do your bidding. Do you remember your watchword? But God _has_ given me
rewards for repentance--see," and he turned his eyes towards the eyes of
Naomi with a wasting yet sunny smile.

"God is good," said the Mahdi; "lie still, lie still," and he laid his
cool hand on Israel's forehead.

"I am leaving her to you," said Israel; "and you alone can protect her
of all men living in this land accursed of God, for God's right arm is
round you. Yes, God is good. As long as you live you will cherish her.
Never was she so dear to me as now, so sweet, so lovable, so gentle. But
you will be good to her. God is very good to me. Guard her as the apple
of your eye. It will reward you. And let her think of me sometimes--only
sometimes. Ah! how nearly I shipwrecked all this! Remember! Remember!"

"Hush, hush! Do not increase your pains," said the Mahdi. "Are you
feeling better now?"

"I am feeling well," said Israel, "and happy--so happy."

The sun had set, and the swift twilight was passing into night, when
another messenger arrived from Tetuan. It was Ali's old Taleb, shedding
tears for his boy, but boasting loudly of his brave death. He had
heard of it from the black guards themselves. After Ali fell he lived
a moment, though only in unconsciousness. The boy must have thought
himself back at Israel's side, "I've done it, father," he said; "he'll
never hurt you again. You won't drive me away from you any more; will
you, father?"

They could see that Israel had heard the story. The eyes of the dying