The Literature of Arabia | Page 9

excitement increasing as she approached the
dwelling-place of her cousin. As she was disguised, she entered,
unrecognized, into the tent where strangers were received. Her visor
was, however, lowered, like that of a horseman of Hijaz. Slaves and
servants received her, offered her hospitality, comporting themselves
towards her as to one of the guests, and the most noble personages of

the land. That night Djaida took rest; but the following day she joined
the military exercises, challenged many cavaliers, and exhibited so
much address and bravery, that she produced great astonishment among
the spectators. Long before noon the horsemen of her cousin were
compelled to acknowledge her superiority over themselves. Khaled
wished to witness her prowess, and, surprised at the sight of so much
skill, he offered to match himself with her. Djaida entered the contest
with him, and then both of them joining in combat tried, one after
another, all the methods of attack and defence, until the shadows of
night came on. When they separated both were unhurt, and none could
say who was the victor. Thus Djaida, while rousing the admiration of
the spectators, saw the annoyance they felt on finding their chief
equalled in fight by so skilful an opponent. Khaled ordered his
antagonist to be treated with all the care and honor imaginable, then
retired to his tent, his mind filled with thoughts of his conflict. Djaida
remained three days at her cousin's habitation. Every morning she
presented herself on the ground of combat, and remained under arms
until night. She enjoyed it greatly, still keeping her incognito, whilst
Khaled, on the other hand, made no enquiries, and asked no questions
of her, as to who she was and to what tribe she might belong.
On the morning of the fourth day, while Khaled, according to his
custom, rode over the plain, and passed close to the tents reserved for
strangers, he saw Djaida mounting her horse. He saluted her, and she
returned his salute. "Noble Arab," said Khaled, "I should like to ask
you one question. Up to this moment I have failed in courtesy towards
you, but, I now beg of you, in the name of that God who has endowed
you with such great dexterity in arms, tell me, who are you, and to what
noble princes are you allied? For I have never met your equal among
brave cavaliers. Answer me, I beseech you, for I am dying to learn."
Djaida smiled, and raising her visor, replied: "Khaled, I am a woman,
and not a warrior. I am your cousin Djaida, who offered herself to you,
and wished to give herself to you; but you refused her--from the pride
you felt in your passion for arms." As she spoke she turned her horse
suddenly, stuck spurs into him, and dashed off at full gallop towards
her own country.

Khaled filled with confusion withdrew to his tent, not knowing what to
do, nor what would be the end of the passionate love which he
suddenly felt rise within him. He was seized with disgust for all these
warlike habits and tastes, which had reduced him to the melancholy
plight in which he found himself. His distaste for women was changed
into love. He sent for his mother and related to her all that had occurred.
"My son," she said, "all these circumstances should render Djaida still
dearer to you. Wait patiently a little, until I have been able to go and
ask her of her mother." She straightway mounted her camel, and started
through the desert on the tracks of Djaida, who immediately on her
arrival home had told her mother all that had happened. As soon as the
mother of Khaled had arrived, she flung herself into the arms of her
kinswoman and demanded Djaida in marriage for her son, for Zahir had
not yet returned from his foray. When Djaida heard from her mother
the request of Khaled, she said, "This shall never be, though I be forced
to drink the cup of death. That which occurred at his tents was brought
about by me to quench the fire of my grief and unhappiness, and soothe
the anguish of my heart."
At these words the mother of Khaled, defeated of her object, went back
to her son, who was tortured by the most cruel anxiety. He rose
suddenly to his feet, for his love had reached the point of desperation,
and asked with inquietude what were the feelings of his cousin. When
he learned the answer of Djaida his distress became overwhelming, for
her refusal only increased his passion. "What is to be done, my
mother," he exclaimed. "I see no way of escaping from this
embarrassment," she replied, "excepting you assemble all your
horsemen from among the Arab sheiks, and from