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The Junior Classics, Volume 5: Stories that never grow old

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Title: The Junior Classics, Volume 5: Stories that never grow old

Editor: William Patten


        
Release date: August 1, 2004 [eBook #6328]
                Most recently updated: December 29, 2020

Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JUNIOR CLASSICS, VOLUME 5: STORIES THAT NEVER GROW OLD ***




Produced by Ralph Zimmerman, Charles Franks
and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.





THE JUNIOR CLASSICS

A LIBRARY FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

[Illustration: "AND I WILL WIND THEE IN MY ARMS" _From the
painting by Arthur Rackham_]

THE JUNIOR CLASSICS

SELECTED AND ARRANGED BY WILLIAM PATTEN MANAGING EDITOR OF THE
HARVARD CLASSICS

INTRODUCTION BY CHARLES W. ELIOT, LL.D. PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF
HARVARD UNIVERSITY

WITH A READING GUIDE BY WILLIAM ALLAN NEILSON, Ph.D. PROFESSOR OF
ENGLISH, HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT SMITH COLLEGE, NORTHAMPTON,
MASS., SINCE 1917

VOLUME FIVE

_Stories That Never Grow Old_

Acknowledgments of permissions given by authors and publishers
for the use of copyright material appear in Volume 10.




CONTENTS


PREFACE

ARABIAN NIGHTS

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

The Story of Aladdin; or the Wonderful Lamp

Sindbad the Sailor

ROBINSON CRUSOE

Robinson Crusoe is Shipwrecked _Daniel Defoe_

Alone on a Desolate Island _Daniel Defoe_

The Building of the Boat _Daniel Defoe_

Finds the Print of a Man's Foot on the Sand _Daniel Defoe_

Friday Rescued from the Cannibals _Daniel Defoe_

Robinson Crusoe Rescued _Daniel Defoe_

GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

Gulliver is Shipwrecked and Swims for His Life _Jonathan
Swift_

Gulliver at the Court of Lilliput _Jonathan Swift_

Gulliver Captures Fifty of the Enemy's Ships _Jonathan
Swift_

Gulliver Leaves Lilliput _Jonathan Swift_

Gulliver in the Land of the Giants _Jonathan Swift_

Some of Gulliver's Adventures _Jonathan Swift_

Gulliver Escapes from the Eagle _Jonathan Swift_

THE PLAYS OF SHAKESPEARE

A Midsummer-Night's Dream _E. Nesbit_

The Tempest _E. Nesbit_

As You Like It _E. Nesbit_

The Merchant of Venice _E. Nesbit_

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

Christian Starts on His Journey _John Bunyan_

The Interpreter Shows Christian Many Excellent Things _John
Bunyan_

Christian's Fight With the Monster Apollyon _John Bunyan_

Christian and Hopeful are Captives in Doubting Castle _John
Bunyan_

Christian and Hopeful Arrive at the Coelestial City
_John Bunyan_

IVANHOE AND GUY MANNERING _Sir Walter Scott_

Ivanhoe _Sir Edward Sullivan_

Guy Mannering _Sir Edward Sullivan_

THE STARTLING ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN

An Adventure With a Lion and a Crocodile _R. E. Raspe_
Crossing the Thames Without the Aid of Bridge, Boat or Balloon
_R. E. Raspe_

Two Strange Adventures in Russia _R. E. Raspe_

Shooting a Stag With Cherrystones _R. E. Raspe_

The Baron's Wonderful Dog _R. E. Raspe_




ILLUSTRATIONS


"AND I WILL WIND THEE IN MY ARMS"

A Midsummer-Night's Dream

_Frontispiece illustration in color from the painting by Arthur
Rackham _

DISGUISED AS A TRAVELLER AND A STRANGER

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

_From the painting by Edmund Dulac_

HE DESIRED I WOULD STAND LIKE A COLOSSUS

Gulliver at the Court of Lilliput

_From the painting by Arthur Rackham _

THEY WERE VERY TIRED WHEN AT LAST THEY CAME TO THE FOREST OF ARDEN

As You Like It

_From the painting by Charles Folkard _

CHRISTIAN NIMBLY STRETCHED OUT HIS HAND FOR HIS SWORD

Christian's Fight with the Monster Apollyon

_From the etching by William Strang _




PREFACE


Consciously or unconsciously we are influenced by the characters
we admire. A book that exerts a deep as well as a wide influence
must produce changes in the reader's way of thinking, and excite
him to activity; the world for him can never be quite the same
that it was before. Such books have an important part in moulding
the character of a people.

It is because the books represented in this volume have been doing
just that for many years that they have become so prized. In the
characters of Crusoe, Gulliver and Christian, to mention only
three, English-speaking people recognize pictures of the
independent, self-reliant men, often self-educated (at least in
many important particulars), adventurous and daring by nature,
dependent upon themselves and the use of their faculties for
happiness, who made England great among nations, and wrote the
Constitution of the United States.

With the passage of time the books have lost nothing of the charm
and fascination which they have ever possessed for young and old.
"Was there ever yet anything written by mere man," said Dr. Samuel
Johnson, "that was wished longer by its readers, excepting
Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim's Progress, and Don Quixote?"

At this time, when the subject of vocational training is receiving
so much attention, and public school instruction is being
criticized because, its critics say, it does not prepare boys and
girls to meet the demands which life makes upon them, it is
interesting to read what was said almost a hundred years ago by a
man whose influence on education has been both deep and lasting in
character.

They have just been celebrating in France the centenary of Jean
Jacques Rousseau. In the early chapters of "Emile" we read: "Since
we must have books, there is one which, to my mind, furnishes the
finest treatise on Education according to nature. My Emile shall
read this book before any other. It shall for a long time be his
entire library. It shall be a test for all we meet during our
progress toward a ripened judgment, and so long as our taste is
unspoiled we shall enjoy reading it. What wonderful book is this?
Aristotle? Pliny? Buffon? No; it is Robinson Crusoe."

There is no more useful talent than the ability to think and speak
(or write) clearly and simply, no matter what our vocation in
life. None know better how difficult it is to find writers with a
good narrative style than those editors whose training and
experience have made them realize its value and importance. If we
examine the experience of those who, in comparatively recent days,
have stirred men with the force and directness of their simple
speech, as Lincoln, for example, we find that as boys they were
great readers of the Bible, and Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver's
Travels, Shakespeare, Bunyan, and Scott. As examples of English
these books stand preeminent.

Lord Brougham relates that one of his friends, a professor in a
university, consulted one of the ablest historians of his time as
to what would be the best discipline for acquiring a good
narrative style, as a prelude to writing a book of travels through
Asia. The advice given him was to read Robinson Crusoe carefully.
When the professor expressed astonishment, supposing it to be a
jest, the historian said he was quite serious, but that if
Robinson Crusoe would not help him, for any reason, he recommended
Gulliver's Travels. The late Donald G. Mitchell once said: "If you
should ever have any story of your own to tell, and want to tell
it well, I advise you to take Robinson Crusoe for a model!"

Parents and teachers who do not read aloud to young children, or
who do not practise telling stories to children, probably do not
realize what simple but extraordinarily valuable opportunities for
self-education they are ignoring, to say nothing of the help they
can be to children. In order to be successful we have to try and
put ourselves in the child's place.

The average reader does not concentrate sufficiently to get the
thought clearly from the text, and does not imagine himself to be
actually in the midst of the scene he is describing. The
consequence is that his voice and actions are not, except perhaps
in a slight degree, affected by the emotions he is supposed to be
experiencing. Dramatic rendering of dramatic passages is worth
striving for, and should be encouraged on the part of children.

The story-teller who roars with the lion and bleats with the lamb
is sure to be rewarded with shouts of enthusiastic delight from
the audience.




THE ARABIAN NIGHTS


_All nations have their fairy tales, but India seems to have
been the country from which they all started, carried on their
travels by the professional story-tellers who kept the tales alive
throughout Asia. In Bagdad and Cairo to-day, that cafe never lacks
customers where the blind storyteller relates to the spell-bound
Arabs some chapter from the immortal Arabian Nights, the King of
all Wonder Books.

No one knows where the tales were written, except that they came
out of the Far East, India, Arabia and Persia. Haroun Al Raschid,
who was called The Just, was a real Eastern monarch who lived in
Bagdad over eleven hundred years ago, about the same time that
Charlemagne was King of France. We can believe that the tales are
very old, but the most we know is that they were translated from
Arabic into French in 1704-17 by a Frenchman named Galland, and
that the manuscript of his translation is preserved in the French
National Library. American boys first had the chance to read the
notes in English about the time President Monroe was elected._




ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES


There once lived in a town of Persia two brothers, one named
Cassim, and the other Ali Baba. Their father divided a small
inheritance equally between them. Cassim married a very rich wife,
and became a wealthy merchant. Ali Baba married a woman as poor as
himself, and lived by cutting wood, and bringing it upon three
asses into the town to sell.

One day, when Ali Baba was in the forest, and had just cut wood
enough to load his asses, he saw at a distance a great cloud of
dust, which seemed to approach him. He observed it with attention,
and distinguished soon after a body of horsemen, whom he suspected
might be robbers. He determined to leave his asses to save
himself. He climbed up a large tree, planted on a high rock, whose
branches were thick enough to conceal him, and yet enabled him to
see all that passed without being discovered.

The troop, who were to the number of forty, all well mounted and
armed, came to the foot of the rock on which the tree stood, and
there dismounted. Every man unbridled his horse, tied him to some
shrub, and hung about his neck a bag of corn which they brought
behind them. Then each of them took off his saddle-bag, which
seemed to Ali Baba to be full of gold and silver from its weight.
One, whom he took to be their captain, came under the tree in
which Ali Baba was concealed; and, making his way through some
shrubs, pronounced these words--"Open, Sesame!" As soon as the
captain of the robbers had thus spoken, a door opened in the rock;
and after he had made all his troop enter before him, he followed
them, when the door shut again of itself.

The robbers stayed some time within the rock, during which Ali
Baba, fearful of being caught, remained in the tree.

At last the door opened again, and as the captain went in last, so
he came out first, and stood to see them all pass by him; when Ali
Baba heard him make the door close by pronouncing these words,
"Shut, Sesame!" Every man at once went and bridled his horse,
fastened his wallet, and mounted again. When the captain saw them
all ready, he put himself at their head, and they returned the way
they had come.

Ali Baba followed them with his eyes as far as he could see them,
and afterward stayed a considerable time before he descended.
Remembering the words the captain of the robbers used to cause the
door to open and shut, he had the curiosity to try if his
pronouncing them would have the same effect. Accordingly, he went
among the shrubs, and perceiving the door concealed behind them,
stood before it and said, "Open, Sesame!" The door instantly flew
wide open.

Ali Baba, who expected a dark, dismal cavern, was surprised to see
a well-lighted and spacious chamber, which received the light from
an opening at the top of the rock, and in which were all sorts of
provisions, rich bales of silk, stuff, brocade, and valuable
carpeting, piled upon one another, gold and silver ingots in great
heaps, and money in bags. The sight of all these riches made him
suppose that this cave must have been occupied for ages by
robbers, who had succeeded one another.

Ali Baba went boldly into the cave, and collected as much of the
gold coin, which was in bags, as he thought his three asses could
carry. When he had loaded them with the bags, he laid wood over
them in such a manner that they could not be seen. When he had
passed in and out as often as he wished, he stood before the door,
and pronouncing the words, "Shut, Sesame!" the door closed of
itself. He then made the best of his way to town.

When Ali Baba got home, he drove his asses into a little yard,
shut the gates very carefully, threw off the wood that covered the
panniers, carried the bags into the house, and ranged them in
order before his wife. He then emptied the bags, which raised such
a great heap of gold as dazzled his wife's eyes, and then he told
her the whole adventure from beginning to end, and, above all,
recommended her to keep it secret.

The wife rejoiced greatly at their good-fortune, and would count
all the gold piece by piece. "Wife," replied Ali Baba, "you do not
know what you undertake, when you pretend to count the money; you
will never have done. I will dig a hole and bury it. There is no
time to be lost." "You are in the right, husband," replied she;
"but let us know, as nigh as possible, how much we have. I will
borrow a small measure, and measure it while you dig the hole."

Away the wife ran to her brother-in-law Cassim, who lived just by,
and, addressing herself to his wife, desired her to lend her a
measure for a little while. Her sister-in-law asked her whether
she would have a great or a small one. The other asked for a small
one. She bade her stay a little, and she would readily fetch one.

The sister-in-law did so, but as she knew Ali Baba's poverty, she
was curious to know what sort of grain his wife wanted to measure,
and, artfully putting some suet at the bottom of the measure,
brought it to her, with the excuse that she was sorry that she had
made her stay so long, but that she could not find it sooner.

Ali Baba's wife went home, set the measure upon the heap of gold,
filled it, and emptied it often upon the sofa, till she had done,
when she was very well satisfied to find the number of measures
amounted to so many as they did, and went to tell her husband, who
had almost finished digging the hole. While Ali Baba was burying
the gold, his wife, to show her exactness and diligence to her
sister-in-law, carried the measure back again, but without taking
notice that a piece of gold had stuck to the bottom. "Sister,"
said she, giving it to her again, "you see that I have not kept
your measure long. I am obliged to you for it, and return it with
thanks."

As soon as Ali Baba's wife was gone, Cassim's wife looked at the
bottom of the measure, and was in inexpressible surprise to find a
piece of gold sticking to it. Envy immediately possessed her
breast. "What!" said she, "has Ali Baba gold so plentiful as to
measure it? Whence has he all this wealth?"

Cassim, her husband, was at his counting-house. When he came home
his wife said to him, "Cassim, I know you think yourself rich, but
Ali Baba is infinitely richer than you. He does not count his
money, but measures it." Cassim desired her to explain the riddle,
which she did by telling him the stratagem she had used to make
the discovery, and showed him the piece of money, which was so old
that they could not tell in what prince's reign it was coined.

Cassim, after he had married the rich widow, had never treated Ali
Baba as a brother, but neglected him; and now, instead of being
pleased, he conceived a base envy at his brother's prosperity. He
could not sleep all that night, and went to him in the morning
before sunrise. "Ali Baba," said he, "I am surprised at you! you
pretend to be miserably poor, and yet you measure gold. My wife
found this at the bottom of the measure you borrowed yesterday."

By this discourse, Ali Baba perceived that Cassim and his wife,
through his own wife's folly, knew what they had so much reason to
conceal; but what was done could not be undone. Therefore, without
showing the least surprise or trouble, he confessed all, and
offered his brother part of his treasure to keep the secret.

"I expect as much," replied Cassim haughtily; "but I must know
exactly where this treasure is, and how I may visit it myself
when I choose; otherwise, I will go and inform against you, and
then you will not only get no more, but will lose all you have,
and I shall have a share for my information."

Ali Baba told him all he desired, even to the very words he was to
use to gain admission into the cave.

Cassim rose the next morning long before the sun, and set out for
the forest with ten mules bearing great chests, which he designed
to fill, and followed the road which Ali Baba had pointed out to
him. It was not long before he reached the rock, and found out the
place, by the tree and other marks which his brother had given
him. When he reached the entrance of the cavern, he pronounced the
words, "Open, Sesame!" The door immediately opened, and when he
was in, closed upon him. On examining the cave, he was in great
admiration to find much more riches than he had expected from Ali
Baba's relation. He quickly laid as many bags of gold as he could
carry at the door of the cavern; but his thoughts were so full of
the great riches he should possess, that he could not think of the
necessary word to make it open, and instead of "Sesame" said,
"Open, Barley!" and was much amazed to find that the door remained
fast shut. He named several sorts of grain, but still the door
would not open.

Cassim had never expected such an incident, and was so alarmed at
the danger he was in, that the more he endeavored to remember the
word "Sesame," the more his memory was confounded, and he had as
much forgotten it as if he had never heard it mentioned, He threw
down the bags he had loaded himself with, and walked distractedly
up and down the cave, without having the least regard to the
riches that were round him.

About noon the robbers visited their cave. At some distance they
saw Cassim's mules straggling about the rock, with great chests on
their backs. Alarmed at this, they galloped full speed to the
cave. They drove away the mules, who strayed through the forest so
far that they were soon out of sight, and went directly, with
their naked sabres in their hands, to the door, which, on their
captain pronouncing the proper words, immediately opened.

Cassim, who heard the noise of the horses' feet, at once guessed
the arrival of the robbers, and resolved to make one effort for
his life. He rushed to the door, and no sooner saw the door open,
than he ran out and threw the leader down, but could not escape
the other robbers, who with their cimeters soon deprived him of
life.

The first care of the robbers after this was to examine the cave.
They found all the bags which Cassim had brought to the door, to
be ready to load his mules, and carried them again to their
places, but they did not miss what Ali Baba had taken away before.
Then holding a council, and deliberating upon this occurrence,
they guessed that Cassim, when he was in, could not get out again,
but could not imagine how he had learned the secret words by which
alone he could enter. They could not deny the fact of his being
there; and to terrify any person or accomplice who should attempt
the same thing, they agreed to cut Cassim's body into four
quarters--to hang two on one side, and two on the other, within
the door of the cave. They had no sooner taken this resolution
than they put it in execution; and when they had nothing more to
detain them, left the place of their hoards well closed. They
mounted their horses, went to beat the roads again, and to attack
the caravans they might meet.

In the meantime, Cassim's wife was very uneasy when night came,
and her husband was not returned. She ran to Ali Baba in great
alarm, and said: "I believe, brother-in-law, that you know Cassim
is gone to the forest, and upon what account; it is now night, and
he has not returned; I am afraid some misfortune has happened to
him." Ali Baba told her that she need not frighten herself, for
that certainly Cassim would not think it proper to come into the
town till the night should be pretty far advanced.

Cassim's wife, considering how much it concerned her husband to
keep the business secret, was the more easily persuaded to believe
her brother-in-law. She went home again, and waited patiently till
midnight. Then her fear redoubled, and her grief was the more
sensible because she was forced to keep it to herself. She
repented of her foolish curiosity, and cursed her desire of prying
into the affairs of her brother and sister-in-law. She spent all
the night in weeping; and, as soon as it was day, went to them,
telling them, by her tears, the cause of her coming.

Ali Baba did not wait for his sister-in-law to desire him to go to
see what was become of Cassim, but departed immediately with his
three asses, begging of her first to moderate her affliction. He
went to the forest, and when he came near the rock, having seen
neither his brother nor the mules in his way, was seriously
alarmed at finding some blood spilled near the door, which he took
for an ill omen; but when he had pronounced the word, and the door
had opened, he was struck with horror at the dismal sight of his
brother's body. He was not long in determining how he should pay
the last dues to his brother; but without adverting to the little
fraternal affection he had shown for him, went into the cave to
find something to enshroud his remains; and having loaded one of
his asses with them, covered them over with wood. The other two
asses he loaded with bags of gold, covering them with wood also as
before; and then bidding the door shut, came away; but was so
cautious as to stop some time at the end of the forest, that he
might not go into the town before night. When he came home, he
drove the two asses loaded with gold into his little yard, and
left the care of unloading them to his wife, while he led the
other to his sister-in-law's house.

Ali Baba knocked at the door, which was opened by Morgiana, a
clever, intelligent slave, who was fruitful in inventions to meet
the most difficult circumstances. When he came into the court, he
unloaded the ass, and taking Morgiana aside, said to her: "You
must observe an inviolable secrecy. Your master's body is
contained in these two panniers. We must bury him as if he had
died a natural death. Go now and tell your mistress. I leave the
matter to your wit and skilful devices."

Ali Baba helped to place the body in Cassim's house, again
recommended to Morgiana to act her part well, and then returned
with his ass.

Morgiana went out, early the next morning to a druggist, and asked
for a sort of lozenge which was considered efficacious in the most
dangerous disorders. The apothecary inquired who was ill. She
replied, with a sigh, Her good master, Cassim himself, and that he
could neither eat nor speak. In the evening Morgiana went to the
same druggist's again, and with tears in her eyes, asked for an
essence which they used to give to sick people only when at the
last extremity. "Alas!" said she, taking it from the apothecary,
"I am afraid that this remedy will have no better effect than the
lozenges; and that I shall lose my good master."

