crumbs picked up by this poor child were yet precious enough to give
him, all wandering as he was at times, the assurance of a sympathetic
God, and render him happy in the realization of his presence! What must
be the joy of a full revelation of these blessed truths, if, indeed,
truths they were!

The longing for such companionship filled Yusuf, as he lay there, with
an intense desire. He could scarcely define, in truth he scarcely
understood, exactly what he wanted. There was a lack in his life which
no human agency had, as yet, been able to satisfy. His heart was
"reaching out its arms" to know God--that was all; and he called it
searching for Truth.

[Illustration: A head was thrust forward.... It was the little
dervish.--See page 15.]

Far into the night the Persian pondered, his mind beating against the
darkness of what was to him the great mystery; and he prayed for light.
He thought of the Father, yet again he prayed to the spirits of the
planets which were shining so brightly above him. But did not an echo of
that prayer ascend to the throne of grace? Was not the eye of Him who
notes even the sparrows when they fall, upon his poor, struggling child?

And the end was not yet.




CHAPTER IV.