These tree-houses became a mark of the New Said and after he had been exiled to western Anatolia, he had a number made in spots favourable for reading "the book of the universe".

Molla Hamid also relates many anecdotes illustrating Bediuzzaman's kindness towards animals and his respect for them as creatures, and his affinity with them and power over them. The following is an example showing the latter, that is, illustrating his keramat, or spiritual powers.

A number of people arrived one day on the mountain to visit Bediuzzaman, and when it became apparent they were to stay overnight, Molla Hamid was sent down to a neighbouring village to get some quilts. He was frightened of meeting wolves, dogs, or other wild animals, of which there were many, and cut himself a stout stick. But Bediuzzaman would not allow this. "The dogs won't harm you", he told him.

Molla Hamid set off and on approaching the village he encountered a flock of sheep or goats guarded by dogs. He saw that a great brute of a dog lay across the path, blocking it. Remembering Bediuzzaman's words, he approached the animal; it rose to its feet and moved off making way for him. On reaching the village, the villagers expressed their astonishment, saying that they could not approach the herd even as a group armed with clubs, for the dogs were fed on sheep's milk to make them sufficiently ferocious to ward off the wolves. Whereupon Molla Hamid told them he had been sent by Bediuzzaman. "Ah," they said. "We can accept it then!"

Molla Hamid took the quilts and retraced his steps. He was met by Bediuzzaman when he arrived, who asked him if he had been attacked by dogs on the way. On hearing that he had not, he told him:

"Have courage! Don't be scared!"

It had been a lesson in courage for Molla Hamid. [^11]

[^11]:Hamid Ekinci, in Son Şahitler, i, 205-6.

Molla Hamid also related this 'lesson' which Bediuzzaman gave him. In answer to an unasked question about looking at what is forbidden, Bediuzzaman struck himself angrily on the knee, and said:

"I am not satisfied with the Old Said, I'm only happy at three things about him." Then he added:

At a glittering time in Istanbul, I used to change my dress once a week, splendid clothes. I used to go to the most brilliant places in Istanbul. Then my Hoja friends appointed one of themselves as observer and got him to follow me, to see where I went and what I did. Three days later while talking with these friends they said to me: "Said, whatever you do is right.