did but as many another 
 has done, for it is a common prac- 
 tice of those unable to shield them- 
 selves against the consequences of 
 the unreasoning prejudice of the 
 ignorant. In Egypt it is known to 
 many officials, who have the will 
 but not the power to protect us. 
 Comprehending the reason of the 
 disguise, they overlook the fault. 
 Therefore, O Vizier, since I have 
 never given a thought to the wor- 
 ship of any God but the Lord of 
 Abraham, I cannot rightly be con- 
 sidered an apostate from the Mos- 
 lem faith. " 
 
 " If thy desertion was overlooked 
 in El Fostat," said the Vizier, " here, 
 in the cradle of the Prophet, thou 
 
AN OLD SCORE 157 
 
 shalt find no such leniency. Good 
 proof has been given of thy crime. 
 Thou art a renegade from Islam, 
 and must suffer therefor." 
 
 Joseph felt the last remnants of 
 hope slipping away. The Vizier's 
 next words cut into his comprehen- 
 sion like dagger thrusts. 
 
 "The penalty thou must know." 
 
 "Death," answered Joseph in a 
 low voice, thinking of Maimon and 
 the letter, which could not be deliv- 
 ered now. Then suddenly Esther 
 seemed to rise before him, smiling 
 encouragement. The harsh tones 
 of the Vizier again sounded through 
 the court. 
 
 U A chance thou shalt have," he 
 said, " for even in so small a matter 
 as the death of a Jewish deserter, 
 there shall be no reflection upon 
 
158 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 the justice of Alfadhel. Renounce 
 thy false faith, and acknowledge 
 Mahomet Prophet of God.*" 
 
 Then Joseph stood erect, and, 
 raising his head high, as his heart 
 swelled with pride, he answered : 
 
 "With my last breath I shall 
 praise the God of Israel, who is 
 Eternal and Almighty. The Law 
 which hath been Israel's support 
 through centuries is also mine. 
 The God of Abraham and of Moses, 
 who led our fathers out of bondage, 
 shall be my protection and succor. 
 Not to gain ten years of life would 
 I for an instant deny the faith of 
 His chosen people." 
 
 "Twice more shall opportunity 
 be given thee to recant, even 
 according to the word of the Holy 
 Prophet," said the Vizier, looking 
 
AN OLD SCORE 159 
 
 at the proud figure before him. 
 " Joseph Ibn Assan, thou art a 
 goodly youth and brave ; where- 
 fore shouldst thou give up life for 
 the laws which were rendered null 
 when Allah sent forth the Holy 
 Prophet? Thou art not asked to 
 deny the Lord, Who is our God also, 
 but to accept Mahomet, Whom He 
 ordained greater than Moses. Take 
 this, thy double chance, and em- 
 brace Islam." 
 
 " Doubly I refuse that same 
 chance ! " Joseph's voice rang out. 
 "The Law which the Almighty 
 handed down to Moses upon Sinai, 
 amid thunder, and lightning, and 
 the clashing of elements, is as true 
 to-day as it was at the zenith of 
 Israel's glory. It is the word of the 
 Lord, and shall last for all time. If 
 
160 UJSjDEB THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 a new Prophet hath arisen, we have 
 not so been taught, and since the 
 days when the Lord's voice was 
 heard in His Temple the Law of 
 Moses hath been His word. The 
 tribes of Israel have fought and 
 suffered for it, and I, the least of 
 them, can but die for it." 
 
 " Thou hast had the opportunity 
 which I foresaw thou wouldst cast 
 away with the obstinate fanaticism 
 of thy people. But," said the Vizier, 
 "none can question the justice of 
 the sentence which I shall pro- 
 nounce upon thee." 
 
 As the judge spoke, an idea darted 
 into Joseph's mind, staggering him 
 by its stupendous boldness. " I can 
 do no less than try it," thought he. 
 
 "I thank you, Vizier," con- 
 tinued he aloud, making a low 
 
AN OLD SCOEE 161 
 
 obeisance and keeping his eyes on 
 Hacam's face, " I thank you for the 
 clemency you have shown, which I 
 doubt not will be properly rewarded 
 by the great Sultan, my master." 
 
 He felt that his shaft had struck, 
 and rejoiced as he saw his enemy's 
 face fall. 
 
 "The Sultan, thy master!" re- 
 peated the Vizier. 
 
 "Even so, O Vizier," answered 
 Joseph bowing, "for I come from 
 the royal palace as an emissary of 
 the great Maimon, travelling upon 
 affairs of state." 
 
 " There is more to this than doth 
 appear," said Alfadhel slowly. 
 Then, rising, he said to Joseph, 
 "Follow me," and walked across 
 the court. He raised a part of the 
 drapery, and passed through the 
 
162 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 door which it had concealed, Joseph 
 following. 
 
 They entered a small room, which 
 usually served the official as a 
 study. Seating himself and motion- 
 ing his companion to a heap of 
 cushions, the Vizier said, "The 
 meaning of thy words ? " 
 
 "That I am on my way to the 
 Sultan, on whom may the joys of 
 this world and the next descend," 
 — Alfadhel bowed his head rever- 
 ently — " to bear to him these 
 medicines," — showing Maimon's 
 parcel with the seal of the palace — 
 "the immediate use of which the 
 royal physician, Maimon, deems 
 necessary if the dread tertian fever 
 is to pass from our royal master, 
 and the leader of hosts is to be 
 spared his loyal subjects." 
 
AN OLD SCORE 163 
 
 "And I had nigh prevented your 
 purpose. Praise be to the God of 
 our holy Prophet, who hath saved 
 me from exciting the wrath of my 
 master," said the Vizier, almost 
 trembling in his excitement. " Thou 
 art free to resume thy journey. 
 Through yonder door thou wilt find 
 a way leading to the street, but get 
 thee to horse and out of the town as 
 quickly as possible. Should questions 
 arise, bear in mind that I detained 
 thee not a moment after I had be- 
 come assured of thine identity." 
 
 Joseph was not backward in 
 availing himself of this permission, 
 and, having thanked the Vizier, 
 rapidly made his way to the street, 
 where he paused in the warm sun- 
 shine to breathe a prayer of 
 thankfulness. 
 
164 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 He never saw his enemy again, 
 nor can it be said that he bewailed 
 the fate which prevented their 
 meeting. 
 
 He arrived at the inn for the even- 
 ing meal, and, after a short rest, 
 his party made ready to start, 
 intending to ride through the night. 
 The moonlight w r as bright, and 
 Joseph, notwithstanding his weari- 
 ness, determined to reach the 
 Saracen camp next day. 
 
 By night-fall they were upon the 
 road to Beyrout, passing soldiers 
 and merchants who were journey- 
 ing to and from the camp. Joseph's 
 heart grew lighter as he came 
 nearer to the discharge of his 
 master's behests, and the men re- 
 joiced in their proximity to the 
 scene of warlike activity. Stories 
 
AN OLD SCOEE 165 
 
 alternated with snatches of gay 
 song, levity unchecked by Joseph, 
 who was too much occupied with 
 his thoughts to notice the boisterous 
 gaiety of his followers. 
 
 The sun was well above the 
 horizon when the ascent of a hilly 
 road brought them in view of the 
 tents and waving banners of the 
 army. 
 
 On and into the camp they 
 galloped, the livery of the men 
 announcing that they were of the 
 Sultan's household. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 THE MOSLEM CAMP 
 
 The camp was all bustle and prep- 
 aration, for the Christian army was 
 in battle array according to last 
 intelligence, and the Saracens were 
 expecting the attack. Armor was 
 being polished, and weapons sharp- 
 ened. The temper of swords was 
 being tried, and the aiming of ar- 
 rows practiced. Richly caparisoned 
 horses carrying armed riders were 
 being drilled to bear the force of an 
 attacking lance. 
 
