“Câdi or pig, thou hadst no right to bite my hand,” replied Nesìb severely.
Having stripped him to his silken shirt and his voluminous drawers of white calico, Nesìb, for a further insult, hoodwinked him with his own turban, and bound together his wrists and ankles with strips cut from the clothing taken from him. Then after Hassan he climbed back over the wall.
From a discreet place they watched what should befall. They saw the servant clamber down from out his tree of refuge and, hesitating, with fearful glances, approach his master. They saw him fumble with the bonds. They heard the fat man’s scream of rage, when at length he could rise; and observed him spit upon that servant, striking his face repeatedly, so that the coward fell on his knees and howled for mercy. They waited to see no more, but, full of quiet mirth, crept on their way.
CHAPTER XVI
When Hassan Agha and the Thief reached the abode of Zeyd’s wife’s relation, the sun had just sunk beneath the western hill. The cooling waters of the twilight overflowed the village and all the wady. They found their comrades at the sheykh’s house instated in the best room, the floor of which was laid for a feast. The entire population crowded round the open door, anxious to observe the manners of guests so honorable.
“Allah witness, we will be no burden on you,” said Hassan to their entertainer, after fervent greetings. “We have money and, moreover, we shall count it an honor to espouse your quarrels. Your friends, our friends; your foes, our foes; your people are from this hour the sworn brothers of my people.”
“May Allah reward your Excellencies! Behold, we are dirt. The honor is too great!” The old fellâh wagged his turbaned head most humbly.