There are other chiefs who keep "tame Jews" in this fashion, though not on the same scale as does the wise man of Châl. Naturally, you are expected to protect your own Hebrew, and to guard him against all other oppressors; even as the King of England used to do, when he had absolute property in all the Jews in England, and saw to it that their debtors did not default. Kurdish Aghas, however, do not always rise to this duty; and the writer has known a case, where the unfortunate Israelite, who was owned in this fashion by one Agha, was robbed of every penny and rag he possessed by that Agha's rival. Poor Ibrahim complained, of course, to his natural lord, on the ground that it was _iyba_ to that master himself, if his property was robbed in this style. The chief had to admit that there was something in the argument; but redress by force of arms (the obvious method) was impossible, because the robber was far too nearly his equal in strength. "Your face is blackened my Lord," pleaded the poor Hebrew. "It is indeed," said the Agha; "but I can't go to war with him notwithstanding." Presently he had a really brilliant inspiration. "Look here Ibrahim; I have it! I'll go and rob his Jew myself!" That being the way the Kurdish mind works, it will be readily understood that their unfortunate Christian _rayats_ run considerable peril when there happens to be feud between two Aghas. Under those circumstances, it is just as satisfactory on the point of honour--and a good deal more profitable and less risky--to raid your opponents' unarmed Christian villages, than his armed Kurdish ones. Both sides practise this amiable habit with great satisfaction to themselves; and the poor _rayats_ suffer accordingly. The presence of one powerful Kurdish chief ruling a whole country-side is thus a distinct improvement (however tyrannous he may be) on the rule of several rivals. He may at least have the sense to realize that it is unprofitable to carry the oppression of the _rayats_ too far, lest the cattle should be ungrateful enough to die on his hands. A story is told of the brother of the notorious Bedr Khan Beg, that on one occasion when that great destroyer of Christians was meditating a further massacre, he appeared in the _diwan_ in labourer's dress, armed with a shovel. "_Mashallah._ Why this masquerade?" asked his brother the chief. "Well brother, it is what we shall have to do, if you go on with your game of massacring all Christians. You will leave none to do the work on the land." The acted parable went home, as so often was the case in biblical times; and the proposed raid was countermanded.