Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/203

174 And when ʾAbd-el-Málik read this, he laughed at her words, and wrote to her a second time; after which it was no longer possible for her to refuse him. So she addressed another letter to him, saying—after compliments—"Know, O Commander of the Faithful! that upon one condition only will I proceed with the contract. And wert thou to ask, What is the condition? I should reply, That el-Hajjâj might lead my litter from el-Maʾârrah to the country whereinsoever thou mayst be. And that he should do this walking barefoot, but with the accoutrements which he always wore."

And when ʾAbd-el-Málik read her letter, he laughed a hearty laugh, and sent to el-Hajjâj, ordering him the same; and he, on reading the mandate of the Commander of the Faithful, accepted it, not daring to disobey, but acted according to the command, and sent to Hind warning her to equip.

So she made ready; and el-Hajjâj travelled with his cavalcade until he reached el-Maʾârrah, Hind's country. Then she mounted her litter, and her slave-girls and servants rode around her; but el-Hajjâj walked barefoot. And he journeyed thus with her, leading her camel by the bridle.