As Brodeur adjusted his ray-focusser, the banner of the Prophet burst into bright flame, and went up in a puff of fire.
Only by setting teeth into his lip could the Sheik repress a cry.

Dark of face, he turned to the Master.

Smiling, the Master asked: "Perhaps now, O Bara Miyan, thou wouldst ask thine _imams_ to plant a date-stone, and make it in a few minutes bear fruit, even as the Prophet himself did?
Try, if thou hast better fortune than with the birds! But have care not to be led into committing sin, as with these birds--for remember, thou hast shed blood and life hath not returned again, and El Barr is sacred from the shedding of blood!" His tone was well calculated to make the lesson sink well to the Olema's heart--a valuable lesson for the Legion's welfare.

But the Olema only replied: "The blood of believers is meant.

Not of animals--or Franks!" "And wilt thou make further trial with me ?" demanded the Master.
"No, by the Prophet! It is enough!" The Master's soul warmed toward the honesty of this bluff old Arab.