"The captors of the Holy City thought otherwise," he said, "when they rode into the Mosque El Aksa up to their horses' knees in blood, and I have been taught otherwise.

But the times grow liberal, and, after all, what right has a poor trader whose mind, alas! is set more on gain than on the sufferings of the blessed Son of Mary," and he crossed himself, "to form a judgment upon such high matters?
Pardon me, I accept your reproof, who perhaps am bigoted." Yet, had they but known it, this "reproof" was to save the life of many a man that night.
"May I ask help with these packages ?" he went on, "as I cannot open them here, and to move the casks?
Nay, the little keg I will carry myself, as I hope that you will taste of it at your Christmas feast.

It must be gently handled, though I fear me that those roads of yours will not improve its quality." Then twisting the tub from the end of the wain onto his shoulder in such a fashion that it remained upright, he walked off lightly towards the open door of the hall.
"For one not tall that man is strangely strong," thought Wulf, who followed with a bale of carpets.
Then the other casks of wine were stowed away in the stone cellar beneath the hall.
Leaving his servant--a silent, stupid-looking, dark-eyed fellow named Petros--to bait the horses, Georgios entered the hall and began to unpack his carpets and embroideries with all the skill of one who had been trained in the bazaars of Cairo, Damascus, or Nicosia.

Beautiful things they were which he had to show; broideries that dazzled the eye, and rugs of many hues, yet soft and bright as an otter's pelt.

As Sir Andrew looked at them, remembering long dead days, his face softened.
"I will buy that rug," he said, "for of a truth it might be one on which I lay sick many a year ago in the house of Ayoub at Damascus.