“Yes,” replied the caliph, gravely.

Giaffar, who stood near his master, then cried out, “Yes, you cowardly shred of a beeldar; and reply quickly, or a sword will be applied to your neck.”

Yussuf, as if talking to himself, replied, “I hope it will be my own then.”  He then replied to the question, “Yes, yes, it’s all right—­my father was a beeldar, and my mother also before him.”  At this extravagant answer the caliph and whole court could no longer restrain their mirth, which gave Yussuf a little more courage.

“So,” replied Haroun, “it appears that you are a beeldar, and that your allowance is ten dinars yearly, and five pounds of mutton daily.”

“Yes, my Umeer,” replied Yussuf, “I believe that is correct.  My trust is in God!”

“It is well.  Now, Yussuf, take with you three other beeldars to the dungeon of blood, and bring to me the four robbers who were condemned to death for their manifold crimes and enormities.”

Here Giaffar interfered, and submitted to the caliph, whether it would not be better that the head jailor should produce them, which being ordered, that officer presently made his appearance with the four criminals pinioned and bareheaded.  The caliph ordered three of the beeldars each to seize and blindfold a prisoner, to open their upper garments ready to unsheath their swords, and wait for the word of command.  The three beeldars made their obeisance, obeyed the command, placing the criminals in a kneeling position, resting on their hams, with their necks bare, and their eyes covered.  While the three beeldars stood thus in readiness, Yussuf was in a dreadful state of confusion.  “To escape now is impossible,” said he to himself.  “Confound these Moussul merchants.  They did well to say they would come no more, for in a few minutes I shall be no more myself.”

“You fellow there! you are one of the appointed beeldars, and do not know your duty,” cried Giaffar.  “Why do you not lead out the criminal, as your companions have done?”

Yussuf, obliged to obey, now seized the fourth prisoner, covered his eyes, laid bare his neck, and took his stand behind him, but without drawing his sword.  “I never shall be able to get over this,” thought Yussuf.  “In a few seconds it will prove to be but a piece of palm-wood, and I shall lose my head among the jeers of the people.  However, my trust is in God; and to Shitan with all Moussul merchants.”  He took, however, his sheath and sham sword from his belt, and raised it in the scabbard over his shoulder.

The caliph, who watched him narrowly, was highly diverted with this manoeuvre.  “You beeldar!” cried he, “why do you not unsheath your sword?”

“My sword,” replied Yussuf, “is of that temper, that it must not too long glance in the eyes of the Commander of the Faithful.”