You are helpless on his back.

The art of driving an athaleb is difficult, and cannot be learned without long and severe practice.

My fear was that the athaleb might break away from you and return, leaving you to perish here.

Had you tried to leave this place he would have brought you back to the amir." To this I said nothing--partly because it was so true that I had no answer to make, and partly also out of deep mortification and dejection.

My pride was wounded at being thus so easily baffled by a girl like Layelah, and all my grief was stirred by the sadness of Almah.