RISE, DECLINE, AND FALL OF YUSEF BADRA. 417 
“ Brightest ornament of the glorious land of Liberty,” said 
he., “radiant and most effulgent miracle of Generals, most 
graceful, extraordinary, and accomplished horseman; thou 
who fearest neither man nor beast; thou who hast traversed 
the dangerous and devious windings of the desert mountains 
of Syria, like the flaming planet that was deemed worthy to 
be worshiped by the great Zoroaster —behold ! I, who have 
never bowed to Bedouin foe ; I, who would scorn to bend the 
knee by compulsion before the grand Sovereign of all the 
Turkeys; I, Yusef Badra, kiss the hem of thy garment, and 
greet thee with the willing devotion of a heart steeped to the 
core in human blood !—a heart that seldom throbs save in a 
crimson sea of gore !” 
In this strain he talked for some time, greatly to the ad¬ 
miration of all the surrounding Arabs ; after which, we set 
out, under his guidance, to make some purchases in the ba¬ 
zaars. As we were strolling along leisurely through the 
streets of Beirut, I took advantage of the occasion to ask 
Yusef the reason of his mysterious disappearance on the road. 
He changed color a little at the abruptness of the question; 
but quickly answered that it was merely for the purpose of 
killing a man, of whom he had heard strange accounts in 
Sidon. This man, it appeared, was of gigantic stature, seven 
feet high at least, and large in proportion; every body on the 
road was afraid of him ; he had even threatened, in case he 
ever met Yusef Badra, to clip the ears from the head of that 
individual; which, taken altogether, so aroused the soul of 
Badra, that he had determined upon putting this braggart to 
death. After his (Yusef’s) conversation with his beloved 
General, being inspired thereby, and reminded of this giant, 
he set out full speed for the purpose of carrying his purpose 
into execution. He had not gone more than a few miles 
when he discovered the giant, concealed behind a rock, wait¬ 
ing for him. Maddened at the cowardice of this trick, he 
put spurs to Syed Sulemin, dashed straight up to the spot 
with drawn sword, and challenged the miserable wretch to 
stand forth and defend himself. The miserable wretch was 
even taller than he was represented to be—eight feet high at 