 Saladin's army was composed of 
 the many tribes whom he had com- 
 bined into one people under his 
 
THE MOSLEM CAMP 167 
 
 sway. There were the fierce tribes 
 of the deserts, wild and savage, 
 whose vividly colored trappings con- 
 trasted strangely with the dignified, 
 white-clad Bedouin cavalry, men 
 of tried courage and well-earned 
 fame. But the flower of the army, 
 Saladin's chief support, were the 
 regiments of Egyptian infantry, 
 disciplined and trained in the Sul- 
 tan's home wars. 
 
 Joseph made his way to the 
 Egyptian tents, hoping there to 
 obtain a guide to the royal pavil- 
 ion. He and his attendants had 
 dismounted, and were leading their 
 horses in order not to attract too 
 much attention. Carefully they 
 threaded their way through crowds 
 of horses, soldiers, and burden-car- 
 rying slaves, until familiar pen- 
 
168 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 nants announced the tents of the 
 Egyptian leaders. As they wan- 
 dered into the heart of the group, 
 they were met by an elderly man, 
 whom Joseph, judging by his green 
 turban, took to be a dignitary of 
 some sort. 
 
 Greeting him respectfully, our 
 youth began: 
 
 "May it please you, worthy sir, 
 I would request the favor of your 
 direction to the Sultan's tents, for I 
 am come from Fostat bearing med- 
 icines from the royal physician." 
 
 "Thou couldst have requested no 
 favor which I would more readily 
 grant thee," answered the Sheykh, 
 " for the health of the Prince of the 
 Faithful is now of more than usual 
 importance, with this foreign horde 
 and their blows of iron. But the 
 
THE MOSLEM CAMP 1G9 
 
 Prophet protects his own! Thy 
 men and horses leave here, for 
 thou shalt share the hospitality of 
 the Egyptians. This slave," he con- 
 tinued, summoning one, " shall be 
 thy guide." 
 
 Joseph passed on, much interested 
 in the warlike preparations and ex- 
 cited by the clanging of armor and 
 weapons and the hurrying of slaves, 
 who, regardless of the burning heat, 
 were doing the work of pack-mules. 
 
 "They say that the slaves are the 
 happiest of all people," thought Jo- 
 seph, "but methinks I had rather 
 my own troublous lot than that of 
 these soulless men. But who may 
 be these, for light hair, blue eyes, 
 and white skin ne'er belonged to 
 Arabian slave." 
 
 Still looking at the men who had 
 
170 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 excited his curiosity, he said to the 
 slave : 
 
 " Perchance yonder laborers have 
 taken this travail upon themselves 
 by the behest of some enthusiastic 
 Imam, for 'twere scarce possible 
 that those white bodies had e'er 
 before been scorched by the sun." 
 
 "The Seyid errs," answered the 
 slave. "These same men are slaves, 
 even like the blackest Nubian in the 
 camp. They are Frankish warriors 
 captured in the onslaught made 
 by the enemy, and they have pur- 
 chased their lives by accepting their 
 condition. They thrive but ill under 
 the work, and the fever will save 
 them from the executioner's hand, 
 which will descend when the fight- 
 ing beginneth." 
 
 Joseph watched the unfortunates, 
 
THE MOSLEM CAMP 171 
 
 and his pity was especially engaged 
 by one poor fellow who was bend- 
 ing exhausted beneath the weight 
 of his burden and the sharpness of 
 the task-master's lash. Our youth's 
 eyes wandered from the marks of 
 the cruel blows to the captive's face. 
 With a start that sent the hot blood 
 surging to his head he recognized 
 the murderer of his father, the 
 Count de Fournoire. All the pity 
 was gone out of his heart now, and 
 he almost rejoiced at the thought 
 of his enemy's sufferings. With 
 all the plans of revenge he had 
 ever formed rushing through his 
 mind Joseph continued his way. 
 The neighing and pawing of fiery 
 steeds, the shouts of warriors, and 
 the clamor of encountering weap- 
 ons were unheeded by him as he 
 
172 TODEE THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 mechanically followed his guide, 
 nor was he recalled to his present 
 purpose until the slave came to a 
 stop, and he beheld the royal pen- 
 nants floating from the Sultan's 
 pavilion. 
 
 Here he was accosted by the cap- 
 tain of the guard of black Nubians, 
 who were brightly clothed and heav- 
 ily armed. 
 
 Joseph, packet in hand and with 
 an air of authority, requested to 
 be conducted to an officer of the 
 household. He was led through the 
 entrance of the great tent into a 
 kind of ante-chamber, which was 
 separated from the remainder by 
 heavy draperies, and there they 
 were met by a man whose turban 
 and rich dress betokened him an 
 Emir of rank. 
 
THE MOSLEM CAMP 173 
 
 To him Joseph stated that he 
 sought the presence of the Sultan, 
 having travelled many miles to de- 
 liver certain medicines (he displayed 
 the package) which Maimon deemed 
 imperative for the continuance of 
 the Sultan's health. 
 
 "To me thou may est deliver the 
 packet," said the Emir, " and it will 
 be as safe as though thou hadst 
 placed it in the hand of the Sultan 
 himself. He is giving audience to 
 certain of his leaders, and I may 
 not admit even those of the royal 
 household, though, were he less 
 occupied, I might presume to allow 
 entrance to the emissary of the 
 illustrious Maimon." 
 
 " To none may I deliver it but to 
 the Sultan himself, noble Emir. If 
 perchance the welfare of our noble 
 
174 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 Sultan is of import to you, seek our 
 lord's presence, and say that there 
 is a messenger without who comes 
 from Maimon, and who refuses to 
 discharge his errand, save in the 
 presence of his Majesty. You shall 
 not regret it, I warrant you." 
 
 Joseph's earnestness carried the 
 day, and the officer arose, and 
 passed into the interior of the tent. 
 
 In a few minutes he returned. 
 
 " Thy persistence has won thee an 
 entrance," he said, " but thou canst 
 scarce expect to have words with 
 the Prince of the Faithful, for he is 
 much occupied. Follow me." 
 
 Eaising the curtains, he conducted 
 Joseph into the audience-chamber, 
 which was really the Sultan's apart- 
 ment. It was fitted up lavishly, as 
 the richness of Oriental fabrics and 
 
THE MOSLEM CAMP 175 
 
 the prodigality of Eastern fashion 
 admitted. The sides of the tent 
 were hung with bright tapestries, 
 harmonizing with the rugs, into the 
 soft pile of which Joseph's foot 
 sank as if treading upon a down 
 pillow. The divans disposed about 
 the walls of the tent were covered 
 with cushions made of delicate 
 silks, embroidered with gold. A 
 low table of ivory and gold, bearing 
 a gold goblet filled with sherbet, 
 stood before one of these couches. 
 Upon it reclined the Sultan, whose 
 dress, less ostentatious than that of 
 his officer, was of white silk. His 
 sole ornaments were the jewelled 
 dagger in his sash and the magnifi- 
 cent emerald sparkling in the front 
 of his white turban. But this lack 
 of personal adornment detracted 
 
176 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 nothing from the Sultan's look of 
 power and kingly dignity. He was 
 a handsome man, and possessed all 
 the royal presence one pictures as 
 belonging to the greatest Arab 
 monarch, whose intellect, courage, 
 and generosity have been sung by 
 generations of Arab historians. 
 
