[Footnote 8: Bairam, a Turkish word, signifies a feast day or holiday.
It commences on the close of the Ramadan--or the month's fast of the
Mohammedans. At this feast they kill a calf, goat, or sheep; and after
giving a part to the poor, eat the rest with their friends. It
commences with the new moon, and is supposed to be instituted in
memory of the sacrifice of his son by Abraham. The observance of the
lesser Bairam is confined to Mecca.]
My wife, who was present, seemed very angry at my compassion, and
opposed my order.
I then said to my steward, "Make the sacrifice yourself; the
lamentations and tears of the animal have overcome me."
The steward was less compassionate, and sacrificed her. On taking off
the skin we found hardly anything but bones, though she appeared very
fat.
"Take her away," said I to the steward, truly chagrined, "and if you
have a very fat calf, bring it in her place."
He returned with a remarkably fine calf, who, as soon as he perceived
me, made so great an effort to come to me that he broke his cord. He
lay down at my feet, with his head on the ground, as if he endeavored
to excite my compassion, and to entreat me not to have the cruelty to
take away his life.
"Wife," said I, "I will not sacrifice this calf, I wish to favor him.
Do not you, therefore, oppose it."
She, however, did not agree to my proposal; and continued to demand
his sacrifice so obstinately that I was compelled to yield.
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