"Of a truth it is not. Dost thou suppose I do not know the youth—I who used to dandle him on my knee ever since he was a child, and was the first to place a sword in his hand?"
"But, indeed, he himself told me," cried Kleon, pointing at the head, "that he was Zaid, and he was wearing a general's uniform."
"'Tis a slave," said Tepelenti, regarding the head more closely. "Dost thou not see? His ears have been cropped, so that he may not wear ear-rings in them, which only great lords may do."
"Then Zaid has gone free!"
"Zaid will be among the captives," said Tepelenti. "I would recognize him amongst a thousand. He was my favorite grandson. His image even now is engraved in my heart."
Then they went down amongst the captives. Ali had scarce cast a glance at them when he pointed with his finger.
"There he is! Dost thou not perceive how much paler his face is than the faces of the others?"
Kleon wrathfully drew his sword and would have rushed upon the person indicated, but Ali held his hand.
"What doest thou? Wouldst thou slay my grandson before my very eyes?"
"Thou didst ask for his head, and it shall be thine."