Three came, that I have heard of, and--they died.

I crave my Master's bidding to depart." "Presently, yea," the Master answered.

"But I have one more question for thee.

If I were to take thee, and go to thy land, but were not to ask thy help there--if I were not to ask thee to guide me nor yet to betray any secret--wouldst thou play the traitor to me, and deliver me up to thy people ?" "My head is at your feet, _M'alme_.

So long as you did not ask me to do such things as would be unlawful in the eyes of Allah and the Prophet, and seek to force me to them, this hand of mine would wither before it would be raised against the preserver of my life! I pray you, _M'alme_, let me go!" "I grant it.