Bou-Allem，beingawarethatmytrickswereonlytheresultofskill，wasangrythathisguestshouldbesopestered；hencehebeganreproachingtheMarabout。Istoppedhim，however，foranideahadoccurredtomewhichwouldsavemefrommydilemma，atleasttemporarily；then，addressingmyadversary：
“Youareaware，“Isaid，withassurance，“thatIrequireatalismaninordertobeinvulnerable，and，unfortunately，IhaveleftmineatAlgiers。“
TheMaraboutbeganlaughingwithanincredulousair。“Still，“I
continued，“Ican，byremainingsixhoursatprayers，dowithoutthetalisman，anddefyyourweapon。To-morrowmorning，ateighto’clock，IwillallowyoutofireatmeinthepresenceoftheseArabs，whowerewitnessesofyourchallenge。“
Bou-Allem，astonishedatsuchapromise，askedmeonceagainifthisofferwereserious，andifheshouldinvitethecompanyfortheappointedhour。Onmyaffirmative，theyagreedtomeetbeforethestonebenchinthemarketplace。