"Did you see the snake?"
"I did."
"Did you conjure it to appear before us?"
"No."
"Some ill-luck awaits us as those fools did not succeed in killing it."
"The gallows awaits you."
"Be silent! Is your father a sorcerer?"
"He is," answered Stas without any hesitation, for he understood in a moment that those savage and superstitious men regarded the appearance of a reptile as an evil omen and an announcement that the flight would not succeed.
"So then your father sent it to us," answered Idris, "but he ought to understand that we can avenge ourselves for his charms upon you."
"You will not do anything to me as the sons of Fatma would have to suffer for any injury to me."