ancient Mammon of Unrighteousness. 

 He stroked his beautiful white beard, and smiled faintly. 

 “From whatever country thou camest,” he said, “and by the way it must be from one where somewhat of our language is known, they teach their children courtesy there, my stranger son. And now wherefore comest thou unto this land, which scarce an alien foot has pressed from the time that man knoweth? Art thou and those with thee weary of life?” 

 “We came to find new things,” I answered boldly. “We are tired of the old things; we have come up out of the sea to know that which is unknown. We are of a brave race who fear not death, my very much respected father—that is, if we can get a little information before we die.” 

 “Humph!” said the old gentleman, “that may be true; it is rash to contradict, otherwise I should say that thou wast lying, my son. However, I dare to say that ‘She-who-must-be-obeyed’ will meet thy wishes in the matter.” 

 “Who is ‘She-who-must-be-obeyed’?” I asked, curiously. 

 The old man glanced at the bearers, and then answered, with a little smile that somehow sent my blood to my heart— 

 “Surely, my stranger son, thou wilt learn soon enough, if it be her pleasure to see thee at all in the flesh.” 

 “In the flesh?” I answered. “What may my father wish to convey?” 

 But the old man only laughed a dreadful laugh, and made no reply. 

 “What is the name of my father’s people?” I asked. 

 “The name of my people is Amahagger” (the People of the Rocks). 

 “And if a son might ask, what is the name of my father?” 

 “My name is Billali.” 

 “And whither go we, my father?” 

 “That shalt thou see,” and at a sign from him his bearers started forward at a run till they reached the litter in which Job was reposing (with one leg hanging over the side). Apparently, however, he could not make much out of Job, for presently I saw his bearers trot forward to Leo’s litter. 

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