Page:Swahili tales.djvu/179

Rh And he said, "Wait for me till after to-day, for I want mules to carry my presents which I wish to take to the caliph." And he said, "I give you leave for to-day." And he was transacting his business all that day. And that day the vizir Mesroor Sayafi had only to rest until sunset. And he entered the bath. And when he came out, there was brought to him as before, and he put them on. And all the clothes he took off were folded up and put into a chest, with a purse of five hundred deenars. And these clothes and that money were for Mesroor Sayafi himself.

And they waited till the morning, and made their journey. And four hundred mules were brought, and these mules were to carry Mohammed the Languid's things. And they loaded them. And he ordered his two mules to be got ready, with saddles of gold, and bits of gold, and reins of silk. One Mohammed the Languid mounted himself, and one the vizir, Mesroor Sayafi mounted. And the governor, Mohammed Zabidi, and they went on their journey, journeying to go to the caliph, in the land of Bagdad. And they set out a great host. And they went along the road.

And when the sun set they got ready their tents and slept. And the tent of Mohammed the Languid, his tent was of silk, and its poles of aloes wood; and they slept, he and the vizir, Mesroor Sayafi.

In the morning they awoke, and they brought out their food and their drink, and they ate and drank. After that, their beasts were saddled and they mounted. And so it was, when the sun set they slept, and when the night was over they went on. And in the course of that journey, the vizir Mesroor Sayafi pondered in his heart, and said, "When I reach the caliph, I will speak to him, to ask this man how he got himself these great riches. I remember his father, he was a cupper at a public bath."