"May Allah bless her mission, that I may live, live for Masa, for
her I love so passionately! All that I do shall henceforth be for
her, and Mohammed's life will be bliss and sunshine."
CHAPTER IV.
MASA'S JEWELRY
THE village of Praousta had now assumed a busy look. The men had
assembled around the mosque, and were conversing in eager, anxious
tones.
When they saw the veiled girl approaching they bowed their heads
respectfully, as is becoming in the presence of the unhappy. They
knew the beautiful Masa, in spite of her veil. They knew she had
gone up to her father to implore him to take pity on himself and on
her. They now stepped up to her and asked if her father still lived,
and if there was any hope of preserving his life.
"His life is in your hands," replied Masa. "I come to conjure you to
save the life of my father, and of the noble old men, the ulemas."
"How can we, daughter of Sheik Alepp?" cried the men. "How can we
save their lives?"
"You ask me? Then I will tell you: You must bow your heads beneath
the yoke. You must obey the commands of the tschorbadji."
"Never! never!" cried the men. "Has not the sheik himself forbidden
us to do so? Did not the ulemas, as late as yesterday evening at
sunset, command us in Allah's name to be firm?"
"They did command it," cried the girl, passionately, "and they did
so because they wished to do their duty and obey the law.
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