On the other hand, as Ali Baba and his wife were often seen to go
between Cassim's and their own house all that day, and to seem
melancholy, nobody was surprised in the evening to hear the
lamentable shrieks and cries of Cassim's wife and Morgiana, who
gave out everywhere that her master was dead. The next morning at
daybreak, Morgiana went to an old cobbler whom she knew to be
always early at his stall, and bidding him good-morrow, put a
piece of gold into his hand, saying, "Baba Mustapha, you must
bring with you your sewing tackle, and come with me; but I must
tell you, I shall blindfold you when you come to such a place."

Baba Mustapha seemed to hesitate a little at these words. "Oh!
oh!" replied he, "you must have me do something against my
conscience, or against my honor?" "God forbid," said Morgiana,
putting another piece of gold into his hand, "that I should ask
anything that is contrary to your honor! only come along with me
and fear nothing."

Baba Mustapha went with Morgiana, who, after she had bound his
eyes with a handkerchief at the place she had mentioned, conveyed
him to her deceased master's house, and never unloosed his eyes
till he had entered the room where she had put the corpse
together.

"Baba Mustapha," said she, "you must make haste and sew the parts
of this body together; and when you have done, I will give you
another piece of gold."

After Baba Mustapha had finished his task, she blindfolded him
again, gave him the third piece of gold as she had promised, and
recommending secrecy to him, carried him back to the place where
she first bound his eyes, pulled off the bandage, and let him go
home, but watched him that he returned toward his stall, till he
was quite out of sight, for fear he should have the curiosity to
return and dodge her; she then went home. Morgiana, on her return,
warmed some water to wash the body, and at the same time Ali Baba
perfumed it with incense, and wrapped it in the burying clothes
with the accustomed ceremonies. Not long after, the proper officer
brought the bier, and when the attendants of the mosque, whose
business it was to wash the dead, offered to perform their duty,
she told them that it was done already. Shortly after this the
imaun and the other ministers of the mosque arrived. Four
neighbors carried the corpse to the burying ground, following the
imaun, who recited some prayers. Ali Baba came after with some
neighbors, who often relieved the others in carrying the bier to
the burying ground. Morgiana, a slave to the deceased, followed in
the procession, weeping, beating her breast, and tearing her hair.
Cassim's wife stayed at home mourning, uttering lamentable cries
with the women of the neighborhood, who came, according to custom,
during the funeral, and, joining their lamentations with hers,
filled the quarter far and near with sounds of sorrow.

In this manner Cassim's melancholy death was concealed, and hushed
up between Ali Baba, his widow, and Morgiana, his slave, with so
much contrivance that nobody in the city had the least knowledge
or suspicion of the cause of it. Three or four days after the
funeral, Ali Baba removed his few goods openly to his sister-in-
law's house, in which it was agreed that he should in future live;
but the money he had taken from the robbers he conveyed thither by
night. As for Cassim's warehouse, he intrusted it entirely to the
management of his eldest son.

While these things were being done, the forty robbers again
visited their retreat in the forest. Great, then, was their
surprise to find Cassim's body taken away, with some of their bags
of gold. "We are certainly discovered," said the captain. "The
removal of the body and the loss of some of our money plainly show
that the man whom we killed had an accomplice; and for our own
lives' sake we must try and find him. What say you, my lads?"

All the robbers unanimously approved of the captain's proposal.

"Well," said the captain, "one of you, the boldest and most
skilful among you, must go into the town, disguised as a traveller
and a stranger, to try if he can hear any talk of the man whom we
have killed, and endeavor to find out who he was, and where he
lived. This is a matter of the first importance, and for fear of
any treachery, I propose that whoever undertakes this business
without success, even though the failure arises only from an error
of judgment, shall suffer death."

Without waiting for the sentiments of his companions, one of the
robbers started up, and said, "I submit to this condition, and
think it an honor to expose my life to serve the troop."

After this robber had received great commendations from the
captain and his comrades, he disguised himself so that nobody
would take him for what he was; and taking his leave of the troop
that night, went into the town just at daybreak, and walked up and
down, till accidentally he came to Baba Mustapha's stall, which
was always open before any of the shops.

Baba Mustapha was seated with an awl in his hand, just going to
work.

The robber saluted him, bidding him good-morrow; and, perceiving
that he was old, said, "Honest man, you begin to work very early:
is it possible that one of your age can see so well? I question,
even if it were somewhat lighter, whether you could see to
stitch."

"You do not know me," replied Baba Mustapha; "for old as I am, I
have extraordinary good eyes; and you will not doubt it when I
tell you that I sewed the body of a dead man together in a place
where I had not so much light as I have now."

"A dead body!" exclaimed the robber, with affected amazement.
"Yes, yes," answered Baba Mustapha; "I see you want to have me
speak out, but you shall know no more."

The robber felt sure that he had discovered what he sought. He
pulled out a piece of gold, and putting it into Baba Mustapha's
hand, said to him, "I do not want to learn your secret, though I
can assume you you might safely trust me with it. The only thing I
desire of you is to show me the house where you stitched up the
dead body."

"If I were disposed to do you that favor," replied Baba Mustapha,
"I assure you I cannot. I was taken to a certain place, whence I
was led blindfold to the house, and afterward brought back again
in the same manner; you see, therefore, the impossibility of my
doing what you desire."

"Well," replied the robber, "you may, however, remember a little
of the way that you were led blindfold. Come, let me blind your
eyes at the same place. We will walk together; perhaps you may
recognize some part; and as everybody ought to be paid for their
trouble, there is another piece of gold for you; gratify me in
what I ask you." So saying, he put another piece of gold into his
hand.

The two pieces of gold were great temptations to Baba Mustapha. He
looked at them a long time in his hand without saying a word, but
at last he pulled out his purse and put them in. "I cannot
promise," said he to the robber, "that I can remember the way
exactly; but since you desire, I will try what I can do." At these
words Baba Mustapha rose up, to the great joy of the robber, and
led him to the place where Morgiana had bound his eyes. "It was
here," said Baba Mustapha, "I was blindfolded; and I turned this
way." The robber tied his handkerchief over his eyes, and walked
by him till they stopped directly at Cassim's house, where Ali
Baba then lived. The thief, before he pulled off the band, marked
the door with a piece of chalk, which he had ready in his hand,
and then asked him if he knew whose house that was; to which Baba
Mustapha replied, that as he did not live in that neighborhood he
could not tell.

The robber, finding he could discover no more from Baba Mustapha,
thanked him for the trouble he had taken, and left him to go back
to his stall, while he returned to the forest, persuaded that he
should be very well received.

A little after the robber and Baba Mustapha had parted, Morgiana
went out of Ali Baba's house upon some errand, and upon her
return, seeing the mark the robber had made, stopped to observe
it. "What can be the meaning of this mark?" said she to herself;
"somebody intends my master no good: however, with whatever
intention it was done, it is advisable to guard against the
worst." Accordingly, she fetched a piece of chalk, and marked two
or three doors on each side, in the same manner, without saying a
word to her master or mistress.

In the meantime, the robber rejoined his troop in the forest, and
recounted to them his success, expatiating upon his good fortune
in meeting so soon with the only person who could inform him of
what he wanted to know. All the robbers listened to him with the
utmost satisfaction; when the captain, after commending his
diligence, addressing himself to them all, said, "Comrades, we
have no time to lose: let us set off well armed, without its
appearing who we are; but that we may not excite any suspicion,
let only one or two go into the town together, and join at our
rendezvous, which shall be the great square. In the meantime, our
comrade who brought us the good news and I will go and find out
the house, that we may consult what had best be done."

This speech and plan were approved of by all, and they were soon
ready. They filed off in parties of two each, after some interval
of time, and got into the town without being in the least
suspected. The captain, and he who had visited the town in the
morning as spy, came in the last. He led the captain into the
street where he had marked Ali Baba's residence; and when they
came to the first of the houses which Morgiana had marked, he
pointed it out. But the captain observed that the next door was
chalked in the same manner, and in the same place; and showing it
to his guide, asked him which house it was, that, or the first.
The guide was so confounded that he knew not what answer to make,
but still more puzzled when he and the captain saw five or six
houses similarly marked. He assured the captain, with an oath,
that he had marked but one, and could not tell who had chalked the
rest, so that he could not distinguish the house which the cobbler
had stopped at.

The captain, finding that their design had proved abortive, went
directly to the place of rendezvous, and told his troop that they
had lost their labor, and must return to their cave. He himself
set them the example, and they all returned as they had come.

When the troop was all got together, the captain told them the
reason of their returning; and presently the conductor was
declared by all worthy of death. He condemned himself, acknowledging
that he ought to have taken better precaution, and prepared
to receive the stroke from him who was appointed to cut off
his head. But as the safety of the troop required the discovery
of the second intruder into the cave, another of the gang,
who promised himself that he should succeed better, presented
himself, and his offer being accepted, he went and corrupted
Baba Mustapha, as the other had done; and, being shown the
house, marked it in a place more remote from sight with red chalk.

Not long after, Morgiana, whose eyes nothing could escape, went
out, and seeing the red chalk, and arguing with herself as she had
done before, marked the other neighbors' houses in the same place
and manner.

The robber, at his return to his company, valued himself much on
the precaution he had taken, which he looked upon as an infallible
way of distinguishing Ali Baba's house from the others; and the
captain and all of them thought it must succeed. They conveyed
themselves into the town with the same precaution as before; but
when the robber and his captain came to the street they found the
same difficulty; at which the captain was enraged, and the robber
in as great confusion as his predecessor.

Thus the captain and his troop were forced to retire a second
time, and much more dissatisfied; while the robber, who had been
the author of the mistake, underwent the same punishment, which he
willingly submitted to.

The captain, having lost two brave fellows of his troop, was
afraid of diminishing it too much by pursuing this plan to get
information of the residence of their plunderer. He found by their
example that their heads were not so good as their hands on such
occasions, and therefore resolved to take upon himself the
important commission.

Accordingly, he went and addressed himself to Baba Mustapha, who
did him the same service he had done to the other robbers. He did
not set any particular mark on the house, but examined and
observed it so carefully, by passing often by it, that it was
impossible for him to mistake it.

The captain, well satisfied with his attempt, and informed of what
he wanted to know, returned to the forest; and when he came into
the cave, where the troop waited for him, said, "Now, comrades,
nothing can prevent our full revenge, as I am certain of the
house; and in my way hither I have thought how to put it into
execution, but if any one can form a better expedient, let him
communicate it." He then told them his contrivance; and as they
approved of it, ordered them to go into the villages about, and
buy nineteen mules, with thirty-eight large leather jars, one full
of oil, and the others empty.

In two or three days' time the robbers had purchased the mules and
jars, and as the mouths of the jars were rather too narrow for his
purpose, the captain caused them to be widened; and after having
put one of his men into each, with the weapons which he thought
fit, leaving open the seam which had been undone to leave them
room to breathe, he rubbed the jars on the outside with oil from
the full vessel.

Things being thus prepared, when the nineteen mules were loaded
with thirty-seven robbers in jars, and the jar of oil, the
captain, as their driver, set out with them, and reached the town
by the dusk of the evening, as he had intended. He led them
through the streets till he came to Ali Baba's, at whose door he
designed to have knocked; but was prevented by his sitting there
after supper to take a little fresh air. He stopped his mules,
addressed himself to him, and said, "I have brought some oil a
great way to sell at to-morrow's market; and it is now so late
that I do not know where to lodge. If I should not be troublesome
to you, do me the favor to let me pass the night with you, and I
shall be very much obliged by your hospitality."

Though Ali Baba had seen the captain of the robbers in the forest,
and had heard him speak, it was impossible to know him in the
disguise of an oil merchant. He told him he should be welcome, and
immediately opened his gates for the mules to go into the yard. At
the same time he called to a slave, and ordered him, when the
mules were unloaded, to put them into the stable, and to feed
them; and then went to Morgiana to bid her to get a good supper
for his guest. After they had finished supper, Ali Baba, charging
Morgiana afresh to take care of his guest, said to her, "To-morrow
morning I design to go to the bath before day; take care my
bathing linen be ready, give them to Abdalla (which was the
slave's name) and make me some good broth against I return." After
this he went to bed.

In the meantime the captain of the robbers went into the yard,
took off the lid of each jar, and gave his people orders what to
do. Beginning at the first jar, and so on to the last, he said to
each man: "As soon as I throw some stones out of the chamber
window where I lie, do not fail to come out, and I will
immediately join you." After this he returned into the house, when
Morgiana, taking up a light, conducted him to his chamber, where
she left him; and he, to avoid any suspicion, put the light out
soon after, and laid himself down in his clothes, that he might be
the more ready to rise.

Morgiana, remembering Ali Baba's orders, got his bathing linen
ready, and ordered Abdalla to set on the pot for the broth; but
while she was preparing it the lamp went out, and there was no
more oil in the house, nor any candles. What to do she did not
know, for the broth must be made. Abdalla, seeing her very uneasy,
said, "Do not fret and tease yourself, but go into the yard, and
take some oil out of one of the jars."

Morgiana thanked Abdalla for his advice, took the oil-pot, and
went into the yard; when, as she came nigh the first jar, the
robber within said softly, "Is it time?"

Though naturally much surprised at finding a man in the jar
instead of the oil she wanted, she immediately felt the importance
of keeping silence, as Ali Baba, his family, and herself were in
great danger; and, collecting herself, without showing the least
emotion, she answered, "Not yet, but presently." She went quietly
in this manner to all the jars, giving the same answer, till she
came to the jar of oil.

By this means Morgiana found that her master Ali Baba had admitted
thirty-eight robbers into his house, and that this pretended oil
merchant was their captain. She made what haste she could to fill
her oil-pot, and returned into the kitchen, where, as soon as she
had lighted her lamp, she took a great kettle, went again to the
oil-jar, filled the kettle, set it on a large wood fire, and as
soon as it boiled, went and poured enough into every jar to stifle
and destroy the robber within.

When this action, worthy of the courage of Morgiana, was executed
without any noise, as she had projected, she returned into the
kitchen with the empty kettle; and having put out the great fire,
she had made to boil the oil, and leaving just enough to make the
broth, put out the lamp also, and remained silent, resolving not
to go to rest till she had observed what might follow through a
window of the kitchen, which opened into the yard.

She had not waited long before the captain of the robbers got up,
opened the window, and finding no light, and hearing no noise, or
any one stirring in the house, gave the appointed signal by
throwing little stones, several of which hit the jars, as he
doubted not by the sound they gave. He then listened, but not
hearing or perceiving anything whereby he could judge that his
companions stirred, he began to grow very uneasy, threw stones a
second and also a third time, and could not comprehend the reason
that none of them should answer his signal. Much alarmed, he went
softly down into the yard, and going to the first jar, while
asking the robber, whom he thought alive, if he was in readiness,
smelled the hot boiled oil, which sent forth a steam out of the
jar. Hence he suspected that his plot to murder Ali Baba, and
plunder his house, was discovered. Examining all the jars, one
after another, he found that all his gang were dead; and, enraged
to despair at having failed in his design, he forced the lock of a
door that led from the yard to the garden, and, climbing over the
walls, made his escape.

When Morgiana saw him depart, she went to bed, satisfied and
pleased to have succeeded so well in saving her master and family.

Ali Baba rose before day, and, followed by his slave, went to the
baths, entirely ignorant of the important event which had happened
at home.

When he returned from the baths, he was very much surprised to see
the oil jars, and that the merchant was not gone with the mules.
He asked Morgiana, who opened the door, the reason of it. "My good
master," answered she, "God preserve you and all your family. You
will be better informed of what you wish to know when you have
seen what I have to show you, if you will follow me."

As soon as Morgiana had shut the door, Ali Baba followed her, when
she requested him to look into the first jar, and see if there was
any oil. Ali Baba did so, and seeing a man, started back in alarm,
and cried out. "Do not be afraid," said Morgiana, "the man you see
there can neither do you nor anybody else any harm. He is dead."
"Ah, Morgiana," said Ali Baba, "what is it you show me? Explain
yourself." "I will," replied Morgiana. "Moderate your astonishment,
and do not excite the curiosity of your neighbors; for it
is of great importance to keep this affair secret. Look into
all the other jars."

Ali Baba examined all the other jars, one after another; and when
he came to that which had the oil in, found it prodigiously sunk,
and stood for some time motionless, sometimes looking at the jars,
and sometimes at Morgiana, without saying a word, so great was his
surprise.

At last, when he had recovered himself, he said, "And what is
become of the merchant?"

"Merchant!" answered she; "he is as much one as I am. I will tell
you who he is, and what is become of him; but you had better hear
the story in your own chamber; for it is time for your health that
you had your broth after your bathing."

Morgiana then told him all she had done, from the first observing
the mark upon the house, to the destruction of the robbers, and
the flight of their captain.

On hearing of these brave deeds from the lips of Morgiana, Ali
Baba said to her, "God, by your means, has delivered me from the
snares these robbers laid for my destruction. I owe, therefore, my
life to you; and, for the first token of my acknowledgment, give
you your liberty from this moment, till I can complete your
recompense, as I intend."

Ali Baba's garden was very long, and shaded at the further end by
a great number of large trees. Near these he and the slave Abdalla
dug a trench, long and wide enough to hold the bodies of the
robbers; and as the earth was light, they were not long in doing
it. When this was done, Ali Baba hid the jars and weapons; and as
he had no occasion for the mules, he sent them at different times
to be sold in the market by his slave.

While Ali Baba took these measures, the captain of the forty
robbers returned to the forest with inconceivable mortification.
He did not stay long: the loneliness of the gloomy cavern became
frightful to him. He determined, however, to avenge the fate of
his companions, and to accomplish the death of Ali Baba. For this
purpose he returned to the town and took a lodging in a khan, and
disguised himself as a merchant in silks. Under this assumed
character, he gradually conveyed a great many sorts of rich stuffs
and fine linen to his lodging from the cavern, but with all the
necessary precautions to conceal the place whence he brought them.
In order to dispose of the merchandise, when he had thus amassed
them together, he took a warehouse, which happened to be opposite
to Cassim's, which Ali Baba's son had occupied since the death of
his uncle.

He took the name of Cogia Houssain, and, as a newcomer, was,
according to custom, extremely civil and complaisant to all the
merchants his neighbors. Ali Baba's son was, from his vicinity,
one of the first to converse with Cogia Houssain, who strove to
cultivate his friendship more particularly. Two or three days
after he was settled, Ali Baba came to see his son, and the
captain of the robbers recognized him at once, and soon learned
from his son who he was. After this he increased his assiduities,
caressed him in the most engaging manner, made him some small
presents, and often asked him to dine and sup with him, when he
treated him very handsomely.

Ali Baba's son did not choose to lie under such obligation to
Cogia Houssain; but was so much straitened for want of room in his
house that he could not entertain him. He therefore acquainted his
father, Ali Baba, with his wish to invite him in return.

Ali Baba with great pleasure took the treat upon himself. "Son,"
said he, "to-morrow being Friday, which is a day that the shops of
such great merchants as Cogia Houssain and yourself are shut, get
him to accompany you, and as you pass by my door, call in. I will
go and order Morgiana to provide a supper."

The next day Ali Baba's son and Cogia Houssain met by appointment,
took their walk, and as they returned, Ali Baba's son led Cogia
Houssain through the street where his father lived, and when they
came to the house, stopped and knocked at the door. "This, sir,"
said he, "is my father's house, who, from the account I have given
him of your friendship, charged me to procure him the honor of
your acquaintance; and I desire you to add this pleasure to those
for which I am already indebted to you."

Though it was the sole aim of Cogia Houssain to introduce himself
into Ali Baba's house that he might kill him, without hazarding
his own life or making any noise, yet he excused himself and
offered to take his leave; but a slave having opened the door, Ali
Baba's son took him obligingly by the hand, and, in a manner,
forced him in.

Ali Baba received Cogia Houssain with a smiling countenance, and
in the most obliging manner he could wish. He thanked him for all
the favors he had done his son; adding withal, the obligation was
the greater as he was a young man, not much acquainted with the
world, and that he might contribute to his information.

