rchants or spies in disguise,
I care not. Be satisfied and depart, for the dawn is here."

The caliph, who had been much amused with Yussuf's account of himself,
replied, "In truth, you are a wonderful man, and it must be allowed
that, in separating yourself from your fellows, you escape many troubles
and inconveniences."

"Ay," replied Yussuf; "thus have I lived for five years. Every night
has my dwelling been lighted up as you see it, and my fortunate stars
have never suffered me to go without meat and drink, such as you three
now smell and long for, but shall not put your fingers to."

"But, friend Yussuf," observed Giaffar, "suppose that to-morrow, the
caliph should issue a decree, putting an end to the trade of supplying
with water, and declare that whoever was found with a skin-full should
be hanged. In such a case, what would you do? You could not light up
your lamps; you could not enjoy your kabobs and pillau, neither would
you be able to purchase fruits, sweetmeats, or a drop of wine."

"May Shitan seize your unlucky soul, you tun-bellied beast of ill-omen!
for the bare supposition of such a thing; depart--depart quickly, and
never let me see you again."

"My good friend, Yussuf, I did but jest; five years, as you observe,
have passed away without a day's intermission of your enjoyment, nor is
it probable that the caliph will ever issue such a ridiculous and
unheard-of decree. I only observed, that supposing he did, what could
you do, never leaving a single asper for the next day's provision?"

At the repetition of the vizier's speech, Yussuf became highly
exasperated. "You dare to repeat to me your unlucky words and
ill-omens,--and you ask me what I shall do! Now hear me: by the beard
of the Prophet, should the caliph issue such a decree, with this good
cudgel I will search all Bagdad, until I find you all. You, and you,"
continued Yussuf, looking fiercely at the caliph and the vizier, "I will
beat until you are as black as he is, (pointing to Mesrour), and him I
will cudgel until he is as white as the flesh of the kid I have been
regaling on. Depart at once, you shall no longer pollute my roof."

The caliph was so much diverted with the anger of Yussuf, and yet in
such dread of showing it, that he was obliged to thrust the end of his
robe into his mouth, as they walked out under a shower of curses from
the water-carrier.

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