If so, tell him what I did with it," and Shere Ali's voice became hard and stern.

"Tell him that I tore it up and scattered it in the dust.

And let him send the news to the Mullahs in the Hills.

I know that soft-handed brood with their well-fed bodies and their treacherous mouths.

If only they would let me carry on the road!" he cried passionately, "I would drag them out of the houses where they batten on poor men's families and set them to work till the palms of their hands were honestly blistered.