Chinese and Arabian Literature - E. Wilson - The Search For Mecca

THE ABSIANS AND FAZAREANS 37
generation to generation." All the warriors stood motionless.
" Speak on," they cried, "what is your will? Perhaps there
may be something good in your words." " Illustrious Arabs,"
continued Shidoub, " you know what happened in consequence
of the match between Dahir and Ghabra : I assure you on my
life that I will outstrip both of them in running, even were they
swifter than the wind. But listen to the condition I offer ; if I
am the winner, I am to take the hundred camels which are at
stake; but if I am beaten, I am to forfeit fifty." Upon this
one of the Sheiks of Fazarah exclaimed, " What is that you are
saying, vile slave ? Why should you receive a hundred camels
if you win and only forfeit fifty if you lose ? " " Do you ask
why, ancient mire of a dunghill," replied Shidoub, " because I
have but two legs to run on and a horse has four, not counting
his tail." All the Arabs burst out laughing ; yet as they were
astonished at the conditions proposed by Shidoub, and extremely
curious to see him run the race, they agreed that he
should make the hazardous experiment.
When all had returned to the tents Antar said to Shidoub:
" Come, now, thou son of a cursed mother, how dared thou say
that thou couldst outstrip these two horses, whose race all horsemen
of our tribes have assembled to see, and who all the world
admits have no equals in speed, not even among the birds of
the air ? " " By him who created the springs in the rocks and
who knows all things," replied Shidoub, " I will outstrip those
two horses, be they fleet as the winds. Yes, and my victory
will have an advantageous result, for when the Arabs hear of
it, they will give up all idea of pursuing me, when I run across
the desert." Antar laughed, for he was in doubt about Shi-
doub's plan. The latter went to find King Cais and his broth-
ers, and the other witnesses of the race, and made oath on his
life that he would outstrip the two horses. All present acknowledged
themselves witnesses of the oath, and left the spot,
filled with astonishment at the proposition.
As for the trickster Hadifah, in the evening he summoned
one of his slaves named Dames, a rascal, if ever there was one.
" O Dames," he said, " you frequently boast of your cunning,
but hitherto I have had no opportunity of putting it to the
proof." " My Lord," answered the slave, " tell me in what
way I can be useful to you." " I desire," said Hadifah, " that
you go and post yourself in the great pass. Remain in this