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a slave at heart, but I was not to have the chance to use them. Three days later the maid of Sira took me to her mistress.

‘My mother is again very sick,’ she said. ‘Saddle the two best camels in my husband’s herd. Tie on water skins and saddle bags for a long journey. The maid will give thee food at the kitchen tent.’ I packed the camels wondering much at the quantity of provisions the maid provided, for the mother dwelt less than a day’s journey away. The maid rode the rear camel which followed and I led the camel of my mistress. When we reached her mother’s house, it was just dark. Sira dismissed the maid and said to me:

‘Hast thou the soul of a free man or the soul of a slave?’

‘The soul of a free man,’ I responded.

‘Now is thy chance to prove it. Thy master hath imbibed deeply and his chiefs are in a stupor. Take then these camels and make thy escape. Here in this bag is raiment of thy master’s to disguise thee. I will