All the relatives of the slain man--whether it's Ali Higg or one of his retainers doesn't matter--take up arms; and all the relatives of Woolly-wits do ditto.

For each man killed in the war that follows the other side is out for the equivalent in life or goods.

Village after village gets drawn in.
"Suppose that sheikh at the south end of the Dead Sea who's in debt to Woolly-wits jumps at the chance to loot our caravan and bag the lady, we'll be lucky if one or two of our men don't get scuppered.

That means a blood-feud between that village and all old Ali Baba's clan.
"But that isn't nearly all, nor nearly the worst of it.

Ali Higg learns next that the Dead Sea outfit have tried to waylay his wife; so he takes the warpath.