harmful to him and disturbeth his body with disorders which be dangerous.  Wherefore, an thou have provided thee somewhat of wine it is well, but, if not, haste to procure it, ere thou take the meat and carry it away.”  Quoth Salim, “Allah requite thee with weal—­ Canst thou shew me where liquor is sold?” and quoth the Cook, “With me is all thou seekest.  The youth asked, “Is there a way for me to see it?” and the Cook sprang up and answered, “Pass on.”  So he entered and the man showed him somewhat of wine; but he said, “I desire better than this;” whereupon he opened a door and entering, said to Salim, Come in, and follow me.”  Accordingly Salim followed him till he brought him to an underground chamber and showed him somewhat of wine that suited him.  So he occupied him with looking at it and taking him unawares, sprang upon him from behind and threw him to the ground and sat upon his breast.  Then he drew a knife and set it to his jugular; whereupon there betided Salim that wherewith Allah made him forget all that He had decreed to him,[FN#532] and he cried to the Cook, “Why dost thou this thing, O good fellow?  Be mindful of the Almighty and fear Him.  Seest thou not I am a stranger man?  And knowest thou not I have behind me a forlorn defenceless[FN#533] woman?  Wherefore wilt thou kill me?” Quoth the Kitchener, “Needs must I kill thee, so I may take thy money;” and quoth Salim, “Take my money, but kill me not, neither enter into sin against me; and do with me kindness, for indeed the taking of my coin is more venial than the taking of my life.”  The Cook replied, “This is nonsense.  Thou canst not deliver thyself herewith, O youth, because in thy deliverance is my destruction.”  Cried Salim, “I swear to thee and give thee the bond of Allah (to whom belong honour and glory) and His covenant, which He took of His prophets that I will not discover thy secret; no, never.”  But the Kitchener replied, “Away!  Away!  Alas!  Alas!  To this there is no path.”  However, Salim ceased not to conjure him and humble himself to him and weep, while the Cook persisted in his intent to cut his throat:  then he shed tears and recited these couplets;[FN#534]

“Haste not to that thou dost desire, for haste is still unblest;
     * Be merciful to men, as thou on mercy reckonest: 
For no hand is there but the hand of God is over it * And no
     oppressor but shall be with worse than he opprest.”

Quoth the Kitchener, “There is no help save that I slay thee, O fellow; for an I spare thee, I shall myself be slain.”  But Salim said, “O my brother, I will advise thee somewhat[FN#535] other than this.”  Asked the Cook, “What is it?  Say and be brief, ere I cut thy throat;” and Salim answered, “Suffer me to live and keep me as thy Mameluke, thy white slave, and I will work at a craft of the skilled workmen, wherefrom there shall result to thee every day two dinars.”  Quoth the Kitchener, “What is the craft?” and quoth Salim, “The cutting of gems and jewels.”