"I have come to make friends, O Merchant."
"Who art thou?"
"I am Abd Allah bin Boo Shaïb es-Sálih, O Merchant, of Aïn Haloo in Rahámna. I have a family there, and cattle, and very much land. I wish to place all in thy hands, and to become thy friend," again endeavouring to throw himself at the feet of the European.
"All right, all right, that will do. I will see about it; come to me again to-morrow."
"May God bless thee, O Merchant, and fill thee with prosperity, and may He prolong thy days in peace!"
As Tájir Vecchio went on with his writing, Abd Allah made off with a hopeful heart to spend the next twenty-four anxious hours in the fandak, while his offerings were carried away to the private house by a servant.
Next morning saw him there again, when much the same scene was repeated. This time, however, they got to business.
"How can I befriend you?" asked the European, after yesterday's conversation had been practically repeated.
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