At the repetition of the vizier’s speech, Yussuf became highly exasperated.  “You dare to repeat to me your unlucky words and ill-omens,—­and you ask me what I would do!  Now hear me:  by the beard of the Prophet, should the caliph issue such a decree, with this good cudgel I will search all Bagdad, until I find you all.  You, and you,” continued Yussuf, looking fiercely at the caliph and the vizier, “I will beat until you are as black as he is (pointing to Mesrour), and him I will cudgel until he is as white as the flesh of the kid I have been regaling on.  Depart at once, you shall no longer pollute my roof.”

The caliph was so much diverted with the anger of Yussuf, and yet in such dread of showing it, that he was obliged to thrust the end of his robe into his mouth, as they walked out under a shower of curses from the water-carrier.

* * * * *

“By the sword of the Prophet, but they were well out of this scrape!” observed the pacha.  “May the grave of the rascal’s mother be defiled! to offer to cudgel the vice-regent of the Prophet.”

“The caliph was in disguise, and Yussuf knew him not,” replied Mustapha.

“Those who threaten me in disguise, will find that no excuse, we swear by our beard,” replied the pacha.  “Proceed Menouni.”

* * * * *

It was daylight before the great Haroun re-entered the secret gate of the seraglio, and retired to his couch.  After a short slumber he arose, performed his ablutions, and proceeded to the divan, where he found the principal officers of his court, the viziers, omras, and grandees, assembled to receive him; his imagination, however, still dwelt upon the events of the preceding night, and after the ordinary business of the day had been transacted, and the petitioners who attended had been dismissed, he called for his grand vizier, who presented himself with the customary obeisances.

“Giaffar,” said the caliph, “issue a decree to the governor of the city that it be proclaimed throughout the streets of Bagdad, that no person whatever, shall, for the space of three days, carry water from the river to the bazaars for sale, and that whoever trespasses shall be hanged.”

The governor, Khalid ben Talid, immediately that he received the fetva, took the proper measures to have it promulgated.  Heralds were despatched throughout the various quarters of the city, who proclaimed the will of the caliph.  The people wondered, but submitted.

Yussuf, who had performed his morning devotions, had reached the banks of the Tigris, and just filled, and hoisted on his shoulders, his ox-skin of water, when the appearance of one of the heralds attracted his attention; he listened to the legal proclamation, and let down his ox-skin with a curse upon all merchants of Moussul.

“Confusion to the scoundrels, who last night prophesied such an unlucky event!  If I could but lay hands upon them!” exclaimed Yussuf.  “They did but hint it, and behold, it is done.”