beyond his knowing,—Nejmeh would yet be saved from death.
But why did he come to a standstill, and raise his hand to his eyes as if the sun which had set so long before, dazzled him?
No pilgrim, no goat, no dog was before him now, but a beautiful being whose eyes shone like stars, with wings whose golden feathers swept the dust, and whose raiment was like the full moon,—so radiant in its whiteness. Abdallah drew back in awe and was about to throw himself at the feet of the vision, but it held up a finger to check his impulse, and at the same time smiled so tenderly at him that he ceased to be afraid.
"Knowest thou me, son?" asked the bright apparition.
"Thou art one of the angels of the Most High," answered Abdallah reverently.
"And thou hast already seen me three
