"Ah!" cried she, as she wrapt up the money
carefully in a piece of rag, "if you could only have brought back your
poor father's head, Hudusi!"--I might have told her that she had just
received what I had sold it for--but I thought it just as well to say
nothing about it; so I embraced her, and departed.
There was a sort of dervishes, who had taken up their quarters about
seven miles from the village where my mother resided, and as they never
remained long in one place, I hastened to join them. On my arrival, I
requested to speak with their chief, and imagining that I was come with
the request of prayers to be offered up on behalf of some wished-for
object, I was admitted.
"Khoda shefa midehed--God gives relief," said the old man. "What wishest
thou, my son? Khosh amedeed--you are welcome."
I stated my wish to enter into the sect, from a religious feeling; and
requested that I might be permitted.
"Thou knowest not what thou askest, my son. Ours is a hard life, one of
penitence, prostration, and prayer--our food is but of herbs and the
water of the spring; our rest is broken, and we know not where to lay
our heads. Depart, yaha bibi, my friend, depart in peace."
"But, father," replied I (for to tell your highness the truth,
notwithstanding the old man's assertions, as to their austerities of
life, I very much doubted the fact), "I am prepared for all this, if
necessary, and even more. I have brought my little wealth to add to the
store, and contribute to the welfare of your holy band; and I must not
be denied.
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