Cogia Houssain returned the compliment by assuring Ali Baba that
though his son might not have acquired the experience of older
men, he had good sense equal to the experience of many others.
After a little more conversation on different subjects, he offered
again to take his leave, when Ali Baba, stopping him, said, "Where
are you going, sir, in so much haste? I beg you would do me the
honor to sup with me, though my entertainment may not be worthy of
your acceptance; such as it is, I heartily offer it." "Sir,"
replied Cogia Houssain, "I am thoroughly persuaded of your good-
will; but the truth is, I can eat no victuals that have any salt
in them; therefore judge how I should feel at your table." "If
that is the only reason," said Ali Baba, "it ought not to deprive
me of the honor of your company; for, in the first place, there
is no salt ever put into my bread, and as to the meat we shall
have to-night, I promise you there shall be none in that.
Therefore you must do me the favor to stay. I will return
immediately."

Ali Baba went into the kitchen, and ordered Morgiana to put no
salt in the meat that was to be dressed that night; and to make
quickly two or three ragouts besides what he had ordered, but be
sure to put no salt in them.

Morgiana, who was always ready to obey her master, could not help
being surprised at his strange order. "Who is this strange man,"
said she, "who eats no salt with his meat? Your supper will be
spoiled if I keep it back so long." "Do not be angry, Morgiana,"
replied Ali Baba; "he is an honest man, therefore do as I bid
you."

Morgiana obeyed, though with no little reluctance, and had a
curiosity to see this man who ate no salt. To this end, when she
had finished what she had to do in the kitchen, she helped Abdalla
to carry up the dishes; and looking at Cogia Houssain, knew him at
first sight, notwithstanding his disguise, to be the captain of
the robbers, and examining him very carefully, perceived that he
had a dagger under his garment. "I am not in the least amazed,"
said she to herself, "that this wicked man, who is my master's
greatest enemy, would eat no salt with him, since he intends to
assassinate him; but I will prevent him."

Morgiana, while they were at supper, determined in her own mind to
execute one of the boldest acts ever meditated.

When Abdalla came for the dessert or fruit, and had put it with
the wine and glasses before Ali Baba, Morgiana retired, dressed
herself neatly, with a suitable head-dress like a dancer, girded
her waist with a silver-gilt girdle, to which there hung a poniard
with a hilt and guard of the same metal, and put a handsome mask
on her face.

When she had thus disguised herself, she said to Abdalla, "Take
your tabor, and let us go and divert our master and his son's
friend, as we do sometimes when he is alone."

Abdalla took his tabor and played all the way into the hall before
Morgiana, who, when she came to the door, made a low obeisance by
way of asking leave to exhibit her skill, while Abdalla left off
playing. "Come in, Morgiana," said Ali Baba, "and let Cogia
Houssain see what you can do, that he may tell us what he thinks
of your performance."

Cogia Houssain, who did not expect this diversion after supper,
began to fear he should not be able to take advantage of the
opportunity he thought he had found; but hoped, if he now missed
his aim to secure it another time, by keeping up a friendly
correspondence with the father and son; therefore, though he could
have wished Ali Baba would have declined the dance, he pretended
to be obliged to him for it, and had the complaisance to express
his satisfaction at what he saw, which pleased his host.

As soon as Abdalla saw that Ali Baba and Cogia Houssain had done
talking, he began to play on the tabor, and accompanied it with an
air, to which Morgiana, who was an excellent performer, danced in
such a manner as would have created admiration in any company.

After she had danced several dances with much grace, she drew the
poniard, and holding it in her hand, began a dance, in which she
outdid herself, by the many different figures, light movements,
and the surprising leaps and wonderful exertions with which she
accompanied it. Sometimes she presented the poniard to one breast,
sometimes to another, and oftentimes seemed to strike her own. At
last she snatched the tabor from Abdalla with her left hand, and
holding the dagger in her right, presented the other side of the
tabor, after the manner of those who get a livelihood by dancing,
and solicit the liberality of the spectators.

Ali Baba put a piece of gold into the tabor, as did also his son;
and Cogia Houssain, seeing that she was coming to him, had pulled
his purse out of his bosom to make her a present; but while he was
putting his hand into it, Morgiana, with a courage and resolution
worthy of herself, plunged the poniard into his heart.

Ali Baba and his son, shocked at this action, cried out aloud.
"Unhappy woman!" exclaimed Ali Baba, "what have you done, to ruin
me and my family?" "It was to preserve, not to ruin you," answered
Morgiana; "for see here," continued she, opening the pretended
Cogia Houssain's garment, and showing the dagger, "what an enemy
you had entertained! Look well at him, and you will find him to be
both the fictitious oil merchant, and the captain of the gang of
forty robbers. Remember, too, that he would eat no salt with you;
and what would you have more to persuade you of his wicked design?
Before I saw him, I suspected him as soon as you told me you had
such a guest. I knew him, and you now find that my suspicion was
not groundless."

Ali Baba, who immediately felt the new obligation he had to
Morgiana for saving his life a second time, embraced her:
"Morgiana," said he, "I gave you your liberty, and then promised
you that my gratitude should not stop there, but that I would soon
give you higher proofs of its sincerity, which I now do by making
you my daughter-in-law." Then addressing himself to his son, he
said: "I believe you, son, to be so dutiful a child, that you will
not refuse Morgiana for your wife. You see that Cogia Houssain
sought your friendship with a treacherous design to take away my
life; and if he had succeeded, there is no doubt but he would have
sacrificed you also to his revenge. Consider, that by marrying
Morgiana you marry the preserver of my family and your own."

The son, far from showing any dislike, readily consented to the
marriage; not only because he would not disobey his father, but
also because it was agreeable to his inclination. After this they
thought of burying the captain of the robbers with his comrades,
and did it so privately that nobody discovered their bones till
many years after, when no one had any concern in the publication
of this remarkable history. A few days afterward Ali Baba
celebrated the nuptials of his son and Morgiana with great
solemnity, a sumptuous feast, and the usual dancing and
spectacles; and had the satisfaction to see that his friends and
neighbors, whom he invited, had no knowledge of the true motives
of the marriage; but that those who were not unacquainted with
Morgiana's good qualities, commended his generosity and goodness
of heart. Ali Baba did not visit the robbers' cave for a whole
year, as he supposed the other two might be alive.

At the year's end, when he found they had not made any attempt to
disturb him, he had the curiosity to make another journey. He
mounted his horse, and when he came to the cave he alighted, tied
his horse to a tree, then approaching the entrance, and
pronouncing the words, "Open, Sesame!" the door opened. He entered
the cavern and by the condition he found things in, judged that
nobody had been there since the captain had fetched the goods for
his shop. From this time he believed he was the only person in the
world who had the secret of opening the cave, and that all the
treasure was at his sole disposal. He put as much gold into his
saddle-bag as his horse could carry, and returned to town. Some
years later he carried his son to the cave and taught him the
secret, which descended to his posterity, who, using their good-
fortune with moderation, lived in honor and splendor.




THE STORY OF ALADDIN; OR THE WONDERFUL LAMP


There once lived, in one of the large and rich cities of China, a
tailor, named Mustapha. He was very poor. He could hardly, by his
daily labor, maintain himself and his family, which consisted only
of his wife and a son.

His son, who was called Aladdin, was a very careless and idle
fellow. He was disobedient to his father and mother, and would go
out early in the morning and stay out all day, playing in the
streets and public places with idle children of his own age.

When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father took him into
his own shop, and taught him how to use his needle; but all his
father's endeavors to keep him to his work were vain, for no
sooner was his back turned than he was gone for that day. Mustapha
chastised him; but Aladdin was incorrigible, and his father, to
his great grief, was forced to abandon him to his idleness, and
was so much troubled about him that he fell sick and died in a few
months.

Aladdin, who was now no longer restrained by the fear of a father,
gave himself entirely over to his idle habits, and was never out
of the streets from his companions. This course he followed till
he was fifteen years old, without giving his mind to any useful
pursuit, or the least reflection on what would become of him. As
he was one day playing, according to custom, in the street with
his evil associates, a stranger passing by stood to observe him.

This stranger was a sorcerer, known as the African magician, as he
had been but two days arrived from Africa, his native country.

The African magician, observing in Aladdin's countenance something
which assured him that he was a fit boy for his purpose, inquired
his name and history of some of his companions; and when he had
learned all he desired to know, went up to him, and taking him
aside from his comrades, said, "Child, was not your father called
Mustapha the tailor?" "Yes, sir," answered the boy; "but he has
been dead a long time."

At these words the African magician threw his arms about Aladdin's
neck, and kissed him several times, with tears in his eyes, and
said, "I am your uncle. Your worthy father was my own brother. I
knew you at first sight; you are so like him." Then he gave
Aladdin a handful of small money, saying, "Go, my son, to your
mother, give my love to her, and tell her that I will visit her
to-morrow, that I may see where my good brother lived so long, and
ended his days."

Aladdin ran to his mother, overjoyed at the money his uncle had
given him. "Mother," said he, "have I an uncle?" "No, child,"
replied his mother, "you have no uncle by your father's side or
mine." "I am just now come," said Aladdin, "from a man who says he
is my uncle and my father's brother. He cried and kissed me when I
told him my father was dead, and gave me money, sending his love
to you, and promising to come and pay you a visit, that he may see
the house my father lived and died in." "Indeed, child," replied
the mother, "your father had no brother, nor have you an uncle."

The next day the magician found Aladdin playing in another part of
the town, and embracing him as before, put two pieces of gold into
his hand, and said to him, "Carry this, child, to your mother.
Tell her that I will come and see her to-night, and bid her get us
something for supper; but first show me the house where you live."

Aladdin showed the African magician the house, and carried the two
pieces of gold to his mother, who went out and bought provisions;
and, considering she wanted various utensils, borrowed them of her
neighbors. She spent the whole day in preparing the supper; and at
night, when it was ready, said to her son, "Perhaps the stranger
knows not how to find our house; go and bring him, if you meet
with him."

Aladdin was just ready to go, when the magician knocked at the
door, and came in loaded with wine and all sorts of fruits, which
he brought for a dessert. After he had given what he brought into
Aladdin's hands, he saluted his mother, and desired her to show
him the place where his brother Mustapha used to sit on the sofa;
and when she had done so, he fell down and kissed it several
times, crying out, with tears in his eyes, "My poor brother! how
unhappy am I, not to have come soon enough to give you one last
embrace!" Aladdin's mother desired him to sit down in the same
place, but he declined.

"No," said he, "I shall not do that; but give me leave to sit
opposite to it, that, although I see not the master of a family
so dear to me, I may at least behold the place where he used to
sit."

When the magician had made choice of a place, and sat down, he
began to enter into discourse with Aladdin's mother. "My good
sister," said he, "do not be surprised at your never having seen
me all the time you have been married to my brother Mustapha of
happy memory. I have been forty years absent from this country,
which is my native place, as well as my late brother's; and during
that time have travelled into the Indies, Persia, Arabia, Syria,
and Egypt, and afterward crossed over into Africa, where I took up
my abode. At last, as it is natural for a man, I was desirous to
see my native country again, and to embrace my dear brother; and
finding I had strength enough to undertake so long a journey, I
made the necessary preparations, and set out. Nothing ever
afflicted me so much as hearing of my brother's death. But God be
praised for all things! It is a comfort for me to find, as it
were, my brother in a son who has his most remarkable features."

The African magician, perceiving that the widow wept at the
remembrance of her husband, changed the conversation, and turning
toward her son, asked him, "What business do you follow? Are you
of any trade?"

At this question the youth hung down his head, and was not a
little abashed when his mother answered, "Aladdin is an idle
fellow. His father, when alive, strove all he could to teach him
his trade, but could not succeed; and since his death, notwithstanding
all I can say to him, he does nothing but idle away his
time in the streets, as you saw him, without considering
he is no longer a child; and if you do not make him ashamed of it,
I despair of his ever coming to any good. For my part, I am
resolved, one of these days, to turn him out of doors, and let him
provide for himself."

After these words Aladdin's mother burst into tears; and the
magician said, "This is not well, nephew; you must think of
helping yourself, and getting your livelihood. There are many
sorts of trades. Perhaps you do not like your father's, and would
prefer another; I will endeavor to help you. If you have no mind
to learn any handicraft, I will take a shop for you, furnish it
with all sorts of fine stuffs and linens, and then with the money
you make of them you can lay in fresh goods, and live in an
honorable way. Tell me freely what you think of my proposal; you
shall always find me ready to keep my word."

This plan just suited Aladdin, who hated work. He told the
magician he had a greater inclination to that business than to any
other, and that he should be much obliged to him for his kindness.
"Well, then," said the African magician, "I will carry you with me
to-morrow, clothe you as handsomely as the best merchants in the
city, and afterward we will open a shop as I mentioned."

The widow, after his promises of kindness to her son, no longer
doubted that the magician was her husband's brother. She thanked
him for his good intentions; and after having exhorted Aladdin to
render himself worthy of his uncle's favor, served up supper, at
which they talked of several indifferent matters; and then the
magician took his leave and retired.

He came again the next day, as he had promised, and took Aladdin
with him to a merchant, who sold all sorts of clothes for
different ages and ranks ready made, and a variety of fine stuffs,
and bade Aladdin choose those he preferred, which he paid for.

When Aladdin found himself so handsomely equipped, he returned his
uncle thanks, who thus addressed him: "As you are soon to be a
merchant, it is proper you should frequent these shops, and be
acquainted with them." He then showed him the largest and finest
mosques, carried him to the khans or inns where the merchants and
travellers lodged, and afterward to the sultan's palace, where he
had free access; and at last brought him to his own khan, where,
meeting with some merchants he had become acquainted with since
his arrival, he gave them a treat, to make them and his pretended
nephew acquainted.

This entertainment lasted till night, when Aladdin would have
taken leave of his uncle to go home; the magician would not let
him go by himself, but conducted him to his mother, who, as soon
as she saw him so well dressed, was transported with joy, and
bestowed a thousand blessings upon the magician.

Early the next morning, the magician called again for Aladdin, and
said he would take him to spend that day in the country, and on
the next he would purchase the shop. He then led him out at one of
the gates of the city, to some magnificent palaces, to each of
which belonged beautiful gardens, into which anybody might enter.
At every building he came to, he asked Aladdin if he did not think
it fine; and the youth was ready to answer, when any one presented
itself, crying out, "Here is a finer house, uncle, than any we
have yet seen." By this artifice the cunning magician led Aladdin
some way into the country; and as, he meant to carry him further,
to execute his design, he took an opportunity to sit down in one
of the gardens, on the brink of a fountain of clear water, which
discharged itself by a lion's mouth of bronze into a basin,
pretending to be tired. "Come, nephew," said he, "you must be
weary, as well as I; let us rest ourselves, and we shall be better
able to pursue our walk."

The magician next pulled from his girdle a handkerchief with cakes
and fruit, and during this short repast he exhorted his nephew to
leave off bad company, and to seek that of wise and prudent men,
to improve by their conversation; "for," said he, "you will soon
be at man's estate, and you cannot too early begin to imitate
their example." When they had eaten as much as they liked, they
got up, and pursued their walk through gardens separated from one
another only by small ditches, which marked out the limits without
interrupting the communication, so great was the confidence the
inhabitants reposed in each other. By this means the African
magician drew Aladdin insensibly beyond the gardens, and crossed
the country till they nearly reached the mountains.

At last they arrived between two mountains of moderate height,
and equal size, divided by a narrow valley, which was the place
where the magician intended to execute the design that had brought
him from Africa to China. "We will go no further now," said he to
Aladdin; "I will show you here some extraordinary things, which,
when you have seen, you will thank me for; but while I strike a
light, gather up all the loose dry sticks you can see, to kindle a
fire with."

Aladdin found so many dried sticks that he soon collected a great
heap. The magician presently set them on fire; and when they were
in a blaze, threw in some incense, pronouncing several magical
words which Aladdin did not understand.

He had scarcely done so when the earth opened just before the
magician, and discovered a stone with a brass ring fixed in it.
Aladdin was so frightened that he would have run away, but the
magician caught hold of him, and gave him such a box on the ear
that he knocked him down. Aladdin got up trembling, and, with
tears in his eyes, said to the magician: "What have I done, uncle,
to be treated in this severe manner?" "I am your uncle," answered
the magician; "I supply the place of your father, and you ought to
make no reply. But child," added he, softening, "do not be afraid;
for I shall not ask anything of you, but that you obey me
punctually, if you would reap the advantages which I intend you.
Know, then, that under this stone there is hidden a treasure,
destined to be yours, and which will make you richer than the
greatest monarch in the world. No person but yourself is permitted
to lift this stone, or enter the cave; so you must punctually
execute what I may command, for it is a matter of great
consequence both to you and me."

Aladdin, amazed at all he saw and heard, forgot what was past,
and, rising, said: "Well, uncle, what is to be done? Command me, I
am ready to obey." "I am overjoyed, child," said the African
magician, embracing him. "Take hold of the ring, and lift up that
stone." "Indeed, uncle," replied Aladdin, "I am not strong enough;
you must help me." "You have no occasion for my assistance,"
answered the magician; "if I help you, we shall be able to do
nothing. Take hold of the ring and lift it up; you will find it
will come easily." Aladdin did as the magician bade him, raised
the stone with ease, and laid it on one side.

When the stone was pulled up, there appeared a staircase about
three or four feet deep, leading to a door. "Descend, my son,"
said the African magician, "those steps, and open that door. It
will lead you into a palace, divided into three great halls. In
each of these you will see four large brass cisterns placed on
each side, full of gold and silver; but take care you do not
meddle with them. Before you enter the first hall, be sure to tuck
up your robe, wrap it about you, and then pass through the second
into the third without stopping. Above all things, have a care
that you do not touch the walls, so much as with your clothes; for
if you do, you will die instantly. At the end of the third hall,
you will find a door which opens into a garden, planted with fine
trees loaded with fruit. Walk directly across the garden to a
terrace, where you will see a niche before you, and in that niche
a lighted lamp. Take the lamp down, and put it out. When you have
thrown away the wick and poured out the liquor, put it in your
waistband and bring it to me. Do not be afraid that the liquor
will spoil your clothes, for it is not oil, and the lamp will be
dry as soon as it is thrown out."

After these words the magician drew a ring off his finger, and put
it on one of Aladdin's, saying: "It is a talisman against all
evil, so long as you obey me. Go, therefore, boldly, and we shall
both be rich all our lives."

Aladdin descended the steps, and, opening the door, found the
three halls just as the African magician had described. He went
through them with all the precaution the fear of death could
inspire, crossed the garden without stopping, took down the lamp
from the niche, threw out the wick and the liquor, and, as the
magician had desired, put it in his waistband. But as he came down
from the terrace, seeing it was perfectly dry, he stopped in the
garden to observe the trees, which were loaded with extraordinary
fruit, of different colors on each tree. Some bore fruit entirely
white, and some clear and transparent as crystal; some pale red,
and others deeper; some green, blue, and purple, and others
yellow; in short, there was fruit of all colors. The white were
pearls; the clear and transparent, diamonds; the deep red, rubies;
the paler, balas rubies; the green, emeralds; the blue,
turquoises; the purple, amethysts; and the yellow, topazes.
Aladdin, ignorant of their value, would have preferred figs, or
grapes, or pomegranates; but as he had his uncle's permission, he
resolved to gather some of every sort. Having filled the two new
purses his uncle had bought for him with his clothes, he wrapped
some up in the skirts of his vest, and crammed his bosom as full
as it could hold.

Aladdin, having thus loaded himself with riches of which he knew
not the value, returned through the three halls with the utmost
precaution, and soon arrived at the mouth of the cave, where the
African magician awaited him with the utmost impatience. As soon
as Aladdin saw him, he cried out, "Pray, uncle, lend me your hand,
to help me out." "Give me the lamp first," replied the magician;
"it will be troublesome to you." "Indeed, uncle," answered
Aladdin, "I cannot now, but I will as soon as I am up." The
African magician was determined that he would have the lamp before
he would help him up; and Aladdin, who had encumbered himself so
much with his fruit that he could not well get at it, refused to
give it him till he was out of the cave. The African magician,
provoked at this obstinate refusal, flew into a passion, threw a
little of his incense into the fire, and pronounced two magical
words, when the stone which had closed the mouth of the staircase
moved into its place, with the earth over it in the same manner as
it lay at the arrival of the magician and Aladdin.

