the Jews. I went about among them incognito, so to speak, like Haroun Alraschid among his subjects; hence I was able to see all the evils that will never be eliminated till Israel is again a nation." "Ah! your words are the words of wisdom. You touch the root of the evil. It is what I have always told them." Noah rose to his feet, displaying a royal stature in harmony with his broad shoulders. "Yes, I resolved it should be mine to elevate my people, to make them hold up their heads worthily in this century of freedom and enlightenment." "It is the Ark of the Convenant, as well as of the Deluge, which will rest on Ararat!" "True--and like the first Noah, I may become the progenitor of a new world. I have communications from the four corners of the earth. You are the type of thousands who will flee from the rotting tyrannies of Europe into the great free republic which I shall direct." He began to pace the room. Peloni had visions of great black lines of pilgrims converging from every quarter of the compass. "But this Grand Island--is it yours?" he inquired timidly. "I have bought thousands of acres of it--I and a few others who believe in the great future of our people." "Jews?" "No, not Jews--capitalists who know that we shall become the commercial centre of the new world,--that is, of the world of the future." Peloni groaned. "And Jews will not believe? We must go to the Gentiles. Jews will only put their money into Gentile schemes; will build always for others, never for themselves. It is the same everywhere. Alas for Israel!" "It is what I preach. Why administer Barbary for a savage Dey when you can administer Grand Island for yourself? Seven hundred thousand Jews in savage Barbary, and throughout these vast free States not seven thousand. Ah, but they will come; they will come. Ararat will gather its millions." "But will there be room?" "The State of New York," replied Noah, impressively, "is the largest in the Union, containing forty-three thousand two hundred and fourteen square miles divided into fifty-five counties and having six thousand and eighty-seven post-towns and cities together with six million acres of cultivated land. The constitution is founded on equality of rights. We recognize no religious differences. In our seven thousand free schools and gymnasia, four hundred thousand children of every religion are being educated. Here in this great and progressive State the long wandering of my beloved people shall end." "But Grand Island itself?" murmured Peloni feebly.