has not yet perished.” “Explain thyself,” said the Commander of the Faithful. “Some time ago,” said the man, “a poor widow came to me and entrusted some articles of value to my keeping. Having to leave our camp on business, I took the things into the desert and hid them under a great rock in a spot which no one but myself could find, and there they were when I was condemned to die. Had my life not been spared for a few days, I should have died with a heavy heart, as the knowledge of the hiding-place would have perished with me; the woman would have been irretrievably injured; and my children would have heard her curse my memory without being able to clear it. Now, however, that I have arranged my household affairs and have restored her property to the woman, I can die with a light heart.” On hearing this Omar turned to Abu Dhûr and asked, “Is this man any friend or relative of thine?” “Wallahi!” replied Abu Dhûr, “I assure thee, O Emir el Mûminin, that I never set eyes on him till three days since.” “Then, why wast thou such a fool as to risk thy life in his stead, for had he not returned, I was determined that thou shouldst die in his place.” “I did so in order to prove that the race of the manly and virtuous had not yet died out,” replied Abu Dhûr. On receiving this answer the Caliph was silent for a while; then, turning to the kneeling man, he said, “I pardon thee, thou canst go.” “Why so? O Commander of the Faithful!” asked an aged and privileged sheykh. “Because,” answered Omar, “as it has been proved that the races of the