This action of the magician plainly revealed to Aladdin that he
was no uncle of his, but one who designed him evil. The truth was
that he had learned from his magic books the secret and the value
of this wonderful lamp, the owner of which would be made richer
than any earthly ruler, and hence his journey to China. His art
had also told him that he was not permitted to take it himself,
but must receive it as a voluntary gift from the hands of another
person. Hence he employed young Aladdin, and hoped by a mixture of
kindness and authority to make him obedient to his word and will.
When he found that his attempt had failed, he set out to return to
Africa, but avoided the town, lest any person who had seen him
leave in company with Aladdin should make inquiries after the
youth. Aladdin being suddenly enveloped in darkness, cried, and
called out to his uncle to tell him he was ready to give him the
lamp; but in vain, since his cries could not be heard. He
descended to the bottom of the steps, with a design to get into
the palace, but the door, which was opened before by enchantment,
was now shut by the same means. He then redoubled his cries and
tears, sat down on the steps without any hopes of ever seeing
light again, and in an expectation of passing from the present
darkness to a speedy death. In this great emergency he said,
"There is no strength or power but in the great and high God"; and
in joining his hands to pray he rubbed the ring which the magician
had put on his finger. Immediately a genie of frightful aspect
appeared, and said, "What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey
thee. I serve him who possesses the ring on thy finger; I and the
other slaves of that ring." At another time Aladdin would
have been frightened at the sight of so extraordinary a figure,
but the danger he was in made him answer without hesitation,
"Whoever thou art, deliver me from this place."

He had no sooner spoken these words than he found himself on the
very spot where the magician had last left him, and no sign of
cave or opening, nor disturbance of the earth. Returning God
thanks to find himself once more in the world, he made the best of
his way home. When he got within his mother's door, the joy to see
her and his weakness for want of sustenance made him so faint that
he remained for a long time as dead. As soon as he recovered he
related to his mother all that had happened to him, and they were
both very vehement in their complaints of the cruel magician.
Aladdin slept very soundly till late the next morning, when the
first thing he said to his mother was that he wanted something to
eat, and wished she would give him his breakfast.

"Alas! child," said she, "I have not a bit of bread to give you:
you ate up all the provisions I had in the house yesterday; but I
have a little cotton, which I have spun; I will go and sell it,
and buy bread and something for our dinner."

"Mother," replied Aladdin, "keep your cotton for another time, and
give me the lamp I brought home with me yesterday; I will go and
sell it, and the money I shall get for it will serve both for
breakfast and dinner, and perhaps supper too."

Aladdin's mother took the lamp, and said to her son, "Here it is,
but it is very dirty; if it was a little cleaner I believe it
would bring something more." She took some fine sand and water to
clean it; but had no sooner begun to rub it than in an instant a
hideous genie of gigantic size appeared before her, and said to
her in a voice of thunder, "What wouldst thou have? I am ready to
obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that
lamp in their hands; I and the other slaves of the lamp."

Aladdin's mother, terrified at the sight of the genie, fainted;
when Aladdin, who had seen such a phantom in the cavern, snatched
the lamp out of his mother's hand, and said to the genie boldly,
"I am hungry; bring me something to eat." The genie disappeared
immediately, and in an instant returned with a large silver tray,
holding twelve covered dishes of the same metal, which contained
the most delicious viands; six large white bread cakes on two
plates, two flagons of wine, and two silver cups. All these he
placed upon a carpet, and disappeared; this was done before
Aladdin's mother recovered from her swoon.

Aladdin had fetched some water, and sprinkled it in her face to
recover her. Whether that or the smell of the meat effected her
cure, it was not long before she came to herself. "Mother" said
Aladdin, "be not afraid; get up and eat; here is what will put you
in heart, and at the same time satisfy my extreme hunger."

His mother was much surprised to see the great tray, twelve
dishes, six loaves, the two flagons and cups, and to smell the
savory odor which exhaled from the dishes. "Child," said she, "to
whom are we obliged for this great plenty and liberality? Has the
sultan been made acquainted with our poverty, and had compassion
on us?" "It is no matter, mother," said Aladdin, "let us sit down
and eat; for you have almost as much need of a good breakfast as
myself; when we have done, I will tell you."

Accordingly, both mother and son sat down, and ate with the better
relish as the table was so well furnished. But all the time
Aladdin's mother could not forbear looking at and admiring the
tray and dishes, though she could not judge whether they were
silver or any other metal, and the novelty more than the value
attracted her attention.

The mother and son sat at breakfast till it was dinner time, and
then they thought it would be best to put the two meals together;
yet after this they found they should have enough left for supper,
and two meals for the next day.

When Aladdin's mother had taken away and set by what was left, she
went and sat down by her son on the sofa, saying, "I expect now
that you should satisfy my impatience, and tell me exactly what
passed between the genie and you while I was in a swoon"; which he
readily complied with.

She was in as great amazement at what her son told her as at the
appearance of the genie; and said to him, "But, son, what have we
to do with genies? I never heard that any of my acquaintance had
ever seen one. How came that vile genie to address himself to me,
and not to you, to whom he had appeared before in the cave?"
"Mother," answered Aladdin, "the genie you saw is not the one who
appeared to me. If you remember, he that I first saw called
himself the slave of the ring on my finger; and this you saw
called himself the slave of the lamp you had in your hand; but I
believe you did not hear him, for I think you fainted as soon as
he began to speak."

"What!" cried the mother, "was your lamp, then, the occasion of
that cursed genie's addressing himself rather to me than to you?
Ah! my son, take it out of my sight, and put it where you please.
I had rather you would sell it than run the hazard of being
frightened to death again by touching it; and if you would take my
advice you would part also with the ring, and not have anything to
do with genies, who, as our prophet has told us, are only devils."

"With your leave, mother," replied Aladdin, "I shall now take care
how I sell a lamp which may be so serviceable both to you and me.
That false and wicked magician would not have undertaken so long a
journey to secure this wonderful lamp if he had not known its
value to exceed that of gold and silver. And since we have
honestly come by it, let us make a profitable use of it, without
making any great show, and exciting the envy and jealousy of our
neighbors. However, since the genies frighten you so much I will
take it out of your sight, and put it where I may find it when I
want it. The ring I cannot resolve to part with; for without that
you had never seen me again; and though I am alive now, perhaps,
if it were gone, I might not be so some moments hence; therefore,
I hope you will give me leave to keep it, and to wear it always on
my finger."

Aladdin's mother replied that he might do what he pleased; for
her part she would have nothing to do with genies, and never say
anything more about them.

By the next night they had eaten all the provisions the genie had
brought; and the next day Aladdin, who could not bear the thought
of hunger, putting one of the silver dishes under his vest, went
out early to sell it, and addressing himself to a Jew whom he met
in the streets, took him aside, and pulling out the plate, asked
him if he would buy it. The cunning Jew took the dish, examined
it, and as soon as he found that it was good silver asked Aladdin
at how much he valued it. Aladdin, who had never been used to such
traffic, told him he would trust to his judgment and honor. The
Jew was somewhat confounded at this plain dealing; and doubting
whether Aladdin understood the material or the full value of what
he offered to sell, took a piece of gold out of his purse and gave
it him, though it was but the sixtieth part of the worth of the
plate. Aladdin, taking the money very eagerly, retired with so
much haste that the Jew, not content with the exorbitancy of his
profit, was vexed he had not penetrated into his ignorance, and
was going to run after him, to endeavor to get some change out of
the piece of gold; but he ran so fast, and had got so far, that it
would have been impossible for him to overtake him.

Before Aladdin went home he called at a baker's, bought some cakes
of bread, changed his money, and on his return gave the rest to
his mother, who went and purchased provisions enough to last them
some time. After this manner they lived, till Aladdin had sold the
twelve dishes singly, as necessity pressed, to the Jew, for the
same money; who, after the first time, durst not offer him less
for fear of losing so good a bargain. When he had sold the last
dish he had recourse to the tray, which weighed ten times as much
as the dishes, and would have carried it to his old purchaser, but
that it was too large and cumbersome; therefore he was obliged to
bring him home with him to his mother's, where, after the Jew had
examined the weight of the tray, he laid down ten pieces of gold,
with which Aladdin was very well satisfied.

When all the money was spent, Aladdin had recourse again to the
lamp. He took it in his hand, looked for that part where his
mother had rubbed it with the sand, rubbed it also, when the genie
immediately appeared, and said, "What wouldst thou have? I am
ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who
have that lamp in their hands; I and the other slaves of the
lamp." "I am hungry," said Aladdin; "bring me something to eat."
The genie disappeared, and presently returned with a tray, the
same number of covered dishes as before, set them down, and
vanished.

As soon as Aladdin found that their provisions were again
expended, he took one of the dishes, and went to look for his Jew
chapman; but passing by a goldsmith's shop, the goldsmith
perceiving him called to him and said, "My lad, I imagine that you
have something to sell to the Jew, whom I often see you visit; but
perhaps you do not know that he is the greatest rogue even among
the Jews.

I will give you the full worth of what you have to sell, or I will
direct you to other merchants who will not cheat you."

This offer induced Aladdin to pull his plate from under his vest
and show it to the goldsmith, who at first sight saw that it was
made of the finest silver, and asked him if he had sold such as
that to the Jew; when Aladdin told him that he had sold him twelve
such, for a piece of gold each. "What a villain!" cried the
goldsmith. "But," added he, "my son, what is past cannot be
recalled. By showing you the value of this plate, which is of the
finest silver we use in our shops, I will let you see how much the
Jew has cheated you."

The goldsmith took a pair of scales, weighed the dish, and assured
him that his plate would fetch by weight sixty pieces of gold,
which he offered to pay down immediately.

Aladdin thanked him for his fair dealing, and never after went to
any other person.

Though Aladdin and his mother had an inexhaustible treasure in
their lamp, and might have had whatever they wished for, yet they
lived with the same frugality as before, and it may easily be
supposed that the money for which Aladdin had sold the dishes and
tray was sufficient to maintain them some time.

During this interval, Aladdin frequented the shops of the
principal merchants, where they sold cloth of gold and silver,
linens, silk stuffs, and jewelry, and oftentimes joining in their
conversation, acquired a knowledge of the world and a desire to
improve himself. By his acquaintance among the jewellers he came
to know that the fruits which he had gathered when he took the
lamp were, instead of colored glass, stones of inestimable value;
but he had the prudence not to mention this to anyone, not even to
his mother.

One day as Aladdin was walking about the town he heard an order
proclaimed commanding the people to shut up their shops and
houses, and keep within doors while the Princess Buddir al
Buddoor, the sultan's daughter, went to the bath and returned.

This proclamation inspired Aladdin with an eager desire to see
the princess's face, which he determined to gratify by placing
himself behind the door of the bath, so that he could not fail to
see her face.

Aladdin had not long concealed himself before the princess came.
She was attended by a great crowd of ladies, slaves, and mutes,
who walked on each side and behind her. When she came within three
or four paces of the door of the bath, she took off her veil, and
gave Aladdin an opportunity of a full view of her face.

The princess was a noted beauty: her eyes were large, lively, and
sparkling; her smile bewitching; her nose faultless; her mouth
small; her lips vermilion. It is not therefore surprising that
Aladdin, who had never before seen such a blaze of charms, was
dazzled and enchanted.

After the princess had passed by, and entered the bath, Aladdin
quitted his hiding-place and went home. His mother perceived him
to be more thoughtful and melancholy than usual, and asked what
had happened to make him so, or if he was ill. He then told his
mother all his adventure, and concluded by declaring, "I love the
princess more than I can express, and am resolved that I will ask
her in marriage of the sultan."

Aladdin's mother listened with surprise to what her son told her;
but when he talked of asking the princess in marriage, she laughed
aloud. "Alas! child," said she, "what are you thinking of? You
must be mad to talk thus."

"I assure you, mother," replied Aladdin, "that I am not mad, but
in my right senses. I foresaw that you would reproach me with
folly and extravagance; but I must tell you once more that I am
resolved to demand the princess of the sultan in marriage, nor do
I despair of success. I have the slaves of the Lamp and of the
Ring to help me, and you know how powerful their aid is. And I
have another secret to tell you: those pieces of glass, which I
got from the trees in the garden of the subterranean palace, are
jewels of inestimable value, and fit for the greatest monarchs.
All the precious stones the jewellers have in Bagdad are not to be
compared to mine for size or beauty; and I am sure that the offer
of them will secure the favor of the sultan. You have a large
porcelain dish fit to hold them; fetch it, and let us see how they
will look, when we have arranged them according to their different
colors."

Aladdin's mother brought the china dish, when he took the jewels
out of the two purses in which he had kept them, and placed them
in order according to his fancy. But the brightness and lustre
they emitted in the daytime, and the variety of the colors, so
dazzled the eyes both of mother and son that they were astonished
beyond measure. Aladdin's mother, emboldened by the sight of these
rich jewels, and fearful lest her son should be guilty of greater
extravagance, complied with his request, and promised to go early
in the next morning to the palace of the sultan. Aladdin rose
before daybreak, awakened his mother, pressing her to go to the
sultan's palace, and to get admittance, if possible, before the
grand vizier, the other viziers, and the great officers of state
went in to take their seats in the divan, where the sultan always
attended in person.

[Illustration: Caption DISGUISED AS A TRAVELLER AND A STRANGER.--
page 27 From the painting by Edmund Dulac]

Aladdin's mother took the china dish, in which they had put the
jewels the day before, wrapped it in two fine napkins, and set
forward for the sultan's palace. When she came to the gates, the
grand vizier, the other viziers, and most distinguished lords of
the court were just gone in; but notwithstanding the crowd of
people was great, she got into the divan, a spacious hall, the
entrance into which was very magnificent. She placed herself just
before the sultan, grand vizier, and the great lords, who sat in
council on his right and left hand. Several causes were called,
according to their order, pleaded and adjudged, until the time the
divan generally broke up, when the sultan, rising, returned to his
apartment, attended by the grand vizier; the other viziers and
ministers of state then retired, as also did all those whose
business had called them thither.

Aladdin's mother, seeing the sultan retire, and all the people
depart, judged rightly that he would not sit again that day, and
resolved to go home; and on her arrival said, with much
simplicity, "Son, I have seen the sultan, and am very well
persuaded he has seen me too, for I placed myself just before him;
but he was so much taken up with those who attended on all sides
of him, that I pitied him and wondered at his patience. At last I
believe he was heartily tired, for he rose up suddenly, and would
not hear a great many who were ready prepared to speak to him, but
went away, at which I was well pleased, for indeed I began to lose
all patience, and was extremely fatigued with staying so long. But
there is no harm done: I will go again tomorrow; perhaps the
sultan may not be so busy."

The next morning she repaired to the sultan's palace with the
present, as early as the day before; but when she came there she
found the gates of the divan shut. She went six times afterward on
the days appointed, placed herself always directly before the
sultan, but with as little success as the first morning.

On the sixth day, however, after the divan was broken up, when the
sultan returned to his own apartment, he said to his grand vizier,
"I have for some time observed a certain woman, who attends
constantly every day that I give audience, with something wrapped
up in a napkin; she always stands up from the beginning to the
breaking up of the audience, and affects to place herself just
before me. If this woman comes to our next audience, do not fail
to call her, that I may hear what she has to say." The grand
vizier made answer by lowering his hand, and then lifting it up
above his head, signifying his willingness to lose it if he
failed.

On the next audience day, when Aladdin's mother went to the divan,
and placed herself in front of the sultan as usual, the grand
vizier immediately called the chief of the mace-bearers, and,
pointing to her, bade him bring her before the sultan. The old
woman at once followed the mace-bearer, and when she reached the
sultan, bowed her head down to the carpet which covered the
platform of the throne, and remained in that posture till he bade
her rise, which she had no sooner done than he said to her, "Good
woman, I have observed you to stand many days, from the beginning
to the rising of the divan; what business brings you here?"

After these words, Aladdin's mother prostrated herself a second
time, and, when she arose, said, "Monarch of monarchs I beg of you
to pardon the boldness of my petition, and to assure me of your
pardon and forgiveness." "Well,". replied the sultan, "I will
forgive you, be it what it may, and no hurt shall come to you.
Speak boldly."

When Aladdin's mother had taken all these precautions for fear of
the sultan's anger, she told him faithfully the errand on which
her son had sent her, and the event which led to his making so
bold a request in spite of all her remonstrances.

The sultan hearkened to this discourse without showing the least
anger; but, before he gave her any answer, asked her what she had
brought tied up in the napkin. She took the china dish, which she
had set down at the foot of the throne, untied it, and presented
it to the sultan.

The sultan's amazement and surprise were inexpressible when he saw
so many large, beautiful, and valuable jewels collected in the
dish. He remained for some time lost in admiration. At last, when
he had recovered himself, he received the present from Aladdin's
mother's hand, saying, "How rich! how beautiful!" After he had
admired and handled all the jewels one after another, he turned to
his grand vizier, and, showing him the dish, said, "Behold!
admire! wonder! and confess that your eyes never beheld jewels so
rich and beautiful before!" The vizier was charmed. "Well,"
continued the sultan, "what sayest thou to such a present? Is it
not worthy of the princess my daughter? And ought I not to bestow
her on one who values her at so great a price?" "I cannot but
own," replied the grand vizier, "that the present is worthy of the
princess; but I beg of your majesty to grant me three months
before you come to a final resolution. I hope before that time my
son, whom you have regarded with your favor, will be able to make
a nobler present than this Aladdin, who is an entire stranger to
your majesty."

The sultan granted his request, and he said to the old woman,
"Good woman, go home, and tell your son that I agree to the
proposal you have made me; but I cannot marry the princess my
daughter for three months. At the expiration of that time come
again."

Aladdin's mother returned home much more gratified than she had
expected, and told her son with much joy the condescending answer
she had received from the sultan's own mouth; and that she was to
come to the divan again that day three months.

Aladdin thought himself the most happy of all men at hearing this
news, and thanked his mother for the pains she had taken in the
affair, the good success of which was of so great importance to
his peace that he counted every day, week, and even hour as it
passed. When two of the three months were passed, his mother one
evening, having no oil in the house, went out to buy some, and
found a general rejoicing--the houses dressed with foliage, silks,
and carpeting, and every one striving to show their joy according
to their ability. The streets were crowded with officers in habits
of ceremony, mounted on horses richly caparisoned, each attended
by a great many footmen. Aladdin's mother asked the oil merchant
what was the meaning of all this preparation of public festivity.
"Whence came you, good woman," said he, "that you don't know that
the grand vizier's son is to marry the princess Buddir al Buddoor,
the sultan's daughter, to-night? She will presently return from
the bath; and these officers whom you see are to assist at the
cavalcade to the palace, where the ceremony is to be solemnized."

Aladdin's mother on hearing this news ran home very quickly.
"Child," cried she, "you are undone; the sultan's fine promise
will come to naught! This night the grand vizier's son is to marry
the Princess Buddir al Buddoor."

At this account Aladdin was thunderstruck, and he bethought
himself of the lamp, and of the genie who had promised to obey
him; and without indulging in idle words against the sultan, the
vizier, or his son, he determined, if possible, to prevent the
marriage.

When Aladdin had got into his chamber, he took the lamp, rubbed it
in the same place as before, when immediately the genie appeared,
and said to him, "What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee
as thy slave; I and the other slaves of the lamp." "Hear me," said
Aladdin. "Thou hast hitherto obeyed me; but now I am about to
impose on thee a harder task. The sultan's daughter, who was
promised me as my bride, is this night married to the son of the
grand vizier. Bring them both hither to me immediately they retire
to their bedchamber."

"Master," replied the genie, "I obey you."

Aladdin supped with his mother as was their wont, and then went to
his own apartment, and sat up to await the return of the genie,
according to his commands.

