“Well done!” thought Ali; “here are my four guests beginning again. In everything they do they follow suit, and I feel sure the other two will make the same request. What is to be the end of this?” “‘Should you triumph in this trial,’ added the fair Wahallaaka, ‘from that moment none shall be as dear to me as you.’ When I read this letter my heart was torn with conflicting passions, but I had the strength of mind to leave without seeing my beloved. For a whole year I dragged out my miserable existence in all quarters of the globe. Now, however, my time of trial is past, and I am about to return to my beloved country. One thing alone remains to do. Can I present myself to her, who is so dear to me, without offering her that head which is the object of her desires?” “But how is it that, brave and mighty as you describe yourself to be, you have not already procured it?” “The reason is clear, as you will see. I am in the ordinary affairs of life a very lion for courage; the panther and white bear I care not a jot for; but as soon as the idea of fighting presents itself---whenever I find myself in the presence of danger--I tremble, lest I should prove unworthy of the fair Wahallaaka. The thought unnerves my arm, and a child might conquer me. In short--I’ll give you forty ounces for your head.” Ali scowled at the knight. “If it be to finish in this manner that your worship has taken the trouble to relate this history, we might both of us have employed our time better.” “If your head appears to me the finest model of Oriental beauty, there is no reason for you to be offended. You appear to be attached to it’, well, let’s say no more about it, but get me for the same price some other specimen of the Asiatic tribes.” “How much did you say you were willing to give?” “Forty gold pieces.” “You won’t get anything worth looking at for that sum? Everything has risen in price since the war.” “Well, then, fifty pieces.” “Say sixty pieces--thirty down, and I’ll promise you the best that can be had.” “I am anxious to start, remember.” “You shall have what you want by to-morrow.” “Very well! I rely upon you to keep your word.” Ali, as soon as he had the thirty pieces safe in his pocket, went downstairs, and entered the apartment of the knight of Machavoine. Porc-en-Truie was not asleep. “I thought so,” said the innkeeper to himself; “here’s the sleeper as wide awake as a squirrel,” and he made as if he would go out again. “Come in,” said the knight, “I have something to talk to you about.” “I am all attention,” said Ali, bowing. “I leave to-morrow!” “So soon?” said Ali, looking at his long-lost bed with affectionate interest.