n of Mas'ud-Kaldih, should be put to
death. When he wakened after his carousal, he inquired for the two friends
and was given the grievous news. He was sick at heart, and because of his
intense love and longing for them, he built two splendid monuments over
their two graves and he named these the Smeared-With-Blood.

Then he set apart two days out of the year, in memory of the two
companions, and he called one of them the Day of Evil and one the Day of
Grace. Every year on these two appointed days he would issue forth with
pomp and circumstance and sit between the monuments. If, on the Day of
Evil, his eye fell on any soul, that person would be put to death; but on
the Day of Grace, whoever passed would be overwhelmed with gifts and
benefits. Such was his rule, sealed with a mighty oath and always rigidly
observed.

One day the king mounted his horse, that was called Mahmud, and rode out
into the plains to hunt. Suddenly in the distance he caught sight of a
wild donkey. Nu'man urged on his horse to overtake it, and galloped away
at such speed that he was cut off from his retinue. As night approached,
the king was hopelessly lost. Then he made out a tent, far off in the
desert, and he turned his horse and headed toward it. When he reached the
entrance of the tent he asked, "Will you receive a guest?" The owner (who
was Hanzala, son of Abi-_Gh_afray-i-Ta'i) replied, "Yea." He came forward
and helped Nu'man to dismount. Then he went to his wife and told her,
"There are clear signs of greatness in the bearing of this person. Do your
best to show him hospitality, and make ready a feast." His wife said, "We
have a ewe. Sacrifice it. And I have saved a little flour against such a
day." Hanzala first milked the ewe and carried a bowl of milk to Nu'man,
and then he slaughtered her and prepared a meal; and what with his
friendliness and loving-kindness, Nu'man spent that night in peace and
comfort. When dawn came, Nu'man made ready to leave, and he said to
Hanzala: "You have shown me the utmost generosity, receiving and feasting
me. I am Nu'man, son of Mun_dh_ir, and I shall eagerly await your arrival
at my court."

Time passed, and famine fell on the land of Tayy. Hanzala was in dire need
and for this reason he sought out the king. By a strange coincidence he
arrived on the Day of Evil. Nu'man was greatly troubled in spirit. He
began to reproach his friend, saying, "Why did you come to your friend on
this day of all days? For