In the meantime, the festivities in honor of the princess's
marriage were conducted in the sultan's palace with great
magnificence. The ceremonies were at last brought to a conclusion,
and the princess and the son of the vizier retired to the
bedchamber prepared for them. No sooner had they entered it and
dismissed their attendants, than the genie, the faithful slave of
the lamp, to the great amazement and alarm of the bride and
bridegroom, took up the bed, and, by an agency invisible to them,
transported it in an instant into Aladdin's chamber, where he set
it down. "Remove the bridegroom," said Aladdin to the genie, "and
keep him a prisoner till to-morrow dawn, and then return with him
here." On Aladdin being left alone with the princess, he
endeavored to assuage her fears, and explained to her the
treachery practised upon him by the sultan her father. He then
laid himself down beside her, putting a drawn scimitar between
them, to show that he was determined to secure her safety, and to
treat her with the utmost possible respect. At break of day the
genie appeared at the appointed hour, bringing back the
bridegroom, whom, by breathing upon, he had left motionless and
entranced at the door of Aladdin's chamber during the night; and,
at Aladdin's command, transported the couch with the bride and
bridegroom on it, by the same invisible agency, into the palace of
the sultan.

At the instant that the genie had set down the couch with the
bride and bridegroom in their own chamber, the sultan came to the
door to offer his good wishes to his daughter.

The grand vizier's son, who was almost perished with cold by
standing in his thin under-garment all night, no sooner heard the
knocking at the door than he got out of bed and ran into the
robing chamber, where he had undressed himself the night before.

The sultan, having opened the door, went to the bedside, kissed
the princess on the forehead, but was extremely surprised to see
her look so melancholy. She only cast at him a sorrowful look,
expressive of great affliction. He suspected there was something
extraordinary in this silence, and thereupon went immediately to
the sultaness's apartment, told her in what a state he found the
princess, and how she had received him. "Sire," said the
sultaness, "I will go and see her; she will not receive me in the
same manner."

The princess received her mother with sighs and tears, and signs
of deep dejection. At last, upon her pressing on her the duty of
telling her all her thoughts, she gave to the sultaness a precise
description of all that happened to her during the night; on which
the sultaness enjoined on her the necessity of silence and
discretion, as no one would give credence to so strange a tale.
The grand vizier's son, elated with the honor of being the
sultan's son-in-law, kept silence on his part, and the events of
the night were not allowed to cast the least gloom on the
festivities on the following day, in continued celebration of the
royal marriage.

When night came the bride and bridegroom were again attended to
their chamber with the same ceremonies as on the preceding
evening. Aladdin, knowing that this would be so, had already given
his commands to the genie of the lamp; and no sooner were they
alone than their bed was removed in the same mysterious manner as
on the preceding evening; and having passed the night in the same
unpleasant way, they were in the morning conveyed to the palace of
the sultan. Scarcely had they been replaced in their apartment
than the sultan came to make his compliments to his daughter, when
the princess could no longer conceal from him the unhappy
treatment she had been subjected to, and told him all that had
happened, as she had already related it to her mother. The sultan,
on hearing these strange tidings, consulted with the grand vizier;
and finding from him that his son had been subjected to even worse
treatment by an invisible agency, he determined to declare the
marriage to be cancelled, and all the festivities, which were yet
to last for several days, to be countermanded and terminated.

This sudden change in the mind of the sultan gave rise to various
speculations and reports. Nobody but Aladdin knew the secret, and
he kept it with the most scrupulous silence; and neither the
sultan nor the grand vizier, who had forgotten Aladdin and his
request, had the least thought that he had any hand in the strange
adventures that befel the bride and bridegroom.

On the very day that the three months contained in the sultan's
promise expired, the mother of Aladdin again went to the palace,
and stood in the same place in the divan. The sultan knew her
again, and directed his vizier to have her brought before him.

After having prostrated herself she made answer, in reply to the
sultan: "Sire, I come at the end of three months to ask of you the
fulfilment of the promise you made to my son." The sultan little
thought the request of Aladdin's mother was made to him in
earnest, or that he would hear any more of the matter. He
therefore took counsel with his vizier, who suggested that the
sultan should attach such conditions to the marriage that no one
in the humble condition of Aladdin could possibly fulfil.

In accordance with this suggestion of the vizier, the sultan
replied to the mother of Aladdin: "Good woman, it is true sultans
ought to abide by their word, and I am ready to keep mine, by
making your son happy in marriage with the princess my daughter.
But as I cannot marry her without some further proof of your son
being able to support her in royal state, you may tell him I will
fulfil my promise as soon as he shall send me forty trays of massy
gold, full of the same sort of jewels you have already made me a
present of, and carried by the like number of black slaves, who
shall be led by as many young and handsome white slaves, all
dressed magnificently. On these conditions I am ready to bestow
the princess my daughter upon him; therefore, good woman, go and
tell him so, and I will wait till you bring me his answer."

Aladdin's mother prostrated herself a second time before the
sultan's throne, and retired. On her way home she laughed within
herself at her son's foolish imagination. "Where," said she, "can
he get so many large gold trays, and such precious stones to fill
them? It is altogether out of his power, and I believe he will not
be much pleased with my embassy this time." When she came home,
full of these thoughts, she told Aladdin all the circumstances of
her interview with the sultan, and the conditions on which he
consented to the marriage. "The sultan expects your answer
immediately," said she; and then added, laughing, "I believe he
may wait long enough!"

"Not so long, mother, as you imagine," replied Aladdin. "This
demand is a mere trifle, and will prove no bar to my marriage
with the princess. I will prepare at once to satisfy his request."

Aladdin retired to his own apartment and summoned the genie of the
lamp, and required him to immediately prepare and present the
gift, before the sultan closed his morning audience, according to
the terms in which it had been prescribed. The genie professed his
obedience to the owner of the lamp, and disappeared. Within a very
short time, a train of forty black slaves, led by the same number
of white slaves, appeared opposite the house in which Aladdin
lived. Each black slave carried on his head a basin of massy gold,
full of pearls, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. Aladdin then
addressed his mother; "Madam, pray lose no time; before the sultan
and the divan rise, I would have you return to the palace with
this present as the dowry demanded for the princess, that he may
judge by my diligence and exactness of the ardent and sincere
desire I have to procure myself the honor of this alliance."

As soon as this magnificent procession, with Aladdin's mother at
its head, had begun to march from Aladdin's house, the whole city
was filled with the crowds of people desirous to see so grand a
sight. The graceful bearing, elegant form, and wonderful likeness
of each slave; their grave walk at an equal distance from each
other; the lustre of their jewelled girdles, and the brilliancy of
the aigrettes of precious stones in their turbans, excited the
greatest admiration in the spectators. As they had to pass through
several streets to the palace, the whole length of the way was
lined with files of spectators. Nothing, indeed, was ever seen so
beautiful and brilliant in the sultan's palace, and the richest
robes of the emirs of his court were not to be compared to the
costly dresses of these slaves, whom they supposed to be kings.

As the sultan, who had been informed of their approach, had given
orders for them to be admitted, they met with no obstacle, but
went into the divan in regular order, one part turning to the
right, and the other to the left. After they were all entered, and
had formed a semi-circle before the sultan's throne, the black
slaves laid the golden trays on the carpet, prostrated themselves,
touching the carpet with their foreheads, and at the same time the
white slaves did the same. When they rose, the black slaves
uncovered the trays, and then all stood with their arms crossed
over their breasts.

In the meantime, Aladdin's mother advanced to the foot of the
throne, and having prostrated herself, said to the sultan, "Sire,
my son knows this present is much below the notice of Princess
Buddir al Buddoor; but hopes, nevertheless, that your majesty will
accept of it, and make it agreeable to the princess, and with the
greater confidence since he has endeavored to conform to the
conditions you were pleased to impose."

The sultan, overpowered at the sight of such more than royal
magnificence, replied without hesitation to the words of Aladdin's
mother: "Go and tell your son that I wait with open arms to
embrace him; and the more haste he makes to come and receive the
princess my daughter from my hands, the greater pleasure he will
do me." As soon as Aladdin's mother had retired, the sultan put an
end to the audience; and rising from his throne, ordered that the
princess's attendants should come and carry the trays into their
mistress's apartment, whither he went himself to examine them with
her at his leisure. The fourscore slaves were conducted into the
palace; and the sultan, telling the princess of their magnificent
apparel, ordered them to be brought before her apartment, that she
might see through the lattices he had not exaggerated in his
account of them.

In the meantime Aladdin's mother reached home, and showed in her
air and countenance the good news she brought her son. "My son,"
said she, "you may rejoice you are arrived at the height of your
desires. The sultan has declared that you shall marry the Princess
Buddir al Buddoor. He waits for you with impatience."

Aladdin, enraptured with this news, made his mother very little
reply, but retired to his chamber. There he rubbed his lamp, and
the obedient genie appeared. "Genie," said Aladdin, "convey me at
once to a bath, and supply me with the richest and most
magnificent robe ever worn by a monarch."

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the genie rendered
him, as well as himself, invisible, and transported him into a
hummum of the finest marble of all sorts of colors, where he was
undressed, without seeing by whom, in a magnificent and spacious
hall. He was then well rubbed and washed with various scented
waters. After he had passed through several degrees of heat, he
came out quite a different man from what he was before. His skin
was clear as that of a child, his body lightsome and free; and
when he returned into the hall, he found, instead of his own poor
raiment, a robe the magnificence of which astonished him. The
genie helped him to dress, and when he had done, transported him
back to his own chamber, where he asked him if he had any other
commands. "Yes," answered Aladdin; "bring me a charger that
surpasses in beauty and goodness the best in the sultan's stables,
with a saddle, bridle, and other caparisons to correspond with his
value. Furnish also twenty slaves, as richly clothed as those who
carried the present to the sultan, to walk by my side and follow
me, and twenty more to go before me in two ranks. Besides these,
bring my mother six women slaves to attend her, as richly dressed
at least as any of the Princess Buddir al Buddoor's, each carrying
a complete dress fit for any sultaness. I want also ten thousand
pieces of gold in ten purses; go, and make haste,"

As soon as Aladdin had given these orders, the genie disappeared,
but presently returned with the horse, the forty slaves, ten of
whom carried each a purse containing ten thousand pieces of gold,
and six women slaves, each carrying on her head a different dress
for Aladdin's mother, wrapped up in a piece of silver tissue, and
presented them all to Aladdin.

He presented the six women slaves to his mother, telling her they
were her slaves, and that the dresses they had brought were for
her use. Of the ten purses Aladdin took four, which he gave to his
mother, telling her those were to supply her with necessaries; the
other six he left in the hands of the slaves who brought them,
with an order to throw them by handfuls among the people as they
went to the sultan's palace. The six slaves who carried the purses
he ordered likewise to march before him, three on the right hand
and three on the left.

When Aladdin had thus prepared himself for his first interview
with the sultan, he dismissed the genie, and immediately mounting
his charger, began his march, and though he never was on horseback
before, appeared with a grace the most experienced horseman might
envy. The innumerable concourse of people through whom he passed
made the air echo with their acclamations, especially every time
the six slaves who carried the purses threw handfuls of gold among
the populace.

On Aladdin's arrival at the palace, the sultan was surprised to
find him more richly and magnificently robed than he had ever been
himself, and was impressed with his good looks and dignity of
manner, which were so different from what he expected in the son
of one so humble as Aladdin's mother. He embraced him with all the
demonstrations of joy, and when he would have fallen at his feet,
held him by the hand, and made him sit near his throne. He shortly
after led him, amid the sounds of trumpets, hautboys, and all
kinds of music, to a magnificent entertainment, at which the
sultan and Aladdin ate by themselves, and the great lords of the
court, according to their rank and dignity, sat at different
tables. After the feast the sultan sent for the chief cadi, and
commanded him to draw up a contract of marriage between the
Princess Buddir al Buddoor and Aladdin. When the contract had been
drawn, the sultan asked Aladdin if he would stay in the palace and
complete the ceremonies of the marriage that day.

"Sire," said Aladdin, "though great is my impatience to enter on
the honor granted me by your majesty, yet I beg you to permit me
first to build a palace worthy to receive the princess your
daughter. I pray you to grant me sufficient ground near your
palace, and I will have it completed with the utmost expedition."

The sultan granted Aladdin his request, and again embraced him.
After which he took his leave with as much politeness as if he had
been bred up and had always lived at court.

Aladdin returned home in the order he had come, amid the
acclamations of the people, who wished him all happiness and
prosperity. As soon as he dismounted, he retired to his own
chamber, took the lamp, and summoned the genie as usual, who
professed his allegiance.

"Genie," said Aladdin, "build me a palace fit to receive the
Princess Buddir al Buddoor. Let its materials be made of nothing
less than porphyry, jasper, agate, lapis-lazuli, and the finest
marble. Let its walls be massive gold and silver bricks laid
alternately. Let each front contain six windows, and let the
lattices of these (except one, which must be left unfinished) be
enriched with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, so that they shall
exceed everything of the kind ever seen in the world. Let there be
an inner and outer court in front of the palace, and a spacious
garden; but, above all things, provide a safe treasure-house, and
fill it with gold and silver. Let there be also kitchens and
storehouses, stables full of the finest horses, with their
equerries and grooms, and hunting equipage, officers, attendants,
and slaves, both men and women, to form a retinue for the princess
and myself. Go and execute my wishes."

When Aladdin gave these commands to the genie the sun was set. The
next morning at daybreak the genie presented himself, and having
obtained Aladdin's consent, transported him in a moment to the
palace he had made. The genie led him through all the apartments,
where he found officers and slaves, habited according to their
rank and the services to which they were appointed. The genie then
showed him the treasury, which was opened by a treasurer, where
Aladdin saw large vases of different sizes, piled up to the top
with money, ranged all round the chamber. The genie thence led him
to the stables, where were some of the finest horses in the world,
and the grooms busy in dressing them; from thence they went to the
storehouses, which were filled with all things necessary, both for
food and ornament.

When Aladdin had examined every portion of the palace, and
particularly the hall with the four-and-twenty windows, and found
it to far exceed his fondest expectations, he said, "Genie, there
is one thing wanting--a fine carpet for the princess to walk upon
from the sultan's palace to mine. Lay one down immediately."

The genie disappeared, and Aladdin saw what he desired executed
in an instant. The genie then returned and carried him to his own
home.

When the sultan's porters came to open the gates they were amazed
to find what had been an unoccupied garden filled up with a
magnificent palace, and a splendid carpet extending to it all the
way from the sultan's palace. They told the strange tidings to the
grand vizier, who informed the sultan, who exclaimed, "It must be
Aladdin's palace, which I gave him leave to build for my daughter.
He has wished to surprise us, and let us see what wonders can be
done in only one night."

Aladdin, on his being conveyed by the genie to his own home,
requested his mother to go to the Princess Buddir al Buddoor, and
tell her that the palace would be ready for her reception in the
evening. She went, attended by her women slaves, in the same order
as on the preceding day. Shortly after her arrival at the
princess's apartment, the sultan himself came in, and was
surprised to find her, whom he knew as his suppliant at his divan
in such humble guise, to be now more richly and sumptuously
attired than his own daughter. This gave him a higher opinion of
Aladdin, who took such care of his mother, and made her share his
wealth and honors. Shortly after her departure Aladdin, mounting
his horse, and attended by his retinue of magnificent attendants,
left his paternal home forever, and went to the palace in the same
pomp as on the day before. Nor did he forget to take with him the
wonderful lamp, to which he owed all his good-fortune, nor to wear
the ring which was given him as a talisman. The sultan entertained
Aladdin with the utmost magnificence, and at night, on the
conclusion of the marriage ceremonies, the princess took leave
of the sultan her father. Bands of music led the procession,
followed by a hundred state ushers, and the like number of black
mutes, in two files, with their officers at their head. Four
hundred of the sultan's young pages carried flambeaux on each
side, which, together with the illuminations of the sultan's and
Aladdin's palaces, made it as light as day. In this order the
princess, conveyed in her litter, and accompanied also by
Aladdin's mother, carried in a superb litter and attended by her
women slaves, proceeded on the carpet which was spread from the
sultan's palace to that of Aladdin. On her arrival Aladdin was
ready to receive her at the entrance, and led her into a large
hall, illuminated with an infinite number of wax candles, where a
noble feast was served up. The dishes were of massy gold, and
contained the most delicate viands. The vases, basins, and goblets
were gold also, and of exquisite workmanship, and all the other
ornaments and embellishments of the hall were answerable to this
display. The princess, dazzled to see so much riches collected in
one place, said to Aladdin: "I thought, prince, that nothing in
the world was so beautiful as the sultan my father's palace, but
the sight of this hall alone is sufficient to show I was
deceived."

When the supper was ended, there entered a company of female
dancers, who performed, according to the custom of the country,
singing at the same time verses in praise of the bride and
bridegroom.

About midnight Aladdin's mother conducted the bride to the nuptial
apartment, and he soon after retired.

The next morning the attendants of Aladdin presented themselves to
dress him, and brought him another habit, as rich and magnificent
as that worn the day before. He then ordered one of the horses to
be got ready, mounted him, and went in the midst of a large troop
of slaves to the sultan's palace, to entreat him to take a repast
in the princess's palace, attended by his grand vizier and all the
lords of his court. The sultan consented with pleasure, rose up
immediately, and, preceded by the principal officers of his
palace, and followed by all the great lords of his court,
accompanied Aladdin.

The nearer the sultan approached Aladdin's palace the more he was
struck with its beauty; but when he entered it, came into the
hall, and saw the windows enriched with diamonds, rubies,
emeralds, all large, perfect stones, he was completely surprised,
and said to his son-in-law: "This palace is one of the wonders of
the world; for where in all the world besides shall we find walls
built of massy gold and silver, and diamonds, rubies, and emeralds
composing the windows? But what most surprises me is that a hall
of this magnificence should be left with one of its windows
incomplete and unfinished." "Sire," answered Aladdin, "the
omission was by design, since I wished that you should have the
glory of finishing this hall." "I take your intention kindly,"
said the sultan, "and will give orders about it immediately."

After the sultan had finished this magnificent entertainment
provided for him and for his court by Aladdin, he was informed
that the jewellers and goldsmiths attended; upon which he returned
to the hall, and showed them the window which was unfinished. "I
sent for you," said he, "to fit up this window in as great
perfection as the rest. Examine them well, and make all the
despatch you can."

The jewellers and goldsmiths examined the three-and-twenty windows
with great attention, and after they had consulted together, to
know what each could furnish, they returned, and presented
themselves before the sultan, whose principal jeweller,
undertaking to speak for the rest, said: "Sire, we are all willing
to exert our utmost care and industry to obey you; but among us
all we cannot furnish jewels enough for so great a work." "I have
more than are necessary," said the sultan; "come to my palace, and
you shall choose what may answer your purpose."

When the sultan returned to his palace, he ordered his jewels to
be brought out, and the jewellers took a great quantity,
particularly those Aladdin had made him a present of, which they
soon used, without making any great advance in their work. They
came again several times for more, and in a month's time had not
finished half their work. In short, they used all the jewels the
sultan had, and borrowed of the vizier, but yet the work was not
half done.

Aladdin, who knew that all the sultan's endeavors to make this
window like the rest were in vain, sent for the jewellers and
goldsmiths, and not only commanded them to desist from their
work, but ordered them to undo what they had begun, and to carry
all their jewels back to the sultan and to the vizier. They undid
in a few hours what they had been six weeks about, and retired,
leaving Aladdin alone in the hall. He took the lamp, which he
carried about him, rubbed it, and presently the genie appeared.
"Genie," said Aladdin, "I ordered thee to leave one of the four-
and-twenty windows of this hall imperfect, and thou hast executed
my commands punctually; now I would have thee make it like the
rest." The genie immediately disappeared. Aladdin went out of the
hall, and returning soon after, found the window, as he wished it
to be, like the others.

In the meantime, the jewellers and goldsmiths repaired to the
palace, and were introduced into the sultan's presence, where the
chief jeweller presented the precious stones which he had brought
back. The sultan asked them if Aladdin had given them any reason
for so doing, and they answering that he had given them none, he
ordered a horse to be brought, which he mounted, and rode to his
son-in-law's palace, with some few attendants on foot, to inquire
why he had ordered the completion of the window to be stopped.
Aladdin met him at the gate, and without giving any reply to his
inquiries conducted him to the grand saloon, where the sultan, to
his great surprise, found the window which was left imperfect to
correspond exactly with the others. He fancied at first that he
was mistaken, and examined the two windows on each side, and
afterward all the four and twenty; but when he was convinced that
the window which several workmen had been so long about was
finished in so short a time, he embraced Aladdin and kissed him
between his eyes. "My son," said he, "what a man you are to do
such surprising things always in the twinkling of an eye! There is
not your fellow in the world; the more I know, the more I admire
you."