 With him were a number of Sar- 
 acen nobles, one of whom was 
 speaking as Joseph entered. He 
 finished soon, however, and, having 
 bowed, retired to a little distance to 
 receive a cup of sherbet from an 
 attendant slave. The Emir here- 
 upon advanced, and, making a low 
 obeisance, said : 
 
 "My lord, the messenger of whom 
 I spoke is here." 
 
 "I am occupied with weighty 
 matters. Do thou receive the 
 
THE MOSLEM CAMP 177 
 
 packet, and examine its contents,'' 
 answered the Sultan, as he mo- 
 tioned to one of the nobles, who 
 now stepped forward. 
 
 " King of the age," he said, " I 
 am now ready to render unto you a 
 report of my regiments together 
 with their equipments.'' Joseph, 
 dismayed by this unlooked-for oc- 
 currence, remained apparently un- 
 observed among the slaves at the 
 lower end of the apartment. There 
 he stood, helpless, as the Emir 
 ruthlessly broke the precious seals. 
 Seemingly forgetful of the fact that 
 a stranger was present during the 
 Sultan's council, the officer devoted 
 his attention to the contents of Mai- 
 mon's packet. Joseph continued 
 in his position, watching the Sultan 
 and trying to form some plan to 
 
178 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 reach the royal ear, which, in truth, 
 seemed impossible, so numerous 
 were his attendants. The noble 
 who was speaking had gone into 
 some detail of equipment, which he 
 reported with unnecessary mathe- 
 matical precision. The Sultan, who 
 had become a little bored by his 
 prosiness, permitted his eyes to 
 wander from his follower to the 
 lower part of the tent and back 
 again. This lack of attention made 
 Joseph's heart give a little leap of 
 exultation, for he then conceived 
 an idea which he immediately 
 attempted to carry out. 
 
 As the slaves stirred about to 
 minister to the comfort of the 
 nobles, Joseph moved as far for- 
 ward as he could, but he was care- 
 ful to remain in a line with the 
 
THE MOSLEM CAMP 179 
 
 Sultan's gaze. Slowly and cau- 
 tiously he removed his two daggers, 
 and crossed them upon the floor, 
 thanking fate which had blessed 
 the noble Osman with great loqua- 
 city. He remained standing, mo- 
 tionless as a statue, his eyes upon 
 Saladin's countenance, and every 
 nerve alive with expectation. The 
 Sultan's glance again travelled to 
 the lower end of the room, and 
 fixed itself unconsciously upon the 
 crossed daggers, and then, as if 
 suddenly comprehending, he raised 
 his eyes to Joseph's face, which im- 
 mediately flushed. Without mov- 
 ing or changing his expression the 
 Sultan closed his right hand with 
 the middle finger extended, and 
 carelessly placed it upon his right 
 cheek, and, as the Vizier Osman 
 
180 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 finished speaking, casually glanced 
 at Joseph. He responded by pla- 
 cing his left hand in the same posi- 
 tion upon his left cheek. 
 
 The Sultan's eyes brightened. 
 
 "Leave us for the present," he 
 commanded curtly, and nobles and 
 attendants, bowing low, passed out. 
 
 " How earnest thou by the sign ?" 
 he demanded peremptorily when 
 they were alone. 
 
 "May it please my lord, it was 
 received from the royal physician 
 Maimon, who bade me deliver to 
 the great king, in private, this letter, 
 which contains news of interest to 
 the Star of the East," answered 
 Joseph. 
 
 The Sultan received his physi- 
 cian's letter, his lifted eyebrows 
 manifesting wonder, which in no 
 
THE MOSLEM CAMP 181 
 
 way seemed to dispel his languid 
 mood. But scarcely had he read 
 the communication when the 
 change came. 
 
 Thoroughly roused, he sprang 
 from the couch, and paced to and 
 fro, apparently oblivious of Joseph's 
 presence. 
 
 " The foul traitor ! " he exclaimed. 
 "As surely as I believe that 
 Mahomet is Allah's Prophet I shall 
 place his head at the gates of his 
 city, as a warning to other rebels, 
 should they draw upon themselves 
 the wrath of Saladin. To protect 
 his worthless life this traitorous 
 dog would barter one of the strong- 
 holds of the Prophet's followers, 
 and I shall avenge them, with the 
 help of Allah, whose children he 
 attempts to betray. By the beard 
 
182 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 of the blessed Prophet, this Odo 
 shall have strong need of his horse- 
 men. How dare he meditate so 
 open a treachery against his Em- 
 peror, the vile traitor ! " 
 
 He continued his pacing for some 
 minutes, until his excitement had 
 somewhat abated. Throwing him- 
 self upon the couch, he saw Joseph, 
 who had remained motionless. He 
 was thinking less of the royal rage 
 than of the Count de Fournoire. 
 
 "Maimon hath done well to in- 
 form us of this treachery, and shall 
 not rue his loyalty. As for thee, 
 trusty youth, thy master hath 
 chosen his messenger well, for the 
 dust of the road attesteth how 
 earnestly thou hast ridden to do his 
 bidding," said Saladin, smiling at 
 Joseph's travel-stained clothes. 
 
THE MOSLEM CAMP 183 
 
 " Nay, blush not. Tis but a proof 
 of thy faithfulness to thy master, 
 who shall hear of it. To us thou 
 hast rendered service which must 
 be rewarded, for, please Heaven, 
 before another sundown this Odo 
 shall make his peace in another 
 world. Gold we may not give 
 thee, for our treasury must be ex- 
 pended in defense. But for thy 
 service the ransom of some Chris- 
 tian prisoner shall be bestowed 
 upon thee." 
 
 "May it please you, O King," 
 began Joseph, his brain afire and 
 the warm blood all tingling, "there 
 is a Frankish slave in camp whom 
 I crave from your Majesty." 
 
 "As thou wishest. It will be as 
 merciful treatment as the Franks 
 have given those of our followers 
 
184 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 who have fallen into their hands/' 
 answered the Sultan, clapping his 
 hands. At the summons the Emir 
 re-entered, respectfully saluting his 
 master. 
 
 " Let this youth wait without for 
 a letter to Maimon, our prince of 
 healers," commanded Saladin. " See 
 also that he chooseth a slave from 
 the Frankish prisoners." 
 
 Joseph waited in the ante- 
 chamber, the Emir having ordered 
 the slaves to off er him refreshment. 
 Here he rested until the noble 
 returned with the royal epistle, and 
 together with a few attendants 
 they took their way to the part of 
 the camp in which Joseph had seen 
 the Count. 
 
 Suddenly they came upon him, 
 staggering with exhaustion and 
 

 
 1 
 
 
 , 
 
 *^pn 
 
THE MOSLEM CAMP 185 
 
 covered with perspiration, but urged 
 on by the sting of the lash. 
 
 " 'Tis he," said Joseph. 
 
 " Release yon slave," ordered the 
 Emir. "He hath been bestowed 
 by the Sultan upon this youth. 
 Give him proper clothing, and do 
 thou," he continued to one of his 
 followers, " see that he is delivered 
 as his master commandeth." 
 
 "To the tents of the Sheykh 
 Mahomet," said Joseph. 
 
 u It shall be done," answered the 
 Emir. " To thee, good youth, I wish 
 a safe and swift return journey, 
 and do thou tell the noble Maimon 
 from his friend, the Emir Abdel- 
 samad, that the Sultan doth seem 
 to view him with new favor, and 
 hath already spoken thrice of him 
 as the noblest of healers." With 
 
186 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 this the Emir left Joseph, who 
 turned to the man in charge of the 
 slaves. 
 
