t thou?"

"I am Abd Allah bin Boo Shaib es-Salih, O Merchant, of Ain Haloo in
Rahamna. I have a family there, and cattle, and very much land. I
wish to place all in thy hands, and to become thy friend," again
endeavouring to throw himself at the feet of the European.

"All right, all right, that will do. I will see about it; come to me
again to-morrow."

"May God bless thee, O Merchant, and fill thee with prosperity, and
may He prolong thy days in peace!"

As Tajir Vecchio went on with his writing, Abd Allah made off with
a hopeful heart to spend the next twenty-four anxious hours in the
fandak, while his offerings were carried away to the private house by
a servant.

Next morning saw him there again, when much the same scene was
repeated. This time, however, they got to business.

"How can I befriend you?" asked the European, after yesterday's
conversation had been practically repeated.

"Thou canst very greatly befriend me by making me thy agent in Ain
Haloo. I will work for thee, and bring thee of the produce of my land
as others do, if I may only enjoy thy protection. May God have mercy
on thee, O Merchant. I take refuge with thee."

"I can't be always appointing agents and protecting people for
nothing. What can you give me?"

"Whatever is just, O Merchant, but the Lord knows that I am not rich,
though He has bestowed sufficient on me to live, praise be to Him."

"Well, I should want two hundred dollars down, and something when the
certificate is renewed next year, besides which you would of course
report yourself each quarter, and not come empty-handed. Animals and
corn I can do best with, but I don't want any of your poultry."

"God bless thee, Merchant, and make thee prosperous, but two hundred
dollars is a heavy sum for me, and this last harvest has not been so
plentiful as the one before, as thou knowest. Grant me this protection
for one hundred and fifty dollars, and I can manage it, but do not
make it an impossibility."

"I can't go any lower: there are scores of Moors who would give me
that price. Do as you like. Good morning."

"Thou knowest, O Merchant, I could not give more than I have offered,"
replied Abd Allah as he rose and left the place.

But as no one else could be found in the town to protect him on better
terms, he had at last to return, and in exchange for the sum demanded
received a paper inscribed on one side in Arabic, and on the other in
English, as follows:--

"VICE-C