From that time the princess, who had now no other hope than in the failure of the negro Mimovin, relied upon his becoming fatigued before he finished his work. She sent every day to Mouna for information, who sent word that the negro's vigour was constantly increasing, and she began to despair, seeing already Abou el Heidja and Abou el Heiloukh coming off as victors in their enterprises. One day she said to the two friends, "I have made inquiries about the negro, and Mouna has let me know that he was exhausted with fatigue." At these words Abou el Heidja cried, "In the name of God! if he does not carry out his task, aye, and if he does not go beyond it for ten days longer, he shall die the vilest of deaths!"
But his zealous servant never during the period of fifty days took any rest in his work of copulation, and kept going on, besides, for ten days longer, as ordered by his master. Mouna, on her part, had the greatest satisfaction, as this feat had at last appeased her ardour for coition.[1] Mimoun, having remained victor, could then take his seat with his companions.
Then said Abou el Heidja to Zohra, "See, we have
- ↑ Note in the autograph edition.—In certain texts the following version is found: "Mouna, at the end of fifty days, was glad to have come to the end of the trial, for she had become sick of the coitus; but as Mimoun kept going on, she sent to Zohra the message, 'O my mistress, the time has lapsed, and he will not part with me! I conjure you, by God the Magnificent, withdraw me from this grievous situation. My thighs are like broken, and it becomes impossible for me to keep lying down.' But Mimoun. swore that he would not retire until the ten days ordered by his master were gone, and he kept his word."
