A PENITENT SON 285 



at times was pleading, at times convincing. As he went 

 on I could see the lad's face soften — a quiver flew at 

 times across liis mouth ; as he had come in I thought him 

 ill-looking — I found he was really a handsome lad. 



The caliph went on, plainly telling the youth how he 

 had failed in duty and common-sense alike, and explaining 

 to him that where lay his filial piety there lay also his 

 present and future happiness. I turned from one to the 

 other, for each was a study of character of extreme in- 

 terest. ISTot a word of all the judge said could I under- 

 stand ; but the tone was such as to yield the hearer its 

 closest import. In a moment more came the climax. The 

 lad had been swallowing his emotion in great gulps, and 

 now, with an outburst of sobs, he broke into a flood of 

 tears, threw his arms around his expectant father's neck, 

 and wept audibly. Recovering himself he turned to the 

 caliph, said a few low-spoken words, and waited for what 

 more he had to say. Bidding him continue on his good 

 resolution, the caliph w^aved an end to the matter, and 

 father and son left the court-room with arms around each 

 other's shoulders. I have rarely been witness to a more 

 impressive scene, and the dignity, graceful diction, and 

 beautiful voice of the caliph have lingered with me ever 

 since. 



But I am afraid that the title to this volume has been 

 given amiss. It should have been "Yarns of a Globe- 

 trotter, and. Incidentally, Horseflesh." I must strive to 

 keep to my subject. 



