“Because that gellab broke his faith. He promised me forty piastres a-month and has paid me only twenty. I would not move a finger to save his life.”
As he said this he pointed to one of the slave-dealers, who was looking in mute despair on his rifled bags and boxes.
“If your muscles answer to your appearance, you should be a strong fellow,” said Hassan.
“Try me,” replied the black, thrusting out from beneath his blanket an arm that would have done credit to the champion of the fistic ring in England.
A laugh among the Bedouins followed this sally of the sturdy negro. Hassan noticed it, and simply answering, “I will try a wrestling fall[[103]] with you, and if you throw me you shall go free,” threw off his abah (outer Arab scarf) and laid aside his weapons. The negro followed the example, and though he was half a head short of Hassan in stature, the vast size of his bull neck and shoulders, and the muscular development of his arms and legs, created an impression among the Bedouins (none of whom, excepting Abou-Hamedi, had any experience of Hassan’s extraordinary powers) that their newly-appointed chief would be no match for the Darfouri.
When, however, they grappled, and all the sleights and desperate exertions of the negro failed to move Hassan from his firm position of defence, or to disturb the quiet and confident smile that played upon his countenance, it soon became as evident to the bystanders as it was to Abd-hoo that he was in the grip of his master, and not many minutes elapsed before he measured his length upon the sand.
Hassan then resumed his abah and his weapons, and continued the conversation with his defeated opponent as if nothing had occurred to interrupt it.
“Abd-hoo, you are a stout fellow, though you have yet some sleights to learn in wrestling. Canst thou be faithful?”
“Where I promise I keep my word,” said the negro.
“Enough,” replied Hassan; “I want no slave. Here is a piece of gold for you; take it. You are free to go where you will or to serve me: if you choose the latter, you shall have your share of my bread and my purse.”