But I, wretched man that I am, will have the misery of
beholding my wife and children starving before the expiration of the
three days."

Another said, "Be comforted, Yussuf, three days will soon pass away, and
then you will relish your kabobs, and your rakee, your sweetmeats and
your wine, with greater pleasure, having been so long deprived of them."

"Besides," added a third, "you must not forget, Yussuf, that the Prophet
has declared that a man is eternally damned, body and soul, who is
constantly drunk as you are."

These observations kindled Yussuf's bile to that degree, that he was
nearly venting his spleen upon his sarcastic consolers. He turned away,
however, in his rage, and throwing his empty skin over his shoulders,
proceeded slowly towards the mosque of Zobeide, cursing as he went
along, all Moussul merchants, down to the fiftieth generation. Passing
the great baths, he was accosted by one of the attendants with whom he
was intimate, who inquired, why he was so depressed in spirits?

"That cold-blooded caliph of ours, Haroun Alraschid, has put an end to
my earnings for three days, by threatening to hang any water-carrier who
shall carry his load to the bazaar. You know, my friend, that I never
have put by a single para, and I fear that in three days my carcase will
become shrivelled with famine, and dried up for the want of a cup of
rakee."

"Which thou hast often divided with me before now," replied the other;
"so even now will I divide my work with you, Yussuf. Follow me, if you
do not object to the employment, which requires little more than
strength, and, by Allah, you have that, and to spare. Surely upon a
pinch like this, you can take up a hair-bag, and a lump of soap, and
scrub and rub the bodies of the true believers. Those hands of yours,
so enormous and so fleshy, are well calculated to knead the muscles and
twist the joints of the faithful. Come, you shall work with us during
these three days at the hummaum, and then you can return to your old
business."

"Thy words of comfort penetrate deep into my bosom," replied Yussuf,
"and I follow thee."

The bath-rubber then took him in, bound an apron round his waist, and
lent him a bag, three razors, pumice stone for scrubbing the soles of
the feet, a hair bag, and a sponge. Having caparisoned and furnished
him with implements, he led Yussuf into the apartment where was the
reservoir of hot water, and desired him to wait for a customer.