"What! wouldst thou swim across this broad stream?"
"Yes, and I'll swim across it now, this instant."
"Those are idle words. If thou art not a devil thou wilt drown in this river if thou canst not swim."
"Thou shalt swim with me. I will put one hand on thy shoulder to keep me up."
"Thou art mad, surely! Only just now thou didst threaten me with death, and now thou wouldst trust thy life to me! I need only hold thee under for a second or two to be rid of thee for ever. Water is a terrible element to him who cannot rule over it, the dwellers beneath the waves are merciless."
"By putting my life into thy hands I show thee that I fear thee not. Lead me through the water!"
"Thou art mad, but I still keep my senses. Go back to the Vizier's kiosk while he hath not noticed thy absence. I will not betray thee."
"Then thou wilt not go with me?" said the odalisk darkly.
"May I never see thee again if I do so," said Majmun resolutely, sitting down on a hillock.
"Wretched slave!" cried Azrael in despair, "then I will go myself."