The representations of Almamen at length conquered Boabdil’s reluctance to part with his sacred guide; and it was finally arranged that the Israelite should at once depart from the city.
As Almamen pursued homeward his solitary way, he found himself suddenly accosted in the Hebrew tongue. He turned hastily, and saw before him an old man in the Jewish gown: he recognised Elias, one of the wealthiest and most eminent of the race of Israel.
“Pardon me, wise countryman!” said the Jew, bowing to the earth, “but I cannot resist the temptation of claiming kindred with one through whom the horn of Israel may be so triumphantly exalted.”
“Hush, man!” said Almamen, quickly, and looking sharply round; “I thy countryman! Art thou not, as thy speech betokens, an Israelite?”
“Yea,” returned the Jew, “and of the same tribe as thy honoured father--peace be with his ashes! I remembered thee at once, boy though thou wert when thy steps shook off the dust against Granada. I remembered thee, I say, at once, on thy return; but I have kept thy secret, trusting that, through thy soul and genius, thy fallen brethren might put off sackcloth and feast upon the house-tops.”
Almamen looked hard at the keen, sharp, Arab features of the Jew; and at length he answered, “And how can Israel be restored? wilt thou fight for her?”
“I am too old, son of Issachar, to bear arms; but our tribes are many, and our youth strong. Amid these disturbances between dog and dog--”
“The lion may get his own,” interrupted Almamen, impetuously,--“let us hope it. Hast thou heard of the new persecutions against us that the false Nazarene king has already commenced in Cordova--persecutions that make the heart sick and the blood cold?”
“Alas!” replied Elias, “such woes indeed have not failed to reach mine ear; and I have kindred, near and beloved kindred, wealthy and honoured men, scattered throughout that land.”
“Were it not better that they should die on the field than by the rack?” exclaimed Almamen, fiercely. “God of my fathers! if there be yet a spark of manhood left amongst thy people, let thy servant fan it to a flame, that shall burn as the fire burns the stubble, so that the earth may bare before the blaze!”
“Nay,” said Elias, dismayed rather than excited by the vehemence of his comrade,--“be not rash, son of Issachar, be not rash: peradventure thou wilt but exasperate the wrath of the rulers, and our substance thereby will be utterly consumed.”