Swiftly, and without stopping, she traversed rocks and mountains, her excitement increasing as she approached the dwelling-place of her cousin.  As she was disguised, she entered, unrecognized, into the tent where strangers were received.  Her visor was, however, lowered, like that of a horseman of Hijaz.  Slaves and servants received her, offered her hospitality, comporting themselves towards her as to one of the guests, and the most noble personages of the land.  That night Djaida took rest; but the following day she joined the military exercises, challenged many cavaliers, and exhibited so much address and bravery, that she produced great astonishment among the spectators.  Long before noon the horsemen of her cousin were compelled to acknowledge her superiority over themselves.  Khaled wished to witness her prowess, and, surprised at the sight of so much skill, he offered to match himself with her.  Djaida entered the contest with him, and then both of them joining in combat tried, one after another, all the methods of attack and defence, until the shadows of night came on.  When they separated both were unhurt, and none could say who was the victor.  Thus Djaida, while rousing the admiration of the spectators, saw the annoyance they felt on finding their chief equalled in fight by so skilful an opponent.  Khaled ordered his antagonist to be treated with all the care and honor imaginable, then retired to his tent, his mind filled with thoughts of his conflict.  Djaida remained three days at her cousin’s habitation.  Every morning she presented herself on the ground of combat, and remained under arms until night.  She enjoyed it greatly, still keeping her incognito, whilst Khaled, on the other hand, made no enquiries, and asked no questions of her, as to who she was and to what tribe she might belong.

On the morning of the fourth day, while Khaled, according to his custom, rode over the plain, and passed close to the tents reserved for strangers, he saw Djaida mounting her horse.  He saluted her, and she returned his salute.  “Noble Arab,” said Khaled, “I should like to ask you one question.  Up to this moment I have failed in courtesy towards you, but, I now beg of you, in the name of that God who has endowed you with such great dexterity in arms, tell me, who are you, and to what noble princes are you allied?  For I have never met your equal among brave cavaliers.  Answer me, I beseech you, for I am dying to learn.”  Djaida smiled, and raising her visor, replied:  “Khaled, I am a woman, and not a warrior.  I am your cousin Djaida, who offered herself to you, and wished to give herself to you; but you refused her—­from the pride you felt in your passion for arms.”  As she spoke she turned her horse suddenly, stuck spurs into him, and dashed off at full gallop towards her own country.