Take also this diamond, which if thou be in want thou shalt sell and be rich." Shere Ali, who had been suspicious of treachery, or at least was afraid to believe himself really free, was convinced by this generosity.

The great rough warrior, the brave patriot who had shut the gates of Kabul in the face of Sir Neville Chamberlain, and who had faced every danger and defeat, rather than tamely suffer the advance of the all-devouring English into his dominions, was proud and unbending still, through all his captivity and poverty and trouble, and weariness of soul and suffering of body; he could bear his calamities like a man, the unrelenting chief of an unrelenting race.

But when Isaacs stretched forth his hand and freed him, and bestowed upon him, moreover, a goodly stock of cash, and bid him go in peace, his gratitude got the better of him, and he fairly broke down.

The big tears coursed down over his rough cheeks, and his face sank between his hands, which trembled violently for a moment.

Then his habitual calm of outward manner returned.
"Allah requite thee, my brother," he said, "I can never hope to." "I have done nothing," said Isaacs.