Dwellers in the villages will befriend us." "Why, that is true," said Shere Ali, "but since you are countrymen of my own and my father's subjects, you shall not tax too heavily your friends upon the road." He added to their scanty store of rupees, and one after another they thanked him and so went cheerily down the Pass.

Shere Ali watched them as they went, wondering that men should take such a journey and endure so much discomfort for their faith.

He watched their dwindling figures and understood how far he was set apart from them.

He was of their faith himself, nominally at all events, but Mecca--?
He shrugged his shoulders at the name.

It meant no more to him than it did to the White People who had cast him out.