 "See that the slave is brought to 
 the Egyptian tents before sun- 
 down," he said, "for I must prepare 
 to depart." 
 
 "It shall be as the Seyid com- 
 mands," answered the man, reliev- 
 ing the Count, who looked gratefully 
 at his deliverer. 
 
 Joseph, almost too excited to 
 think, returned to the tents of the 
 Sheykh, and threw himself upon a 
 couch, seeking much-needed rest. 
 His thoughts continually recurred 
 to the fate which had thrown his 
 enemy into his power, and, between 
 dreaming exultingly of his revenge 
 and the fitful sleep which ex- 
 hausted nature demanded, he spent 
 
THE MOSLEM CAMP 187 
 
 the time until the Count's delivery 
 into his hands. 
 
 He was aroused by the entrance 
 of an attendant who announced the 
 arrival of a Frankish slave. 
 
 " Lead him hither," said Joseph, 
 hardly able to subdue his triumph- 
 ant excitement. 
 
 But the Count, believing that his 
 liberty would be given in return for 
 the usual ransom, spoke to Joseph. 
 
 " Worthy Moslem," began he — 
 
 "Save thy titles for those who 
 care for them," interrupted Joseph. 
 "From me thou may est expect 
 little consideration." 
 
 "I do but wish to know what 
 ransom is demanded, that I may 
 inform my friends and followers, 
 who will make what endeavor is 
 possible to human power. I pray 
 
188 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 thee, Sir Moslem, in very mercy 
 make it not great, for a slight drain 
 must now beggar my children. " 
 
 "Thou mayest expect the same 
 mercy which thou didst show the 
 Jew who was done to death by thy 
 torture," replied Joseph, slowly and 
 fiercely. He watched the Count 
 pale beneath his sun-burnt skin and 
 brown beard. 
 
 "Was this same Jew aught to 
 thee?" faltered de Fournoire. 
 
 " He was my father ! " 
 
 "I understand thee," said the 
 Count with dry lips. " I pray thee, 
 take all I have, but deprive not my 
 children of their father's protection. 
 My son is of thy growth. Who 
 shall train him in chivalry and 
 knightly bearing if I am no more ? " 
 
 "Full knightly art thou," re- 
 
THE MOSLEM CAMP 189 
 
 sponded Joseph grimly, " who didst 
 murder a defenseless man, be- 
 cause he was unable to sate thy 
 avarice. 'Twere more a gain to thy 
 son's honor were he spared thy 
 influence, which might beget 
 another of thy kind to visit hatred 
 upon the defenseless Jew. There- 
 fore," he continued sternly, " prate 
 to me no more of mercy, for thou 
 hast found a Jew who bears no 
 injury with humility, least of all 
 the murder of his father. Thy fate 
 awaits thee in Fostat, whither I 
 shall soon return." 
 
CHAPTEE X 
 
 THE JEW'S KEVENGE 
 
 A week later Joseph with his 
 party was again at the East Gate 
 of the city of Fostat. But how 
 different the circumstances! The 
 revenge he had dreamt of, and for 
 which he had planned during many 
 a miserable day, was now to be 
 realized. All through the dreary 
 return across the desert he had 
 hardly felt fatigue — he had been 
 barely conscious of anything but 
 the new phase his life had taken on. 
 At intervals, when the mind was 
 worn out with dwelling upon the 
 wretched Count de Fournoire and 
 
THE JEW'S EEVENGE 191 
 
 his fate, a dream would come to 
 Joseph of a more contented exist- 
 ence in Fostat, with his work and 
 his books, his content heightened 
 by the friendship of Raphael. And 
 with a quickening of the pulse he 
 saw Esther's sunny smile dance like 
 a golden ray across it all. 
 
 Such were his feelings when he 
 halted at the city gates. He dis- 
 missed his followers, retaining 
 only Ibrahim, to whom he now 
 spoke. 
 
 " The others will be rewarded at 
 the palace, but thou must ac- 
 company me, Ibrahim, for there is 
 still a task which I would demand 
 of thee. The slave must be disposed 
 of. Seek, therefore, one of the 
 slave-dealers, and say that Joseph 
 Ibn Assan will sell cheaply a 
 
192 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 strong man-slave to any who jour- 
 neys down the Nile into the 
 unknown desert country. When 
 thou hast found such a man, and 
 let him not be one who is sparing of 
 the scourge, conduct him to me, 
 and, should we conclude our barter, 
 the purchase money is thine." 
 
 Ibrahim, wondering at the 
 change in his young leader, saluted 
 and departed to fulfil his orders. 
 
 Joseph turned to the Frank, upon 
 whose countenance anguish and 
 pride were battling for supremacy. 
 His horse was fastened to Joseph's, 
 and he was, of course, without 
 arms — neither escape nor resist- 
 ance was possible. 
 
 "I pray thee, another word, O 
 Jew," said the Count bitterly, 
 " though little I thought, when we 
 
THE JEW'S EEVENGE 193 
 
 rode forth to the rescue of the Holy- 
 Sepulchre, that I, Reginald de 
 Fournoire, of pure lineage and un- 
 sullied fame, should beg an 
 honorable death from a Jew. I 
 pray thee, O youth, as I have done 
 before, take thy dagger, and with 
 one thrust end my life, but con- 
 demn me not to ignominy lower 
 than any heaped upon Frankish 
 beast." 
 
 " Thou didst show my father no 
 such mercy," answered Joseph, 
 " but didst lengthen the torture by 
 slow fire and iron bars. Thou shalt 
 have as good cause to regret each 
 moment's suffering thou didst 
 put upon his defenseless gray 
 hairs, as though the gold he could 
 not give thee were poured molten 
 down thy throat." 
 
194 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 "The word of a knight, we had no 
 such feelings as thou dost ascribe 
 to us. Thy father's death was en- 
 compassed more through drunken 
 folly than hatred of thy people. But 
 I ask thee not to bestow freedom. 
 If thou wilt not deal the blow, give 
 me the weapon, and before thine 
 eyes shall this life be ended. Doom 
 me not to existence and death more 
 wretched and dishonored than was 
 e'er visited on the meanest Jew. 
 That I," he exclaimed, beating his 
 shackled hands against his breast, 
 "whose arm hath been raised in 
 defense of the Holy Sepulchre, 
 should sue for unstained honor 
 from the son of a Jew-usurer ! " 
 
 "Silence, thou villain ! " exclaimed 
 Joseph. "The Sepulchre of which 
 thou dost make such boast is the 
 
THE JEW'S KEVENGE 195 
 
 tomb of a Jew. Thy honor was 
 stained beyond cleansing on the day 
 when thou and thy roistering 
 companions covered my father's 
 body with oil, and for each finger's 
 breadth so covered thou shalt feel 
 the sting of the task-master; for 
 the fire over which he was held 
 thou shalt feel the scorch of the 
 sun's rays, God's own fire. But no 
 death shall come to release thee. 
 Thou, who wert used to the luxury 
 of courts, shalt toil on parched, 
 weary, and sore, with neither soul 
 nor will, unto the end." 
 
 With that they rode on in silence, 
 until they came to the by-way 
 which led to Dame Rebecca's house. 
 Here they were obliged to dismount 
 and walk with Joseph in the lead. 
 Escape was out of the question. 
 
