The Shareef was now quite convinced, from the intruder's wild manner, unkempt beard, and one glittering eye, that this was indeed a wandering saint.
"My head against your two best horses, saidi. Have them saddled, saidi, and when we are well beyond the city walls, I will propose the wager."
"By Allah," muttered the Shareef, "but he is mad!"
"My lord," resumed the beggar, "I am unarmed, and an old man. I repeat my wager: my head against two good horses."
"So be it," agreed the Shareef, as he clapped his hands. "Horses and arms at once, Kasim!"
"Allah upon you, my lord, but you wish to win this very good head of mine?"
"Holy stranger," replied the Shareef, "leave your prayer with this house; and if you lose your wager, you may keep your head."
"Of what use are my prayers, saidi, seeing that the servant of Satan the Damned this very day beguiled you? Where is the daughter of your brother, on whom be peace?"
"On the way to the Valley of Djinn, with Zantut the darvish and his pious companions."
"And what of the infidel, Rankin?" next demanded the beggar.