They say the water in the spring is theirs, and no one else has any right to touch it.

I offered to make payment, but they would not hear me.

I threatened them with vengeance, but they showed no fear.

Is it your Honour's will that I should beat a few of them ?' Seeing their numbers, I considered it the wiser plan for us to let them be till their excitement had cooled down, and till Suleyman arrived to help us with advice.

Accordingly, I smiled and nodded to the villagers, and rode back up the path a little way, Rashid obeying my example with reluctance, muttering curses on their faith and ancestry.