Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/46

Rh crowned monarch. One of the she-camels approached a garden over the wall of which trees were visible that she could reach with her lips. So I drove her away from that garden, when lo! an old man appeared, panting with rage. And mounting on the wall he presented himself, carrying in his right hand a stone, and raving like a furious lion. Then he struck the he-camel with the stone, and killed him—it fell on a fatal spot. But when I saw the camel fall on his side and roll over, live coals of rage were kindled within me. I seized the very same stone and struck the sheikh with it, and that was the cause of his end. He met evil in his turn, and the man was slain by that with which he slew. After that he had cried a great cry, and had screamed a terrible scream for help, I hastened from the spot. But haste was of no avail against these two young men. They laid hold of me and brought me here as you see me."

Then said ʾOmar: "Behold! you have confessed the crime you have committed, and your acquittal is impossible, and retaliation is imperative, and there is now no refuge."

Then said the young man: "I obey that which