. So, my friend, decide." Upon which, my
father took the handkerchief from his bosom, and taking out the money
from it, counted twenty ducats into the mirakhor's hand, who, when
satisfied that they were all good, untied the white muslin that was
wound round his turban, and placing them in the folds of it, twisted
it round his head again. "Now," said he to my father, "we have ate salt
together; we are friends; and should the Pasha attempt anything, I will
interfere. But you must send him a present, or otherwise it will be
impossible to prevent him from molesting you."

'"_Bashem ustun_, upon my head be it!" answered my father. "I possess
a famous greyhound, celebrated throughout the whole of the Curdistan,
which can seize an antelope at full speed; a creature the like of which
the Shah of Persia's father never even saw in a dream. Will that do?"

"Perfectly well for one thing; but that is not enough. Consider of what
consequence it is that my master should be pleased with you."

'"I tell you what," said he: "a thought has struck me; I have a
daughter, more beautiful than the moon, round, large hipped, and greatly
inclined to corpulency. You must say to him, that although the Yezeedies
are infidels in his eyes, and as the dust under his feet, yet still he
may perhaps be anxious to possess a beauty, which even the houris of
Mahomed's paradise would be jealous of, and I am ready to send her to
him."

'The mirakhor clapped his hands in ecstasy, and said, "_Aferin! Aferin!_
well said! this is excellent! I will make the offer, and no doubt he
will accept it; and thus you will have a powerful friend in his harem,
who will get you out of this scrape, and protect you for the future."
Upon this they seemed agreed. I, who it appears was to be the victim,
left my watching-place to ruminate upon what was likely to be my future
destiny. At first I was inclined to weep, and to lament over my fate;
but after a little consideration, I exclaimed, "O my soul! am I to be a
pasha's lady? am I to wear fine clothes? am I to be borne in a litter?
Oh! the delight of a litter will be too great! How all the girls of the
mountains will envy me!"

'After some time had elapsed, looking from the tents into the open
country, I saw the mirakhor and his party, who had not failed to take
the greyhound with him, duly dressed out in its gayest trappings, making
their way along the side of the chain of hills which bordered our camp.
I then heard my fath