work with spirit; seizing the applicant with one hand, he
stripped him with the other, and first operated upon the shaven crown
with his razor. The hadji was delighted with the energy of his
attendant. Having scraped his head as clean as he could with an
indifferent razor, Yussuf then soaped and lathered, scrubbed and sponged
the skin of the pilgrim, until it was as smooth and glossy as the back
of a raven. He then wiped him dry, and taking his seat upon the backbone
of his customer, he pinched and squeezed all his flesh, thumped his
limbs, twisted every joint till they cracked like faggots in a blaze,
till the poor hadji was almost reduced to a mummy by the vigour of the
water-carrier, and had just breath enough in his body to call out,
"Cease, cease, for the love of Allah--I am dead, I am gone." Having said
this, the poor man fell back nearly senseless. Yussuf was very much
alarmed; he lifted up the man, poured warm water over him, wiped him
dry, and laid him on the ottoman to repose, covering him up. The hadji
fell into a sound slumber, and in half an hour awoke so refreshed and
revived, that he declared himself quite a new man.

"It is only to hadjis," observed Yussuf, "that I give this great proof
of my skill."

The man put his hand into his pocket, pulled out three dirhems, and
presented them to Yussuf, who was astounded at such liberality, and
again expressing his satisfaction, the hadji left the hummaum. Delighted
with his success, Yussuf continued his occupation, and attended with
alacrity every fresh candidate for his joint-twisting skill. By the time
that evening prayers commenced, he had kneaded to mummies half a dozen
more true believers, and had received his six dirhems, upon which he
determined to leave off for that day.

Having left the bath, he dressed himself, went home, took his leathern
pitcher, dish, and basket, and went to the bazaar, where he purchased a
piece of mutton, and left it at the most noted kabob-makers in the
district to be cooked; he then purchased his wine and rakee, wax tapers,
and flowers, pistachio-nuts, dried fruit, bread, and oil for his lamps.
When he had completed his purchases he called at the cook's shop, where
he found his mutton nicely kabobed, and smoking in the dish. Paying the
cook, and putting it into his basket, he hastened home over the bridge
of boats, exulting in his good fortune. When he arrived, he swept out
his room, dressed himself in better clothes, lighted