- With the returning day commenced the same round of insult
and irritation - the boys assembled to beat the hog, and the men and
women to plague the Christian.
It is impossible for me to describe
the behaviour of a people who study mischief as a science, and exult
in the miseries and misfortunes of their fellow-creatures.
CHAPTER X - A MOORISH WEDDING
The Moors, though very indolent themselves, are rigid task-masters,
and keep every person under them in full employment. My boy Demba
was sent to the woods to collect withered grass for Ali's horses;
and after a variety of projects concerning myself, they at last
found out an employment for me: this was no other than the
respectable office of barber. I was to make my first exhibition in
this capacity in the royal presence, and to be honoured with the
task of shaving the head of the young prince of Ludamar. I
accordingly seated myself upon the sand, and the boy, with some
hesitation, sat down beside me. A small razor, about three inclines
long, was put into my hand, and I was ordered to proceed; but
whether from my own want of skill, or the improper shape of the
instrument, I unfortunately made a slight incision in the boy's head
at the very commencement of the operation; and the king, observing
the awkward manner in which I held the razor, concluded that his
son's head was in very improper hands, and ordered me to resign the
razor and walk out of the tent.
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