Ebn Ezra drew away towards the palm-tree, and stood at this distance watching anxiously, for he knew what dark passions seize upon the Oriental--and Achmet had many things for which to take vengeance.
David stood for a moment, pondering, his eyes upon the deserter.

"God greet thee as thou goest, and His goodness befriend thee," he said evenly.

There was silence, and no movement.

"Rise and speak," he added sternly.

"Dost thou not hear?
Rise, Achmet Pasha!" Achmet Pasha! The head of the desolate wretch lifted, the eyes glared at David for an instant, as though to see whether he was being mocked, and then the spare figure stretched itself, and the outcast stood up.