Vol. iN sy 9.} Some Arab Folk Tales from Hazramaut. 417 
three hundred, but on condition that I may take it to pieces ; 
if I find any join, or Fats defect in the striker, or any knot in 
the wood, I shall return it.” Said the youth, “I agree; take 
it to pieces.” The buyer went aside, took the rifle to pieces, and 
found a join in it. He returned it saying, “If thou gavest it to 
me for ten riyals, I wouldn't take it.” Then the youth continued 
his rounds with the swords. Said the buyers, “The one for fifty, 
and the other for forty.’ The youth then “went to another 
market, and they offered him, for the first, forty, and for the 
second, thirty. He went back to the first market and asked fifty, 
and. was offered forty ; for this price he sold it. For the other 
he was now offered thirty. He sold it forthirty. The rifle he took 
to the first man and sold for ten. 
He then returned home having only eighty of his five hundred 
riyals. Said he to his wife, “‘ My God! Soand So, son of So and So, 
has played me a trick, the like of which never was.” Said his 
wife, ‘‘ What did he do to thee?” He told her. She said, ‘* All 
j es He said, “I will; he passes here 
‘daily on his way to the m : 
The next day they waited, and the man pene Said 
the youth, ‘There he is.” S aid his wife, n he returns 
from the mosque, go to his shop and. start talking sienid women. 
If he gives ear, tell him that thou hast a gi at Lsasine and that 
if he wants her, thou wilt give her to Th 
youth went and did so. Said the shop- seicake , Wilt thou Best 
her to me?” Said the youth, ‘I must ask: if lam 
to. do so, I will show her to thee.” Said the shop- pa 
right.” 
The youth returned to his wife and said, “He says he 
wants her, but on condition that he sees her.” Said his wife, 
ry Certainly ; to-morrow call him, and bring him hither, and sit him 
in that place. When he is seated call the negress and tell her 
to bring water to drink, and when the girl is re THe before him 
I will come out too,” Said the youth, “ All ri 
Next day he went to the shop-keeper and on “Get up, Tl 
show thee the girl.” Hewent with him to his house and acted as his 
wife had directed. Then said the shop- Br Au ane right, follow 
me to my shop,” The youth went after h he former the e: 
said, “Thy sister hath eer = me. Wilt fred a her to me 
How much dost thou want cose e?” Said the youth, “ Three 
thousand riyals.” “After ore or less talking they closed at 
two thousand, and the sie promised that t the marriage should 
take place on the third day. : 
n the ae day the shop-keeper came to have the marriage 
cotpaad he Qazi was called and he tied the knot. At evening 
the an yene visited the bride and found her other than the girl 
he had first seen. 
The next day he went to oy. tothe Qazi. The Qazi sum- 
moned him and asked, “ What news?” The shop- -keeper fe 
“Tt is nothing; only yesterday "eit joinedst me to So and So, 
the daughter of So and So, but So and So has sent me a negress 
