They were jewels and ornaments such as are sometimes worn unlawfully by vain men in that country--silver signet rings and earrings, chains for the neck, and Solomon's seal to hang on the breast as safeguard against the evil eye--as well as much gold filagree of the kind that men give to their women.

Israel had packed them in a box and laid them in the leaf pannier of a mule, and then given no further thought to them; but, calling now to the muleteer who had charge of them, he said, "Take them quickly to the good man yonder, and say, 'A present to the man of God and to his people in their trouble.'" And when the muleteer had done this, and laid the box of gold and silver open at the feet of the young Mahdi, saying what Israel had bidden him, it was the same to the young man and his followers as if the sky had opened and rained manna on their heads.
"It is an answer to your prayer," he cried; "an angel from heaven has sent it." Then his people, as soon as they realised what good thing had happened to them, took up his shout of joy, and shouted out of their own parched throats-- "Prophet of Allah, we will follow you to the world's end!" And then down on their knees they fell around him, the vast concourse of men and women, all grinning like apes in their hunger and glee together, and sobbing and laughing in a breath, like children, and sent up a great broken cry of thanks to God that He had sent them succour, that they might not die.

At last, when they had risen to their feet again, every man looked into the eyes of his fellow and said, as if ashamed, "I could have borne it myself, but when the children called to me for bread.

I was a fool.".