[Footnote 1: _Akhawat_ signifies in Arabic the tie of sworn brotherhood between an Arab and one of different blood.] "Thou meanest that if we go to Mecca and they capture us, they will kill us all?" "Yea, Master. And I too shall die, for being with you, though I count that as less than nothing." The Master kept a moment's silence, pondering; while, without, the voices of empty heaven whistled by, from strut and wire, brace and stay. The wild mystery of that outer night, excluded by the close-drawn curtains, contrasted strongly with the light and the warm comfort of the cabin with its snug berth, its aluminum furniture, its shining walls where were affixed charts and maps, rules, photographs. Under the clear, white light, Rrisa anxiously studied his master's face. Great anxiety had begun to make itself manifest in the Arab's voice and in his eyes. Another troubled look came, too, as he glanced at the chronometer. It struck, sharply. The Arab, contrary to all his habits and training, spoke first, without being spoken to. "Master," said he, timorously, "excuse the speech I offer without waiting. But I must ask. This is my hour of night prayer, and I must bow to Mecca. Whither, from here, lieth The City?" The Master raised a hand, glanced at a compass set like a wrist-watch, peered a moment at one of the charts, and then nodded toward the door that led into the pilot-house. Without delay, Rrisa faced that door and prostrated himself. The ancient cry: "_La Illaha illa Allah! M'hámed rasul Allah!_" was raised there in the cabin of the rushing Eagle of the Sky--surely the strangest place where Moslem prayer was ever offered since first the Prophet's green banner unfurled itself upon the desert air of Araby. Devoutly Rrisa prayed, then with a "_Bismillah_!" (In the name of Allah!) arose and faced his master. The latter, wise in Eastern ways, remained gravely unsmiling. Never in all his dealings with the son of the East had he by word or look offended against Islam. There was, however, iron determination in his eyes as he demanded: "Is it indeed true that in Mecca stands a building called the Ka'aba, also called _Bayt Ullah_, or Allah's House?" "Yea, Master, that is true," answered the Arab, with strange eyes. "And is it indeed covered with a wondrous silken and gold cloth, every year renewed, known as the _kiswah_?" "Those words are true." "All Moslems greatly revere the Ka'aba?" "It is the center of our mighty faith, Master." "And thou hast seen it with thine own eyes?" "With my own eyes, Master, for I am a _Hadji_.[1]" Attentively the Arab was now watching the Master. Slowly he continued: "Prayer, with face to Mecca, alms-giving, the keeping of the fast of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to the Ka'aba, these are our law. Yea, Master, I have myself seen the Ka'aba, and more than once!"