r," continued he, to the vizier, "hang me if ever I saw such a
rascally face as yours; and you, you black-faced nigger, keep the whites
of your eyes off my supper-table, or by Allah I'll send you all to
Jehanum. I see you are longing to put your fingers on the kid; but if
you do, I've a bone-softener, which, by the blessed Prophet, shall break
every bone in your three skins." So saying, the man, taking a large
cudgel from the corner of the room, laid it by the dish of kid, into
which he then plunged his fingers, and commenced eating heartily.

"Giaffar," said the caliph, in an under tone, "contrive to find out who
this ferocious animal may be, and how he contrives to live so merrily?"

"In the name of Allah, let us leave him alone," replied Giaffar, in a
fright, "for should he strike us on the head with that cudgel, we should
be despatched without any one being the wiser."

"Pish! fear nothing," replied the caliph. "Ask him boldly his name and
trade."

"Oh, my commander," replied Giaffar, "to hear is but to obey; yet do I
quake most grievously at the threats of this villainous fellow. I
entreat thee that I may defer the questions until wine shall have
softened down his temper."

"Thou cowardly vizier. Must I then interrogate him myself?" replied the
caliph.

"Allah forbid," replied Giaffar; "I will myself encounter the wrath of
this least of dogs--may his grave he defiled."

During this parley, their host, who had become more good-humoured in his
cups, cast his eyes upon them.

"What in the name of Shitan, are you chaps prating and chatting about?"
inquired he.

Giaffar, perceiving him in a more favourable mood, seized the occasion
to speak. "Most amiable and charitable sir," replied he, "we were
talking of your great liberality and kindness in thus permitting us to
intrude upon your revels. We only request, in the name of friendship,
the name and profession of so worthy a Mussulman, that we may remember
him in our prayers."

"Why, thou impudent old porpus; did you not promise to ask no questions?
In the name of friendship! Truly it is of long standing."

"Still I pray Allah that it may increase. Have we not sat a
considerable time in your blessed presence--have you not given us
refuge? All we now ask is the name and profession of one so amiable and
so kind-hearted?"

"Enough," replied the host, pacified with the pretended humility of the
vizier. "Silence, and listen. Do you see that skin whic