You
may be careless of that. Beware of your own. The first man who advances
dies. I pray you humbly, chieftain, let me go.'
'Kill him,' said Scherirah.
'Stab him!' exclaimed Kisloch.
'Give me the jewel,' said the third robber.
'The God of David be my refuge, then!' exclaimed Alroy.
'He is a Hebrew, he is a Hebrew,' exclaimed Scherirah, jumping up.
'Spare him, my mother was a Jewess.'
The assailants lowered their arms, and withdrew a few paces. Alroy still
remained upon his guard.
'Valiant pilgrim,' said Scherirah, advancing, with a softened voice,
'are you for the holy city?'
'The city of my fathers.'
'A perilous journey. And whence from?'
'Hamadan.'
'A dreary way. You need repose. Your name?'
'David.'
'David, you are among friends. Rest, and repose in safety. You hesitate.
Fear not! The memory of my mother is a charm that always changes me!'
Scherirah unsheathed his dagger, punctured his arm,[14] and, throwing
away the weapon, offered the bleeding member to Alroy. The Prince of the
Captivity touched the open vein with his lips.
'My troth is pledged,' said the bandit; 'I can never betray him in whose
veins my own blood is flowing.' So saying, he led Alroy to his carpet.
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