The water which they carried with them was almost spent; some of the
skins which had held it flapped empty against the sides of the camels,
and too well the travelers knew that if they loitered on their way, all
must perish of thirst.
Amongst the travelers in that caravan was a Persian, Sadi by name, a
tall, strong man, with black beard, and fierce, dark eye. He urged his
tired camel to the side of that of the foremost Arab, the leader and
guide of the rest, and after pointing fiercely toward one of the
travelers a little behind him, thus he spake:
"Dost thou know that yon Syrian Yusef is a dog of a Christian, a
kaffir?" (Kaffir--unbeliever--is a name of contempt given by Moslems,
the followers of the false Prophet, to those who worship our Lord.)
"I know that the hakeem (doctor) never calls on the name of the
Prophet," was the stern reply.
"Dost thou know," continued Sadi, "that Yusef rides the best camel in
the caravan, and has the fullest water-skin, and has shawls and
merchandise with him?"
The leader cast a covetous glance toward the poor Syrian traveler, who
was generally called the hakeem because of the medicines which he gave,
and the many cures which he wrought.
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