Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/29

12 suddenly from his place at his mother's feet, and spoke earnestly, his beautiful young face lighting up with the glow of his thought.

"O my father and my mother—I will go and find a spring!" he said.

Both parents gazed lovingly upon him. But Hassan made reply,——

"Thou art not able to go forth alone and unguided into the desert, son; thou couldst find no water, and thou wouldst but lose thyself and see us no more."

"Heaven forbid it!" cried the poor mother, clasping the boy's hand tightly in her own. "If it is decreed that we are to die, let us die together."

"But we need not die," urged the boy. "Did not the Lord send His angel to show Hagar a fountain in the wilderness when Ishmael was like to perish? Hast thou not often told the story to Nejmeh and to me? And can He not now show me a spring? Let me go!"