When she arrived home there in her town her father and sisters were
holding a great mourning for her, for they said, "Our youngest one has
now been away many years; surely she must be dead."
When they saw her their hearts were very glad, and a feast was made for
her for the space of three days. And the riches she brought with her,
which her dog Atakalo had taken from the Sultan's treasure house, were
brought to land; and when he saw them her father rejoiced greatly.
After a space of ten days she said to her father, "I know that Sultan
Makami's son is making a plan to get me. If he comes here and asks for
me in marriage, do not refuse him, but agree. My cleverness, which I
have in my heart, is that which will save me."
One day the Sultan of Makami's son arrived, and came to the Wazir and
said, "I want your daughter, Binti Ali, in marriage."
So the Wazir agreed.
Binti Ali took a large pumpkin and filled it with honey and placed it on
her bed, and she herself got under the bed.
That night the Sultan of Makami's son came into her room and said, "Ee,
woman," and she replied, "Lebeka, master."
Then he said, "You, woman, you think that you can come to our country
and cheat us, pretending that you are a man. Behold, to-day is your
last, so make profession of faith quickly, so that you may be prepared
for death."
Binti Ali said, "I testify there is no God but one God, and Muhammad is
the prophet of God."
So he drew his sword and struck a blow which cut the pumpkin in two, and
then he went out quickly and got on his ship and sailed away. When he
came to look at his sword, to wipe the blood off, he found no blood, but
only honey stuck all over it.
[Illustration: Resting camel]
This is the end of the story. The tale comes from the Wazir and his
daughter, the last born, who was called Binti Ali the Clever.