Page:Folk-lore of the Holy Land.djvu/194

suading him to alter his plans, and restore your property.”

On hearing these words the poor widow at once consented to his proposal, and the Judge departed, driving the ass before him. He soon reached the place, and found the Khalìfeh on the spot, giving various orders to the architect who was to erect the new palace. On beholding the ruler of El Islamiyeh,^[1] the Judge, prostrating himself before him with every reverence, begged for a private audience without delay. The Khalifeh, who had a great respect for the Kadi, granted his request, and Abdullah, acting as the widow’s advocate, earnestly pleaded with his master on her behalf. Finding the monarch relentless, Abdullah said; “Well, O Prince of Believers, you are our ruler and may Allah prolong your rule, but, as your Highness has seized the widow’s and orphan’s property, I beg, in their name, to be allowed to take one sackful of this earth for them.”

“Ten if you like,” laughed the Khalifeh, “though I fail to see what good it can do them.”

The Kadi seized a pickaxe that lay near, loosened the earth with it, and filled his sack. Then, turning to the Caliph, he said, “ I now adjure your Highness, by all that we Muslimtin hold sacred, to help me to place it upon the back of this ass.” “ You funny man,” replied the ruler, greatly amused, “‘ why not call some of those slaves to lift it ?’ “O Commander of the Faithful,” answered the Kadi, ‘“ the earth in the sack would altogether lose its virtues were