g a piece
of palm-wood into the shape of a sword, he fixed it in, making the
handle look smart with some coloured pieces of cotton and silk, which he
sewed with packthread. Thus marched he out, swaggering down the streets,
and swinging his twig of almond-tree in his hand. As he strutted along
everyone made way for him, imagining him to be one of those insolent
retainers of office who are supported by the great khans. Thus he
continued a straight course, until he arrived at the market-place, where
a multitude was assembled round two men, who were fighting desperately.
Yussuf pressed forward, the crowd making way for him on both sides,
either taking him for an officer of the household, or dreading the force
of his nervous and muscular proportions. When he reached the combatants,
they were covered with dirt and blood, and engaged so furiously, that no
one dared separate them. Yussuf, perceiving the dread which he inspired,
and that he was taken, as he wished to be, for a beeldar, first clapped
his hand to the handle of his pretended sword, and then struck the
combatants several sharp blows with his almond stick, and thus induced
them to leave off fighting. The sheick, or head of the bazaar, then
approached Yussuf, and making an obeisance, presented him with six
dirhems, with a prayer that he would seize the culprits, and carry them
before the caliph for punishment, as disturbers of the public peace.

Yussuf, securing the money in his girdle, seized up the two combatants,
and carrying one under each arm, walked off with them. A great crowd
followed, with many prayers for the release of the prisoners; but Yussuf
turned a deaf ear, until another six dirhems were dropped into his vest,
with a prayer for mercy. Upon this Yussuf consented to release them, and
walked away, hardly able to contain his exultation. "I am Yussuf," cried
he, "and I trust in God. As a beeldar will I live and die. By Allah! I
will go to the palace, and see how it fares with my brother beeldars."

Now there were thirty beeldars in the service of the caliph, who
attended the palace in rotation, ten each day. On reaching the court of
the palace, Yussuf took his station where the ten beeldars on duty were
collected together. He observed, however, that they were very different
from himself, very slight young men, and dressed in a very superior
style. He felt some contempt for their effeminate appearance, contrasted
with his own muscular frame, but could not k