"The place is at hand," said the stranger, who was a gallant youth,
in magnificent attire. "Be speedy, for time presses."

Jochonan arose, dressed himself, and accompanied the stranger, after
having carefully locked up all the doors of his house, and deposited
his keys in a secret place--at which the stranger smiled.

"I never remember," said the Rabbi, "so dark a night. Be thou to me as a
guide, for I can hardly see the way."

"I know it well," replied the stranger with a sigh, "it is a way much
frequented, and travelled hourly by many; lean upon mine arm and fear
not."

They journeyed on; and though the darkness was great, yet the Rabbi could
see, when it occasionally brightened, that he was in a place strange to
him. "I thought," said he, "I knew all the country for leagues about
Cairo, yet I know not where I am. I hope, young man," said he to his
companion, "that thou hast not missed the way;" and his heart misgave
him.

"Fear not," returned the stranger. "Your journey is even now done," and,
as he spoke, the feet of the Rabbi slipped from under him, and he
rolled down a great height. When he recovered, he found that his
companion had fallen also, and stood by his side.

"Nay, young man," said the Rabbi, "if thus thou sportest with the grey
hairs of age, thy days are numbered. Wo unto him who insults the hoary
head!"