The caliph again repeated, "What is your
name, your father's name, and the amount of your salary as a beeldar?
and how did you get your appointment?"
"Is it to me you speak, O hadji caliph?" at last stammered out Yussuf.
"Yes," replied the caliph, gravely.
Giaffar, who stood near his master, then cried out, "Yes, you cowardly
shred of a beeldar; and reply quickly, or a sword will be applied to
your neck."
Yussuf, as if talking to himself, replied, "I hope it will be _my own_
then." He then replied to the question, "Yes, yes, it's all right--my
father was a beeldar, and my _mother_ also before him." At this
extravagant answer the caliph and whole court could no longer restrain
their mirth, which gave Yussuf a little more courage.
"So," replied Haroun, "it appears that you are a beeldar, and that your
allowance is ten dinars yearly, and five pounds of mutton daily."
"Yes, my Umeer," replied Yussuf, "I believe that is correct. My trust is
in God!"
"It is well. Now, Yussuf, take with you three other beeldars to the
dungeon of blood, and bring to me the four robbers who were condemned to
death for their manifold crimes and enormities."
Here Giaffar interfered, and submitted to the caliph, whether it would
not be better that the head jailor should produce them, which being
ordered, that officer presently made his appearance with the four
criminals pinioned and bareheaded. The caliph ordered three of the
beeldars each to seize and blindfold a prisoner, to open their upper
garments ready to unsheath their swords, and wait for the word of
command.
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