The evils thou hast suffered, Saadat, are from his hand, if from any hand in Egypt--" Suddenly he leaned over and touched David's arm.

"Saadat, it is of no avail.

There is none in Egypt that desires good; thy task is too great.
All men will deceive thee; if not now, yet in time.

If Kaid favours thee once more, and if it is made possible for thee to go to the Soudan, yet I pray thee to stay here.

Better be smitten here, where thou canst get help from thine own country, if need be, than yonder, where they but wait to spoil thy work and kill thee.