human
Strike again, Bara Miyan, invited the Master.
gpt
The other arm, perhaps, may not have lost its cunning!
human
No, by Allah! he replied.
gpt
I know thy magic can numb the flesh, and it is a good magic. It is strong. But by the rising of the stars--and that is a great oath--the bullets of our long rifles can pierce thine unbelieving body!
human
Then bring six of thy best riflemen and station them a dozen paces from me, the Master challenged.
gpt
Let them look well to their cartridges. It is not I who load the guns with bullets made of soft black-lead, as the _Effendi_ Robert-Houdin did long ago to the confusion of the Marabouts in Algeria. No, let thy men load their own rifles. But, and his voice grew mocking,
human
Load well, and shoot me this Frank!
gpt
(Even so!) replied one of the riflemen.
human
Allah will make it easy for us!
gpt
Have no fear, Bara Miyan, another said.
human
Not so easily shall El Kisa (the People of the Garment) be overcome by the Feringi!
gpt
Captain Alden,