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In the seventh year of his mission, the heads of the tribe of Koreish made a solemn league one with another, engaging themselves to have no commerce or connection with the families of Hashem and Al Motâlleb. While Abu Taleb lived the league was of no avail; the power of the uncle defended the nephew against the designs of his enemies.
His Excellency thought the sting often deadly. My taleb joins the rest in their notions of fatality. In coming home with me afterwards, I said to him, "I am alarmed at these scorpions, as there's no security from them; for you say they get upon the beds, on the tops of the houses, and in every hole and corner."
The Moor has been greatly impressed by all this. He learns a lesson in life, for, as a rule, the female element in oriental circles has very little to do with the events that occur from day to day, and never engage in any of the discussions upon the leading questions of the hour. Later on the little party leave the house of Ali Ben Taleb.
The merchants say their affairs must now be transacted in the way of barter, as in Soudan. I am particular in noticing these things, and the cause of the impoverishment of these unhappy people, as showing the curse of the Turkish system on the transactions of commerce. My taleb wrote in my journal this splendid Arabic proverb: الرجال سناديق مغلقة ومفاتحها التجريب صدور الرجال سنادق الاسرار
This, while a keen disappointment with regard to what he had expected and hoped for, is the best that can be done under the circumstances. John is something of a philosopher. When he has done his best, he is willing to trust the rest to fortune. So he assumes a cheerfulness he is far from feeling, and assures Ben Taleb he will always be indebted to him for his kindness.
The Wahabys reduced the building which covered the tomb to a mere heap of rubbish; and Mohammed Aly Pasha has not thought fit to rebuild it. Abou Taleb is the great patron of the city; and there are many persons at Mekka who, though they would have little scruple in breaking an oath taken before God, yet would be afraid of invoking the name of Abou Taleb in confirmation of a falsehood.
Is not the British Consul in Tripoli better than a Shânbah bandit? better than an assassin who cuts the throats of the Faithful? Do not all the people speak well of our Consul?" The Taleb. "I know it; he's very good." I. "But you can't change the religion of some people though you kill them.
Having, therefore, asked pardon for an intrusion at such an hour, he proceeds to business. The old doctor has up to this time said not a word, only bowed; but now he speaks: "Where do you come from?" he asks. "America Chicago," with the full belief that the taleb must have heard of the bustling city upon Lake Michigan. And he is right, too, for the old Moor frowns. "Chicago is accursed.
The old Moor smiles, and after answering, turns to the young man from Chicago. "There is another way of leaving this place, and one of my slaves will show you. They shall not harm one who comes to see Ben Taleb, if it can be prevented." Then comes the ceremonious leave-taking, and John manages to get through this with credit.
There was an exception in the case of the soldiers, whose hungry stomachs found the bazeen so good that they stuck fast to the bowl, and were obliged to receive the Irish hint of being pulled away by main force before they would relinquish their tenacious grasp. My taleb, as a matter of course, called upon me to go to the festa.
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