196 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 The Count, indeed, would have 
 welcomed death at the hands of a 
 pursuing mob. But Joseph was 
 too cautious to allow him such an 
 opportunity, and after choosing one 
 of the loitering boys to mind the 
 horses, he entered the court-yard 
 with his slave. There they were 
 received by Dame Rebecca, who had 
 been called forth by the unwonted 
 clatter of horses' feet. 
 
 "Now the Lord be praised that 
 thou art safely returned," said she, 
 when she caught sight of Joseph. 
 "Raphael hath done naught but 
 prophesy thee untimely misfortune, 
 and no words of mine could com- 
 fort him." 
 
 Joseph laughed. 
 
 " Well I know, good Dame, that 
 both thou and he did while away 
 
THE JEW'S EEVENGE 197 
 
 many an hour in picturing adven- 
 tures and in wondering how near 
 or how far from Fostat Joseph 
 might be. But of that and what 
 did befall me we shall speak anon. 
 I would bestow the slave in safety. 
 Mayhap 'twere wiser that I take 
 him to the guard-house." 
 
 Dame Rebecca pondered for a 
 minute. 
 
 " There is the cellar beneath the 
 house," said she, " which was used, 
 before Saladin's time, as a syna- 
 gogue. It was built to guard 
 against sudden attack, and hath 
 but one entrance, and that a secret 
 one. There thou canst safely place 
 him, for none can guess his hiding- 
 place, and without aid there could 
 be no escape." 
 
 "Then we will have him there 
 
198 UJSTDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 until he is sold. Do thou lead the 
 way, Dame, and I shall see him 
 safely mewed." 
 
 The cellar was dark, and there 
 was little remaining to tell of for- 
 mer worship. After carefully ex- 
 amining each corner, holding his 
 candle high, Joseph was assured 
 that there was nothing by which 
 the Count might take his life, and 
 thus cheat vengeance. 
 
 The slave secured, Joseph and 
 Rebecca returned to daylight. 
 
 "Thou art sore tired, Joseph," 
 said she. "Do thou go above to 
 rest, and I shall send thee food 
 when Raphael cometh." 
 
 Joseph went to his room, and 
 threw himself upon the couch, 
 thankful that it was too late to see 
 Maimon. Here he rested until a 
 
THE JEW'S EEVENGE 199 
 
 sound on the stairs warned him of 
 Raphael's approach. Closing his 
 eyes, he was apparently deeply 
 wrapped in slumber, when his 
 friend cautiously peeped in. But 
 Raphael saw the moving lids of the 
 waking person and cried out, "Open 
 thine eyes, thou great lounger who 
 would cheat me out of greeting thee 
 this long while. I scarce thought 
 to set eyes upon thee again," he 
 added, as Joseph jumped up, and 
 they embraced. 
 
 "Has thy journey been without 
 event ? What didst thou see in the 
 Sultan's camp? Perchance thou 
 didst see the great Sultan him- 
 self? 7 ' asked Raphael breathlessly, 
 and without waiting for an answer, 
 went on : " But right glad will our 
 Rabbi be to see thee, for thou must 
 
200 UNDEE THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 surely bring a grain of comfort to 
 lighten his misfortune." 
 
 "How now, misfortune?" asked 
 Joseph. 
 
 " Hast thou not heard ? " 
 
 Joseph shook his head. " I have 
 had no news of Maimon since we 
 rode from the city, nigh a fortnight 
 ago. So do thou without more lin. 
 gering read thy riddle." 
 
 "After thou hast eaten and 
 rested." 
 
 "Dost thou believe that I could 
 rest or eat until I have had the 
 meaning of thy words? Speak, 
 Raphael, 'tis scarce the season to 
 dally." 
 
 "Know then," began Eaphael 
 unwillingly, "that the Lord hath 
 laid the hand of sorrow heavily 
 upon the house of Maimon. The 
 
THE JEW'S EEVENGE 201 
 
 Seyid David set sail many days 
 ago, and news has been brought to 
 the Rabbi that the ship with all on 
 board has gone down at sea. It 
 was known all over Fostat that 
 great riches were with the Seyid 
 David, even all the wealth of the 
 Maimons. The goldsmithy is no 
 more, and the Rabbi hath been 
 pressed to abandon his sorrow, for 
 the children of the Seyid David, 
 peace be to him, are without pro- 
 tection; and Moses Ibn Maimon, 
 who stands among the foremost of 
 Fostat, must cast about for means 
 of subsistence. Court favor, it doth 
 seem, fills not hungry mouths." 
 
 " Doubtless his great friends fall 
 away now when he stands most in 
 need of sympathy," said Joseph, his 
 tone bitter. 
 
202 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 " Nay, there thou dost err, for he 
 is more loved and respected than 
 when a great fortune was his. His 
 practice among wealthy patients 
 hath grown greatly, and a few days 
 since all Fostat did speak of the 
 honor offered him by Eichard, 
 whom they call the Lion-hearted 
 of England. It was no less than 
 that our Maimon should become 
 physician to this king, who, it is 
 said, hath one of the greatest courts 
 in Frangistan." 
 
 "And so great a change in so few 
 days," said Joseph slowly. 
 
 "So quickly all changed that I 
 did but wait for thee, ere I returned 
 to my father's home in Fez," said 
 Raphael. 
 
 Joseph looked as if he had not 
 rightly understood, for he had been 
 
THE JEW'S REVENGE 203 
 
 so taken up with the sense of his 
 benefactor's misfortunes that it had 
 not yet occurred to him that he 
 would be affected by it. Raphael 
 return to Fez? A conception of 
 all it meant suddenly swept over 
 him. The outlook was indeed dis- 
 mal. He had returned to Fostat 
 with new hopes for the future. As 
 he was now considered a workman 
 of some capacity, his earnings would 
 have increased considerably. He 
 could, therefore, have afforded to 
 hire teachers and, in a way, set 
 about gratifying his ambition. To 
 have all these plans suddenly upset, 
 made him rebel against his fate and 
 feel as though all the world were 
 fighting him. 
 
 It is hard for a boy to have his 
 dreams shattered, yet he may find 
 
204 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 comfort and help in the sympathy 
 of his friends; but Joseph, already 
 breathing the strength of dawning 
 manhood, could look for no assist- 
 ance but that of his own untiring 
 efforts. Although he had no fear 
 for the future, knowing that he 
 could easily obtain work in another 
 city, he realized that he must begin 
 again, a second time made home- 
 less through no fault of his own. It 
 foreboded ill for the Count de Four- 
 noire that his father's unavenged 
 death still rankled in Joseph's mind, 
 and that he held in his power the 
 cause of his misfortune, from whom 
 he intended to exact satisfaction. 
 Adversity had not taught the medi- 
 aeval Jew forgiveness, although he 
 rarely dared resent injury openly. 
 Deep down in his heart burned 
 
THE JEW'S KEVENGE 205 
 
 a fire of hatred and desire for re- 
 venge, which occasionally found an 
 outlet in some money transaction. 
 
 But Joseph was differently consti- 
 tuted. Much reading and thought 
 had filled him with the just but 
 unbending spirit of the ancient and 
 free Jew. Raphael had never seen 
 his friend so downcast before, yet 
 he said nothing, but endeavored to 
 divert his attention by questioning 
 him about his journey. Late at 
 night and long after Raphael 
 had heard of the presence of the 
 Count in the house both friends 
 sought rest. But in the morning 
 Raphael saw that his friend looked 
 no happier. 
 
 " Be not so downcast, Joseph," he 
 remonstrated. "Fostat is not all 
 the world. Come with me to Fez ; 
 
206 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 there, among my people, thou shalt 
 find a home. We are poor, but we 
 are Jews, and thou art my old 
 comrade." Eaphael laid his hand 
 affectionately upon the other's. 
 
