The man put his hand into his pocket, pulled out three dirhems, and presented them to Yussuf, who was astounded at such liberality; and again expressing his satisfaction, the hadji left the hummaum. Delighted with his success, Yussuf continued his occupation, and attended with alacrity every fresh candidate for his joint-twisting skill. By the time that evening prayers commenced he had kneaded to mummies half a dozen more true believers, and had received his six dirhems, upon which he determined to leave off for that day.
Having left the bath, he dressed himself, went home, took his leathern pitcher, dish, and basket, and went to the bazaar, where he purchased a piece of mutton, and left it at the most noted kabob maker’s in the district to be cooked; he then purchased his wine and rakee, wax tapers, and flowers, pistachio nuts, dried fruit, bread, and oil for his lamps. When he had completed his purchases he called at the cook’s shop, where he found his mutton nicely kabobed, and smoking in the dish. Paying the cook, and putting it into his basket, he hastened home over the bridge of boats, exulting in his good fortune. When he arrived, he swept out his room, dressed himself in better clothes, lighted his lamps, spread out his table, and then squatted himself down, with his legs twisted under him, and tossing off a bumper of wine, he exclaimed, “Well, I am lucky; nevertheless, here’s confusion to all Moussul merchants, with their vile omens. Allah send their unlucky footsteps here to-night—that’s all.”
Here Menouni stopped, and made his salaam. “May it please your highness to permit your slave to retire for the night, for the tale of Yussuf, the water-carrier, cannot be imparted to your highness in one evening.”
The pacha, although much amused, was also a little tired. “Be it so, good Menouni; but recollect, Mustapha, that the caravan must not depart, till I hear the end of this story.”
“Be chesm, on my eyes be it,” replied Mustapha; and they all retired for the night.
“What is the cause?” demanded the pacha hastily, as next day Mustapha listened with apparent patience to the long details of one of the petitioners for justice.
“It is, O lord of wisdom, a dispute between these men, as to a sum of money which they received as guides to a Frank, who journeyed into the interior. The one was hired for the journey, but not being well acquainted with the road called in the assistance of the other; they now dispute about the division of the money, which lies at my feet in this bag.”
“It appears that the one who was hired did not know the way?”
“Even so,” replied Mustapha.
“Then he was no guide, and doth not deserve the money. And the other, it appears, was called in to assist?”