Amzi smiled, and passed his arm affectionately about the priest's
shoulder. "What a thorn in the flesh to you is Amzi the benevolent," he
said, kindly. "Notwithstanding, give me your blessing, priest. Give me
credit for being, at least, honest, and bid me good speed before I go."

"Heaven forbid that aught but blessing from Yusuf should ever follow
Amzi!" returned the other, warmly. "May heaven keep and direct you, my
friend, my brother!"

The friends embraced, according to the custom of the land, and
separated; Amzi to join the half-naked pilgrims, who had not yet donned
their traveling-robes, Yusuf to lift his heart to Heaven, as he now did
in every circumstance. In this silent talk to God he received comfort,
and his heart was filled with hope for Amzi.

Even this journey, which seemed so inauspicious, might, he thought, be
but the beginning of a happy end. He had learned that there are no
trifles in life; that no event is so insignificant that God may not make
use of it. He felt that Amzi was not utterly indifferent to the
influence of divine power, so he waited in patience.




CHAPTER VIII.

WHEREIN IS TOLD THE STORY OF NATHAN'S LIBERATION.

"The winds, as at their hour of birth,
Leaning upon the ridged sea,