The sultan returned to the palace, and after this went frequently
to the window to contemplate and admire the wonderful palace of
his son-in-law.

Aladdin did not confine himself in his palace, but went with much
state, sometimes to one mosque, and sometimes to another, to
prayers, or to visit the grand vizier, or the principal lords of
the court. Every time he went out, he caused two slaves, who
walked by the side of his horse, to throw handfuls of money among
the people as he passed through the streets and squares. This
generosity gained him the love and blessings of the people, and it
was common for them to swear by his head. Thus Aladdin, while he
paid all respect to the sultan, won by his affable behavior and
liberality the affections of the people.

Aladdin had conducted himself in this manner several years, when
the African magician, who had for some years dismissed him from
his recollection, determined to inform himself with certainty
whether he perished, as he supposed, in the subterranean cave or
not. After he had resorted to a long course of magic ceremonies,
and had formed a horoscope by which to ascertain Aladdin's fate,
what was his surprise to find the appearances to declare that
Aladdin, instead of dying in the cave, had made his escape, and
was living in royal splendor, by the aid of the genie of the
wonderful lamp!

On the very next day, the magician set out and travelled with the
utmost haste to the capital of China, where, on his arrival, he
took up his lodging in a khan.

He then quickly learned about the wealth, charities, happiness,
and splendid palace of Prince Aladdin. Directly he saw the
wonderful fabric, he knew that none but the genies, the slaves of
the lamp, could have performed such wonders; and piqued to the
quick at Aladdin's high estate, he returned to the khan.

On his return he had recourse to an operation of geomancy to find
out where the lamp was--whether Aladdin carried it about with
him, or where he left it. The result of his consultation informed
him, to his great joy, that the lamp was in the palace. "Well,"
said he, rubbing his hands in glee, "I shall have the lamp, and I
shall make Aladdin return to his original mean condition."

The next day the magician learned, from the chief superintendent
of the khan where he lodged, that Aladdin had gone on a hunting
expedition, which was to last for eight days, of which only three
had expired. The magician wanted to know no more. He resolved at
once on his plans. He went to a coppersmith, and asked for a dozen
copper lamps: the master of the shop told him he had not so many
by him, but if he would have patience till the next day, he would
have them ready. The magician appointed his time, and desired him
to take care that they should be handsome and well polished.

The next day the magician called for the twelve lamps, paid the
man his full price, put them into a basket hanging on his arm, and
went directly to Aladdin's palace. As he approached, he began
crying, "Who will change old lamps for new ones?" As he went
along, a crowd of children collected, who hooted, and thought him,
as did all who chanced to be passing by, a madman or a fool, to
offer to change new lamps for old ones.

The African magician regarded not their scoffs, hootings, or all
they could say to him, but still continued crying, "Who will
change old lamps for new ones?" He repeated this so often, walking
backward and forward in front of the palace, that the princess,
who was then in the hall with the four-and-twenty windows, hearing
a man cry something, and seeing a great mob crowding about him,
sent one of her women slaves to know what he cried.

The slave returned laughing so heartily that the princess rebuked
her. "Madam," answered the slave, laughing still, "who can forbear
laughing, to see an old man with a basket on his arm, full of fine
new lamps, asking to change them for old ones? The children and
mob crowding about him so that he can hardly stir, make all the
noise they can in derision of him."

Another female slave, hearing this, said: "Now you speak of lamps,
I know not whether the princess may have observed it, but there is
an old one upon a shelf of the Prince Aladdin's robing-room, and
whoever owns it will not be sorry to find a new one in its stead.
If the princess chooses, she may have the pleasure of trying if
this old man is so silly as to give a new lamp for an old one,
without taking anything for the exchange."

The princess, who knew not the value of this lamp, and the
interest that Aladdin had to keep it safe, entered into the
pleasantry, and commanded a slave to take it and make the
exchange. The slave obeyed, went out of the hall, and no sooner
got to the palace gates than he saw the African magician, called
to him, and, showing him the old lamp, said, "Give me a new lamp
for this."

The magician never doubted but this was the lamp he wanted. There
could be no other such in this palace, where every utensil was
gold or silver. He snatched it eagerly out of the slave's hand,
and, thrusting it as far as he could into his breast, offered him
his basket, and bade him choose which he liked best. The slave
picked out one, and carried it to the princess; but the change
was no sooner made than the place rung with the shouts of the
children, deriding the magician's folly.

The African magician stayed no longer near the palace, nor cried
any more, "New lamps for old ones!" but made the best of his way
to his khan. His end was answered; and by his silence he got rid
of the children and the mob.

As soon as he was out of sight of the two palaces, he hastened
down the least frequented streets; and, having no more occasion
for his lamps or basket, set all down in a spot where nobody saw
him. Then going down another street or two, he walked till he
came to one of the city gates, and pursuing his way through the
suburbs, which were very extensive, at length reached a lonely
spot, where he stopped till the darkness of the night, as the most
suitable time for the design he had in contemplation. When it
became quite dark, he pulled the lamp out of his breast and rubbed
it. At that summons the genie appeared, and said, "What wouldst
thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of
all those who have that lamp in their hands; both I and the other
slaves of the lamp." "I command thee," replied the magician, "to
transport me immediately, and the palace which thou and the other
slaves of the lamp have built in this dity, with all the people in
it, to Africa." The genie made no reply, but, with the assistance
of the other genies, the slaves of the lamp, immediately
transported him and the palace entire to the spot whither he had
been desired to convey it.

Early the next morning when the sultan, according to custom, went
to contemplate and admire Aladdin's palace, his amazement was
unbounded to find that it could nowhere be seen. He could not
comprehend how so large a palace, which he had seen plainly every
day for some years, should vanish so soon and not leave the least
remains behind. In his perplexity he ordered the grand vizier to
be sent for with expedition.

The grand vizier, who in secret bore no goodwill to Aladdin,
intimated his suspicion that the palace was built by magic, and
that Aladdin had made his hunting excursion an excuse for the
removal of his palace with the same suddenness with which it had
been erected. He induced the sultan to send a detachment of his
guards and to have Aladdin seized as a prisoner of state. On his
son-in-law being brought before him, he would not hear a word from
him, but ordered him to be put to death. The decree caused so much
discontent among the people, whose affection Aladdin had secured
by his largesses and charities, that the sultan, fearful of an
insurrection, was obliged to grant him his life. When Aladdin
found himself at liberty, he again addressed the sultan: "Sire, I
pray you to let me know the crime by which I have thus lost the
favor of thy countenance." "Your crime," answered the sultan,
"wretched man! do you not know it? Follow me, and I will show
you." The sultan then took Aladdin into the apartment from whence
he was wont to look at and admire his palace, and said, "You ought
to know where your palace stood. Look! mind, and tell me what has
become of it." Aladdin did so, and, being utterly amazed at the
loss of his palace, was speechless. At last, recovering himself,
he said: "It is true, I do not see the palace. It is vanished; but
I had no concern in its removal. I beg you to give me forty days,
and if in that time I cannot restore it, I will offer my head to
be disposed of at your pleasure." "I give you the time you ask,
but at the end of the forty days forget not to present yourself
before me."

Aladdin went out of the sultan's palace in a condition of
exceeding humiliation. The lords who had courted him in the days
of his splendor now declined to have any communication with him.
For three days he wandered about the city, exciting the wonder and
compassion of the multitude, by asking everybody he met if they
had seen his palace, or could tell him anything of it. On the
third day he wandered into the country, and, as he was approaching
a river, he fell down the bank with so much violence that he
rubbed the ring which the magician had given him, so hard, by
holding on the rock to save himself, that immediately the same
genie appeared whom he had seen in the cave where the magician had
left him. "What wouldst thou have?" said the genie. "I am ready to
obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those that have that
ring on their finger; both I and the other slaves of the ring."

Aladdin, agreeably surprised at an offer of help so little
expected, replied, "Genie, show me where the palace I caused to be
built now stands, or transport it back where it first stood."
"Your command," answered the genie, "is not wholly in my power; I
am only the slave of the ring, and not of the lamp." "I command
thee, then," replied Aladdin, "by the power of the ring, to
transport me to the spot where my palace stands, in what part of
the world soever it may be." These words were no sooner out of his
mouth, than the genie transported him into Africa, to the midst of
a large plain, where his palace stood, at no great distance from a
city, and, placing him exactly under the window of the princess's
apartment, left him.

Now it so happened that shortly after Aladdin had been transported
by the slave of the ring to the neighborhood of his palace, one
of the Attendants of the Princess Buddir al Buddoor, looking
through the window, perceived him, and instantly told her
mistress. The princess, who could not believe the joyful tidings,
hastened herself to the window, and, seeing Aladdin, immediately
opened it. The noise of opening the window made Aladdin turn his
head that way, and perceiving the princess, he saluted her with an
air that expressed his joy.

"To lose no time," said she to him, "I have sent to have the
private door opened for you. Enter, and come up."

The private door, which was just under the princess's apartment,
was soon opened, and Aladdin conducted up into the chamber. It is
impossible to express the joy of both at seeing each other after
so cruel a separation. After embracing, and shedding tears of joy,
they sat down, and Aladdin said, "I beg of you, princess, to tell
me what is become of an old lamp which stood upon a shelf in my
robing chamber?"

"Alas!" answered the princess, "I was afraid our misfortune might
be owing to that lamp; and What grieves me" most is, that I have
been the cause of it. I was foolish enough to change the old lamp
for a new one, and the next morning I found myself in this unknown
country, which I am told is Africa."

"Princess," said Aladdin, interrupting her, "you have explained
all by telling me we are in Africa. I desire you only to tell me
if you know where the old lamp now is." "The African magician
carries it carefully wrapt up in his bosom," said the princess;
"and this I can assure you, because he pulled it out before me,
and showed it to me in triumph."

"Princess," said Aladdin, "I think I have found the means to
deliver you and to regain possession of the lamp, on which all my
prosperity depends. To execute this design it is necessary for me
to go to the town. I shall return by noon, and will then tell you
what must be done by you to insure success. In the meantime I
shall disguise myself; and I beg that the private door may be
opened at the first knock."

When Aladdin was out of the palace, he looked around him on all
sides, and perceiving a peasant going into the country, hastened
after him; and when he had overtaken him, made a proposal to him
to change clothes, which the man agreed to. When they had made the
exchange, the countryman went about his business, and Aladdin
entered the neighboring city. After traversing several streets, he
came to that part of the town where the merchants and artisans had
their particular streets according to their trades. He went into
that of the druggists, and entering one of the largest and best
furnished shops, asked the druggist if he had a certain powder,
which he named.

The druggist, judging Aladdin by his habit to be very poor, told
him he had it, but that it was very dear. Upon which Aladdin,
penetrating his thoughts, pulled out his purse, and, showing him
some gold, asked for half a dram of the powder, which the druggist
weighed and gave him, telling him the price was a piece of gold.
Aladdin put the money into his hand, and hastened to the palace,
which he entered at once by the private door. When he came into
the princess's apartment, he said to her, "Princess, you must take
your part in the scheme which I propose for our deliverance. You
must overcome your aversion to the magician, and assume a most
friendly manner toward him, and ask him to oblige you by partaking
of an entertainment in your apartments. Before he leaves ask him
to exchange cups with you, which he, gratified at the honor you do
him, will gladly do, when you must give him the cup containing
this powder. On drinking it he will instantly fall asleep, and we
will obtain the lamp, whose slaves will do all our bidding, and
restore us and the palace to the capital of China."

The princess obeyed to the utmost her husband's instructions. She
assumed a look of pleasure on the next visit of the magician, and
asked him to an entertainment, which he most willingly accepted.
At the close of the evening, during which the princess had tried
all she could to please him, she asked him to exchange cups with
her, and, giving the signal, had the drugged cup brought to her,
which she gave to the magician. He drank it out of compliment to
the princess to the very last drop, when he fell backward lifeless
on the sofa.

The princess, in anticipation of the success of her scheme, had so
placed her women from the great hall to the foot of the staircase,
that the word was no sooner given that the African magician was
fallen backward, than the door was opened and Aladdin admitted to
the hall. The princess rose from her seat, and ran overjoyed to
embrace him; but he stopped her, and said, "Princess, retire to
your apartment, and let me be left alone, while I endeavor to
transport you back to China as speedily as you were brought from
thence."

When the princess, her women, and slaves were gone out of the
hall, Aladdin shut the door, and going directly to the dead body
of the magician, opened his vest, took out the lamp, which was
carefully wrapped up, and rubbing it, the genie immediately
appeared. "Genie," said Aladdin, "I command thee to transport this
palace instantly to the place from whence it was brought hither."
The genie bowed his head in token of obedience, and disappeared.
Immediately the palace was transported into China, and its removal
was only felt by two little shocks, the one when it was lifted up,
the other when it was set down, and both in a very short interval
of time.

On the morning after the restoration of Aladdin's palace, the
sultan was looking out of his window, and mourning over the fate
of his daughter, when he thought that he saw the vacancy created
by the disappearance of the palace to be again filled up. On
looking more attentively he was convinced beyond the power of
doubt that it was his son-in-law's palace. Joy and gladness
succeeded to sorrow and grief. He at once ordered a horse to be
saddled, which he mounted that instant, thinking he could not make
haste enough to the place.

Aladdin rose that morning by daybreak, put on one of the most
magnificent habits his wardrobe afforded, and went up into the
hall of twenty-four windows, from whence he perceived the sultan
approaching, and received him at the foot of the great staircase,
helping him to dismount.

He led the sultan into the princess's apartment. The happy father
embraced her with tears of joy; and the princess, on her side,
afforded similar testimonies of her extreme pleasure. After a
short interval devoted to mutual explanations of all that had
happened, the sultan restored Aladdin to his favor, and expressed
his regret for the apparent harshness with which he had treated
him. "My son," said he, "be not displeased at my proceedings
against you; they arose from my paternal love, and therefore you
ought to forgive the excesses to which it hurried me." "Sire,"
replied Aladdin, "I have not the least reason to complain of your
conduct, since you did nothing but what your duty required. This
infamous magician, the basest of men, was the sole cause of my
misfortune."

The African magician, who was thus twice foiled in his endeavor to
ruin Aladdin, had a younger brother, who was as skilful a magician
as himself, and exceeded him in wickedness and hatred of mankind.
By mutual agreement they communicated with each other once a year,
however widely separate might be their place of residence from
each other. The younger brother, not having received as usual his
annual communication, prepared to take a horoscope and ascertain
his brother's proceedings. He, as well as his brother, always
carried a geomantic square instrument about him; he prepared the
sand, cast the points, and drew the figures. On examining the
planetary crystal, he found that his brother was no longer living,
but had been poisoned; and by another observation, that he was in
the capital of the kingdom of China; also that the person who had
poisoned him was of mean birth, though married to a princess, a
sultan's daughter.

When the magician had informed himself of his brother's fate, he
resolved immediately to avenge his death, and at once departed for
China; where, after crossing plains, rivers, mountains, deserts,
and a long tract of country without delay, he arrived after
incredible fatigues. When he came to the capital of China, he took
a lodging at a khan. His magic art soon revealed to him that
Aladdin was the person who had been the cause of the death of his
brother. He had heard, too, all the persons of repute in the city
talking of a woman called Fatima, who was retired from the world,
and of the miracles she wrought. As he fancied that this woman
might be serviceable to him in the project he had conceived, he
made more minute inquiries, and requested to be informed more
particularly who that holy woman was, and what sort of miracles
she performed.

"What!" said the person whom he addressed, "have you never seen or
heard of her? She is the admiration of the whole town, for her
fasting, her austerities, and her exemplary life. Except Mondays
and Fridays, she never stirs out of her little cell; and on those
days on which she comes into the town she does an infinite deal of
good; for there is not a person who is diseased but she puts her
hand on them and cures them."

Having ascertained the place where the hermitage of the holy woman
was, the magician went at night, and, plunging a poniard into her
heart--killed this good woman. In the morning he dyed his face of
the same hue as hers, and arraying himself in her garb, taking her
veil, the large necklace she wore round her waist, and her stick,
went straight to the palace of Aladdin.

As soon as the people saw the holy woman, as they imagined him to
be, they presently gathered about him in a great crowd. Some
begged his blessing, some kissed his hand, and others, more
reserved, only the hem of his garment; while others, suffering
from disease, stooped for him to lay his hands upon them, which he
did, muttering some words in form of prayer, and, in short,
counterfeiting so well that everybody took him for the holy woman.
He came at last to the square before Aladdin's palace. The crowd
and the noise was so great that the princess, who was in the hall
of four-and-twenty windows, heard it, and asked what was the
matter. One of her women told her it was a great crowd of people
collected about the holy woman to be cured of diseases by the
imposition of her hands.

The princess, who had long heard of this holy woman, but had never
seen her, was very desirous to have some conversation with her;
which the chief officer perceiving, told her it was an easy matter
to bring her to her, if she desired and commanded it; and the
princess, expressing her wishes, he immediately sent four slaves
for the pretended holy woman.

As soon as the crowd saw the attendants from the palace, they made
way; and the magician, perceiving also that they were coming for
him, advanced to meet them, overjoyed to find his plot succeed so
well. "Holy woman," said one of the slaves, "the princess wants to
see you, and has sent us for you." "The princess does me too great
an honor," replied the false Fatima; "I am ready to obey her
command," and at the same time followed the slaves to the palace.

When the pretended Fatima had made her obeisance, the princess
said, "My good mother, I have one thing to request, which you must
not refuse me: it is, to stay with me, that you may edify me with
your way of living, and that I may learn from your good example."
"Princess," said the counterfeit Fatima, "I beg of you not to ask
what I cannot consent to without neglecting my prayers and
devotion." "That shall be no hindrance to you," answered the
princess; "I have a great many apartments unoccupied; you shall
choose which you like best, and have as much liberty to perform
your devotions as if you were in your own cell."

The magician, who really desired nothing more than to introduce
himself into the palace, where it would be a much easier matter
for him to execute his designs, did not long excuse himself from
accepting the obliging offer which the princess made him.
"Princess," said he, "whatever resolution a poor wretched woman as
I am may have made to renounce the pomp and grandeur of this
world, I dare not presume to oppose the will and commands of so
pious and charitable a princess."

Upon this the princess, rising up, said, "Come with me; I will
show you what vacant apartments I have, that you may make choice
of that you like best." The magician followed the princess, and of
all the apartments she showed him made choice of that which was
the worst, saying that it was too good for him, and that he only
accepted it to please her.

Afterward, the princess would have brought him back again into the
great hall to make him dine with her; but he, considering that he
should then be obliged to show his face, which he had always taken
care to conceal with Fatima's veil, and fearing that the princess
should find out that he was not Fatima, begged of her earnestly to
excuse him, telling her that he never ate anything but bread and
dried fruits, and desiring to eat that slight repast in his own
apartment. The princess granted his request, saying, "You may be
as free here, good mother, as if you were in your own cell: I will
order you a dinner, but remember I expect you as soon as you have
finished your repast."

After the princess had dined, and the false Fatima had been sent
for by one of the attendants, he again waited upon her.

"My good mother," said the princess, "I am overjoyed to see so
holy a woman as yourself, who will confer a blessing upon this
palace. But now I am speaking of the palace, pray how do you like
it? And before I show it all to you, tell me first what you think
of this hall."

Upon this question the counterfeit Fatima surveyed the hall from
one end to the other. When he had examined it well, he said to the
princess, "As far as such a solitary being as I am, who am
unacquainted with what the world calls beautiful, can judge, this
hall is truly admirable; there wants but one thing." "What is
that, good mother?" demanded the princess; "tell me, I conjure
you. For my part, I always believed, and have heard say, it wanted
nothing; but if it does, it shall be supplied."