 Joseph, touched, shook his head 
 slowly. 
 
 "Thou art a generous friend, my 
 Eaphael, but it would never do, for 
 in Fez I know there is more intoler- 
 ance than here. My unlucky temper 
 would speedily get thee into trouble. 
 Besides, Eaphael, I can no longer 
 conceal my being a Jew. There is 
 that within me which says : 
 ' Wander, if thou travellest to the 
 world's end, but seek some place 
 where thy faith may be open, and 
 the love of Israel's God no secret 
 shame.'" 
 
 " But," he continued after a little, 
 
THE JEW'S REVENGE 207 
 
 " the proof of thy affection is none 
 the less dear to me, Raphael, and 
 should aught that is good ever befall 
 me, thou shalt be the first to know it. 
 I must now take my way to the 
 Seyid Maimon," he added, "to de- 
 liver the result of my mission and 
 in a measure to take leave of him, 
 for when thou art gone I shall not 
 abide here. Do thou await my 
 return, and look to the slave, lest 
 mayhap a chance offer him escape." 
 The thought of leaving the place 
 which had become a kind of home 
 to him brought back all the vain 
 longing which he had suffered after 
 his father's death. He made his 
 way to the Rabbi's house with 
 mingled feelings of bitterness and 
 misery. So wrapped he was in the 
 sense of his own unhappiness that 
 
208 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 he hardly noticed the cordiality 
 with which he was received by 
 Maimon and by Esther, who seemed 
 wonderfully mature with her sad 
 eyes and pale face. 
 
 " Eight truly thou hast served 
 me," said Maimon, " for mine 
 enemies, who would have had the 
 Sultan doubt me, are already 
 silenced. Thou shalt have good 
 cause to mark my appreciation." 
 
 " If I have, indeed, served you, O 
 Eabbi, it is but a small part of the 
 service I would fain render you, 
 but let me not intrude upon you in 
 your sorrow. Ere I betake myself 
 to another city, I would take leave 
 of you, with as few words as may 
 perchance express the gratitude 
 which is the smallest tribute that 
 Joseph Ibn Assan may pay the 
 
THE JEW'S EEVENGE 209 
 
 illustrious Maimon," answered Jo- 
 seph, forcing the words out, for 
 they seemed to stick. 
 
 " Nay, let not thy movements be 
 so rapid, friend," answered the 
 Rabbi, meeting Esther's look with 
 a slight smile, while Joseph became 
 vaguely conscious of a change in 
 Maimon's manner, and began to 
 wonder thereat. " First thou shalt 
 tell us of the slave in thy posses- 
 sion." 
 
 "The slave!" exclaimed Joseph 
 with a start, "How came you to 
 know of him ? " 
 
 " Dost thou believe that we hear 
 naught that happeneth? The death 
 of my brother, may he dwell with 
 the God of Israel, hath secluded me 
 from much that is passing. Never- 
 theless the man hath friends who 
 
210 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 already labor for his freedom. 
 What ransom wilt thou demand 
 for this Gentile?" 
 
 "There is no ransom for him, 
 Rabbi, for the blood of my father 
 stains his hand. On the morrow a 
 slave-dealer takes him down the 
 Nile to be sold into some remote 
 region." 
 
 The Rabbi stared in astonishment 
 at the young man, who seemed an- 
 imated by some new feeling, which 
 Esther thought became him might- 
 
 " Joseph, surely thou speakest not 
 in seriousness ? " asked the Rabbi. 
 
 "It is but the fulfilling of the 
 prayer which hath always been 
 with me. It hath been my dream 
 at night, and its echo has sounded 
 through each day. Willingly I 
 
THE JEW'S EEVENGE 211 
 
 would have spent the rest of my 
 life striving for the one thing I have 
 gained and rejoice in." 
 
 " Shall one of the Jews, from 
 whom the Lord in His beneficence 
 hath never turned His face, degrade 
 that which hath the image of the 
 Creator?" asked Maimonides sol- 
 emnly. 
 
 " The Lord hath heard my pray- 
 er," answered Joseph slowly. " He 
 hath delivered mine enemy into 
 mine hands. It is His answer." 
 
 "Thou hast misunderstood the 
 Lord's purpose. If He hath given 
 this man into thy hands, it is but 
 to test His children's obedience and 
 to prove that they follow His word. 
 ' Vengeance is mine, I shall avenge, 7 
 saith the Lord." The Rabbi raised 
 his hand as the words rolled sol- 
 
212 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 emnly from his lips. " Therefore 
 thou shalt not harbor thoughts of 
 revenge, but trust to God, "Whose 
 ways are inscrutable, and Who, in 
 His own time, will reward the 
 patience of His children." 
 
 "That I may not, O Rabbi," said 
 Joseph, his voice trembling. " If I 
 listen unto you and forego this 
 man's punishment, I shall be as one 
 who hath forgotten his father. At 
 my lying down and at my getting 
 up I shall hear his cries of agony 
 as they stretched him across the 
 cruel bars. Upon every wall I 
 shall see his image as he lay in 
 torture, and then I shall see this 
 man, honored by his own and 
 persecuting others, and he shall 
 stand as a reproach to Joseph Ibn 
 Assan, who could so soon forget 
 
THE JEW'S REVENGE 213 
 
 the horrors of his father's death. 
 O Babbi, you will never see what 
 mine eyes have beheld. Here you 
 dwell in security under Moslem 
 rule, but the Jew in Europe, who 
 dares scarce acknowledge that he 
 hath the wherewithal to purchase 
 his meal, must live in constant ter- 
 ror of every torture that the sav- 
 agery of men may devise. His 
 children may be struck down, and 
 he may be left tortured half to 
 death to endure the kick of the 
 first slave who may perchance come 
 that way. Their cry, i Hep ! Hep V 
 comes to him like the baying of 
 bloodhounds, and he knows that re- 
 sistance were worse than futile, So 
 have mine eyes and ears been assail- 
 ed, and, as I speak, the scenes again 
 rise, and I may not turn from them." 
 
214 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 "Thus men, lost in the contem- 
 plation of their own lots, forget the 
 infinite love of God. Measure not 
 His wisdom by ours, for His days 
 are as our lives. In His own time 
 He will hearken unto our prayers, 
 and deliver us from the persecu- 
 tions of our enemies. Did He not 
 raise up Moses to lead our fathers 
 out of bondage into the Promised 
 Land? Hath He ever failed to 
 listen to the cries of Israel ? When 
 our fathers, wandering like dis- 
 obedient children, lifted up their 
 voices in supplication, did His 
 mercy ever fail them? In pros- 
 perity and in misfortune, never 
 hath He without cause averted 
 His face. Wherefore shouldst thou 
 attempt to read His purpose? Break 
 not the laws of thy Almighty 
 
THE JEW'S KEVENGE 215 
 
 Father and of the people He has 
 chosen to lead." 
 
 Joseph said nothing, but paced to 
 and fro, battling with the longing 
 for the revenge which conflicted 
 with the appeal to the Law of the 
 Almighty. The Rabbi, hoping to 
 touch him, continued : 
 
 "Bethink thee," he said in a 
 gentler tone, " perchance the man 
 hath a son who needs his pro- 
 tection." 
 
 " So had my father, O Rabbi," 
 answered Joseph, standing erect, 
 his eyes sparkling and his chin 
 firmly set. " It is but the rendering 
 of i an eye for an eye and a tooth 
 for a tooth,' according to our Law." 
 
