without any attempt at denial, that he was the Ka'im [ = he that
ariseth]. At length Mulla Muhammad Mama-ghuri, one of the Sheykhi
party, and sundry others, assembled together in the porch of a house
belonging to one of their number, questioned him fiercely and
insultingly, and when he had answered them explicitly, condemned him
to death.

'So they imprisoned him who was athirst for the draught of martyrdom
for three days, along with Aka Sayyid Huseyn of Yezd, the
amanuensis, and Aka Sayyid Hasan, which twain were brothers, wont
to pass their time for the most part in the Bab's presence....

'On the night before the day whereon was consummated the martyrdom
... he [the Bab] said to his companions, "To-morrow they will slay
me shamefully. Let one of you now arise and kill me, that I may not
have to endure this ignominy and shame from my enemies; for it is
pleasanter to me to die by the hands of friends." His companions,
with expressions of grief and sorrow, sought to excuse themselves with
the exception of Mirza Muhammad 'Ali, who at once made as though he
would obey the command. His comrades, however, anxiously seized his
hand, crying, "Such rash presumption ill accords with the attitude of
devoted service." "This act of mine," replied he, "is not prompted by
presumption, but by unstinted obedience, and desire to fulfil my
Master's behest. After giving effect to the command of His Holiness, I
will assuredly pour forth my life also at His feet."

'His Holiness smiled, and, applauding his faithful devotion and
sincere belief, said, "To-morrow, when you are questioned, repudiate
me, and renounce my doctrines, for thus is the command of God now laid
upon you...." The Bab's companions agreed, with the exception of