As he said this, he perceived one of the beeldars, or officers of the caliph’s household, pass by him.  “That would be a nice office,” thought Yussuf, “and the caliph does not count his people like the cadi.  It requires but an impudent swagger, and you are taken upon your own representation.”  Accordingly, nowise disheartened, and determined to earn his six dirhems, he returned home, squeezed his waist into as narrow a compass as he could, gave his turban a smart cock, washed his hands, and took a peeled almond-wand in his hand.  He was proceeding down stairs, when he recollected that it was necessary to have a sword, and he had only a scabbard, which he fixed in his belt, and cutting a piece of palm-wood into the shape of a sword, he fixed it in, making the handle look smart with some coloured pieces of cotton and silk, which he sewed with packthread.  Thus marched he out, swaggering down the streets, and swinging his twig of almond-tree in his hand.  As he strutted along everyone made way for him, imagining him to be one of those insolent retainers of office who are supported by the great khans.  Thus he continued a straight course, until he arrived at the market-place, where a multitude was assembled round two men, who were fighting desperately.  Yussuf pressed forward, the crowd making way for him on both sides, either taking him for an officer of the household, or dreading the force of his nervous and muscular proportions.  When he reached the combatants, they were covered with dirt and blood, and engaged so furiously, that no one dared separate them.  Yussuf, perceiving the dread which he inspired, and that he was taken, as he wished to be, for a beeldar, first clapped his hand to the handle of his pretended sword, and then struck the combatants several sharp blows with his almond stick, and thus induced them to leave off fighting.  The sheick, or head of the bazaar, then approached Yussuf, and making an obeisance, presented him with six dirhems, with a prayer that he would seize the culprits, and carry them before the caliph for punishment, as disturbers of the public peace.

Yussuf, securing the money in his girdle, seized up the two combatants, and carrying one under each arm, walked off with them.  A great crowd followed, with many prayers for the release of the prisoners; but Yussuf turned a deaf ear, until another six dirhems were dropped into his vest, with a prayer for mercy.  Upon this Yussuf consented to release them, and walked away, hardly able to contain his exultation.  “I am Yussuf,” cried he, “and I trust in God.  As a beeldar will I live and die.  By Allah!  I will go to the palace, and see how it fares with my brother beeldars.”