On the first morning he saw nothing, but on the second morning he came upon Israel's men returning without him, and telling their lying story that he had been stripped of everything by the Sultan at Fez, and was coming behind them penniless.
Now, Israel was to Ali the greatest, noblest, mightiest man among men.
That he should fall was incredible, and that any man should say he had fallen was an affront and an outrage.

So, stripling as he was, the lad faced the rascals with the courage of a lion.

"Liars and thieves!" he cried; "tell that story to another soul in Tetuan, and I will go straight to the Kaid at the Kasbah, and have every black dog of you all whipped through the streets for plundering my master." The men shouted in derision and passed on, firing their matchlocks as a mock salute.

But Ali had his will of them; they told their tale no more, and when they entered Tetuan, and their fellows questioned them concerning their journey, they took refuge in the reticence that sits by right of nature on the tongues of Moors--they said and knew nothing.
While Ali was on the heath looking out for Israel, the doctor out of Tangier came to Naomi.

The girl was still unconscious, and the wise leech shook his head over her.