'All is well. They grant us leave to take what water we require. The spring has been a trouble to these people through the ages because the wandering tribes with all their herds come here in time of drought and drink it dry. But now they are our friends, and make us welcome.' He called out to the Frank, who all this while had sat his horse with an indignant air, more angry, as it seemed, to be forgotten than to be assailed: 'It is all right. You take the water and you pay them five piastres.' 'It is extortion!' cried the Frank. 'What right have they to charge me money for the water of this natural spring, which is the gift of God? I will not pay.' 'No matter. I pay for you,' shrugged Suleyman. I tried to make the missionary--for such he proved to be upon acquaintance--understand that the conditions in that desert country made the spring a valued property, and gave a price to every pitcherful of water. 'What! Are you English?' was his only answer, as he scanned my semi-native garb with pity and disgust. 'And who, pray, is that person with you who was rude to me?' 'His name is Suleyman. He is a friend of mine.' 'A friend, I hardly think,' replied the Frank, fastidiously. He was a big man, with a dark complexion and light eyes. 'I am going to camp here to-night. I have a tent. Perhaps you will be good enough to come and sup with me. Then we can talk.' 'With pleasure,' I made answer, taken by surprise. 'Where is your camp?' he asked. 'We haven't got one. We put up in the guest-room if there is one, or under the stars.' 'Well, there's no accounting for tastes,' he murmured, with a sneer. Rashid, through all this conversation, had been standing by, waiting to tell me that Suleyman had gone before into the village to the headman's house, where it had been arranged that we should pass the night. Thither we went, when I had finished speaking to the missionary; and there we found Suleyman enthroned among the village elders in a long, low room. He stood up on my entrance, as did all the others, and explained: 'We have a room near by where we can throw our saddle-bags, but it is verminous, and so we will not sleep inside it, but outside--on the roof. For supper we are the invited guests of the good sheykh, and I can tell you he is getting ready a fine feast.' With deep regret and some degree of shame I told him of my promise to take supper with the missionary. He looked reproach at me, and told the villagers what I had said. They all cried out in disappointment. Suleyman suggested that I should revoke the promise instantly, but that I would not do, to his annoyance; and after that, till it was time for me to go, he and Rashid were sulky and withdrew their eyes from me. I knew that they were jealous of the Frank, whom they regarded as an enemy, and feared lest he should turn my mind against them. CHAPTER X THE PARTING OF THE WAYS