Page:True Tales of Indian Life - Dwijendra Nath Neogi.pdf/22

8 saying, with his last breath, "Will this not make you stop?" Filled with horror at the sight, the two young princes stood gazing at the corpse. Then shedding bitter tears of repentance, they sheathed their swords and embraced each other, vowing that never again would they allow their passions to master them in such a way. From that time forth the two were changed men, and so the patriotic old Bràhman's self-sacrifice, which has been enshrined in the history of Mewar, was not in vain. was the dearest disciple and son-in-law of the prophet. His life was spent in preaching of the Koran and fighting with unbelievers in order that he might convert them to the faith. On a certain field of battle a kàfer (an unbeliever) fought him with such obstinacy that he was not overcome until after a long and exhausting struggle. Sitting on the man's chest and holding his sword to his throat, Ali was on the point of dealing a death blow when of a sudden his vanquished foe spat in his face. It is related that the devoted follower of the prophet at once flung away his weapon, and standing aside allowed his antagonist to rise. Overcome with astonishment, the man asked, "Why have you not killed me?" Ali answered, "It was for the faith and the faith only that I took up arms. With no man as a man had I any quarrel until your action in spitting in my face roused in me a fierce hatred towards you. Sooner than sully