 The Rabbi shook his head, as 
 Joseph added in hard tones : 
 
 '' There would be no rest for me, 
 
216 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 were I to know that my father's 
 blood and pain stood unavenged 
 by his son. What right had this 
 Gentile to take the life of a man 
 whose forefathers were of a cul- 
 tured nation, while his own were 
 still skin-clothed savages ? Our his- 
 tory doth give us every right to be 
 considered this man's equal, yet 
 we must perforce bear the persecu- 
 tions of such as he without a mur- 
 mur. Because one of them falls 
 into the hands of a Jew, he must 
 advance claims for consideration 
 which never affected him. Small 
 thought did he bestow upon my 
 need when he took my father's life. 
 As he felt for me and mine, so may 
 he expect me to feel for him and 
 his. It is no more than the justice 
 the world owes us." 
 
THE JEW'S EEVENGE 217 
 
 As Joseph spoke, his tones be- 
 came harder, and his manner 
 showed a new independence, which 
 was scarcely influenced by the argu- 
 ments of so eminent a man as 
 Maimon. 
 
 "Thou must not view it with the 
 narrowness of a man's comprehen- 
 sion," said the Rabbi. " Think thou 
 upon the infinite wisdom of the 
 Lord, to Whom all time is as noth- 
 ing, but Who knows even thee and 
 thy misfortune. Abide thou by my 
 words, and trust to the Father Who 
 hath never failed His children in 
 their true need. r 
 
 Esther, who had remained seated 
 while her uncle spoke, now rose, 
 and went toward Joseph. 
 
 " Surely thou wilt not do this 
 thing, Joseph ? " said she pleadingly . 
 
218 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 "It is manlike that thou shouldst 
 desire revenge for the cruelty of thy 
 father's death. But it is greater 
 and nobler to trust to our God, Who 
 sees alike the mighty and the weak. 
 Thy father is gone, and who com- 
 prehends thy sorrow better than I ?" 
 she said, her eyes filling. "This 
 man's children are innocent ; where- 
 fore shouldst thou rob them of a 
 father, if the Lord hath seen fit to 
 let him live?" 
 
 He looked into her brown eyes, 
 his own softening as he saw her 
 tears. Then, turning away, he 
 buried his head in his hands. 
 
 "My father, O my father," he 
 groaned. " Tell me what to do." 
 
 Esther continued, softly and brok- 
 enly : 
 
 " Thy father lost his life at human 
 
THE JEW'S REVENGE 219 
 
 hands. The seas have made me an 
 orphan. But it was the will of the 
 Almighty, and who shall gainsay 
 the word of the Most High?" 
 
 Joseph, in an agony of conflicting 
 emotions, seated himself upon a 
 divan, his head in his arms. Esther 
 waited patiently, her eyes following 
 every movement the tortured soul 
 seemed to make. Finally he arose 
 again, and, as if almost dazed, raised 
 his hand to his head. Then she 
 placed her hand upon his arm, and 
 her voice sounded in trembling 
 but clear accents as she spoke . 
 
 "Joseph, I beseech thee, for the 
 sake of thy manhood and for 
 Israel's honor, do not this thing." 
 
 A spasm of pain seemed to shoot 
 through his body. 
 
 " Esther," he said, and the words 
 
220 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 were almost a sob, " thou hast gained 
 what neither argument, threat, nor 
 yet bribe had won from me. The 
 man is free." 
 
 " I thank thee, O my friend," she 
 answered simply, and bowing her 
 head left the room. 
 
 Joseph seated himself upon the 
 edge of a divan, broken and wearied 
 by the varying emotions through 
 which he had passed. 
 
 "I knew I was not mistaken in 
 thee," said the Eabbi, almost joy- 
 fully, after a few minutes' silence. 
 "It needed but the touchstone to 
 prove the gold. Thou shalt not 
 regret it in future years, when thou 
 shalt look back upon thy past life 
 and find it clean and pure. Follow 
 the steps of thy father, and add to 
 the glory of his name." 
 
THE JEW'S REVENGE 221 
 
 Then, as he placed his hand upon 
 Joseph's shoulder, he continued : 
 
 11 But thou shalt stay with us this 
 night, for on the morrow I would 
 speak to thee of other things. 1 ' 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 DREAMS FULFILLED 
 
 The Rabbi's words were so signifi- 
 cantly spoken that Joseph with 
 impatience awaited the next morn- 
 ing, when he should learn their 
 meaning. Recollecting the hints 
 Esther had occasionally dropped, 
 he began to believe that she had 
 long known of the Rabbi's purpose, 
 whatever it might be. Had circum- 
 stances not been so changed, he 
 would have concluded that the 
 mystery meant his promotion as a 
 goldsmith. But as it was, what 
 could there be that Maimon, high 
 in station, could say to simple 
 
DREAMS FULFILLED 223 
 
 Joseph Ibn Assan, who was no more 
 to the eminent man than an hum- 
 ble and faithful follower ? Curbing 
 his restless thoughts as best he 
 could, Joseph eagerly obeyed when 
 he was summoned to the Rabbi's 
 study the next morning. 
 
 Maimon, strange to say, was not 
 at work, although he was seated at 
 the table. 
 
 " I have sent for thee that I may 
 tell thee of something which hath 
 been in my mind this year agone. 
 I waited until I had made sure 
 that the time was ripe, and that I 
 had not overestimated thine intel- 
 lect, for it imported me much to 
 know that thou wert as thy father's 
 son should be, ere I offered thee the 
 career which thou shouldst follow." 
 
 Joseph stood with his eyes fast- 
 
224 UNDER THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 ened on the Kabbi's face, hope and 
 expectation filling his heart. 
 
 "Joseph," continued Maimon, 
 "thou hast spent two years in my 
 service, and I have followed thee 
 closely. Hadst thou borne thyself 
 other than thou hast, my disappoint- 
 ment would have been great, and 
 I should not have spoken thus to 
 thee." 
 
 It rushed into Joseph's mind that 
 Maimon's interest in him was 
 deeper than he had suspected. 
 
 " Then your notice of me was not 
 accidental?" he said. 
 
 " Dost thou think that the son of 
 a friend is no more to me than a 
 goldsmith who has entered my ser- 
 vice? What value has the favor 
 that is mine, if it does not bestow 
 upon me the power to advance my 
 
DREAMS FULFILLED 225 
 
 people ? The Lord hath blessed my 
 work, for my worldly interest 
 advances apace. Though I serve 
 Saladin, even his enemy, the great 
 Richard of England, hath offered 
 Maimon a post at his Frankish 
 court. But here, with the people I 
 lead, is my place. With the help 
 of the Almighty no promise of 
 honor shall tempt me from it, for 
 God hath set the seal of approval 
 upon my actions. He took my 
 brother, may His will be done," — 
 both speaker and listener bent their 
 heads in reverence — " but the treas- 
 ure which I coveted for the 
 protection of His children hath 
 been spared me. Therefore I shall 
 remain here, following the plans 
 I have laid. Of thy share in them 
 thou shalt hear now." 
 
226 TJKDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 Joseph was scarcely able to re- 
 strain himself. With his hands 
 tightly clasped behind him, he 
 waited for Maimon's next words. 
 
 "As thou dost know, I have 
 made some discoveries which are 
 new to the healing art of to-day, 
 yet they must all have been known 
 to the ancient physician. But I 
 could give the world more than 
 this, had I another to follow in my 
 way. Joseph, I have watched thee, 
 and know thee well. Thou art a 
 man now. Wilt thou study under 
 me to be my disciple?" 
 
