Then I shrank back, but Layelah laid her hand on my arm.
"Don't be afraid," said she; "it's only an athaleb." "But won't it--won't it bite ?" I asked, with a shudder.
"Oh no," said Layelah; "it swallows its victuals whole." At this I shrank away still farther.
"Don't be afraid," said Layelah again.

"Its jaws are muzzled, and, besides, it's a tame athaleb.

Its jaws are unmuzzled only at feeding-time.

But this one is very tame.

There are three or four others in here, and all as tame as I am.