"Princess," said the false Fatima, with great dissimulation,
"forgive me the liberty I have taken; but my opinion is, if it can
be of any importance, that if a roc's egg were hung up in the
middle of the dome, this hall would have no parallel in the four
quarters of the world, and your palace would be the wonder of the
universe."

"My good mother," said the princess, "what is a roc, and where may
one get an egg?" "Princess," replied the pretended Fatima, "it is
a bird of prodigious size, which inhabits the summit of Mount
Caucasus; the architect who built your palace can get you one."

After the princess had thanked the false Fatima for what she
believed her good advice, she conversed with her upon other
matters; but could not forget the roc's egg, which she resolved to
request of Aladdin when next he should visit her apartments. He
did so in the course of that evening, and shortly after he
entered, the princess thus addressed him: "I always believed that
our palace was the most superb, magnificent, and complete in the
world: but I will tell you now what it wants, and that is a roc's
egg hung up in the midst of the dome." "Princess," replied
Aladdin, "it is enough that you think it wants such an ornament;
you shall see by the diligence which I use in obtaining it, that
there is nothing which I would not do for your sake."

Aladdin left the Princess Buddir al Buddoor that moment, and went
up into the hall of four-and-twenty windows, where, pulling out of
his bosom the lamp, which after the danger he had been exposed to
he always carried about him, he rubbed it; upon which the genie
immediately appeared. "Genie," said Aladdin, "I command thee in
the name of this lamp, bring a roc's egg to be hung up in the
middle of the dome of the hall of the palace."

Aladdin had no sooner pronounced these words than the hall shook
as if ready to fall; and the genie said in a loud and terrible
voice, "Is it not enough that I and the other slaves of the lamp
have done everything for you, but you, by an unheard of
ingratitude, must command me to bring my master, and hang him up
in the midst of this dome? This attempt deserves that you, the
princess, and the palace, should be immediately reduced to ashes;
but you are spared because this request does not come from
yourself. Its true author is the brother of the African magician,
your enemy, whom you have destroyed. He is now in your palace,
disguised in the habit of the holy woman Fatima, whom he has
murdered; at his suggestion your wife makes this pernicious
demand. His design is to kill you, therefore take care of
yourself." After these words the genie disappeared.

Aladdin resolved at once what to do. He returned to the princess's
apartment, and, without mentioning a word of what had happened,
sat down, and complained of a great pain which had suddenly
seized his head. On hearing this the princess told him how she had
invited the holy Fatima to stay with her, and that she was now in
the palace; and at the request of the prince, ordered her to be
summoned to her at once.

When the pretended Fatima came, Aladdin said, "Come hither, good
mother; I am glad to see you here at so fortunate a time. I am
tormented with a violent pain in my head, and request your
assistance, and hope you will not refuse me that cure which you
impart to afflicted persons."

So saying, he rose, but held down his head. The counterfeit Fatima
advanced toward him, with his hand all the time on a dagger
concealed in his girdle under his gown; which Aladdin observing,
he snatched the weapon from his hand, pierced him to the heart
with his own dagger, and then pushed him down on the floor.

"My dear prince, what have you done?" cried the princess in
surprise. "You have killed the holy woman!" "No, my princess,"
answered Aladdin with emotion, "I have not killed Fatima, but a
villain, who would have assassinated me if I had not prevented
him. This wicked man," added he, uncovering his face, "is the
brother of the magician who attempted our ruin. He has strangled
the true Fatima, and disguised himself in her clothes with intent
to murder me."

Aladdin then informed her how the genie had told him these facts,
and how narrowly she and the palace had escaped destruction
through his treacherous suggestion which had led to her request.

Thus was Aladdin delivered from the persecution of the two
brothers, who were magicians. Within a few years afterward the
sultan died in a good old age, and as he left no male children,
the Princess Buddir al Buddoor succeeded him, and she and Aladdin
reigned together many years, and left a numerous and illustrious
posterity.




SINDBAD THE SAILOR


In the reign of the same caliph, Haroun-al-Raschid, of whom we
have already heard, there lived at Bagdad a poor porter called
Hindbad. One day, when the weather was excessively hot, he was
employed to carry a heavy burden from one end of the town to the
other. Being much fatigued, he took off his load, and sat upon it,
near a large mansion.

He was much pleased that he stopped at this place; for the
agreeable smell of wood of aloes and of pastils that came from the
house, mixing with the scent of the rose-water, completely
perfumed and embalmed the air. Besides, he heard from within a
concert of instrumental music, accompanied with the harmonious
notes of nightingales and other birds. This charming melody, and
the smell of several sorts of savory dishes, made the porter
conclude there was a feast with great rejoicings within. He went
to some of the servants, whom he saw standing at the gate in
magnificent apparel, and asked the name of the proprietor. "How,"
replied one of them, "do you live in Bagdad, and know not that
this is the house of Sindbad the Sailor, that famous voyager who
has sailed round the world?" The porter lifted up his eyes to
heaven, and said, loud enough to be heard, "Almighty Creator of
all things, consider the difference between Sindbad and me! I am
every day exposed to fatigues and calamities, and can scarcely get
coarse barley-bread for myself and my family, while happy Sindbad
expends immense riches, and leads a life of continual pleasure.
What has he done to obtain from Thee a lot so agreeable? And what
have I done to deserve one so wretched?"

While the porter was thus indulging his melancholy, a servant came
out of the house, and taking him by the arm, bade him follow him,
for Sindbad, his master, wanted to speak to him. The servants
brought him into a great hall, where a number of people sat round
a table, covered with all sorts of savory dishes. At the upper end
sat a comely, venerable gentleman, with a long white beard, and
behind him stood a number of officers and domestics, all ready to
attend his pleasure. This person was Sindbad. Hindbad, whose fear
was increased at the sight of so many people, and of a banquet so
sumptuous, saluted the company trembling. Sindbad bade him draw
near, and seating him at his right hand, served him himself, and
gave him excellent wine, of which there was abundance upon the
sideboard.

Now, Sindbad had heard the porter complain through the window, and
this it was that induced him to have him brought in. When the
repast was over, Sindbad addressed his conversation to Hindbad,
and inquired his name and employment, and said: "I wish to hear
from your own mouth what it was you lately said in the street."

At this request Hindbad hung down his head in confusion, and
replied: "My lord, I confess that my fatigue put me out of humor,
and occasioned me to utter some indiscreet words, which I beg you
to pardon." "Do not think I am so unjust," resumed Sindbad, "as to
resent such a complaint. But I must correct your error concerning
myself. You think, no doubt, that I have acquired without labor
and trouble the ease and indulgence which I now enjoy. But do not
mistake; I did not attain to this happy condition without enduring
for several years more trouble of body and mind than can well be
imagined. Yes, gentlemen," he added, speaking to the whole
company, "I assure you that my sufferings have been of a nature so
extraordinary as would deprive the greatest miser of his love of
riches; and as an opportunity now offers, I will, with your leave,
relate the dangers I have encountered, which I think will not be
uninteresting to you."




THE FIRST VOYAGE


My father was a rich merchant. He bequeathed me a large estate,
which I wasted in riotous living. I quickly, perceived that I was
misspending my time, which is of all things the most valuable. I
remembered the saying of the great Solomon, which I had frequently
heard from my father, "A good name is better than precious
ointment"; and again, "Wisdom is good with an inheritance." I
resolved to walk in my father's ways, and I entered into a
contract with some merchants, and embarked with them on board a
ship we had fitted out in partnership.

We set sail, and steered our course toward the Indies, through the
Persian Gulf. At first I was troubled with sea-sickness, but
speedily recovered my health. In our voyage we touched at several
islands, where we sold or exchanged our goods. One day we were
becalmed near a small island, but little elevated above the level
of the water, and resembling a green meadow. The captain ordered
his sails to be furled, and permitted such persons as were so
inclined to land. While we were enjoying ourselves eating and
drinking, and recovering from the fatigue of the sea, the island
of a sudden trembled and shook us terribly.

The trembling of the island was noticed on board ship, and we were
called upon to re-embark speedily, lest we should all be lost; for
what we took for an island proved to be the back of a sea monster.

The nimblest got into the sloop, others betook themselves to
swimming; but as for myself, I was still upon the island when it
disappeared into the sea, and I had only time to catch hold of a
piece of wood that we had brought out of the ship to make a fire.
Meanwhile, the captain, having received on board those who were in
the sloop, and taken up some of those that swam, resolved to take
advantage of the favorable gale that had just risen, and, hoisting
his sails, pursued his voyage.

Thus was I exposed to the mercy of the waves the rest of that day
and the following night. By this time I found my strength gone,
and despaired of saving my life, when happily a wave threw me on
an island. The bank was high and rugged, so that I could scarcely
have got up had it not been for some roots of trees which I found
within reach. When the sun arose I was very feeble. I found some
herbs fit to eat, and had the good luck to discover a spring of
excellent water. After this I advanced further into the island,
and at last reached a fine plain, where I perceived some horses
feeding. On my way toward them I heard the voice of a man, who
asked me who I was. I related to him my adventure, after which,
taking me by the hand, he led me into a cave, where there were
several other people, no less amazed to see me than I was to see
them.

I partook of some provisions which they offered me, and asked them
what they did in such a desert place; to which they answered that
they were grooms belonging to the sovereign of the island, and
that every year they brought thither the king's horses for
pasturage. They were to return home on the morrow, and had I been
one day later I must have perished, because the inhabited part of
the island was a great distance off, and it would have been
impossible for me to have reached it without a guide.

Next morning they returned to the capital of the island, took me
with them, and presented me to their king. He asked me who I was,
and by what adventure I had come into his dominions. After I had
satisfied him, he ordered that I should want for nothing.

Being a merchant, I frequented men of my own profession, and
particularly inquired for those who were strangers, that perchance
I might hear news from Bagdad, or find an opportunity to return.
For the Maharaja's capital is situated on the sea-coast, and has
a fine harbor, where ships arrive daily from the different
quarters of the world. I frequented also the society of the
learned Indians, and took delight to hear them converse; but
withal, I took care to make my court regularly to the Maharaja,
and conversed with the governors and petty kings, his tributaries,
that were about him. They put a thousand questions respecting my
country; and I, being willing to inform myself as to their laws
and customs, asked them concerning everything which I thought
worth knowing.

There belongs to this king an island named Cassel.

They assured me that every night a noise of drums was heard there,
whence the mariners fancied that it was the residence of Degial. I
determined to visit this wonderful place, and in my way thither
saw fishes of 100 and 200 cubits long that occasion more fear than
hurt; for they are so timorous that they will fly upon the
rattling of two sticks or boards. I saw likewise other fish about
a cubit in length, that had heads like owls.

As I was one day at the port after my return, the ship arrived in
which I had embarked at Bussorah. I at once knew the captain, and
I went and asked him for my bales. "I am Sindbad," said I, "and
those bales marked with his name are mine."

When the captain heard me speak thus, "Heavens!" he exclaimed,
"whom can we trust in these times? I saw Sindbad perish with my
own eyes, as did also the passengers on board, and yet you tell me
you are that Sindbad. What impudence is this! and what a false
tale to tell, in order to possess yourself of what does not belong
to you!" "Have patience," replied I; "do me the favor to hear what
I have to say." The captain was at length persuaded that I was no
cheat; for there came people from his ship who knew me, paid me
great compliments, and expressed much joy at seeing me alive. At
last he recollected me himself, and embracing me, "Heaven be
praised," said he, "for your happy escape! I cannot express the
joy it affords me. There are your goods; take and do with them as
you please."

I took out what was most valuable in my bales, and presented them
to the Maharaja, who, knowing my misfortune, asked me how I came
by such rarities. I acquainted him with the circumstance of their
recovery. He was pleased at my good luck, accepted my present, and
in return gave me one much more considerable. Upon this I took
leave of him, and went aboard the same ship, after I had exchanged
my goods for the commodities of that country. I carried with me
wood of aloes, sandals, camphire, nutmegs, cloves, pepper, and
ginger. We passed by several islands, and at last arrived at
Bussorah, from whence I came to this city, with the value of
100,000 sequins.

Sindbad stopped here, and ordered the musicians to proceed with
their concert, which the story had interrupted. When it was
evening, Sindbad sent for a purse of 100 sequins, and giving it to
the porter, said, "Take this, Hindbad, return to your home, and
come back to-morrow to hear more of my adventures." The porter
went away, astonished at the honor done him and the present made
him. The account of this adventure proved very agreeable to his
wife and children, who did not fail to return thanks for what
Providence had sent them by the hand of Sindbad.

Hindbad put on his best robe next day, and returned to the
bountiful traveller, who received him with a pleasant air, and
welcomed him heartily. When all the guests had arrived, dinner was
served, and continued a long time. When it was ended, Sindbad,
addressing himself to the company, said, "Gentlemen, be pleased to
listen to the adventures of my second voyage. They deserve your
attention even more than those of the first." Upon which every one
held his peace, and Sindbad proceeded.




THE SECOND VOYAGE


I designed, after my first voyage, to spend the rest of my days at
Bagdad, but it was not long ere I grew weary of an indolent life,
and I put to sea a second time, with merchants of known probity.
We embarked on board a good ship, and, after recommending
ourselves to God, set sail. We traded from island to island, and
exchanged commodities with great profit. One day we landed on an
island covered with several sorts of fruit-trees, but we could see
neither man nor animal We walked in the meadows, along the streams
that watered them. While some diverted themselves with gathering
flowers, and others fruits, I took my wine and provisions, and sat
down near a stream between two high trees, which formed a thick
shade. I made a good meal, and afterward fell asleep. I cannot
tell how long I slept, but when I awoke the ship was gone.

In this sad condition, I was ready to die with grief.

I cried out in agony, beat my head and breast, and threw myself
upon the ground, where I lay some time in despair. I upbraided
myself a hundred times for not being content with the produce of
my first voyage, that might have sufficed me all my life. But all
this was in vain, and my repentance came too late. At last I
resigned myself to the will of God. Not knowing what to do, I
climbed up to the top of a lofty tree, from which I looked about
on all sides, to see if I could discover anything that could give
me hopes. When I gazed toward the sea I could see nothing but sky
and water; but looking over the land I beheld something white; and
coming down, I took what provision I had left, and went toward it,
the distance being so great that I could not distinguish what it
was.

As I approached, I thought it to be a white dome, of a prodigious
height and extent; and when I came up to it, I touched it, and
found it to be very smooth. I went round to see if it was open on
any side, but saw it was not, and that there was no climbing up to
the top, as it was so smooth. It was at least fifty paces round.

By this time the sun was about to set, and all of a sudden the sky
became as dark as if it had been covered with a thick cloud. I was
much astonished at this sudden darkness, but much more when I
found it occasioned by a bird of a monstrous size, that came
flying toward me. I remembered that I had often heard mariners
speak of a miraculous bird called the roc, and conceived that the
great dome which I so much admired must be its egg. In short, the
bird alighted, and sat over the egg. As I perceived her coming, I
crept close to the egg, so that I had before me one of the legs of
the bird, which was as big as the trunk of a tree. I tied myself
strongly to it with my turban, in hopes that the roc next morning
would carry me with her out of this desert island. After having
passed the night in this condition, the bird flew away as soon as
it was daylight, and carried me so high that I could not discern
the earth; she afterward descended with so much rapidity that I
lost my senses. But when I found myself on the ground, I speedily
untied the knot, and had scarcely done so, when the roc, having
taken up a serpent of monstrous length in her bill, flew away.

The spot where it left me was encompassed on all sides by
mountains, that seemed to reach above the clouds, and so steep
that there was no possibility of getting out of the valley. This
was a new perplexity; so that when I compared this place with the
desert island from which the roc had brought me, I found that I
had gained nothing by the change.

As I walked through this valley, I perceived it was strewn with
diamonds, some of which were of a surprising bigness. I took
pleasure in looking upon them; but shortly saw at a distance such
objects as greatly diminished my satisfaction, and which I could
not view without terror, namely, a great number of serpents, so
monstrous that the least of them was capable of swallowing an
elephant. They retired in the daytime to their dens, where they
hid themselves from the roc, their enemy, and came out only in the
night.

I spent the day in walking about in the valley, resting myself at
times in such places as I thought most convenient. When night came
on I went into a cave, where I thought I might repose in safety. I
secured the entrance, which was low and narrow, with a great
stone, to preserve me from the serpents, but not so far as to
exclude the light. I supped on part of my provisions, but the
serpents, which began hissing round me, put me into such extreme
fear that I did not sleep. When day appeared the serpents retired,
and I came out of the cave trembling. I can justly say that I
walked upon diamonds, without feeling any inclination to touch
them. At last I sat down, and notwithstanding my apprehensions,
not having closed my eyes during the night, fell asleep, after
having eaten a little more of my provisions. But I had scarcely
shut my eyes when something that fell by me with a great noise
awaked me. This was a large piece of raw meat; and at the same
time I saw several others fall down from the rocks in different
places. I had always regarded as fabulous what I had heard sailors
and others relate of the valley of diamonds, and of the stratagems
employed by merchants to obtain jewels from thence; but now I
found that they had stated nothing but the truth. For the fact is,
that the merchants come to the neighborhood of this valley, when
the eagles have young ones, and throwing great joints of meat into
the valley, the diamonds, upon whose points they fall, stick to
them; the eagles, which are stronger in this country than anywhere
else, pounce with great force upon those pieces of meat and carry
them to their nests on the precipices of the rocks to feed their
young: the merchants at this time run to their nests, disturb and
drive off the eagles by their shouts, and take away the diamonds
that stick to the meat.

I perceived in this device the means of my deliverance.

Having collected together the largest diamonds I could find, and
put them into the leather bag in which I used to carry my
provisions, I took the largest of the pieces of meat, tied it
close round me with the cloth of my turban, and then laid myself
upon the ground, with my face downward, the bag of diamonds being
made fast to my girdle.

I had scarcely placed myself in this posture when one of the
eagles, having taken me up with the piece of meat to which I was
fastened, carried me to his nest on the top of the mountain. The
merchants immediately began their shouting to frighten the eagles;
and when they had obliged them to quit their prey, one of them
came to the nest where I was. He was much alarmed when he saw me;
but recovering himself, instead of inquiring how I came thither,
began to quarrel with me, and asked why I stole his goods. "You
will treat me," replied I, "with more civility, when you know me
better. Do not be uneasy; I have diamonds enough for you and
myself, more than all the other merchants together. Whatever they
have they owe to chance; but I selected for myself, in the bottom
of the valley, those which you see in this bag." I had scarcely
done speaking, when the other merchants came crowding about us,
much astonished to see me; but they were much more surprised when
I told them my story.

They conducted me to their encampment; and there, having opened my
bag, they were surprised at the largeness of my diamonds, and
confessed that they had never seen any of such size and
perfection. I prayed the merchant who owned the nest to which I
had been carried (for every merchant had his own), to take as many
for his share as he pleased. He contented himself with one, and
that, too, the least of them; and when I pressed him to take more,
without fear of doing me any injury, "No," said he, "I am very
well satisfied with this, which is valuable enough to save me the
trouble of making any more voyages, and will raise as great a
fortune as I desire."

I spent the night with the merchants, to whom I related my story a
second time, for the satisfaction of those who had not heard it. I
could not moderate my joy when I found myself delivered from the
danger I have mentioned. I thought myself in a dream, and could
scarcely believe myself out of danger.

The merchants had thrown their pieces of meat into the valley for
several days; and each of them being satisfied with the diamonds
that had fallen to his lot, we left the place the next morning,
and travelled near high mountains, where there were serpents of a
prodigious length, which we had the good-fortune to escape. We
took shipping at the first port we reached, and touched at the
isle of Roha, where the trees grow that yield camphire. This tree
is so large, and its branches so thick, that one hundred men may
easily sit under its shade. The juice of which the camphire is
made exudes from a hole bored in the upper part of the tree, is
received in a vessel, where it thickens to a consistency, and
becomes what we call camphire. After the juice is thus drawn out
the tree withers and dies.

In this island is also found the rhinoceros, an animal less than
the elephant, but larger than the buffalo.

It has a horn upon its nose, about a cubit in length; this horn is
solid, and cleft through the middle. The rhinoceros fights with
the elephant, runs his horn into his belly, and carries him off
upon his head; but the blood and the fat of the elephant running
into his eyes and making him blind, he falls to the ground; and
then, strange to relate, the roc comes and carries them both away
in her claws for food for her young ones.

I pass over many other things peculiar to this island, lest I
should weary you. Here I exchanged some of my diamonds for
merchandise.

From hence we went to other islands, and at last, having touched
at several trading towns of the continent, we landed at Bussorah,
from whence I proceeded to Bagdad. There I immediately gave large
presents to the poor, and lived honorably upon the vast riches I
had bought and gained with so much fatigue.

Thus Sindbad ended the relation of the second voyage, gave Hindbad
another hundred sequins, and invited him to come the next day to
hear the account of the third.




THE THIRD VOYAGE


I soon again grew weary of living a life of idleness, and
hardening myself against the thought of any danger, I embarked
with some merchants on another long voyage. We touched at several
ports, where we traded. One day we were overtaken by a dreadful
tempest, which drove us from our course.

The storm continued several days, and brought us before the port
of an island, which the captain was very unwilling to enter; but
we were obliged to cast anchor. When we had furled our sails, the
captain told us that this and some other neighboring islands were
inhabited by hairy savages, who would speedily attack us; and
though they were but dwarfs, yet that we must make no resistance,
for they were more in number than the locusts; and if we happened
to kill one, they would all fall upon us and destroy us.

We soon found that what the captain had told us was but too true.
An innumerable multitude of frightful savages, about two feet
high, covered all over with red hair, came swimming toward us and
encompassed our ship. They chattered as they came near, but we
understood not their language. They climbed up the sides of the
ship with such agility as surprised us. They took down our sails,
cut the cable, and, hauling to the shore, made us all get out, and
afterward carried the ship into another island, whence they had
come. As we advanced, we perceived at a distance a vast pile of
building, and made toward it. We found it to be a palace,
elegantly built, and very lofty, with a gate of ebony of two
leaves, which we opened. We saw before us a large apartment, with
a porch, having on one side a heap of human bones, and on the
other a vast number of roasting-spits. We trembled at this
spectacle, and were seized with deadly apprehension, when suddenly
the gate of the apartment opened with a loud crash, and there came
out the horrible figure of a black man, as tall as a lofty palm-
tree. He had but one eye, and that in the middle of his forehead,
where it blazed bright as a burning coal. His fore teeth were very
long and sharp, and stood out of his mouth, which was as deep as
that of a horse. His upper lip hung down upon his breast. His ears
resembled those of an elephant, and covered his shoulders; and his
nails were as long and crooked as the talons of the greatest
birds.

At the sight of so frightful a genie, we became insensible, and
lay like dead men.

At last we came to ourselves, and saw him sitting in the porch
looking at us. When he had considered us well, he advanced toward
us, and laying his hand upon me, took me up by the nape of my
neck, and turned me round, as a butcher would do a sheep's head.
After having examined me, and perceiving me to be so lean that I
had nothing but skin and bone, he let me go. He took up all the
rest one by one, and viewed them in the same manner. The captain
being the fattest, he held him with one hand, as I would do a
sparrow, and thrust a spit through him; he then kindled a great
fire, roasted, and ate him in his apartment for his supper. Having
finished his repast, he returned to his porch, where he lay and
fell asleep, snoring louder than thunder. He slept thus till
morning. As to ourselves, it was not possible for us to enjoy any
rest, so that we passed the night in the most painful apprehension
that can be imagined. When day appeared the giant awoke, got up,
went out, and left us in the palace.

The next night we determined to revenge ourselves on the brutish
giant, and did so in the following manner. After he had again
finished his inhuman supper on another of our seamen, he lay down
on his back, and fell asleep. As soon as we heard him snore
according to his custom, nine of the boldest among us, and myself,
took each of us a spit, and putting the points of them into his
fire till they were burning hot, we thrust them into his eye all
at once, and blinded him. The pain made him break out into a
frightful yell: he started up, and stretched out his hands, in
order to sacrifice I some of us to his rage; but we ran to such
places as he could not reach; and after having sought for us in
vain, he groped for the gate, and went out, howling in agony.

We immediately left the palace, and came to the shore, where we
made some rafts, each large enough to carry three men, with some
timber that lay about in great quantities. We waited till day in
order to get upon them, for we hoped if the giant did not appear
by sunrising, and give over his howling, which we still heard,
that he would prove to be dead; and if that happened to be the
case, we resolved to stay in that island, and not to risk our
lives upon the rafts. But day had scarcely appeared when we
perceived our cruel enemy, accompanied by two others, almost of
the same size, leading him; and a great number more coming before
him at a quick pace.

We did not hesitate to take to our rafts, and put to sea with all
the speed we could. The giants, who perceived this, took up great
stones, and, running to the shore, entered the water up to the
middle, and threw so exactly that they sunk all the rafts but that
I was upon; and all my companions except the two with me, were
drowned. We rowed with all our might, and got out of the reach of
the giants. But when we got out to sea, we were exposed to the
mercy of the waves and winds, and spent that day and the following
night under the most painful uncertainty as to our fate; but next
morning we had the good fortune to be thrown upon an island, where
we landed with much joy. We found excellent fruit, which afforded
us great relief, and recruited our strength.

At night we went to sleep on the sea-shore; but were awakened by
the noise of a serpent of surprising length and thickness, whose
scales made a rustling noise as he wound himself along. It
swallowed up one of my comrades, notwithstanding his loud cries,
and the efforts he made to extricate himself from it; dashing him
several times against the ground, it crushed him, and we could
hear it gnaw and tear the poor fellow's bones, though we had fled
to a considerable distance. The following day, to our great
terror, we saw the serpent again, when I exclaimed, "O Heaven, to
what dangers are we exposed! We rejoiced yesterday at having
escaped from the cruelty of a giant and the rage of the waves, now
are we fallen into another danger equally dreadful."

As we walked about we saw a large, tall tree, upon which we
designed to pass the following night for our security; and having
satisfied our hunger with fruit, we mounted it accordingly.
Shortly after the serpent came hissing to the foot of the tree;
raised itself up against the trunk of it, and meeting with my
comrade, who sat lower than I, swallowed him at once, and went
off.

I remained upon the tree till it was day, and then came down, more
like a dead man than one alive, expecting the same fate with my
two companions. This filled me with horror, and I advanced some
steps to throw myself into the sea; but I withstood this dictate
of despair, and submitted myself to the will of God, who disposes
of our lives at His pleasure.

In the meantime I collected together a great quantity of small
wood, brambles, and dry thorns, and making them up into fagots,
made a wide circle with them round the tree, and also tied some of
them to the branches over my head. Having done this, when the
evening came, I shut myself up within this circle, with the
melancholy satisfaction that I had neglected nothing which could
preserve me from the cruel destiny with which I was threatened.
The serpent failed not to come at the usual hour, and went round
the tree seeking for an opportunity to devour me, but was
prevented by the rampart I had made; so that he lay till day, like
a cat watching in vain for a mouse that has fortunately reached a
place of safety.

When day appeared he retired, but I dared not leave my fort until
the sun arose.

God took compassion on my hopeless state; for just as I was going,
in a fit of desperation, to throw myself into the sea, I perceived
a ship in the distance. I called as loud as I could, and,
unfolding the linen of my turban, displayed it that they might
observe me. This had the desired effect; the crew perceived me,
and the captain sent his boat for me. As soon as I came on board,
the merchants and seamen flocked about me to know how I came into
that desert island; and after I had related to them all that had
befallen me, the oldest among them said they had several times
heard of the giants that dwelt in that island, that they were
cannibals; and as to the serpents, they added that there were
abundance in the island; that they hid themselves by day and came
abroad by night. After having testified their joy at my escaping
so many dangers, they brought me the best of their provisions; and
took me before the captain, who, seeing that I was in rags, gave
me one of his own suits. Looking steadfastly upon him, I knew him
to be the person who, in my second voyage, had left me in the
island where I fell asleep, and sailed without me, or sending to
seek for me.

I was not surprised that he, believing me to be dead, did not
recognize me.

"Captain," said I, "look at me, and you may know that I am
Sindbad, whom you left in that desert island."

The captain having considered me attentively recognized me.

"God be praised!" said he, embracing me; "I rejoice that fortune
has rectified my fault. There are your goods, which I always took
care to preserve."

I took them from him, and made him my acknowledgments for his care
of them.

We continued at sea for some time, touched at several islands, and
at last landed at that of Salabat, where sandal-wood is obtained,
which is much used in medicine.

From the isle of Salabat we went to another, where I furnished
myself with cloves, cinnamon, and other spices. As we sailed from
this island we saw a tortoise twenty cubits in length and breadth.
We observed also an amphibious animal like a cow, which gave milk;
its skin is so hard that they usually make bucklers of it. I saw
another, which had the shape and color of a camel.

In short, after a long voyage, I arrived at Bussorah, and thence
returned to Bagdad with so much wealth that I knew not its extent.
I gave a great deal to the poor, and bought another considerable
estate in addition to what I had already.

Thus Sindbad finished the story of his third voyage. He gave
another hundred sequins to Hindbad, and invited him to dinner
again the next day to hear.




THE FOURTH VOYAGE


After I had rested from the dangers of my third voyage, my passion
for trade and my love of novelty soon again prevailed. I therefore
settled my affairs, and provided a stock of goods fit for the
traffic I designed to engage in. I took the route of Persia,
travelled over several provinces, and then arrived at a port,
where I embarked. On putting out to sea, we were overtaken by such
a sudden gust of wind as obliged the captain to lower his yards
and take all other necessary precautions to prevent the danger
that threatened us. But all was in vain; our endeavors had no
effect; the sails were split into a thousand pieces, and the ship
was stranded; several of the merchants and seamen were drowned,
and the cargo was lost.

I had the good fortune, with several of the merchants and
mariners, to get upon some planks, and we were carried by the
current to an island which lay before us. There we found fruit and
spring water, which preserved our lives. We stayed all night near
the place where we had been cast ashore.

Next morning, as soon as the sun was up, we explored the island,
and saw some houses, which we approached. As soon as we drew near,
we were encompassed by a great number of negroes, who seized us,
shared us among them, and carried us to their respective
habitations.

I and five of my comrades were carried to one place; here they
made us sit down, and gave us a certain herb, which they made
signs to us to eat. My comrades not taking notice that the blacks
ate none of it themselves, thought only of satisfying their
hunger, and ate with greediness. But I, suspecting some trick,
would not so much as taste it, which happened well for me; for in
a little time after I perceived my companions had lost their
senses, and that when they spoke to me they knew not what they
said.

The negroes fed us afterward with rice, prepared with oil of
cocoanuts; and my comrades, who had lost their reason, ate of it
greedily. I also partook of it, but very sparingly. They gave us
that herb at first on purpose to deprive us of our senses, that we
might not be aware of the sad destiny prepared for us; and they
supplied us with rice to fatten us; for, being cannibals, their
design was to eat us as soon as we grew fat. This accordingly
happened, for they devoured my comrades, who were not sensible of
their condition; but my senses being entire, you may easily guess
that instead of growing fat, as the rest did, I grew leaner every
day. The fear of death under which I labored turned all my food
into poison. I fell into a languishing distemper, which proved my
safety; for the negroes, having killed and eaten my companions,
seeing me to be withered, lean and sick, deferred my death.

Meanwhile I had much liberty, so that scarcely any notice was
taken of what I did, and this gave me an opportunity one day to
get at a distance from the houses and to make my escape. An old
man who saw me, and suspected my design, called to me as loud as
he could to return; but instead of obeying him I redoubled my
speed, and quickly got out of sight. At that time there was none
but the old man about the houses, the rest being abroad, and not
to return till night, which was usual with them. Therefore, being
sure that they could not arrive in time to pursue me, I went on
till night, when I stopped to rest a little, and to eat some of
the provisions I had secured; but I speedily set forward again,
and travelled seven days, avoiding those places which seemed to be
inhabited, and lived for the most part upon cocoanuts, which
served me both for meat and drink. On the eighth day I came near
the sea, and saw some white people like myself gathering pepper,
of which there was great plenty in that place. This I took to be a
good omen, and went to them without any scruple.

The people who gathered pepper came to meet me as soon as they saw
me, and asked me in Arabic who I was, and whence I came. I was
overjoyed to hear them speak in my own language, and satisfied
their curiosity by giving them an account of my shipwreck, and how
I fell into the hands of the negroes. "Those negroes," replied
they, "eat men; and by what miracle did you escape their
cruelty?" I related to them the circumstances I have just
mentioned, at which they were wonderfully surprised.

I stayed with them till they had gathered their quantity of
pepper, and then sailed with them to the island from whence they
had come. They presented me to their king, who was a good prince.
He had the patience to hear the relation of my adventures, which
surprised him, and he afterward gave me clothes, and commanded
care to be taken of me.

The island was very well peopled, plentiful in everything, and the
capital a place of great trade. This agreeable retreat was very
comfortable to me after my misfortunes, and the kindness of this
generous prince completed my satisfaction. In a word, there was
not a person more in favor with him than myself, and consequently
every man in court and city sought to oblige me, so that in a very
little time I was looked upon rather as a native than a stranger.

I observed one thing, which to me appeared very extraordinary. All
the people, the king himself not excepted, rode their horses
without bridle or stirrups. I went one day to a workman, and gave
him a model for making the stock of a saddle. When that was done,
I covered it myself with velvet and leather, and embroidered it
with gold. I afterward went to a smith, who made me a bit,
according to the pattern I showed him, and also some stirrups.
When I had all things completed, I presented them to the king, and
put them upon one of his horses. His majesty mounted immediately,
and was so pleased with them that he testified his satisfaction by
large presents.

I made several others for the ministers and principal officers of
his household, which gained me great reputation and regard.

As I paid my court very constantly to the king, he said to me one
day, "Sindbad, I love thee, I have one thing to demand of thee,
which thou must grant. I have a mind thou shouldst marry, that so
thou mayst stay in my dominions, and think no more of thy own
country." I durst not resist the prince's will, and he gave me one
of the ladies of his court, noble, beautiful, and rich. The
ceremonies of marriage being over, I went and dwelt with my wife
and for some time we lived together in perfect harmony. I was not,
however, satisfied with my banishment; therefore designed to make
my escape the first opportunity, and to return to Bagdad, which my
present settlement, how advantageous soever, could not make me
forget.

At this time the wife of one of my neighbors, with whom I had
contracted a very strict friendship, fell sick and died. I went
to see and comfort him in his affliction, and, finding him
absorbed in sorrow, I said to him as soon as I saw him, "God
preserve you and grant you a long life." "Alas!" replied he, "how
do you think I should obtain the favor you wish me? I have not
above an hour to live, for I must be buried this day with my wife.
This is a law in this island. The living husband is interred with
the dead wife, and the living wife with the dead husband."

While he was giving an account of this barbarous custom, the very
relation of which chilled my blood, his kindred, friends, and
neighbors came to assist at the funeral. They dressed the corpse
of the woman in her richest apparel and all her jewels as if it
had been her wedding day; then they placed her on an open bier,
and began their march to the place of burial. The husband walked
first, next to the dead body. They proceeded to a high mountain,
and when they had reached the place of their destination, they
took up a large stone which formed the mouth of a deep pit, and
let down the body with all its apparel and jewels. Then the
husband, embracing his kindred and friends, suffered himself to be
placed on another bier without resistance, with a pot of water and
seven small loaves, and was let down in the same manner. The
ceremony being over, the mouth of the pit was again covered with
the stone, and the company returned.

I mention this ceremony the more particularly, because I was in a
few weeks' time to be the principal actor on a similar occasion.
Alas! my own wife fell sick and died. I made every remonstrance I
could to the king not to expose me, a foreigner, to this inhuman
law. I appealed in vain. The king and all his court, with the most
considerable persons in the city, sought to soften my sorrow by
honoring the funeral ceremony with their presence; and, at the
termination of the ceremony, I was lowered into the pit, with a
vessel full of water and seven loaves. As I approached the bottom,
I discovered, by the aid of the little light that came from
above, the nature of this subterranean place. It seemed an endless
cavern, and might be about fifty fathoms deep. I lived for some
time there upon my bread and water, when one day, just as it was
on the point of exhaustion, I heard something tread, and breathing
or panting as it moved. I followed the sound. The animal seemed to
stop sometimes, but always fled and breathed hard as I approached.
I pursued it for a considerable time, till at last I perceived a
light, resembling a star. I went on, sometimes lost sight of it,
but always found it again, and at last discovered that it came
through a hole in the rock, which I got through, and found myself
upon the seashore, at which I felt exceeding joy. I prostrated
myself on the shore to thank God for this mercy, and shortly
afterward I perceived a ship making for the place where I was. I
made a sign with the linen of my turban, and called to the crew as
loud as I could. They heard me, and sent a boat to bring me on
board. It was fortunate for me that these people did not inspect
the place where they found me, but without hesitation took me on
board.

We passed by several islands, and, among others, that called the
Isle of Bells, about ten days' sail from Serendib with a regular
wind, and six from that of Kela, where we landed. Lead mines are
found in the island; also Indian canes and excellent camphire.

The king of the Isle of Kela is very rich and powerful, and the
Isle of Bells, which is about two days' journey in extent, is also
subject to him.

The inhabitants are so barbarous that they still eat human flesh.
After we had finished our traffic in that island we put to sea
again, and touched at several other ports; at last I arrived
happily at Bagdad. Out of gratitude to God for His mercies, I
contributed liberally toward the support of several mosques and
the subsistence of the poor, and enjoyed myself with friends in
festivities and amusements.

Here Sindbad made a new present of one hundred sequins to Hindbad,
whom he requested to return with the rest next day at the same
hour, to dine with him and hear the story of his fifth voyage.




THE FIFTH VOYAGE


All the troubles and calamities I had undergone could not cure me
of my inclination to make new voyages. I therefore bought goods,
departed with them for the best seaport; and there, that I might
not be obliged to depend upon a captain, but have a ship at my own
command, I remained till one was built on purpose, at my own
charge. When the ship was ready I went on board with my goods; but
not having enough to load her, I agreed to take with me several
merchants of different nations, with their merchandise.

We sailed with the first fair wind, and, after a long navigation,
the first place we touched at was a desert island, where we found
an egg of a roc, equal in size to that I formerly mentioned. There
was a young roc in it, just ready to be hatched, and its beak had
begun to break the egg. The merchants who landed with me broke the
egg with hatchets, and made a hole in it, pulled out the young
roc, piecemeal, and roasted it. I had in vain entreated them not
to meddle with the egg.

Scarcely had they finished their repast, When there appeared in
the air, at a considerable distance, two great clouds. The captain
of my ship, knowing by experience what they meant, said they were
the male and female parents of the roc, and pressed us to re-
embark with all speed, to prevent the misfortune which he saw
would otherwise befall us.

The two rocs approached with a frightful noise, which they
redoubled when they saw the egg broken and their young one gone.
They flew back in the direction they had come, and disappeared for
some time, while we made all the sail we could to endeavor to
prevent that which unhappily befell us.

They soon returned, and we observed that each of them carried
between its talons an enormous rock. When they came directly over
my ship, they hovered, and one of them let go his rock; but by the
dexterity of the steersman it missed us, and fell into the sea.
The other so exactly hit the middle of the ship as to split it
into pieces. The mariners and passengers were all crushed to
death, or fell into the sea. I myself was of the number of the
latter; but, as I came up again, I fortunately caught hold of a
piece of the wreck, and swimming, sometimes with one hand and
sometimes with the other, but always holding fast the plank, the
wind and the tide favoring me, I came to an island, and got safely
ashore.

I sat down upon the grass, to recover myself from my fatigue,
after which I went into the island to explore it. It seemed to be
a delicious garden. I found trees everywhere, some of them bearing
green and others ripe fruits, and streams of fresh pure water. I
ate of the fruits, which I found excellent; and drank of the
water, which was very light and good.

When I was a little advanced into the island, I saw an old man,
who appeared very weak and infirm. He was sitting on the bank of a
stream, and at first I took him to be one who had been shipwrecked
like myself. I went toward him and saluted him, but he only
slightly bowed his head. I asked him why he sat so

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