A "SAINT'S" HUMANITY.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 981, 8 January 1883, Page 3

A "SAINT'S" HUMANITY.

o In uiic of cur exchanges we find the following. from (be pen of an eye-witness of the recent war in Egypt ;—When Arabi constructed the big dam across the canal at Tcl-el-Kcbir, which was to complete the wonderful Arabian Plevna—guaranteed to stand six months’ siege at least—it was considered absolutely necessary to obtain the approval of the saint. As Balak did withBalaam, so did Arabi with the holy sage. He conducted him everywhere ; showed him the Christian, and bade him curse him ; led him over his works, displayed his army, and demanded a blessing on his arms. W lien they came to the wonderful dam, the saint frowned ominously, and cried, " What, my son, is this?” 11 Holy father,” replied the rebel chieftain, “ this is to cut off all the water supply from the odious enemy.” “This may not be,” retorted the, Recluse sternly ; “know that the hateful Christian though lamentably benighted and besotted, and grievously arrogant to boot, is, after all an erring child of Allah. Water is given for all creatures. He has a right to water like the rest. Open a way, that at least some of the precious stream may moisten his parched throat .” And actually we found, on arrival at Tcl-el-Kcbir, that, reluctantly enough, no doubt, Arabi had obeyed the sage’s mandate. Through the centre of the dam an opening had been made, about six feet wide, by way of which the muddy stream was. percolating slowly. Our water became low enough and foul enough but, thanks to the Syid, it was never completely cut off.