Too well they knew that the tyrant had done nothing for his subjects but take their taxes.Not a man had he protected from injustice;not a woman had he saved from dishonour.Never a rich usurer among them but trembled at his messages, nor a poor wretch but dreaded his dungeons.
His law existed only for himself; his government had no object but to collect his dues.And yet his people had received him amid wild vociferations of welcome.
Fear, fear! Fear it was in the heart of the rich man on the housetops, whose moneys were hidden, as well as in the darkened soul of the blind beggar at the gate, whose eyes had been gouged out long ago because he dared not divulge the secret place of his wealth.
But early in the evening of that same day, at the corners of quiet streets, in the covered ways, by the doors of bazaars, among the horses tethered in the fondaks, wheresoever two men could stand and talk unheard and unobserved by a third, one secret message of twofold significance passed with the voice of smothered joy from lip to lip.And this was the way and the word of it:
"She is back in the Kasbah!"
"The daughter of Ben Oliel? Thank God! But why? Has she recanted?""She has fallen sick."
"And Ben Aboo has sent her to prison?"
"He thinks that the physician who will cure her quickest.""Allah save us! The dog of dogs! But God be praised! At least she is saved from the Sultan.""For the present, only for the-present."
"For ever, brother, for ever! Listen! your ear.A word of news for your news: the Mahdi is coming! The boy has been for him.""Bismillah! Ben Oliel's boy?"
"Ali.He is back in Tetuan.And listen again! Behind the Mahdi comes the--""Ya Allah! well?"
"Hark! A footstep on the street--some one is near--""But quick.Behind the Mahdi--what?"
"God will show! In peace, brother, in peace!""In peace!"