denying the statements, until Hadifah closed the altercation by saying,
"I hold to the wager, on condition that the winner takes from the loser
as many male and female camels as he chooses." "You are going to play me
a nice trick," said Carwash, "and for my part I tell you plainly that I
won't bet more than twenty camels; the man whose horse loses shall pay
this forfeit." The matter was arranged accordingly. They sat at table
until nightfall, and then rested.

The next day Carwash left his tent at early morn, went to the tribe of
Abs, to find Cais, whom he told about the wager. "You were wrong," said
Cais. "You might have made a bet with anyone excepting Hadifah, who is a
man of tricks and treachery. If you have made the wager, you will have
to declare it off." Cais waited until certain persons who were with him
had retired, then he at once took horse, and repaired to the tribe of
Fazarah, where everybody was taking their morning meal in their tents.
Cais dismounted, took off his arms, and seating himself among them began
to eat with them, like a noble Arab. "Cousin," said Hadifah to him
jokingly, "What large mouthfuls you take; heaven preserve me from having
an appetite like yours." "It is true," said Cais, "that I am dying of
hunger, but by Him who abides always, and will abide forever, I came not
here merely to eat your victuals. My intention is to annul the wager
which was yesterday made between you and my kinsman Carwash, I beg of
you to cancel this bet, for all that is uttered over cups and flagons is
of no serious account, and ought to be forgotten." "I would have you to
know," was the answer, "that I will not withdraw from the challenge,
unless you forfeit the camels which are staked. If you accept this
condition, I shall be perfectly indifferent to everything else.
Nevertheless, if you wish it, I will seize the camels by force, or, if
it be your good pleasure, I will waive every claim, save as a debt of
honor." In spite of all that Cais could say, Hadifah remained firm in
his resolution, and as his brother began to deride Cais, the latter lost
his temper, and with a face blazing with wrath he asked of Hadifah,
"What stake did you offer in your wager with my cousin?" "Twenty
she-camels," said Hadifah. "As for this first wager," answered Cais, "I
cancel it, and propose another one in its stead: I will bet thirty
camels." "And I forty," replied Hadifah, "I make it fifty," was the
retort of Cais. "Sixty," quickly