How long wilt Thou forget me, O Lord ?" The message of the Khaleefa which Israel had not answered in his trouble was a request from the Shereef of Wazzan that he should come without delay to that town to count his rent-charges and assess his dues.

This request the Governor had transformed into a command, for the Shereef was a prince of Islam in his own country, and in many provinces the believers paid him tribute.

So in three days' time Israel was ready to set out on his journey, with men and mules at his door, and camels packed with tents.

He was likely to be some months absent from Tetuan, and it was impossible that Ruth should go with him.

They had never been separated before, and Ruth's concern was that they should be so long parted, but Israel's was a deeper matter.
"Ruth," he said when his time came, "I am going away from you, but my enemies remain.