 Joseph, hardly comprehending, 
 was silent a moment, and then 
 stammered out : 
 
 " Dost thou mean that I, Joseph 
 Ibn Assan, am to sit under Maimon, 
 the Eagle of Israel?" 
 
DEEAMS FULFILLED 227 
 
 " Even so," answered the Rabbi ; 
 "thou shalt enter into my study, and 
 even when I am no more thou shalt 
 be to our people such as I have tried 
 to be, an interpreter of God's Law 
 and a protection to the weak." 
 
 Then placing his hand upon 
 Joseph's head as he stood, Maimon- 
 ides added fondly : 
 
 " The blessing of the God of Jacob 
 be upon thee, who shalt be as dear 
 to me as mine own son." 
 
 And so the end of all his vicissi- 
 tudes was that the life which, even 
 in his wildest dreams, Joseph had 
 never thought possible, came to him 
 unsought. So truly did he fill the 
 great Rabbi's hopes in his future 
 that it was his great fortune to 
 be the companion of Maimon when 
 he prepared to give the world 
 
228 UNDEK THE EAGLE'S WING 
 
 his " Guide of the Perplexed." This 
 work, which was of importance, 
 not only to Judaism, but also to 
 the history of mediaeval philosophy, 
 is still prized. It was during the 
 creation of this "epoch making 
 work" that Joseph had the honor 
 of sharing the labors of Maimon- 
 ides, as the beloved and favorite 
 disciple of the immortal Rabbi. 
 
 As for Raphael, his joy at his 
 friend's prosperity may be easily 
 imagined. He returned to Fez, to 
 his father's house, but the friend- 
 ship of the two was not broken, for 
 in later years there was again 
 established, where formerly had 
 stood the workshop of the brothers 
 Maimon, another goldsmithy, car- 
 ried on by Raphael ben Samuel, the 
 friend of Joseph Ibn Assan. 
 
DREAMS FULFILLED 229 
 
 Esther continued to be the light 
 of her uncle's heart and of still 
 another who dwelt in the house. 
 As time passed, Joseph found that 
 the sweetness and brightness of her 
 nature but increased in his sight, 
 and he always remembered the 
 nobleness with which she fought for 
 his better self on that unhappy 
 night when the Count de Fournoire 
 regained his liberty. 
 
 And so we may leave him, in the 
 home which was henceforth to be 
 his, following the footsteps of the 
 famous man, whose beloved disciple 
 he had become. 
 
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 " When first published made its author, then one of 
 
 the under-librarians at the British Museum, famous, and 
 still remains an admirable short study."— Atlantic Monthly. 
 
 HEADINGS AND RECITATIONS. For Jewish Homes 
 and Schools. — Compiled by Isabel E. Cohen. 294 pp. 
 $1.25. 
 
 "This book should be found in every Jewish home; it 
 should find its way into every Jewish Sabbath-school ; for 
 none will lay it aside without feeling that a religion which 
 could intone such songs and inspire such bards has every 
 claim upon the intelligent reverence of those in its house- 
 hold born. 11 — EMiii G. Hirsoh, Reform Advocate. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST CONVENTION 
 OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH 
 WOMEN (New York, 1896). 426 pp. $1.00. 
 
 " Among the many speeches recorded, we have found sev- 
 eral of much more than ordinary power."— Public Opinion. 
 
 PAPERS OF THE JEWISH WOMEN'S CONGRESS 
 (Chicago, 1893). 270 pp. $1.00. 
 
 " This collection interprets the motive force which actu- 
 ates the daughters of Israel under all life's circumstances, 
 and it is certainly to the credit of the Jewish women of 
 America that they should have been able to so effectually 
 voice the sentiments and thoughts that pervade their sex." 
 —Jewish World, London. 
 
 FICTION 
 
 THEY THAT WALK IN DARKNESS. Ghetto Trage- 
 dies.— By I. Zangwill. 486 pp. $1.50. Sold to 
 Members only. • 
 
 " While the tragic issue of each of these remarkable stories 
 is inevitable, they are illumined by flashes of fancy, satire, 
 irony, and humor. No reader who is not blinded by preju- 
 
dice will rise from the perusal of this engrossing volume 
 without an enhanced sense of compassion for, and admira- 
 tion of, the singular race of whose traits and temperament 
 Mr. Zangwill is perhaps the most gifted interpreter."— 
 Spectator, London. 
 
 LOST PKINCE ALMON.— By Louis Pendleton. Illus- 
 trated. 218 pp. 75 cents. 
 
 " It is a charmingly written story of the little Prince Jeho- 
 ash, son of Ahaziah, whom the Prince Jehoiada had rescued 
 from the clutches of Athaliah. . . . Our Sunday-school litera- 
 ture is so extremely poor that we hail this volume with par- 
 ticular delight, and we predict that it will soon be one of 
 the most popular gift books for Jewish children."— Jewish 
 Voice, 
 
 DREAMERS OF THE GHETTO.— By I. Zangwill. 
 637 pp. $1.50. Sold to Members only. 
 
 M With marvelous industry, and with no small amount of 
 erudition, he has packed together into the scenes dealing 
 with Uriel Acosta, Sabbatai Zevi, Spinoza, the Baal Shem, 
 Maimon, Heine, Lassalle and Beaconsfield, just those inci- 
 dents and sayings of their careers which bring out most 
 clearly their Jewish aspects."— Joseph Jacobs, Bookman. 
 
 IN THE PALE. Stories and Legends of the Russian 
 Jews. — By Henry Iliowizi. 367 pp. $1.25. 
 
 ** Henry Iliowizi .... is a master of both humor and pa- 
 thos, as is shown in his book of stories and legends entitled 
 * In the Pale.* "Sunday-School Times. 
 
 CHILDREN OF THE GHETTO.— By L Zangwill. 
 2 vols. 451 pp., 325 pp. $2.50. 
 
 " Nowhere else have been given us more realistic pictures 
 of the shabbiness, the unwholesomeness, the close-packed 
 human misery, the squalor, the vulgarity, the sharp struggle 
 in the mean competition of life, in the East End of Lon- 
 don [But] there is a world of poetry, of dreams, of 
 
 imagination, of high calling, of intellectual subtlety even, 
 in which sordid London, not Jewish, has no part nor lot."— 
 Charles Dudley Warner, Harper's Magazine. 
 
EABBI AND PRIEST.— By Milton Goldsmith. 314 
 pp. $1.00. 
 
 "The author has attempted to depict faithfully the cus- 
 toms and practices of the Russian people and government 
 in connection with the Jewish population of that country. 
 The book is a strong and well-written story."— Public 
 Opinion, 
 
 THINK AND THANK.— By S. W. Cooper. Illus- 
 trated. 120 pp. 50 cents. 
 
 "Sir Moses Montefiore is the hero of this story 
 
 * Think and Thank ■ will please boys, and it will be found 
 popular in Sunday-school libraries."— -iVeitf York Herald. 
 
 YOEGELE'S MARRIAGE AND OTHER TALES.— 
 By Louis Schnabel. 83 pp. Paper. 25 cents. 
 (Special Series No. 2.) 
 
 "♦The False Turn' is a charming little sketch, and the 
 humor of it very delicate and amusing. * Voegele's Mar- 
 riage' I find also very artistic and interesting."— Emma 
 Lazarus. 
 
 AMERICAN JEWISH YEAR BOOK, 5660 (1899-1900). 
 Edited by Cyrus Adler. 
 
 Publications sent from the Society's office post-paid. For sale 
 by the Trade. 
 
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 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY