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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/24593-8.txt b/24593-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d33093a --- /dev/null +++ b/24593-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4681 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Oriental Story Book, by Wilhelm Hauff + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Oriental Story Book + A Collection of Tales + +Author: Wilhelm Hauff + +Illustrator: J. W. Orr + +Translator: G. P. Quackenbos + +Release Date: February 13, 2008 [EBook #24593] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ORIENTAL STORY BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by Sam W. and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + THE + ORIENTAL + STORY BOOK. + + A COLLECTION OF TALES. + + + TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF + WILHELM HAUFF, + + + BY G. P. QUACKENBOS. + + + ILLUSTRATED BY J. W. ORR. + + + NEW YORK: + D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, + 346 & 348 BROADWAY. + 1855. + + + + +[Illustration] + + + + + OF NEW ORLEANS + + IN REMEMBRANCE OF A LONG FRIENDSHIP, + + AND MANY HAPPY HOURS SPENT WITH HIM OVER THE + + GERMAN CLASSICS, + + THIS LITTLE VOLUME + + IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED. + + + + +THE CARAVAN. + +INTRODUCTION. + + +In a beautiful distant kingdom, of which there is a saying, that the +sun on its everlasting green gardens never goes down, ruled, from the +beginning of time even to the present day, Queen Phantasie. With full +hands, she used to distribute for many hundred years, the abundance of +her blessings among her subjects, and was beloved and respected by all +who knew her. The heart of the Queen, however, was too great to allow +her to stop at her own land with her charities; she herself, in the +royal attire of her everlasting youth and beauty, descended upon the +earth; for she had heard that there men lived, who passed their lives +in sorrowful seriousness, in the midst of care and toil. Unto these +she had sent the finest gifts out of her kingdom, and ever since the +beauteous Queen came through the fields of earth, men were merry at +their labor, and happy in their seriousness. + +Her children, moreover, not less fair and lovely than their royal +mother, she had sent forth to bring happiness to men. One day +Märchen[A], the eldest daughter of the Queen, came back in haste from +the earth. The mother observed that Märchen was sorrowful; yes, at +times it would seem to her as if her eyes would be consumed by +weeping. + +"What is the matter with thee, beloved Märchen?" said the Queen to +her. "Ever since thy journey, thou art so sorrowful and dejected; wilt +thou not confide to thy mother what ails thee?" + +"Ah! dear mother," answered Märchen, "I would have kept silence, had I +not known that my sorrow is thine also." + +"Speak, my daughter!" entreated the fair Queen. "Grief is a stone, +which presses down him who bears it alone, but two draw it lightly out +of the way." + +"Thou wishest it," rejoined Märchen, "so listen. Thou knowest how +gladly I associate with men, how cheerfully I sit down before the huts +of the poor, to while away a little hour for them after their labor; +formerly, when I came, they used to ask me kindly for my hand to +salute, and looked upon me afterwards, when I went away, smiling and +contented; but in these days, it is so no longer!" + +"Poor Märchen!" said the Queen as she caressed her cheek, which was +wet with a tear. "But, perhaps, thou only fanciest all this." + +"Believe me, I feel it but too well," rejoined Märchen; "they love me +no more. Wherever I go, cold looks meet me; nowhere am I any more +gladly seen; even the children, who ever loved me so well, laugh at +me, and slyly turn their backs upon me." + +The Queen leaned her forehead on her hand, and was silent in +reflection. "And how, then, Märchen," she asked, "should it happen +that the people there below have become so changed?" + +"See, O Queen Phantasie! men have stationed vigilant watchmen, who +inspect and examine all that comes from thy kingdom, with sharp eyes. +If one should arrive who is not according to their mind, they raise a +loud cry, and put him to death, or else so slander him to men, who +believe their every word, that one finds no longer any love, any +little ray of confidence. Ah! how fortunate are my brothers, the +Dreams! they leap merrily and lightly down upon the earth, care +nothing for those artful men, seek the slumbering, and weave and paint +for them, what makes happy the heart, and brightens the eye with joy." + +"Thy brothers are light-footed," said the Queen, "and thou, my +darling, hast no reason for envying them. Besides, I know these +border-watchmen well; men are not so wrong in sending them out; there +came so many boastful fellows, who acted as if they had come straight +from my kingdom, and yet they had, at best, only looked down upon us +from some mountain." + +"But why did they make me, thine own daughter, suffer for this?" wept +forth Märchen. "Ah, if thou knewest how they have acted towards me! +They called me an old maid, and threatened the next time not to admit +me!" + +"How, my daughter?--not to admit thee more?" asked the Queen, as +anger heightened the color on her cheeks. "But already I see whence +this comes; that wicked cousin has slandered us!" + +"Fashion? Impossible!" exclaimed Märchen; "she always used to act so +friendly towards us." + +"Oh, I know her, the false one!" answered the Queen. "But try it again +in spite of her, my daughter: whoever wishes to do good, must not +rest." + +"Ah, mother! suppose, then, they send me back again, or slander me so +that men let me stay in a corner, disregarded, or alone and slighted!" + +"If the old, deluded by Fashion, value thee at nothing, then turn thee +to the young; truly they are my little favorites. I send to them my +loveliest pictures through thy brothers, the Dreams; yes, already I +have often hovered over them in person, caressed and kissed them, and +played fine games with them. They, also, know me well, though not by +name; for I have often observed how in the night they laugh at my +stars, and in the morning, when my shining fleeces play over the +heavens, how they clap their hands for joy. Moreover, when they grow +larger, they love me still; then I help the charming maids to weave +variegated garlands, and the wild boys to become still, while I seat +myself near them, on the lofty summit of a cliff, steep lofty cities +and brilliant palaces in the mist-world of the blue mountains in the +distance, and, on the red-tinged clouds of evening, paint brave troops +of horsemen, and strange pilgrim processions." + +"Oh, the dear children!" exclaimed Märchen, deeply affected. "Yes--be +it so! with them I will make one more trial." + +"Yes, my good child," answered the Queen; "go unto them; but I will +attire thee in fine style, that thou mayest please the little ones, +and that the old may not drive thee away. See! the dress of an +Almanach[B] will I give thee." + +"An Almanach, mother? Ah!--I will be ashamed to parade, in such a way, +before the people." + +The Queen gave the signal, and the attendants brought in the rich +dress of an Almanach. It was inwrought with brilliant colors, and +beautiful figures. The waiting-maids plaited the long hair of the fair +girl, bound golden sandals on her feet, and arrayed her in the robe. + +The modest Märchen dared not look up; her mother, however, beheld her +with satisfaction, and clasped her in her arms. "Go forth!" said she +unto the little one; "my blessing be with thee. If they despise and +scorn thee, turn quickly unto me; perhaps later generations, more true +to nature, may again incline to thee their hearts." + +Thus spoke Queen Phantasie, while Märchen went down upon the earth. +With beating heart she approached the city, in which the cunning +watchmen dwelt: she dropped her head towards the earth, wrapped her +fine robe closely around her, and with trembling step drew near unto +the gate. + +"Hold!" exclaimed a deep, rough voice. "Look out, there! Here comes a +new Almanach!" + +Märchen trembled as she heard this; many old men, with gloomy +countenances, rushed forth; they had sharp quills in their fists, and +held them towards Märchen. One of the multitude strode up to her, and +seized her with rough hand by the chin. "Just lift up your head, Mr. +Almanach," he cried, "that one may see in your eyes whether you be +right or not." + +Blushing, Märchen lifted her little head quite up, and raised her dark +eye. + +"Märchen!" exclaimed the watchmen, laughing boisterously. "Märchen! +That we should have had any doubt as to who was here! How come you, +now, by this dress?" + +"Mother put it on me," answered Märchen. + +"So! she wishes to smuggle you past us! Not this time! Out of the way; +see that you be gone!" exclaimed the watchmen among themselves, +lifting up their sharp quills. + +"But, indeed, I will go only to the children," entreated Märchen; +"this, surely, you will grant to me." + +"Stay there not, already, enough of these menials in the land around?" +exclaimed one of the watchmen. "They only prattle nonsense to our +children." + +"Let us see what she knows this time," said another. + +"Well then," cried they, "tell us what you know; but make haste, for +we have not much time for you." + +Märchen stretched forth her hand, and described with the forefinger, +various figures in the air. Thereupon they saw confused images move +slowly across it;--caravans, fine horses, riders gayly attired, +numerous tents upon the sand of the desert; birds, and ships upon the +stormy seas; silent forests, and populous places, and highways; +battles, and peaceful wandering tribes--all hovered, a motley crowd, +in animated pictures, over before them. + +Märchen, in the eagerness with which she had caused the figures to +rise forth, had not observed that the watchmen of the gate had one by +one fallen asleep. Just as she was about to describe new lines, a +friendly man came up to her, and seized her hand. "Look here, good +Märchen," said he, as he pointed to the sleepers; "for these thy +varied creations are as nothing; slip nimbly through the door; they +will not suspect that thou art in the land, and thou canst quietly and +unobserved pursue thy way. I will lead thee unto my children; in my +house will give thee a peaceful, friendly home; there thou mayest +remain and live by thyself; whenever my sons and daughters shall have +learned their lessons well, they shall be permitted to run to thee +with their plays, and attend to thee. Dost thou agree?" + +"Oh! how gladly will I follow thee unto thy dear children! how +diligently will I endeavor to make, at times, for them, a happy little +hour!" + +The good man nodded to her cordially, and assisted her to step over +the feet of the sleeping men. Märchen, when she had got safely across, +looked around smilingly, and then slipped quickly through the gate. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[A] Märchen represents the fairy or legendary tales, of which the +Germans were at one time so fond. + +[B] The German "Almanach" corresponds in a measure with the English +"Annual." + + + + +THE CARAVAN. + + +Once upon a time, there marched through the wilderness a large +Caravan. Upon the vast plain, where one sees nothing but sand and +heaven, were heard already, in the far distance, the little bells of +the camels, and the silver-toned ones of the horses; a thick cloud of +dust, which preceded them, announced their approach, and when a gale +of wind separated the clouds, glittering weapons and brilliant dresses +dazzled the eye. Such was the appearance of the Caravan to a man who +was riding up towards it in an oblique direction. He was mounted on a +fine Arabian courser, covered with a tiger-skin; silver bells were +suspended from the deep-red stripe work, and on the head of the horse +waved a plume of heron feathers. The rider was of majestic mien, and +his attire corresponded with the splendor of his horse: a white +turban, richly inwrought with gold, adorned his head, his habit and +wide pantaloons were of bright red, and a curved sword with a +magnificent handle hung by his side. He had arranged the turban far +down upon his forehead; this, together with the dark eyes which +gleamed forth from under his bushy brows, and the long beard which +hung down under his arched nose, gave him a wild, daring expression. +When the horseman had advanced fifty paces farther, the foremost line +of the Caravan was near, and putting spurs to his steed, in the +twinkling of an eye he was at the head of the procession. It was so +unusual a thing to see a solitary rider travelling through the desert, +that the guard, apprehending an attack, put their lances in rest. + +"What mean you?" exclaimed the horseman, as he saw himself received in +so hostile a manner. "Do you imagine that a single man would attack +your Caravan?" + +Ashamed of their precipitation, the guards lowered their lances, and +their leader rode forth to the stranger, and asked to know his +pleasure. + +"Who is the lord of this Caravan?" inquired the cavalier. + +"It belongs to no single lord," answered the interrogated one; "but +to several merchants, who march from Mecca to their native country, +and whom we escort through the desert; for oftentimes scoundrels of +every kind alarm those who travel here." + +"Then lead me to the merchants," responded the stranger. + +"That cannot be now," rejoined the other, "for we must proceed without +delay, and the merchants are at least a quarter of a mile behind; if, +however, you would like to ride along with me until we halt to take +our siesta, I will execute your desire." + +The stranger said nothing further; he drew forth a long pipe which he +had attached to his saddle, and began to smoke with slow puffs, as he +rode along by the leader of the van. The latter knew not what to make +of the stranger, and ventured not to ask his name in so many words; +but when he artfully endeavored to weave up a conversation, the +cavalier, to his remarks, "You smoke there a good tobacco," or, "Your +horse has a brave gait," constantly replied with only a brief "Yes, +yes!" At last they arrived at the place where they were to halt for +the siesta: the chief sent his people forward to keep a look-out, +while he remained with the stranger to receive the Caravan. First, +thirty camels passed by, heavily laden, guided by armed drivers. After +these, on fine horses, came the five merchants to whom the Caravan +belonged. They were, for the most part, men of advanced age, of grave +and serious aspect; one, however, seemed much younger, as well as more +gay and lively than the rest. A large number of camels and pack-horses +closed the procession. + +Tents were pitched, and the camels and horses fastened around. In the +midst was a large pavilion of blue silk, to which the chief of the +escort conducted the stranger. When they reached the entrance, they +saw the five merchants seated on gold-embroidered cushions; black +slaves were carrying around to them food and drink. "Whom bringest +thou hither to us?" exclaimed the young merchant unto the leader: +before, however, the latter could reply, the stranger spoke. + +"I am called Selim Baruch, and am from Bagdad; I was taken captive by +a robber-horde on a ride to Mecca, but three days ago managed to free +myself from confinement. The mighty Prophet permitted me to hear, in +the far distance, the little bells of your Caravan, and so I came to +you. Allow me to ride in your company; you will grant your protection +to no unworthy person; and when we reach Bagdad, I will reward your +kindness richly, for I am the nephew of the Grand Vizier." + +The oldest of the merchants took up the discourse: "Selim Baruch," +said he, "welcome to our protection! It affords us joy to be of +assistance to thee. But first of all, sit down, and eat and drink with +us." + +Selim Baruch seated himself among the merchants, and ate and drank +with them. After the meal, the slaves removed the table, and brought +long pipes and Turkish sherbet. The merchants sat for some time in +silence, while they puffed out before them the bluish, smoke-clouds, +watching how they formed circle after circle, and at last were +dissipated in the ambient air. The young merchant finally broke the +silence. "Here sit we for three days," said he, "on horseback, and at +table, without doing any thing to while away the time. I feel this +tediousness much, for I am accustomed after dinner to see dancers, or +to hear singing and music. Know you nothing, my friends, that will +pass away the time for us?" + +The four elder merchants smoked away, and seemed to be seriously +reflecting, but the stranger spoke: "If it be allowed me, I will make +a proposition to you. I think one of us, at this resting-place, could +relate something for the amusement of the rest: this, certainly, would +serve to pass the time." + +"Selim Baruch, thou hast well spoken," said Achmet, the oldest of the +merchants; "let us accept the proposal." + +"I am rejoiced that it pleases you," answered Selim; "and, in order +that you may see that I desire nothing unreasonable, I will myself +begin." The five merchants, overjoyed, drew nearer together, and +placed the stranger in their midst. The slaves replenished their cups, +filled the pipes of their masters afresh, and brought glowing coals +for a light. Selim cleared his voice with a hearty draught of sherbet, +smoothed back the long beard from his mouth, and said, "Listen then to +THE HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK." + + + + +[Illustration] + +THE HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. + +CHAPTER I. + + +Once upon a time, on a fine afternoon, the Caliph Chasid was seated on +his sofa in Bagdad: he had slept a little, (for it was a hot day,) and +now, after his nap, looked quite happy. He smoked a long pipe of +rosewood, sipped, now and then, a little coffee which a slave poured +out for him, and stroked his beard, well-satisfied, for the flavor +pleased him. In a word, it was evident that the Caliph was in a good +humor. At this season one could easily speak with him, for he was +always very mild and affable; on which account did his Grand-Vizier, +Mansor, seek him at this hour, every day. + +On the afternoon in question he also came, but looked very serious, +quite contrary to his usual custom. The Caliph removed the pipe, a +moment, from his mouth, and said, "Wherefore, Grand-Vizier, wearest +thou so thoughtful a visage?" + +The Grand-Vizier folded his arms crosswise over his breast, made +reverence to his lord, and answered: "Sir, whether I wear a thoughtful +look, I know not, but there, below the palace, stands a trader who has +such fine goods, that it vexes me not to have abundant money." + +The Caliph, who had often before this gladly indulged his Vizier, sent +down his black slave to bring up the merchant, and in a moment they +entered together. He was a short, fat man, of swarthy countenance and +tattered dress. He carried a chest in which were all kinds of +wares--pearls and rings, richly-wrought pistols, goblets, and combs. +The Caliph and his Vizier examined them all, and the former at length +purchased fine pistols for himself and Mansor, and a comb for the +Vizier's wife. When the pedler was about to close his chest, the +Caliph espied a little drawer, and inquired whether there were wares +in that also. The trader drew forth the drawer, and pointed out +therein a box of black powder, and a paper with strange characters, +which neither the Caliph nor Mansor could read. + +"I obtained these two articles, some time ago, from a merchant, who +found them in the street at Mecca," said the trader. "I know not what +they contain. They are at your service for a moderate price; I can do +nothing with them." The Caliph, who gladly kept old manuscripts in his +library, though he could not read them, purchased writing and box, and +discharged the merchant. The Caliph, however, thought he would like to +know what the writing contained, and asked the Vizier if he knew any +one who could decipher it. + +"Most worthy lord and master," answered he, "near the great Mosque +lives a man called 'Selim the Learned,' who understands all languages: +let him come, perhaps he is acquainted with these mysterious +characters." + +The learned Selim was soon brought in. "Selim," said the Caliph to +him, "Selim, they say thou art very wise; look a moment at this +manuscript, and see if thou canst read it. If thou canst, thou shalt +receive from me a new festival-garment; if not, thou shalt have twelve +blows on the cheek, and five and twenty on the soles of the feet, +since, in that case, thou art unjustly called Selim the Learned." + +Selim bowed himself and said, "Sire, thy will be done!" For a long +time he pored over the manuscript, but suddenly exclaimed, "This is +Latin, sire, or I will suffer myself to be hung." + +"If it is Latin, tell us what is therein," commanded the Caliph. Selim +began to translate:-- + +"Man, whosoever thou mayest be that findest this, praise Allah for his +goodness! Whoever snuffs of the dust of this powder, and at the same +time says, MUTABOR, can change himself into any animal, and shall also +understand its language. If he wishes to return to the form of a man, +then let him bow three times to the East, and repeat the same word. +But take thou care, if thou be transformed, that thou laugh not; +otherwise shall the magic word fade altogether from thy remembrance, +and thou shalt remain a beast!" + +When Selim the Learned had thus read, the Caliph was overjoyed. He +made the translator swear to tell no one of their secret, presented +him a beautiful garment, and discharged him. To his Grand-Vizier, +however, he said: "That I call a good purchase, Mansor! How can I +contain myself until I become an animal! Early in the morning, do thou +come to me. Then will we go together into the country, take a little +snuff out of my box, and hear what is said in the air and in the +water, in the forest and in the field." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Scarcely, on the next morning, had the Caliph Chasid breakfasted and +dressed himself, when the Grand-Vizier appeared, to accompany him, as +he had commanded, on his walk. The Caliph placed the box with the +magic powder in his girdle, and having commanded his train to remain +behind, set out, all alone with Mansor, upon their expedition. They +went at first through the extensive gardens of the Caliph, but looked +around in vain for some living thing, in order to make their strange +experiment. The Vizier finally proposed to go farther on, to a pond, +where he had often before seen many storks, which, by their grave +behavior and clattering, had always excited his attention. The Caliph +approved of the proposition of his Vizier, and went with him to the +pond. When they reached it they saw a stork walking gravely to and +fro, seeking for frogs, and now and then clattering at something +before her. Presently they saw, too, another stork hovering far up in +the air. + +"I will wager my beard, most worthy sire," exclaimed the Grand-Vizier, +"that these two long-feet are even now carrying on a fine conversation +with one another. How would it be, if we should become storks?" + +"Well spoken!" answered the Caliph. "But first, we will consider how +we may become men again.--Right! Three times bow to the East, and +exclaim 'MUTABOR!' then will I be Caliph once more, and thou Vizier. +Only, for the sake of Heaven, laugh not, or we are lost!" + +While the Caliph was thus speaking, he saw the other stork hovering +over their heads, and sinking slowly to the ground. He drew the box +quickly out of his girdle, and took a good pinch; then he presented it +to the Grand-Vizier, who also snuffed some of the powder, and both +exclaimed "MUTABOR!" Immediately their legs shrivelled away and became +slender and red; the handsome yellow slippers of the Caliph and his +companion became misshapen stork's feet; their arms turned to wings; +the neck extended up from the shoulders, and was an ell long; their +beards had vanished, and their whole bodies were covered with soft +feathers. + +"You have a beautiful beak, my lord Grand-Vizier," exclaimed the +Caliph after long astonishment. "By the beard of the Prophet, in my +whole life I have not seen any thing like it!" + +"Most humble thanks!" responded the Vizier, as he bowed. "But if I +dared venture it, I might assert that your Highness looks almost as +handsome when a stork, as when a Caliph. But suppose, if it be +pleasing to you, that we observe and listen to our comrades, to see, +if we actually understand Storkish." + +Meanwhile the other stork reached the earth. He cleaned his feet with +his bill, smoothed his feathers, and moved towards the first. Both the +new birds, thereupon, made haste to draw near, and to their +astonishment, heard the following conversation. + +"Good-morning, Madam Long-legs; already, so early, upon the pond?" + +"Fine thanks, beloved Clatter-beak. I have brought me a little +breakfast. Would you like, perhaps, the quarter of an eider-duck, or a +little frog's thigh?" + +"My best thanks, but this morning I have little appetite. I come to +the pond for a very different reason. I have to dance to-day before +the guests of my father, and I wish to practise a little in private." + +Immediately, thereupon, the young lady-stork stepped, in great +excitement, over the plain. The Caliph and Mansor looked on her in +amazement. When, however, she stood in a picturesque attitude upon one +foot, and, at the same time, gracefully moved her wings like a fan, +the two could contain themselves no longer; a loud laugh broke forth +from their bills. The Caliph was the first to recover himself. "That +were once a joke," said he, "which gold could not have purchased. +Pity! that the stupid birds should have been driven away by our +laughter; otherwise they would certainly even yet have been singing." + +But already it occurred to the Grand-Vizier that, during their +metamorphosis, laughter was prohibited; he shared his anxiety on this +head with the Caliph. "By Mecca and Medina! that were a sorry jest, if +I am to remain a stork. Bethink thyself, then, of the foolish word, +for I can recall it not." + +"Three times must we bow ourselves to the East, and at the same time +say, Mu--mu--mu--" + +They turned to the East, and bowed so low that their beaks almost +touched the earth. But, O misery! that magic word had escaped them; +and though the Caliph prostrated himself again and again, though at +the same time the Vizier earnestly cried "Mu--mu--," all recollection +thereof had vanished, and poor Chasid and his Vizier were to remain +storks. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +The enchanted ones wandered sorrowfully through the fields, not +knowing, in their calamity, what they should first set about. To the +city they could not return, for the purpose of discovering themselves, +for who would have believed a stork that he was the Caliph? or, if he +should find credit, would the inhabitants of Bagdad have been willing +to have such a bird for their master? Thus, for several days, did they +wander around, supporting themselves on the produce of the fields, +which, however, on account of their long bills, they could not readily +pick up. For eider-ducks and frogs they had no appetite, for they +feared with such dainty morsels to ruin their stomachs. In this +pitiable situation their only consolation was that they could fly, and +accordingly they often winged their way to the roofs of Bagdad, to see +what was going on therein. + +On the first day they observed great commotion and mourning in the +streets; but on the fourth after their transformation, they lighted by +chance upon the royal palace, from which they saw, in the street +beneath, a splendid procession. Drums and fifes sounded; on a +richly-caparisoned steed was seated a man, in a scarlet mantle +embroidered with gold, surrounded by gorgeously-attired attendants. +Half Bagdad was running after him, crying, "Hail, Mizra! Lord of +Bagdad!" All this the two storks beheld from the roof of the palace, +and the Caliph Chasid exclaimed,-- + +"Perceivest thou now why I am enchanted, Grand-Vizier? This Mizra is +the son of my deadly enemy, the mighty sorcerer Kaschnur, who, in an +evil hour, vowed revenge against me. Still I do not abandon all hope. +Come with me, thou faithful companion of my misery; we will go to the +grave of the Prophet; perhaps in that holy spot the charm may be +dissolved." They raised themselves from the roof of the palace, and +flew in the direction of Medina. + +In the use of their wings, however, they experienced some difficulty, +for the two storks had, as yet, but little practice. "O Sire!" +groaned out the Vizier, after a couple of hours; "with your +permission, I can hold out no longer; you fly so rapidly! Besides, it +is already evening, and we would do well to seek a shelter for the +night." + +Chasid gave ear to the request of his attendant, and thereupon saw, in +the vale beneath, a ruin which appeared to promise safe lodgings; and +thither, accordingly, they flew. The place where they had alighted for +the night, seemed formerly to have been a castle. Gorgeous columns +projected from under the rubbish, and several chambers, which were +still in a state of tolerable preservation, testified to the former +magnificence of the mansion. Chasid and his companion went around +through the corridor, to seek for themselves a dry resting-place; +suddenly the stork Mansor paused. "Lord and master," he whispered +softly, "were it not foolish for a Grand-Vizier, still more for a +stork, to be alarmed at spectres, my mind is very uncomfortable; for +here, close at hand, sighs and groans are very plainly perceptible." +The Caliph now in turn stood still, and quite distinctly heard a low +moaning, which seemed to belong rather to a human being than a beast. +Full of expectation, he essayed to proceed to the place whence the +plaintive sounds issued: but the Vizier, seizing him by the wing with +his beak, entreated him fervently not to plunge them in new and +unknown dangers. In vain! the Caliph, to whom a valiant heart beat +beneath his stork-wing, burst away with the loss of a feather, and +hastened into a gloomy gallery. In a moment he reached a door, which +seemed only on the latch, and out of which he heard distinct sighs, +accompanied by a low moaning. He pushed the door open with his bill, +but stood, chained by amazement, upon the threshold. In the ruinous +apartment, which was now but dimly lighted through a grated window, he +saw a huge screech-owl sitting on the floor. Big tears rolled down +from her large round eyes, and with ardent voice she sent her cries +forth from her crooked bill. As soon, however, as she espied the +Caliph and his Vizier, who meanwhile had crept softly up behind, she +raised a loud cry of joy. She neatly wiped away the tears with her +brown-striped wing, and to the great astonishment of both, exclaimed, +in good human Arabic,-- + +"Welcome to you, storks! you are to me a good omen of deliverance, +for it was once prophesied to me that, through storks, a great piece +of good fortune is to fall to my lot." + +When the Caliph recovered from his amazement, he bowed his long neck, +brought his slender feet into an elegant position, and said: +"Screech-owl, after your words, I venture to believe that I see in you +a companion in misfortune. But, alas! this hope that through us thy +deliverance will take place, is groundless. Thou wilt, thyself, +realize our helplessness, when thou hearest our history." + +The Screech-owl entreated him to impart it to her, and the Caliph, +raising himself up, related what we already know. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +When the Caliph had told his history to the owl, she thanked him, and +said: "Listen to my story, also, and hear how I am no less unfortunate +than thyself. My father is the king of India; I, his only, unfortunate +daughter, am called Lusa. That same sorcerer Kaschnur, who transformed +you, has plunged me also in this affliction. He came, one day, to my +father, and asked me in marriage for his son Mizra. My father, +however, who is a passionate man, cast him down the steps. The wretch +managed to creep up to me again under another form, and as I was on +one occasion taking the fresh air in my garden, clad as a slave, he +presented me a potion which changed me into this detestable figure. He +brought me hither, swooning through fear, and exclaimed in my ear with +awful voice, 'There shalt thou remain, frightful one, despised even by +beasts, until thy death, or till one, of his own free will, even +under this execrable form, take thee to wife. Thus revenge I myself +upon thee, and thy haughty father!' + +"Since then, many months have elapsed; alone and mournfully I live, +like a hermit, in these walls, abhorred by the world, an abomination +even to brutes. Beautiful nature is shut out from me; for I am blind +by day, and only when the moon sheds her wan light upon this ruin, +falls the shrouding veil from mine eye." + +The owl ended, and again wiped her eyes with her wing, for the +narration of her wo had called forth tears. The Caliph was plunged in +deep meditation by the story of the Princess. "If I am not altogether +deceived," said he, "you will find that between our misfortunes a +secret connection exists; but where can I find the key to this +enigma?" + +The owl answered him, "My lord! this also is plain to me; for once, in +early youth, it was foretold to me by a wise woman, that a stork would +bring me great happiness, and perhaps I might know how we may save +ourselves." + +The Caliph was much astonished, and inquired in what way she meant. + +"The enchanter who has made us both miserable," said she, "comes once +every month to these ruins. Not far from this chamber is a hall; +there, with many confederates, he is wont to banquet. Already I have +often watched them: they relate to one another their shameful +deeds--perhaps he might then mention the magic word which you have +forgotten." + +"Oh, dearest Princess!" exclaimed the Caliph: "tell us--when will he +come, and where is the hall?" + +The owl was silent a moment, and then said: "Take it not unkindly, but +only on one condition can I grant your wish." + +"Speak out! speak out!" cried Chasid. "Command; whatever it may be, I +am ready to obey." + +"It is this: I would fain at the same time be free; this, however, can +only take place, if one of you offer me his hand." At this proposition +the storks seemed somewhat surprised, and the Caliph beckoned to his +attendant to step aside with him a moment. "Grand-Vizier," said the +Caliph before the door, "this is a stupid affair, but you can set it +all right." + +"Thus?" rejoined he; "that my wife, when I go home, may scratch my +eyes out? Besides, I am an old man, while you are still young and +unmarried, and can better give your hand to a young and beautiful +princess." + +"Ah! that is the point," sighed the Caliph, as he mournfully drooped +his wings: "who told you she is young and fair? That is equivalent to +buying a cat in a sack!" They continued to converse together for a +long time, but finally, when the Caliph saw that Mansor would rather +remain a stork than marry the owl, he determined sooner, himself, to +accept the condition. The owl was overjoyed; she avowed to them that +they could have come at no better time, since, probably, that very +night, the sorcerers would assemble together. + +She left the apartment with the storks, in order to lead them to the +saloon; they went a long way through a gloomy passage, until at last a +very bright light streamed upon them through a half-decayed wall. When +they reached this place, the owl advised them to halt very quietly. +From the breach, near which they were standing, they could look down +upon a large saloon, adorned all around with pillars, and splendidly +decorated, in which many colored lamps restored the light of day. In +the midst of the saloon stood a round table, laden with various choice +meats. Around the table extended a sofa, on which eight men were +seated. In one of these men the storks recognised the very merchant, +who had sold them the magic powder. His neighbor desired him to tell +them his latest exploits; whereupon he related, among others, the +story of the Caliph and his Vizier. + +"What did you give them for a word?" inquired of him one of the other +magicians. + +"A right ponderous Latin one--MUTABOR." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +When the storks heard this through their chasm in the wall, they +became almost beside themselves with joy. They ran so quickly with +their long feet to the door of the ruin, that the owl could scarcely +keep up with them. Thereupon spoke the Caliph to her: "Preserver of my +life and that of my friend, in token of our eternal thanks for what +thou hast done for us, take me as thy husband." Then he turned to the +East: three times they bowed their long necks towards the sun, which +was even now rising above the mountains, and at the same moment +exclaimed "MUTABOR!" In a twinkling they were restored, and in the +excessive joy of their newly-bestowed life, alternately laughing and +weeping, were folded in each other's arms. But who can describe their +astonishment when they looked around? A beautiful woman, attired as a +queen, stood before them. Smiling, she gave the Caliph her hand, and +said, "Know you your screech-owl no longer?" It was she; the Caliph +was in such transports at her beauty and pleasantness, as to cry out, +that it was the most fortunate moment in his life, when he became a +stork. + +The three now proceeded together to Bagdad. The Caliph found in his +dress, not only the box of magic powder, but also his money-bag. By +means thereof, he purchased at the nearest village what was necessary +for their journey, and accordingly they soon appeared before the gates +of the city. Here, however, the arrival of the Caliph excited great +astonishment. They had given out that he was dead, and the people were +therefore highly rejoiced to have again their beloved lord. + +So much the more, however, burned their hatred against the impostor +Mizra. They proceeded to the palace, and caught the old magician and +his son. The old man the Caliph sent to the same chamber in the ruin, +which the princess, as a screech-owl, had inhabited, and there had +him hung; unto the son, however, who understood nothing of his +father's arts, he gave his choice,--to die, or snuff some of the +powder. Having chosen the latter, the Grand-Vizier presented him the +box. A hearty pinch, and the magic word of the Caliph converted him +into a stork. Chasid had him locked up in an iron cage, and hung in +his garden. + +Long and happily lived Caliph Chasid with his spouse, the Princess; +his pleasantest hours were always those, when in the afternoon the +Vizier sought him; and whenever the Caliph was in a very good humor, +he would let himself down so far, as to show Mansor how he looked, +when a stork. He would gravely march along, with rigid feet, up and +down the chamber, make a clattering noise, wave his arms like wings, +and show how, in vain, he had prostrated himself to the East, and +cried out, MU--MU. To the Princess and her children, this imitation +always afforded great amusement: when, however, the Caliph clattered, +and bowed, and cried out, too long, then the Vizier would threaten him +that he would disclose to his spouse what had been proposed outside +the door of the Princess Screech-owl! + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +When Selim Baruch had finished his story, the merchants declared +themselves delighted therewith. "Verily, the afternoon has passed away +from us without our having observed it!" exclaimed one of them, +throwing back the covering of the tent: "the evening wind blows cool, +we can still make a good distance on our journey." To this his +companions agreed; the tents were struck, and the Caravan proceeded on +its way in the same order in which it had come up. + +They rode almost all the night long, for it was refreshing and +starry, whereas the day was sultry. At last they arrived at a +convenient stopping-place; here they pitched their tents, and composed +themselves to rest. To the stranger the merchants attended, as a most +valued guest. One gave him cushions, a second covering, a third +slaves; in a word, he was as well provided for as if he had been at +home. The hottest hours of the day had already arrived, when they +awoke again, and they unanimously determined to wait for evening in +this place. After they had eaten together, they moved more closely to +each other, and the young merchant, turning to the oldest, addressed +him: "Selim Baruch yesterday made a pleasant afternoon for us; suppose +Achmet, that you also tell us something, be it either from your long +life, which has known so many adventures, or even a pretty Märchen." + +Upon these words Achmet was silent some time, as if he were in doubt +whether to tell this or that; at last he began to speak: "Dear +friends, on this our journey you have proved yourselves faithful +companions, and Selim also deserves my confidence; I will therefore +impart to you something of my life, of which, under other +circumstances, I would speak reluctantly, and, indeed, not to any one: +THE HISTORY OF THE SPECTRE SHIP." + + + + +THE HISTORY OF THE SPECTRE SHIP. + +[Illustration] + + +My father had a little shop in Balsora; he was neither rich, nor poor, +but one of those who do not like to risk any thing, through fear of +losing the little that they have. He brought me up plainly, but +virtuously, and soon I advanced so far, that I was able to make +valuable suggestions to him in his business. When I reached my +eighteenth year, in the midst of his first speculation of any +importance, he died; probably through anxiety at having intrusted a +thousand gold pieces to the sea. I was obliged, soon after, to deem +him happy in his fortunate death, for in a few weeks the intelligence +reached us, that the vessel, to which my father had committed his +goods, had been wrecked. This misfortune, however, could not depress +my youthful spirits. I converted all that my father had left into +money, and set out to try my fortune in foreign lands, accompanied +only by an old servant of the family, who, on account of ancient +attachment, would not part from me and my destiny. + +In the harbor of Balsora we embarked, with a favorable wind. The ship, +in which I had taken passage, was bound to India. We had now for +fifteen days sailed in the usual track, when the Captain predicted to +us a storm. He wore a thoughtful look, for it seemed he knew that, in +this place, there was not sufficient depth of water to encounter a +storm with safety. He ordered them to take in all sail, and we moved +along quite slowly. The night set in clear and cold, and the Captain +began to think that he had been mistaken in his forebodings. All at +once there floated close by ours, a ship which none of us had +observed before. A wild shout and cry ascended from the deck, at +which, occurring at this anxious season, before a storm, I wondered +not a little. But the Captain by my side was deadly pale: "My ship is +lost," cried he; "there sails Death!" Before I could demand an +explanation of these singular words, the sailors rushed in, weeping +and wailing. "Have you seen it?" they exclaimed: "all is now over with +us!" + +But the Captain had words of consolation read to them out of the +Koran, and seated himself at the helm. But in vain! The tempest began +visibly to rise with a roaring noise, and, before an hour passed by, +the ship struck and remained aground. The boats were lowered, and +scarcely had the last sailors saved themselves, when the vessel went +down before our eyes, and I was launched, a beggar, upon the sea. But +our misfortune had still no end. Frightfully roared the tempest, the +boat could no longer be governed. I fastened myself firmly to my old +servant, and we mutually promised not to be separated from each other. +At last the day broke, but, with the first glance of the morning-red, +the wind struck and upset the boat in which we were seated. After that +I saw my shipmates no more. The shock deprived me of consciousness, +and when I returned to my senses, I found myself in the arms of my old +faithful attendant, who had saved himself on the boat which had been +upturned, and had come in search of me. The storm had abated; of our +vessel there was nothing any more to be seen, but we plainly descried, +at no great distance from us, another ship, towards which the waves +were driving us. As we approached, I recognised the vessel as the same +which had passed by us in the night, and which had thrown the Captain +into such consternation. I felt a strange horror of this ship; the +intimation of the Captain, which had been so fearfully corroborated, +the desolate appearance of the ship, on which, although as we drew +near we uttered loud cries, no one was visible, alarmed me. +Nevertheless this was our only expedient; accordingly, we praised the +Prophet, who had so miraculously preserved us. + +From the fore-part of the ship hung down a long cable; for the purpose +of laying hold of this, we paddled with our hands and feet. At last +we were successful. Loudly I raised my voice, but all remained quiet +as ever, on board the vessel. Then we climbed up by the rope, I, as +the youngest, taking the lead. But horror! what a spectacle was there +presented to my eye, as I stepped upon the deck! The floor was red +with blood; upon it lay twenty or thirty corpses in Turkish costume; +by the middle-mast stood a man richly attired, with sabre in hand--but +his face was wan and distorted; through his forehead passed a large +spike which fastened him to the mast--he was dead! Terror chained my +feet; I dared hardly to breathe. At last my companion stood by my +side; he, too, was overpowered at sight of the deck which exhibited no +living thing, but only so many frightful corpses. After having, in the +anguish of our souls, supplicated the Prophet, we ventured to move +forward. At every step we looked around to see if something new, +something still more horrible, would not present itself. But all +remained as it was--far and wide, no living thing but ourselves, and +the ocean-world. Not once did we dare to speak aloud, through fear +that the dead Captain there nailed to the mast would bend his rigid +eyes upon us, or lest one of the corpses should turn his head. At last +we arrived at a staircase, which led into the hold. There +involuntarily we came to a halt, and looked at each other, for neither +of us exactly ventured to express his thoughts. + +"Master," said my faithful servant, "something awful has happened +here. Nevertheless, even if the ship down there below is full of +murderers, still would I rather submit myself to their mercy or +cruelty, than spend a longer time among these dead bodies." I agreed +with him, and so we took heart, and descended, full of apprehension. +But the stillness of death prevailed here also, and there was no sound +save that of our steps upon the stairs. We stood before the door of +the cabin; I applied my ear, and listened--there was nothing to be +heard. I opened it. The room presented a confused appearance; clothes, +weapons, and other articles, lay disordered together. The crew, or at +least the Captain, must shortly before have been carousing, for the +remains of a banquet lay scattered around. We went on from room to +room, from chamber to chamber finding, in all, royal stores of silk, +pearls, and other costly articles. I was beside myself with joy at the +sight, for as there was no one on the ship, I thought I could +appropriate all to myself; but Ibrahim thereupon called to my notice +that we were still far from land, at which we could not arrive, alone +and without human help. + +We refreshed ourselves with the meats and drink, which we found in +rich profusion, and at last ascended upon deck. But here again we +shivered at the awful sight of the bodies. We determined to free +ourselves therefrom, by throwing them overboard; but how were we +startled to find, that no one could move them from their places! So +firmly were they fastened to the floor, that to remove them one would +have had to take up the planks of the deck, for which tools were +wanting to us. The Captain, moreover, could not be loosened from the +mast, nor could we even wrest the sabre from his rigid hand. We passed +the day in sorrowful reflection on our condition; and, when night +began to draw near, I gave permission to the old Ibrahim to lie down +to sleep, while I would watch upon the deck, to look out for means of +deliverance. When, however, the moon shone forth, and by the stars I +calculated that it was about the eleventh hour, sleep so irresistibly +overpowered me that I fell back, involuntarily, behind a cask which +stood upon the deck. It was rather lethargy than sleep, for I plainly +heard the sea beat against the side of the vessel, and the sails creak +and whistle in the wind. All at once I thought I heard voices, and the +steps of men upon the deck. I wished to arise and see what it was, but +a strange power fettered my limbs, and I could not once open my eyes. +But still more distinct became the voices; it appeared to me as if a +merry crew were moving around upon the deck. In the midst of this I +thought I distinguished the powerful voice of a commander, followed by +the noise of ropes and sails. Gradually my senses left me; I fell into +a deep slumber, in which I still seemed to hear the din of weapons, +and awoke only when the sun was high in the heavens, and sent down his +burning rays upon my face. Full of wonder, I gazed about me; storm, +ship, the bodies, and all that I had heard in the night, recurred to +me as a dream; but when I looked around, I found all as it had been +the day before. Immoveable lay the bodies, immoveably was the Captain +fastened to the mast; I laughed at my dream, and proceeded in search +of my old companion. + +The latter was seated in sorrowful meditation in the cabin. "O +master," he exclaimed as I entered, "rather would I lie in the deepest +bottom of the sea, than pass another night in this enchanted ship." I +asked him the reason of his grief, and thus he answered me:-- + +"When I had slept an hour, I awoke, and heard the noise of walking to +and fro over my head. I thought at first that it was you, but there +were at least twenty running around; I also heard conversation and +cries. At length came heavy steps upon the stairs. After this I was no +longer conscious; but at times my recollection returned for a moment, +and then I saw the same man who is nailed to the mast, sit down at +that table, singing and drinking; and he who lies not far from him on +the floor, in a scarlet cloak, sat near him, and helped him to drink." +Thus spoke my old servant to me. + +You may believe me, my friends, that all was not right to my mind; +for there was no delusion--I too had plainly heard the dead. To sail +in such company was to me horrible; my Ibrahim, however, was again +absorbed in deep reflection. "I have it now!" he exclaimed at length; +there occurred to him, namely, a little verse, which his grandfather, +a man of experience and travel, had taught him, and which could give +assistance against every ghost and spectre. He also maintained that we +could, the next night, prevent the unnatural sleep which had come upon +us, by repeating right fervently sentences out of the Koran. + +The proposition of the old man pleased me well. In anxious expectation +we saw the night set in. Near the cabin was a little room, to which we +determined to retire. We bored several holes in the door, large enough +to give us a view of the whole cabin; then we shut it as firmly as we +could from within, and Ibrahim wrote the name of the Prophet in all +four corners of the room. Thus we awaited the terrors of the night. + +It might again have been about the eleventh hour, when a strong +inclination for sleep began to overpower me. My companion, thereupon, +advised me to repeat some sentences from the Koran, which assisted me +to retain my consciousness. All at once it seemed to become lively +overhead; the ropes creaked, there were steps upon the deck, and +several voices were plainly distinguishable. We remained, a few +moments, in intense anxiety; then we heard something descending the +cabin stairs. When the old man became aware of this, he began to +repeat the words which his grandfather had taught him to use against +spirits and witchcraft: + + "Come you, from the air descending, + Rise you from the deep sea-cave, + Spring you forth where flames are blending, + Glide you in the dismal grave: + Allah reigns, let all adore him! + Own him, spirits--bow before him!" + +I must confess I did not put much faith in this verse, and my hair +stood on end when the door flew open. The same large, stately man +entered, whom I had seen nailed to the mast. The spike still passed +through the middle of his brain, but he had sheathed his sword. Behind +him entered another, attired with less magnificence, whom also I had +seen lying on the deck. The Captain, for he was unquestionably of this +rank, had a pale countenance, a large black beard, and wildly-rolling +eyes, with which he surveyed the whole apartment. I could see him +distinctly, for he moved over opposite to us; but he appeared not to +observe the door which concealed us. The two seated themselves at the +table, which stood in the centre of the cabin, and spoke loud and +fast, shouting together in an unknown tongue. They continually became +more noisy and earnest, until at length, with doubled fist, the +Captain brought the table a blow which shook the whole apartment. With +wild laughter the other sprang up, and beckoned to the Captain to +follow him. The latter rose, drew his sabre, and then both left the +apartment. We breathed more freely when they were away; but our +anxiety had still for a long time no end. Louder and louder became the +noise upon deck; we heard hasty running to and fro, shouting, +laughing, and howling. At length there came an actually hellish sound, +so that we thought the deck and all the sails would fall down upon us, +the clash of arms, and shrieks--of a sudden all was deep silence. +When, after many hours, we ventured to go forth, we found every thing +as before; not one lay differently--all were as stiff as wooden +figures. + +[Illustration] + +Thus passed we several days on the vessel; it moved continually +towards the East, in which direction, according to my calculation, lay +the land; but if by day it made many miles, by night it appeared to go +back again, for we always found ourselves in the same spot when the +sun went down. We could explain this in no other way, than that the +dead men every night sailed back again with a full breeze. In order to +prevent this, we took in all the sail before it became night, and +employed the same means as at the door in the cabin; we wrote on +parchment the name of the Prophet, and also, in addition, the little +stanza of the grandfather, and bound them upon the furled sail. +Anxiously we awaited the result in our chamber. The ghosts appeared +this time not to rage so wickedly; and, mark, the next morning the +sails were still rolled up as we had left them. During the day we +extended only as much as was necessary to bear the ship gently along, +and so in five days we made considerable headway. + +At last, on the morning of the sixth day, we espied land at a short +distance, and thanked Allah and his Prophet for our wonderful +deliverance. This day and the following night we sailed along the +coast, and on the seventh morning thought we discovered a city at no +great distance: with a good deal of trouble we cast an anchor into the +sea, which soon reached the bottom; then launching a boat which stood +upon the deck, we rowed with all our might towards the city. After +half an hour we ran into a river that emptied into the sea, and +stepped ashore. At the gate we inquired what the place was called, and +learned that it was an Indian city, not far from the region to which +at first I had intended to sail. We repaired to a Caravansery, and +refreshed ourselves after our adventurous sail. I there inquired for a +wise and intelligent man, at the same time giving the landlord to +understand that I would like to have one tolerably conversant with +magic. He conducted me to an unsightly house in a remote street, +knocked thereat, and one let me in with the injunction that I should +ask only for Muley. + +In the house, came to me a little old man with grizzled beard and a +long nose, to demand my business. I told him I was in search of the +wise Muley; he answered me that he was the man. I then asked his +advice as to what I should do to the dead bodies, and how I must +handle them in order to remove them from the ship. + +He answered me that the people of the ship were probably enchanted on +account of a crime somewhere upon the sea: he thought the spell would +be dissolved by bringing them to land, but this could be done only by +taking up the planks on which they lay. In the sight of God and +justice, he said that the ship, together with all the goods, belonged +to me, since I had, as it were, found it; and, if I would keep it very +secret, and make him a small present out of my abundance, he would +assist me with his slaves to remove the bodies. I promised to reward +him richly, and we set out on our expedition with five slaves, who +were supplied with saws and hatchets. On the way, the magician Muley +could not sufficiently praise our happy expedient of binding the +sails around with the sentences from the Koran. He said this was the +only means, by which we could have saved ourselves. + +It was still pretty early in the day when we reached the ship. We +immediately set to work, and in an hour placed four in the boat. Some +of the slaves were then obliged to row to land to bury them there. +They told us, when they returned, that the bodies had spared them the +trouble of burying, since, the moment they laid them on the earth, +they had fallen to dust. We diligently set to work to saw off the +bodies, and before evening all were brought to land. There were, at +last, no more on board than the one that was nailed to the mast. +Vainly sought we to draw the nail out of the wood, no strength was +able to start it even a hair's-breadth. I knew not what next to do, +for we could not hew down the mast in order to bring him to land; but +in this dilemma Muley came to my assistance. He quickly ordered a +slave to row to land and bring a pot of earth. When he had arrived +with it, the magician pronounced over it some mysterious words, and +cast it on the dead man's head. Immediately the latter opened his +eyes, drew a deep breath, and the wound of the nail in his forehead +began to bleed. We now drew it lightly forth, and the wounded man fell +into the arms of one of the slaves. + +"Who bore me hither?" he exclaimed, after he seemed to have recovered +himself a little. Muley made signs to me, and I stepped up to him. + +"Thank thee, unknown stranger; thou hast freed me from long torment. +For fifty years has my body been sailing through these waves, and my +spirit was condemned to return to it every night. But now my head has +come in contact with the earth, and, my crime expiated, I can go to my +fathers!" + +I entreated him, thereupon, to tell how he had been brought to this +horrible state, and he began-- + +"Fifty years ago, I was an influential, distinguished man, and resided +in Algiers: a passion for gain urged me on to fit out a ship, and turn +pirate. I had already followed this business some time, when once, at +Zante, I took on board a Dervise, who wished to travel for nothing. I +and my companions were impious men, and paid no respect to the +holiness of the man; I, in particular, made sport of him. When, +however, on one occasion he upbraided me with holy zeal for my wicked +course of life, that same evening, after I had been drinking to excess +with my pilot in the cabin, anger overpowered me. Reflecting on what +the Dervise had said to me, which I would not have borne from a +Sultan, I rushed upon deck, and plunged my dagger into his breast. +Dying, he cursed me and my crew, and doomed us not to die and not to +live, until we should lay our heads upon the earth. + +"The Dervise expired, and we cast him overboard, laughing at his +menaces; that same night, however, were his words fulfilled. One +portion of my crew rose against me; with terrible courage the struggle +continued, until my supporters fell, and I myself was nailed to the +mast. The mutineers, however, also sank under their wounds, and soon +my ship was but one vast grave. My eyes also closed, my breath +stopped--I thought I was dying. But it was only a torpor which held me +chained: the following night, at the same hour in which we had cast +the Dervise into the sea, I awoke, together with all my comrades; +life returned, but we could do and say nothing but what had been done +and said on that fatal night. Thus we sailed for fifty years, neither +living nor dying, for how could we reach the land? With mad joy we +ever dashed along, with full sails, before the storm, for we hoped at +last to be wrecked upon some cliff, and to compose our weary heads to +rest upon the bottom of the sea; but in this we never succeeded. Now I +shall die! Once again, unknown preserver, accept my thanks, and if +treasures can reward thee, then take my ship in token of my +gratitude." + +With these words the Captain let his head drop, and expired. Like his +companions, he immediately fell to dust. We collected this in a little +vessel, and buried it on the shore: and I took workmen from the city +to put the ship in good condition. After I had exchanged, with great +advantage, the wares I had on board for others, I hired a crew, richly +rewarded my friend Muley, and set sail for my fatherland. I took a +circuitous route, in the course of which I landed at several islands +and countries, to bring my goods to market. The Prophet blessed my +undertaking. After several years I ran into Balsora, twice as rich as +the dying Captain had made me. My fellow-citizens were amazed at my +wealth and good fortune, and would believe nothing else but that I had +found the diamond-valley of the far-famed traveller Sinbad. I left +them to their belief; henceforth must the young folks of Balsora, when +they have scarcely arrived at their eighteenth year, go forth into the +world, like me, to seek their fortunes. I, however, live in peace and +tranquillity, and every five years make a journey to Mecca, to thank +the Lord for his protection, in that holy place, and to entreat for +the Captain and his crew, that He will admit them into Paradise. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +The march of the Caravan proceeded the next day without hinderance, +and when they halted, Selim the Stranger began thus to speak to Muley, +the youngest of the merchants: + +"You are, indeed, the youngest of us, nevertheless you are always in +fine spirits, and, to a certainty, know for us, some right merry +story. Out with it then, that it may refresh us after the heat of the +day." + +"I might easily tell you something," answered Muley, "which would +amuse you, nevertheless modesty becomes youth in all things; therefore +must my older companions have the precedence. Zaleukos is ever so +grave and reserved; should not he tell us what has made his life so +serious? Perhaps we could assuage his grief, if such he have; for +gladly would we serve a brother, even if he belong to another creed." + +The person alluded to was a Grecian merchant of middle age, handsome +and strongly built, but very serious. Although he was an unbeliever, +(that is, no Mussulman,) still his companions were much attached to +him, for his whole conduct had inspired them with respect and +confidence. He had only one hand, and some of his companions +conjectured that, perhaps, this loss gave so grave a tone to his +character. Zaleukos thus answered Muley's friendly request: + +"I am much honored by your confidence: grief have I none, at least +none from which, even with your best wishes, you can relieve me. +Nevertheless, since Muley appears to blame me for my seriousness, I +will relate to you something which will justify me when I am more +grave than others. You see that I have lost my left hand; this came +not to me at my birth, but I lost it in the most unhappy days of my +life. Whether I bear the fault thereof, whether I am wrong to be more +serious than my condition in life would seem to make me, you must +decide, when I have told you the STORY OF THE HEWN-OFF HAND." + + + + +[Illustration] + +THE STORY OF THE HEWN OFF HAND. + + +I was born in Constantinople; my father was a Dragoman of the Ottoman +Porte, and carried on, besides, a tolerably lucrative trade in +essences and silk goods. He gave me a good education, since he partly +superintended it himself, and partly had me instructed by one of our +priests. At first, he intended that I should one day take charge of +his business: but since I displayed greater capacity than he expected, +with the advice of his friends, he resolved that I should study +medicine; for a physician, if he only knows more than a common quack, +can make his fortune in Constantinople. + +Many Frenchmen were in the habit of coming to our house, and one of +them prevailed upon my father to let me go to the city of Paris, in +his fatherland, where one could learn the profession gratuitously, and +with the best advantages: he himself would take me with him, at his +own expense, when he returned. My father, who in his youth had also +been a traveller, consented, and the Frenchman told me to hold myself +in readiness in three months. I was beside myself with delight to see +foreign lands, and could not wait for the moment in which we should +embark. At last the stranger had finished his business, and was ready +to start. + +On the evening preceding our voyage, my father conducted me into his +sleeping apartment; there I saw fine garments and weapons lying on the +table; but what most attracted my eye was a large pile of gold, for I +had never before seen so much together. My father embraced me, and +said, + +"See, my son, I have provided thee with garments for thy journey. +These weapons are thine; they are those which thy grandfather hung +upon me, when I went forth into foreign lands. I know thou canst wield +them; but use them not, unless thou art attacked; then, however, lay +on with right good-will. My wealth is not great; see! I have divided +it into three parts: one is thine; one shall be for my support, and +spare money in case of necessity; the third shall be sacred and +untouched by me, it may serve thee in the hour of need." Thus spoke my +old father, while tears hung in his eyes, perhaps from a presentiment, +for I have never seen him since. + +Our voyage was favorable; we soon reached the land of the Franks, and +six days' journey brought us to the large city, Paris. Here my French +friend hired me a room, and advised me to be prudent in spending my +money, which amounted to two thousand thalers. In this city I lived +three years, and learned all that a well-educated physician should +know. I would be speaking falsely, however, if I said that I was very +happy, for the customs of the people pleased me not; moreover, I had +but few good friends among them, but these were young men of +nobility. + +The longing after my native land at length became irresistible; during +the whole time I had heard nothing from my father, and I therefore +seized a favorable opportunity to return home. There was going an +embassy from France to the Supreme Porte: I agreed to join the train +of the ambassador as surgeon, and soon arrived once more at Stamboul. + +My father's dwelling, however, I found closed, and the neighbors, +astonished at seeing me, said that my father had been dead for two +months. The priest, who had instructed me in youth, brought me the +key. Alone and forsaken, I entered the desolate house. I found all as +my father had left it; but the gold which he promised to leave to me, +was missing. I inquired of the priest respecting it, and he bowed and +said: + +"Your father died like a holy man, for he left his gold to the +Church!" + +This was incomprehensible to me; nevertheless, what could I do? I had +no proofs against the priest, and could only congratulate myself that +he had not also looked upon the house, and wares of my father, in the +light of a legacy. This was the first misfortune that met me; but after +this came one upon another. My reputation as a physician would not +extend itself, because I was ashamed to play the quack; above all, I +missed the recommendation of my father, who had introduced me to the +richest and most respectable families; but now they thought no more of +the poor Zaleukos. Moreover, the wares of my father found no sale, for +his customers had been scattered at his death, and new ones came only +after a long time. One day, as I was reflecting sorrowfully upon my +situation, it occurred to me that in France I had often seen countrymen +of mine, who travelled through the land, and exposed their goods at the +market-places of the cities: I recollected that people gladly purchased +of them, because they came from foreign lands; and that by such a +trade, one could make a hundred-fold. My resolution was forthwith +taken; I sold my paternal dwelling, gave a portion of the money +obtained thereby to a tried friend to preserve for me, and with the +remainder purchased such articles as were rare in France,--shawls, +silken goods, ointments, and oils; for these I hired a place upon a +vessel, and thus began my second voyage to France. It appeared as if +fortune became favorable to me, the moment I had the Straits of the +Dardanelles upon my back. Our voyage was short and prosperous. I +travelled through the cities of France, large and small, and found, in +all, ready purchasers for my goods. My friend in Stamboul continually +sent me fresh supplies, and I became richer from day to day. At last +when I had husbanded so well, that I believed myself able to venture on +some more extensive undertaking, I went with my wares into Italy. I +must, however, mention something that brought me in no little money; I +called my profession also to my assistance. As soon as I arrived in a +city I announced, by means of bills, that a Grecian physician was +there, who had already cured many; and, truly, my balsam, and my +medicines, had brought me in many a zechin. + +Thus at last I reached the city of Florence, in Italy. I proposed to +myself to remain longer than usual in this place, partly because it +pleased me so well, partly, moreover, that I might recover from the +fatigues of my journey. I hired myself a shop in the quarter of the +city called St. Croce, and in a tavern not far therefrom, took a +couple of fine rooms which led out upon a balcony. Immediately I had +my bills carried around, which announced me as a physician and +merchant. I had no sooner opened my shop than buyers streamed in upon +me, and although I asked a tolerably high price, still I sold more +than others, because I was attentive and friendly to my customers. + +Well satisfied, I had spent four days in Florence, when one evening, +after I had shut my shop, and according to custom was examining my +stock of ointment-boxes, I found, in one of the smaller ones, a letter +which I did not remember to have put in. I opened it and found therein +an invitation to repair that night, punctually at twelve, to the +bridge called the Ponte Vecchio. For some time I reflected upon this, +as to who it could be that had thus invited me; as, however, I knew +not a soul in Florence, I thought, as had often happened already, that +one wished to lead me privately to some sick person. Accordingly I +resolved to go; nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, I put on +the sabre which my father had given me. As it was fast approaching +midnight, I set out upon my way, and soon arrived at the Ponte +Vecchio; I found the bridge forsaken and desolate, and resolved to +wait until it should appear who had addressed me. + +It was a cold night; the moon shone clear as I looked down upon the +waters of the Arno, which sparkled in her light. On the church of the +city the twelfth hour was sounding, when I looked up, and before me +stood a tall man, entirely covered with a red cloak, a corner of which +he held before his face. At this sudden apparition I was at first +somewhat startled, but I soon recovered myself and said-- + +"If you have summoned me hither, tell me, what is your pleasure?" + +The Red-mantle turned, and solemnly ejaculated, "Follow!" + +My mind was nevertheless somewhat uneasy at the idea of going alone +with this Unknown; I stood still and said, "Not so, dear sir; you will +first tell me whither; moreover, you may show me your face a little, +that I may see whether you have good intentions towards me." + +The Stranger, however, appeared not to be concerned thereat. "If thou +wishest it not, Zaleukos, then remain!" answered he, moving away. At +this my anger burned. + +"Think you," I cried, "that I will suffer a man to play the fool with +me, and wait here this cold night for nothing?" In three bounds I +reached him; crying still louder, I seized him by the cloak, laying +the other hand upon my sabre; but the mantle remained in my hand, and +the Unknown vanished around the nearest corner. My anger gradually +cooled; I still had the cloak, and this should furnish the key to this +strange adventure. I put it on, and moved towards home. Before I had +taken a hundred steps, somebody passed very near, and whispered in the +French tongue, "Observe, Count, to-night, we can do nothing." Before I +could look around, this somebody had passed, and I saw only a shadow +hovering near the houses. That this exclamation was addressed to the +mantle, and not to me, I plainly perceived; nevertheless, this threw +no light upon the matter. Next morning I considered what was best to +be done. At first I thought of having proclamation made respecting +the cloak, that I had found it; but in that case the Unknown could +send for it by a third person, and I would have no explanation of the +matter. While thus meditating I took a nearer view of the garment. It +was of heavy Genoese velvet, of dark red color, bordered with fur from +Astrachan, and richly embroidered with gold. The gorgeousness of the +cloak suggested to me a plan, which I resolved to put in execution. I +carried it to my shop and offered it for sale, taking care, however, +to set so high a price upon it, that I would be certain to find no +purchaser. My object in this was to fix my eye keenly upon every one +who should come to inquire after it; for the figure of the Unknown, +which, after the loss of the mantle, had been exposed to me distinctly +though transiently, I could recognise out of thousands. Many merchants +came after the cloak, the extraordinary beauty of which drew all eyes +upon it; but none bore the slightest resemblance to the Unknown, none +would give for it the high price of two hundred zechins. It was +surprising to me, that when I asked one and another whether there was +a similar mantle in Florence, all answered in the negative, and +protested that they had never seen such costly and elegant +workmanship. + +It was just becoming evening, when at last there came a young man who +had often been in there, and had also that very day bid high for the +mantle; he threw upon the table a bag of zechins, exclaiming-- + +"By Heaven! Zaleukos, I must have your mantle, should I be made a +beggar by it." Immediately he began to count out his gold pieces. I +was in a great dilemma; I had exposed the mantle, in order thereby to +get a sight of my unknown friend, and now came a young simpleton to +give the unheard-of price. Nevertheless, what remained for me? I +complied, for on the other hand the reflection consoled me, that my +night adventure would be so well rewarded. The young man put on the +cloak and departed; he turned, however, upon the threshold, while he +loosened a paper which was attached to the collar, and threw it +towards me, saying, "Here, Zaleukos, hangs something, that does not +properly belong to my purchase." Indifferently, I received the note; +but lo! these were the contents:-- + +"This night, at the hour thou knowest, bring the mantle to the Ponte +Vecchio; four hundred zechins await thee!" + +I stood as one thunder-struck: thus had I trifled with fortune, and +entirely missed my aim. Nevertheless, I reflected not long; catching +up the two hundred zechins, I bounded to the side of the young man and +said, "Take your zechins again, my good friend, and leave me the +cloak; I cannot possibly part with it." + +At first he treated the thing as a jest, but when he saw it was +earnest, he fell in a passion at my presumption, and called me a fool; +and thus at last we came to blows. I was fortunate enough to seize the +mantle in the scuffle, and was already making off with it, when the +young man called the police to his assistance, and had both of us +carried before a court of justice. The magistrate was much astonished +at the accusation, and adjudged the cloak to my opponent. I however, +offered the young man twenty, fifty, eighty, at last a hundred, +zechins, in addition to his two hundred, if he would surrender it to +me. What my entreaties could not accomplish, my gold did. He took my +good zechins, while I went off in triumph with the mantle, obliged to +be satisfied with being taken for a madman by every one in Florence. +Nevertheless, the opinion of the people was a matter of indifference +to me, for I knew better than they, that I would still gain by the +bargain. + +With impatience I awaited the night; at the same hour as the preceding +day, I proceeded to the Ponte Vecchio, the mantle under my arm. With +the last stroke of the clock, came the figure out of darkness to my +side: beyond a doubt it was the man of the night before. + +"Hast thou the cloak?" I was asked. + +"Yes, sir," I replied, "but it cost me a hundred zechins cash." + +"I know it," rejoined he; "look, here are four hundred." He moved with +me to the broad railing of the bridge and counted out the gold pieces; +brightly they glimmered in the moonshine, their lustre delighted my +heart--ah! it did not foresee that this was to be its last joy. I put +the money in my pocket, and then wished to get a good view of the +generous stranger, but he had a mask before his face, through which +two dark eyes frightfully beamed upon me. + +"I thank you, sir, for your kindness," said I to him; "what further +desire you of me? I told you before, however, that it must be nothing +evil." + +"Unnecessary trouble," answered he, throwing the cloak over his +shoulders; "I needed your assistance as a physician, nevertheless not +for a living, but for a dead person." + +"How can that be?" exclaimed I in amazement. + +"I came with my sister from a distant land," rejoined he, at the same +time motioning me to follow him, "and took up my abode with a friend +of our family. A sudden disease carried off my sister yesterday, and +our relations wished to bury her this morning. According to an old +usage of our family, however, all are to repose in the sepulchre of +our fathers; many who have died in foreign lands, nevertheless sleep +there embalmed. To my relations now I grant the body, but to my father +must I bring at least the head of his daughter, that he may see it +once again." + +In this custom of severing the head from near relatives there was to +me, indeed, something awful; nevertheless, I ventured to say nothing +against it, through fear of offending the Unknown. I told him, +therefore, that I was well acquainted with the art of embalming the +dead, and asked him to lead me to the body. Notwithstanding, I could +not keep myself from inquiring why all this must be done so secretly +in the night. He answered me that his relations, who considered his +purpose inhuman, would prevent him from accomplishing it by day; but +only let the head once be cut off, and they could say little more +about it: he could, indeed, have brought the head to me, but a natural +feeling prevented him from cutting it off himself. + +These words brought us to a large splendid house; my companion pointed +it out to me as the termination of our nocturnal walk. We passed the +principal door, and entering a small gate, which the stranger +carefully closed after him, ascended, in the dark, a narrow, winding +staircase. This brought us to a dimly-lighted corridor, from which we +entered an apartment; a lamp, suspended from the ceiling, shed its +brilliant rays around. + +In this chamber stood a bed, on which lay the corpse; the Unknown +turned away his face, as if wishing to conceal his tears. He beckoned +me to the bed, and bidding me set about my business speedily yet +carefully, went out by the door. + +I seized my knives, which, as a physician, I constantly carried with +me, and approached the bed. Only the head of the corpse was visible, +but that was so beautiful that the deepest compassion involuntarily +came over me. In long braids the dark hair hung down; the face was +pale, the eyes closed. At first, I made an incision in the skin, +according to the practice of surgeons when they remove a limb. Then I +took my sharpest knife and cut entirely through the throat. But, +horror! the dead opened her eyes--shut them again--and in a deep sigh +seemed now, for the first time, to breathe forth her life! Straightway +a stream of hot blood sprang forth from the wound. I was convinced +that I had killed the poor girl; for that she was dead there could be +no doubt--from such a wound there was no chance of recovering. I stood +some moments in anxious wo, thinking on what had happened. Had the +Red-mantle deceived me, or was his sister, perhaps, only apparently +dead? The latter appeared to me more probable. Yet I dared not tell +the brother of the deceased, that, perhaps, a less rash blow would +have aroused, without having killed her; therefore I began to sever +the head entirely--but once again the dying one groaned, stretched +herself out in a convulsion of pain, and breathed her last. Then +terror overpowered me, and I rushed shivering out of the apartment. + +But outside in the corridor it was dark, for the lamp had died out; no +trace of my companion was perceptible, and I was obliged to move along +by the wall, at hazard in the dark, in order to reach the +winding-stairs. I found them at last, and descended, half falling, +half gliding. There was no one below; the door was only latched, and I +breathed more freely when I was in the street, out of the uneasy +atmosphere of the house. Spurred on by fear, I ran to my dwelling, and +buried myself in the pillow of my bed, in order to forget the horrid +crime I had committed. But sleep fled my eyelids, and soon morning +admonished me again to collect myself. It seemed probable to me, that +the man who had led me to this villainous deed, as it now appeared to +me, would not denounce me. I immediately resolved to attend to my +business in my shop, and to put on as careless an air as possible. +But, alas! a new misfortune, which I now for the first time observed, +augmented my sorrow. My cap and girdle, as also my knives, were +missing; and I knew not whether they had been left in the chamber of +the dead, or lost during my flight. Alas! the former seemed more +probable, and they could discover in me the murderer. + +I opened my shop at the usual time; a neighbor stepped in, as was his +custom, being a communicative man. "Ah! what say you to the horrid +deed," he cried, "that was committed last night?" I started as if I +knew nothing. "How! know you not that with which the whole city is +filled? Know you not that last night, the fairest flower in Florence, +Bianca, the daughter of the Governor, was murdered? Ah! only yesterday +I saw her walking happily through the streets with her bridegroom, for +to-day she would have had her nuptial festival!" + +Every word of my neighbor was a dagger to my heart; and how often +returned my torments! for each of my customers told me the story, one +more frightfully than another; yet not one could tell it half so +horribly as it had seemed to me. About mid-day, an officer of justice +unexpectedly walked into my shop, and asked me to clear it of the +bystanders. + +"Signor Zaleukos," said he, showing me the articles I had lost, +"belong these things to you?" I reflected whether I should not +entirely disown them; but when I saw through the half-opened door, my +landlord and several acquaintances, who could readily testify against +me, I determined not to make the matter worse by a falsehood, and +acknowledged the articles exhibited as my own. The officer told me to +follow him, and conducted me to a spacious building, which I soon +recognised as the prison. Then, a little farther on, he showed me into +an apartment. + +My situation was terrible, as I reflected on it in my solitude. The +thought of having committed a murder, even against my wish, returned +again and again. Moreover, I could not conceal from myself that the +glance of the gold had dazzled my senses; otherwise I would not have +fallen so blindly into the snare. + +Two hours after my arrest, I was led from my chamber, and after +descending several flights of stairs, entered a spacious saloon. +Around a long table hung with black, were seated twelve men, mostly +gray with age. Along the side of the room, benches were arranged, on +which were seated the first people of Florence. In the gallery, which +was built quite high, stood the spectators, closely crowded together. +As soon as I reached the black table, a man with a gloomy, sorrowful +air arose--it was the Governor. He told the audience that, as a +father, he could not judge impartially in this matter, and that he, +for this occasion, would surrender his seat to the oldest of the +senators. The latter was a gray-headed man, of at least ninety years. +He arose, stooping beneath the weight of age; his temples were covered +with thin white hair, but his eyes still burned brightly, and his +voice was strong and steady. He began by asking me whether I confessed +the murder. I entreated his attention, and with dauntless, distinct +voice, related what I had done and all that I knew. I observed that +the Governor during my recital turned first pale, then red, and when I +concluded, became furious. "How, wretch!" he cried out to me, +"wishest thou thus to lay upon another, the crime thy avarice has +committed?" + +The Senator rebuked him for his interruption, after having of his own +free will resigned his right; moreover, that it was not so clear, that +I had done the deed through avarice, for according to his own +testimony, nothing had been taken from the corpse. Yes, he went still +further; he told the Governor that he must give an account of his +daughter's early life, for in this way only could one conclude whether +I had told the truth or not. Immediately he closed the court for that +day, for the purpose, as he said, of consulting the papers of the +deceased, which the Governor was to give him. I was carried back to my +prison, where I passed a sorrowful day, constantly occupied with the +ardent hope, that they would in some way discover the connection +between the deceased and the Red-mantle. + +Full of hope, I proceeded the next day to the justice-hall. Several +letters lay upon the table; the old Senator asked whether they were of +my writing. I looked at them, and found that they were by the same +hand as both the letters that I had received. This I disclosed to the +Senator; but he seemed to give but little weight to it, answering that +I must have written both, for the name subscribed was unquestionably a +Z, the initial of my name. The letters, however, contained menaces +against the deceased, and warnings against the marriage which she was +on the point of consummating. The Governor seemed to have imparted +something strange and untrue, with respect to my person; for I was +treated this day with more suspicion and severity. For my +justification, I appealed to the papers, which would be found in my +room, but I was informed that search had been made and nothing found. +Thus, at the close of the court, vanished all my hope; and when, on +the third day, I was led again to the hall, the judgment was read +aloud, that I was convicted of a premeditated murder, and sentenced to +death. To such extremity had I come; forsaken by all that was dear to +me on earth, far from my native land, innocent and in the bloom of my +years, I was to die by the axe! + +On the evening of this terrible day which had decided my fate, I was +seated in my lonely dungeon, my hopes past, my thoughts seriously +turned upon death, when the door of my prison opened, and a man +entered who regarded me long in silence. + +"Do I see you again, in this situation, Zaleukos?" he began. By the +dim light of my lamp I had not recognised him, but the sound of his +voice awoke within me old recollections. It was Valetty, one of the +few friends I had made during my studies at Paris. He said that he had +casually come to Florence, where his father, a distinguished man, +resided; he had heard of my story, and come to see me once more, to +inquire with his own lips, how I could have been guilty of such an +awful crime. I told him the whole history: he seemed lost in wonder, +and conjured me to tell him, my only friend, all the truth, and not to +depart with a lie upon my tongue. I swore to him with the most solemn +oath, that I had spoken the truth; and that no other guilt could be +attached to me, than that, having been blinded by the glance of the +gold, I had not seen the improbability of the Stranger's story. "Then +did you not know Bianca?" asked he. I assured him that I had never +seen her. Valetty thereupon told me that there was a deep mystery in +the matter; that the Governor in great haste had urged my +condemnation, and that a report was current among the people, that I +had known Bianca for a long time, and had murdered her out of revenge +for her intended marriage with another. I informed him that all this +was probably true of the Red-mantle, but that I could not prove his +participation in the deed. Valetty embraced me, weeping, and promised +me to do all that he could; to save my life, if nothing more. I had +not much hope; nevertheless, I knew that my friend was a wise man, and +well acquainted with the laws, and that he would do all in his power +to preserve me. + +Two long days was I in suspense; at length Valetty appeared. "I bring +consolation, though even that is attended with sorrow. You shall live +and be free, but with the loss of a hand!" + +Overjoyed, I thanked my friend for my life. He told me that the +Governor had been inexorable, and would not once look into the matter: +that at length, however, rather than appear unjust, he had agreed, if +a similar case could be found in the annals of Florentine history, +that my penalty should be regulated by the punishment that was then +inflicted. He and his father had searched, day and night, in the old +books, and had at length found a case similar in every respect to +mine; the sentence there ran thus:-- + +"He shall have his left hand cut off; his goods shall be confiscated, +and he himself banished forever!" + +Such now was my sentence, also, and I was to prepare for the painful +hour that awaited me. I will not bring before your eyes the frightful +moment, in which, at the open market-place, I laid my hand upon the +block; in which my own blood in thick streams flowed over me! + +Valetty took me to his house until I had recovered, and then +generously supplied me with money for my journey, for all that I had +so laboriously acquired was confiscated to Justice. I went from +Florence to Sicily, and thence, by the first ship I could find, to +Constantinople. My hopes, which rested on the sum of money I had left +with my friend, were not disappointed. I proposed that I should live +with him--how astonished was I, when he asked why I occupied not my +own house! He told me that a strange man had, in my name, bought a +house in the quarter of the Greeks, and told the neighbors that I +would soon, myself, return. I immediately proceeded to it with my +friend, and was joyfully received by all my old acquaintances. An aged +merchant handed me a letter which the man who purchased for me had +left. I read:-- + +"Zaleukos! two hands stand ready to work unceasingly, that thou mayest +not feel the loss of one. That house which thou seest and all therein +are thine, and every year shalt thou receive so much, that thou shalt +be among the rich of thy nation. Mayest thou forgive one who is more +unhappy than thyself!" + +I could guess who was the writer, and the merchant told me, in answer +to my inquiry that it was a man covered with a red cloak, whom he had +taken for a Frenchman. I knew enough to convince me that the Unknown +was not entirely devoid of generous feeling. In my new house I found +all arranged in the best style; a shop, moreover, full of wares, finer +than any I had ever had. Ten years have elapsed since then; more in +compliance with ancient custom, than because it is necessary, do I +continue to travel in foreign lands for purposes of trade, but the +land which was so fatal to me I have never seen since. Every year I +receive a thousand pieces of gold; but although it rejoices me to know +that this Unfortunate is so noble, still can his money never remove wo +from my soul, for there lives forever the heart-rending image of the +murdered Bianca! + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +Thus ended the story of Zaleukos, the Grecian merchant. With great +interest had the others listened; the stranger, in particular, seemed +to be wrapt up in it: more than once he had drawn a deep sigh, and +Muley looked as if he had had tears in his eyes. No one spoke for some +time after the recital. + +"And hate you not the Unknown, who so basely cost you a noble member +of your body, and even put your life in danger?" inquired Selim. + +"Perhaps there were hours at first," answered the Greek, "in which my +heart accused him before God, of having brought this misfortune upon +me, and embittered my life; but I found consolation in the religion of +my fathers, which commanded me to love my enemies. Moreover, he +probably is more unhappy than myself." + +"You are a noble man!" exclaimed Selim, cordially pressing the hand of +the Greek. + +The leader of the escort, however, here interrupted their +conversation. He came with a troubled air into the tent, and told them +that they could not give themselves up to repose, for this was the +place in which Caravans were usually attacked, and his guards imagined +they had seen several horsemen in the distance. + +The merchants were confounded at this intelligence. Selim, the +stranger, however, expressed wonder at their alarm, saying they were +so well escorted they need not fear a troop of Arabian robbers. + +"Yes, sir," rejoined to him the leader of the guard; "were he only a +common outlaw, we could compose ourselves to rest without anxiety; but +for some time back, the frightful Orbasan has shown himself again, and +it is well to be upon our guard." + +The stranger inquired who this Orbasan was, and Achmet, the old +merchant, answered him:-- + +"Various rumors are current among the people with respect to this +wonderful man. Some hold him to be a supernatural being, because, with +only five or six men, he has frequently fallen upon a whole +encampment; others regard him as a bold Frenchman, whom misfortune has +driven into this region: out of all this, however, thus much alone is +certain, that he is an abandoned robber and highwayman." + +"That can you not prove," answered Lezah, one of the merchants. +"Robber as he is, he is still a noble man, and such has he shown +himself to my brother, as I can relate to you. He has formed his +whole band of well-disciplined men, and as long as he marches through +the desert, no other band ventures to show itself. Moreover, he robs +not as others, but only exacts a tribute from the caravans; whoever +willingly pays this, proceeds without further danger, for Orbasan is +lord of the wilderness!" + +Thus did the travellers converse together in the tent; the guards, +however, who were stationed around the resting-place, began to become +uneasy. A tolerably large band of armed horsemen showed themselves at +the distance of half a league. They appeared to be riding straight to +the encampment; one of the guard came into the tent, to inform them +that they would probably be attacked. + +[Illustration] + +The merchants consulted among themselves as to what they should do, +whether to march against them, or await the attack. Achmet and the two +elder merchants inclined to the latter course; the fiery Muley, +however, and Zaleukos desired the former, and summoned the stranger to +their assistance. He, however, quietly drew forth from his girdle a +little blue cloth spangled with red stars, bound it upon a lance, +and commanded one of the slaves to plant it in front of the tent: he +would venture his life upon it, he said, that the horsemen, when they +saw this signal, would quietly march back again. Muley trusted not the +result; still the slave put out the lance in front of the tent. +Meanwhile all in the camp had seized their weapons, and were looking +upon the horsemen in eager expectation. The latter, however, appeared +to have espied the signal; they suddenly swerved from their direct +course towards the encampment, and, in a large circle, moved off to +the side. + +Struck with wonder, the travellers stood some moments, gazing +alternately at the horsemen and the stranger. The latter stood in +front of the tent quite indifferently, as though nothing had happened, +looking upon the plain before him. At last Muley broke the silence. + +"Who art thou, mighty stranger," he exclaimed, "that restrainest with +a glance the wild hordes of the desert?" + +"You rate my art higher than it deserves," answered Selim Baruch. "I +observed this signal when I fled from captivity; what it means, I know +not--only this much I know, that whoever travels with this sign, is +under great protection." + +The merchants thanked the stranger, and called him their preserver; +indeed, the number of the robbers was so great, that the Caravan could +not, probably, for any length of time, have offered an effectual +resistance. + +With lighter hearts they now gave themselves to sleep; and when the +sun began to sink, and the evening wind to pass over the sand-plain, +they struck their tents, and marched on. The next day they halted +safely, only one day's journey from the entrance of the desert. When +the travellers had once more collected in the large tent, Lezah, the +merchant, took up the discourse. + +"I told you, yesterday, that the dreaded Orbasan was a noble man; +permit me to prove it to you, to-day, by the relation of my brother's +adventure. My father was Cadi of Acara. He had three children; I was +the eldest, my brother and sister being much younger than myself. When +I was twenty years old, a brother of my father took me under his +protection; he made me heir to his property, on condition that I +should remain with him until his death. He however had reached an old +age, so that before two years I returned to my native land, having +known nothing, before, of the misfortune which had meanwhile fallen +upon my family, and how Allah had turned it to advantage." + + + + +[Illustration] + +FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. + + +My brother Mustapha and my sister Fatima were almost of the same age; +the former was at most but two years older. They loved each other +fervently, and did in concert, all that could lighten, for our +suffering father, the burden of his old age. On Fatima's seventeenth +birthday, my brother prepared a festival. He invited all her +companions, and set before them a choice banquet in the gardens of +our father, and, towards evening, proposed to them to take a little +sail upon the sea, in a boat which he had hired, and adorned in grand +style. Fatima and her companions agreed with joy, for the evening was +fine, and the city, particularly when viewed by evening from the sea, +promised a magnificent prospect. The girls, however, were so well +pleased upon the bark, that they continually entreated my brother to +go farther out upon the sea. Mustapha, however, yielded reluctantly, +because a Corsair had been seen, for several days back, in that +vicinity. + +Not far from the city, a promontory projected into the sea; thither +the maidens were anxious to go, in order to see the sun sink into the +water. Having rowed thither, they beheld a boat occupied by armed men. +Anticipating no good, my brother commanded the oarsmen to turn the +vessel, and make for land. His apprehensions seemed, indeed, to be +confirmed, for the boat quickly approached that of my brother, and +getting ahead of it, (for it had more rowers,) ran between it and the +land. The young girls, moreover, when they knew the danger to which +they were exposed, sprang up with cries and lamentations: in vain +Mustapha sought to quiet them, in vain enjoined upon them to be still, +lest their running to and fro should upset the vessel. It was of no +avail; and when, in consequence of the proximity of the other boat, +all ran upon the further side, it was upset. + +Meanwhile, they had observed from the land the approach of the strange +boat, and, inasmuch as, for some time back, they had been in anxiety +on account of Corsairs, their suspicions were excited, and several +boats put off from the land to their assistance: but they only came in +time to pick up the drowning. In the confusion, the hostile boat +escaped. In both barks, however, which had taken in those who were +preserved, they were uncertain whether all had been saved. They +approached each other, and, alas! found that my sister and one of her +companions were missing; at the same time, in their number a stranger +was discovered, who was known to none. In answer to Mustapha's +threats, he confessed that he belonged to the hostile ship, which was +lying at anchor two miles to the eastward, and that his companions had +left him behind in their hasty flight, while he was engaged in +assisting to pick up the maidens; moreover, he said he had seen two +taken on board their boat. + +The grief of my old father was without bounds, but Mustapha also was +afflicted unto death, for not only had his beloved sister been lost, +and did he accuse himself of having been the cause of her misfortune, +but, also, her companion who had shared it with her, had been promised +to him by her parents as his wife; still had he not dared to avow it +to our father, because her family was poor, and of low descent. My +father, however, was a stern man; as soon as his sorrow had subsided a +little, he called Mustapha before him, and thus spake to him:-- + +"Thy folly has deprived me of the consolation of my old age, and the +joy of my eyes. Go! I banish thee forever from my sight! I curse thee +and thine offspring--and only when thou shalt restore to me my Fatima, +shall thy head be entirely free from a father's execrations!" + +This my poor brother had not expected; already, before this, he had +determined to go in search of his sister and her friend, after having +asked the blessing of his father upon his efforts, and now that father +had sent him forth into the world, laden with his curse. As, however, +his former grief had bowed him down, so this consummation of +misfortune, which he had not deserved, tended to steel his mind. He +went to the imprisoned pirate, and, demanding whither the ship was +bound, learned that she carried on a trade in slaves, and usually had +a great sale thereof in Balsora. + +On his return to the house, in order to prepare for his journey, the +anger of his father seemed to have subsided a little, for he sent him +a purse full of gold, to support him during his travels. Mustapha, +thereupon, in tears took leave of the parents of Zoraida, (for so his +affianced was called,) and set out upon the route to Balsora. + +Mustapha travelled by land, because from our little city there was no +ship that went direct to Balsora. He was obliged, therefore, to use +all expedition, in order not to arrive too long after the sea-robbers. +Having a good horse and no luggage, he hoped to reach this city by the +end of the sixth day. On the evening of the fourth, however, as he +was riding all alone upon his way, three men came suddenly upon him. +Having observed that they were well-armed and powerful men, and sought +his money and his horse, rather than his life, he cried out that he +would yield himself to them. They dismounted, and tied his feet +together under his horse; then they placed him in their midst, and, +without a word spoken, trotted quickly away with him; one of them +having seized his bridle. + +Mustapha gave himself up to a feeling of gloomy despair; the curse of +his father seemed already to be undergoing its accomplishment on the +unfortunate one, and how could he hope to save his sister and Zoraida, +should he, robbed of all his means, even be able to devote his poor +life to their deliverance? Mustapha and his silent companions might +have ridden about an hour, when they entered a little valley. The vale +was enclosed by lofty trees; a soft, dark-green turf, and a stream +which ran swiftly through its midst, invited to repose. In this place +were pitched from fifteen to twenty tents, to the stakes of which were +fastened camels and fine horses: from one of these tents distinctly +sounded the melody of a guitar, blended with two fine manly voices. It +seemed to my brother as if people who had chosen so blithesome a +resting-place, could have no evil intentions towards himself; and +accordingly, without apprehension, he obeyed the summons of his +conductors, who had unbound his feet, and made signs to him to follow. +They led him into a tent which was larger than the rest, and on the +inside was magnificently fitted up. Splendid cushions embroidered with +gold, woven carpets, gilded censers, would elsewhere have bespoken +opulence and respectability, but here seemed only the booty of a +robber band. Upon one of the cushions an old and small-sized man was +reclining: his countenance was ugly; a dark-brown and shining skin, a +disgusting expression around his eyes, and a mouth of malicious +cunning, combined to render his whole appearance odious. Although this +man sought to put on a commanding air, still Mustapha soon perceived +that not for him was the tent so richly adorned, and the conversation +of his conductors seemed to confirm him in his opinion. + +"Where is the Mighty?" inquired they of the little man. + +"He is out upon a short hunt," was the answer; "but he has +commissioned me to attend to his affairs." + +"That has he not wisely done," rejoined one of the robbers; "for it +must soon be determined whether this dog is to die or be ransomed, and +that the Mighty knows better than thou." + +Being very sensitive in all that related to his usurped dignity, the +little man, raising himself, stretched forward in order to reach the +other's ear with the extremity of his hand, for he seemed desirous of +revenging himself by a blow; but when he saw that his attempt was +fruitless, he set about abusing him (and indeed the others did not +remain much in his debt) to such a degree, that the tent resounded +with their strife. Thereupon, of a sudden, the tent-door opened, and +in walked a tall, stately man, young and handsome as a Persian prince. +His garments and weapons, with the exception of a richly-mounted +poniard and gleaming sabre, were plain and simple; his serious eye, +however, and his whole appearance, demanded respect without exciting +fear. + +"Who is it that dares to engage in strife within my tent?" exclaimed +he, as they started back aghast. For a long time deep stillness +prevailed, till at last one of those who had captured Mustapha, +related to him how it had begun. Thereupon the countenance of "the +Mighty," as they had called him, seemed to grow red with passion. + +"When would I have placed thee, Hassan, over my concerns?" he cried, +in frightful accents, to the little man. The latter, in his fear, +shrunk until he seemed even smaller than before, and crept towards the +door of the tent. One step of the Mighty was sufficient to send him +through the entrance with a long singular bound. As soon as the little +man had vanished, the three led Mustapha before the master of the +tent, who had meanwhile reclined upon the cushion. + +"Here bring we thee him, whom thou commandedst us to take." He +regarded the prisoner for some time, and then said, "Bashaw of +Sulieika, thine own conscience will tell thee why thou standest before +Orbasan." When my brother heard this, he bowed low and answered:-- + +"My lord, you appear to labor under a mistake; I am a poor +unfortunate, not the Bashaw, whom you seek." At this all were amazed; +the master of the tent, however, said:-- + +"Dissimulation can help you little, for I will summon the people who +know you well." He commanded them to bring in Zuleima. An old woman +was led into the tent, who, on being asked whether in my brother she +recognised the Bashaw of Sulieika, answered:-- + +"Yes, verily! And I swear by the grave of the Prophet, it is the +Bashaw, and no other!" + +"Seest thou, wretch, that thy dissimulation has become as water?" +cried out the Mighty in a furious tone. "Thou art too pitiful for me +to stain my good dagger with thy blood, but to-morrow, when the sun is +up, will I bind thee to the tail of my horse, and gallop with thee +through the woods, until they separate behind the hills of Sulieika!" +Then sank my poor brother's courage within him. + +"It is my cruel father's curse, that urges me to an ignominious +death," exclaimed he, weeping; "and thou, too, art lost, sweet +sister, and thou, Zoraida!" + +"Thy dissimulation helps thee not," said one of the robbers, as he +bound his hands behind his back. "Come, out of the tent with thee! for +the Mighty is biting his lips, and feeling for his dagger. If thou +wouldst live another night, bestir thyself!" + +Just as the robbers were leading my brother from the tent, they met +three of their companions, who were also pushing a captive before +them. They entered with him. "Here bring we the Bashaw, as thou hast +commanded," said they, conducting the prisoner before the cushion of +the Mighty. While they were so doing, my brother had an opportunity of +examining him, and was struck with surprise at the remarkable +resemblance which this man bore to himself; the only difference being, +that he was of more gloomy aspect, and had a black beard. The Mighty +seemed much astonished at the resemblance of the two captives. + +"Which of you is the right one?" he asked, looking alternately at +Mustapha and the other. + +"If thou meanest the Bashaw of Sulieika," answered the latter in a +haughty tone, "I am he!" + +The Mighty regarded him for a long time with his grave, terrible eye, +and then silently motioned to them to lead him off. This having been +done, he approached my brother, severed his bonds with his dagger, and +invited him by signs to sit upon the cushion beside him. "It grieves +me, stranger," he said, "that I took you for this villain. It has +happened, however, by some mysterious interposition of Providence, +which placed you in the hands of my companions, at the very hour in +which the destruction of this wretch was ordained." + +Mustapha, thereupon, entreated him only for permission to pursue his +journey immediately, for this delay might cost him much. The Mighty +asked what business it could be that required such haste, and, when +Mustapha had told him all, he persuaded him to spend that night in his +tent, and allow his horse some rest; and promised the next morning to +show him a route which would bring him to Balsora in a day and a half. +My brother consented, was sumptuously entertained, and slept soundly +till morning in the robber's tent. + +Upon awaking, he found himself all alone in the tent, but, before the +entrance, heard several voices in conversation, which seemed to belong +to the swarthy little man and the bandit-chief. He listened awhile, +and to his horror heard the little man eagerly urging the other to +slay the stranger, since, if he were let go, he could betray them all. +Mustapha immediately perceived that the little man hated him, for +having been the cause of his rough treatment the day before. The +Mighty seemed to be reflecting a moment. + +"No," said he; "he is my guest, and the laws of hospitality are with +me sacred: moreover, he does not look like one that would betray us." + +Having thus spoken, he threw back the tent-cover, and walked in. +"Peace be with thee, Mustapha!" he said: "let us taste the +morning-drink, and then prepare thyself for thy journey." He offered +my brother a cup of sherbet, and after they had drunk, they saddled +their horses, and Mustapha mounted, with a lighter heart, indeed, than +when he entered the vale. They had soon turned their backs upon the +tents, and took a broad path, which led into the forest. The Mighty +informed my brother, that this Bashaw whom they had captured in the +chase, had promised them that they should remain undisturbed within +his jurisdiction; but some weeks before, he had taken one of their +bravest men, and had him hung, after the most terrible tortures. He +had waited for him a long time, and to-day he must die. Mustapha +ventured not to say a word in opposition, for he was glad to have +escaped himself with a whole skin. + +At the entrance of the forest, the Mighty checked his horse, showed +Mustapha the way, and gave him his hand with these words: "Mustapha, +thou becamest in a strange way the guest of the robber Orbasan. I will +not ask thee not to betray what thou hast seen and heard. Thou hast +unjustly endured the pains of death, and I owe thee a recompense. Take +this dagger as a remembrance, and when thou hast need of help, send it +to me, and I will hasten to thy assistance. This purse thou wilt +perhaps need upon thy journey." + +My brother thanked him for his generosity; he took the dagger, but +refused the purse. Orbasan, however, pressed once again his hand, let +the money fall to the ground, and galloped with the speed of the wind +into the forest. Mustapha, seeing that he could not overtake him, +dismounted to secure the purse, and was astonished at the great +magnanimity of his host, for it contained a large sum of gold. He +thanked Allah for his deliverance, commended the generous robber to +his mercy, and again started, with fresh courage, upon the route to +Balsora. + + * * * * * + +Lezah paused, and looked inquiringly at Achmet, the old merchant. + +"No! if it be so," said the latter, "then will I gladly correct my +opinion of Orbasan; for indeed he acted nobly towards thy brother." + +"He behaved like a brave Mussulman," exclaimed Muley; "but I hope thou +hast not here finished thy story, for, as it seems to me, we are all +eager to hear still further, how it went with thy brother, and whether +he succeeded in rescuing thy sister and the fair Zoraida." + +"I will willingly proceed," rejoined Lezah, "if it be not tiresome to +you; for my brother's history is, throughout, full of the most +wonderful adventures." + + * * * * * + +About the middle of the seventh day after his departure, Mustapha +entered the gate of Balsora. As soon as he had arrived at a +caravansery, he inquired whether the slave-market, which was held here +every year, had opened; but received the startling answer, that he had +come two days too late. His informer deplored his tardiness, telling +him that on the last day of the market, two female slaves had arrived, +of such great beauty as to attract to themselves the eyes of all the +merchants. + +He inquired more particularly as to their appearance, and there was no +doubt in his mind, that they were the unfortunate ones of whom he was +in search. Moreover, he learned that the man who had purchased them +both, was called Thiuli-Kos, and lived forty leagues from Balsora, an +illustrious and wealthy, but quite old man, who had been in his early +years Capudan-Bashaw of the Sultan, but had now settled down into +private life with the riches he had acquired. + +Mustapha was, at first, on the point of remounting his horse with all +possible speed, in order to overtake Thiuli-Kos, who could scarcely +have had a day's start; but when he reflected that, as a single man, +he could not prevail against the powerful traveller, could still less +rescue from him his prey, he set about reflecting for another plan, +and soon hit upon one. His resemblance to the Bashaw of Sulieika, +which had almost been fatal to him, suggested to him the thought of +going to the house of Thiuli-Kos under this name, and, in that way, +making an attempt for the deliverance of the two unfortunate maidens. +Accordingly he hired attendants and horses, in which the money of +Orbasan opportunely came to his assistance, furnished himself and his +servants with splendid garments, and set out in the direction of +Thiuli's castle. After five days he arrived in its vicinity. It was +situated in a beautiful plain, and was surrounded on all sides by +lofty walls, which were but slightly overtopped by the structure +itself. When Mustapha had arrived quite near, he dyed his hair and +beard black, and stained his face with the juice of a plant, which +gave it a brownish color, exactly similar to that of the Bashaw. From +this place he sent forward one of his attendants to the castle, and +bade him ask a night's lodging, in the name of the Bashaw of +Sulieika. The servant soon returned in company with four +finely-attired slaves, who took Mustapha's horse by the bridle, and +led him into the court-yard. There they assisted him to dismount, and +four others escorted him up a wide marble staircase, into the presence +of Thiuli. + +The latter personage, an old, robust man, received my brother +respectfully, and had set before him the best that his castle could +afford. After the meal, Mustapha gradually turned the conversation +upon the new slaves; whereupon, Thiuli praised their beauty, but +expressed regret because they were so sorrowful; nevertheless he +believed that would go over after a time. My brother was much +delighted at his reception, and, with hope beating high in his bosom, +lay down to rest. + +He might, perhaps, have been sleeping an hour, when he was awakened by +the rays of a lamp, which fell dazzlingly upon his eyes. When he had +raised himself up, he believed himself dreaming, for there before him +stood the very same little, swarthy fellow of Orbasan's tent, a lamp +in his hand, his wide mouth distended with a disgusting laugh. +Mustapha pinched himself in the arm, and pulled his nose, in order to +see if he were really awake, but the figure remained as before. + +"What wishest thou by my bed?" exclaimed Mustapha, recovering from his +amazement. + +"Do not disquiet yourself so much, my friend," answered the little +man. "I made a good guess as to the motive that brought you hither. +Although your worthy countenance was still well remembered by me, +nevertheless, had I not with my own hand assisted to hang the Bashaw, +you might, perhaps, have deceived even me. Now, however, I am here to +propose a question." + +"First of all, tell me why you came hither," interrupted Mustapha, +full of resentment at finding himself detected. + +"That I will explain to you," rejoined the other: "I could not put up +with the Mighty any longer, and therefore ran away; but you, Mustapha, +were properly the cause of our quarrel, and so you must give me your +sister to wife, and I will help you in your flight; give her not, and +I will go to my new master, and tell him something of our new Bashaw." + +Mustapha was beside himself with fear and anger; at the very moment +when he thought he had arrived at the happy accomplishment of his +wishes, must this wretch come, and frustrate them all! It was the only +way to carry his plan into execution--he must slay the little monster: +with one bound, he sprang from the bed upon him; but the other, who +might perhaps have anticipated something of the kind, let the lamp +fall, which was immediately extinguished, and rushed forth in the +dark, crying vehemently for help. + +Now was the time for decisive action; the maids he was obliged, for +the moment, to abandon, and attend only to his own safety: +accordingly, he approached the window, to see if he could not spring +from it. It was a tolerable distance from the ground, and on the other +side stood a lofty wall, which he would have to surmount. Reflecting, +he stood by the window until he heard many voices approaching his +chamber: already were they at the door, when seizing desperately his +dagger, and garments, he let himself down from the window. The fall +was hard, but he felt that no bone was broken; immediately he sprang +up, and ran to the wall which surrounded the court. This, to the +astonishment of his pursuers, he mounted, and soon found himself at +liberty. He ran on until he came to a little forest, where he sank +down exhausted. Here he reflected on what was to be done; his horses +and attendants he was obliged to leave behind, but the money, which he +had placed in his girdle, he had saved. + +His inventive genius, however, soon pointed him to another means of +deliverance. He walked through the wood until he arrived at a village, +where for a small sum he purchased a horse, with the help of which, in +a short time, he reached a city. There he inquired for a physician, +and was directed to an old experienced man. On this one he prevailed, +by a few gold pieces, to furnish him with a medicine to produce a +death-like sleep, which, by means of another, might be instantaneously +removed. Having obtained this, he purchased a long false beard, a +black gown, and various boxes and retorts, so that he could readily +pass for a travelling physician; these articles he placed upon an ass, +and rode back to the castle of Thiuli-Kos. He was certain, this time, +of not being recognised, for the beard disfigured him so that he +scarcely knew himself. + +Arrived in the vicinity of the castle, he announced himself as the +physician Chakamankabudibaba, and matters turned out as he had +expected. The splendor of the name procured him extraordinary favor +with the old fool, who invited him to table. Chakamankabudibaba +appeared before Thiuli, and, having conversed with him scarcely an +hour, the old man resolved that all his female slaves should submit to +the examination of the wise physician. The latter could scarcely +conceal his joy at the idea of once more beholding his beloved sister, +and with palpitating heart followed Thiuli, who conducted him to his +seraglio. They reached an unoccupied room, which was beautifully +furnished. + +"Chambaba, or whatever thou mayest be called, my good physician," said +Thiuli-Kos, "look once at that hole in the wall; thence shall each of +my slaves stretch forth her arm, and thou canst feel whether the pulse +betoken sickness or health." + +Answer as he might, Mustapha could not arrange it so that he might see +them; nevertheless, Thiuli agreed to tell him, each time, the usual +health of the one he was examining. Thiuli drew forth a long list from +his girdle, and began, with loud voice, to call out, one by one, the +names of his slaves; whereupon, each time, a hand came forth from the +wall, and the physician felt the pulse. Six had been read off, and +declared entirely well, when Thiuli, for the seventh called Fatima, +and a small white hand slipped forth from the wall. Trembling with +joy, Mustapha grasped it, and with an important air pronounced her +seriously ill. Thiuli became very anxious, and commanded his wise +Chakamankabudibaba straightway to prescribe some medicine for her. The +physician left the room, and wrote a little scroll: + +"Fatima, I will preserve thee, if thou canst make up thy mind to take +a draught, which for two days will make thee dead; nevertheless, I +possess the means of restoring thee to life. If thou wilt, then only +return answer, that this liquid has been of no assistance, and it will +be to me a token that thou agreest." + +In a moment he returned to the room, where Thiuli had remained. He +brought with him an innocent drink, felt the pulse of the sick Fatima +once more, pushed the note beneath her bracelet, and then handed her +the liquid through the opening in the wall. Thiuli seemed to be in +great anxiety on Fatima's account, and postponed the examination of +the rest to a more fitting opportunity. As he left the room with +Mustapha, he addressed him in sorrowful accents: + +"Chadibaba, tell me plainly, what thinkest thou of Fatima's illness?" + +My brother answered with a deep sigh: "Ah, sir, may the Prophet give +you consolation! she has a slow fever, which may, perhaps, cost her +life!" + +Then burned Thiuli's anger: "What sayest thou, cursed dog of a +physician? She, for whom I gave two thousand gold pieces--shall she +die like a cow? Know, if thou preservest her not, I will chop off +thine head!" + +My brother immediately saw that he had made a misstep, and again +inspired Thiuli with hope. While they were yet conversing, a black +slave came from the seraglio to tell the physician, that the drink had +been of no assistance. + +"Put forth all thy skill, Chakamdababelda, or whatever thy name may +be; I will pay thee what thou askest!" cried out Thiuli-Kos, well-nigh +howling with sorrow, at the idea of losing so much gold. + +"I will give her a potion, which will put her out of all danger," +answered the physician. + +"Yes, yes!--give it her," sobbed the old Thiuli. + +With joyful heart Mustapha went to bring his soporific, and having +given it to the black slave, and shown him how much it was necessary +to take for a dose, he went to Thiuli, and, telling him he must +procure some medicinal herbs from the sea, hastened through the gate. +On the shore, which was not far from the castle, he removed his false +garments, and cast them into the water, where they floated merrily +around; concealing himself, however, in a thicket, he awaited the +night, and then stole softly to the burying-place of Thiuli's castle. + +Hardly an hour had Mustapha been absent, when they brought Thiuli the +intelligence that his slave Fatima was in the agonies of death. He +sent them to the sea-coast to bring the physician back with all speed, +but his messengers returned alone, with the news that the poor +physician had fallen into the water, and was drowned; that they had +espied his black gown floating upon the surface, and that now and then +his large beard peeped forth from amid the billows. Thiuli seeing now +no help, cursed himself and the whole world; plucked his beard, and +dashed his head against the wall. But all this was of no use, for soon +Fatima gave up the ghost, in the arms of her companions. When the +unfortunate man heard the news of her death, he commanded them quickly +to make a coffin, for he could not tolerate a dead person in his +house; and bade them bear forth the corpse to the place of burial. The +carriers brought in the coffin, but quickly set it down and fled, for +they heard sighs and sobs among the other piles. + +Mustapha, who, concealed behind the coffins, had inspired the +attendants with such terror, came forth and lighted a lamp, which he +had brought for that purpose. Then he drew out a vial which contained +the life-restoring medicine, and lifted the lid of Fatima's coffin. +But what amazement seized him, when by the light of the lamp, strange +features met his gaze! Neither my sister, nor Zoraida, but an entire +stranger, lay in the coffin! It was some time before he could recover +from this new stroke of destiny; at last, however, compassion +triumphed over anger. He opened the vial, and administered the liquid. +She breathed--she opened her eyes--and seemed for some time to be +reflecting where she was. At length, recalling all that had happened, +she rose from the coffin, and threw herself, sobbing, at Mustapha's +feet. + +"How may I thank thee, excellent being," she exclaimed, "for having +freed me from my frightful prison?" Mustapha interrupted her +expressions of gratitude by inquiring, how it happened that she, and +not his sister Fatima, had been preserved. The maiden looked in +amazement. + +"Now is my deliverance explained, which was before incomprehensible," +answered she. "Know that in this castle I am called Fatima, and it was +to me thou gavest thy note, and the preserving-drink." + +My brother entreated her to give him intelligence of his sister and +Zoraida, and learned that they were both in the castle, but, according +to Thiuli's custom, had received different names; they were now +called Mirza and Nurmahal. When Fatima, the rescued slave, saw that my +brother was so cast down by this failure of his enterprise, she bade +him take courage, and promised to show him means whereby he could +still deliver both the maidens. Aroused by this thought, Mustapha was +filled with new hope, and besought her to point out to him the way. + +"Only five months," said she, "have I been Thiuli's slave; +nevertheless, from the first, I have been continually meditating an +escape; but for myself alone it was too difficult. In the inner court +of the castle, you may have observed a fountain, which pours forth +water from ten tubes; this fountain riveted my attention. I remembered +in my father's house to have seen a similar one, the water of which +was led up through a spacious aqueduct. In order to learn whether this +fountain was constructed in the same manner, I one day praised its +magnificence to Thiuli, and inquired after its architect. 'I myself +built it,' answered he, 'and what thou seest here is still the +smallest part; for the water comes hither into it from a brook at +least a thousand paces off, flowing through a vaulted aqueduct, which +is as high as a man. And all this have I myself planned.' After +hearing this, I often wished only for a moment to have a man's +strength, in order to roll away the stone from the side of the +fountain; then could I have fled whither I would. The aqueduct now +will I show to you; through it you can enter the castle by night, and +set them free. Only you must have at least two men with you, in order +to overpower the slaves which, by night, guard the seraglio." + +Thus she spoke, and my brother Mustapha, although twice disappointed +already in his expectations, once again took courage, and hoped with +Allah's assistance to carry out the plan of the slave. He promised to +conduct her in safety to her native land, if she would assist him in +entering the castle. But one thought still troubled him, namely, where +he could find two or three faithful assistants. Thereupon the dagger +of Orbasan occurred to him, and the promise of the robber to hasten to +his assistance, when he should stand in need of help, and he therefore +started with Fatima from the burying-ground, to seek the chieftain. + +In the same city where he had converted himself into a physician, +with his last money he purchased a horse, and procured lodgings for +Fatima, with a poor woman in the suburbs. He, however, hastened +towards the mountain where he had first met Orbasan, and reached it in +three days. He soon found the tent, and unexpectedly walked in before +the chieftain, who welcomed him with friendly courtesy. He related to +him his unsuccessful attempts, whereupon the grave Orbasan could not +restrain himself from laughing a little now and then, particularly +when he announced himself as the physician Chakamankabudibaba. At the +treachery of the little man, however, he was furious; and swore, if he +could find him, to hang him with his own hand. He assured my brother +that he was ready to assist him the moment he should be sufficiently +recovered from his ride. Accordingly, Mustapha remained that night +again in the robber's tent, and with the first morning-red they set +out, Orbasan taking with him three of his bravest men, well mounted +and armed. They rode rapidly, and in two days arrived at the little +city, where Mustapha had left the rescued Fatima. Thence they rode on +with her unto the forest, from which, at a little distance, they could +see Thiuli's castle; there they concealed themselves, to await the +night. As soon as it was dark, guided by Fatima, they proceeded softly +to the brook, where the aqueduct commenced, and soon found it. There +they left Fatima and a servant with the horses, and prepared +themselves for the descent: before they started, however, Fatima once +more repeated, with precision, the directions she had given; namely, +that, on emerging from the fountain into the inner court-yard, they +would find a tower in each corner on the right and left; that inside +the sixth gate from the right tower, they would find Fatima and +Zoraida, guarded by two black slaves. Well provided with weapons and +iron implements for forcing the doors, Mustapha, Orbasan, and the two +other men, descended through the aqueduct; they sank, indeed, in +water, up to the middle, but not the less vigorously on that account +did they press forward. + +In a half hour they arrived at the fountain, and immediately began to +ply their tools. The wall was thick and firm, but could not long +resist the united strength of the four men; they soon made a breach +sufficiently large to allow them to slip through without difficulty. +Orbasan was the first to emerge, and then assisted the others. Being +now all in the court-yard, they examined the side of the castle which +lay before them, in order to find the door which had been described. +But they could not agree as to which it was, for on counting from the +right tower to the left, they found one door which had been walled up, +and they knew not whether Fatima had included this in her calculation. +But Orbasan was not long in making up his mind: "My good sword will +open to me this gate," he exclaimed, advancing to the sixth, while the +others followed him. They opened it, and found six black slaves lying +asleep upon the floor; imagining that they had missed the object of +their search, they were already softly drawing back, when a figure +raised itself in the corner, and in well-known accents called for +help. It was the little man of the robber-encampment. But ere the +slaves knew what had taken place, Orbasan sprang upon the little man, +tore his girdle in two, stopped his mouth, and bound his hands behind +his back; then he turned to the slaves, some of whom were already +half bound by Mustapha and the two others, and assisted in completely +overpowering them. They presented their daggers to the breasts of the +slaves, and asked where Nurmahal and Mirza were: they confessed that +they were in the next chamber. Mustapha rushed into the room, and +found Fatima and Zoraida awakened by the noise. They were not long in +collecting their jewels and garments, and following my brother. + +Meanwhile the two robbers proposed to Orbasan to carry off what they +could find, but he forbade them, saying: "It shall never be told of +Orbasan, that he enters houses by night, to steal gold." Mustapha, and +those he had preserved, quickly stepped into the aqueduct, whither +Orbasan promised to follow them immediately. As soon as they had +departed, the chieftain and one of the robbers led forth the little +man into the court-yard; there, having fastened around his neck a +silken cord, which they had brought for that purpose, they hung him on +the highest point of the fountain. After having thus punished the +treachery of the wretch, they also entered the aqueduct, and followed +Mustapha. With tears the two maidens thanked their brave preserver, +Orbasan; but he urged them in haste to their flight, for it was very +probable that Thiuli-Kos would seek them in every direction. + +With deep emotion, on the next day, did Mustapha and the rescued +maidens part with Orbasan. Indeed, they never will forget him! Fatima, +the freed slave, left us in disguise for Balsora, in order to take +passage thence to her native land. + +After a short and agreeable journey, my brother and his companions +reached home. Delight at seeing them once more, almost killed my old +father; the next day after their arrival, he gave a great festival, to +which all the city was invited. Before a large assemblage of relations +and friends, my brother had to relate his story, and with one voice +they praised him and the noble robber. + +When, however, Mustapha had finished, my father arose and led Zoraida +to him. "Thus remove I," said he with solemn voice, "the curse from +thy head; take this maiden as the reward which thy unwearied courage +has merited. Receive my fatherly blessing: and may there never be +wanting to our city, men who, in brotherly love, in prudence, and +bravery, may be thy equals!" + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +The Caravan had reached the end of the desert, and gladly did the +travellers salute the green meadows, and thickly-leaved trees, of +whose charms they had been deprived for so many days. In a lovely +valley lay a caravansery, which they selected as their resting-place +for the night; and though it offered but limited accommodations and +refreshment, still was the whole company more happy and sociable than +ever: for the thought of having passed through the dangers and +hardships, with which a journey through the desert is ever +accompanied, had opened every heart, and attuned their minds to jest +and gayety. Muley, the young and merry merchant, went through a comic +dance, and sang songs thereto, which elicited a laugh, even from +Zaleukos, the serious Greek. But not content with having raised the +spirits of his comrades by dance and merriment, he also gave them, in +the best style, the story he had promised, and, as soon as he could +recover breath from his gambols, began the following tale. + + + + +[Illustration] + +LITTLE MUCK. + + +In Nicea, my beloved father-city, lived a man, whom people called +"Little Muck." Though at that time I was quite young, I can recollect +him very well, particularly since, on one occasion, I was flogged +almost to death, by my father, on his account. The Little Muck, even +then, when I knew him, an old man, was nevertheless but three or four +feet high: he had a singular figure, for his body, little and smart +as it was, carried a head much larger and thicker than that of others. +He lived all alone in a large house, and even cooked for himself; +moreover, it would not have been known in the city whether he was +alive or dead, (for he went forth but once in four weeks,) had not +every day, about the hour of noon, strong fumes come forth from the +house. Nevertheless, in the evening he was often to be seen walking to +and fro upon his roof; although, from the street, it seemed as if it +were his head alone that was running around there. + +I and my comrades were wicked fellows, who teased and ridiculed every +one; accordingly, to us it was a holiday when the Little Muck went +forth: on the appointed day we would assemble before his house, and +wait for him to come out. When, then, the door opened, and at first +the immense head and still larger turban peered forth, when the rest +of the body followed covered with a small cloak which had been +irregularly curtailed, with wide pantaloons, and a broad girdle in +which hung a long dagger, so long that one could not tell whether Muck +was fastened to the dagger, or the dagger to Muck--when in this guise +he came forth, then would the air resound with our cries of joy; then +would we fling our caps aloft, and dance round him, like mad. Little +Muck, however, would salute us with a serious bow, and walk with long +strides through the street, shuffling now and then his feet, for he +wore large wide slippers, such as I have never elsewhere seen. We boys +would run behind him, crying continually, "Little Muck! Little Muck!" +We also had a droll little verse, which we would now and then sing in +his honor; it ran thus:-- + + "Little Muck, oh Little Muck! + What a fine, brave dwarf art thou! + Livest in a house so tall; + Goest forth but once a month, + Mountain-headed, though so small. + Turn thyself but once, and look! + Run, and catch us, Little Muck." + +In this way had we often carried on our sport, and, to my shame, I +must confess that I took the most wicked part in it, for I often +plucked him by the mantle, and once trod from behind on his large +slippers, so that he fell down. This was, at first, a source of the +greatest amusement to me, but my laughter soon ceased when I saw the +Little Muck go up to my father's house; he walked straight in, and +remained there some time. I concealed myself near the door, and saw +Muck come forth again, escorted by my father, who respectfully shook +his hand, and with many bows parted with him at the door. My mind was +uneasy, and I remained some time in my concealment; at length, +however, hunger, which I feared more than blows, drove me in, and +ashamed and with downcast head, I walked in before my father. + +"Thou hast, as I hear, insulted the good Muck," said he with a very +serious tone. "I will tell thee the history of this Muck, and then I +am sure thou wilt ridicule him no more. But first, thou shalt receive +thy allowance." The allowance was five-and-twenty lashes, which he +took care to count only too honestly. He thereupon took a long +pipe-stem, unscrewed the amber mouthpiece, and beat me more severely +than he had ever done before. + +When the five-and-twenty were all made up, he commanded me to attend, +and told me the following story of Little Muck. + + * * * * * + +The father of Little Muck, who is properly called Mukrah, lived here +in Nicea, a respectable, but poor man. He kept himself almost as +retired as his son does now. The latter he could not endure, because +he was ashamed of his dwarfish figure, and let him therefore grow up +in perfect ignorance. When the Little Muck was still in his +seventeenth year, a merry child, his father, a grave man, kept +continually reproaching him, that he, who ought long before to have +trodden down the shoes of infancy, was still so stupid and childish. + +The old man, however, one day had a bad fall, from the effects of +which he died, and Little Muck was left behind, poor and ignorant. His +cruel relations, to whom the deceased owed more than he could pay, +turned the poor fellow out of the house, and advised him to go forth +into the world, and seek his fortune. Muck answered that he was all +ready, only asking them for his father's dress, which they willingly +granted him. His father had been a large, portly man, and the garments +on that account did not fit him. Muck, however, soon hit upon an +expedient; he cut off what was too long, and then put them on. He +seemed, however, to have forgotten that he must also take from their +width; hence the strange dress that he wears at the present day; the +huge turban, the broad girdle, the wide breeches, the blue cloak, all +these he has inherited from his father, and worn ever since. The long +Damascus dagger of his father, too, he attached to his girdle, and +seizing a little staff, set out from the door. + +Gayly he wandered, the whole day, for he had set out to seek his +fortune: if he saw upon the ground a potsherd shining in the sunlight, +he took care to pick it up, in the belief that he could change it into +a diamond of the first water; if he saw in the distance the cupola of +a Mosque sparkling like fire, or the sea glittering like a mirror, he +would hasten up, fully persuaded that he had arrived at fairy-land. +But ah! these phantoms vanished as he approached, and too soon +fatigue, and his stomach gnawed by hunger, convinced him that he was +still in the land of mortals. In this way he travelled two days, in +hunger and grief, and despaired of finding his fortune; the produce of +the field was his only support, the hard earth his bed. On the +morning of the third day, he espied a large city upon an eminence. +Brightly shone the crescent upon her pinnacles, variegated flags waved +over the roofs, and seemed to be beckoning Little Muck to themselves. +In surprise he stood still, contemplating the city and the surrounding +country. + +"There at length will Klein-Muck find his fortune," said he to +himself, and in spite of his fatigue bounded in the air; "there or +nowhere!" He collected all his strength, and walked towards the city. +But although the latter seemed quite near, he could not reach it until +mid-day, for his little limbs almost entirely refused him their +assistance, and he was obliged to sit down to rest in the shade of a +palm-tree. At last he reached the gate; he fixed the mantle jauntily, +wound the turban still more tastily around his head, made the girdle +broader, and arranged the dagger so as to fall still more obliquely: +then, wiping the dust from his shoes, and seizing his cane, he marched +bravely through the gate. + +He had already wandered through a few streets, but nowhere did any +door open to him, nowhere did any one exclaim, as he had anticipated: +"Little Muck, come in and eat and drink, and rest thy little feet." + +He was looking very wistfully straight at a large fine house, when a +window opened, and an old woman, putting out her head, exclaimed in a +singing tone-- + + "Hither, come hither! + The porridge is here; + The table I've spread, + Come taste of my cheer. + Hither, come hither! + The porridge is hot; + Your neighbors bring with you, + To dip in the pot!" + +The door opened, and Muck saw many dogs and cats walking in. For a +moment he stood in doubt whether he should accept the invitation; at +last, however, he took heart and entered the mansion. Before him +proceeded a couple of genteel kittens, and he resolved to follow them, +since they, perhaps, knew the way to the kitchen better than himself. + +When Muck had ascended the steps, he met the same old woman who had +looked forth from the window. With frowning air she asked what he +wanted. + +"Thou hast invited every one to thy porridge," answered Little Muck, +"and as I was very hungry, I came too." + +The old woman laughed, saying, "Whence come you then, strange fellow? +The whole city knows that I cook for no one but my dear cats, and now +and then, as you see, I invite their companions from the +neighborhood." Little Muck told her how hard it had gone with him +since his father's death, and entreated her to let him dine, that day, +with her cats. The old woman, on whom the frank relation of the little +fellow made quite an impression, permitted him to become her guest, +and gave him abundance to eat and drink. When he was satisfied and +refreshed, she looked at him for some time, and then said:-- + +"Little Muck, remain with me in my service; you will have little to +do, and shall be well taken care of." Muck, who had relished the +cat-porridge, agreed, and thus became the servant of the Frau Ahavzi. +His duties were light but singular: Frau Ahavzi had two male, and four +female cats; every morning Little Muck had to comb their hair, and +anoint them with costly ointment. When the Frau went out, he had to +give them all his attention; when they ate, he placed their bowls +before them; and, at night, he had to lay them on silken cushions, and +wrap them up in velvet coverings. There were, moreover, a few little +dogs in the house, on which he was obliged to wait; but there were not +so many ceremonies gone through with these as with the cats, whom Frau +Ahavzi treated as her own children. As for the rest, Muck led as +retired a life as in his father's house, for with the exception of the +Frau, he saw every day only dogs and cats. + +For a long time it went very well with Little Muck; he had enough to +eat, and but little to do; and the old woman seemed to be perfectly +satisfied with him. But, by-and-by, the cats began to behave very +badly; the moment the Frau went out, they ran around the rooms as if +possessed, threw down every thing in confusion, and broke considerable +fine crockery, which stood in their way. When, however, they heard +their mistress coming up the steps, they would creep to their +cushions, and wag their tails, when they saw her, as if nothing had +happened. The Frau Ahavzi always fell in a passion when she saw her +rooms so disordered, and attributed all to Muck; assert his innocence +as he might, she believed her cats who looked so demure, in preference +to her servant. + +Little Muck was very sorry that here also he had been disappointed in +finding his fortune, and determined in his own mind to leave the +service of the Frau Ahavzi. As, however, on his first journey, he had +learned how badly one lives without money, he resolved to procure, in +some way, for himself the wages which his mistress had once promised +him, but had never paid. In the house of the Frau Ahavzi was a room, +which was always closed, and the inside of which he had never seen. +Nevertheless, he had often heard the Frau making a noise therein, and +he would have willingly risked his life to know what was there +concealed. Reflecting upon his travelling-money, it occurred to him +that there his mistress might conceal her treasures. But the door was +always tightly closed, and therefore he could not get at them. + +One morning, after the Frau Ahavzi had gone out, one of the little +dogs who was treated by her in a very stepmother-like manner, but +whose favor he had in a great degree gained by various acts of +kindness, pulled him by his wide pantaloons, and acted as if he wanted +Muck to follow him. Muck, who always gladly played with him, did so, +and perceived that the dog was leading him to the sleeping apartment +of his mistress; he stopped before a door, which the little fellow had +never before observed, and which was now wide open. The dog entered, +and Muck, following, was overjoyed at finding himself in the very +chamber, which had so long been the object of his curiosity. He looked +all around for money, but could find none: old garments only, and +strangely-fashioned vases were scattered around. One of the latter, in +particular, attracted his attention; it was of crystal, and fine +figures were cut thereon. He lifted it up and turned it on all sides; +but, oh horror! he had not observed that it had a lid, which was but +insecurely fastened on: it fell to the floor, and broke into a +thousand pieces. + +For a long time stood Little Muck motionless through terror; now was +his fate decided, now must he fly, or be killed by the old woman. His +departure was immediately resolved on; he only looked around, to see +if he could not use some of the goods of the Frau Ahavzi upon his +journey. Thereupon, a formidable pair of huge slippers met his eye; +they were not, it is true, beautiful, but his own could hold out no +longer; moreover their size was an inducement, for when he had these +upon his feet, people would see, he hoped, that he had cast off the +shoes of childhood. He quickly took off his own slippers, and put on +the others. A walking-stick, also, with a fine lion's head cut upon +the handle, seemed to be standing too idly in the corner; so he seized +it, and hurried from the apartment. He hastened to his own room, put +on his cloak, arranged his paternal turban, placed the dagger in his +girdle, and ran as fast as his feet would carry him, out of the house, +and out of the city. Fear of his old mistress drove him farther and +still farther, until, from fatigue, he could scarcely run any more. He +had never gone so quickly in his life; nay, it appeared to him as if +he could not cease running, for an invisible power seemed propelling +him on. At last he observed that this must be connected with the +slippers, for they would continually shoot forward and bear him along +with them. He endeavored in various ways, to stand still, but could +not succeed; at last, in the greatest distress, he cried out to +himself, as a man calls to his horse, "Wo--wo!" Then the slippers +stopped, and Muck fell exhausted upon the earth. + +The slippers were a source of great joy to him. Thus had he, by his +services, gained something that would help him on his way through the +world to seek his fortune. In spite of his joy, he fell asleep through +fatigue; for the body of Little Muck, which had to carry so heavy a +head, could not hold out long. In his dream the little dog appeared to +him, which had assisted him to the slippers in the house of the Frau +Ahavzi, and thus spoke:-- + +"Dear Muck, thou dost not still rightly understand the use of the +slippers: know that if, in them, thou turnest thyself three times +around upon the heel, thou canst fly wherever thou wilt; and with the +staff thou canst find treasures, for, wherever gold is buried, it will +beat three times upon the earth; where silver, twice." + +Thus dreamed Little Muck. When he awoke, he reflected on the singular +vision, and resolved to make the experiment immediately. He put on the +slippers, lifted one foot, and began to turn around upon his heel. But +whoever has attempted to perform this manoeuvre in an enormously wide +slipper, will not wonder that the Little Muck could not succeed, +particularly when he remembers that his heavy head kept falling on +this side and on that. + +The poor little fellow fell several times violently upon his nose; +nevertheless, that did not deter him from making the trial again, and +at last he succeeded. Like a wheel he went around upon his heel, +wishing himself in the nearest large city, and--the slippers mounted +into the air, ran with the speed of the wind through the clouds, and +before Little Muck knew what to make of it, he found himself in a +large market-place, where many stalls were erected, and innumerable +men were busily running to and fro. He moved among the people, but +considered it more prudent to retire into a less frequented street, +for near the market one of the slippers bore him along so rapidly, +that he almost fell down, or else ran against one and another with +his projecting dagger, so that it was with difficulty he avoided their +blows. + +Little Muck now seriously reflected what he should set about, in order +to earn a piece of money. He had, it is true, a staff which would show +him concealed treasures, but how could he find a place where gold or +silver was buried. He could, indeed, in this emergency, have exhibited +himself for money, but for this he was too proud. At last the +quickness of his gait occurred to him. Perhaps, thought he, my +slippers can procure me support, and he determined to hire himself out +as a courier. He ventured to hope that the king of the city rewarded +such service well, so he inquired for the palace. Before the door of +the palace stood a guard, who asked him what he sought there. On +answering that he was in search of service, they led him to the +overseer of the slaves. Before this one he laid his request, and +entreated that he might be admitted among the royal couriers. The +overseer measured him with his eyes from head to foot, and said: "How! +with thy little feet, which are scarcely a span long, wishest thou to +become a royal messenger? Away with thee! I cannot play with every +fool." + +Little Muck assured him, however, that his proposal was made in +perfect seriousness, and that he would let it come to a trial with the +swiftest, upon a wager. The matter seemed very ludicrous to the +overseer. He commanded him to hold himself in readiness for a race in +the afternoon, and leading him into the kitchen, saw that he was +furnished with proper meat and drink. He himself, however, repaired +unto the king, and told him of the little man and his proposal. The +king was a merry lord, and therefore it pleased him well that the +overseer had kept the little man for their amusement. He directed him +to make preparations in a large meadow behind the castle, that the +race might be conveniently beheld by his whole court, and once more +commanded him to take great care of the dwarf. The king told his +princes, and princesses, what a pastime they were to enjoy that +afternoon; these told it again to their attendants, and when the time +arrived all were in great expectation; and as many as had feet poured +into the meadow, where a scaffolding had been erected, in order to +see the boastful dwarf run. + +As soon as the king and his sons and daughters had taken their places +upon the platform, the Little Muck walked forth upon the meadow, and +made before the noble sovereign a very elegant bow. A universal cry of +joy arose, the moment they beheld the little fellow; such a figure had +they never seen. The small body with the mighty head, the little +cloak, and the wide pantaloons, the long dagger in the broad girdle, +the tiny feet in the immense slippers--no! it was so droll a sight +they could not keep from laughing aloud. Little Muck, however, was not +disconcerted by their laughter. He proudly walked forward, supported +by his cane, and awaited his opponent. At Muck's own desire, the +overseer of the slaves had selected the best runner. Walking in, he +placed himself near the dwarf, and both looked for the signal. +Thereupon the Princess Amarza made a sign with her veil as had been +preconcerted, and, like two arrows shot from the same bow, the racers +flew over the meadow. + +At first the courier took a tremendous bound, but Muck pursued him in +his slipper carriage, overtook him, passed him, and had been standing +for some time at the goal, when his opponent, gasping for breath, ran +up. Amazement for a few moments enchained the spectators: the king was +the first to clap his hands; then shouted the crowd for joy, all +exclaiming, "Long live the Little Muck, the victor in the race!" + +Meanwhile they had brought up the little man; he prostrated himself +before the king, saying, "Most mighty King, I have here given thee but +a small proof of my powers; allow them, I pray thee, to give me a +place among thy couriers." The king answered:-- + +"Nay, dear Muck, thou shalt be my favorite messenger, and shalt remain +about my person; every year shalt thou have a hundred gold pieces as +thy wages, and thou shalt sup at the table of my first attendant." + +Then Muck thought he had at last found the fortune, of which he had so +long been in search, and was merry and light-hearted. Moreover, he +rejoiced in the peculiar favor of the king, for the latter employed +him on his quickest and most secret errands, which he performed with +the greatest care, and with inconceivable rapidity. + +But the other attendants of the king were not well affected towards +him, because they reluctantly saw themselves displaced from their +lord's favor by a dwarf, who knew how to do nothing, but to run fast. +They set on foot many a conspiracy against him in order to work his +destruction, but all failed, through the confidence which the king +placed in his private Oberleibläufer, (for to this dignity had he in +so short a time arrived.) + +Muck, upon whom these movements against himself produced no effect, +thought not of revenge; for that he had too good a heart: no, he +reflected upon the means of making himself necessary to his enemies, +and beloved by them. Thereupon the staff, which in his good fortune he +had forgotten, occurred to him; if he could find treasures, he thought +the lords would be more favorably disposed towards him. He had before +this often heard that the father of the present king had buried much +of his gold, when the enemy had invaded the land; they said, moreover, +that he had died without imparting the secret to his son. From this +time Muck always carried his cane, in the hope that he would some +time pass over the place where the money of the old king was buried. + +One evening, chance led him into a remote portion of the +castle-garden, which he seldom visited, when suddenly he felt the +staff move in his hand, and three times it beat upon the ground. He +knew in an instant what this indicated; accordingly he drew forth his +dagger, made marks on the surrounding trees, and then slipped back +into the castle. Then he procured a spade, and awaited night for his +undertaking. + +Treasure-digging, however, gave Muck more trouble than he had +anticipated. His arms were very feeble, his spade large and heavy; he +might perhaps have been laboring a couple of hours, without getting +any farther down than as many feet. At length he hit upon something +hard, which sounded like iron: he then set to work still more +diligently, and soon brought up a large cover; he then descended into +the hole, in order to examine what the cover concealed, and found a +large pot completely full of gold pieces. His feeble wisdom, however, +did not teach him to lift up the pot; but he put in his pantaloons +and girdle as much as he could carry, filled his cloak, and then +carefully covering up the rest, placed the load upon his back. But, +indeed, if he had not had the slippers on his feet, he could not have +stirred, so heavily did the gold weigh him down. Then, unobserved, he +reached his room, and secured the money under the cushions of his +sofa. + +When the little man saw so much gold in his possession, he thought the +tables would now be turned, and that from among his enemies at court, +he could gain many well-wishers and warm friends. But even in this, +one could see that the good Muck had enjoyed no very careful +education; otherwise he would not have imagined that he could buy true +friends with gold. Ah! that he had then put on his slippers, and with +his mantle full of gold, scampered away! + +The gold which from this time Little Muck distributed with lavish +hand, awakened the envy of the other court-attendants. The +kitchen-master, Ahuli, said, "He is a counterfeiter." The +slave-overseer, Achmet, said, "He has cajoled the king." But Archaz, +the treasurer, his most wicked enemy, who himself, even, now and then +put his hand into his lord's coffers, exclaimed, "He is a thief." In +order to be sure of the thing, they consulted together, and the head +cup-bearer, Korchuz, placed himself one day, with a very sorrowful and +depressed air, before the eyes of the king. He made his wo so +apparent, that the king asked him what was the matter. + +"Ah!" answered he, "I am sorry that I have lost the favor of my lord!" + +"Why talkest thou idly, friend Korchuz?" rejoined the monarch. "Since +when have I veiled from thee the sun of my favor?" + +The cup-bearer answered, that he loaded his private Oberleibläufer +with money, but gave his poor faithful servants nothing. The king was +much astonished at this accusation, had the story of Muck's +gold-distribution told him, and the conspirators soon aroused in him +the suspicion that the dwarf had, in some way or other, stolen the +money from the treasure-chamber. Very pleasant was this turn of the +matter to the treasurer, who would not otherwise have willingly +submitted his accounts to examination. The king thereupon commanded +that they should secretly watch all the movements of the dwarf, in +order, if possible, to surprise him in the act. When, now, on the +night which followed the fatal day, seeing his funds almost exhausted +by his generosity, Muck crept forth, with his spade, into the +castle-garden, to bring new supplies from his secret treasury, the +watch followed him in the distance, led by Ahuli and Archaz; and, at +the moment when he was removing the gold from the pot to his cloak, +they fell upon him, bound him, and immediately led him before the +king. The latter, whom, independently of any thing else, this +interruption of his sleep would have enraged, received his poor dwarf +very ungraciously, and ordered an immediate trial. Meanwhile they had +dug the full pot out of the ground, and with the spade and cloak full +of gold had placed it before the king. The treasurer said that he had +surprised Muck with his guard, just as he had buried this vessel of +gold in the earth. + +The king thereupon inquired of the accused, whether it was true, and +whence the gold had come. + +Little Muck, conscious of innocence, answered that he had discovered +this pot in the garden; that he had not buried it, but had brought it +to light. + +All present laughed aloud at this defence; the king, however, provoked +in the highest degree by the supposed impudence of the dwarf, +exclaimed, "How, wretch! wilt thou so stupidly and shamelessly lie to +thy king, after having stolen from him? Treasurer Archaz, I command +thee to say whether thou knowest this sum of gold to be the same that +is missing from my treasury." + +The treasurer thereupon answered that he was sure of the thing; that +so much and even more had been missing from the royal treasures; and +he could take his oath that this was the stolen money. Then the king +commanded them to place Little Muck in galling chains, and convey him +to prison: to Archaz, however, he gave the gold, that he might restore +it to the treasury. Delighted at the fortunate issue of the matter, +the officer took it, and counted out, at home, the glittering gold +pieces; but the bad man never disclosed that down in the pot lay a +letter, to the following purport:-- + + "The enemy has overrun my land; therefore I here conceal + a portion of my treasure. Whoever may find it, the curse + of his king fall upon him, if he do not immediately + deliver it to my son! + + KING SADI." + +In his dungeon, poor Muck gave way to sorrowful reflections; he knew +that for taking royal property death was the penalty; and yet--he +could not betray the secret of his staff unto the king, because, in +that case, he justly feared being deprived of both that, and his +slippers. His slippers, alas! could render him no help, for there by +close fetters he was fastened to the wall, and, torment himself as he +might, he could not turn around upon his heel. When, however, on the +next day, sentence of death was pronounced, he thought it would be +better to live without the magic staff, than to die with it; and, +having asked a private audience with the king, disclosed to him the +secret. At first the king gave no credit to his assertions, but Little +Muck promised him a proof, if he would respite him from death. The +king gave him his word upon it, and having had some gold buried in the +earth, unseen by Muck, commanded him to find it with his cane. In a +few moments he succeeded in doing so, for the staff beat three times +distinctly upon the ground. Then the king saw that his treasurer had +betrayed him, and sent him, as is customary in the East, a silken +cord, wherewith he should strangle himself. To Little Muck, however, +he said:-- + +"I have indeed promised thee thy life, but it seems to me that this is +not the only secret thou art possessed of, connected with this staff. +Therefore thou shalt remain in everlasting captivity, if thou do not +confess what relation exists between it and thy rapid running." + +Little Muck, whom one night in his dungeon had deprived of all desire +for further confinement, acknowledged that his whole art lay in the +slippers; nevertheless, he informed not the king of the wonderful +effect of turning three times upon the heel. The king put on the +slippers, himself, in order to make the experiment, and ran, like mad, +through the garden; often did he wish to hold up, but he knew not how +to bring the slippers to a halt, and Muck, who could not deny himself +this revenge, let him run on, until he fell down exhausted. + +When the king returned to consciousness, he was terribly angry at +Little Muck, who had suffered him to run until so entirely out of +breath. "I have promised thee thy freedom and life," said he, "but +within twelve hours must thou leave my land; otherwise will I have +thee hung." The slippers and cane, however, he commanded them to bear +to his treasure-chamber. + +Thus, poor as ever, wandered the little fellow forth through the land, +cursing the folly which had led him astray, and prevented his playing +an important part at court. The land from which he was banished, was +fortunately not extensive, and accordingly eight hours brought him to +the frontier; but travelling, now that he was used to his dear +slippers, came very hard to him. Having arrived at the border, he +chose the usual road for reaching the most lonely part of the forest, +for he hated all men, and resolved to live there by himself. In a +thick portion of the wood, he lighted on a place, which seemed to him +quite suitable for the resolution he had taken. A clear brook, +surrounded by large shady fig-trees, and a soft turf, invited him: he +threw himself down, determined to taste food no more, but calmly to +await his end. Amid his sorrowful reflections on death, he fell +asleep; when he awoke, he was tormented by hunger, and began to think +that starving to death was rather an unpleasant affair; so he looked +around to find something to eat. + +Fine ripe figs hung upon the tree beneath which he had slept; he +stretched forth his hand to pluck some; their taste was delicious, and +then he descended into the brook to slake his thirst. But what was his +horror, when the water showed his head adorned with two immense ears, +and a long thick nose! Amazed, he clapped his hands upon his ears, and +they were really more than half an ell long. + +"I deserve ass's ears!" he exclaimed; "for, like an ass, have I +trodden Fortune under my feet." He wandered around among the trees, +and feeling hunger again, was obliged to have recourse once more to +the fig-tree, for he could find nothing else that was eatable. After +the second portion of figs, it struck him that if his ears could find +room beneath his large turban, he would not look so ridiculous, and, +on trying it, he found that his ears had vanished. He ran straight +back to the stream, in order to convince himself thereof; it was +actually so; his ears had resumed their original figure, his long +misshapen nose was no more! He soon perceived how all this had +happened; from the first fig-tree he had received the long nose and +ears, the second had relieved him of them: he saw with joy that kind +destiny yet again placed in his hands the means of becoming fortunate. +He plucked, therefore, from each tree as many figs as he could carry, +and went back to the land which shortly before he had left. There, in +the first town, he disguised himself by means of different garments; +then, turning again to the city inhabited by the king, he soon arrived +at it. + +For about a year ripe fruit had been quite scarce; Little Muck, +therefore, placed himself before the gate of the palace, for from his +former residence there, it was well known to him, that here such +rareties would be purchased by the kitchen-master for the royal table. +Muck had not long been seated, when he saw that dignitary walking +across the court-yard. He examined the articles of the traders who +had placed themselves at the palace-gate; at length his eye fell upon +Muck's little basket. + +"Ah! a dainty morsel!" said he, "which will certainly please his +majesty: what wish you for the whole basket?" Muck set a high price +upon them, and the bargain was soon struck. The kitchen-master gave +the basket to his slave, and went his way: meantime Little Muck stole +away, for he feared, when the change should show itself on the heads +of the court, that he, as the one who sold them, would be sought for +punishment. + +At table the king was well pleased, and praised his kitchen-master +more than ever, on account of his good kitchen, and the care with +which he always sought the rarest morsels for his table; the officer, +however, who well knew what dainties he had in the back-ground, smiled +pleasantly, and let fall but few words: "The day is not all past till +evening," or "End good, all good;" so that the princesses were very +curious to know what he would still bring on. The moment, however, he +had the fine, inviting figs set upon the table, a universal "Ah!" +escaped the lips of those who were present. "How ripe! how delicate!" +exclaimed the king; "kitchen-master, thou art a whole-souled man, and +deservest our peculiar favor!" Thus speaking, the king, who with such +choice dishes took care to be very sparing, with his own hands +distributed the figs around the table. Each prince and princess +received two; the ladies of the court, the Viziers and Agas, each one; +the rest he placed before himself, and began to swallow them with +great delight. + +"In the name of heaven, father, why lookest thou so strange?" suddenly +exclaimed the Princess Amarza. All gazed in astonishment upon the +king; vast ears hung down from his head, a long nose stretched itself +bridge-like, over above his chin; upon themselves also they looked, +one upon another, with amazement and horror; all, more or less, were +adorned with the same strange headdress. + +The horror of the court may be imagined. All the physicians in the +city were immediately sent for; they came with a blustering air, +prescribed pills and mixtures, but ears and noses remained. They +operated on one of the princes, but the ears grew out again. + +From the place of concealment into which he had withdrawn, Muck had +heard the whole story, and perceived that it was now time for him to +commence operations. He had already, with the money obtained by the +sale of his figs, procured a dress which would represent him as a +learned man; a long beard of goat's hair completed the illusion. With +a small sack full of figs he repaired to the royal palace, and offered +his assistance as a foreign physician. At first they were quite +incredulous; but when Little Muck gave a fig to one of the princes, +and thereby restored ears and nose to their original shape, then were +all eager to be cured by the stranger. But the king took him silently +by the hand, and led him to his apartment; then, opening a door that +led into the treasure-chamber, he made signs to Muck to follow. + +"Here are my treasures," said the king; "choose for thyself: whatever +it may be, it shall be thine, if thou wilt free me from this shameful +evil." This was sweet music in the ears of Little Muck: at the moment +of entering he had seen his slippers standing upon the floor, and hard +by lay his little staff. He moved around the room, as if in wonder at +the royal treasures; but no sooner had he reached his beloved shoes, +than he hastily slipped into them, and seizing the little cane, tore +off his false beard, and displayed to the astonished king the +well-known countenance of his exiled Muck. + +[Illustration] + +"False king!" said he, "who rewardest faithful service with +ingratitude, take, as well-deserved punishment, the deformity which +thou now hast. The ears I leave thee, that, each day they may remind +thee of Little Muck." Having thus spoken, he turned quickly around +upon his heel, wished himself far away, and before the king could call +for help Little Muck had vanished. Ever since, he has lived here in +great affluence, but alone, for men he despises. Experience has made +him a wise man--one who, though there is something offensive in his +exterior, deserves rather your admiration than your ridicule. + + * * * * * + +Such was my father's story. I assured him that I sincerely repented of +my behavior towards the good little man, and he remitted the other +half of the punishment which he had intended for me. To my comrades I +told the wonderful history of the dwarf, and we conceived such an +affection for him, that no one insulted him any more. On the contrary, +we honored him as long as he lived, and bowed as low to him as to Cadi +or Mufti. + + * * * * * + +The travellers determined to rest a day in this caravansery, in order +to refresh themselves and their beasts for the rest of their journey. +The gayety of the day before again prevailed, and they diverted +themselves with various sports. After the meal, however, they called +upon the fifth merchant, Ali Sizah, to perform his duty to the rest, +and give them a story. He answered, that his life was too poor in +remarkable adventures for him to relate one connected therewith, but +he would tell them something which had no relation to it: "The story +of the False Prince." + + + + +[Illustration] + +THE FALSE PRINCE. + + +There was once an honest journeyman tailor, by name Labakan, who +learned his trade with an excellent master in Alexandria. It could not +be said that Labakan was unhandy with the needle; on the contrary, he +could make excellent work: moreover, one would have done him injustice +to have called him lazy. Nevertheless, his companions knew not what to +make of him, for he would often sew for hours together so rapidly +that the needle would glow in his hand, and the thread smoke, and that +none could equal him. At another time, however, (and this, alas! +happened more frequently,) he would sit in deep meditation, looking +with his staring eyes straight before him, and with a countenance and +air so peculiar, that his master and fellow-journeymen could say of +his appearance nothing else than, "Labakan has on again, his +aristocratic face." + +On Friday, however, when others quietly returned home from prayers to +their labor, Labakan would come forth from the mosque in a fine +garment which with great pains he had made for himself, and walk with +slow and haughty steps through the squares and streets of the city. At +such times, if one of his companions cried, "Joy be with thee!" or, +"How goes it, friend Labakan?" he would patronizingly give a token of +recognition with his hand, or, if he felt called upon to be very +polite, would bow genteelly with the head. Whenever his master said to +him in jest, "Labakan, in thee a prince is lost," he would be +rejoiced, and answer, "Have you too observed it?" or, "I have already +long thought it." + +In this manner did the honest journeyman tailor conduct himself for a +long time, while his master tolerated his folly, because, in other +respects, he was a good man and an excellent workman. But one day, +Selim, the sultan's brother, who was travelling through Alexandria, +sent a festival-garment to his master to have some change made in it, +and the master gave it to Labakan, because he did the finest work. In +the evening, when the apprentices had all gone forth to refresh +themselves after the labor of the day, an irresistible desire drove +Labakan back into the workshop, where the garment of the sultan's +brother was hanging. He stood some time, in reflection, before it, +admiring now the splendor of the embroidery, now the varied colors of +the velvet and silk. He cannot help it, he must put it on; and, lo! it +fits him as handsomely as if it were made for him. "Am not I as good a +prince as any?" asked he of himself, as he strutted up and down the +room. "Has not my master himself said, that I was born for a prince?" +With the garments, the apprentice seemed to have assumed quite a +kingly carriage; he could believe nothing else, than that he was a +king's son in obscurity, and as such he resolved to travel forth into +the world, leaving a city where the people hitherto had been so +foolish as not to discover his innate dignity beneath the veil of his +inferior station. The splendid garment seemed sent to him by a good +fairy; resolving therefore not to slight so precious a gift, he put +his little stock of money in his pocket, and, favored by the darkness +of the night, wandered forth from Alexandria's gates. + +The new prince excited admiration everywhere upon his route, for the +splendid garment, and his serious majestic air, would not allow him to +pass for a common pedestrian. If one inquired of him about it, he took +care to answer, with a mysterious look, that he had his reasons for +it. Perceiving, however, that he rendered himself an object of +ridicule by travelling on foot, he purchased for a small sum an old +horse, which suited him very well, for it never brought his habitual +quiet and mildness into difficulty, by compelling him to show himself +off as an excellent rider, a thing which in reality he was not. + +One day, as he was proceeding on his way, step by step, upon his +Murva, (thus had he named his horse,) a stranger joined him, and asked +permission to travel in his company, since to him the distance would +seem much shorter, in conversation with another. The rider was a gay +young man, elegant and genteel in manners. He soon knit up a +conversation with Labakan, with respect to his whence and whither, and +it turned out that he also, like the journeyman tailor, was travelling +without purpose, in the world. He said his name was Omar, that he was +the nephew of Elfi Bey, the unfortunate bashaw of Cairo, and was now +on his way to execute a commission which his uncle had delivered to +him upon his dying-bed. Labakan was not so frank with respect to his +circumstances; he gave him to understand that he was of lofty descent, +and was travelling for pleasure. + +The two young men were pleased with each other, and rode on in +company. On the second day, Labakan interrogated his companion Omar, +respecting the commission with which he was charged, and to his +astonishment learned the following. Elfi Bey, the bashaw of Cairo, had +brought up Omar from his earliest childhood; the young man had never +known his parents. But shortly before, Elfi Bey, having been attacked +by his enemies, and, after three disastrous engagements, mortally +wounded, was obliged to flee, and disclosed to his charge that he was +not his nephew, but the son of a powerful lord, who, inspired with +fear by the prophecy of his astrologer, had sent the young prince away +from his court, with an oath never to see him again until his +twenty-second birthday. Elfi Bey had not told him his father's name, +but had enjoined upon him with the greatest precision, on the fourth +day of the coming month Ramadan, on which day he would be +two-and-twenty years old, to repair to the celebrated pillar +El-Serujah, four days' journey east of Alexandria: there he should +offer to the men who would be standing by the pillar, a dagger which +he gave him, with these words, "Here am I, whom ye seek!" If they +answered, "Blessed be the Prophet, who has preserved thee!" then he +was to follow them--they would lead him to his father. + +The journeyman tailor, Labakan, was much astonished at this +information; from this time he looked upon Prince Omar with envious +eyes, irritated because fortune conferred upon him, though already he +passed for the nephew of a mighty bashaw, the dignity of a king's son; +but on him, whom she had endowed with all things necessary for a +prince, bestowed in ridicule, an obscure lineage, and an every-day +vocation. He instituted a comparison between himself and the prince. +He was obliged to confess that the latter was a man of very lively +aspect; that fine sparkling eyes belonged to him, a boldly-arched +nose, a gentlemanly, complaisant demeanor, in a word, all the external +accomplishments, which every one is wont to commend. But numerous as +were the charms he found in his companion, still he was compelled to +acknowledge to himself, that a Labakan would be no less acceptable to +the royal father than the genuine prince. + +These thoughts pursued Labakan the whole day; with them he went to +sleep in the nearest night-lodgings; but when he awoke in the morning, +and his eye rested upon Omar sleeping near him, who was reposing so +quietly, and could dream of his now certain fortune, then arose in him +the thought of gaining, by stratagem or violence, what unpropitious +destiny had denied him. The dagger, the returning prince's token of +recognition, hung in the sleeper's girdle; he softly drew it forth, to +plunge it in the breast of its owner. Nevertheless, the peaceable soul +of the journeyman recoiled before thoughts of murder; he contented +himself with appropriating the dagger, and bridling for himself the +faster horse of the prince; and, ere Omar awoke to see himself +despoiled of all his hopes, his perfidious companion was several miles +upon his way. + +The day on which Labakan robbed the prince was the first of the holy +month Ramadan, and he had therefore four days to reach the pillar +El-Serujah, the locality of which was well known to him. Although the +region wherein it was situated could at farthest be at a distance of +but four days' journey, still he hastened to reach it, through a +constant fear of being overtaken by the real prince. + +By the end of the second day, he came in sight of the pillar +El-Serujah. It stood upon a little elevation, in the midst of an +extensive plain, and could be seen at a distance of two or three +leagues. Labakan's heart beat high at the sight: though he had had +time enough on horseback, for the last two days, to think of the part +he was to play, still a consciousness of guilt made him anxious; the +thought that he was born for a prince, however, encouraged him again, +and he advanced towards the mark with renewed confidence. + +The country around the pillar was uninhabited and desert, and the new +prince would have experienced some difficulty in finding sustenance, +if he had not previously supplied himself for several days. He lay +down beside his horse beneath some palm-trees, and there awaited his +distant destiny. + +Towards the middle of the next day, he saw a large procession of +horses and camels crossing the plain in the direction of the pillar +El-Serujah. It reached the foot of the hill, on which the pillar +stood; there they pitched splendid tents, and the whole looked like +the travelling-suite of some rich bashaw or sheik. Labakan perceived +that the numerous train which met his eye, had taken the pains to come +hither on his account, and gladly would he that moment have shown them +their future lord; but he mastered his eager desire to walk as +prince; for, indeed, the next morning would consummate his boldest +wishes. + +The morning sun awoke the too happy tailor to the most important +moment of his life, which would elevate him from an inferior +situation, to the side of a royal father. As he was bridling his horse +to ride to the pillar, the injustice of his course, indeed, occurred +to him; his thoughts pictured to him the anguish of the true prince, +betrayed in his fine hopes; but the die was cast: what was done could +not be undone, and self-love whispered to him that he looked stately +enough to pass for the son of the mightiest king. Inspirited by these +reflections, he sprang upon his horse, and collecting all his courage +to bring him to an ordinary gallop, in less than a quarter of an hour, +reached the foot of the hill. He dismounted from his horse, and +fastened it to one of the shrubs that were growing near; then he drew +the dagger of Prince Omar, and proceeded up the hill. At the base of +the pillar six persons were standing around an old gray-haired man, of +lofty king-like aspect. A splendid caftan of gold cloth surrounded by +a white Cashmere shawl, a snowy turban spangled with glittering +precious stones, pointed him out as a man of opulence and nobility. To +him Labakan proceeded, and bowing low before him, said, as he extended +the dagger-- + +"Here am I, whom you seek." + +"Praise to the Prophet who has preserved thee!" answered the +gray-haired one, with tears of joy. "Omar, my beloved son, embrace +thine old father!" The good tailor was deeply affected by these solemn +words, and sank, with mingled emotions of joy and shame, into the arms +of the old noble. + +But only for a moment was he to enjoy the unclouded delight of his new +rank; raising himself from the arms of the king, he saw a rider +hastening over the plain in the direction of the hill. The traveller +and his horse presented a strange appearance; the animal, either from +obstinacy or fatigue, seemed unwilling to proceed. He went along with +a stumbling gait, which was neither a pace nor a trot; but the rider +urged him on, with hands and feet, to a faster run. Only too soon did +Labakan recognise his horse Murva, and the real Prince Omar. But the +evil spirit of falsehood once more prevailed within him, and he +resolved, come what might, with unmoved front to support the rights he +had usurped. Already, in the distance, had they observed the horseman +making signs; at length, in spite of Murva's slow gait, having reached +the bottom of the hill, he threw himself from his horse, and began +rapidly to ascend. + +"Hold!" cried he. "Hold! whoever you may be, and suffer not yourselves +to be deceived by a most infamous impostor! I am called Omar, and let +no mortal venture to misuse my name!" + +Great astonishment was depicted on the countenances of the bystanders +at this turn of the affair; the old man, in particular, seemed to be +much amazed, as he looked inquiringly on one and another. Thereupon +Labakan spoke, with a composure gained only by the most powerful +effort. + +"Most gracious lord and father, be not led astray by this man. He is, +as far as I know, a mad journeyman tailor of Alexandria, by name +Labakan, who deserves rather our pity than our anger." + +These words excited the prince almost to phrensy. Foaming with +passion, he would have sprung upon Labakan, but the bystanders, +throwing themselves between, secured him, while the old man said: +"Truly, my beloved son, the poor man is crazed. Let them bind him and +place him on one of our dromedaries; perhaps we may be of some +assistance to the unfortunate." + +The anger of the prince had abated; in tears, he cried out to the old +man, "My heart tells me that you are my father; by the memory of my +mother, I conjure you--hear me!" + +"Alas! God guard us!" answered he: "already he again begins to talk +wildly. How can the man come by such crazy thoughts?" Thereupon, +seizing Labakan's arm, he made him accompany him down the hill. They +both mounted fine and richly-caparisoned coursers, and rode at the +head of the procession, across the plain. They tied the hands of the +unfortunate prince, however, and bound him securely upon a dromedary. +Two horsemen rode constantly by his side, who kept a watchful eye upon +his every movement. + +The old prince was Saoud, sultan of the Wechabites. For some time had +he lived without children; at last a prince, for whom he had so +ardently longed, was born to him. But the astrologer, whom he +consulted respecting the destiny of his son, told him that, until his +twenty-second year, he would be in danger of being supplanted by an +enemy. On that account, in order that he might be perfectly safe, had +the sultan given him, to be brought up, to his old and tried friend, +Elfi Bey; and twenty-two sad years had lived without looking upon him. + +This did the sultan impart to his supposed son, and seemed delighted +beyond measure with his figure and dignified demeanor. + +When they reached the sultan's dominions, they were everywhere +received by the inhabitants with shouts of joy; for the rumor of the +prince's arrival had spread like wildfire through the cities and +towns. In the streets through which they proceeded, arches of flowers +and branches were erected; bright carpets of all colors adorned the +houses; and the people loudly praised God and his prophet, who had +discovered to them so noble a prince. All this filled the proud heart +of the tailor with delight: so much the more unhappy did it make the +real Omar, who, still bound, followed the procession in silent +despair. In this universal jubilee, though it was all in his honor, no +one paid him any attention. A thousand, and again a thousand, voices +shouted the name of Omar; but of him who really bore this name, of him +none took notice: at most, only one or two inquired whom they were +carrying with them, so tightly bound, and frightfully in the ears of +the prince sounded the answer of his guards, "It is a mad tailor." + +The procession at last reached the capital of the sultan, where all +was prepared for their reception with still more brilliancy than in +the other cities. The sultana, an elderly woman of majestic +appearance, awaited them, with her whole court, in the most splendid +saloon of the castle. The floor of this room was covered with a large +carpet; the walls were adorned with bright blue tapestry, which was +suspended from massive silver hooks, by cords and tassels of gold. + +[Illustration] + +It was dark by the time the procession came up, and accordingly many +globular colored lamps were lighted in the saloon, which made night +brilliant as day; but with the clearest brilliancy and most varied +colors, shone those in the farthest part of the saloon, where the +sultana was seated upon a throne. The throne stood upon four steps, +and was of pure gold, inlaid with amethysts. The four most illustrious +emirs held a canopy of crimson silk over the head of their mistress; +and the sheik of Medina cooled her with a fan of peacock feathers. +Thus awaited the sultana her husband and son; the latter she had never +looked on since his birth, but significant dreams had so plainly shown +her the object of her longings, that she would know him out of +thousands. + +Now they heard the noise of the approaching troop; trumpets and drums +mingled with the huzzas of the populace; the hoofs of the horses +sounded on the court of the palace; steps came nearer and nearer; the +doors of the room flew open, and, through rows of prostrate +attendants, hastened the sultan, holding his son by the hand, towards +the mother's throne. + +"Here," said he, "do I bring to thee, him for whom thou hast so often +longed." + +The sultana, however, interrupted him, crying: "This is not my son! +These are not the features which the Prophet has shown me in my +dreams!" + +Just as the sultan was about to rebuke her superstition, the door of +the saloon sprang open, and Prince Omar rushed in, followed by his +guards, whom an exertion of his whole strength had enabled him to +escape. Breathless, he threw himself before the throne, exclaiming:-- + +"Here will I die! Kill me, cruel father, for this disgrace I can +endure no longer!" + +All were confounded at these words; they pressed around the +unfortunate one, and already were the guards, who had hurried up, on +the point of seizing him and replacing his fetters, when the sultana, +who had thus far looked on in mute astonishment, sprang from the +throne. + +"Hold!" she cried; "this, and no other, is my son! This is he, who, +though my eyes have never seen him, is well known to my heart!" The +guards had involuntarily fallen back from Omar, but the sultan, +foaming with rage, commanded them to bind the madman. + +"It is mine to decide," he cried with commanding tone; "and here we +will judge, not by a woman's dreams, but by sure and infallible +signs. This," pointing to Labakan, "is my son, for he has brought me +the dagger, the real token of my friend Elfi." + +"He stole it," cried Omar; "my unsuspicious confidence has he +treacherously abused!" But the sultan hearkened not to the voice of +his son, for he was wont in all things obstinately to follow his own +judgment. He bade them forcibly drag the unfortunate Omar from the +saloon, and himself retired with Labakan to his chamber, filled with +anger at his wife, with whom, nevertheless, he had lived in happiness +for five-and-twenty years. The sultana was full of grief at this +affair; she was perfectly convinced that an impostor had taken +possession of the sultan's heart, so numerous and distinct had been +the dreams which pointed out the unhappy Omar as her son. When her +sorrow had a little abated, she reflected on the means of convincing +her husband of his mistake. This was indeed difficult, for he who had +passed himself off as her son, had presented the dagger, the token of +recognition, and had, moreover, as she learned, become acquainted with +so much of Omar's early life from the lips of the prince himself, as +to be able to play his part without betraying himself. + +She called to her the men who had attended the sultan to the pillar +El-Serujah, in order to have the whole matter exactly laid before her, +and then took counsel with her most trusty female slaves. She chose, +and in a moment rejected, this means and that; at length, Melechsalah, +an old and cunning Circassian, spoke. + +"If I have heard rightly, honored mistress, the one who bore this +dagger called him whom thou holdest to be thy son, a crazy tailor, +Labakan?" + +"Yes, it is so," answered the sultana; "but what wilt thou make of +that?" + +"What think you," proceeded the slave, "of this impostor's having +stitched his own name upon your son? If this be so, we have an +excellent way of catching the deceiver, which I will impart to you in +private." + +The sultana gave ear to her slave, and the latter whispered to her a +plan which seemed to please her, for she immediately got ready to go +to the sultan. The sultana was a sensible woman, and knew not only +the weak side of her husband, but also the way to take advantage of +it. She seemed therefore to give up, and to be willing to acknowledge +her son, only offering one condition: the sultan, whom the outbreak +between himself and his wife had grieved, agreed thereto, and she +said:-- + +"I would fain have from each a proof of his skill; another, perhaps, +would have them contend in riding, in single conflict, or in hurling +spears: but these are things which every one can do; I will give them +something which will require both knowledge and dexterity. It shall be +this; each shall make a caftan, and a pair of pantaloons, and then +will we see at once who can make the finest ones." + +The sultan laughingly answered, "Ah! thou hast hit on a fine +expedient! Shall my son contend with a mad tailor, to see who can make +the best caftan? No! that cannot be." The sultana, however, cried out, +that he had already agreed to the condition, and her husband, who was +a man of his word, at length yielded, though he swore, should the mad +tailor make his caftan ever so beautiful, he would never acknowledge +him as his son. + +The sultan thereupon went to his son, and entreated him to submit to +the caprices of his mother, who now positively wished to see a caftan +from his hands. The heart of the good Labakan laughed with delight; if +that be all that is wanting, thought he to himself, then shall the +lady sultana soon behold me with joy. Two rooms had been fitted up, +one for the prince, the other for the tailor; there were they to try +their skill, and each was furnished with shears, needles, thread, and +a sufficient quantity of silk. + +The sultan was very eager to see what sort of a caftan his son would +bring to light, but the heart of the sultana beat unquietly, from +apprehension lest her stratagem might be unsuccessful. Two days had +they been confined to their work; on the third, the sultan sent for +his wife, and when she appeared, dispatched her to the apartments to +bring the two caftans and their makers. With triumphant air Labakan +walked in, and extended his garment before the astonished eyes of the +sultan. + +"Behold, father," said he, "look, mother! see if this be not a +masterpiece of a caftan. I will leave it to the most skilful +court-tailor, upon a wager, whether he can produce such another." + +The sultana, smiling, turned to Omar:-- "And thou, my son, what hast +thou brought?" + +Indignantly he cast the silk and shears upon the floor. + +"They have taught me to tame horses, and to swing my sabre; and my +lance will strike you a mark at sixty paces. But the art of the needle +is unknown to me; it were unworthy a pupil of Elfi Bey, the lord of +Cairo!" + +"Oh, thou true son of my heart!" exclaimed the sultana. "Ah, that I +might embrace thee, and call thee, son! Forgive me, husband and +master," she continued, turning to the sultan, "for having set on foot +this stratagem against you. See you not now who is prince, and who +tailor? Of a truth the caftan which your lord son has made, is +magnificent, and I would fain ask with what master he has learned!" + +The sultan was lost in deep reflection, looking with distrust, now on +his wife, now on Labakan, who vainly sought to conceal his blushes and +consternation at having so stupidly betrayed himself. "This proof +pleases me not," said he; "but, Allah be praised! I know a means of +learning whether I am deceived." He commanded them to bring his +swiftest horse, mounted, and rode to a forest, which commenced not far +from the city. There, according to an old tradition, lived a good +fairy, named Adolzaide, who had often before this assisted with her +advice the monarchs of his family, in the hour of need: thither +hastened the sultan. + +In the middle of the wood was an open place, surrounded by lofty +cedars. There, the story said, lived the fairy; and seldom did a +mortal visit this spot, for a certain awe connected with it had, from +olden time, descended from father to son. When the sultan had drawn +near he dismounted, tied his horse to a tree, and placing himself in +the middle of the open space, cried with loud voice:-- + +"If it be true that thou hast given good counsel to my fathers, in the +hour of need, then disdain not the request of their descendant, and +advise me in a case where human understanding is too short-sighted." + +Hardly had he uttered the last word, when one of the cedars opened, +and a veiled lady, in long white garments, stepped forth. + +"I know, Sultan Saoud, why thou comest to me; thy wish is fair, +therefore shall my assistance be thine. Take these two chests; let +each of the two who claim to be thy son, choose; I know that he who is +the real one, will not make a wrong selection." Thus speaking, the +veiled lady extended to him two little caskets of ivory, richly +adorned with gold and pearls: upon the lids, which he vainly sought to +open, were inscriptions formed by inlaid diamonds. + +As he was riding home, the sultan tormented himself with various +conjectures, as to what might be the contents of the caskets, which, +do his best, he could not open. The words on the outside threw no +light upon the matter; for on one was inscribed, HONOR AND FAME; upon +the other, FORTUNE AND WEALTH. Saoud thought it would be difficult to +make choice between these two, which seemed equally attractive, +equally alluring. When he reached the palace, he sent for his wife, +and told her the answer of the fairy: it filled her with an eager +hope, that he to whom her heart clung, might select the casket which +would indicate his royal origin. + +Two tables were brought in before the sultan's throne; on these, with +his own hand, Saoud placed the two boxes; then, ascending to his seat, +he gave the signal to one of his slaves to open the door of the +saloon. A brilliant throng of bashaws and emirs of the realm poured +through the open door: they seated themselves on the splendid +cushions, which were arranged around the walls. When they had done +this, Saoud gave a second signal, and Labakan was introduced; with +haughty step he walked through the apartment, and prostrated himself +before the throne with these words:-- + +"What is the command of my lord and father?" The sultan raised himself +in his throne, and said:-- + +"My son, doubts are entertained as to the genuineness of thy claims to +this name; one of these chests contains the confirmation of thy real +birth. Choose! I doubt not thou wilt select the right one!" Labakan +raised himself, and advanced towards the boxes; for a long time he +reflected as to which he should choose, at last he said:-- + +"Honored father, what can be loftier than the fortune of being thy +son? What more noble than the wealth of thy favor? I choose the chest +which bears the inscription, FORTUNE AND WEALTH." + +"We will soon learn whether thou hast made the right choice; meanwhile +sit down upon that cushion, near the bashaw of Medina," said the +sultan, again motioning to his slaves. + +Omar was led in; his eye was mournful, his air dejected, and his +appearance excited universal sympathy among the spectators. He threw +himself before the throne, and inquired after the sultan's pleasure. +Saoud informed him that he was to choose one of the chests: he arose, +and approached the table. He read attentively both inscriptions, and +said:-- + +"The few last days have informed me how insecure is fortune, how +transient is wealth; but they have also taught me that, in the breast +of the brave, lives what can never be destroyed, HONOR, and that the +bright star of RENOWN sets not with fortune. The die is cast! should I +resign a crown, Honor and Fame, you are my choice!" He placed his hand +upon the casket that he had chosen, but the sultan commanded him not +to unclose it, while he motioned to Labakan to advance, in like +manner, before his table. He did so, and at the same time grasped his +box. The sultan, however, had a chalice brought in, with water from +Zemzem, the holy fountain of Mecca, washed his hands for supplication, +and, turning his face to the East, prostrated himself in prayer: + +"God of my fathers! Thou, who for centuries hast established our +family, pure and unadulterated, grant that no unworthy one disgrace +the name of the Abassidæ; be with thy protection near my real son, in +this hour of trial." The sultan arose, and reascended his throne. +Universal expectation enchained all present; they scarcely breathed; +one could have heard a mouse crawl over the hall, so mute and +attentive were all. The hindmost extended their necks, in order to get +a view of the chests, over the heads of those in front. The sultan +spoke: "Open the chests;" and they, which before no violence could +force, now sprang open of their own accord. + +In the one which Omar had chosen, lay upon a velvet cushion, a small +golden crown, and a sceptre: in Labakan's, a large needle, and a +little linen thread. The sultan commanded both to bring their caskets +before him: he took the little crown from the cushion in his hand, +and, wonderful to see! it became larger and larger, until it reached +the size of a real crown. Placing it on his son Omar, who kneeled +before him, he kissed his forehead, and bade him sit upon his right +hand. To Labakan, however, he turned and said:-- + +"There is an old proverb, 'Shoemaker, stick to thy last;' it seems +that thou shouldst stick to thy needle. Thou hast not, indeed, merited +much mercy at my hands, but one has supplicated for thee, whom this +day I can refuse nothing; therefore give I thee thy paltry life; but, +if I may advise, haste thee to leave my land." + +Ashamed, ruined as he was, the poor tailor could answer nothing: he +threw himself before the prince, and tears came into his eyes. + +"Can you forgive me, prince?" he said. + +"To be true to a friend, magnanimous to a foe, is the pride of the +Abassidæ!" answered the prince, raising him. "Go in peace!" + +"My true son!" cried the old sultan, deeply affected, and sinking upon +Omar's breast. The emirs and bashaws, and all the nobles of the +realm, arose from their seats, to welcome the new prince, and amid +this universal jubilee, Labakan, his chest under his arm, crept out of +the saloon. + +He went down into the sultan's stable, bridled his horse Murva, and +rode forth from the gate towards Alexandria. His whole career as +prince recurred to him as a dream, and the splendid chest, richly +adorned with pearls and diamonds, alone convinced him that it was not +all an idle vision. Having at last reached Alexandria, he rode to the +house of his old master, dismounted, and fastening his horse to the +door, walked into the workshop. The master, who did not even know him, +made a low bow and asked what was his pleasure: when, however, he had +a nearer view of his guest, and recognised his old Labakan, he called +to his journeymen and apprentices, and all precipitated themselves, +like mad, upon poor Labakan, who expected no such reception; they +bruised and beat him with smoothing-irons and yard-sticks, pricked him +with needles, and pinched him with sharp shears, until he sank down, +exhausted, on a heap of old clothes. As he lay there, the master +ceased, for a moment, from his blows, to ask after the stolen +garments: in vain Labakan assured him that he had come back on that +account alone, to set all right; in vain offered him threefold +compensation for his loss; the master and his journeymen fell upon him +again, beat him terribly, and turned him out of doors. Sore and +bruised, he mounted Murva, and rode to a caravansery. There he laid +down his weary lacerated head, reflecting on the sorrows of earth, on +merit so often unrewarded, and on the nothingness and transientness of +all human blessings. He went to sleep with the determination to give +up all hopes of greatness, and to become an honest burgher. Nor on the +following day did he repent of his resolution, for the heavy hands of +his master, and the journeymen, had cudgelled out of him all thoughts +of nobility. + +He sold his box to a jeweller for a high price, and fitted up a +workshop for his business. When he had arranged all, and had hung out, +before his window, a sign with the inscription, LABAKAN, MERCHANT +TAILOR, he sat down and began with the needle and thread he had found +in the chest, to mend the coat which his master had so shockingly +torn. He was called off from his work, but on returning to it, what a +wonderful sight met his eyes! The needle was sewing industriously +away, without being touched by any one; it took fine, elegant +stitches, such as Labakan himself had never made even in his most +skilful moments. + +Truly the smallest present of a kind fairy is useful, and of great +value! Still another good quality had the gift; be the needle as +industrious as it might, the little stock of thread never gave out. + +Labakan obtained many customers, and was soon the most famous tailor +for miles around. He cut out the garments, and took the first stitch +therein with the needle, and immediately the latter worked away, +without cessation, until the whole was completed. Master Labakan soon +had the whole city for customers, for his work was beautiful, and his +charges low; and only one thing troubled the brains of the people of +Alexandria, namely, how he finished his work entirely without +journeymen, and with closed doors. + +Thus was the motto of the chest which promised fortune and wealth +undergoing its accomplishment. FORTUNE AND WEALTH accompanied, with +gradual increase, the steps of the good tailor, and when he listened +to the praises of the young sultan Omar, who lived in every mouth; +when he heard that this brave man was the object of his people's pride +and love, the terror of his enemies; then would the quondam prince say +to himself, "Still is it better that I remained a tailor, for HONOR +AND FAME are ever accompanied by danger." + +Thus lived Labakan, contented with himself, respected by his +fellow-burghers; and if the needle, meanwhile, has not lost her +cunning, she is still sewing with the everlasting thread of the good +Fairy Adolzaide. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +At sundown the Caravan set out, and soon reached Birket-el-had, or +"the Pilgrims' Fountain," whence the distance to Cairo was three +leagues. The Caravan had been expected at this time, and the merchants +soon had the pleasure of seeing their friends coming forth from the +city to meet them. They entered through the gate Bebel-Falch, for it +was considered a good omen for those who came from Mecca to enter by +this gate, because the Prophet himself had passed through it. + +At the market-place the four Turkish merchants took leave of the +stranger and the Greek Zaleukos, and went home with their friends. +Zaleukos, however, showed his companion a good caravansery, and +invited him to dine with him. The stranger agreed, and promised to +make his appearance as soon as he should have changed his dress. The +Greek made every arrangement for giving a fine entertainment to the +stranger, for whom, upon the journey, he had conceived a deep feeling +of esteem; and when the meats and drink had been brought in in proper +order, he seated himself, waiting for his guest. + +He heard slow and heavy steps approaching through the gallery which +led to their apartment. He arose in order to meet him as a friend, and +welcome him upon the threshold; but, full of horror, he started back +as the door opened--the same frightful Red-mantle walked in before +him! His eyes were still turned upon him; it was no illusion: the same +lofty, commanding figure, the mask, from beneath which shone forth the +dark eyes, the red cloak with embroidery of gold--all were but too +well known to him, impressed upon his mind as they had been during the +most awful moments of his life. + +The breast of Zaleukos heaved with contending emotions; he had long +since felt reconciled towards this too-well-remembered apparition, and +forgiven him; nevertheless his sudden appearance opened every wound +afresh. All those torturing hours of anguish, that wo which had +envenomed the bloom of his life, rushed back for a moment, crowding +upon his soul. + +"What wishest thou, terrible one?" cried the Greek, as the apparition +still stood motionless upon the threshold. "Away with thee, that I may +curse thee not!" + +"Zaleukos!" said a well-known voice from under the mask: "Zaleukos! is +it thus that you receive your guest?" The speaker removed the mask, +and threw back his cloak: it was Selim Baruch, the stranger! But still +Zaleukos seemed not at ease, for he too plainly recognised in him the +Unknown of the Ponte Vecchio: nevertheless, old habits of hospitality +conquered; he silently motioned to the stranger to seat himself at the +table. + +"I can guess your thoughts," commenced the latter, when they had taken +their places: "your eyes look inquiringly upon me. I might have been +silent, and your gaze would never more have beheld me; but I owe you +an explanation, and therefore did I venture to appear before you in my +former guise, even at the risk of receiving your curse. You once said +to me, 'The faith of my fathers bids me love him; and he is probably +more unhappy than myself:' be assured of this, my friend, and listen +to my justification. + +"I must begin far back, in order that you may fully understand my +story. I was born in Alexandria, of Christian parents. My father, the +youngest son of an ancient illustrious French family, was consul for +his native land in the city I have just mentioned. From my tenth year +I was brought up in France, by one of my mother's brothers, and left +my fatherland for the first time a few years after the revolution +broke out there, in company with my uncle, who was no longer safe in +the land of his ancestors, in order to seek refuge with my parents +beyond the sea. We landed eagerly, hoping to find in my father's house +the rest and quiet of which the troubles of France had deprived us. +But ah! in my father's house I found not all as it should be: the +external storms of these stirring times had not, it is true, reached +it; but the more unexpectedly had misfortune made her home in the +inmost hearts of my family. My brother, a promising young man, first +secretary of my father, had shortly before married a young lady, the +daughter of a Florentine noble who lived in our vicinity: two days +before our arrival she had suddenly disappeared, and neither our +family nor her own father could discern the slightest trace of her. +At last they came to the conclusion that she had ventured too far in a +walk, and had fallen into the hands of robbers. Almost agreeable was +this thought to my poor brother, when compared to the truth, which +only too soon became known. The perfidious one had eloped with a young +Neapolitan, with whom she had become acquainted in her father's house. +My brother, who was exceedingly affected by this step, employed every +means to bring the guilty one to punishment; but in vain: his +attempts, which in Naples and Florence had excited wonder, served only +to complete his and our misfortune. The Florentine nobleman returned +to his native land, under the pretence of seeing justice done to my +brother, but with the real determination of destroying us all. He +frustrated all those examinations which my brother had set on foot, +and knew how to use his influence, which he had obtained in various +ways, so well, that my father and brother fell under suspicion of +their government, were seized in the most shameful manner, carried to +France, and there suffered death by the axe of the executioner. My +poor mother lost her mind; and not until ten long months had passed, +did death release her from her awful situation, though for the few +last days she was possessed of perfect consciousness. Thus did I now +stand isolated in the world: one thought alone occupied my whole soul, +one thought alone bade me forget my sorrows; it was the mighty flame +which my mother in her last moments had kindled within me. + +"In her last moments, as I said, recollection returned; she had me +summoned, and spoke with composure of our fate, and her own death. +Then she sent all out of the room, raised herself, with a solemn air, +from her miserable bed, and said that I should receive her blessing, +if I would swear to accomplish something with which she would charge +me. Amazed at the words of my dying mother, I promised with an oath to +do whatever she should tell me. She thereupon broke forth in +imprecations against the Florentine and his daughter, and charged me, +with the most frightful threats of her curse, to avenge upon him the +misfortunes of my house. She died in my arms. This thought of +vengeance had long slumbered in my soul; it now awoke in all its +might. I collected what remained of my paternal property, and bound +myself by an oath to stake it all upon revenge, and, rather than be +unsuccessful, to perish in the attempt. + +"I soon arrived in Florence, where I kept myself as private as +possible; it was very difficult to put my plan in execution on account +of the situation which my enemy occupied. The old Florentine had +become governor, and thus had in his hand all the means of destroying +me, should he entertain the slightest suspicion. An accident came to +my assistance. One evening I saw a man in well-known livery, walking +through the streets: his uncertain gait, his gloomy appearance, and +the muttered 'Santo sacramento,' and 'Maledetto diavolo,' soon made me +recognise old Pietro, a servant of the Florentine, whom I had formerly +known in Alexandria. There was no doubt but that he was in a passion +with his master, and I resolved to turn his humor to my advantage. He +appeared much surprised to see me there, told me his grievances, that +he could do nothing aright for his master since he had become +governor, and my gold supported by his anger soon brought him over to +my side. Most of the difficulty was now removed: I had a man in my +pay, who would open to me at any hour the doors of my enemy, and from +this time my plan of vengeance advanced to maturity with still greater +rapidity. The life of the old Florentine seemed to me too pitiful a +thing, to be put into the balance with that of my whole family. +Murdered before him, he must see the dearest object of his love, and +this was his daughter Bianca. It was she that had so shamefully +wronged my brother, it was she that had been the author of our +misfortunes. My heart, thirsting for revenge, eagerly drank in the +intelligence, that Bianca was on the point of being married a second +time; it was settled--she must die. But as my soul recoiled at the +deed, and I attributed too little nerve to Pietro, we looked around +for a man to accomplish our fell design. I could hire no Florentine, +for there was none that would have undertaken such a thing against the +governor. Thereupon Pietro hit upon a plan, which I afterwards +adopted, and he thereupon proposed you, being a foreigner and a +physician, as the proper person. The result you know: only, through +your excessive foresight and honesty, my undertaking seemed, at one +time, to be tottering; hence the scene with the mantle. + +"Pietro opened for us the little gate in the governor's palace; he +would have let us out, also, in the same secret manner, if we had not +fled, overcome by horror at the frightful spectacle, which, through +the crack of the door, presented itself to our eyes. Pursued by terror +and remorse, I ran on about two hundred paces, until I sank down upon +the steps of a church. There I collected myself again, and my first +thought was of you, and your awful fate, if found within the house. + +"I crept back to the palace, but neither of Pietro nor yourself could +I discover a single trace. The door, however, was open, and I could at +least hope that you had not neglected this opportunity of flight. + +"But when the day broke, fear of detection, and an unconquerable +feeling of remorse, allowed me to remain no longer within the walls of +Florence. I hastened to Rome. Imagine my consternation, when, after a +few days, the story was everywhere told, with the addition that, in a +Grecian physician, they had detected the murderer. In anxious fear, I +returned to Florence; my vengeance now seemed too great: I cursed it +again and again, for with your life it was purchased all too dearly. I +arrived on the same day which cost you a hand. I will not tell you +what I felt, when I saw you ascend the scaffold, and bear all with +such heroism. But when the blood gushed forth in streams, then was my +resolution taken, to sweeten the rest of your days. What has since +happened you know; it only now remains to tell you, why I have +travelled with you. As the thought that you had never yet forgiven me, +pressed heavily upon me, I determined to spend some days with you, and +at last to give you an explanation of what I had done." + +Silently had the Greek listened to his guest; with a kind look, as he +finished, he offered him his right hand. + +"I knew very well that you must be more unhappy than I, for that awful +deed will, like a thick cloud, forever darken your days. From my heart +I forgive you. But answer me yet one question: how came you under this +form, in the wilderness? What did you set about, after purchasing my +house in Constantinople?" + +"I returned to Alexandria," answered the guest. "Hate against all +mankind raged in my bosom; burning hate, in particular, against that +people, whom they call 'the polished nation.' Believe me, my Moslem +friends pleased me better. Scarcely a month had I been in Alexandria, +when the invasion of my countrymen took place. I saw in them only the +executioners of my father and brother; I, therefore, collected some +young people of my acquaintance, who were of the same mind as myself, +and joined those brave Mamelukes, who were so often the terror of the +French host. When the campaign was finished, I could not make up my +mind to return to the peaceful arts. With my little band of congenial +friends, I led a restless, careless life, devoted to the field and the +chase. I live contented among this people, who honor me as their +chief; for though my Asiatics are not quite so refined as your +Europeans, yet are they far removed from envy and slander, from +selfishness and ambition." + +Zaleukos thanked the stranger for his relation, but did not conceal +from him, that he would find things better suited to his rank and +education, if he would live and work in Christian, in European lands. +With delight his companion looked upon him. + +"I know by this," said he, "that you have entirely forgiven me, that +you love me: receive, in return, my heartfelt thanks." He sprang up, +and stood in full height before the Greek, whom the warlike air, the +dark sparkling eyes, the deep mysterious voice of his guest, almost +inspired with fear. "Thy proposal is intended kindly," continued he; +"for another it might have charms; but I--I cannot accept it. Already +stands my horse saddled: already do my attendants await me. Farewell, +Zaleukos!" + +The friends whom destiny had so strangely thrown together, embraced at +parting. "And how may I call thee? What is the name of my guest, who +will forever live in my remembrance?" exclaimed the Greek. + +The stranger gazed at him some time, and said, as he pressed his hand +once more: "They call me 'the lord of the wilderness;' I am THE ROBBER +ORBASAN!" + +THE END. + + + + +Miscellaneous Juvenile Works, + +BY THE MOST EMINENT AUTHORS. + + _AMERICAN HISTORICAL TALES FOR YOUTH._ 1 vol. 18mo., + cloth. 75 cts. + + _AUNT FANNY'S CHRISTMAS STORIES._ Illustrated. Boards, + 31 cts.; cloth, 38 cts. + + _AUNT FANNY'S STORY BOOK FOR LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS._ + 18mo. Illustrated. Boards, 31 cts.; cloth, 50 cts. + + _AUNT KITTY'S TALES._ By MARIA J. MCINTOSH. A new + edition, complete in one volume, 12mo., cloth, 75 cts. + + _BABES IN THE WOOD._ A New Story for the Young. + Illustrated with six designs. 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JOHN SMITH._ By the author of Uncle + Philip. 38 cts. + + _ADVENTURES OF DANIEL BOONE._ By do. 38 cts. + + _LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF HENRY HUDSON._ By do. 38 cts. + + _DAWNINGS OF GENIUS._ By Ann Pratt. 38 cts. + + _LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF HERNAN CORTEZ._ By do. 38 cts. + + _PHILIP RANDOLPH._ A Tale of Virginia. By M. Gertrude. + 38 cts. + + _ROWAN'S HISTORY OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION._ 2 vols. 75 + cts + + _SOUTHEY'S LIFE OF OLIVER CROMWELL._ 38 cts. + + + + +Transcriber's Note + +Minor punctuation errors have been corrected without note. There is +some archaic spelling in this text, which has been retained as printed, +for example, pedler, phrensy, wo, etc. The single oe ligature has not +been retained. + +The author dedication at the beginning of the book appears exactly as +printed in the original, although it appears that there is some text +missing from the start of it. + +The following amendments have been made: + + Page 101--thus amended to this--"... only this much I + know, that whoever ..." + + Page 136--Nourmahal amended to Nurmahal--"... and asked + where Nurmahal and Mirza were." + + Page 188--Saaud amended to Saoud--"The old prince was + Saoud, sultan of the Wechabites." + + Page 204--sheers amended to shears--"... and pinched him + with sharp shears, until he sank down, ..." + +Illustrations have been moved slightly where they were previously +located in the middle of a paragraph. The frontispiece illustration +has been moved to follow the title page. + +Advertising material has been moved to the end of the text. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Oriental Story Book, by Wilhelm Hauff + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ORIENTAL STORY BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 24593-8.txt or 24593-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/5/9/24593/ + +Produced by Sam W. and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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P. Quackenbos. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + a {text-decoration: none;} + + img {border: none;} + + em {font-style: italic;} + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-style: normal; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; padding: 1em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .lowercase {text-transform: lowercase;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 2em;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: .2em; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i3 {display: block; margin-left: 3em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + .sig {margin-left: 35%; text-indent: -4em;} /* author signature at end of letter, move 2nd line right */ + +span.dropcap { display: none; } /* this goes around the first letter of the first word */ + +/* You need a unique span like this for each of your drop cap images */ +span.dropcapisml { float: left; + height: 177px; width: 150px; /* adjust for your image */ + margin: 0 1em 1em 0; + background: url("images/dropcap_i_sml.png") no-repeat top left; } +span.dropcaposml { float: left; + height: 173px; width: 150px; /* adjust for your image */ + margin: 0 1em 1em 0; + background: url("images/dropcap_o_sml.png") no-repeat top left; } +span.dropcapssml { float: left; + height: 177px; width: 150px; /* adjust for your image */ + margin: 0 1em 1em 0; + background: url("images/dropcap_s_sml.png") no-repeat top left; } +span.dropcaptsml { float: left; + height: 143px; width: 150px; /* adjust for your image */ + margin: 0 1em 1em 0; + background: url("images/dropcap_t_sml.png") no-repeat top left; } +span.dropcapwsml { float: left; + height: 178px; width: 150px; /* adjust for your image */ + margin: 0 1em 1em 0; + background: url("images/dropcap_w_sml.png") no-repeat top left; } +span.dropcapwsml2 { float: left; + height: 174px; width: 150px; /* adjust for your image */ + margin: 0 1em 1em 0; + background: url("images/dropcap_w_sml2.png") no-repeat top left; } +span.dropcapilrg { float: left; + height: 363px; width: 150px; /* adjust for your image */ + margin: 0 1em 1em 0; + background: url("images/dropcap_i_lrg.png") no-repeat top left; } +span.dropcapmlrg { float: left; + height: 367px; width: 150px; /* adjust for your image */ + margin: 0 1em 1em 0; + background: url("images/dropcap_m_lrg.png") no-repeat top left; } +span.dropcapolrg { float: left; + height: 362px; width: 150px; /* adjust for your image */ + margin: 0 1em 1em 0; + background: url("images/dropcap_o_lrg.png") no-repeat top left; } +span.dropcaptlrg { float: left; + height: 366px; width: 150px; /* adjust for your image */ + margin: 0 1em 1em 0; + background: url("images/dropcap_t_lrg.png") no-repeat top left; } + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Oriental Story Book, by Wilhelm Hauff + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Oriental Story Book + A Collection of Tales + +Author: Wilhelm Hauff + +Illustrator: J. W. Orr + +Translator: G. P. Quackenbos + +Release Date: February 13, 2008 [EBook #24593] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ORIENTAL STORY BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by Sam W. and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1 style="padding-top: 3em;"><span style="font-size: small;">THE</span><br /> +<br /> +ORIENTAL<br /> +<br /> +STORY BOOK.</h1> + +<h2 style="padding-top: 3em;">A COLLECTION OF TALES.</h2> + +<p class="center" style="padding-top: 3em;">TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF</p> +<h2>WILHELM HAUFF,</h2> + +<h2 style="padding-top: 3em;">BY G. P. QUACKENBOS.</h2> + +<h3 style="padding-top: 3em;">ILLUSTRATED BY J. W. ORR.</h3> + +<p class="center" style="padding-top: 5em;">NEW YORK:<br /> +D. APPLETON AND COMPANY,<br /> +346 & 348 BROADWAY.<br /> +1855.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 445px;"> +<img src="images/tosb01.jpg" width="445" height="600" +alt="A large group of horsemen, accompanied by people on foot, ride up a valley" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + +<p class="center">OF NEW ORLEANS<br /> +<br /> +IN REMEMBRANCE OF A LONG FRIENDSHIP,<br /> +<br /> +AND MANY HAPPY HOURS SPENT WITH HIM OVER THE<br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: large;">GERMAN CLASSICS,</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="font-size: x-large;">THIS LITTLE VOLUME</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED.</span></p> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> + +<h2 style="padding-top: 3em;">THE CARAVAN.</h2> + +<h3>INTRODUCTION.</h3> + + +<p><span class="dropcapisml"><span class="dropcap">I</span></span>N a beautiful distant kingdom, +of which there is a saying, +that the sun on its everlasting +green gardens never goes down, +ruled, from the beginning of +time even to the present day, +Queen Phantasie. With full hands, she used +to distribute for many hundred years, the abundance +of her blessings among her subjects, +and was beloved and respected by all who +knew her. The heart of the Queen, however, +was too great to allow her to stop at +her own land with her charities; she herself, +in the royal attire of her everlasting youth +and beauty, descended upon the earth; for +she had heard that there men lived, who +passed their lives in sorrowful seriousness, in +the midst of care and toil. Unto these she +had sent the finest gifts out of her kingdom, +and ever since the beauteous Queen came +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +through the fields of earth, men were merry +at their labor, and happy in their seriousness.</p> + +<p>Her children, moreover, not less fair and +lovely than their royal mother, she had sent +forth to bring happiness to men. One day +Märchen<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a>, the eldest daughter of the Queen, +came back in haste from the earth. The +mother observed that Märchen was sorrowful; +yes, at times it would seem to her as if her +eyes would be consumed by weeping.</p> + +<p>“What is the matter with thee, beloved +Märchen?” said the Queen to her. “Ever +since thy journey, thou art so sorrowful and +dejected; wilt thou not confide to thy mother +what ails thee?”</p> + +<p>“Ah! dear mother,” answered Märchen, +“I would have kept silence, had I not known +that my sorrow is thine also.”</p> + +<p>“Speak, my daughter!” entreated the fair +Queen. “Grief is a stone, which presses +down him who bears it alone, but two draw +it lightly out of the way.”</p> + +<p>“Thou wishest it,” rejoined Märchen, “so +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +listen. Thou knowest how gladly I associate +with men, how cheerfully I sit down before +the huts of the poor, to while away a little +hour for them after their labor; formerly, +when I came, they used to ask me kindly for +my hand to salute, and looked upon me afterwards, +when I went away, smiling and contented; +but in these days, it is so no longer!”</p> + +<p>“Poor Märchen!” said the Queen as she +caressed her cheek, which was wet with a +tear. “But, perhaps, thou only fanciest all +this.”</p> + +<p>“Believe me, I feel it but too well,” rejoined +Märchen; “they love me no more. Wherever +I go, cold looks meet me; nowhere am I +any more gladly seen; even the children, who +ever loved me so well, laugh at me, and slyly +turn their backs upon me.”</p> + +<p>The Queen leaned her forehead on her +hand, and was silent in reflection. “And how, +then, Märchen,” she asked, “should it happen +that the people there below have become so +changed?”</p> + +<p>“See, O Queen Phantasie! men have stationed +vigilant watchmen, who inspect and +examine all that comes from thy kingdom, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +with sharp eyes. If one should arrive who is +not according to their mind, they raise a loud +cry, and put him to death, or else so slander +him to men, who believe their every word, +that one finds no longer any love, any little +ray of confidence. Ah! how fortunate are +my brothers, the Dreams! they leap merrily +and lightly down upon the earth, care nothing +for those artful men, seek the slumbering, and +weave and paint for them, what makes happy +the heart, and brightens the eye with joy.”</p> + +<p>“Thy brothers are light-footed,” said the +Queen, “and thou, my darling, hast no reason +for envying them. Besides, I know these +border-watchmen well; men are not so wrong +in sending them out; there came so many +boastful fellows, who acted as if they had come +straight from my kingdom, and yet they had, +at best, only looked down upon us from some +mountain.”</p> + +<p>“But why did they make me, thine own +daughter, suffer for this?” wept forth Märchen. +“Ah, if thou knewest how they have acted towards +me! They called me an old maid, and +threatened the next time not to admit me!”</p> + +<p>“How, my daughter?—not to admit thee +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +more?” asked the Queen, as anger heightened +the color on her cheeks. “But already I see +whence this comes; that wicked cousin has +slandered us!”</p> + +<p>“Fashion? Impossible!” exclaimed Märchen; +“she always used to act so friendly +towards us.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I know her, the false one!” answered +the Queen. “But try it again in spite of her, +my daughter: whoever wishes to do good, +must not rest.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, mother! suppose, then, they send me +back again, or slander me so that men let me +stay in a corner, disregarded, or alone and +slighted!”</p> + +<p>“If the old, deluded by Fashion, value thee +at nothing, then turn thee to the young; truly +they are my little favorites. I send to them +my loveliest pictures through thy brothers, the +Dreams; yes, already I have often hovered +over them in person, caressed and kissed them, +and played fine games with them. They, +also, know me well, though not by name; for +I have often observed how in the night they +laugh at my stars, and in the morning, when +my shining fleeces play over the heavens, how +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +they clap their hands for joy. Moreover, +when they grow larger, they love me still; +then I help the charming maids to weave +variegated garlands, and the wild boys to become +still, while I seat myself near them, on +the lofty summit of a cliff, steep lofty cities and +brilliant palaces in the mist-world of the blue +mountains in the distance, and, on the red-tinged +clouds of evening, paint brave troops +of horsemen, and strange pilgrim processions.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, the dear children!” exclaimed Märchen, +deeply affected. “Yes—be it so! with +them I will make one more trial.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, my good child,” answered the Queen; +“go unto them; but I will attire thee in fine +style, that thou mayest please the little ones, +and that the old may not drive thee away. +See! the dress of an Almanach<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> will I give +thee.”</p> + +<p>“An Almanach, mother? Ah!—I will be +ashamed to parade, in such a way, before the +people.”</p> + +<p>The Queen gave the signal, and the attendants +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +brought in the rich dress of an Almanach. +It was inwrought with brilliant colors, and +beautiful figures. The waiting-maids plaited +the long hair of the fair girl, bound golden +sandals on her feet, and arrayed her in the +robe.</p> + +<p>The modest Märchen dared not look up; +her mother, however, beheld her with satisfaction, +and clasped her in her arms. “Go forth!” +said she unto the little one; “my blessing be +with thee. If they despise and scorn thee, +turn quickly unto me; perhaps later generations, +more true to nature, may again incline +to thee their hearts.”</p> + +<p>Thus spoke Queen Phantasie, while Märchen +went down upon the earth. With beating +heart she approached the city, in which +the cunning watchmen dwelt: she dropped +her head towards the earth, wrapped her fine +robe closely around her, and with trembling +step drew near unto the gate.</p> + +<p>“Hold!” exclaimed a deep, rough voice. +“Look out, there! Here comes a new Almanach!”</p> + +<p>Märchen trembled as she heard this; many +old men, with gloomy countenances, rushed +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +forth; they had sharp quills in their fists, and +held them towards Märchen. One of the +multitude strode up to her, and seized her +with rough hand by the chin. “Just lift up +your head, Mr. Almanach,” he cried, “that +one may see in your eyes whether you be +right or not.”</p> + +<p>Blushing, Märchen lifted her little head quite +up, and raised her dark eye.</p> + +<p>“Märchen!” exclaimed the watchmen, laughing +boisterously. “Märchen! That we should +have had any doubt as to who was here! How +come you, now, by this dress?”</p> + +<p>“Mother put it on me,” answered Märchen.</p> + +<p>“So! she wishes to smuggle you past us! +Not this time! Out of the way; see that you +be gone!” exclaimed the watchmen among +themselves, lifting up their sharp quills.</p> + +<p>“But, indeed, I will go only to the children,” +entreated Märchen; “this, surely, you will +grant to me.”</p> + +<p>“Stay there not, already, enough of these +menials in the land around?” exclaimed one +of the watchmen. “They only prattle nonsense +to our children.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +“Let us see what she knows this time,” said +another.</p> + +<p>“Well then,” cried they, “tell us what you +know; but make haste, for we have not much +time for you.”</p> + +<p>Märchen stretched forth her hand, and described +with the forefinger, various figures in +the air. Thereupon they saw confused images +move slowly across it;—caravans, fine horses, +riders gayly attired, numerous tents upon the +sand of the desert; birds, and ships upon the +stormy seas; silent forests, and populous places, +and highways; battles, and peaceful wandering +tribes—all hovered, a motley crowd, in +animated pictures, over before them.</p> + +<p>Märchen, in the eagerness with which she +had caused the figures to rise forth, had not +observed that the watchmen of the gate had +one by one fallen asleep. Just as she was +about to describe new lines, a friendly man +came up to her, and seized her hand. “Look +here, good Märchen,” said he, as he pointed to +the sleepers; “for these thy varied creations +are as nothing; slip nimbly through the door; +they will not suspect that thou art in the land, +and thou canst quietly and unobserved pursue +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +thy way. I will lead thee unto my children; +in my house will give thee a peaceful, friendly +home; there thou mayest remain and live by +thyself; whenever my sons and daughters +shall have learned their lessons well, they shall +be permitted to run to thee with their plays, +and attend to thee. Dost thou agree?”</p> + +<p>“Oh! how gladly will I follow thee unto +thy dear children! how diligently will I endeavor +to make, at times, for them, a happy +little hour!”</p> + +<p>The good man nodded to her cordially, and +assisted her to step over the feet of the sleeping +men. Märchen, when she had got safely +across, looked around smilingly, and then +slipped quickly through the gate.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Märchen represents the fairy or legendary tales, of +which the Germans were at one time so fond.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> The German “Almanach” corresponds in a measure +with the English “Annual.”</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE CARAVAN.</h2> + + +<p><span class="dropcaposml"><span class="dropcap">O</span></span>NCE upon a time, there marched +through the wilderness a +large Caravan. Upon the vast +plain, where one sees nothing +but sand and heaven, were +heard already, in the far distance, the little bells +of the camels, and the silver-toned ones of the +horses; a thick cloud of dust, which preceded +them, announced their approach, and when a +gale of wind separated the clouds, glittering +weapons and brilliant dresses dazzled the eye. +Such was the appearance of the Caravan to a +man who was riding up towards it in an oblique +direction. He was mounted on a fine Arabian +courser, covered with a tiger-skin; silver bells +were suspended from the deep-red stripe work, +and on the head of the horse waved a plume +of heron feathers. The rider was of majestic +mien, and his attire corresponded with the +splendor of his horse: a white turban, richly +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +inwrought with gold, adorned his head, his +habit and wide pantaloons were of bright red, +and a curved sword with a magnificent handle +hung by his side. He had arranged the turban +far down upon his forehead; this, together +with the dark eyes which gleamed forth from +under his bushy brows, and the long beard +which hung down under his arched nose, gave +him a wild, daring expression. When the +horseman had advanced fifty paces farther, the +foremost line of the Caravan was near, and +putting spurs to his steed, in the twinkling of +an eye he was at the head of the procession. +It was so unusual a thing to see a solitary rider +travelling through the desert, that the guard, apprehending +an attack, put their lances in rest.</p> + +<p>“What mean you?” exclaimed the horseman, +as he saw himself received in so hostile +a manner. “Do you imagine that a single +man would attack your Caravan?”</p> + +<p>Ashamed of their precipitation, the guards +lowered their lances, and their leader rode +forth to the stranger, and asked to know his +pleasure.</p> + +<p>“Who is the lord of this Caravan?” inquired +the cavalier.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +“It belongs to no single lord,” answered the +interrogated one; “but to several merchants, +who march from Mecca to their native country, +and whom we escort through the desert; +for oftentimes scoundrels of every kind alarm +those who travel here.”</p> + +<p>“Then lead me to the merchants,” responded +the stranger.</p> + +<p>“That cannot be now,” rejoined the other, +“for we must proceed without delay, and the +merchants are at least a quarter of a mile behind; +if, however, you would like to ride along +with me until we halt to take our siesta, I will +execute your desire.”</p> + +<p>The stranger said nothing further; he drew +forth a long pipe which he had attached to his +saddle, and began to smoke with slow puffs, as +he rode along by the leader of the van. The +latter knew not what to make of the stranger, +and ventured not to ask his name in so many +words; but when he artfully endeavored to +weave up a conversation, the cavalier, to his +remarks, “You smoke there a good tobacco,” +or, “Your horse has a brave gait,” constantly +replied with only a brief “Yes, yes!” At last +they arrived at the place where they were to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +halt for the siesta: the chief sent his people +forward to keep a look-out, while he remained +with the stranger to receive the Caravan. +First, thirty camels passed by, heavily laden, +guided by armed drivers. After these, on fine +horses, came the five merchants to whom the +Caravan belonged. They were, for the most +part, men of advanced age, of grave and serious +aspect; one, however, seemed much +younger, as well as more gay and lively than +the rest. A large number of camels and pack-horses +closed the procession.</p> + +<p>Tents were pitched, and the camels and +horses fastened around. In the midst was a +large pavilion of blue silk, to which the chief +of the escort conducted the stranger. When +they reached the entrance, they saw the five +merchants seated on gold-embroidered cushions; +black slaves were carrying around to +them food and drink. “Whom bringest thou +hither to us?” exclaimed the young merchant +unto the leader: before, however, the latter +could reply, the stranger spoke.</p> + +<p>“I am called Selim Baruch, and am from +Bagdad; I was taken captive by a robber-horde +on a ride to Mecca, but three days ago +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +managed to free myself from confinement. +The mighty Prophet permitted me to hear, in +the far distance, the little bells of your Caravan, +and so I came to you. Allow me to ride +in your company; you will grant your protection +to no unworthy person; and when we +reach Bagdad, I will reward your kindness +richly, for I am the nephew of the Grand Vizier.”</p> + +<p>The oldest of the merchants took up the +discourse: “Selim Baruch,” said he, “welcome +to our protection! It affords us joy to be of +assistance to thee. But first of all, sit down, +and eat and drink with us.”</p> + +<p>Selim Baruch seated himself among the +merchants, and ate and drank with them. +After the meal, the slaves removed the table, +and brought long pipes and Turkish sherbet. +The merchants sat for some time in silence, +while they puffed out before them the bluish, +smoke-clouds, watching how they formed circle +after circle, and at last were dissipated in +the ambient air. The young merchant finally +broke the silence. “Here sit we for three +days,” said he, “on horseback, and at table, +without doing any thing to while away the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +time. I feel this tediousness much, for I am accustomed +after dinner to see dancers, or to hear +singing and music. Know you nothing, my +friends, that will pass away the time for us?”</p> + +<p>The four elder merchants smoked away, +and seemed to be seriously reflecting, but the +stranger spoke: “If it be allowed me, I will +make a proposition to you. I think one of us, +at this resting-place, could relate something for +the amusement of the rest: this, certainly, +would serve to pass the time.”</p> + +<p>“Selim Baruch, thou hast well spoken,” said +Achmet, the oldest of the merchants; “let us +accept the proposal.”</p> + +<p>“I am rejoiced that it pleases you,” answered +Selim; “and, in order that you may see +that I desire nothing unreasonable, I will myself +begin.” The five merchants, overjoyed, +drew nearer together, and placed the stranger +in their midst. The slaves replenished their +cups, filled the pipes of their masters afresh, +and brought glowing coals for a light. Selim +cleared his voice with a hearty draught of +sherbet, smoothed back the long beard from +his mouth, and said, “Listen then to <span class="smcap">the History +of Caliph Stork</span>.”</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/tosb02.png" width="600" height="287" +alt="THE HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK, CHAPTER I." /> +</div> + + +<p><span class="dropcapolrg"><span class="dropcap">O</span></span>NCE upon a time, on a fine +afternoon, the Caliph Chasid +was seated on his sofa +in Bagdad: he had slept a +little, (for it was a hot day,) +and now, after his nap, +looked quite happy. He +smoked a long pipe of rosewood, +sipped, now and then, a +little coffee which a slave poured +out for him, and stroked his +beard, well-satisfied, for the flavor +pleased him. In a word, it was +evident that the Caliph was in a +good humor. At this season one could easily +speak with him, for he was always very mild +and affable; on which account did his +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +Grand-Vizier, Mansor, seek him at this hour, every +day.</p> + +<p>On the afternoon in question he also came, +but looked very serious, quite contrary to his +usual custom. The Caliph removed the pipe, +a moment, from his mouth, and said, “Wherefore, +Grand-Vizier, wearest thou so thoughtful +a visage?”</p> + +<p>The Grand-Vizier folded his arms crosswise +over his breast, made reverence to his lord, +and answered: “Sir, whether I wear a +thoughtful look, I know not, but there, below +the palace, stands a trader who has such fine +goods, that it vexes me not to have abundant +money.”</p> + +<p>The Caliph, who had often before this gladly +indulged his Vizier, sent down his black slave +to bring up the merchant, and in a moment +they entered together. He was a short, fat +man, of swarthy countenance and tattered +dress. He carried a chest in which were +all kinds of wares—pearls and rings, richly-wrought +pistols, goblets, and combs. The +Caliph and his Vizier examined them all, and +the former at length purchased fine pistols for +himself and Mansor, and a comb for the Vizier’s +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +wife. When the pedler was about to close +his chest, the Caliph espied a little drawer, and +inquired whether there were wares in that +also. The trader drew forth the drawer, and +pointed out therein a box of black powder, and +a paper with strange characters, which neither +the Caliph nor Mansor could read.</p> + +<p>“I obtained these two articles, some time +ago, from a merchant, who found them in the +street at Mecca,” said the trader. “I know +not what they contain. They are at your service +for a moderate price; I can do nothing +with them.” The Caliph, who gladly kept old +manuscripts in his library, though he could +not read them, purchased writing and box, and +discharged the merchant. The Caliph, however, +thought he would like to know what the +writing contained, and asked the Vizier if he +knew any one who could decipher it.</p> + +<p>“Most worthy lord and master,” answered +he, “near the great Mosque lives a man called +‘Selim the Learned,’ who understands all +languages: let him come, perhaps he is acquainted +with these mysterious characters.”</p> + +<p>The learned Selim was soon brought in. +“Selim,” said the Caliph to him, “Selim, they +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +say thou art very wise; look a moment at +this manuscript, and see if thou canst read +it. If thou canst, thou shalt receive from me a +new festival-garment; if not, thou shalt have +twelve blows on the cheek, and five and twenty +on the soles of the feet, since, in that case, +thou art unjustly called Selim the Learned.”</p> + +<p>Selim bowed himself and said, “Sire, thy +will be done!” For a long time he pored over +the manuscript, but suddenly exclaimed, “This +is Latin, sire, or I will suffer myself to be +hung.”</p> + +<p>“If it is Latin, tell us what is therein,” +commanded the Caliph. Selim began to translate:—</p> + +<p>“Man, whosoever thou mayest be that +findest this, praise Allah for his goodness! +Whoever snuffs of the dust of this powder, +and at the same time says, <span class="smcap">Mutabor</span>, can +change himself into any animal, and shall also +understand its language. If he wishes to return +to the form of a man, then let him bow +three times to the East, and repeat the same +word. But take thou care, if thou be +transformed, that thou laugh not; otherwise +shall the magic word fade altogether from +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +thy remembrance, and thou shalt remain a +beast!”</p> + +<p>When Selim the Learned had thus read, +the Caliph was overjoyed. He made the +translator swear to tell no one of their secret, +presented him a beautiful garment, and discharged +him. To his Grand-Vizier, however, +he said: “That I call a good purchase, +Mansor! How can I contain myself until I +become an animal! Early in the morning, +do thou come to me. Then will we go together +into the country, take a little snuff out +of my box, and hear what is said in the air +and in the water, in the forest and in the +field.”</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER II.</h3> + + +<p><span class="dropcapssml"><span class="dropcap">S</span></span>CARCELY, on the next morning, +had the Caliph Chasid +breakfasted and dressed himself, +when the Grand-Vizier +appeared, to accompany him, +as he had commanded, on his +walk. The Caliph placed the box with the +magic powder in his girdle, and having commanded +his train to remain behind, set out, +all alone with Mansor, upon their expedition. +They went at first through the extensive gardens +of the Caliph, but looked around in vain +for some living thing, in order to make their +strange experiment. The Vizier finally proposed +to go farther on, to a pond, where he +had often before seen many storks, which, by +their grave behavior and clattering, had always +excited his attention. The Caliph approved +of the proposition of his Vizier, and +went with him to the pond. When they +reached it they saw a stork walking gravely to +and fro, seeking for frogs, and now and then +clattering at something before her. Presently +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +they saw, too, another stork hovering far up +in the air.</p> + +<p>“I will wager my beard, most worthy sire,” +exclaimed the Grand-Vizier, “that these two +long-feet are even now carrying on a fine conversation +with one another. How would it +be, if we should become storks?”</p> + +<p>“Well spoken!” answered the Caliph. “But +first, we will consider how we may become +men again.—Right! Three times bow to the +East, and exclaim ‘<span class="smcap">Mutabor</span>!’ then will I be +Caliph once more, and thou Vizier. Only, +for the sake of Heaven, laugh not, or we are +lost!”</p> + +<p>While the Caliph was thus speaking, he saw +the other stork hovering over their heads, and +sinking slowly to the ground. He drew the box +quickly out of his girdle, and took a good +pinch; then he presented it to the Grand-Vizier, +who also snuffed some of the powder, +and both exclaimed “<span class="smcap">Mutabor</span>!” Immediately +their legs shrivelled away and became slender +and red; the handsome yellow slippers of +the Caliph and his companion became misshapen +stork’s feet; their arms turned to wings; +the neck extended up from the shoulders, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +was an ell long; their beards had vanished, +and their whole bodies were covered with soft +feathers.</p> + +<p>“You have a beautiful beak, my lord Grand-Vizier,” +exclaimed the Caliph after long astonishment. +“By the beard of the Prophet, in my +whole life I have not seen any thing like it!”</p> + +<p>“Most humble thanks!” responded the Vizier, +as he bowed. “But if I dared venture it, I +might assert that your Highness looks almost +as handsome when a stork, as when a Caliph. +But suppose, if it be pleasing to you, that we +observe and listen to our comrades, to see, if +we actually understand Storkish.”</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the other stork reached the +earth. He cleaned his feet with his bill, +smoothed his feathers, and moved towards the +first. Both the new birds, thereupon, made +haste to draw near, and to their astonishment, +heard the following conversation.</p> + +<p>“Good-morning, Madam Long-legs; already, +so early, upon the pond?”</p> + +<p>“Fine thanks, beloved Clatter-beak. I have +brought me a little breakfast. Would you +like, perhaps, the quarter of an eider-duck, or +a little frog’s thigh?”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +“My best thanks, but this morning I have +little appetite. I come to the pond for a very +different reason. I have to dance to-day before +the guests of my father, and I wish to +practise a little in private.”</p> + +<p>Immediately, thereupon, the young lady-stork +stepped, in great excitement, over the +plain. The Caliph and Mansor looked on her +in amazement. When, however, she stood in +a picturesque attitude upon one foot, and, at +the same time, gracefully moved her wings +like a fan, the two could contain themselves no +longer; a loud laugh broke forth from their +bills. The Caliph was the first to recover +himself. “That were once a joke,” said he, +“which gold could not have purchased. Pity! +that the stupid birds should have been driven +away by our laughter; otherwise they would +certainly even yet have been singing.”</p> + +<p>But already it occurred to the Grand-Vizier +that, during their metamorphosis, laughter was +prohibited; he shared his anxiety on this head +with the Caliph. “By Mecca and Medina! +that were a sorry jest, if I am to remain a +stork. Bethink thyself, then, of the foolish +word, for I can recall it not.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +“Three times must we bow ourselves to the +East, and at the same time say, Mu—mu—mu—”</p> + +<p>They turned to the East, and bowed so low +that their beaks almost touched the earth. +But, O misery! that magic word had escaped +them; and though the Caliph prostrated himself +again and again, though at the same time +the Vizier earnestly cried “Mu—mu—,” all +recollection thereof had vanished, and poor +Chasid and his Vizier were to remain storks.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER III.</h3> + + +<p><span class="dropcaptsml"><span class="dropcap">T</span></span>HE enchanted ones wandered +sorrowfully through the fields, +not knowing, in their calamity, +what they should first set +about. To the city they could not return, for +the purpose of discovering themselves, for who +would have believed a stork that he was the +Caliph? or, if he should find credit, would the +inhabitants of Bagdad have been willing to +have such a bird for their master? Thus, for +several days, did they wander around, supporting +themselves on the produce of the fields, +which, however, on account of their long bills, +they could not readily pick up. For eider-ducks +and frogs they had no appetite, for they +feared with such dainty morsels to ruin their +stomachs. In this pitiable situation their only +consolation was that they could fly, and accordingly +they often winged their way to the +roofs of Bagdad, to see what was going on +therein.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +On the first day they observed great commotion +and mourning in the streets; but on +the fourth after their transformation, they lighted +by chance upon the royal palace, from +which they saw, in the street beneath, a splendid +procession. Drums and fifes sounded; on +a richly-caparisoned steed was seated a man, +in a scarlet mantle embroidered with gold, surrounded +by gorgeously-attired attendants. Half +Bagdad was running after him, crying, “Hail, +Mizra! Lord of Bagdad!” All this the two +storks beheld from the roof of the palace, and +the Caliph Chasid exclaimed,—</p> + +<p>“Perceivest thou now why I am enchanted, +Grand-Vizier? This Mizra is the son of my +deadly enemy, the mighty sorcerer Kaschnur, +who, in an evil hour, vowed revenge against +me. Still I do not abandon all hope. Come +with me, thou faithful companion of my misery; +we will go to the grave of the Prophet; +perhaps in that holy spot the charm may be +dissolved.” They raised themselves from the +roof of the palace, and flew in the direction of +Medina.</p> + +<p>In the use of their wings, however, they +experienced some difficulty, for the two storks +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +had, as yet, but little practice. “O Sire!” +groaned out the Vizier, after a couple of hours; +“with your permission, I can hold out no longer; +you fly so rapidly! Besides, it is already +evening, and we would do well to seek a shelter +for the night.”</p> + +<p>Chasid gave ear to the request of his attendant, +and thereupon saw, in the vale beneath, a +ruin which appeared to promise safe lodgings; +and thither, accordingly, they flew. The place +where they had alighted for the night, seemed +formerly to have been a castle. Gorgeous +columns projected from under the rubbish, and +several chambers, which were still in a state +of tolerable preservation, testified to the former +magnificence of the mansion. Chasid and his +companion went around through the corridor, +to seek for themselves a dry resting-place; +suddenly the stork Mansor paused. “Lord +and master,” he whispered softly, “were it not +foolish for a Grand-Vizier, still more for a stork, +to be alarmed at spectres, my mind is very +uncomfortable; for here, close at hand, sighs +and groans are very plainly perceptible.” The +Caliph now in turn stood still, and quite distinctly +heard a low moaning, which seemed to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +belong rather to a human being than a beast. +Full of expectation, he essayed to proceed to +the place whence the plaintive sounds issued: +but the Vizier, seizing him by the wing with +his beak, entreated him fervently not to plunge +them in new and unknown dangers. In vain! +the Caliph, to whom a valiant heart beat beneath +his stork-wing, burst away with the loss +of a feather, and hastened into a gloomy gallery. +In a moment he reached a door, which +seemed only on the latch, and out of which he +heard distinct sighs, accompanied by a low +moaning. He pushed the door open with his +bill, but stood, chained by amazement, upon +the threshold. In the ruinous apartment, which +was now but dimly lighted through a grated +window, he saw a huge screech-owl sitting on +the floor. Big tears rolled down from her +large round eyes, and with ardent voice she +sent her cries forth from her crooked bill. As +soon, however, as she espied the Caliph and +his Vizier, who meanwhile had crept softly up +behind, she raised a loud cry of joy. She +neatly wiped away the tears with her brown-striped +wing, and to the great astonishment of +both, exclaimed, in good human Arabic,—</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +“Welcome to you, storks! you are to me a +good omen of deliverance, for it was once +prophesied to me that, through storks, a great +piece of good fortune is to fall to my lot.”</p> + +<p>When the Caliph recovered from his amazement, +he bowed his long neck, brought his +slender feet into an elegant position, and said: +“Screech-owl, after your words, I venture to +believe that I see in you a companion in misfortune. +But, alas! this hope that through us +thy deliverance will take place, is groundless. +Thou wilt, thyself, realize our helplessness, +when thou hearest our history.”</p> + +<p>The Screech-owl entreated him to impart it +to her, and the Caliph, raising himself up, related +what we already know.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + + +<p><span class="dropcapwsml"><span class="dropcap">W</span></span>HEN the Caliph had told his +history to the owl, she thanked +him, and said: “Listen to my +story, also, and hear how I am +no less unfortunate than thyself. +My father is the king of India; I, his +only, unfortunate daughter, am called Lusa. +That same sorcerer Kaschnur, who transformed +you, has plunged me also in this affliction. +He came, one day, to my father, and asked +me in marriage for his son Mizra. My father, +however, who is a passionate man, cast him +down the steps. The wretch managed to +creep up to me again under another form, and +as I was on one occasion taking the fresh air +in my garden, clad as a slave, he presented +me a potion which changed me into this detestable +figure. He brought me hither, swooning +through fear, and exclaimed in my ear +with awful voice, ‘There shalt thou remain, +frightful one, despised even by beasts, until thy +death, or till one, of his own free will, even +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +under this execrable form, take thee to wife. +Thus revenge I myself upon thee, and thy +haughty father!’</p> + +<p>“Since then, many months have elapsed; +alone and mournfully I live, like a hermit, in +these walls, abhorred by the world, an abomination +even to brutes. Beautiful nature is +shut out from me; for I am blind by day, and +only when the moon sheds her wan light upon +this ruin, falls the shrouding veil from mine +eye.”</p> + +<p>The owl ended, and again wiped her eyes +with her wing, for the narration of her wo had +called forth tears. The Caliph was plunged +in deep meditation by the story of the Princess. +“If I am not altogether deceived,” said +he, “you will find that between our misfortunes +a secret connection exists; but where +can I find the key to this enigma?”</p> + +<p>The owl answered him, “My lord! this also +is plain to me; for once, in early youth, it was +foretold to me by a wise woman, that a stork +would bring me great happiness, and perhaps +I might know how we may save ourselves.”</p> + +<p>The Caliph was much astonished, and inquired +in what way she meant.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +“The enchanter who has made us both +miserable,” said she, “comes once every +month to these ruins. Not far from this +chamber is a hall; there, with many confederates, +he is wont to banquet. Already +I have often watched them: they relate to one +another their shameful deeds—perhaps he +might then mention the magic word which +you have forgotten.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, dearest Princess!” exclaimed the Caliph: +“tell us—when will he come, and where +is the hall?”</p> + +<p>The owl was silent a moment, and then +said: “Take it not unkindly, but only on one +condition can I grant your wish.”</p> + +<p>“Speak out! speak out!” cried Chasid. +“Command; whatever it may be, I am ready +to obey.”</p> + +<p>“It is this: I would fain at the same time +be free; this, however, can only take place, if +one of you offer me his hand.” At this proposition +the storks seemed somewhat surprised, +and the Caliph beckoned to his attendant to +step aside with him a moment. “Grand-Vizier,” +said the Caliph before the door, “this +is a stupid affair, but you can set it all right.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +“Thus?” rejoined he; “that my wife, when +I go home, may scratch my eyes out? Besides, +I am an old man, while you are still +young and unmarried, and can better give +your hand to a young and beautiful princess.”</p> + +<p>“Ah! that is the point,” sighed the Caliph, +as he mournfully drooped his wings: “who +told you she is young and fair? That is +equivalent to buying a cat in a sack!” They +continued to converse together for a long time, +but finally, when the Caliph saw that Mansor +would rather remain a stork than marry the +owl, he determined sooner, himself, to accept +the condition. The owl was overjoyed; she +avowed to them that they could have come at +no better time, since, probably, that very night, +the sorcerers would assemble together.</p> + +<p>She left the apartment with the storks, in +order to lead them to the saloon; they went a +long way through a gloomy passage, until at +last a very bright light streamed upon them +through a half-decayed wall. When they +reached this place, the owl advised them to +halt very quietly. From the breach, near +which they were standing, they could look +down upon a large saloon, adorned all around +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +with pillars, and splendidly decorated, in which +many colored lamps restored the light of day. +In the midst of the saloon stood a round table, +laden with various choice meats. Around the +table extended a sofa, on which eight men +were seated. In one of these men the storks +recognised the very merchant, who had sold +them the magic powder. His neighbor desired +him to tell them his latest exploits; whereupon +he related, among others, the story of the Caliph +and his Vizier.</p> + +<p>“What did you give them for a word?” inquired +of him one of the other magicians.</p> + +<p>“A right ponderous Latin one—<span class="smcap">Mutabor</span>.”</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER V.</h3> + + +<p><span class="dropcapwsml2"><span class="dropcap">W</span></span>HEN the storks heard this +through their chasm in the +wall, they became almost beside +themselves with joy. They +ran so quickly with their long +feet to the door of the ruin, that the owl +could scarcely keep up with them. Thereupon +spoke the Caliph to her: “Preserver of +my life and that of my friend, in token of our +eternal thanks for what thou hast done for us, +take me as thy husband.” Then he turned to +the East: three times they bowed their long +necks towards the sun, which was even now +rising above the mountains, and at the same +moment exclaimed “<span class="smcap">Mutabor</span>!” In a twinkling +they were restored, and in the excessive +joy of their newly-bestowed life, alternately +laughing and weeping, were folded in each +other’s arms. But who can describe their +astonishment when they looked around? A +beautiful woman, attired as a queen, stood +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +before them. Smiling, she gave the Caliph +her hand, and said, “Know you your screech-owl +no longer?” It was she; the Caliph was +in such transports at her beauty and pleasantness, +as to cry out, that it was the most fortunate +moment in his life, when he became a +stork.</p> + +<p>The three now proceeded together to Bagdad. +The Caliph found in his dress, not only +the box of magic powder, but also his money-bag. +By means thereof, he purchased at the +nearest village what was necessary for their +journey, and accordingly they soon appeared +before the gates of the city. Here, however, +the arrival of the Caliph excited great astonishment. +They had given out that he +was dead, and the people were therefore +highly rejoiced to have again their beloved +lord.</p> + +<p>So much the more, however, burned their +hatred against the impostor Mizra. They +proceeded to the palace, and caught the old +magician and his son. The old man the Caliph +sent to the same chamber in the ruin, +which the princess, as a screech-owl, had +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +inhabited, and there had him hung; unto the +son, however, who understood nothing of his +father’s arts, he gave his choice,—to die, or +snuff some of the powder. Having chosen +the latter, the Grand-Vizier presented him the +box. A hearty pinch, and the magic word of +the Caliph converted him into a stork. Chasid +had him locked up in an iron cage, and hung +in his garden.</p> + +<p>Long and happily lived Caliph Chasid with +his spouse, the Princess; his pleasantest hours +were always those, when in the afternoon the +Vizier sought him; and whenever the Caliph +was in a very good humor, he would let himself +down so far, as to show Mansor how he +looked, when a stork. He would gravely +march along, with rigid feet, up and down the +chamber, make a clattering noise, wave his +arms like wings, and show how, in vain, he +had prostrated himself to the East, and cried out, +<span class="smcap">Mu—mu</span>. To the Princess and her children, +this imitation always afforded great amusement: +when, however, the Caliph clattered, +and bowed, and cried out, too long, then the +Vizier would threaten him that he would +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +disclose to his spouse what had been proposed +outside the door of the Princess Screech-owl!</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/tosb03.png" width="400" height="212" +alt="A seated woman watches a man standing with his arms raised. An older man sits +on the floor between them" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>When Selim Baruch had finished his story, +the merchants declared themselves delighted +therewith. “Verily, the afternoon has passed +away from us without our having observed +it!” exclaimed one of them, throwing back the +covering of the tent: “the evening wind +blows cool, we can still make a good distance +on our journey.” To this his companions +agreed; the tents were struck, and the Caravan +proceeded on its way in the same order in +which it had come up.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +They rode almost all the night long, for it +was refreshing and starry, whereas the day +was sultry. At last they arrived at a convenient +stopping-place; here they pitched their +tents, and composed themselves to rest. To +the stranger the merchants attended, as a most +valued guest. One gave him cushions, a second +covering, a third slaves; in a word, he +was as well provided for as if he had been at +home. The hottest hours of the day had already +arrived, when they awoke again, and +they unanimously determined to wait for evening +in this place. After they had eaten together, +they moved more closely to each +other, and the young merchant, turning to the +oldest, addressed him: “Selim Baruch yesterday +made a pleasant afternoon for us; suppose +Achmet, that you also tell us something, be it +either from your long life, which has known so +many adventures, or even a pretty Märchen.”</p> + +<p>Upon these words Achmet was silent some +time, as if he were in doubt whether to tell +this or that; at last he began to speak: “Dear +friends, on this our journey you have proved +yourselves faithful companions, and Selim also +deserves my confidence; I will therefore +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +impart to you something of my life, of which, +under other circumstances, I would speak reluctantly, +and, indeed, not to any one: <span class="smcap">The +History of the Spectre Ship</span>.”</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE HISTORY +OF +THE SPECTRE SHIP.</h2> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/tosb04.png" width="600" height="279" +alt="Two people in a rowing boat signal a ship in the distance" /> +</div> + + +<p><span class="dropcapmlrg"><span class="dropcap">M</span></span>Y father had a little shop +in Balsora; he was neither +rich, nor poor, but one of +those who do not like to +risk any thing, through fear +of losing the little that they +have. He brought me up +plainly, but virtuously, and soon +I advanced so far, that I was able +to make valuable suggestions to +him in his business. When I +reached my eighteenth year, in +the midst of his first speculation of +any importance, he died; probably +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +through anxiety at having intrusted a thousand +gold pieces to the sea. I was obliged, +soon after, to deem him happy in his fortunate +death, for in a few weeks the intelligence +reached us, that the vessel, to which my +father had committed his goods, had been +wrecked. This misfortune, however, could +not depress my youthful spirits. I converted +all that my father had left into money, and set +out to try my fortune in foreign lands, accompanied +only by an old servant of the family, +who, on account of ancient attachment, would +not part from me and my destiny.</p> + +<p>In the harbor of Balsora we embarked, with +a favorable wind. The ship, in which I had +taken passage, was bound to India. We had +now for fifteen days sailed in the usual track, +when the Captain predicted to us a storm. He +wore a thoughtful look, for it seemed he knew +that, in this place, there was not sufficient +depth of water to encounter a storm with +safety. He ordered them to take in all sail, +and we moved along quite slowly. The night +set in clear and cold, and the Captain began to +think that he had been mistaken in his forebodings. +All at once there floated close by +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +ours, a ship which none of us had observed +before. A wild shout and cry ascended from +the deck, at which, occurring at this anxious +season, before a storm, I wondered not a little. +But the Captain by my side was deadly pale: +“My ship is lost,” cried he; “there sails +Death!” Before I could demand an explanation +of these singular words, the sailors rushed +in, weeping and wailing. “Have you seen +it?” they exclaimed: “all is now over with +us!”</p> + +<p>But the Captain had words of consolation +read to them out of the Koran, and seated +himself at the helm. But in vain! The tempest +began visibly to rise with a roaring noise, +and, before an hour passed by, the ship struck +and remained aground. The boats were lowered, +and scarcely had the last sailors saved +themselves, when the vessel went down before +our eyes, and I was launched, a beggar, upon +the sea. But our misfortune had still no end. +Frightfully roared the tempest, the boat could +no longer be governed. I fastened myself +firmly to my old servant, and we mutually +promised not to be separated from each other. +At last the day broke, but, with the first glance +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +of the morning-red, the wind struck and upset +the boat in which we were seated. After that +I saw my shipmates no more. The shock deprived +me of consciousness, and when I returned +to my senses, I found myself in the +arms of my old faithful attendant, who had +saved himself on the boat which had been upturned, +and had come in search of me. The +storm had abated; of our vessel there was +nothing any more to be seen, but we plainly +descried, at no great distance from us, another +ship, towards which the waves were driving +us. As we approached, I recognised the vessel +as the same which had passed by us in the +night, and which had thrown the Captain into +such consternation. I felt a strange horror of +this ship; the intimation of the Captain, which +had been so fearfully corroborated, the desolate +appearance of the ship, on which, although +as we drew near we uttered loud cries, no one +was visible, alarmed me. Nevertheless this +was our only expedient; accordingly, we praised +the Prophet, who had so miraculously preserved +us.</p> + +<p>From the fore-part of the ship hung down a +long cable; for the purpose of laying hold of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +this, we paddled with our hands and feet. At +last we were successful. Loudly I raised my +voice, but all remained quiet as ever, on board +the vessel. Then we climbed up by the rope, I, +as the youngest, taking the lead. But horror! +what a spectacle was there presented to my +eye, as I stepped upon the deck! The floor +was red with blood; upon it lay twenty or +thirty corpses in Turkish costume; by the +middle-mast stood a man richly attired, with +sabre in hand—but his face was wan and distorted; +through his forehead passed a large +spike which fastened him to the mast—he was +dead! Terror chained my feet; I dared hardly +to breathe. At last my companion stood +by my side; he, too, was overpowered at sight +of the deck which exhibited no living thing, +but only so many frightful corpses. After +having, in the anguish of our souls, supplicated +the Prophet, we ventured to move forward. +At every step we looked around to see if something +new, something still more horrible, would +not present itself. But all remained as it was—far +and wide, no living thing but ourselves, +and the ocean-world. Not once did we dare +to speak aloud, through fear that the dead +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +Captain there nailed to the mast would bend +his rigid eyes upon us, or lest one of the corpses +should turn his head. At last we arrived +at a staircase, which led into the hold. There +involuntarily we came to a halt, and looked +at each other, for neither of us exactly ventured +to express his thoughts.</p> + +<p>“Master,” said my faithful servant, “something +awful has happened here. Nevertheless, +even if the ship down there below is full of +murderers, still would I rather submit myself +to their mercy or cruelty, than spend a longer +time among these dead bodies.” I agreed +with him, and so we took heart, and descended, +full of apprehension. But the stillness of death +prevailed here also, and there was no sound +save that of our steps upon the stairs. We +stood before the door of the cabin; I applied +my ear, and listened—there was nothing to be +heard. I opened it. The room presented a +confused appearance; clothes, weapons, and +other articles, lay disordered together. The +crew, or at least the Captain, must shortly before +have been carousing, for the remains of a +banquet lay scattered around. We went on +from room to room, from chamber to chamber +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +finding, in all, royal stores of silk, pearls, and +other costly articles. I was beside myself with +joy at the sight, for as there was no one on +the ship, I thought I could appropriate all to +myself; but Ibrahim thereupon called to my +notice that we were still far from land, at +which we could not arrive, alone and without +human help.</p> + +<p>We refreshed ourselves with the meats and +drink, which we found in rich profusion, and +at last ascended upon deck. But here again +we shivered at the awful sight of the bodies. +We determined to free ourselves therefrom, +by throwing them overboard; but how were +we startled to find, that no one could move +them from their places! So firmly were they +fastened to the floor, that to remove them one +would have had to take up the planks of the +deck, for which tools were wanting to us. +The Captain, moreover, could not be loosened +from the mast, nor could we even wrest the +sabre from his rigid hand. We passed the +day in sorrowful reflection on our condition; +and, when night began to draw near, I gave +permission to the old Ibrahim to lie down to +sleep, while I would watch upon the deck, to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +look out for means of deliverance. When, +however, the moon shone forth, and by the +stars I calculated that it was about the eleventh +hour, sleep so irresistibly overpowered +me that I fell back, involuntarily, behind a +cask which stood upon the deck. It was rather +lethargy than sleep, for I plainly heard the +sea beat against the side of the vessel, and the +sails creak and whistle in the wind. All at +once I thought I heard voices, and the steps +of men upon the deck. I wished to arise and +see what it was, but a strange power fettered +my limbs, and I could not once open my eyes. +But still more distinct became the voices; it +appeared to me as if a merry crew were moving +around upon the deck. In the midst of +this I thought I distinguished the powerful +voice of a commander, followed by the noise +of ropes and sails. Gradually my senses left +me; I fell into a deep slumber, in which I still +seemed to hear the din of weapons, and awoke +only when the sun was high in the heavens, +and sent down his burning rays upon my face. +Full of wonder, I gazed about me; storm, ship, +the bodies, and all that I had heard in the +night, recurred to me as a dream; but when I +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +looked around, I found all as it had been the +day before. Immoveable lay the bodies, immoveably +was the Captain fastened to the +mast; I laughed at my dream, and proceeded +in search of my old companion.</p> + +<p>The latter was seated in sorrowful meditation +in the cabin. “O master,” he exclaimed +as I entered, “rather would I lie in the deepest +bottom of the sea, than pass another night +in this enchanted ship.” I asked him the reason +of his grief, and thus he answered me:—</p> + +<p>“When I had slept an hour, I awoke, and +heard the noise of walking to and fro over my +head. I thought at first that it was you, but +there were at least twenty running around; I +also heard conversation and cries. At length +came heavy steps upon the stairs. After this +I was no longer conscious; but at times my +recollection returned for a moment, and then +I saw the same man who is nailed to the mast, +sit down at that table, singing and drinking; +and he who lies not far from him on the floor, +in a scarlet cloak, sat near him, and helped +him to drink.” Thus spoke my old servant +to me.</p> + +<p>You may believe me, my friends, that all +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +was not right to my mind; for there was no +delusion—I too had plainly heard the dead. +To sail in such company was to me horrible; +my Ibrahim, however, was again absorbed in +deep reflection. “I have it now!” he exclaimed +at length; there occurred to him, +namely, a little verse, which his grandfather, +a man of experience and travel, had taught +him, and which could give assistance against +every ghost and spectre. He also maintained +that we could, the next night, prevent the unnatural +sleep which had come upon us, by repeating +right fervently sentences out of the +Koran.</p> + +<p>The proposition of the old man pleased me +well. In anxious expectation we saw the +night set in. Near the cabin was a little room, +to which we determined to retire. We bored +several holes in the door, large enough to give +us a view of the whole cabin; then we shut it +as firmly as we could from within, and Ibrahim +wrote the name of the Prophet in all four corners +of the room. Thus we awaited the terrors +of the night.</p> + +<p>It might again have been about the eleventh +hour, when a strong inclination for sleep began +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +to overpower me. My companion, thereupon, +advised me to repeat some sentences from the +Koran, which assisted me to retain my consciousness. +All at once it seemed to become +lively overhead; the ropes creaked, there were +steps upon the deck, and several voices were +plainly distinguishable. We remained, a few +moments, in intense anxiety; then we heard +something descending the cabin stairs. When +the old man became aware of this, he began +to repeat the words which his grandfather had +taught him to use against spirits and witchcraft:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">“Come you, from the air descending,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Rise you from the deep sea-cave,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Spring you forth where flames are blending,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Glide you in the dismal grave:<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Allah reigns, let all adore him!<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Own him, spirits—bow before him!”<br /></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>I must confess I did not put much faith in +this verse, and my hair stood on end when +the door flew open. The same large, stately +man entered, whom I had seen nailed to the +mast. The spike still passed through the middle +of his brain, but he had sheathed his +sword. Behind him entered another, attired +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +with less magnificence, whom also I had seen +lying on the deck. The Captain, for he was +unquestionably of this rank, had a pale countenance, +a large black beard, and wildly-rolling +eyes, with which he surveyed the whole apartment. +I could see him distinctly, for he moved +over opposite to us; but he appeared not to +observe the door which concealed us. The +two seated themselves at the table, which stood +in the centre of the cabin, and spoke loud and +fast, shouting together in an unknown tongue. +They continually became more noisy and earnest, +until at length, with doubled fist, the +Captain brought the table a blow which shook +the whole apartment. With wild laughter +the other sprang up, and beckoned to the +Captain to follow him. The latter rose, drew +his sabre, and then both left the apartment. +We breathed more freely when they were +away; but our anxiety had still for a long +time no end. Louder and louder became the +noise upon deck; we heard hasty running to +and fro, shouting, laughing, and howling. At +length there came an actually hellish sound, +so that we thought the deck and all the sails +would fall down upon us, the clash of arms, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +and shrieks—of a sudden all was deep silence. +When, after many hours, we ventured to go +forth, we found every thing as before; not +one lay differently—all were as stiff as wooden +figures.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/tosb05.jpg" width="600" height="427" +alt="A ship sails onwards, while nearby a rowing boat overturns in the waves, tipping +the occupants into the sea" /> +</div> + +<p>Thus passed we several days on the vessel; +it moved continually towards the East, in +which direction, according to my calculation, +lay the land; but if by day it made many +miles, by night it appeared to go back again, +for we always found ourselves in the same +spot when the sun went down. We could explain +this in no other way, than that the dead +men every night sailed back again with a full +breeze. In order to prevent this, we took +in all the sail before it became night, and +employed the same means as at the door +in the cabin; we wrote on parchment the +name of the Prophet, and also, in addition, the +little stanza of the grandfather, and bound +them upon the furled sail. Anxiously we +awaited the result in our chamber. The ghosts +appeared this time not to rage so wickedly; +and, mark, the next morning the sails were +still rolled up as we had left them. During +the day we extended only as much as was +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +necessary to bear the ship gently along, and +so in five days we made considerable headway.</p> + +<p>At last, on the morning of the sixth day, +we espied land at a short distance, and thanked +Allah and his Prophet for our wonderful deliverance. +This day and the following night +we sailed along the coast, and on the seventh +morning thought we discovered a city at no +great distance: with a good deal of trouble +we cast an anchor into the sea, which soon +reached the bottom; then launching a boat +which stood upon the deck, we rowed with +all our might towards the city. After half an +hour we ran into a river that emptied into the +sea, and stepped ashore. At the gate we inquired +what the place was called, and learned that +it was an Indian city, not far from the region +to which at first I had intended to sail. We +repaired to a Caravansery, and refreshed ourselves +after our adventurous sail. I there inquired +for a wise and intelligent man, at the +same time giving the landlord to understand +that I would like to have one tolerably conversant +with magic. He conducted me to an +unsightly house in a remote street, knocked +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +thereat, and one let me in with the injunction +that I should ask only for Muley.</p> + +<p>In the house, came to me a little old man +with grizzled beard and a long nose, to demand +my business. I told him I was in search of +the wise Muley; he answered me that he +was the man. I then asked his advice as to +what I should do to the dead bodies, and how +I must handle them in order to remove them +from the ship.</p> + +<p>He answered me that the people of the ship +were probably enchanted on account of a +crime somewhere upon the sea: he thought +the spell would be dissolved by bringing them +to land, but this could be done only by taking +up the planks on which they lay. In the sight +of God and justice, he said that the ship, together +with all the goods, belonged to me, +since I had, as it were, found it; and, if I +would keep it very secret, and make him a +small present out of my abundance, he would +assist me with his slaves to remove the bodies. +I promised to reward him richly, and we set +out on our expedition with five slaves, who +were supplied with saws and hatchets. On the +way, the magician Muley could not sufficiently +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +praise our happy expedient of binding the sails +around with the sentences from the Koran. +He said this was the only means, by which we +could have saved ourselves.</p> + +<p>It was still pretty early in the day when we +reached the ship. We immediately set to +work, and in an hour placed four in the boat. +Some of the slaves were then obliged to row +to land to bury them there. They told us, +when they returned, that the bodies had spared +them the trouble of burying, since, the moment +they laid them on the earth, they had fallen +to dust. We diligently set to work to saw off +the bodies, and before evening all were brought +to land. There were, at last, no more on board +than the one that was nailed to the mast. +Vainly sought we to draw the nail out of the +wood, no strength was able to start it even a +hair’s-breadth. I knew not what next to do, +for we could not hew down the mast in order +to bring him to land; but in this dilemma Muley +came to my assistance. He quickly ordered +a slave to row to land and bring a pot +of earth. When he had arrived with it, the +magician pronounced over it some mysterious +words, and cast it on the dead man’s head. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +Immediately the latter opened his eyes, drew +a deep breath, and the wound of the nail in +his forehead began to bleed. We now drew +it lightly forth, and the wounded man fell into +the arms of one of the slaves.</p> + +<p>“Who bore me hither?” he exclaimed, after +he seemed to have recovered himself a little. +Muley made signs to me, and I stepped up to +him.</p> + +<p>“Thank thee, unknown stranger; thou hast +freed me from long torment. For fifty years +has my body been sailing through these waves, +and my spirit was condemned to return to it +every night. But now my head has come in +contact with the earth, and, my crime expiated, +I can go to my fathers!”</p> + +<p>I entreated him, thereupon, to tell how he +had been brought to this horrible state, and he +began—</p> + +<p>“Fifty years ago, I was an influential, distinguished +man, and resided in Algiers: a passion +for gain urged me on to fit out a ship, and +turn pirate. I had already followed this business +some time, when once, at Zante, I took +on board a Dervise, who wished to travel for +nothing. I and my companions were impious +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +men, and paid no respect to the holiness of the +man; I, in particular, made sport of him. +When, however, on one occasion he upbraided +me with holy zeal for my wicked course of life, +that same evening, after I had been drinking +to excess with my pilot in the cabin, anger +overpowered me. Reflecting on what the +Dervise had said to me, which I would not +have borne from a Sultan, I rushed upon deck, +and plunged my dagger into his breast. Dying, +he cursed me and my crew, and doomed +us not to die and not to live, until we should +lay our heads upon the earth.</p> + +<p>“The Dervise expired, and we cast him +overboard, laughing at his menaces; that same +night, however, were his words fulfilled. One +portion of my crew rose against me; with terrible +courage the struggle continued, until my +supporters fell, and I myself was nailed to the +mast. The mutineers, however, also sank under +their wounds, and soon my ship was but +one vast grave. My eyes also closed, my +breath stopped—I thought I was dying. But +it was only a torpor which held me chained: +the following night, at the same hour in which +we had cast the Dervise into the sea, I awoke, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +together with all my comrades; life returned, +but we could do and say nothing but what had +been done and said on that fatal night. Thus +we sailed for fifty years, neither living nor dying, +for how could we reach the land? With +mad joy we ever dashed along, with full sails, +before the storm, for we hoped at last to be +wrecked upon some cliff, and to compose our +weary heads to rest upon the bottom of the +sea; but in this we never succeeded. Now +I shall die! Once again, unknown preserver, +accept my thanks, and if treasures can reward +thee, then take my ship in token of my gratitude.”</p> + +<p>With these words the Captain let his head +drop, and expired. Like his companions, he +immediately fell to dust. We collected this in +a little vessel, and buried it on the shore: and +I took workmen from the city to put the ship +in good condition. After I had exchanged, +with great advantage, the wares I had on board +for others, I hired a crew, richly rewarded my +friend Muley, and set sail for my fatherland. +I took a circuitous route, in the course of which +I landed at several islands and countries, to +bring my goods to market. The Prophet +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +blessed my undertaking. After several years +I ran into Balsora, twice as rich as the dying +Captain had made me. My fellow-citizens +were amazed at my wealth and good fortune, +and would believe nothing else but that I had +found the diamond-valley of the far-famed +traveller Sinbad. I left them to their belief; +henceforth must the young folks of Balsora, +when they have scarcely arrived at their +eighteenth year, go forth into the world, like +me, to seek their fortunes. I, however, live in +peace and tranquillity, and every five years +make a journey to Mecca, to thank the Lord +for his protection, in that holy place, and to +entreat for the Captain and his crew, that He +will admit them into Paradise.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/tosb06.png" width="400" height="194" +alt="Men wearing robes and turbans sit, stand and kneel at prayer in a courtyard" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +The march of the Caravan proceeded the +next day without hinderance, and when they +halted, Selim the Stranger began thus to speak +to Muley, the youngest of the merchants:</p> + +<p>“You are, indeed, the youngest of us, nevertheless +you are always in fine spirits, and, to +a certainty, know for us, some right merry +story. Out with it then, that it may refresh +us after the heat of the day.”</p> + +<p>“I might easily tell you something,” answered +Muley, “which would amuse you, nevertheless +modesty becomes youth in all things; +therefore must my older companions have the +precedence. Zaleukos is ever so grave and +reserved; should not he tell us what has made +his life so serious? Perhaps we could assuage +his grief, if such he have; for gladly would we +serve a brother, even if he belong to another +creed.”</p> + +<p>The person alluded to was a Grecian merchant +of middle age, handsome and strongly +built, but very serious. Although he was an +unbeliever, (that is, no Mussulman,) still his +companions were much attached to him, for +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +his whole conduct had inspired them with respect +and confidence. He had only one hand, +and some of his companions conjectured that, +perhaps, this loss gave so grave a tone to his +character. Zaleukos thus answered Muley’s +friendly request:</p> + +<p>“I am much honored by your confidence: +grief have I none, at least none from which, +even with your best wishes, you can relieve +me. Nevertheless, since Muley appears to +blame me for my seriousness, I will relate to +you something which will justify me when I +am more grave than others. You see that I +have lost my left hand; this came not to me +at my birth, but I lost it in the most unhappy +days of my life. Whether I bear the fault +thereof, whether I am wrong to be more serious +than my condition in life would seem to +make me, you must decide, when I have told +you the <span class="smcap">Story of the Hewn-off Hand</span>.”</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/tosb07.png" width="600" height="432" +alt="THE STORY OF THE HEWN OFF HAND" /> +</div> + + +<p><span class="dropcapilrg"><span class="dropcap">I</span></span> WAS born in Constantinople; +my father was a Dragoman +of the Ottoman Porte, +and carried on, besides, a +tolerably lucrative trade in +essences and silk goods. He +gave me a good education, +since he partly superintended it +himself, and partly had me instructed +by one of our priests. +At first, he intended that I should +one day take charge of his business: +but since I displayed greater capacity +than he expected, with the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +advice of his friends, he resolved that I should +study medicine; for a physician, if he only +knows more than a common quack, can make +his fortune in Constantinople.</p> + +<p>Many Frenchmen were in the habit of coming +to our house, and one of them prevailed +upon my father to let me go to the city of +Paris, in his fatherland, where one could learn +the profession gratuitously, and with the best +advantages: he himself would take me with +him, at his own expense, when he returned. +My father, who in his youth had also been a +traveller, consented, and the Frenchman told +me to hold myself in readiness in three months. +I was beside myself with delight to see foreign +lands, and could not wait for the moment in +which we should embark. At last the stranger +had finished his business, and was ready to +start.</p> + +<p>On the evening preceding our voyage, my +father conducted me into his sleeping apartment; +there I saw fine garments and weapons +lying on the table; but what most attracted +my eye was a large pile of gold, for I had never +before seen so much together. My father +embraced me, and said,</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +“See, my son, I have provided thee with +garments for thy journey. These weapons are +thine; they are those which thy grandfather +hung upon me, when I went forth into foreign +lands. I know thou canst wield them; but use +them not, unless thou art attacked; then, however, +lay on with right good-will. My wealth +is not great; see! I have divided it into three +parts: one is thine; one shall be for my support, +and spare money in case of necessity; +the third shall be sacred and untouched by me, +it may serve thee in the hour of need.” Thus +spoke my old father, while tears hung in his +eyes, perhaps from a presentiment, for I have +never seen him since.</p> + +<p>Our voyage was favorable; we soon reached +the land of the Franks, and six days’ journey +brought us to the large city, Paris. Here +my French friend hired me a room, and advised +me to be prudent in spending my money, +which amounted to two thousand thalers. In +this city I lived three years, and learned all +that a well-educated physician should know. +I would be speaking falsely, however, if I said +that I was very happy, for the customs of the +people pleased me not; moreover, I had but +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +few good friends among them, but these were +young men of nobility.</p> + +<p>The longing after my native land at length +became irresistible; during the whole time I +had heard nothing from my father, and I therefore +seized a favorable opportunity to return +home. There was going an embassy from +France to the Supreme Porte: I agreed to +join the train of the ambassador as surgeon, +and soon arrived once more at Stamboul.</p> + +<p>My father’s dwelling, however, I found +closed, and the neighbors, astonished at seeing +me, said that my father had been dead for +two months. The priest, who had instructed +me in youth, brought me the key. Alone and +forsaken, I entered the desolate house. I found +all as my father had left it; but the gold which +he promised to leave to me, was missing. I inquired +of the priest respecting it, and he bowed +and said:</p> + +<p>“Your father died like a holy man, for he +left his gold to the Church!”</p> + +<p>This was incomprehensible to me; nevertheless, +what could I do? I had no proofs +against the priest, and could only congratulate +myself that he had not also looked upon the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +house, and wares of my father, in the light of +a legacy. This was the first misfortune that +met me; but after this came one upon another. +My reputation as a physician would +not extend itself, because I was ashamed to +play the quack; above all, I missed the recommendation +of my father, who had introduced +me to the richest and most respectable families; +but now they thought no more of the +poor Zaleukos. Moreover, the wares of my +father found no sale, for his customers had +been scattered at his death, and new ones +came only after a long time. One day, as I +was reflecting sorrowfully upon my situation, +it occurred to me that in France I had often +seen countrymen of mine, who travelled +through the land, and exposed their goods +at the market-places of the cities: I recollected +that people gladly purchased of them, +because they came from foreign lands; and +that by such a trade, one could make a hundred-fold. +My resolution was forthwith taken; +I sold my paternal dwelling, gave a portion of +the money obtained thereby to a tried friend +to preserve for me, and with the remainder +purchased such articles as were rare in France,—shawls, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +silken goods, ointments, and oils; for +these I hired a place upon a vessel, and thus +began my second voyage to France. It appeared +as if fortune became favorable to me, +the moment I had the Straits of the Dardanelles +upon my back. Our voyage was short +and prosperous. I travelled through the cities +of France, large and small, and found, in all, +ready purchasers for my goods. My friend in +Stamboul continually sent me fresh supplies, +and I became richer from day to day. At last +when I had husbanded so well, that I believed +myself able to venture on some more extensive +undertaking, I went with my wares into +Italy. I must, however, mention something that +brought me in no little money; I called my +profession also to my assistance. As soon as +I arrived in a city I announced, by means of +bills, that a Grecian physician was there, who +had already cured many; and, truly, my balsam, +and my medicines, had brought me in +many a zechin.</p> + +<p>Thus at last I reached the city of Florence, +in Italy. I proposed to myself to remain +longer than usual in this place, partly because +it pleased me so well, partly, moreover, that I +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> +might recover from the fatigues of my journey. +I hired myself a shop in the quarter of the +city called St. Croce, and in a tavern not far +therefrom, took a couple of fine rooms which +led out upon a balcony. Immediately I had +my bills carried around, which announced me +as a physician and merchant. I had no sooner +opened my shop than buyers streamed in upon +me, and although I asked a tolerably high +price, still I sold more than others, because I +was attentive and friendly to my customers.</p> + +<p>Well satisfied, I had spent four days in +Florence, when one evening, after I had shut +my shop, and according to custom was examining +my stock of ointment-boxes, I found, in +one of the smaller ones, a letter which I did +not remember to have put in. I opened it and +found therein an invitation to repair that night, +punctually at twelve, to the bridge called the +Ponte Vecchio. For some time I reflected upon +this, as to who it could be that had thus invited +me; as, however, I knew not a soul in Florence, +I thought, as had often happened already, +that one wished to lead me privately to +some sick person. Accordingly I resolved to +go; nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +I put on the sabre which my father had given +me. As it was fast approaching midnight, I +set out upon my way, and soon arrived at the +Ponte Vecchio; I found the bridge forsaken +and desolate, and resolved to wait until it should +appear who had addressed me.</p> + +<p>It was a cold night; the moon shone clear +as I looked down upon the waters of the Arno, +which sparkled in her light. On the church of +the city the twelfth hour was sounding, when I +looked up, and before me stood a tall man, entirely +covered with a red cloak, a corner of +which he held before his face. At this sudden +apparition I was at first somewhat startled, but +I soon recovered myself and said—</p> + +<p>“If you have summoned me hither, tell me, +what is your pleasure?”</p> + +<p>The Red-mantle turned, and solemnly ejaculated, +“Follow!”</p> + +<p>My mind was nevertheless somewhat uneasy +at the idea of going alone with this Unknown; +I stood still and said, “Not so, dear sir; you +will first tell me whither; moreover, you may +show me your face a little, that I may see +whether you have good intentions towards +me.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +The Stranger, however, appeared not to be +concerned thereat. “If thou wishest it not, +Zaleukos, then remain!” answered he, moving +away. At this my anger burned.</p> + +<p>“Think you,” I cried, “that I will suffer a +man to play the fool with me, and wait here +this cold night for nothing?” In three bounds +I reached him; crying still louder, I seized him +by the cloak, laying the other hand upon my +sabre; but the mantle remained in my hand, +and the Unknown vanished around the nearest +corner. My anger gradually cooled; I still +had the cloak, and this should furnish the key +to this strange adventure. I put it on, and +moved towards home. Before I had taken a +hundred steps, somebody passed very near, +and whispered in the French tongue, “Observe, +Count, to-night, we can do nothing.” +Before I could look around, this somebody +had passed, and I saw only a shadow hovering +near the houses. That this exclamation was +addressed to the mantle, and not to me, I +plainly perceived; nevertheless, this threw no +light upon the matter. Next morning I considered +what was best to be done. At first I +thought of having proclamation made respecting +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> +the cloak, that I had found it; but in that +case the Unknown could send for it by a third +person, and I would have no explanation of +the matter. While thus meditating I took a +nearer view of the garment. It was of heavy +Genoese velvet, of dark red color, bordered +with fur from Astrachan, and richly embroidered +with gold. The gorgeousness of +the cloak suggested to me a plan, which I +resolved to put in execution. I carried it to +my shop and offered it for sale, taking care, +however, to set so high a price upon it, that I +would be certain to find no purchaser. My +object in this was to fix my eye keenly upon +every one who should come to inquire after it; +for the figure of the Unknown, which, after +the loss of the mantle, had been exposed to me +distinctly though transiently, I could recognise +out of thousands. Many merchants came +after the cloak, the extraordinary beauty of +which drew all eyes upon it; but none bore the +slightest resemblance to the Unknown, none +would give for it the high price of two hundred +zechins. It was surprising to me, that +when I asked one and another whether there +was a similar mantle in Florence, all answered +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +in the negative, and protested that they had +never seen such costly and elegant workmanship.</p> + +<p>It was just becoming evening, when at last +there came a young man who had often been +in there, and had also that very day bid high +for the mantle; he threw upon the table a bag +of zechins, exclaiming—</p> + +<p>“By Heaven! Zaleukos, I must have your +mantle, should I be made a beggar by it.” +Immediately he began to count out his gold +pieces. I was in a great dilemma; I had exposed +the mantle, in order thereby to get a +sight of my unknown friend, and now came a +young simpleton to give the unheard-of price. +Nevertheless, what remained for me? I complied, +for on the other hand the reflection consoled +me, that my night adventure would be so +well rewarded. The young man put on the +cloak and departed; he turned, however, upon +the threshold, while he loosened a paper which +was attached to the collar, and threw it towards +me, saying, “Here, Zaleukos, hangs +something, that does not properly belong to +my purchase.” Indifferently, I received the +note; but lo! these were the contents:—</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +“This night, at the hour thou knowest, +bring the mantle to the Ponte Vecchio; four +hundred zechins await thee!”</p> + +<p>I stood as one thunder-struck: thus had I +trifled with fortune, and entirely missed my +aim. Nevertheless, I reflected not long; catching +up the two hundred zechins, I bounded to +the side of the young man and said, “Take +your zechins again, my good friend, and leave +me the cloak; I cannot possibly part with it.”</p> + +<p>At first he treated the thing as a jest, but +when he saw it was earnest, he fell in a passion +at my presumption, and called me a fool; +and thus at last we came to blows. I was +fortunate enough to seize the mantle in the +scuffle, and was already making off with it, +when the young man called the police to his +assistance, and had both of us carried before a +court of justice. The magistrate was much +astonished at the accusation, and adjudged the +cloak to my opponent. I however, offered the +young man twenty, fifty, eighty, at last a hundred, +zechins, in addition to his two hundred, +if he would surrender it to me. What my entreaties +could not accomplish, my gold did. +He took my good zechins, while I went off in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +triumph with the mantle, obliged to be satisfied +with being taken for a madman by every one +in Florence. Nevertheless, the opinion of the +people was a matter of indifference to me, for +I knew better than they, that I would still gain +by the bargain.</p> + +<p>With impatience I awaited the night; at the +same hour as the preceding day, I proceeded +to the Ponte Vecchio, the mantle under my +arm. With the last stroke of the clock, came +the figure out of darkness to my side: beyond +a doubt it was the man of the night before.</p> + +<p>“Hast thou the cloak?” I was asked.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” I replied, “but it cost me a hundred +zechins cash.”</p> + +<p>“I know it,” rejoined he; “look, here are +four hundred.” He moved with me to the +broad railing of the bridge and counted out the +gold pieces; brightly they glimmered in the +moonshine, their lustre delighted my heart—ah! +it did not foresee that this was to be its +last joy. I put the money in my pocket, and +then wished to get a good view of the generous +stranger, but he had a mask before his face, +through which two dark eyes frightfully beamed +upon me.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +“I thank you, sir, for your kindness,” said I +to him; “what further desire you of me? I +told you before, however, that it must be nothing +evil.”</p> + +<p>“Unnecessary trouble,” answered he, throwing +the cloak over his shoulders; “I needed +your assistance as a physician, nevertheless not +for a living, but for a dead person.”</p> + +<p>“How can that be?” exclaimed I in amazement.</p> + +<p>“I came with my sister from a distant land,” +rejoined he, at the same time motioning me to +follow him, “and took up my abode with a +friend of our family. A sudden disease carried +off my sister yesterday, and our relations wished +to bury her this morning. According to +an old usage of our family, however, all are to +repose in the sepulchre of our fathers; many +who have died in foreign lands, nevertheless +sleep there embalmed. To my relations now +I grant the body, but to my father must I bring +at least the head of his daughter, that he may +see it once again.”</p> + +<p>In this custom of severing the head from +near relatives there was to me, indeed, something +awful; nevertheless, I ventured to say +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +nothing against it, through fear of offending +the Unknown. I told him, therefore, that I +was well acquainted with the art of embalming +the dead, and asked him to lead me to the +body. Notwithstanding, I could not keep myself +from inquiring why all this must be done +so secretly in the night. He answered me that +his relations, who considered his purpose inhuman, +would prevent him from accomplishing it +by day; but only let the head once be cut off, +and they could say little more about it: he +could, indeed, have brought the head to me, but +a natural feeling prevented him from cutting +it off himself.</p> + +<p>These words brought us to a large splendid +house; my companion pointed it out to me as +the termination of our nocturnal walk. We +passed the principal door, and entering a small +gate, which the stranger carefully closed after +him, ascended, in the dark, a narrow, winding +staircase. This brought us to a dimly-lighted +corridor, from which we entered an apartment; +a lamp, suspended from the ceiling, +shed its brilliant rays around.</p> + +<p>In this chamber stood a bed, on which lay +the corpse; the Unknown turned away his +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +face, as if wishing to conceal his tears. He +beckoned me to the bed, and bidding me set +about my business speedily yet carefully, went +out by the door.</p> + +<p>I seized my knives, which, as a physician, I +constantly carried with me, and approached +the bed. Only the head of the corpse was +visible, but that was so beautiful that the deepest +compassion involuntarily came over me. +In long braids the dark hair hung down; the +face was pale, the eyes closed. At first, I +made an incision in the skin, according to the +practice of surgeons when they remove a +limb. Then I took my sharpest knife and cut +entirely through the throat. But, horror! the +dead opened her eyes—shut them again—and +in a deep sigh seemed now, for the first time, +to breathe forth her life! Straightway a +stream of hot blood sprang forth from the +wound. I was convinced that I had killed the +poor girl; for that she was dead there could +be no doubt—from such a wound there was +no chance of recovering. I stood some moments +in anxious wo, thinking on what had +happened. Had the Red-mantle deceived me, +or was his sister, perhaps, only apparently +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +dead? The latter appeared to me more probable. +Yet I dared not tell the brother of the +deceased, that, perhaps, a less rash blow would +have aroused, without having killed her; therefore +I began to sever the head entirely—but +once again the dying one groaned, stretched +herself out in a convulsion of pain, and breathed +her last. Then terror overpowered me, and +I rushed shivering out of the apartment.</p> + +<p>But outside in the corridor it was dark, for +the lamp had died out; no trace of my companion +was perceptible, and I was obliged to +move along by the wall, at hazard in the dark, +in order to reach the winding-stairs. I found +them at last, and descended, half falling, half +gliding. There was no one below; the door +was only latched, and I breathed more freely +when I was in the street, out of the uneasy atmosphere +of the house. Spurred on by fear, I +ran to my dwelling, and buried myself in the +pillow of my bed, in order to forget the horrid +crime I had committed. But sleep fled my +eyelids, and soon morning admonished me +again to collect myself. It seemed probable to +me, that the man who had led me to this villainous +deed, as it now appeared to me, would +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +not denounce me. I immediately resolved to +attend to my business in my shop, and to put +on as careless an air as possible. But, alas! +a new misfortune, which I now for the first +time observed, augmented my sorrow. My +cap and girdle, as also my knives, were missing; +and I knew not whether they had been +left in the chamber of the dead, or lost during +my flight. Alas! the former seemed more +probable, and they could discover in me the +murderer.</p> + +<p>I opened my shop at the usual time; a neighbor +stepped in, as was his custom, being a +communicative man. “Ah! what say you to +the horrid deed,” he cried, “that was committed +last night?” I started as if I knew nothing. +“How! know you not that with which +the whole city is filled? Know you not that +last night, the fairest flower in Florence, Bianca, +the daughter of the Governor, was murdered? +Ah! only yesterday I saw her walking +happily through the streets with her bridegroom, +for to-day she would have had her nuptial +festival!”</p> + +<p>Every word of my neighbor was a dagger +to my heart; and how often returned my +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +torments! for each of my customers told me the +story, one more frightfully than another; yet +not one could tell it half so horribly as it had +seemed to me. About mid-day, an officer of +justice unexpectedly walked into my shop, and +asked me to clear it of the bystanders.</p> + +<p>“Signor Zaleukos,” said he, showing me the +articles I had lost, “belong these things to +you?” I reflected whether I should not entirely +disown them; but when I saw through +the half-opened door, my landlord and several +acquaintances, who could readily testify against +me, I determined not to make the matter worse +by a falsehood, and acknowledged the articles +exhibited as my own. The officer told me to +follow him, and conducted me to a spacious +building, which I soon recognised as the prison. +Then, a little farther on, he showed me into an +apartment.</p> + +<p>My situation was terrible, as I reflected on +it in my solitude. The thought of having committed +a murder, even against my wish, returned +again and again. Moreover, I could +not conceal from myself that the glance of the +gold had dazzled my senses; otherwise I would +not have fallen so blindly into the snare.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +Two hours after my arrest, I was led from +my chamber, and after descending several +flights of stairs, entered a spacious saloon. +Around a long table hung with black, were +seated twelve men, mostly gray with age. +Along the side of the room, benches were arranged, +on which were seated the first people +of Florence. In the gallery, which was built +quite high, stood the spectators, closely crowded +together. As soon as I reached the black +table, a man with a gloomy, sorrowful air arose—it +was the Governor. He told the audience +that, as a father, he could not judge impartially +in this matter, and that he, for this occasion, +would surrender his seat to the oldest of the +senators. The latter was a gray-headed man, +of at least ninety years. He arose, stooping +beneath the weight of age; his temples were +covered with thin white hair, but his eyes still +burned brightly, and his voice was strong and +steady. He began by asking me whether I +confessed the murder. I entreated his attention, +and with dauntless, distinct voice, related +what I had done and all that I knew. I observed +that the Governor during my recital +turned first pale, then red, and when I concluded, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +became furious. “How, wretch!” he +cried out to me, “wishest thou thus to lay upon +another, the crime thy avarice has committed?”</p> + +<p>The Senator rebuked him for his interruption, +after having of his own free will resigned +his right; moreover, that it was not so clear, +that I had done the deed through avarice, for +according to his own testimony, nothing had +been taken from the corpse. Yes, he went +still further; he told the Governor that he +must give an account of his daughter’s early +life, for in this way only could one conclude +whether I had told the truth or not. Immediately +he closed the court for that day, for the +purpose, as he said, of consulting the papers of +the deceased, which the Governor was to give +him. I was carried back to my prison, where +I passed a sorrowful day, constantly occupied +with the ardent hope, that they would in some +way discover the connection between the deceased +and the Red-mantle.</p> + +<p>Full of hope, I proceeded the next day to +the justice-hall. Several letters lay upon the +table; the old Senator asked whether they +were of my writing. I looked at them, and +found that they were by the same hand as +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +both the letters that I had received. This I +disclosed to the Senator; but he seemed to give +but little weight to it, answering that I must +have written both, for the name subscribed +was unquestionably a Z, the initial of my +name. The letters, however, contained menaces +against the deceased, and warnings +against the marriage which she was on the +point of consummating. The Governor seemed +to have imparted something strange and +untrue, with respect to my person; for I was +treated this day with more suspicion and severity. +For my justification, I appealed to +the papers, which would be found in my room, +but I was informed that search had been made +and nothing found. Thus, at the close of the +court, vanished all my hope; and when, on the +third day, I was led again to the hall, the judgment +was read aloud, that I was convicted of +a premeditated murder, and sentenced to death. +To such extremity had I come; forsaken by +all that was dear to me on earth, far from my +native land, innocent and in the bloom of my +years, I was to die by the axe!</p> + +<p>On the evening of this terrible day which +had decided my fate, I was seated in my lonely +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +dungeon, my hopes past, my thoughts seriously +turned upon death, when the door of my prison +opened, and a man entered who regarded me +long in silence.</p> + +<p>“Do I see you again, in this situation, Zaleukos?” +he began. By the dim light of my +lamp I had not recognised him, but the sound +of his voice awoke within me old recollections. +It was Valetty, one of the few friends I had +made during my studies at Paris. He said +that he had casually come to Florence, where +his father, a distinguished man, resided; he had +heard of my story, and come to see me once +more, to inquire with his own lips, how I could +have been guilty of such an awful crime. I +told him the whole history: he seemed lost in +wonder, and conjured me to tell him, my only +friend, all the truth, and not to depart with a +lie upon my tongue. I swore to him with the +most solemn oath, that I had spoken the truth; +and that no other guilt could be attached to +me, than that, having been blinded by the +glance of the gold, I had not seen the improbability +of the Stranger’s story. “Then did you +not know Bianca?” asked he. I assured him +that I had never seen her. Valetty thereupon +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +told me that there was a deep mystery in the +matter; that the Governor in great haste had +urged my condemnation, and that a report +was current among the people, that I had +known Bianca for a long time, and had murdered +her out of revenge for her intended marriage +with another. I informed him that all this +was probably true of the Red-mantle, but that +I could not prove his participation in the deed. +Valetty embraced me, weeping, and promised +me to do all that he could; to save my life, if +nothing more. I had not much hope; nevertheless, +I knew that my friend was a wise man, +and well acquainted with the laws, and that +he would do all in his power to preserve me.</p> + +<p>Two long days was I in suspense; at length +Valetty appeared. “I bring consolation, though +even that is attended with sorrow. You shall +live and be free, but with the loss of a hand!”</p> + +<p>Overjoyed, I thanked my friend for my life. +He told me that the Governor had been inexorable, +and would not once look into the matter: +that at length, however, rather than appear +unjust, he had agreed, if a similar case could +be found in the annals of Florentine history, +that my penalty should be regulated by the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +punishment that was then inflicted. He and +his father had searched, day and night, in the +old books, and had at length found a case similar +in every respect to mine; the sentence there +ran thus:—</p> + +<p>“He shall have his left hand cut off; his +goods shall be confiscated, and he himself banished +forever!”</p> + +<p>Such now was my sentence, also, and I was +to prepare for the painful hour that awaited +me. I will not bring before your eyes the +frightful moment, in which, at the open market-place, +I laid my hand upon the block; in +which my own blood in thick streams flowed +over me!</p> + +<p>Valetty took me to his house until I had recovered, +and then generously supplied me with +money for my journey, for all that I had so laboriously +acquired was confiscated to Justice. +I went from Florence to Sicily, and thence, by +the first ship I could find, to Constantinople. +My hopes, which rested on the sum of money +I had left with my friend, were not disappointed. +I proposed that I should live with him—how +astonished was I, when he asked why I +occupied not my own house! He told me +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +that a strange man had, in my name, bought a +house in the quarter of the Greeks, and told +the neighbors that I would soon, myself, return. +I immediately proceeded to it with my +friend, and was joyfully received by all my old +acquaintances. An aged merchant handed me +a letter which the man who purchased for +me had left. I read:—</p> + +<p>“Zaleukos! two hands stand ready to work +unceasingly, that thou mayest not feel the loss +of one. That house which thou seest and all +therein are thine, and every year shalt thou +receive so much, that thou shalt be among the +rich of thy nation. Mayest thou forgive one +who is more unhappy than thyself!”</p> + +<p>I could guess who was the writer, and the +merchant told me, in answer to my inquiry +that it was a man covered with a red cloak, +whom he had taken for a Frenchman. I knew +enough to convince me that the Unknown +was not entirely devoid of generous feeling. +In my new house I found all arranged in the +best style; a shop, moreover, full of wares, +finer than any I had ever had. Ten years +have elapsed since then; more in compliance +with ancient custom, than because it is necessary, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +do I continue to travel in foreign lands +for purposes of trade, but the land which was +so fatal to me I have never seen since. Every +year I receive a thousand pieces of gold; but +although it rejoices me to know that this +Unfortunate is so noble, still can his money +never remove wo from my soul, for there +lives forever the heart-rending image of the +murdered Bianca!</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/tosb08.png" width="400" height="326" +alt="A one-handed man sits holding a hookah pipe" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Thus ended the story of Zaleukos, the +Grecian merchant. With great interest had +the others listened; the stranger, in particular, +seemed to be wrapt up in it: more than +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +once he had drawn a deep sigh, and Muley +looked as if he had had tears in his eyes. +No one spoke for some time after the recital.</p> + +<p>“And hate you not the Unknown, who so +basely cost you a noble member of your body, +and even put your life in danger?” inquired +Selim.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps there were hours at first,” answered +the Greek, “in which my heart accused +him before God, of having brought this +misfortune upon me, and embittered my life; +but I found consolation in the religion of my +fathers, which commanded me to love my enemies. +Moreover, he probably is more unhappy +than myself.”</p> + +<p>“You are a noble man!” exclaimed Selim, +cordially pressing the hand of the Greek.</p> + +<p>The leader of the escort, however, here interrupted +their conversation. He came with a +troubled air into the tent, and told them that +they could not give themselves up to repose, +for this was the place in which Caravans were +usually attacked, and his guards imagined they +had seen several horsemen in the distance.</p> + +<p>The merchants were confounded at this intelligence. +Selim, the stranger, however, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +expressed wonder at their alarm, saying they +were so well escorted they need not fear a +troop of Arabian robbers.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” rejoined to him the leader of the +guard; “were he only a common outlaw, we +could compose ourselves to rest without anxiety; +but for some time back, the frightful +Orbasan has shown himself again, and it is +well to be upon our guard.”</p> + +<p>The stranger inquired who this Orbasan +was, and Achmet, the old merchant, answered +him:—</p> + +<p>“Various rumors are current among the +people with respect to this wonderful man. +Some hold him to be a supernatural being, +because, with only five or six men, he +has frequently fallen upon a whole encampment; +others regard him as a bold Frenchman, +whom misfortune has driven into this +region: out of all this, however, thus much +alone is certain, that he is an abandoned robber +and highwayman.”</p> + +<p>“That can you not prove,” answered Lezah, +one of the merchants. “Robber as he is, he +is still a noble man, and such has he shown +himself to my brother, as I can relate to you. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +He has formed his whole band of well-disciplined +men, and as long as he marches through +the desert, no other band ventures to show +itself. Moreover, he robs not as others, but +only exacts a tribute from the caravans; whoever +willingly pays this, proceeds without further +danger, for Orbasan is lord of the wilderness!”</p> + +<p>Thus did the travellers converse together in +the tent; the guards, however, who were stationed +around the resting-place, began to become +uneasy. A tolerably large band of +armed horsemen showed themselves at the +distance of half a league. They appeared to +be riding straight to the encampment; one of +the guard came into the tent, to inform them +that they would probably be attacked.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/tosb09.jpg" width="600" height="475" +alt="A small encampment, with a few people and some cattle visible" /> +</div> + +<p>The merchants consulted among themselves +as to what they should do, whether to march +against them, or await the attack. Achmet +and the two elder merchants inclined to the +latter course; the fiery Muley, however, and +Zaleukos desired the former, and summoned +the stranger to their assistance. He, however, +quietly drew forth from his girdle a little blue +cloth spangled with red stars, bound it upon a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> +lance, and commanded one of the slaves to +plant it in front of the tent: he would venture +his life upon it, he said, that the horsemen, +when they saw this signal, would quietly march +back again. Muley trusted not the result; +still the slave put out the lance in front of the +tent. Meanwhile all in the camp had seized +their weapons, and were looking upon the +horsemen in eager expectation. The latter, +however, appeared to have espied the signal; +they suddenly swerved from their direct +course towards the encampment, and, in a +large circle, moved off to the side.</p> + +<p>Struck with wonder, the travellers stood +some moments, gazing alternately at the horsemen +and the stranger. The latter stood in +front of the tent quite indifferently, as though +nothing had happened, looking upon the plain +before him. At last Muley broke the silence.</p> + +<p>“Who art thou, mighty stranger,” he exclaimed, +“that restrainest with a glance the +wild hordes of the desert?”</p> + +<p>“You rate my art higher than it deserves,” +answered Selim Baruch. “I observed this +signal when I fled from captivity; what it +means, I know not—only this much I know, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +that whoever travels with this sign, is under +great protection.”</p> + +<p>The merchants thanked the stranger, and +called him their preserver; indeed, the number +of the robbers was so great, that the Caravan +could not, probably, for any length of time, +have offered an effectual resistance.</p> + +<p>With lighter hearts they now gave themselves +to sleep; and when the sun began to +sink, and the evening wind to pass over the +sand-plain, they struck their tents, and marched +on. The next day they halted safely, only +one day’s journey from the entrance of the +desert. When the travellers had once more +collected in the large tent, Lezah, the merchant, +took up the discourse.</p> + +<p>“I told you, yesterday, that the dreaded Orbasan +was a noble man; permit me to prove it +to you, to-day, by the relation of my brother’s +adventure. My father was Cadi of Acara. +He had three children; I was the eldest, my +brother and sister being much younger than +myself. When I was twenty years old, a +brother of my father took me under his protection; +he made me heir to his property, on +condition that I should remain with him until +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +his death. He however had reached an old +age, so that before two years I returned to my +native land, having known nothing, before, of +the misfortune which had meanwhile fallen +upon my family, and how Allah had turned it +to advantage.”</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/tosb10.png" width="600" height="434" +alt="Decorative title, FATIMA’S DELIVERANCE." /> +</div> + + +<p><span class="dropcapmlrg"><span class="dropcap">M</span></span>Y brother Mustapha and +my sister Fatima were almost +of the same age; the +former was at most but two +years older. They loved +each other fervently, and +did in concert, all that +could lighten, for our suffering +father, the burden of his old +age. On Fatima’s seventeenth +birthday, my brother prepared +a festival. He invited all her companions, +and set before them a +choice banquet in the gardens of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +our father, and, towards evening, proposed to +them to take a little sail upon the sea, in a +boat which he had hired, and adorned in grand +style. Fatima and her companions agreed +with joy, for the evening was fine, and the +city, particularly when viewed by evening +from the sea, promised a magnificent prospect. +The girls, however, were so well pleased upon +the bark, that they continually entreated my +brother to go farther out upon the sea. Mustapha, +however, yielded reluctantly, because a +Corsair had been seen, for several days back, in +that vicinity.</p> + +<p>Not far from the city, a promontory projected +into the sea; thither the maidens were +anxious to go, in order to see the sun sink into +the water. Having rowed thither, they beheld +a boat occupied by armed men. Anticipating +no good, my brother commanded the oarsmen +to turn the vessel, and make for land. His +apprehensions seemed, indeed, to be confirmed, +for the boat quickly approached that of my +brother, and getting ahead of it, (for it had +more rowers,) ran between it and the land. +The young girls, moreover, when they knew +the danger to which they were exposed, sprang +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +up with cries and lamentations: in vain Mustapha +sought to quiet them, in vain enjoined +upon them to be still, lest their running to and +fro should upset the vessel. It was of no +avail; and when, in consequence of the +proximity of the other boat, all ran upon the +further side, it was upset.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, they had observed from the +land the approach of the strange boat, and, +inasmuch as, for some time back, they had +been in anxiety on account of Corsairs, their +suspicions were excited, and several boats put +off from the land to their assistance: but they +only came in time to pick up the drowning. +In the confusion, the hostile boat escaped. In +both barks, however, which had taken in those +who were preserved, they were uncertain +whether all had been saved. They approached +each other, and, alas! found that my sister +and one of her companions were missing; at +the same time, in their number a stranger was +discovered, who was known to none. In answer +to Mustapha’s threats, he confessed that +he belonged to the hostile ship, which was lying +at anchor two miles to the eastward, and +that his companions had left him behind in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +their hasty flight, while he was engaged in +assisting to pick up the maidens; moreover, +he said he had seen two taken on board their +boat.</p> + +<p>The grief of my old father was without +bounds, but Mustapha also was afflicted unto +death, for not only had his beloved sister +been lost, and did he accuse himself of having +been the cause of her misfortune, but, also, +her companion who had shared it with her, +had been promised to him by her parents as +his wife; still had he not dared to avow it to +our father, because her family was poor, and +of low descent. My father, however, was a +stern man; as soon as his sorrow had subsided +a little, he called Mustapha before him, and +thus spake to him:—</p> + +<p>“Thy folly has deprived me of the consolation +of my old age, and the joy of my eyes. +Go! I banish thee forever from my sight! I +curse thee and thine offspring—and only when +thou shalt restore to me my Fatima, shall thy +head be entirely free from a father’s execrations!”</p> + +<p>This my poor brother had not expected; +already, before this, he had determined to go in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +search of his sister and her friend, after having +asked the blessing of his father upon his efforts, +and now that father had sent him forth into the +world, laden with his curse. As, however, his +former grief had bowed him down, so this consummation +of misfortune, which he had not +deserved, tended to steel his mind. He went to +the imprisoned pirate, and, demanding whither +the ship was bound, learned that she carried on +a trade in slaves, and usually had a great sale +thereof in Balsora.</p> + +<p>On his return to the house, in order to prepare +for his journey, the anger of his father +seemed to have subsided a little, for he sent +him a purse full of gold, to support him during +his travels. Mustapha, thereupon, in tears +took leave of the parents of Zoraida, (for so his +affianced was called,) and set out upon the +route to Balsora.</p> + +<p>Mustapha travelled by land, because from +our little city there was no ship that went direct +to Balsora. He was obliged, therefore, to +use all expedition, in order not to arrive too +long after the sea-robbers. Having a good +horse and no luggage, he hoped to reach this +city by the end of the sixth day. On the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +evening of the fourth, however, as he was +riding all alone upon his way, three men came +suddenly upon him. Having observed that +they were well-armed and powerful men, and +sought his money and his horse, rather than +his life, he cried out that he would yield himself +to them. They dismounted, and tied his +feet together under his horse; then they placed +him in their midst, and, without a word spoken, +trotted quickly away with him; one of them +having seized his bridle.</p> + +<p>Mustapha gave himself up to a feeling of +gloomy despair; the curse of his father seemed +already to be undergoing its accomplishment on +the unfortunate one, and how could he hope to +save his sister and Zoraida, should he, robbed +of all his means, even be able to devote his poor +life to their deliverance? Mustapha and his +silent companions might have ridden about an +hour, when they entered a little valley. The +vale was enclosed by lofty trees; a soft, dark-green +turf, and a stream which ran swiftly +through its midst, invited to repose. In this +place were pitched from fifteen to twenty +tents, to the stakes of which were fastened +camels and fine horses: from one of these tents +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +distinctly sounded the melody of a guitar, +blended with two fine manly voices. It seemed +to my brother as if people who had chosen +so blithesome a resting-place, could have no +evil intentions towards himself; and accordingly, +without apprehension, he obeyed the summons +of his conductors, who had unbound his +feet, and made signs to him to follow. They +led him into a tent which was larger than the +rest, and on the inside was magnificently fitted +up. Splendid cushions embroidered with gold, +woven carpets, gilded censers, would elsewhere +have bespoken opulence and respectability, +but here seemed only the booty of a robber +band. Upon one of the cushions an old and +small-sized man was reclining: his countenance +was ugly; a dark-brown and shining skin, a +disgusting expression around his eyes, and a +mouth of malicious cunning, combined to render +his whole appearance odious. Although +this man sought to put on a commanding air, +still Mustapha soon perceived that not for him +was the tent so richly adorned, and the conversation +of his conductors seemed to confirm him +in his opinion.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +“Where is the Mighty?” inquired they of +the little man.</p> + +<p>“He is out upon a short hunt,” was the answer; +“but he has commissioned me to attend +to his affairs.”</p> + +<p>“That has he not wisely done,” rejoined +one of the robbers; “for it must soon be determined +whether this dog is to die or be ransomed, +and that the Mighty knows better than +thou.”</p> + +<p>Being very sensitive in all that related to +his usurped dignity, the little man, raising +himself, stretched forward in order to reach +the other’s ear with the extremity of his hand, +for he seemed desirous of revenging himself by +a blow; but when he saw that his attempt was +fruitless, he set about abusing him (and indeed +the others did not remain much in his debt) to +such a degree, that the tent resounded with +their strife. Thereupon, of a sudden, the tent-door +opened, and in walked a tall, stately +man, young and handsome as a Persian +prince. His garments and weapons, with +the exception of a richly-mounted poniard +and gleaming sabre, were plain and simple; +his serious eye, however, and his whole +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +appearance, demanded respect without exciting +fear.</p> + +<p>“Who is it that dares to engage in strife +within my tent?” exclaimed he, as they started +back aghast. For a long time deep stillness +prevailed, till at last one of those who had captured +Mustapha, related to him how it had begun. +Thereupon the countenance of “the +Mighty,” as they had called him, seemed to +grow red with passion.</p> + +<p>“When would I have placed thee, Hassan, +over my concerns?” he cried, in frightful accents, +to the little man. The latter, in his fear, +shrunk until he seemed even smaller than before, +and crept towards the door of the tent. +One step of the Mighty was sufficient to send +him through the entrance with a long singular +bound. As soon as the little man had vanished, +the three led Mustapha before the master +of the tent, who had meanwhile reclined upon +the cushion.</p> + +<p>“Here bring we thee him, whom thou commandedst +us to take.” He regarded the prisoner +for some time, and then said, “Bashaw +of Sulieika, thine own conscience will tell thee +why thou standest before Orbasan.” When +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +my brother heard this, he bowed low and answered:—</p> + +<p>“My lord, you appear to labor under a mistake; +I am a poor unfortunate, not the Bashaw, +whom you seek.” At this all were amazed; +the master of the tent, however, said:—</p> + +<p>“Dissimulation can help you little, for I will +summon the people who know you well.” He +commanded them to bring in Zuleima. An +old woman was led into the tent, who, on being +asked whether in my brother she recognised +the Bashaw of Sulieika, answered:—</p> + +<p>“Yes, verily! And I swear by the grave +of the Prophet, it is the Bashaw, and no +other!”</p> + +<p>“Seest thou, wretch, that thy dissimulation +has become as water?” cried out the Mighty +in a furious tone. “Thou art too pitiful for +me to stain my good dagger with thy blood, +but to-morrow, when the sun is up, will I bind +thee to the tail of my horse, and gallop with +thee through the woods, until they separate +behind the hills of Sulieika!” Then sank my +poor brother’s courage within him.</p> + +<p>“It is my cruel father’s curse, that urges me +to an ignominious death,” exclaimed he, weeping; +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +“and thou, too, art lost, sweet sister, and +thou, Zoraida!”</p> + +<p>“Thy dissimulation helps thee not,” said one +of the robbers, as he bound his hands behind +his back. “Come, out of the tent with thee! +for the Mighty is biting his lips, and feeling for +his dagger. If thou wouldst live another night, +bestir thyself!”</p> + +<p>Just as the robbers were leading my brother +from the tent, they met three of their companions, +who were also pushing a captive before +them. They entered with him. “Here bring +we the Bashaw, as thou hast commanded,” said +they, conducting the prisoner before the cushion +of the Mighty. While they were so doing, +my brother had an opportunity of examining +him, and was struck with surprise at the remarkable +resemblance which this man bore to +himself; the only difference being, that he was +of more gloomy aspect, and had a black beard. +The Mighty seemed much astonished at the +resemblance of the two captives.</p> + +<p>“Which of you is the right one?” he asked, +looking alternately at Mustapha and the +other.</p> + +<p>“If thou meanest the Bashaw of Sulieika,” +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +answered the latter in a haughty tone, “I am +he!”</p> + +<p>The Mighty regarded him for a long time +with his grave, terrible eye, and then silently +motioned to them to lead him off. This having +been done, he approached my brother, severed +his bonds with his dagger, and invited him by +signs to sit upon the cushion beside him. “It +grieves me, stranger,” he said, “that I took +you for this villain. It has happened, however, +by some mysterious interposition of Providence, +which placed you in the hands of my companions, +at the very hour in which the destruction +of this wretch was ordained.”</p> + +<p>Mustapha, thereupon, entreated him only for +permission to pursue his journey immediately, +for this delay might cost him much. The +Mighty asked what business it could be that +required such haste, and, when Mustapha had +told him all, he persuaded him to spend that +night in his tent, and allow his horse some rest; +and promised the next morning to show him a +route which would bring him to Balsora in a +day and a half. My brother consented, was +sumptuously entertained, and slept soundly till +morning in the robber’s tent.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +Upon awaking, he found himself all alone in +the tent, but, before the entrance, heard several +voices in conversation, which seemed to belong +to the swarthy little man and the bandit-chief. +He listened awhile, and to his horror +heard the little man eagerly urging the other +to slay the stranger, since, if he were let go, +he could betray them all. Mustapha immediately +perceived that the little man hated him, +for having been the cause of his rough treatment +the day before. The Mighty seemed to +be reflecting a moment.</p> + +<p>“No,” said he; “he is my guest, and the +laws of hospitality are with me sacred: moreover, +he does not look like one that would betray +us.”</p> + +<p>Having thus spoken, he threw back the tent-cover, +and walked in. “Peace be with thee, +Mustapha!” he said: “let us taste the morning-drink, +and then prepare thyself for thy journey.” +He offered my brother a cup of sherbet, and +after they had drunk, they saddled their horses, +and Mustapha mounted, with a lighter heart, +indeed, than when he entered the vale. They +had soon turned their backs upon the tents, +and took a broad path, which led into the forest. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +The Mighty informed my brother, that +this Bashaw whom they had captured in the +chase, had promised them that they should remain +undisturbed within his jurisdiction; but +some weeks before, he had taken one of their +bravest men, and had him hung, after the most +terrible tortures. He had waited for him a +long time, and to-day he must die. Mustapha +ventured not to say a word in opposition, for +he was glad to have escaped himself with a +whole skin.</p> + +<p>At the entrance of the forest, the Mighty +checked his horse, showed Mustapha the way, +and gave him his hand with these words: +“Mustapha, thou becamest in a strange way +the guest of the robber Orbasan. I will not +ask thee not to betray what thou hast seen and +heard. Thou hast unjustly endured the pains +of death, and I owe thee a recompense. Take +this dagger as a remembrance, and when thou +hast need of help, send it to me, and I will +hasten to thy assistance. This purse thou wilt +perhaps need upon thy journey.”</p> + +<p>My brother thanked him for his generosity; +he took the dagger, but refused the purse. +Orbasan, however, pressed once again his hand, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +let the money fall to the ground, and galloped +with the speed of the wind into the forest. +Mustapha, seeing that he could not overtake +him, dismounted to secure the purse, and was +astonished at the great magnanimity of his +host, for it contained a large sum of gold. He +thanked Allah for his deliverance, commended +the generous robber to his mercy, and again +started, with fresh courage, upon the route to +Balsora.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Lezah paused, and looked inquiringly at +Achmet, the old merchant.</p> + +<p>“No! if it be so,” said the latter, “then will +I gladly correct my opinion of Orbasan; for +indeed he acted nobly towards thy brother.”</p> + +<p>“He behaved like a brave Mussulman,” exclaimed +Muley; “but I hope thou hast not +here finished thy story, for, as it seems to me, +we are all eager to hear still further, how it went +with thy brother, and whether he succeeded +in rescuing thy sister and the fair Zoraida.”</p> + +<p>“I will willingly proceed,” rejoined Lezah, +“if it be not tiresome to you; for my brother’s +history is, throughout, full of the most wonderful +adventures.”</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +About the middle of the seventh day after +his departure, Mustapha entered the gate of +Balsora. As soon as he had arrived at a caravansery, +he inquired whether the slave-market, +which was held here every year, had +opened; but received the startling answer, +that he had come two days too late. His informer +deplored his tardiness, telling him that +on the last day of the market, two female slaves +had arrived, of such great beauty as to attract +to themselves the eyes of all the merchants.</p> + +<p>He inquired more particularly as to their +appearance, and there was no doubt in his +mind, that they were the unfortunate ones of +whom he was in search. Moreover, he learned +that the man who had purchased them both, +was called Thiuli-Kos, and lived forty leagues +from Balsora, an illustrious and wealthy, but +quite old man, who had been in his early years +Capudan-Bashaw of the Sultan, but had now +settled down into private life with the riches +he had acquired.</p> + +<p>Mustapha was, at first, on the point of remounting +his horse with all possible speed, in +order to overtake Thiuli-Kos, who could +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +scarcely have had a day’s start; but when he +reflected that, as a single man, he could not +prevail against the powerful traveller, could +still less rescue from him his prey, he set about +reflecting for another plan, and soon hit upon +one. His resemblance to the Bashaw of Sulieika, +which had almost been fatal to him, suggested +to him the thought of going to the house +of Thiuli-Kos under this name, and, in that +way, making an attempt for the deliverance of +the two unfortunate maidens. Accordingly +he hired attendants and horses, in which the +money of Orbasan opportunely came to his assistance, +furnished himself and his servants +with splendid garments, and set out in the direction +of Thiuli’s castle. After five days he +arrived in its vicinity. It was situated in a +beautiful plain, and was surrounded on all sides +by lofty walls, which were but slightly overtopped +by the structure itself. When Mustapha +had arrived quite near, he dyed his hair +and beard black, and stained his face with the +juice of a plant, which gave it a brownish color, +exactly similar to that of the Bashaw. From +this place he sent forward one of his attendants +to the castle, and bade him ask a night’s lodging, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +in the name of the Bashaw of Sulieika. +The servant soon returned in company with +four finely-attired slaves, who took Mustapha’s +horse by the bridle, and led him into the court-yard. +There they assisted him to dismount, +and four others escorted him up a wide marble +staircase, into the presence of Thiuli.</p> + +<p>The latter personage, an old, robust man, +received my brother respectfully, and had set +before him the best that his castle could afford. +After the meal, Mustapha gradually turned +the conversation upon the new slaves; whereupon, +Thiuli praised their beauty, but expressed +regret because they were so sorrowful; +nevertheless he believed that would go +over after a time. My brother was much delighted +at his reception, and, with hope beating +high in his bosom, lay down to rest.</p> + +<p>He might, perhaps, have been sleeping an +hour, when he was awakened by the rays of +a lamp, which fell dazzlingly upon his eyes. +When he had raised himself up, he believed +himself dreaming, for there before him stood +the very same little, swarthy fellow of Orbasan’s +tent, a lamp in his hand, his wide mouth +distended with a disgusting laugh. Mustapha +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +pinched himself in the arm, and pulled his +nose, in order to see if he were really awake, +but the figure remained as before.</p> + +<p>“What wishest thou by my bed?” exclaimed +Mustapha, recovering from his amazement.</p> + +<p>“Do not disquiet yourself so much, my +friend,” answered the little man. “I made +a good guess as to the motive that brought +you hither. Although your worthy countenance +was still well remembered by me, nevertheless, +had I not with my own hand assisted +to hang the Bashaw, you might, perhaps, have +deceived even me. Now, however, I am here +to propose a question.”</p> + +<p>“First of all, tell me why you came hither,” +interrupted Mustapha, full of resentment at +finding himself detected.</p> + +<p>“That I will explain to you,” rejoined the +other: “I could not put up with the Mighty +any longer, and therefore ran away; but you, +Mustapha, were properly the cause of our +quarrel, and so you must give me your sister +to wife, and I will help you in your flight; +give her not, and I will go to my new master, +and tell him something of our new Bashaw.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +Mustapha was beside himself with fear and +anger; at the very moment when he thought +he had arrived at the happy accomplishment of +his wishes, must this wretch come, and frustrate +them all! It was the only way to carry +his plan into execution—he must slay the +little monster: with one bound, he sprang +from the bed upon him; but the other, who +might perhaps have anticipated something of +the kind, let the lamp fall, which was immediately +extinguished, and rushed forth in the +dark, crying vehemently for help.</p> + +<p>Now was the time for decisive action; the +maids he was obliged, for the moment, to abandon, +and attend only to his own safety: accordingly, +he approached the window, to see +if he could not spring from it. It was a tolerable +distance from the ground, and on the +other side stood a lofty wall, which he would +have to surmount. Reflecting, he stood by +the window until he heard many voices approaching +his chamber: already were they at +the door, when seizing desperately his dagger, +and garments, he let himself down from the +window. The fall was hard, but he felt that +no bone was broken; immediately he sprang +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +up, and ran to the wall which surrounded the +court. This, to the astonishment of his pursuers, +he mounted, and soon found himself at +liberty. He ran on until he came to a little +forest, where he sank down exhausted. Here +he reflected on what was to be done; his +horses and attendants he was obliged to leave +behind, but the money, which he had placed in +his girdle, he had saved.</p> + +<p>His inventive genius, however, soon pointed +him to another means of deliverance. He +walked through the wood until he arrived at a +village, where for a small sum he purchased a +horse, with the help of which, in a short time, +he reached a city. There he inquired for a +physician, and was directed to an old experienced +man. On this one he prevailed, by a +few gold pieces, to furnish him with a medicine +to produce a death-like sleep, which, by means +of another, might be instantaneously removed. +Having obtained this, he purchased a long +false beard, a black gown, and various boxes +and retorts, so that he could readily pass for a +travelling physician; these articles he placed +upon an ass, and rode back to the castle of +Thiuli-Kos. He was certain, this time, of not +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +being recognised, for the beard disfigured him +so that he scarcely knew himself.</p> + +<p>Arrived in the vicinity of the castle, he announced +himself as the physician Chakamankabudibaba, +and matters turned out as he had +expected. The splendor of the name procured +him extraordinary favor with the old fool, who +invited him to table. Chakamankabudibaba +appeared before Thiuli, and, having conversed +with him scarcely an hour, the old man resolved +that all his female slaves should submit +to the examination of the wise physician. +The latter could scarcely conceal his joy at +the idea of once more beholding his beloved +sister, and with palpitating heart followed Thiuli, +who conducted him to his seraglio. They +reached an unoccupied room, which was beautifully +furnished.</p> + +<p>“Chambaba, or whatever thou mayest be +called, my good physician,” said Thiuli-Kos, +“look once at that hole in the wall; thence +shall each of my slaves stretch forth her arm, +and thou canst feel whether the pulse betoken +sickness or health.”</p> + +<p>Answer as he might, Mustapha could not +arrange it so that he might see them; +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +nevertheless, Thiuli agreed to tell him, each time, +the usual health of the one he was examining. +Thiuli drew forth a long list from his girdle, +and began, with loud voice, to call out, one by +one, the names of his slaves; whereupon, each +time, a hand came forth from the wall, and +the physician felt the pulse. Six had been +read off, and declared entirely well, when Thiuli, +for the seventh called Fatima, and a small +white hand slipped forth from the wall. Trembling +with joy, Mustapha grasped it, and with +an important air pronounced her seriously ill. +Thiuli became very anxious, and commanded +his wise Chakamankabudibaba straightway to +prescribe some medicine for her. The physician +left the room, and wrote a little scroll:</p> + +<p>“Fatima, I will preserve thee, if thou canst +make up thy mind to take a draught, which for +two days will make thee dead; nevertheless, I +possess the means of restoring thee to life. If +thou wilt, then only return answer, that this +liquid has been of no assistance, and it will be +to me a token that thou agreest.”</p> + +<p>In a moment he returned to the room, where +Thiuli had remained. He brought with him +an innocent drink, felt the pulse of the sick +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +Fatima once more, pushed the note beneath +her bracelet, and then handed her the liquid +through the opening in the wall. Thiuli seemed +to be in great anxiety on Fatima’s account, and +postponed the examination of the rest to a more +fitting opportunity. As he left the room with +Mustapha, he addressed him in sorrowful accents:</p> + +<p>“Chadibaba, tell me plainly, what thinkest +thou of Fatima’s illness?”</p> + +<p>My brother answered with a deep sigh: +“Ah, sir, may the Prophet give you consolation! +she has a slow fever, which may, perhaps, +cost her life!”</p> + +<p>Then burned Thiuli’s anger: “What sayest +thou, cursed dog of a physician? She, for +whom I gave two thousand gold pieces—shall +she die like a cow? Know, if thou preservest +her not, I will chop off thine head!”</p> + +<p>My brother immediately saw that he had +made a misstep, and again inspired Thiuli with +hope. While they were yet conversing, a +black slave came from the seraglio to tell the +physician, that the drink had been of no assistance.</p> + +<p>“Put forth all thy skill, Chakamdababelda, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +or whatever thy name may be; I will pay +thee what thou askest!” cried out Thiuli-Kos, +well-nigh howling with sorrow, at the idea of +losing so much gold.</p> + +<p>“I will give her a potion, which will put her +out of all danger,” answered the physician.</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes!—give it her,” sobbed the old +Thiuli.</p> + +<p>With joyful heart Mustapha went to bring +his soporific, and having given it to the black +slave, and shown him how much it was necessary +to take for a dose, he went to Thiuli, and, +telling him he must procure some medicinal +herbs from the sea, hastened through the gate. +On the shore, which was not far from the castle, +he removed his false garments, and cast +them into the water, where they floated merrily +around; concealing himself, however, in a +thicket, he awaited the night, and then stole +softly to the burying-place of Thiuli’s castle.</p> + +<p>Hardly an hour had Mustapha been absent, +when they brought Thiuli the intelligence that +his slave Fatima was in the agonies of death. +He sent them to the sea-coast to bring the +physician back with all speed, but his messengers +returned alone, with the news that the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> +poor physician had fallen into the water, and +was drowned; that they had espied his black +gown floating upon the surface, and that now +and then his large beard peeped forth from +amid the billows. Thiuli seeing now no help, +cursed himself and the whole world; plucked +his beard, and dashed his head against the +wall. But all this was of no use, for soon +Fatima gave up the ghost, in the arms of her +companions. When the unfortunate man +heard the news of her death, he commanded +them quickly to make a coffin, for he could +not tolerate a dead person in his house; and +bade them bear forth the corpse to the place of +burial. The carriers brought in the coffin, but +quickly set it down and fled, for they heard +sighs and sobs among the other piles.</p> + +<p>Mustapha, who, concealed behind the coffins, +had inspired the attendants with such terror, +came forth and lighted a lamp, which he had +brought for that purpose. Then he drew out +a vial which contained the life-restoring medicine, +and lifted the lid of Fatima’s coffin. But +what amazement seized him, when by the light +of the lamp, strange features met his gaze! +Neither my sister, nor Zoraida, but an entire +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +stranger, lay in the coffin! It was some time +before he could recover from this new stroke +of destiny; at last, however, compassion triumphed +over anger. He opened the vial, and +administered the liquid. She breathed—she +opened her eyes—and seemed for some time +to be reflecting where she was. At length, +recalling all that had happened, she rose from +the coffin, and threw herself, sobbing, at Mustapha’s +feet.</p> + +<p>“How may I thank thee, excellent being,” +she exclaimed, “for having freed me from my +frightful prison?” Mustapha interrupted her +expressions of gratitude by inquiring, how it +happened that she, and not his sister Fatima, +had been preserved. The maiden looked in +amazement.</p> + +<p>“Now is my deliverance explained, which +was before incomprehensible,” answered she. +“Know that in this castle I am called Fatima, +and it was to me thou gavest thy note, and the +preserving-drink.”</p> + +<p>My brother entreated her to give him intelligence +of his sister and Zoraida, and learned +that they were both in the castle, but, according +to Thiuli’s custom, had received different +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +names; they were now called Mirza and Nurmahal. +When Fatima, the rescued slave, saw +that my brother was so cast down by this failure +of his enterprise, she bade him take courage, +and promised to show him means whereby +he could still deliver both the maidens. Aroused +by this thought, Mustapha was filled with +new hope, and besought her to point out to +him the way.</p> + +<p>“Only five months,” said she, “have I been +Thiuli’s slave; nevertheless, from the first, I +have been continually meditating an escape; +but for myself alone it was too difficult. In +the inner court of the castle, you may have +observed a fountain, which pours forth water +from ten tubes; this fountain riveted my +attention. I remembered in my father’s house +to have seen a similar one, the water of +which was led up through a spacious aqueduct. +In order to learn whether this fountain was +constructed in the same manner, I one day +praised its magnificence to Thiuli, and inquired +after its architect. ‘I myself built it,’ +answered he, ‘and what thou seest here is still +the smallest part; for the water comes hither +into it from a brook at least a thousand paces +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +off, flowing through a vaulted aqueduct, which +is as high as a man. And all this have I myself +planned.’ After hearing this, I often wished +only for a moment to have a man’s strength, +in order to roll away the stone from the side +of the fountain; then could I have fled whither +I would. The aqueduct now will I show to +you; through it you can enter the castle by +night, and set them free. Only you must have +at least two men with you, in order to overpower +the slaves which, by night, guard the +seraglio.”</p> + +<p>Thus she spoke, and my brother Mustapha, +although twice disappointed already in his expectations, +once again took courage, and hoped +with Allah’s assistance to carry out the plan +of the slave. He promised to conduct her in +safety to her native land, if she would assist +him in entering the castle. But one thought +still troubled him, namely, where he could find +two or three faithful assistants. Thereupon +the dagger of Orbasan occurred to him, and +the promise of the robber to hasten to his assistance, +when he should stand in need of help, +and he therefore started with Fatima from the +burying-ground, to seek the chieftain.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +In the same city where he had converted +himself into a physician, with his last money +he purchased a horse, and procured lodgings +for Fatima, with a poor woman in the suburbs. +He, however, hastened towards the mountain +where he had first met Orbasan, and reached +it in three days. He soon found the tent, and +unexpectedly walked in before the chieftain, +who welcomed him with friendly courtesy. +He related to him his unsuccessful attempts, +whereupon the grave Orbasan could not restrain +himself from laughing a little now and +then, particularly when he announced himself +as the physician Chakamankabudibaba. At +the treachery of the little man, however, he +was furious; and swore, if he could find him, +to hang him with his own hand. He assured +my brother that he was ready to assist him the +moment he should be sufficiently recovered +from his ride. Accordingly, Mustapha remained +that night again in the robber’s tent, and +with the first morning-red they set out, Orbasan +taking with him three of his bravest men, +well mounted and armed. They rode rapidly, +and in two days arrived at the little city, where +Mustapha had left the rescued Fatima. Thence +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +they rode on with her unto the forest, from +which, at a little distance, they could see Thiuli’s +castle; there they concealed themselves, to +await the night. As soon as it was dark, guided +by Fatima, they proceeded softly to the brook, +where the aqueduct commenced, and soon +found it. There they left Fatima and a servant +with the horses, and prepared themselves +for the descent: before they started, however, +Fatima once more repeated, with precision, +the directions she had given; namely, that, on +emerging from the fountain into the inner +court-yard, they would find a tower in each +corner on the right and left; that inside the +sixth gate from the right tower, they would +find Fatima and Zoraida, guarded by two black +slaves. Well provided with weapons and iron +implements for forcing the doors, Mustapha, +Orbasan, and the two other men, descended +through the aqueduct; they sank, indeed, in +water, up to the middle, but not the less vigorously +on that account did they press forward.</p> + +<p>In a half hour they arrived at the fountain, +and immediately began to ply their tools. The +wall was thick and firm, but could not long +resist the united strength of the four men; they +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +soon made a breach sufficiently large to allow +them to slip through without difficulty. Orbasan +was the first to emerge, and then assisted +the others. Being now all in the court-yard, +they examined the side of the castle which lay +before them, in order to find the door which +had been described. But they could not agree +as to which it was, for on counting from the +right tower to the left, they found one door +which had been walled up, and they knew not +whether Fatima had included this in her calculation. +But Orbasan was not long in making +up his mind: “My good sword will open to +me this gate,” he exclaimed, advancing to the +sixth, while the others followed him. They +opened it, and found six black slaves lying +asleep upon the floor; imagining that they had +missed the object of their search, they were +already softly drawing back, when a figure +raised itself in the corner, and in well-known +accents called for help. It was the little man +of the robber-encampment. But ere the slaves +knew what had taken place, Orbasan sprang +upon the little man, tore his girdle in two, +stopped his mouth, and bound his hands behind +his back; then he turned to the slaves, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +some of whom were already half bound by +Mustapha and the two others, and assisted in +completely overpowering them. They presented +their daggers to the breasts of the slaves, +and asked where Nurmahal and Mirza were: +they confessed that they were in the next +chamber. Mustapha rushed into the room, +and found Fatima and Zoraida awakened by +the noise. They were not long in collecting +their jewels and garments, and following my +brother.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the two robbers proposed to Orbasan +to carry off what they could find, but +he forbade them, saying: “It shall never be +told of Orbasan, that he enters houses by night, +to steal gold.” Mustapha, and those he had +preserved, quickly stepped into the aqueduct, +whither Orbasan promised to follow them immediately. +As soon as they had departed, the +chieftain and one of the robbers led forth the +little man into the court-yard; there, having +fastened around his neck a silken cord, which +they had brought for that purpose, they hung +him on the highest point of the fountain. After +having thus punished the treachery of the +wretch, they also entered the aqueduct, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +followed Mustapha. With tears the two maidens +thanked their brave preserver, Orbasan; +but he urged them in haste to their flight, for +it was very probable that Thiuli-Kos would +seek them in every direction.</p> + +<p>With deep emotion, on the next day, did +Mustapha and the rescued maidens part with +Orbasan. Indeed, they never will forget him! +Fatima, the freed slave, left us in disguise for +Balsora, in order to take passage thence to her +native land.</p> + +<p>After a short and agreeable journey, my +brother and his companions reached home. +Delight at seeing them once more, almost killed +my old father; the next day after their arrival, +he gave a great festival, to which all the city +was invited. Before a large assemblage of +relations and friends, my brother had to relate +his story, and with one voice they praised him +and the noble robber.</p> + +<p>When, however, Mustapha had finished, my +father arose and led Zoraida to him. “Thus +remove I,” said he with solemn voice, “the +curse from thy head; take this maiden as the +reward which thy unwearied courage has +merited. Receive my fatherly blessing: and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +may there never be wanting to our city, men +who, in brotherly love, in prudence, and bravery, +may be thy equals!”</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 308px;"> +<img src="images/tosb11.png" width="308" height="400" +alt="A man and woman hold one another" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The Caravan had reached the end of the +desert, and gladly did the travellers salute the +green meadows, and thickly-leaved trees, of +whose charms they had been deprived for so +many days. In a lovely valley lay a caravansery, +which they selected as their resting-place +for the night; and though it offered but limited +accommodations and refreshment, still was the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +whole company more happy and sociable than +ever: for the thought of having passed through +the dangers and hardships, with which a journey +through the desert is ever accompanied, +had opened every heart, and attuned their +minds to jest and gayety. Muley, the young +and merry merchant, went through a comic +dance, and sang songs thereto, which elicited +a laugh, even from Zaleukos, the serious Greek. +But not content with having raised the spirits +of his comrades by dance and merriment, he +also gave them, in the best style, the story he +had promised, and, as soon as he could recover +breath from his gambols, began the following +tale.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/tosb12.png" width="600" height="420" +alt="Decorative title, LITTLE MUCK" /> +</div> + + +<p><span class="dropcapilrg"><span class="dropcap">I</span></span>N Nicea, my beloved father-city, +lived a man, +whom people called “Little +Muck.” Though at +that time I was quite +young, I can recollect him +very well, particularly +since, on one occasion, I was +flogged almost to death, by my +father, on his account. The +Little Muck, even then, when I +knew him, an old man, was nevertheless +but three or four feet high: +he had a singular figure, for his +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +body, little and smart as it was, carried a head +much larger and thicker than that of others. +He lived all alone in a large house, and even +cooked for himself; moreover, it would not +have been known in the city whether he was +alive or dead, (for he went forth but once in +four weeks,) had not every day, about the +hour of noon, strong fumes come forth from +the house. Nevertheless, in the evening he +was often to be seen walking to and fro upon +his roof; although, from the street, it seemed +as if it were his head alone that was running +around there.</p> + +<p>I and my comrades were wicked fellows, +who teased and ridiculed every one; accordingly, +to us it was a holiday when the Little +Muck went forth: on the appointed day we +would assemble before his house, and wait for +him to come out. When, then, the door opened, +and at first the immense head and still +larger turban peered forth, when the rest of +the body followed covered with a small cloak +which had been irregularly curtailed, with +wide pantaloons, and a broad girdle in which +hung a long dagger, so long that one could not +tell whether Muck was fastened to the dagger, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +or the dagger to Muck—when in this guise he +came forth, then would the air resound with +our cries of joy; then would we fling our caps +aloft, and dance round him, like mad. Little +Muck, however, would salute us with a serious +bow, and walk with long strides through the +street, shuffling now and then his feet, for he +wore large wide slippers, such as I have never +elsewhere seen. We boys would run behind +him, crying continually, “Little Muck! Little +Muck!” We also had a droll little verse, +which we would now and then sing in his +honor; it ran thus:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">“Little Muck, oh Little Muck!<br /></span> +<span class="i3">What a fine, brave dwarf art thou!<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Livest in a house so tall;<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Goest forth but once a month,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Mountain-headed, though so small.<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Turn thyself but once, and look!<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Run, and catch us, Little Muck.”<br /></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>In this way had we often carried on our +sport, and, to my shame, I must confess that I +took the most wicked part in it, for I often +plucked him by the mantle, and once trod +from behind on his large slippers, so that +he fell down. This was, at first, a source of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> +the greatest amusement to me, but my laughter +soon ceased when I saw the Little Muck go +up to my father’s house; he walked straight +in, and remained there some time. I concealed +myself near the door, and saw Muck come +forth again, escorted by my father, who respectfully +shook his hand, and with many bows +parted with him at the door. My mind was +uneasy, and I remained some time in my concealment; +at length, however, hunger, which +I feared more than blows, drove me in, and +ashamed and with downcast head, I walked +in before my father.</p> + +<p>“Thou hast, as I hear, insulted the good +Muck,” said he with a very serious tone. “I +will tell thee the history of this Muck, and +then I am sure thou wilt ridicule him no more. +But first, thou shalt receive thy allowance.” +The allowance was five-and-twenty lashes, +which he took care to count only too honestly. +He thereupon took a long pipe-stem, unscrewed +the amber mouthpiece, and beat me more severely +than he had ever done before.</p> + +<p>When the five-and-twenty were all made up, +he commanded me to attend, and told me the +following story of Little Muck.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +The father of Little Muck, who is properly +called Mukrah, lived here in Nicea, a respectable, +but poor man. He kept himself almost as +retired as his son does now. The latter he +could not endure, because he was ashamed of +his dwarfish figure, and let him therefore grow +up in perfect ignorance. When the Little +Muck was still in his seventeenth year, a +merry child, his father, a grave man, kept continually +reproaching him, that he, who ought +long before to have trodden down the shoes of +infancy, was still so stupid and childish.</p> + +<p>The old man, however, one day had a bad +fall, from the effects of which he died, and +Little Muck was left behind, poor and ignorant. +His cruel relations, to whom the deceased +owed more than he could pay, turned +the poor fellow out of the house, and advised +him to go forth into the world, and seek his +fortune. Muck answered that he was all +ready, only asking them for his father’s dress, +which they willingly granted him. His father +had been a large, portly man, and the garments +on that account did not fit him. Muck, however, +soon hit upon an expedient; he cut off +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +what was too long, and then put them on. He +seemed, however, to have forgotten that he +must also take from their width; hence the +strange dress that he wears at the present +day; the huge turban, the broad girdle, the +wide breeches, the blue cloak, all these he has +inherited from his father, and worn ever since. +The long Damascus dagger of his father, too, +he attached to his girdle, and seizing a little +staff, set out from the door.</p> + +<p>Gayly he wandered, the whole day, for he +had set out to seek his fortune: if he saw upon +the ground a potsherd shining in the sunlight, +he took care to pick it up, in the belief that he +could change it into a diamond of the first +water; if he saw in the distance the cupola of +a Mosque sparkling like fire, or the sea glittering +like a mirror, he would hasten up, fully +persuaded that he had arrived at fairy-land. +But ah! these phantoms vanished as he approached, +and too soon fatigue, and his stomach +gnawed by hunger, convinced him that he was +still in the land of mortals. In this way he +travelled two days, in hunger and grief, and +despaired of finding his fortune; the produce +of the field was his only support, the hard earth +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +his bed. On the morning of the third day, he +espied a large city upon an eminence. Brightly +shone the crescent upon her pinnacles, variegated +flags waved over the roofs, and seemed +to be beckoning Little Muck to themselves. +In surprise he stood still, contemplating the +city and the surrounding country.</p> + +<p>“There at length will Klein-Muck find his +fortune,” said he to himself, and in spite of his +fatigue bounded in the air; “there or nowhere!” +He collected all his strength, and walked towards +the city. But although the latter seemed +quite near, he could not reach it until mid-day, +for his little limbs almost entirely refused +him their assistance, and he was obliged to sit +down to rest in the shade of a palm-tree. At +last he reached the gate; he fixed the mantle +jauntily, wound the turban still more tastily +around his head, made the girdle broader, and +arranged the dagger so as to fall still more obliquely: +then, wiping the dust from his shoes, +and seizing his cane, he marched bravely +through the gate.</p> + +<p>He had already wandered through a few +streets, but nowhere did any door open to him, +nowhere did any one exclaim, as he had anticipated: +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +“Little Muck, come in and eat and +drink, and rest thy little feet.”</p> + +<p>He was looking very wistfully straight at a +large fine house, when a window opened, and +an old woman, putting out her head, exclaimed +in a singing tone—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">“Hither, come hither!<br /></span> +<span class="i4">The porridge is here;<br /></span> +<span class="i3">The table I’ve spread,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Come taste of my cheer.<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Hither, come hither!<br /></span> +<span class="i4">The porridge is hot;<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Your neighbors bring with you,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">To dip in the pot!”<br /></span> +</div> +</div> + +<p>The door opened, and Muck saw many dogs +and cats walking in. For a moment he stood +in doubt whether he should accept the invitation; +at last, however, he took heart and entered +the mansion. Before him proceeded a +couple of genteel kittens, and he resolved to +follow them, since they, perhaps, knew the way +to the kitchen better than himself.</p> + +<p>When Muck had ascended the steps, he met +the same old woman who had looked forth +from the window. With frowning air she +asked what he wanted.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +“Thou hast invited every one to thy porridge,” +answered Little Muck, “and as I was +very hungry, I came too.”</p> + +<p>The old woman laughed, saying, “Whence +come you then, strange fellow? The whole +city knows that I cook for no one but my dear +cats, and now and then, as you see, I invite +their companions from the neighborhood.” +Little Muck told her how hard it had gone +with him since his father’s death, and entreated +her to let him dine, that day, with her cats. +The old woman, on whom the frank relation +of the little fellow made quite an impression, +permitted him to become her guest, and gave +him abundance to eat and drink. When he +was satisfied and refreshed, she looked at him +for some time, and then said:—</p> + +<p>“Little Muck, remain with me in my service; +you will have little to do, and shall be +well taken care of.” Muck, who had relished +the cat-porridge, agreed, and thus became the +servant of the Frau Ahavzi. His duties were +light but singular: Frau Ahavzi had two male, +and four female cats; every morning Little +Muck had to comb their hair, and anoint them +with costly ointment. When the Frau went +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +out, he had to give them all his attention; +when they ate, he placed their bowls before +them; and, at night, he had to lay them on +silken cushions, and wrap them up in velvet +coverings. There were, moreover, a few little +dogs in the house, on which he was obliged to +wait; but there were not so many ceremonies +gone through with these as with the cats, +whom Frau Ahavzi treated as her own children. +As for the rest, Muck led as retired a +life as in his father’s house, for with the exception +of the Frau, he saw every day only +dogs and cats.</p> + +<p>For a long time it went very well with Little +Muck; he had enough to eat, and but little +to do; and the old woman seemed to be perfectly +satisfied with him. But, by-and-by, the +cats began to behave very badly; the moment +the Frau went out, they ran around the rooms +as if possessed, threw down every thing in +confusion, and broke considerable fine crockery, +which stood in their way. When, however, +they heard their mistress coming up the +steps, they would creep to their cushions, and +wag their tails, when they saw her, as if nothing +had happened. The Frau Ahavzi always +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +fell in a passion when she saw her rooms so +disordered, and attributed all to Muck; assert +his innocence as he might, she believed her +cats who looked so demure, in preference to +her servant.</p> + +<p>Little Muck was very sorry that here also +he had been disappointed in finding his fortune, +and determined in his own mind to leave the +service of the Frau Ahavzi. As, however, on +his first journey, he had learned how badly one +lives without money, he resolved to procure, +in some way, for himself the wages which his +mistress had once promised him, but had never +paid. In the house of the Frau Ahavzi was a +room, which was always closed, and the inside +of which he had never seen. Nevertheless, he +had often heard the Frau making a noise +therein, and he would have willingly risked +his life to know what was there concealed. +Reflecting upon his travelling-money, it occurred +to him that there his mistress might +conceal her treasures. But the door was always +tightly closed, and therefore he could not +get at them.</p> + +<p>One morning, after the Frau Ahavzi had +gone out, one of the little dogs who was treated +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +by her in a very stepmother-like manner, but +whose favor he had in a great degree gained +by various acts of kindness, pulled him by his +wide pantaloons, and acted as if he wanted +Muck to follow him. Muck, who always gladly +played with him, did so, and perceived that +the dog was leading him to the sleeping apartment +of his mistress; he stopped before a door, +which the little fellow had never before observed, +and which was now wide open. The +dog entered, and Muck, following, was overjoyed +at finding himself in the very chamber, +which had so long been the object of his curiosity. +He looked all around for money, but could +find none: old garments only, and strangely-fashioned +vases were scattered around. One +of the latter, in particular, attracted his attention; +it was of crystal, and fine figures were +cut thereon. He lifted it up and turned it on +all sides; but, oh horror! he had not observed +that it had a lid, which was but insecurely fastened +on: it fell to the floor, and broke into a +thousand pieces.</p> + +<p>For a long time stood Little Muck motionless +through terror; now was his fate decided, now +must he fly, or be killed by the old woman. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +His departure was immediately resolved on; +he only looked around, to see if he could not +use some of the goods of the Frau Ahavzi upon +his journey. Thereupon, a formidable pair of +huge slippers met his eye; they were not, it is +true, beautiful, but his own could hold out no +longer; moreover their size was an inducement, +for when he had these upon his feet, +people would see, he hoped, that he had cast +off the shoes of childhood. He quickly took +off his own slippers, and put on the others. +A walking-stick, also, with a fine lion’s head +cut upon the handle, seemed to be standing too +idly in the corner; so he seized it, and hurried +from the apartment. He hastened to his own +room, put on his cloak, arranged his paternal +turban, placed the dagger in his girdle, and +ran as fast as his feet would carry him, out of +the house, and out of the city. Fear of his old +mistress drove him farther and still farther, +until, from fatigue, he could scarcely run any +more. He had never gone so quickly in his +life; nay, it appeared to him as if he could not +cease running, for an invisible power seemed +propelling him on. At last he observed that +this must be connected with the slippers, for +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +they would continually shoot forward and bear +him along with them. He endeavored in various +ways, to stand still, but could not succeed; +at last, in the greatest distress, he cried +out to himself, as a man calls to his horse, +“Wo—wo!” Then the slippers stopped, and +Muck fell exhausted upon the earth.</p> + +<p>The slippers were a source of great joy to +him. Thus had he, by his services, gained +something that would help him on his way +through the world to seek his fortune. In spite +of his joy, he fell asleep through fatigue; for +the body of Little Muck, which had to carry so +heavy a head, could not hold out long. In his +dream the little dog appeared to him, which +had assisted him to the slippers in the house of +the Frau Ahavzi, and thus spoke:—</p> + +<p>“Dear Muck, thou dost not still rightly understand +the use of the slippers: know that if, +in them, thou turnest thyself three times around +upon the heel, thou canst fly wherever thou +wilt; and with the staff thou canst find treasures, +for, wherever gold is buried, it will beat +three times upon the earth; where silver, +twice.”</p> + +<p>Thus dreamed Little Muck. When he +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +awoke, he reflected on the singular vision, and +resolved to make the experiment immediately. +He put on the slippers, lifted one foot, and began +to turn around upon his heel. But whoever +has attempted to perform this manœuvre +in an enormously wide slipper, will not wonder +that the Little Muck could not succeed, +particularly when he remembers that his +heavy head kept falling on this side and on +that.</p> + +<p>The poor little fellow fell several times violently +upon his nose; nevertheless, that did not +deter him from making the trial again, and at +last he succeeded. Like a wheel he went +around upon his heel, wishing himself in the +nearest large city, and—the slippers mounted +into the air, ran with the speed of the wind +through the clouds, and before Little Muck +knew what to make of it, he found himself in +a large market-place, where many stalls were +erected, and innumerable men were busily +running to and fro. He moved among the +people, but considered it more prudent to retire +into a less frequented street, for near the +market one of the slippers bore him along so +rapidly, that he almost fell down, or else ran +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +against one and another with his projecting +dagger, so that it was with difficulty he avoided +their blows.</p> + +<p>Little Muck now seriously reflected what +he should set about, in order to earn a piece of +money. He had, it is true, a staff which would +show him concealed treasures, but how could +he find a place where gold or silver was buried. +He could, indeed, in this emergency, have exhibited +himself for money, but for this he was +too proud. At last the quickness of his gait +occurred to him. Perhaps, thought he, my +slippers can procure me support, and he determined +to hire himself out as a courier. He +ventured to hope that the king of the city rewarded +such service well, so he inquired for +the palace. Before the door of the palace stood +a guard, who asked him what he sought there. +On answering that he was in search of service, +they led him to the overseer of the slaves. +Before this one he laid his request, and entreated +that he might be admitted among the +royal couriers. The overseer measured him +with his eyes from head to foot, and said: +“How! with thy little feet, which are scarcely +a span long, wishest thou to become a royal +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +messenger? Away with thee! I cannot play +with every fool.”</p> + +<p>Little Muck assured him, however, that his +proposal was made in perfect seriousness, and +that he would let it come to a trial with the +swiftest, upon a wager. The matter seemed +very ludicrous to the overseer. He commanded +him to hold himself in readiness for a +race in the afternoon, and leading him into +the kitchen, saw that he was furnished with +proper meat and drink. He himself, however, +repaired unto the king, and told him of the +little man and his proposal. The king was a +merry lord, and therefore it pleased him well +that the overseer had kept the little man for +their amusement. He directed him to make +preparations in a large meadow behind the +castle, that the race might be conveniently beheld +by his whole court, and once more commanded +him to take great care of the dwarf. +The king told his princes, and princesses, what +a pastime they were to enjoy that afternoon; +these told it again to their attendants, and +when the time arrived all were in great expectation; +and as many as had feet poured into +the meadow, where a scaffolding had been +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +erected, in order to see the boastful dwarf +run.</p> + +<p>As soon as the king and his sons and +daughters had taken their places upon the +platform, the Little Muck walked forth upon +the meadow, and made before the noble sovereign +a very elegant bow. A universal cry of +joy arose, the moment they beheld the little +fellow; such a figure had they never seen. +The small body with the mighty head, the little +cloak, and the wide pantaloons, the long dagger +in the broad girdle, the tiny feet in the immense +slippers—no! it was so droll a sight they could +not keep from laughing aloud. Little Muck, +however, was not disconcerted by their laughter. +He proudly walked forward, supported by +his cane, and awaited his opponent. At Muck’s +own desire, the overseer of the slaves had selected +the best runner. Walking in, he placed +himself near the dwarf, and both looked for the +signal. Thereupon the Princess Amarza made +a sign with her veil as had been preconcerted, +and, like two arrows shot from the same bow, +the racers flew over the meadow.</p> + +<p>At first the courier took a tremendous bound, +but Muck pursued him in his slipper carriage, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +overtook him, passed him, and had been standing +for some time at the goal, when his opponent, +gasping for breath, ran up. Amazement +for a few moments enchained the spectators: +the king was the first to clap his hands; then +shouted the crowd for joy, all exclaiming, +“Long live the Little Muck, the victor in the +race!”</p> + +<p>Meanwhile they had brought up the little +man; he prostrated himself before the king, +saying, “Most mighty King, I have here given +thee but a small proof of my powers; allow +them, I pray thee, to give me a place +among thy couriers.” The king answered:—</p> + +<p>“Nay, dear Muck, thou shalt be my favorite +messenger, and shalt remain about my person; +every year shalt thou have a hundred gold +pieces as thy wages, and thou shalt sup at the +table of my first attendant.”</p> + +<p>Then Muck thought he had at last found +the fortune, of which he had so long been in +search, and was merry and light-hearted. +Moreover, he rejoiced in the peculiar favor of +the king, for the latter employed him on his +quickest and most secret errands, which he +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +performed with the greatest care, and with inconceivable +rapidity.</p> + +<p>But the other attendants of the king were +not well affected towards him, because they +reluctantly saw themselves displaced from their +lord’s favor by a dwarf, who knew how to do +nothing, but to run fast. They set on foot many +a conspiracy against him in order to work his +destruction, but all failed, through the confidence +which the king placed in his private +Oberleibläufer, (for to this dignity had he in so +short a time arrived.)</p> + +<p>Muck, upon whom these movements against +himself produced no effect, thought not of revenge; +for that he had too good a heart: no, +he reflected upon the means of making himself +necessary to his enemies, and beloved by them. +Thereupon the staff, which in his good fortune +he had forgotten, occurred to him; if he could +find treasures, he thought the lords would be +more favorably disposed towards him. He had +before this often heard that the father of the +present king had buried much of his gold, +when the enemy had invaded the land; they +said, moreover, that he had died without imparting +the secret to his son. From this time +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> +Muck always carried his cane, in the hope +that he would some time pass over the place +where the money of the old king was buried.</p> + +<p>One evening, chance led him into a remote +portion of the castle-garden, which he seldom +visited, when suddenly he felt the staff move +in his hand, and three times it beat upon the +ground. He knew in an instant what this indicated; +accordingly he drew forth his dagger, +made marks on the surrounding trees, and +then slipped back into the castle. Then he +procured a spade, and awaited night for his +undertaking.</p> + +<p>Treasure-digging, however, gave Muck more +trouble than he had anticipated. His arms +were very feeble, his spade large and heavy; +he might perhaps have been laboring a couple +of hours, without getting any farther down +than as many feet. At length he hit upon +something hard, which sounded like iron: he +then set to work still more diligently, and soon +brought up a large cover; he then descended +into the hole, in order to examine what the +cover concealed, and found a large pot completely +full of gold pieces. His feeble wisdom, +however, did not teach him to lift up the pot; +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +but he put in his pantaloons and girdle as +much as he could carry, filled his cloak, and +then carefully covering up the rest, placed the +load upon his back. But, indeed, if he had not +had the slippers on his feet, he could not have +stirred, so heavily did the gold weigh him +down. Then, unobserved, he reached his +room, and secured the money under the cushions +of his sofa.</p> + +<p>When the little man saw so much gold in +his possession, he thought the tables would now +be turned, and that from among his enemies at +court, he could gain many well-wishers and +warm friends. But even in this, one could see +that the good Muck had enjoyed no very careful +education; otherwise he would not have +imagined that he could buy true friends with +gold. Ah! that he had then put on his slippers, +and with his mantle full of gold, scampered +away!</p> + +<p>The gold which from this time Little Muck +distributed with lavish hand, awakened the +envy of the other court-attendants. The +kitchen-master, Ahuli, said, “He is a counterfeiter.” +The slave-overseer, Achmet, said, +“He has cajoled the king.” But Archaz, the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +treasurer, his most wicked enemy, who himself, +even, now and then put his hand into his +lord’s coffers, exclaimed, “He is a thief.” In +order to be sure of the thing, they consulted +together, and the head cup-bearer, Korchuz, +placed himself one day, with a very sorrowful +and depressed air, before the eyes of the king. +He made his wo so apparent, that the king +asked him what was the matter.</p> + +<p>“Ah!” answered he, “I am sorry that I have +lost the favor of my lord!”</p> + +<p>“Why talkest thou idly, friend Korchuz?” +rejoined the monarch. “Since when have I +veiled from thee the sun of my favor?”</p> + +<p>The cup-bearer answered, that he loaded +his private Oberleibläufer with money, but gave +his poor faithful servants nothing. The king +was much astonished at this accusation, had +the story of Muck’s gold-distribution told him, +and the conspirators soon aroused in him the +suspicion that the dwarf had, in some way or +other, stolen the money from the treasure-chamber. +Very pleasant was this turn of the +matter to the treasurer, who would not otherwise +have willingly submitted his accounts to +examination. The king thereupon commanded +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +that they should secretly watch all the +movements of the dwarf, in order, if possible, +to surprise him in the act. When, now, on the +night which followed the fatal day, seeing his +funds almost exhausted by his generosity, +Muck crept forth, with his spade, into the +castle-garden, to bring new supplies from his +secret treasury, the watch followed him in +the distance, led by Ahuli and Archaz; and, at +the moment when he was removing the gold +from the pot to his cloak, they fell upon him, +bound him, and immediately led him before +the king. The latter, whom, independently of +any thing else, this interruption of his sleep +would have enraged, received his poor dwarf +very ungraciously, and ordered an immediate +trial. Meanwhile they had dug the full pot +out of the ground, and with the spade and +cloak full of gold had placed it before the king. +The treasurer said that he had surprised Muck +with his guard, just as he had buried this vessel +of gold in the earth.</p> + +<p>The king thereupon inquired of the accused, +whether it was true, and whence the gold had +come.</p> + +<p>Little Muck, conscious of innocence, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +answered that he had discovered this pot in the +garden; that he had not buried it, but had +brought it to light.</p> + +<p>All present laughed aloud at this defence; +the king, however, provoked in the highest degree +by the supposed impudence of the dwarf, +exclaimed, “How, wretch! wilt thou so stupidly +and shamelessly lie to thy king, after +having stolen from him? Treasurer Archaz, +I command thee to say whether thou knowest +this sum of gold to be the same that is missing +from my treasury.”</p> + +<p>The treasurer thereupon answered that he +was sure of the thing; that so much and even +more had been missing from the royal treasures; +and he could take his oath that this was +the stolen money. Then the king commanded +them to place Little Muck in galling chains, +and convey him to prison: to Archaz, however, +he gave the gold, that he might restore +it to the treasury. Delighted at the fortunate +issue of the matter, the officer took it, and +counted out, at home, the glittering gold pieces; +but the bad man never disclosed that down +in the pot lay a letter, to the following purport:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +“The enemy has overrun my land; therefore +I here conceal a portion of my treasure. +Whoever may find it, the curse of his king +fall upon him, if he do not immediately deliver +it to my son!</p> + +<p class="sig"><span class="smcap">King Sadi.</span>”</p> +</div> + +<p>In his dungeon, poor Muck gave way to +sorrowful reflections; he knew that for taking +royal property death was the penalty; and yet—he +could not betray the secret of his staff +unto the king, because, in that case, he justly +feared being deprived of both that, and his slippers. +His slippers, alas! could render him no +help, for there by close fetters he was fastened +to the wall, and, torment himself as he might, +he could not turn around upon his heel. When, +however, on the next day, sentence of death +was pronounced, he thought it would be better +to live without the magic staff, than to die with +it; and, having asked a private audience with +the king, disclosed to him the secret. At +first the king gave no credit to his assertions, +but Little Muck promised him a proof, if he +would respite him from death. The king gave +him his word upon it, and having had some +gold buried in the earth, unseen by Muck, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +commanded him to find it with his cane. In +a few moments he succeeded in doing so, for +the staff beat three times distinctly upon the +ground. Then the king saw that his treasurer +had betrayed him, and sent him, as is customary +in the East, a silken cord, wherewith he should +strangle himself. To Little Muck, however, +he said:—</p> + +<p>“I have indeed promised thee thy life, but it +seems to me that this is not the only secret +thou art possessed of, connected with this staff. +Therefore thou shalt remain in everlasting +captivity, if thou do not confess what relation +exists between it and thy rapid running.”</p> + +<p>Little Muck, whom one night in his dungeon +had deprived of all desire for further confinement, +acknowledged that his whole art lay +in the slippers; nevertheless, he informed not +the king of the wonderful effect of turning +three times upon the heel. The king put on +the slippers, himself, in order to make the experiment, +and ran, like mad, through the garden; +often did he wish to hold up, but he +knew not how to bring the slippers to a halt, +and Muck, who could not deny himself this +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +revenge, let him run on, until he fell down exhausted.</p> + +<p>When the king returned to consciousness, +he was terribly angry at Little Muck, who +had suffered him to run until so entirely out +of breath. “I have promised thee thy freedom +and life,” said he, “but within twelve hours +must thou leave my land; otherwise will I +have thee hung.” The slippers and cane, however, +he commanded them to bear to his treasure-chamber.</p> + +<p>Thus, poor as ever, wandered the little fellow +forth through the land, cursing the folly which +had led him astray, and prevented his playing +an important part at court. The land from +which he was banished, was fortunately not +extensive, and accordingly eight hours brought +him to the frontier; but travelling, now that +he was used to his dear slippers, came very +hard to him. Having arrived at the border, +he chose the usual road for reaching the most +lonely part of the forest, for he hated all men, +and resolved to live there by himself. In a +thick portion of the wood, he lighted on a +place, which seemed to him quite suitable for +the resolution he had taken. A clear brook, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +surrounded by large shady fig-trees, and a soft +turf, invited him: he threw himself down, determined +to taste food no more, but calmly to +await his end. Amid his sorrowful reflections +on death, he fell asleep; when he awoke, he +was tormented by hunger, and began to think +that starving to death was rather an unpleasant +affair; so he looked around to find something +to eat.</p> + +<p>Fine ripe figs hung upon the tree beneath +which he had slept; he stretched forth his +hand to pluck some; their taste was delicious, +and then he descended into the brook to slake +his thirst. But what was his horror, when the +water showed his head adorned with two immense +ears, and a long thick nose! Amazed, +he clapped his hands upon his ears, and they +were really more than half an ell long.</p> + +<p>“I deserve ass’s ears!” he exclaimed; “for, +like an ass, have I trodden Fortune under my +feet.” He wandered around among the trees, +and feeling hunger again, was obliged to have +recourse once more to the fig-tree, for he could +find nothing else that was eatable. After the +second portion of figs, it struck him that if his +ears could find room beneath his large turban, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +he would not look so ridiculous, and, on trying +it, he found that his ears had vanished. He +ran straight back to the stream, in order to +convince himself thereof; it was actually so; +his ears had resumed their original figure, his +long misshapen nose was no more! He soon +perceived how all this had happened; from the +first fig-tree he had received the long nose and +ears, the second had relieved him of them: he +saw with joy that kind destiny yet again placed +in his hands the means of becoming fortunate. +He plucked, therefore, from each tree as many +figs as he could carry, and went back to the land +which shortly before he had left. There, in +the first town, he disguised himself by means +of different garments; then, turning again to +the city inhabited by the king, he soon arrived +at it.</p> + +<p>For about a year ripe fruit had been quite +scarce; Little Muck, therefore, placed himself +before the gate of the palace, for from his +former residence there, it was well known to +him, that here such rareties would be purchased +by the kitchen-master for the royal +table. Muck had not long been seated, when +he saw that dignitary walking across the court-yard. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +He examined the articles of the traders +who had placed themselves at the palace-gate; +at length his eye fell upon Muck’s +little basket.</p> + +<p>“Ah! a dainty morsel!” said he, “which +will certainly please his majesty: what wish +you for the whole basket?” Muck set a high +price upon them, and the bargain was soon +struck. The kitchen-master gave the basket +to his slave, and went his way: meantime +Little Muck stole away, for he feared, when +the change should show itself on the heads of +the court, that he, as the one who sold them, +would be sought for punishment.</p> + +<p>At table the king was well pleased, and +praised his kitchen-master more than ever, on +account of his good kitchen, and the care with +which he always sought the rarest morsels for +his table; the officer, however, who well +knew what dainties he had in the back-ground, +smiled pleasantly, and let fall but few words: +“The day is not all past till evening,” or “End +good, all good;” so that the princesses were +very curious to know what he would still bring +on. The moment, however, he had the fine, +inviting figs set upon the table, a universal +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +“Ah!” escaped the lips of those who were +present. “How ripe! how delicate!” exclaimed +the king; “kitchen-master, thou art +a whole-souled man, and deservest our peculiar +favor!” Thus speaking, the king, who with +such choice dishes took care to be very sparing, +with his own hands distributed the figs +around the table. Each prince and princess +received two; the ladies of the court, the +Viziers and Agas, each one; the rest he placed +before himself, and began to swallow them +with great delight.</p> + +<p>“In the name of heaven, father, why lookest +thou so strange?” suddenly exclaimed the +Princess Amarza. All gazed in astonishment +upon the king; vast ears hung down from +his head, a long nose stretched itself bridge-like, +over above his chin; upon themselves +also they looked, one upon another, with +amazement and horror; all, more or less, +were adorned with the same strange headdress.</p> + +<p>The horror of the court may be imagined. +All the physicians in the city were immediately +sent for; they came with a blustering +air, prescribed pills and mixtures, but +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +ears and noses remained. They operated on +one of the princes, but the ears grew out +again.</p> + +<p>From the place of concealment into which +he had withdrawn, Muck had heard the whole +story, and perceived that it was now time +for him to commence operations. He had +already, with the money obtained by the sale +of his figs, procured a dress which would represent +him as a learned man; a long beard of +goat’s hair completed the illusion. With a +small sack full of figs he repaired to the royal +palace, and offered his assistance as a foreign +physician. At first they were quite incredulous; +but when Little Muck gave a fig to one +of the princes, and thereby restored ears and +nose to their original shape, then were all +eager to be cured by the stranger. But the +king took him silently by the hand, and led +him to his apartment; then, opening a door +that led into the treasure-chamber, he made +signs to Muck to follow.</p> + +<p>“Here are my treasures,” said the king; +“choose for thyself: whatever it may be, it +shall be thine, if thou wilt free me from this +shameful evil.” This was sweet music in the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +ears of Little Muck: at the moment of entering +he had seen his slippers standing upon the +floor, and hard by lay his little staff. He +moved around the room, as if in wonder at +the royal treasures; but no sooner had he +reached his beloved shoes, than he hastily +slipped into them, and seizing the little cane, +tore off his false beard, and displayed to the +astonished king the well-known countenance +of his exiled Muck.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/tosb13.png" width="400" height="316" +alt="A man, with a long nose and ears (almost resembling a donkey), is running, arms +raised above his head" /> +</div> + +<p>“False king!” said he, “who rewardest +faithful service with ingratitude, take, as well-deserved +punishment, the deformity which +thou now hast. The ears I leave thee, that, +each day they may remind thee of Little +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +Muck.” Having thus spoken, he turned quickly +around upon his heel, wished himself far +away, and before the king could call for help +Little Muck had vanished. Ever since, he +has lived here in great affluence, but alone, +for men he despises. Experience has made +him a wise man—one who, though there is +something offensive in his exterior, deserves +rather your admiration than your ridicule.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Such was my father’s story. I assured him +that I sincerely repented of my behavior towards +the good little man, and he remitted the +other half of the punishment which he had intended +for me. To my comrades I told the +wonderful history of the dwarf, and we conceived +such an affection for him, that no +one insulted him any more. On the contrary, +we honored him as long as he lived, and +bowed as low to him as to Cadi or Mufti.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The travellers determined to rest a day in +this caravansery, in order to refresh themselves +and their beasts for the rest of their +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +journey. The gayety of the day before again +prevailed, and they diverted themselves with +various sports. After the meal, however, they +called upon the fifth merchant, Ali Sizah, to +perform his duty to the rest, and give them a +story. He answered, that his life was too poor +in remarkable adventures for him to relate one +connected therewith, but he would tell them +something which had no relation to it: “The +story of the False Prince.”</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/tosb14.png" width="600" height="506" +alt="Decorative title, THE FALSE PRINCE." /> +</div> + + +<p><span class="dropcaptlrg"><span class="dropcap">T</span></span>HERE was once an honest +journeyman tailor, by name +Labakan, who learned his +trade with an excellent +master in Alexandria. It +could not be said that Labakan +was unhandy with +the needle; on the contrary, +he could make excellent work: +moreover, one would have done +him injustice to have called him +lazy. Nevertheless, his companions +knew not what to make of him, for +he would often sew for hours +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +together so rapidly that the needle would glow +in his hand, and the thread smoke, and that +none could equal him. At another time, however, +(and this, alas! happened more frequently,) +he would sit in deep meditation, looking +with his staring eyes straight before him, and +with a countenance and air so peculiar, that +his master and fellow-journeymen could say of +his appearance nothing else than, “Labakan +has on again, his aristocratic face.”</p> + +<p>On Friday, however, when others quietly +returned home from prayers to their labor, +Labakan would come forth from the mosque +in a fine garment which with great pains he +had made for himself, and walk with slow and +haughty steps through the squares and streets +of the city. At such times, if one of his companions +cried, “Joy be with thee!” or, “How +goes it, friend Labakan?” he would patronizingly +give a token of recognition with his +hand, or, if he felt called upon to be very +polite, would bow genteelly with the head. +Whenever his master said to him in jest, “Labakan, +in thee a prince is lost,” he would be +rejoiced, and answer, “Have you too observed +it?” or, “I have already long thought it.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +In this manner did the honest journeyman +tailor conduct himself for a long time, while +his master tolerated his folly, because, in other +respects, he was a good man and an excellent +workman. But one day, Selim, the sultan’s +brother, who was travelling through Alexandria, +sent a festival-garment to his master to +have some change made in it, and the master +gave it to Labakan, because he did the finest +work. In the evening, when the apprentices +had all gone forth to refresh themselves after +the labor of the day, an irresistible desire +drove Labakan back into the workshop, where +the garment of the sultan’s brother was hanging. +He stood some time, in reflection, before +it, admiring now the splendor of the embroidery, +now the varied colors of the velvet +and silk. He cannot help it, he must put it +on; and, lo! it fits him as handsomely as if it +were made for him. “Am not I as good a +prince as any?” asked he of himself, as he +strutted up and down the room. “Has not +my master himself said, that I was born for a +prince?” With the garments, the apprentice +seemed to have assumed quite a kingly carriage; +he could believe nothing else, than that +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +he was a king’s son in obscurity, and as such +he resolved to travel forth into the world, +leaving a city where the people hitherto had +been so foolish as not to discover his innate +dignity beneath the veil of his inferior station. +The splendid garment seemed sent to him by +a good fairy; resolving therefore not to slight +so precious a gift, he put his little stock of +money in his pocket, and, favored by the darkness +of the night, wandered forth from Alexandria’s +gates.</p> + +<p>The new prince excited admiration everywhere +upon his route, for the splendid garment, +and his serious majestic air, would not +allow him to pass for a common pedestrian. +If one inquired of him about it, he took care to +answer, with a mysterious look, that he had his +reasons for it. Perceiving, however, that he +rendered himself an object of ridicule by travelling +on foot, he purchased for a small sum an +old horse, which suited him very well, for it +never brought his habitual quiet and mildness +into difficulty, by compelling him to show +himself off as an excellent rider, a thing which +in reality he was not.</p> + +<p>One day, as he was proceeding on his way, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +step by step, upon his Murva, (thus had he +named his horse,) a stranger joined him, and +asked permission to travel in his company, +since to him the distance would seem much +shorter, in conversation with another. The +rider was a gay young man, elegant and genteel +in manners. He soon knit up a conversation +with Labakan, with respect to his +whence and whither, and it turned out that +he also, like the journeyman tailor, was travelling +without purpose, in the world. He +said his name was Omar, that he was the +nephew of Elfi Bey, the unfortunate bashaw +of Cairo, and was now on his way to execute +a commission which his uncle had delivered +to him upon his dying-bed. Labakan was not +so frank with respect to his circumstances; +he gave him to understand that he was of lofty +descent, and was travelling for pleasure.</p> + +<p>The two young men were pleased with each +other, and rode on in company. On the second +day, Labakan interrogated his companion +Omar, respecting the commission with which +he was charged, and to his astonishment learned +the following. Elfi Bey, the bashaw of +Cairo, had brought up Omar from his earliest +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +childhood; the young man had never known +his parents. But shortly before, Elfi Bey, having +been attacked by his enemies, and, after +three disastrous engagements, mortally wounded, +was obliged to flee, and disclosed to his +charge that he was not his nephew, but the +son of a powerful lord, who, inspired with fear +by the prophecy of his astrologer, had sent the +young prince away from his court, with an +oath never to see him again until his twenty-second +birthday. Elfi Bey had not told him +his father’s name, but had enjoined upon him +with the greatest precision, on the fourth day +of the coming month Ramadan, on which day +he would be two-and-twenty years old, to repair +to the celebrated pillar El-Serujah, four +days’ journey east of Alexandria: there he +should offer to the men who would be standing +by the pillar, a dagger which he gave him, +with these words, “Here am I, whom ye +seek!” If they answered, “Blessed be the +Prophet, who has preserved thee!” then he +was to follow them—they would lead him to +his father.</p> + +<p>The journeyman tailor, Labakan, was much +astonished at this information; from this time +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +he looked upon Prince Omar with envious +eyes, irritated because fortune conferred upon +him, though already he passed for the nephew +of a mighty bashaw, the dignity of a king’s +son; but on him, whom she had endowed with +all things necessary for a prince, bestowed in +ridicule, an obscure lineage, and an every-day +vocation. He instituted a comparison between +himself and the prince. He was obliged to +confess that the latter was a man of very +lively aspect; that fine sparkling eyes belonged +to him, a boldly-arched nose, a gentlemanly, +complaisant demeanor, in a word, all the external +accomplishments, which every one is wont +to commend. But numerous as were the +charms he found in his companion, still he +was compelled to acknowledge to himself, that +a Labakan would be no less acceptable to the +royal father than the genuine prince.</p> + +<p>These thoughts pursued Labakan the whole +day; with them he went to sleep in the nearest +night-lodgings; but when he awoke in the +morning, and his eye rested upon Omar sleeping +near him, who was reposing so quietly, +and could dream of his now certain fortune, +then arose in him the thought of gaining, by +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +stratagem or violence, what unpropitious destiny +had denied him. The dagger, the returning +prince’s token of recognition, hung in the +sleeper’s girdle; he softly drew it forth, to +plunge it in the breast of its owner. Nevertheless, +the peaceable soul of the journeyman +recoiled before thoughts of murder; he contented +himself with appropriating the dagger, +and bridling for himself the faster horse of the +prince; and, ere Omar awoke to see himself +despoiled of all his hopes, his perfidious companion +was several miles upon his way.</p> + +<p>The day on which Labakan robbed the +prince was the first of the holy month Ramadan, +and he had therefore four days to reach +the pillar El-Serujah, the locality of which was +well known to him. Although the region +wherein it was situated could at farthest be at +a distance of but four days’ journey, still he +hastened to reach it, through a constant fear of +being overtaken by the real prince.</p> + +<p>By the end of the second day, he came in +sight of the pillar El-Serujah. It stood upon a +little elevation, in the midst of an extensive +plain, and could be seen at a distance of two +or three leagues. Labakan’s heart beat high +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +at the sight: though he had had time enough on +horseback, for the last two days, to think of +the part he was to play, still a consciousness of +guilt made him anxious; the thought that he +was born for a prince, however, encouraged +him again, and he advanced towards the mark +with renewed confidence.</p> + +<p>The country around the pillar was uninhabited +and desert, and the new prince would have +experienced some difficulty in finding sustenance, +if he had not previously supplied himself +for several days. He lay down beside his +horse beneath some palm-trees, and there +awaited his distant destiny.</p> + +<p>Towards the middle of the next day, he saw +a large procession of horses and camels crossing +the plain in the direction of the pillar El-Serujah. +It reached the foot of the hill, on +which the pillar stood; there they pitched +splendid tents, and the whole looked like the +travelling-suite of some rich bashaw or sheik. +Labakan perceived that the numerous train +which met his eye, had taken the pains to +come hither on his account, and gladly would +he that moment have shown them their future +lord; but he mastered his eager desire to walk +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +as prince; for, indeed, the next morning would +consummate his boldest wishes.</p> + +<p>The morning sun awoke the too happy +tailor to the most important moment of his +life, which would elevate him from an inferior +situation, to the side of a royal father. As he +was bridling his horse to ride to the pillar, the +injustice of his course, indeed, occurred to him; +his thoughts pictured to him the anguish of the +true prince, betrayed in his fine hopes; but the +die was cast: what was done could not be undone, +and self-love whispered to him that he +looked stately enough to pass for the son of the +mightiest king. Inspirited by these reflections, +he sprang upon his horse, and collecting all his +courage to bring him to an ordinary gallop, in +less than a quarter of an hour, reached the +foot of the hill. He dismounted from his horse, +and fastened it to one of the shrubs that were +growing near; then he drew the dagger of +Prince Omar, and proceeded up the hill. At +the base of the pillar six persons were standing +around an old gray-haired man, of lofty king-like +aspect. A splendid caftan of gold cloth +surrounded by a white Cashmere shawl, a +snowy turban spangled with glittering +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +precious stones, pointed him out as a man of +opulence and nobility. To him Labakan proceeded, +and bowing low before him, said, as he +extended the dagger—</p> + +<p>“Here am I, whom you seek.”</p> + +<p>“Praise to the Prophet who has preserved +thee!” answered the gray-haired one, with +tears of joy. “Omar, my beloved son, embrace +thine old father!” The good tailor was +deeply affected by these solemn words, and +sank, with mingled emotions of joy and shame, +into the arms of the old noble.</p> + +<p>But only for a moment was he to enjoy the +unclouded delight of his new rank; raising +himself from the arms of the king, he saw a +rider hastening over the plain in the direction +of the hill. The traveller and his horse presented +a strange appearance; the animal, +either from obstinacy or fatigue, seemed unwilling +to proceed. He went along with a +stumbling gait, which was neither a pace nor +a trot; but the rider urged him on, with hands +and feet, to a faster run. Only too soon did +Labakan recognise his horse Murva, and the +real Prince Omar. But the evil spirit of falsehood +once more prevailed within him, and he +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +resolved, come what might, with unmoved +front to support the rights he had usurped. +Already, in the distance, had they observed +the horseman making signs; at length, in spite +of Murva’s slow gait, having reached the bottom +of the hill, he threw himself from his +horse, and began rapidly to ascend.</p> + +<p>“Hold!” cried he. “Hold! whoever you +may be, and suffer not yourselves to be deceived +by a most infamous impostor! I am +called Omar, and let no mortal venture to misuse +my name!”</p> + +<p>Great astonishment was depicted on the +countenances of the bystanders at this turn +of the affair; the old man, in particular, seemed +to be much amazed, as he looked inquiringly +on one and another. Thereupon Labakan +spoke, with a composure gained only by the +most powerful effort.</p> + +<p>“Most gracious lord and father, be not led +astray by this man. He is, as far as I know, a +mad journeyman tailor of Alexandria, by name +Labakan, who deserves rather our pity than +our anger.”</p> + +<p>These words excited the prince almost to +phrensy. Foaming with passion, he would +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +have sprung upon Labakan, but the bystanders, +throwing themselves between, secured him, +while the old man said: “Truly, my beloved +son, the poor man is crazed. Let them bind +him and place him on one of our dromedaries; +perhaps we may be of some assistance to the +unfortunate.”</p> + +<p>The anger of the prince had abated; in +tears, he cried out to the old man, “My heart +tells me that you are my father; by the memory +of my mother, I conjure you—hear me!”</p> + +<p>“Alas! God guard us!” answered he: “already +he again begins to talk wildly. How +can the man come by such crazy thoughts?” +Thereupon, seizing Labakan’s arm, he made +him accompany him down the hill. They +both mounted fine and richly-caparisoned coursers, +and rode at the head of the procession, +across the plain. They tied the hands of the +unfortunate prince, however, and bound him +securely upon a dromedary. Two horsemen +rode constantly by his side, who kept a watchful +eye upon his every movement.</p> + +<p>The old prince was Saoud, sultan of the +Wechabites. For some time had he lived +without children; at last a prince, for whom +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> +he had so ardently longed, was born to him. +But the astrologer, whom he consulted respecting +the destiny of his son, told him that, until +his twenty-second year, he would be in danger +of being supplanted by an enemy. On that +account, in order that he might be perfectly +safe, had the sultan given him, to be brought +up, to his old and tried friend, Elfi Bey; and +twenty-two sad years had lived without looking +upon him.</p> + +<p>This did the sultan impart to his supposed +son, and seemed delighted beyond measure +with his figure and dignified demeanor.</p> + +<p>When they reached the sultan’s dominions, +they were everywhere received by the inhabitants +with shouts of joy; for the rumor of the +prince’s arrival had spread like wildfire through +the cities and towns. In the streets through +which they proceeded, arches of flowers and +branches were erected; bright carpets of all +colors adorned the houses; and the people +loudly praised God and his prophet, who had +discovered to them so noble a prince. All this +filled the proud heart of the tailor with delight: +so much the more unhappy did it make the +real Omar, who, still bound, followed the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +procession in silent despair. In this universal +jubilee, though it was all in his honor, no one +paid him any attention. A thousand, and +again a thousand, voices shouted the name of +Omar; but of him who really bore this name, +of him none took notice: at most, only one or +two inquired whom they were carrying with +them, so tightly bound, and frightfully in the +ears of the prince sounded the answer of his +guards, “It is a mad tailor.”</p> + +<p>The procession at last reached the capital +of the sultan, where all was prepared for their +reception with still more brilliancy than in the +other cities. The sultana, an elderly woman +of majestic appearance, awaited them, with +her whole court, in the most splendid saloon of +the castle. The floor of this room was covered +with a large carpet; the walls were adorned +with bright blue tapestry, which was suspended +from massive silver hooks, by cords and tassels +of gold.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 519px;"> +<img src="images/tosb15.jpg" width="519" height="600" +alt="An elaborately robed woman, wearing much gold, sits on a gold-embellished divan" /> +</div> + +<p>It was dark by the time the procession came +up, and accordingly many globular colored +lamps were lighted in the saloon, which made +night brilliant as day; but with the clearest +brilliancy and most varied colors, shone those +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +in the farthest part of the saloon, where the +sultana was seated upon a throne. The throne +stood upon four steps, and was of pure gold, +inlaid with amethysts. The four most illustrious +emirs held a canopy of crimson silk over +the head of their mistress; and the sheik of +Medina cooled her with a fan of peacock +feathers. Thus awaited the sultana her husband +and son; the latter she had never looked +on since his birth, but significant dreams had +so plainly shown her the object of her longings, +that she would know him out of thousands.</p> + +<p>Now they heard the noise of the approaching +troop; trumpets and drums mingled +with the huzzas of the populace; the hoofs of +the horses sounded on the court of the palace; +steps came nearer and nearer; the doors of +the room flew open, and, through rows of +prostrate attendants, hastened the sultan, holding +his son by the hand, towards the mother’s +throne.</p> + +<p>“Here,” said he, “do I bring to thee, him +for whom thou hast so often longed.”</p> + +<p>The sultana, however, interrupted him, crying: +“This is not my son! These are not the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +features which the Prophet has shown me in +my dreams!”</p> + +<p>Just as the sultan was about to rebuke her +superstition, the door of the saloon sprang +open, and Prince Omar rushed in, followed by +his guards, whom an exertion of his whole +strength had enabled him to escape. Breathless, +he threw himself before the throne, exclaiming:—</p> + +<p>“Here will I die! Kill me, cruel father, for +this disgrace I can endure no longer!”</p> + +<p>All were confounded at these words; they +pressed around the unfortunate one, and already +were the guards, who had hurried up, on +the point of seizing him and replacing his fetters, +when the sultana, who had thus far looked +on in mute astonishment, sprang from the +throne.</p> + +<p>“Hold!” she cried; “this, and no other, is +my son! This is he, who, though my eyes +have never seen him, is well known to my +heart!” The guards had involuntarily fallen +back from Omar, but the sultan, foaming with +rage, commanded them to bind the madman.</p> + +<p>“It is mine to decide,” he cried with commanding +tone; “and here we will judge, not +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +by a woman’s dreams, but by sure and infallible +signs. This,” pointing to Labakan, “is +my son, for he has brought me the dagger, the +real token of my friend Elfi.”</p> + +<p>“He stole it,” cried Omar; “my unsuspicious +confidence has he treacherously abused!” +But the sultan hearkened not to the voice of +his son, for he was wont in all things obstinately +to follow his own judgment. He bade +them forcibly drag the unfortunate Omar from +the saloon, and himself retired with Labakan +to his chamber, filled with anger at his wife, +with whom, nevertheless, he had lived in happiness +for five-and-twenty years. The sultana +was full of grief at this affair; she was perfectly +convinced that an impostor had taken possession +of the sultan’s heart, so numerous and +distinct had been the dreams which pointed +out the unhappy Omar as her son. When her +sorrow had a little abated, she reflected on the +means of convincing her husband of his mistake. +This was indeed difficult, for he who +had passed himself off as her son, had presented +the dagger, the token of recognition, and +had, moreover, as she learned, become acquainted +with so much of Omar’s early life +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +from the lips of the prince himself, as to be +able to play his part without betraying himself.</p> + +<p>She called to her the men who had attended +the sultan to the pillar El-Serujah, in order to +have the whole matter exactly laid before her, +and then took counsel with her most trusty +female slaves. She chose, and in a moment +rejected, this means and that; at length, +Melechsalah, an old and cunning Circassian, +spoke.</p> + +<p>“If I have heard rightly, honored mistress, +the one who bore this dagger called him whom +thou holdest to be thy son, a crazy tailor, Labakan?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, it is so,” answered the sultana; “but +what wilt thou make of that?”</p> + +<p>“What think you,” proceeded the slave, “of +this impostor’s having stitched his own name +upon your son? If this be so, we have an excellent +way of catching the deceiver, which I +will impart to you in private.”</p> + +<p>The sultana gave ear to her slave, and the +latter whispered to her a plan which seemed to +please her, for she immediately got ready to +go to the sultan. The sultana was a sensible +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> +woman, and knew not only the weak side of +her husband, but also the way to take advantage +of it. She seemed therefore to give up, +and to be willing to acknowledge her son, only +offering one condition: the sultan, whom the +outbreak between himself and his wife had +grieved, agreed thereto, and she said:—</p> + +<p>“I would fain have from each a proof of his +skill; another, perhaps, would have them contend +in riding, in single conflict, or in hurling +spears: but these are things which every one +can do; I will give them something which +will require both knowledge and dexterity. It +shall be this; each shall make a caftan, and a +pair of pantaloons, and then will we see at +once who can make the finest ones.”</p> + +<p>The sultan laughingly answered, “Ah! thou +hast hit on a fine expedient! Shall my son +contend with a mad tailor, to see who can +make the best caftan? No! that cannot be.” +The sultana, however, cried out, that he had +already agreed to the condition, and her husband, +who was a man of his word, at length +yielded, though he swore, should the mad tailor +make his caftan ever so beautiful, he would +never acknowledge him as his son.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +The sultan thereupon went to his son, and +entreated him to submit to the caprices of his +mother, who now positively wished to see a +caftan from his hands. The heart of the good +Labakan laughed with delight; if that be all +that is wanting, thought he to himself, then +shall the lady sultana soon behold me with joy. +Two rooms had been fitted up, one for the +prince, the other for the tailor; there were +they to try their skill, and each was furnished +with shears, needles, thread, and a sufficient +quantity of silk.</p> + +<p>The sultan was very eager to see what sort +of a caftan his son would bring to light, but the +heart of the sultana beat unquietly, from apprehension +lest her stratagem might be unsuccessful. +Two days had they been confined to +their work; on the third, the sultan sent for his +wife, and when she appeared, dispatched her +to the apartments to bring the two caftans and +their makers. With triumphant air Labakan +walked in, and extended his garment before +the astonished eyes of the sultan.</p> + +<p>“Behold, father,” said he, “look, mother! +see if this be not a masterpiece of a caftan. I +will leave it to the most skilful court-tailor, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +upon a wager, whether he can produce such +another.”</p> + +<p>The sultana, smiling, turned to Omar:— +“And thou, my son, what hast thou brought?”</p> + +<p>Indignantly he cast the silk and shears upon +the floor.</p> + +<p>“They have taught me to tame horses, and +to swing my sabre; and my lance will strike +you a mark at sixty paces. But the art of the +needle is unknown to me; it were unworthy +a pupil of Elfi Bey, the lord of Cairo!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, thou true son of my heart!” exclaimed +the sultana. “Ah, that I might embrace thee, +and call thee, son! Forgive me, husband and +master,” she continued, turning to the sultan, +“for having set on foot this stratagem against +you. See you not now who is prince, and +who tailor? Of a truth the caftan which your +lord son has made, is magnificent, and I would +fain ask with what master he has learned!”</p> + +<p>The sultan was lost in deep reflection, looking +with distrust, now on his wife, now on +Labakan, who vainly sought to conceal his +blushes and consternation at having so stupidly +betrayed himself. “This proof pleases me not,” +said he; “but, Allah be praised! I know a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +means of learning whether I am deceived.” +He commanded them to bring his swiftest +horse, mounted, and rode to a forest, which +commenced not far from the city. There, according +to an old tradition, lived a good fairy, +named Adolzaide, who had often before this +assisted with her advice the monarchs of his +family, in the hour of need: thither hastened +the sultan.</p> + +<p>In the middle of the wood was an open +place, surrounded by lofty cedars. There, the +story said, lived the fairy; and seldom did a +mortal visit this spot, for a certain awe connected +with it had, from olden time, descended +from father to son. When the sultan had +drawn near he dismounted, tied his horse to a +tree, and placing himself in the middle of the +open space, cried with loud voice:—</p> + +<p>“If it be true that thou hast given good +counsel to my fathers, in the hour of need, +then disdain not the request of their descendant, +and advise me in a case where human +understanding is too short-sighted.”</p> + +<p>Hardly had he uttered the last word, when +one of the cedars opened, and a veiled lady, in +long white garments, stepped forth.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +“I know, Sultan Saoud, why thou comest +to me; thy wish is fair, therefore shall my assistance +be thine. Take these two chests; let +each of the two who claim to be thy son, +choose; I know that he who is the real one, +will not make a wrong selection.” Thus +speaking, the veiled lady extended to him two +little caskets of ivory, richly adorned with gold +and pearls: upon the lids, which he vainly +sought to open, were inscriptions formed by +inlaid diamonds.</p> + +<p>As he was riding home, the sultan tormented +himself with various conjectures, as to what +might be the contents of the caskets, which, do +his best, he could not open. The words on the +outside threw no light upon the matter; for on +one was inscribed, <span class="smcap">Honor and Fame</span>; upon +the other, <span class="smcap">Fortune and Wealth</span>. Saoud +thought it would be difficult to make choice +between these two, which seemed equally attractive, +equally alluring. When he reached +the palace, he sent for his wife, and told her +the answer of the fairy: it filled her with an +eager hope, that he to whom her heart clung, +might select the casket which would indicate +his royal origin.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +Two tables were brought in before the sultan’s +throne; on these, with his own hand, +Saoud placed the two boxes; then, ascending +to his seat, he gave the signal to one of his +slaves to open the door of the saloon. A brilliant +throng of bashaws and emirs of the +realm poured through the open door: they +seated themselves on the splendid cushions, +which were arranged around the walls. When +they had done this, Saoud gave a second signal, +and Labakan was introduced; with haughty +step he walked through the apartment, and +prostrated himself before the throne with these +words:—</p> + +<p>“What is the command of my lord and father?” +The sultan raised himself in his throne, +and said:—</p> + +<p>“My son, doubts are entertained as to the +genuineness of thy claims to this name; one +of these chests contains the confirmation of +thy real birth. Choose! I doubt not thou wilt +select the right one!” Labakan raised himself, +and advanced towards the boxes; for a long +time he reflected as to which he should choose, +at last he said:—</p> + +<p>“Honored father, what can be loftier than +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +the fortune of being thy son? What more +noble than the wealth of thy favor? I choose +the chest which bears the inscription, <span class="smcap">Fortune +And Wealth</span>.”</p> + +<p>“We will soon learn whether thou hast +made the right choice; meanwhile sit down +upon that cushion, near the bashaw of Medina,” +said the sultan, again motioning to his +slaves.</p> + +<p>Omar was led in; his eye was mournful, his +air dejected, and his appearance excited universal +sympathy among the spectators. He +threw himself before the throne, and inquired +after the sultan’s pleasure. Saoud informed +him that he was to choose one of the chests: +he arose, and approached the table. He read +attentively both inscriptions, and said:—</p> + +<p>“The few last days have informed me how +insecure is fortune, how transient is wealth; +but they have also taught me that, in the breast +of the brave, lives what can never be destroyed, +<span class="smcap lowercase">HONOR</span>, and that the bright star of <span class="smcap lowercase">RENOWN</span> +sets not with fortune. The die is cast! should +I resign a crown, Honor and Fame, you are +my choice!” He placed his hand upon the +casket that he had chosen, but the sultan +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +commanded him not to unclose it, while he motioned +to Labakan to advance, in like manner, +before his table. He did so, and at the same +time grasped his box. The sultan, however, +had a chalice brought in, with water from +Zemzem, the holy fountain of Mecca, washed +his hands for supplication, and, turning his face +to the East, prostrated himself in prayer:</p> + +<p>“God of my fathers! Thou, who for centuries +hast established our family, pure and unadulterated, +grant that no unworthy one disgrace +the name of the Abassidæ; be with thy +protection near my real son, in this hour of +trial.” The sultan arose, and reascended his +throne. Universal expectation enchained all +present; they scarcely breathed; one could +have heard a mouse crawl over the hall, so +mute and attentive were all. The hindmost +extended their necks, in order to get a view of +the chests, over the heads of those in front. +The sultan spoke: “Open the chests;” and +they, which before no violence could force, +now sprang open of their own accord.</p> + +<p>In the one which Omar had chosen, lay +upon a velvet cushion, a small golden crown, +and a sceptre: in Labakan’s, a large needle, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +and a little linen thread. The sultan commanded +both to bring their caskets before him: +he took the little crown from the cushion in +his hand, and, wonderful to see! it became +larger and larger, until it reached the size of a +real crown. Placing it on his son Omar, who +kneeled before him, he kissed his forehead, and +bade him sit upon his right hand. To Labakan, +however, he turned and said:—</p> + +<p>“There is an old proverb, ‘Shoemaker, stick +to thy last;’ it seems that thou shouldst stick +to thy needle. Thou hast not, indeed, merited +much mercy at my hands, but one has supplicated +for thee, whom this day I can refuse +nothing; therefore give I thee thy paltry life; +but, if I may advise, haste thee to leave my land.”</p> + +<p>Ashamed, ruined as he was, the poor tailor +could answer nothing: he threw himself before +the prince, and tears came into his eyes.</p> + +<p>“Can you forgive me, prince?” he said.</p> + +<p>“To be true to a friend, magnanimous to a +foe, is the pride of the Abassidæ!” answered +the prince, raising him. “Go in peace!”</p> + +<p>“My true son!” cried the old sultan, deeply +affected, and sinking upon Omar’s breast. The +emirs and bashaws, and all the nobles of the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +realm, arose from their seats, to welcome the +new prince, and amid this universal jubilee, +Labakan, his chest under his arm, crept out of +the saloon.</p> + +<p>He went down into the sultan’s stable, bridled +his horse Murva, and rode forth from the +gate towards Alexandria. His whole career +as prince recurred to him as a dream, and the +splendid chest, richly adorned with pearls and +diamonds, alone convinced him that it was not +all an idle vision. Having at last reached +Alexandria, he rode to the house of his old +master, dismounted, and fastening his horse to +the door, walked into the workshop. The +master, who did not even know him, made a +low bow and asked what was his pleasure: +when, however, he had a nearer view of his +guest, and recognised his old Labakan, he +called to his journeymen and apprentices, and +all precipitated themselves, like mad, upon poor +Labakan, who expected no such reception; +they bruised and beat him with smoothing-irons +and yard-sticks, pricked him with needles, +and pinched him with sharp shears, until +he sank down, exhausted, on a heap of old +clothes. As he lay there, the master ceased, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +for a moment, from his blows, to ask after the +stolen garments: in vain Labakan assured +him that he had come back on that account +alone, to set all right; in vain offered him +threefold compensation for his loss; the master +and his journeymen fell upon him again, +beat him terribly, and turned him out of doors. +Sore and bruised, he mounted Murva, and rode +to a caravansery. There he laid down his +weary lacerated head, reflecting on the sorrows +of earth, on merit so often unrewarded, and on +the nothingness and transientness of all human +blessings. He went to sleep with the determination +to give up all hopes of greatness, and to +become an honest burgher. Nor on the following +day did he repent of his resolution, for +the heavy hands of his master, and the journeymen, +had cudgelled out of him all thoughts of +nobility.</p> + +<p>He sold his box to a jeweller for a high +price, and fitted up a workshop for his business. +When he had arranged all, and had +hung out, before his window, a sign with the +inscription, <span class="smcap">Labakan, Merchant Tailor</span>, he +sat down and began with the needle and thread +he had found in the chest, to mend the coat +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> +which his master had so shockingly torn. He +was called off from his work, but on returning +to it, what a wonderful sight met his eyes! +The needle was sewing industriously away, +without being touched by any one; it took fine, +elegant stitches, such as Labakan himself had +never made even in his most skilful moments.</p> + +<p>Truly the smallest present of a kind fairy is +useful, and of great value! Still another good +quality had the gift; be the needle as industrious +as it might, the little stock of thread never +gave out.</p> + +<p>Labakan obtained many customers, and was +soon the most famous tailor for miles around. +He cut out the garments, and took the first +stitch therein with the needle, and immediately +the latter worked away, without cessation, until +the whole was completed. Master Labakan +soon had the whole city for customers, for +his work was beautiful, and his charges low; +and only one thing troubled the brains of the +people of Alexandria, namely, how he finished +his work entirely without journeymen, and with +closed doors.</p> + +<p>Thus was the motto of the chest which +promised fortune and wealth undergoing its +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +accomplishment. <span class="smcap">Fortune and Wealth</span> accompanied, +with gradual increase, the steps of +the good tailor, and when he listened to the +praises of the young sultan Omar, who lived in +every mouth; when he heard that this brave +man was the object of his people’s pride and +love, the terror of his enemies; then would +the quondam prince say to himself, “Still is it +better that I remained a tailor, for <span class="smcap">Honor and +Fame</span> are ever accompanied by danger.”</p> + +<p>Thus lived Labakan, contented with himself, +respected by his fellow-burghers; and if the +needle, meanwhile, has not lost her cunning, +she is still sewing with the everlasting thread +of the good Fairy Adolzaide.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/tosb16.png" width="400" height="297" +alt="A man walks, head bowed, through an arch, with three men flanked on either side of it, +while other men are in a group behind him" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +At sundown the Caravan set out, and soon +reached Birket-el-had, or “the Pilgrims’ Fountain,” +whence the distance to Cairo was three +leagues. The Caravan had been expected at +this time, and the merchants soon had the pleasure +of seeing their friends coming forth from +the city to meet them. They entered through +the gate Bebel-Falch, for it was considered a +good omen for those who came from Mecca +to enter by this gate, because the Prophet himself +had passed through it.</p> + +<p>At the market-place the four Turkish merchants +took leave of the stranger and the +Greek Zaleukos, and went home with their +friends. Zaleukos, however, showed his companion +a good caravansery, and invited him to +dine with him. The stranger agreed, and +promised to make his appearance as soon as +he should have changed his dress. The Greek +made every arrangement for giving a fine +entertainment to the stranger, for whom, upon +the journey, he had conceived a deep feeling of +esteem; and when the meats and drink had +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +been brought in in proper order, he seated himself, +waiting for his guest.</p> + +<p>He heard slow and heavy steps approaching +through the gallery which led to their +apartment. He arose in order to meet him as +a friend, and welcome him upon the threshold; +but, full of horror, he started back as the door +opened—the same frightful Red-mantle walked +in before him! His eyes were still turned +upon him; it was no illusion: the same lofty, +commanding figure, the mask, from beneath +which shone forth the dark eyes, the red cloak +with embroidery of gold—all were but too +well known to him, impressed upon his mind +as they had been during the most awful moments +of his life.</p> + +<p>The breast of Zaleukos heaved with contending +emotions; he had long since felt +reconciled towards this too-well-remembered +apparition, and forgiven him; nevertheless +his sudden appearance opened every wound +afresh. All those torturing hours of anguish, +that wo which had envenomed the bloom of +his life, rushed back for a moment, crowding +upon his soul.</p> + +<p>“What wishest thou, terrible one?” cried +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +the Greek, as the apparition still stood motionless +upon the threshold. “Away with thee, +that I may curse thee not!”</p> + +<p>“Zaleukos!” said a well-known voice from +under the mask: “Zaleukos! is it thus that +you receive your guest?” The speaker removed +the mask, and threw back his cloak: +it was Selim Baruch, the stranger! But still +Zaleukos seemed not at ease, for he too plainly +recognised in him the Unknown of the Ponte +Vecchio: nevertheless, old habits of hospitality +conquered; he silently motioned to the +stranger to seat himself at the table.</p> + +<p>“I can guess your thoughts,” commenced +the latter, when they had taken their places: +“your eyes look inquiringly upon me. I +might have been silent, and your gaze would +never more have beheld me; but I owe you +an explanation, and therefore did I venture to +appear before you in my former guise, even at +the risk of receiving your curse. You once +said to me, ‘The faith of my fathers bids me +love him; and he is probably more unhappy +than myself:’ be assured of this, my friend, +and listen to my justification.</p> + +<p>“I must begin far back, in order that you +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> +may fully understand my story. I was born +in Alexandria, of Christian parents. My father, +the youngest son of an ancient illustrious +French family, was consul for his native land +in the city I have just mentioned. From my +tenth year I was brought up in France, by one +of my mother’s brothers, and left my fatherland +for the first time a few years after the +revolution broke out there, in company with +my uncle, who was no longer safe in the land +of his ancestors, in order to seek refuge with +my parents beyond the sea. We landed eagerly, +hoping to find in my father’s house the rest +and quiet of which the troubles of France had +deprived us. But ah! in my father’s house I +found not all as it should be: the external +storms of these stirring times had not, it is +true, reached it; but the more unexpectedly +had misfortune made her home in the inmost +hearts of my family. My brother, a promising +young man, first secretary of my father, had +shortly before married a young lady, the +daughter of a Florentine noble who lived in +our vicinity: two days before our arrival she +had suddenly disappeared, and neither our +family nor her own father could discern the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> +slightest trace of her. At last they came to +the conclusion that she had ventured too far +in a walk, and had fallen into the hands of +robbers. Almost agreeable was this thought +to my poor brother, when compared to the +truth, which only too soon became known. The +perfidious one had eloped with a young Neapolitan, +with whom she had become acquainted +in her father’s house. My brother, who +was exceedingly affected by this step, employed +every means to bring the guilty one to punishment; +but in vain: his attempts, which in +Naples and Florence had excited wonder, +served only to complete his and our misfortune. +The Florentine nobleman returned to +his native land, under the pretence of seeing +justice done to my brother, but with the real +determination of destroying us all. He frustrated +all those examinations which my brother +had set on foot, and knew how to use his influence, +which he had obtained in various ways, +so well, that my father and brother fell under +suspicion of their government, were seized in +the most shameful manner, carried to France, +and there suffered death by the axe of the executioner. +My poor mother lost her mind; +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> +and not until ten long months had passed, did +death release her from her awful situation, +though for the few last days she was possessed +of perfect consciousness. Thus did I now +stand isolated in the world: one thought alone +occupied my whole soul, one thought alone +bade me forget my sorrows; it was the mighty +flame which my mother in her last moments +had kindled within me.</p> + +<p>“In her last moments, as I said, recollection +returned; she had me summoned, and spoke +with composure of our fate, and her own death. +Then she sent all out of the room, raised herself, +with a solemn air, from her miserable bed, +and said that I should receive her blessing, if I +would swear to accomplish something with +which she would charge me. Amazed at the +words of my dying mother, I promised with +an oath to do whatever she should tell me. She +thereupon broke forth in imprecations against +the Florentine and his daughter, and charged +me, with the most frightful threats of her curse, +to avenge upon him the misfortunes of my +house. She died in my arms. This thought +of vengeance had long slumbered in my soul; +it now awoke in all its might. I collected what +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> +remained of my paternal property, and bound +myself by an oath to stake it all upon revenge, +and, rather than be unsuccessful, to perish in +the attempt.</p> + +<p>“I soon arrived in Florence, where I kept +myself as private as possible; it was very difficult +to put my plan in execution on account +of the situation which my enemy occupied. +The old Florentine had become governor, and +thus had in his hand all the means of destroying +me, should he entertain the slightest suspicion. +An accident came to my assistance. +One evening I saw a man in well-known livery, +walking through the streets: his uncertain +gait, his gloomy appearance, and the muttered +‘Santo sacramento,’ and ‘Maledetto diavolo,’ +soon made me recognise old Pietro, a servant +of the Florentine, whom I had formerly known +in Alexandria. There was no doubt but that +he was in a passion with his master, and I resolved +to turn his humor to my advantage. +He appeared much surprised to see me there, +told me his grievances, that he could do nothing +aright for his master since he had become +governor, and my gold supported by his anger +soon brought him over to my side. Most of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> +the difficulty was now removed: I had a man +in my pay, who would open to me at any hour +the doors of my enemy, and from this time my +plan of vengeance advanced to maturity with +still greater rapidity. The life of the old Florentine +seemed to me too pitiful a thing, to be +put into the balance with that of my whole +family. Murdered before him, he must see +the dearest object of his love, and this was his +daughter Bianca. It was she that had so +shamefully wronged my brother, it was she +that had been the author of our misfortunes. +My heart, thirsting for revenge, eagerly drank +in the intelligence, that Bianca was on the +point of being married a second time; it was +settled—she must die. But as my soul recoiled +at the deed, and I attributed too little nerve to +Pietro, we looked around for a man to accomplish +our fell design. I could hire no Florentine, +for there was none that would have undertaken +such a thing against the governor. +Thereupon Pietro hit upon a plan, which I afterwards +adopted, and he thereupon proposed +you, being a foreigner and a physician, as the +proper person. The result you know: only, +through your excessive foresight and honesty, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +my undertaking seemed, at one time, to be tottering; +hence the scene with the mantle.</p> + +<p>“Pietro opened for us the little gate in the +governor’s palace; he would have let us out, +also, in the same secret manner, if we had not +fled, overcome by horror at the frightful spectacle, +which, through the crack of the door, +presented itself to our eyes. Pursued by terror +and remorse, I ran on about two hundred +paces, until I sank down upon the steps of a +church. There I collected myself again, and +my first thought was of you, and your awful +fate, if found within the house.</p> + +<p>“I crept back to the palace, but neither of +Pietro nor yourself could I discover a single +trace. The door, however, was open, and I +could at least hope that you had not neglected +this opportunity of flight.</p> + +<p>“But when the day broke, fear of detection, +and an unconquerable feeling of remorse, allowed +me to remain no longer within the walls +of Florence. I hastened to Rome. Imagine +my consternation, when, after a few days, the +story was everywhere told, with the addition +that, in a Grecian physician, they had detected +the murderer. In anxious fear, I returned to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> +Florence; my vengeance now seemed too +great: I cursed it again and again, for with +your life it was purchased all too dearly. I +arrived on the same day which cost you a +hand. I will not tell you what I felt, when I +saw you ascend the scaffold, and bear all with +such heroism. But when the blood gushed +forth in streams, then was my resolution taken, +to sweeten the rest of your days. What has +since happened you know; it only now remains +to tell you, why I have travelled with +you. As the thought that you had never yet +forgiven me, pressed heavily upon me, I determined +to spend some days with you, and at +last to give you an explanation of what I had +done.”</p> + +<p>Silently had the Greek listened to his guest; +with a kind look, as he finished, he offered him +his right hand.</p> + +<p>“I knew very well that you must be more +unhappy than I, for that awful deed will, like +a thick cloud, forever darken your days. From +my heart I forgive you. But answer me yet +one question: how came you under this form, +in the wilderness? What did you set about, +after purchasing my house in Constantinople?”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +“I returned to Alexandria,” answered the +guest. “Hate against all mankind raged in +my bosom; burning hate, in particular, against +that people, whom they call ‘the polished nation.’ +Believe me, my Moslem friends pleased +me better. Scarcely a month had I been in +Alexandria, when the invasion of my countrymen +took place. I saw in them only the executioners +of my father and brother; I, therefore, +collected some young people of my acquaintance, +who were of the same mind as myself, and +joined those brave Mamelukes, who were so +often the terror of the French host. When +the campaign was finished, I could not make +up my mind to return to the peaceful arts. +With my little band of congenial friends, I +led a restless, careless life, devoted to the field +and the chase. I live contented among this +people, who honor me as their chief; for +though my Asiatics are not quite so refined +as your Europeans, yet are they far removed +from envy and slander, from selfishness and +ambition.”</p> + +<p>Zaleukos thanked the stranger for his relation, +but did not conceal from him, that he +would find things better suited to his rank and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +education, if he would live and work in Christian, +in European lands. With delight his +companion looked upon him.</p> + +<p>“I know by this,” said he, “that you have +entirely forgiven me, that you love me: receive, +in return, my heartfelt thanks.” He +sprang up, and stood in full height before the +Greek, whom the warlike air, the dark sparkling +eyes, the deep mysterious voice of his +guest, almost inspired with fear. “Thy proposal +is intended kindly,” continued he; “for +another it might have charms; but I—I cannot +accept it. Already stands my horse saddled: +already do my attendants await me. +Farewell, Zaleukos!”</p> + +<p>The friends whom destiny had so strangely +thrown together, embraced at parting. “And +how may I call thee? What is the name of +my guest, who will forever live in my remembrance?” +exclaimed the Greek.</p> + +<p>The stranger gazed at him some time, and +said, as he pressed his hand once more: “They +call me ‘the lord of the wilderness;’ I am <span class="smcap">the +Robber Orbasan</span>!”</p> + +<p class="center" style="padding-top: 3em;"><b>THE END.</b></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h3>Miscellaneous Juvenile Works,</h3> + +<p class="center">BY THE MOST EMINENT AUTHORS.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><i>AMERICAN HISTORICAL TALES FOR YOUTH.</i> +1 vol. 18mo., cloth. 75 cts.</p> + +<p><i>AUNT FANNY’S CHRISTMAS STORIES.</i> Illustrated. +Boards, 31 cts.; cloth, 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>AUNT FANNY’S STORY BOOK FOR LITTLE BOYS +AND GIRLS.</i> 18mo. Illustrated. Boards, 31 cts.; cloth, 50 cts.</p> + +<p><i>AUNT KITTY’S TALES.</i> By <span class="smcap">Maria J. McIntosh</span>. A +new edition, complete in one volume, 12mo., cloth, 75 cts.</p> + +<p><i>BABES IN THE WOOD.</i> A New Story for the Young. +Illustrated with six designs. Paper covers, 12½ cts.; cloth, 25 cts.</p> + +<p><i>BOOK OF ANIMALS.</i> For the Entertainment and Instruction +of Young People. With 12 beautiful designs of Animals. 1 vol. +square 16mo. 50 cts.</p> + +<p><i>BOOK OF BIRDS.</i> For the Amusement and Instruction +of the Young. 16 plates. Cloth, 50 cts.; illuminated cover, fancy, 68 cts.; +cloth, gilt edges, 68 cts.</p> + +<p><i>BOYS’ BOOK OF SPORTS AND GAMES</i>: containing +Rules and Directions for the Practice of the Principal Recreative +Amusements of Youth. By <span class="smcap">Uncle John</span>. Elegantly illustrated. 1 vol. +square 16mo. 50 cts.</p> + +<p><i>BOOK OF TRADES AND PROFESSIONS.</i> Illustrated +with 24 designs by <span class="smcap">Croome</span>. Cloth, colored plates, 50 cts.</p> + +<p><i>BRACELETS (THE)</i>; or, Amiability and Industry Rewarded. +By <span class="smcap">Maria Edgeworth</span>. Plates. Square 16mo. 25 cts.</p> + +<p><i>CHILD’S CHEERFUL COMPANION.</i> Illustrated with +26 plates. By <span class="smcap">Darley</span>. 50 cts.</p> + +<p><i>CHILD’S FIRST HISTORY OF AMERICA.</i> By the +author of “Little Dora.” Square 18mo. Engravings. Half cloth, +25 cts.</p> + +<p><i>CHILD’S OWN STORY BOOK</i>; or, Tales and Dialogues +for the Nursery. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Jerram</span>. Illustrated with numerous colored +plates. Square 16mo., elegantly bound. 50 cts.</p> + +<p><i>CHILD’S PICTURE AND VERSE-BOOK</i>; commonly +called “Otto Speckter’s Fable-Book.” Translated from the German +by <span class="smcap">Mary Howitt</span>. Illustrated with 100 engravings on wood. Square +16mo. Boards, 50 cts.; cloth, 62 cts.; gilt edges, 75 cts.</p> + +<p><i>CITY CHARACTERS</i>; or, Familiar Scenes in Town. +1 vol. square 16mo. Illustrated with 24 plates, designed by <span class="smcap">Croome</span>. +Paper covers, gilt edges, 25 cts. Do., cloth, 38 cts.</p> + +<p>——— Do., cloth, colored plates. 50 cts.</p> +</div> + + +<h3>Popular Tales</h3> + +<p class="center">BY MARY HOWITT, MRS. ELLIS, HANNAH MORE. &C. &C.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><i>ALICE FRANKLIN.</i> By Mary +Howitt. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>HOPE ON, HOPE EVER!</i> By +do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>LITTLE COIN, MUCH CARE.</i> +By do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>LOVE & MONEY.</i> By do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>MY OWN STORY.</i> By do. 38 cts</p> + +<p><i>MY UNCLE THE CLOCKMAKER.</i> +By do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>NO SENSE LIKE COMMON +SENSE.</i> By do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>SOWING AND REAPING.</i> By +do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>STRIVE AND THRIVE.</i> By +do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>THE TWO APPRENTICES.</i> +By do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>WHICH IS THE WISER?</i> By +do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>WHO SHALL BE GREATEST?</i> +By do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>WORK & WAGES.</i> By do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>DOMESTIC TALES.</i> By Hannah +More. 2 vols. 75 cts.</p> + +<p><i>DANGERS OF DINING OUT.</i> +By Mrs. Ellis. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>FIRST IMPRESSIONS.</i> By +do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>SOMERVILLE HALL.</i> By do. +38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>MINISTER’S FAMILY.</i> By +do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>SON OF A GENIUS.</i> By Mrs. +Hofland. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>EARLY FRIENDSHIP.</i> By +Mrs. Copley. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>POPULAR GROVE.</i> By do 38 cts</p> + +<p><i>CHANCES AND CHANGES.</i> +By Charles Burdett. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>NEVER TOO LATE.</i> By do. +38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>CROFTON BOYS.</i> By Miss +Martineau. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>PEASANT AND PRINCE.</i> By +do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>FARMER’S DAUGHTER.</i> By +Mrs. Cameron. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>TIRED OF HOUSEKEEPING.</i> +By T. S. Arthur. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>TWIN SISTERS.</i> By Mrs. Sandham. +38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>LOOKING-GLASS FOR THE +MIND.</i> 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>GOLDMAKER’S VILLAGE.</i> +By H. Zschokke. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>OCEAN WORK.</i> Ancient and Modern. +By J. H. Wright. 38 cts.</p> +</div> + + +<h4>Uncle Amerel’s Story Books.</h4> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><i>THE LITTLE GIFT BOOK.</i> +18mo., cloth. 25 cts.</p> + +<p><i>THE CHILD’S STORY BOOK.</i> +Illustrated. 18mo., cloth. 25 +cts.</p> + +<p><i>SUMMER HOLIDAYS.</i> 18mo., +cloth. 25 cts.</p> + +<p><i>WINTER HOLIDAYS.</i> Illustrated. +18mo., cloth. 25 cts.</p> + +<p><i>GEORGE’S ADVENTURES +in the Country.</i> Illus. 18mo., +cloth. 25 cts.</p> + +<p><i>CHRISTMAS STORIES.</i> Illustrated. +18mo., cloth. 25 cts.</p> +</div> + + +<h4>Mary Howitt’s Juvenile Tales.</h4> + +<p class="center">NEW EDITIONS, BOUND TOGETHER, ENTITLED:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><i>POPULAR MORAL TALES.</i> +16mo. 75 cts.</p> + +<p><i>JUVENILE TALES & STORIES.</i> +16mo. 75 cts.</p> + +<p><i>MY JUVENILE DAYS</i>, and +other Tales. 16mo. 75 cts.</p> + +<p><i>TALES AND STORIES FOR +BOYS AND GIRLS.</i> 75 cts.</p> +</div> + + +<h4>Library for my Young Countrymen.</h4> + +<div class="blockquot" style="padding-bottom: 3em;"> +<p><i>ADVENTURES OF CAPT. +JOHN SMITH.</i> By the author of +Uncle Philip. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>ADVENTURES OF DANIEL +BOONE.</i> By do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>LIFE AND ADVENTURES +OF HENRY HUDSON.</i> By do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>DAWNINGS OF GENIUS.</i> By +Ann Pratt. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>LIFE AND ADVENTURES +OF HERNAN CORTEZ.</i> By do. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>PHILIP RANDOLPH.</i> A Tale +of Virginia. By M. Gertrude. 38 cts.</p> + +<p><i>ROWAN’S HISTORY OF THE +FRENCH REVOLUTION.</i> 2 vols. 75 cts</p> + +<p><i>SOUTHEY’S LIFE OF OLIVER +CROMWELL.</i> 38 cts.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="bbox"> +<p><b>Transcriber's Note</b></p> + +<p>Minor punctuation errors have been corrected without note. There is some +archaic spelling in this text, which has been retained as printed, for example, +pedler, phrensy, wo, etc.</p> + +<p>The author dedication at the beginning of the book appears exactly as +printed in the original, although it appears that there is some text missing +from the start of it.</p> + +<p>The following amendments have been made:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>Page <a href="#Page_101">101</a>—thus amended to this—"... only this much I know, that whoever ..."</p> + +<p>Page <a href="#Page_136">136</a>—Nourmahal amended to Nurmahal—"... and asked where Nurmahal and Mirza were."</p> + +<p>Page <a href="#Page_188">188</a>—Saaud amended to Saoud—"The old prince was Saoud, sultan of the Wechabites."</p> + +<p>Page <a href="#Page_204">204</a>—sheers amended to shears—"... and pinched him with sharp shears, until he sank down, ..."</p> +</div> + +<p>Illustrations have been moved slightly where they were previously located in +the middle of a paragraph. The frontispiece illustration has been moved to +follow the title page.</p> + +<p>Advertising material has been moved to the end of the text.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Oriental Story Book, by Wilhelm Hauff + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ORIENTAL STORY BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 24593-h.htm or 24593-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/5/9/24593/ + +Produced by Sam W. and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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b/24593-h/images/tosb15.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..11dd3f5 --- /dev/null +++ b/24593-h/images/tosb15.jpg diff --git a/24593-h/images/tosb16.png b/24593-h/images/tosb16.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9095ec --- /dev/null +++ b/24593-h/images/tosb16.png diff --git a/24593.txt b/24593.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6c3c765 --- /dev/null +++ b/24593.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4681 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Oriental Story Book, by Wilhelm Hauff + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Oriental Story Book + A Collection of Tales + +Author: Wilhelm Hauff + +Illustrator: J. W. Orr + +Translator: G. P. Quackenbos + +Release Date: February 13, 2008 [EBook #24593] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ORIENTAL STORY BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by Sam W. and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + THE + ORIENTAL + STORY BOOK. + + A COLLECTION OF TALES. + + + TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF + WILHELM HAUFF, + + + BY G. P. QUACKENBOS. + + + ILLUSTRATED BY J. W. ORR. + + + NEW YORK: + D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, + 346 & 348 BROADWAY. + 1855. + + + + +[Illustration] + + + + + OF NEW ORLEANS + + IN REMEMBRANCE OF A LONG FRIENDSHIP, + + AND MANY HAPPY HOURS SPENT WITH HIM OVER THE + + GERMAN CLASSICS, + + THIS LITTLE VOLUME + + IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED. + + + + +THE CARAVAN. + +INTRODUCTION. + + +In a beautiful distant kingdom, of which there is a saying, that the +sun on its everlasting green gardens never goes down, ruled, from the +beginning of time even to the present day, Queen Phantasie. With full +hands, she used to distribute for many hundred years, the abundance of +her blessings among her subjects, and was beloved and respected by all +who knew her. The heart of the Queen, however, was too great to allow +her to stop at her own land with her charities; she herself, in the +royal attire of her everlasting youth and beauty, descended upon the +earth; for she had heard that there men lived, who passed their lives +in sorrowful seriousness, in the midst of care and toil. Unto these +she had sent the finest gifts out of her kingdom, and ever since the +beauteous Queen came through the fields of earth, men were merry at +their labor, and happy in their seriousness. + +Her children, moreover, not less fair and lovely than their royal +mother, she had sent forth to bring happiness to men. One day +Maerchen[A], the eldest daughter of the Queen, came back in haste from +the earth. The mother observed that Maerchen was sorrowful; yes, at +times it would seem to her as if her eyes would be consumed by +weeping. + +"What is the matter with thee, beloved Maerchen?" said the Queen to +her. "Ever since thy journey, thou art so sorrowful and dejected; wilt +thou not confide to thy mother what ails thee?" + +"Ah! dear mother," answered Maerchen, "I would have kept silence, had I +not known that my sorrow is thine also." + +"Speak, my daughter!" entreated the fair Queen. "Grief is a stone, +which presses down him who bears it alone, but two draw it lightly out +of the way." + +"Thou wishest it," rejoined Maerchen, "so listen. Thou knowest how +gladly I associate with men, how cheerfully I sit down before the huts +of the poor, to while away a little hour for them after their labor; +formerly, when I came, they used to ask me kindly for my hand to +salute, and looked upon me afterwards, when I went away, smiling and +contented; but in these days, it is so no longer!" + +"Poor Maerchen!" said the Queen as she caressed her cheek, which was +wet with a tear. "But, perhaps, thou only fanciest all this." + +"Believe me, I feel it but too well," rejoined Maerchen; "they love me +no more. Wherever I go, cold looks meet me; nowhere am I any more +gladly seen; even the children, who ever loved me so well, laugh at +me, and slyly turn their backs upon me." + +The Queen leaned her forehead on her hand, and was silent in +reflection. "And how, then, Maerchen," she asked, "should it happen +that the people there below have become so changed?" + +"See, O Queen Phantasie! men have stationed vigilant watchmen, who +inspect and examine all that comes from thy kingdom, with sharp eyes. +If one should arrive who is not according to their mind, they raise a +loud cry, and put him to death, or else so slander him to men, who +believe their every word, that one finds no longer any love, any +little ray of confidence. Ah! how fortunate are my brothers, the +Dreams! they leap merrily and lightly down upon the earth, care +nothing for those artful men, seek the slumbering, and weave and paint +for them, what makes happy the heart, and brightens the eye with joy." + +"Thy brothers are light-footed," said the Queen, "and thou, my +darling, hast no reason for envying them. Besides, I know these +border-watchmen well; men are not so wrong in sending them out; there +came so many boastful fellows, who acted as if they had come straight +from my kingdom, and yet they had, at best, only looked down upon us +from some mountain." + +"But why did they make me, thine own daughter, suffer for this?" wept +forth Maerchen. "Ah, if thou knewest how they have acted towards me! +They called me an old maid, and threatened the next time not to admit +me!" + +"How, my daughter?--not to admit thee more?" asked the Queen, as +anger heightened the color on her cheeks. "But already I see whence +this comes; that wicked cousin has slandered us!" + +"Fashion? Impossible!" exclaimed Maerchen; "she always used to act so +friendly towards us." + +"Oh, I know her, the false one!" answered the Queen. "But try it again +in spite of her, my daughter: whoever wishes to do good, must not +rest." + +"Ah, mother! suppose, then, they send me back again, or slander me so +that men let me stay in a corner, disregarded, or alone and slighted!" + +"If the old, deluded by Fashion, value thee at nothing, then turn thee +to the young; truly they are my little favorites. I send to them my +loveliest pictures through thy brothers, the Dreams; yes, already I +have often hovered over them in person, caressed and kissed them, and +played fine games with them. They, also, know me well, though not by +name; for I have often observed how in the night they laugh at my +stars, and in the morning, when my shining fleeces play over the +heavens, how they clap their hands for joy. Moreover, when they grow +larger, they love me still; then I help the charming maids to weave +variegated garlands, and the wild boys to become still, while I seat +myself near them, on the lofty summit of a cliff, steep lofty cities +and brilliant palaces in the mist-world of the blue mountains in the +distance, and, on the red-tinged clouds of evening, paint brave troops +of horsemen, and strange pilgrim processions." + +"Oh, the dear children!" exclaimed Maerchen, deeply affected. "Yes--be +it so! with them I will make one more trial." + +"Yes, my good child," answered the Queen; "go unto them; but I will +attire thee in fine style, that thou mayest please the little ones, +and that the old may not drive thee away. See! the dress of an +Almanach[B] will I give thee." + +"An Almanach, mother? Ah!--I will be ashamed to parade, in such a way, +before the people." + +The Queen gave the signal, and the attendants brought in the rich +dress of an Almanach. It was inwrought with brilliant colors, and +beautiful figures. The waiting-maids plaited the long hair of the fair +girl, bound golden sandals on her feet, and arrayed her in the robe. + +The modest Maerchen dared not look up; her mother, however, beheld her +with satisfaction, and clasped her in her arms. "Go forth!" said she +unto the little one; "my blessing be with thee. If they despise and +scorn thee, turn quickly unto me; perhaps later generations, more true +to nature, may again incline to thee their hearts." + +Thus spoke Queen Phantasie, while Maerchen went down upon the earth. +With beating heart she approached the city, in which the cunning +watchmen dwelt: she dropped her head towards the earth, wrapped her +fine robe closely around her, and with trembling step drew near unto +the gate. + +"Hold!" exclaimed a deep, rough voice. "Look out, there! Here comes a +new Almanach!" + +Maerchen trembled as she heard this; many old men, with gloomy +countenances, rushed forth; they had sharp quills in their fists, and +held them towards Maerchen. One of the multitude strode up to her, and +seized her with rough hand by the chin. "Just lift up your head, Mr. +Almanach," he cried, "that one may see in your eyes whether you be +right or not." + +Blushing, Maerchen lifted her little head quite up, and raised her dark +eye. + +"Maerchen!" exclaimed the watchmen, laughing boisterously. "Maerchen! +That we should have had any doubt as to who was here! How come you, +now, by this dress?" + +"Mother put it on me," answered Maerchen. + +"So! she wishes to smuggle you past us! Not this time! Out of the way; +see that you be gone!" exclaimed the watchmen among themselves, +lifting up their sharp quills. + +"But, indeed, I will go only to the children," entreated Maerchen; +"this, surely, you will grant to me." + +"Stay there not, already, enough of these menials in the land around?" +exclaimed one of the watchmen. "They only prattle nonsense to our +children." + +"Let us see what she knows this time," said another. + +"Well then," cried they, "tell us what you know; but make haste, for +we have not much time for you." + +Maerchen stretched forth her hand, and described with the forefinger, +various figures in the air. Thereupon they saw confused images move +slowly across it;--caravans, fine horses, riders gayly attired, +numerous tents upon the sand of the desert; birds, and ships upon the +stormy seas; silent forests, and populous places, and highways; +battles, and peaceful wandering tribes--all hovered, a motley crowd, +in animated pictures, over before them. + +Maerchen, in the eagerness with which she had caused the figures to +rise forth, had not observed that the watchmen of the gate had one by +one fallen asleep. Just as she was about to describe new lines, a +friendly man came up to her, and seized her hand. "Look here, good +Maerchen," said he, as he pointed to the sleepers; "for these thy +varied creations are as nothing; slip nimbly through the door; they +will not suspect that thou art in the land, and thou canst quietly and +unobserved pursue thy way. I will lead thee unto my children; in my +house will give thee a peaceful, friendly home; there thou mayest +remain and live by thyself; whenever my sons and daughters shall have +learned their lessons well, they shall be permitted to run to thee +with their plays, and attend to thee. Dost thou agree?" + +"Oh! how gladly will I follow thee unto thy dear children! how +diligently will I endeavor to make, at times, for them, a happy little +hour!" + +The good man nodded to her cordially, and assisted her to step over +the feet of the sleeping men. Maerchen, when she had got safely across, +looked around smilingly, and then slipped quickly through the gate. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[A] Maerchen represents the fairy or legendary tales, of which the +Germans were at one time so fond. + +[B] The German "Almanach" corresponds in a measure with the English +"Annual." + + + + +THE CARAVAN. + + +Once upon a time, there marched through the wilderness a large +Caravan. Upon the vast plain, where one sees nothing but sand and +heaven, were heard already, in the far distance, the little bells of +the camels, and the silver-toned ones of the horses; a thick cloud of +dust, which preceded them, announced their approach, and when a gale +of wind separated the clouds, glittering weapons and brilliant dresses +dazzled the eye. Such was the appearance of the Caravan to a man who +was riding up towards it in an oblique direction. He was mounted on a +fine Arabian courser, covered with a tiger-skin; silver bells were +suspended from the deep-red stripe work, and on the head of the horse +waved a plume of heron feathers. The rider was of majestic mien, and +his attire corresponded with the splendor of his horse: a white +turban, richly inwrought with gold, adorned his head, his habit and +wide pantaloons were of bright red, and a curved sword with a +magnificent handle hung by his side. He had arranged the turban far +down upon his forehead; this, together with the dark eyes which +gleamed forth from under his bushy brows, and the long beard which +hung down under his arched nose, gave him a wild, daring expression. +When the horseman had advanced fifty paces farther, the foremost line +of the Caravan was near, and putting spurs to his steed, in the +twinkling of an eye he was at the head of the procession. It was so +unusual a thing to see a solitary rider travelling through the desert, +that the guard, apprehending an attack, put their lances in rest. + +"What mean you?" exclaimed the horseman, as he saw himself received in +so hostile a manner. "Do you imagine that a single man would attack +your Caravan?" + +Ashamed of their precipitation, the guards lowered their lances, and +their leader rode forth to the stranger, and asked to know his +pleasure. + +"Who is the lord of this Caravan?" inquired the cavalier. + +"It belongs to no single lord," answered the interrogated one; "but +to several merchants, who march from Mecca to their native country, +and whom we escort through the desert; for oftentimes scoundrels of +every kind alarm those who travel here." + +"Then lead me to the merchants," responded the stranger. + +"That cannot be now," rejoined the other, "for we must proceed without +delay, and the merchants are at least a quarter of a mile behind; if, +however, you would like to ride along with me until we halt to take +our siesta, I will execute your desire." + +The stranger said nothing further; he drew forth a long pipe which he +had attached to his saddle, and began to smoke with slow puffs, as he +rode along by the leader of the van. The latter knew not what to make +of the stranger, and ventured not to ask his name in so many words; +but when he artfully endeavored to weave up a conversation, the +cavalier, to his remarks, "You smoke there a good tobacco," or, "Your +horse has a brave gait," constantly replied with only a brief "Yes, +yes!" At last they arrived at the place where they were to halt for +the siesta: the chief sent his people forward to keep a look-out, +while he remained with the stranger to receive the Caravan. First, +thirty camels passed by, heavily laden, guided by armed drivers. After +these, on fine horses, came the five merchants to whom the Caravan +belonged. They were, for the most part, men of advanced age, of grave +and serious aspect; one, however, seemed much younger, as well as more +gay and lively than the rest. A large number of camels and pack-horses +closed the procession. + +Tents were pitched, and the camels and horses fastened around. In the +midst was a large pavilion of blue silk, to which the chief of the +escort conducted the stranger. When they reached the entrance, they +saw the five merchants seated on gold-embroidered cushions; black +slaves were carrying around to them food and drink. "Whom bringest +thou hither to us?" exclaimed the young merchant unto the leader: +before, however, the latter could reply, the stranger spoke. + +"I am called Selim Baruch, and am from Bagdad; I was taken captive by +a robber-horde on a ride to Mecca, but three days ago managed to free +myself from confinement. The mighty Prophet permitted me to hear, in +the far distance, the little bells of your Caravan, and so I came to +you. Allow me to ride in your company; you will grant your protection +to no unworthy person; and when we reach Bagdad, I will reward your +kindness richly, for I am the nephew of the Grand Vizier." + +The oldest of the merchants took up the discourse: "Selim Baruch," +said he, "welcome to our protection! It affords us joy to be of +assistance to thee. But first of all, sit down, and eat and drink with +us." + +Selim Baruch seated himself among the merchants, and ate and drank +with them. After the meal, the slaves removed the table, and brought +long pipes and Turkish sherbet. The merchants sat for some time in +silence, while they puffed out before them the bluish, smoke-clouds, +watching how they formed circle after circle, and at last were +dissipated in the ambient air. The young merchant finally broke the +silence. "Here sit we for three days," said he, "on horseback, and at +table, without doing any thing to while away the time. I feel this +tediousness much, for I am accustomed after dinner to see dancers, or +to hear singing and music. Know you nothing, my friends, that will +pass away the time for us?" + +The four elder merchants smoked away, and seemed to be seriously +reflecting, but the stranger spoke: "If it be allowed me, I will make +a proposition to you. I think one of us, at this resting-place, could +relate something for the amusement of the rest: this, certainly, would +serve to pass the time." + +"Selim Baruch, thou hast well spoken," said Achmet, the oldest of the +merchants; "let us accept the proposal." + +"I am rejoiced that it pleases you," answered Selim; "and, in order +that you may see that I desire nothing unreasonable, I will myself +begin." The five merchants, overjoyed, drew nearer together, and +placed the stranger in their midst. The slaves replenished their cups, +filled the pipes of their masters afresh, and brought glowing coals +for a light. Selim cleared his voice with a hearty draught of sherbet, +smoothed back the long beard from his mouth, and said, "Listen then to +THE HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK." + + + + +[Illustration] + +THE HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. + +CHAPTER I. + + +Once upon a time, on a fine afternoon, the Caliph Chasid was seated on +his sofa in Bagdad: he had slept a little, (for it was a hot day,) and +now, after his nap, looked quite happy. He smoked a long pipe of +rosewood, sipped, now and then, a little coffee which a slave poured +out for him, and stroked his beard, well-satisfied, for the flavor +pleased him. In a word, it was evident that the Caliph was in a good +humor. At this season one could easily speak with him, for he was +always very mild and affable; on which account did his Grand-Vizier, +Mansor, seek him at this hour, every day. + +On the afternoon in question he also came, but looked very serious, +quite contrary to his usual custom. The Caliph removed the pipe, a +moment, from his mouth, and said, "Wherefore, Grand-Vizier, wearest +thou so thoughtful a visage?" + +The Grand-Vizier folded his arms crosswise over his breast, made +reverence to his lord, and answered: "Sir, whether I wear a thoughtful +look, I know not, but there, below the palace, stands a trader who has +such fine goods, that it vexes me not to have abundant money." + +The Caliph, who had often before this gladly indulged his Vizier, sent +down his black slave to bring up the merchant, and in a moment they +entered together. He was a short, fat man, of swarthy countenance and +tattered dress. He carried a chest in which were all kinds of +wares--pearls and rings, richly-wrought pistols, goblets, and combs. +The Caliph and his Vizier examined them all, and the former at length +purchased fine pistols for himself and Mansor, and a comb for the +Vizier's wife. When the pedler was about to close his chest, the +Caliph espied a little drawer, and inquired whether there were wares +in that also. The trader drew forth the drawer, and pointed out +therein a box of black powder, and a paper with strange characters, +which neither the Caliph nor Mansor could read. + +"I obtained these two articles, some time ago, from a merchant, who +found them in the street at Mecca," said the trader. "I know not what +they contain. They are at your service for a moderate price; I can do +nothing with them." The Caliph, who gladly kept old manuscripts in his +library, though he could not read them, purchased writing and box, and +discharged the merchant. The Caliph, however, thought he would like to +know what the writing contained, and asked the Vizier if he knew any +one who could decipher it. + +"Most worthy lord and master," answered he, "near the great Mosque +lives a man called 'Selim the Learned,' who understands all languages: +let him come, perhaps he is acquainted with these mysterious +characters." + +The learned Selim was soon brought in. "Selim," said the Caliph to +him, "Selim, they say thou art very wise; look a moment at this +manuscript, and see if thou canst read it. If thou canst, thou shalt +receive from me a new festival-garment; if not, thou shalt have twelve +blows on the cheek, and five and twenty on the soles of the feet, +since, in that case, thou art unjustly called Selim the Learned." + +Selim bowed himself and said, "Sire, thy will be done!" For a long +time he pored over the manuscript, but suddenly exclaimed, "This is +Latin, sire, or I will suffer myself to be hung." + +"If it is Latin, tell us what is therein," commanded the Caliph. Selim +began to translate:-- + +"Man, whosoever thou mayest be that findest this, praise Allah for his +goodness! Whoever snuffs of the dust of this powder, and at the same +time says, MUTABOR, can change himself into any animal, and shall also +understand its language. If he wishes to return to the form of a man, +then let him bow three times to the East, and repeat the same word. +But take thou care, if thou be transformed, that thou laugh not; +otherwise shall the magic word fade altogether from thy remembrance, +and thou shalt remain a beast!" + +When Selim the Learned had thus read, the Caliph was overjoyed. He +made the translator swear to tell no one of their secret, presented +him a beautiful garment, and discharged him. To his Grand-Vizier, +however, he said: "That I call a good purchase, Mansor! How can I +contain myself until I become an animal! Early in the morning, do thou +come to me. Then will we go together into the country, take a little +snuff out of my box, and hear what is said in the air and in the +water, in the forest and in the field." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Scarcely, on the next morning, had the Caliph Chasid breakfasted and +dressed himself, when the Grand-Vizier appeared, to accompany him, as +he had commanded, on his walk. The Caliph placed the box with the +magic powder in his girdle, and having commanded his train to remain +behind, set out, all alone with Mansor, upon their expedition. They +went at first through the extensive gardens of the Caliph, but looked +around in vain for some living thing, in order to make their strange +experiment. The Vizier finally proposed to go farther on, to a pond, +where he had often before seen many storks, which, by their grave +behavior and clattering, had always excited his attention. The Caliph +approved of the proposition of his Vizier, and went with him to the +pond. When they reached it they saw a stork walking gravely to and +fro, seeking for frogs, and now and then clattering at something +before her. Presently they saw, too, another stork hovering far up in +the air. + +"I will wager my beard, most worthy sire," exclaimed the Grand-Vizier, +"that these two long-feet are even now carrying on a fine conversation +with one another. How would it be, if we should become storks?" + +"Well spoken!" answered the Caliph. "But first, we will consider how +we may become men again.--Right! Three times bow to the East, and +exclaim 'MUTABOR!' then will I be Caliph once more, and thou Vizier. +Only, for the sake of Heaven, laugh not, or we are lost!" + +While the Caliph was thus speaking, he saw the other stork hovering +over their heads, and sinking slowly to the ground. He drew the box +quickly out of his girdle, and took a good pinch; then he presented it +to the Grand-Vizier, who also snuffed some of the powder, and both +exclaimed "MUTABOR!" Immediately their legs shrivelled away and became +slender and red; the handsome yellow slippers of the Caliph and his +companion became misshapen stork's feet; their arms turned to wings; +the neck extended up from the shoulders, and was an ell long; their +beards had vanished, and their whole bodies were covered with soft +feathers. + +"You have a beautiful beak, my lord Grand-Vizier," exclaimed the +Caliph after long astonishment. "By the beard of the Prophet, in my +whole life I have not seen any thing like it!" + +"Most humble thanks!" responded the Vizier, as he bowed. "But if I +dared venture it, I might assert that your Highness looks almost as +handsome when a stork, as when a Caliph. But suppose, if it be +pleasing to you, that we observe and listen to our comrades, to see, +if we actually understand Storkish." + +Meanwhile the other stork reached the earth. He cleaned his feet with +his bill, smoothed his feathers, and moved towards the first. Both the +new birds, thereupon, made haste to draw near, and to their +astonishment, heard the following conversation. + +"Good-morning, Madam Long-legs; already, so early, upon the pond?" + +"Fine thanks, beloved Clatter-beak. I have brought me a little +breakfast. Would you like, perhaps, the quarter of an eider-duck, or a +little frog's thigh?" + +"My best thanks, but this morning I have little appetite. I come to +the pond for a very different reason. I have to dance to-day before +the guests of my father, and I wish to practise a little in private." + +Immediately, thereupon, the young lady-stork stepped, in great +excitement, over the plain. The Caliph and Mansor looked on her in +amazement. When, however, she stood in a picturesque attitude upon one +foot, and, at the same time, gracefully moved her wings like a fan, +the two could contain themselves no longer; a loud laugh broke forth +from their bills. The Caliph was the first to recover himself. "That +were once a joke," said he, "which gold could not have purchased. +Pity! that the stupid birds should have been driven away by our +laughter; otherwise they would certainly even yet have been singing." + +But already it occurred to the Grand-Vizier that, during their +metamorphosis, laughter was prohibited; he shared his anxiety on this +head with the Caliph. "By Mecca and Medina! that were a sorry jest, if +I am to remain a stork. Bethink thyself, then, of the foolish word, +for I can recall it not." + +"Three times must we bow ourselves to the East, and at the same time +say, Mu--mu--mu--" + +They turned to the East, and bowed so low that their beaks almost +touched the earth. But, O misery! that magic word had escaped them; +and though the Caliph prostrated himself again and again, though at +the same time the Vizier earnestly cried "Mu--mu--," all recollection +thereof had vanished, and poor Chasid and his Vizier were to remain +storks. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +The enchanted ones wandered sorrowfully through the fields, not +knowing, in their calamity, what they should first set about. To the +city they could not return, for the purpose of discovering themselves, +for who would have believed a stork that he was the Caliph? or, if he +should find credit, would the inhabitants of Bagdad have been willing +to have such a bird for their master? Thus, for several days, did they +wander around, supporting themselves on the produce of the fields, +which, however, on account of their long bills, they could not readily +pick up. For eider-ducks and frogs they had no appetite, for they +feared with such dainty morsels to ruin their stomachs. In this +pitiable situation their only consolation was that they could fly, and +accordingly they often winged their way to the roofs of Bagdad, to see +what was going on therein. + +On the first day they observed great commotion and mourning in the +streets; but on the fourth after their transformation, they lighted by +chance upon the royal palace, from which they saw, in the street +beneath, a splendid procession. Drums and fifes sounded; on a +richly-caparisoned steed was seated a man, in a scarlet mantle +embroidered with gold, surrounded by gorgeously-attired attendants. +Half Bagdad was running after him, crying, "Hail, Mizra! Lord of +Bagdad!" All this the two storks beheld from the roof of the palace, +and the Caliph Chasid exclaimed,-- + +"Perceivest thou now why I am enchanted, Grand-Vizier? This Mizra is +the son of my deadly enemy, the mighty sorcerer Kaschnur, who, in an +evil hour, vowed revenge against me. Still I do not abandon all hope. +Come with me, thou faithful companion of my misery; we will go to the +grave of the Prophet; perhaps in that holy spot the charm may be +dissolved." They raised themselves from the roof of the palace, and +flew in the direction of Medina. + +In the use of their wings, however, they experienced some difficulty, +for the two storks had, as yet, but little practice. "O Sire!" +groaned out the Vizier, after a couple of hours; "with your +permission, I can hold out no longer; you fly so rapidly! Besides, it +is already evening, and we would do well to seek a shelter for the +night." + +Chasid gave ear to the request of his attendant, and thereupon saw, in +the vale beneath, a ruin which appeared to promise safe lodgings; and +thither, accordingly, they flew. The place where they had alighted for +the night, seemed formerly to have been a castle. Gorgeous columns +projected from under the rubbish, and several chambers, which were +still in a state of tolerable preservation, testified to the former +magnificence of the mansion. Chasid and his companion went around +through the corridor, to seek for themselves a dry resting-place; +suddenly the stork Mansor paused. "Lord and master," he whispered +softly, "were it not foolish for a Grand-Vizier, still more for a +stork, to be alarmed at spectres, my mind is very uncomfortable; for +here, close at hand, sighs and groans are very plainly perceptible." +The Caliph now in turn stood still, and quite distinctly heard a low +moaning, which seemed to belong rather to a human being than a beast. +Full of expectation, he essayed to proceed to the place whence the +plaintive sounds issued: but the Vizier, seizing him by the wing with +his beak, entreated him fervently not to plunge them in new and +unknown dangers. In vain! the Caliph, to whom a valiant heart beat +beneath his stork-wing, burst away with the loss of a feather, and +hastened into a gloomy gallery. In a moment he reached a door, which +seemed only on the latch, and out of which he heard distinct sighs, +accompanied by a low moaning. He pushed the door open with his bill, +but stood, chained by amazement, upon the threshold. In the ruinous +apartment, which was now but dimly lighted through a grated window, he +saw a huge screech-owl sitting on the floor. Big tears rolled down +from her large round eyes, and with ardent voice she sent her cries +forth from her crooked bill. As soon, however, as she espied the +Caliph and his Vizier, who meanwhile had crept softly up behind, she +raised a loud cry of joy. She neatly wiped away the tears with her +brown-striped wing, and to the great astonishment of both, exclaimed, +in good human Arabic,-- + +"Welcome to you, storks! you are to me a good omen of deliverance, +for it was once prophesied to me that, through storks, a great piece +of good fortune is to fall to my lot." + +When the Caliph recovered from his amazement, he bowed his long neck, +brought his slender feet into an elegant position, and said: +"Screech-owl, after your words, I venture to believe that I see in you +a companion in misfortune. But, alas! this hope that through us thy +deliverance will take place, is groundless. Thou wilt, thyself, +realize our helplessness, when thou hearest our history." + +The Screech-owl entreated him to impart it to her, and the Caliph, +raising himself up, related what we already know. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +When the Caliph had told his history to the owl, she thanked him, and +said: "Listen to my story, also, and hear how I am no less unfortunate +than thyself. My father is the king of India; I, his only, unfortunate +daughter, am called Lusa. That same sorcerer Kaschnur, who transformed +you, has plunged me also in this affliction. He came, one day, to my +father, and asked me in marriage for his son Mizra. My father, +however, who is a passionate man, cast him down the steps. The wretch +managed to creep up to me again under another form, and as I was on +one occasion taking the fresh air in my garden, clad as a slave, he +presented me a potion which changed me into this detestable figure. He +brought me hither, swooning through fear, and exclaimed in my ear with +awful voice, 'There shalt thou remain, frightful one, despised even by +beasts, until thy death, or till one, of his own free will, even +under this execrable form, take thee to wife. Thus revenge I myself +upon thee, and thy haughty father!' + +"Since then, many months have elapsed; alone and mournfully I live, +like a hermit, in these walls, abhorred by the world, an abomination +even to brutes. Beautiful nature is shut out from me; for I am blind +by day, and only when the moon sheds her wan light upon this ruin, +falls the shrouding veil from mine eye." + +The owl ended, and again wiped her eyes with her wing, for the +narration of her wo had called forth tears. The Caliph was plunged in +deep meditation by the story of the Princess. "If I am not altogether +deceived," said he, "you will find that between our misfortunes a +secret connection exists; but where can I find the key to this +enigma?" + +The owl answered him, "My lord! this also is plain to me; for once, in +early youth, it was foretold to me by a wise woman, that a stork would +bring me great happiness, and perhaps I might know how we may save +ourselves." + +The Caliph was much astonished, and inquired in what way she meant. + +"The enchanter who has made us both miserable," said she, "comes once +every month to these ruins. Not far from this chamber is a hall; +there, with many confederates, he is wont to banquet. Already I have +often watched them: they relate to one another their shameful +deeds--perhaps he might then mention the magic word which you have +forgotten." + +"Oh, dearest Princess!" exclaimed the Caliph: "tell us--when will he +come, and where is the hall?" + +The owl was silent a moment, and then said: "Take it not unkindly, but +only on one condition can I grant your wish." + +"Speak out! speak out!" cried Chasid. "Command; whatever it may be, I +am ready to obey." + +"It is this: I would fain at the same time be free; this, however, can +only take place, if one of you offer me his hand." At this proposition +the storks seemed somewhat surprised, and the Caliph beckoned to his +attendant to step aside with him a moment. "Grand-Vizier," said the +Caliph before the door, "this is a stupid affair, but you can set it +all right." + +"Thus?" rejoined he; "that my wife, when I go home, may scratch my +eyes out? Besides, I am an old man, while you are still young and +unmarried, and can better give your hand to a young and beautiful +princess." + +"Ah! that is the point," sighed the Caliph, as he mournfully drooped +his wings: "who told you she is young and fair? That is equivalent to +buying a cat in a sack!" They continued to converse together for a +long time, but finally, when the Caliph saw that Mansor would rather +remain a stork than marry the owl, he determined sooner, himself, to +accept the condition. The owl was overjoyed; she avowed to them that +they could have come at no better time, since, probably, that very +night, the sorcerers would assemble together. + +She left the apartment with the storks, in order to lead them to the +saloon; they went a long way through a gloomy passage, until at last a +very bright light streamed upon them through a half-decayed wall. When +they reached this place, the owl advised them to halt very quietly. +From the breach, near which they were standing, they could look down +upon a large saloon, adorned all around with pillars, and splendidly +decorated, in which many colored lamps restored the light of day. In +the midst of the saloon stood a round table, laden with various choice +meats. Around the table extended a sofa, on which eight men were +seated. In one of these men the storks recognised the very merchant, +who had sold them the magic powder. His neighbor desired him to tell +them his latest exploits; whereupon he related, among others, the +story of the Caliph and his Vizier. + +"What did you give them for a word?" inquired of him one of the other +magicians. + +"A right ponderous Latin one--MUTABOR." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +When the storks heard this through their chasm in the wall, they +became almost beside themselves with joy. They ran so quickly with +their long feet to the door of the ruin, that the owl could scarcely +keep up with them. Thereupon spoke the Caliph to her: "Preserver of my +life and that of my friend, in token of our eternal thanks for what +thou hast done for us, take me as thy husband." Then he turned to the +East: three times they bowed their long necks towards the sun, which +was even now rising above the mountains, and at the same moment +exclaimed "MUTABOR!" In a twinkling they were restored, and in the +excessive joy of their newly-bestowed life, alternately laughing and +weeping, were folded in each other's arms. But who can describe their +astonishment when they looked around? A beautiful woman, attired as a +queen, stood before them. Smiling, she gave the Caliph her hand, and +said, "Know you your screech-owl no longer?" It was she; the Caliph +was in such transports at her beauty and pleasantness, as to cry out, +that it was the most fortunate moment in his life, when he became a +stork. + +The three now proceeded together to Bagdad. The Caliph found in his +dress, not only the box of magic powder, but also his money-bag. By +means thereof, he purchased at the nearest village what was necessary +for their journey, and accordingly they soon appeared before the gates +of the city. Here, however, the arrival of the Caliph excited great +astonishment. They had given out that he was dead, and the people were +therefore highly rejoiced to have again their beloved lord. + +So much the more, however, burned their hatred against the impostor +Mizra. They proceeded to the palace, and caught the old magician and +his son. The old man the Caliph sent to the same chamber in the ruin, +which the princess, as a screech-owl, had inhabited, and there had +him hung; unto the son, however, who understood nothing of his +father's arts, he gave his choice,--to die, or snuff some of the +powder. Having chosen the latter, the Grand-Vizier presented him the +box. A hearty pinch, and the magic word of the Caliph converted him +into a stork. Chasid had him locked up in an iron cage, and hung in +his garden. + +Long and happily lived Caliph Chasid with his spouse, the Princess; +his pleasantest hours were always those, when in the afternoon the +Vizier sought him; and whenever the Caliph was in a very good humor, +he would let himself down so far, as to show Mansor how he looked, +when a stork. He would gravely march along, with rigid feet, up and +down the chamber, make a clattering noise, wave his arms like wings, +and show how, in vain, he had prostrated himself to the East, and +cried out, MU--MU. To the Princess and her children, this imitation +always afforded great amusement: when, however, the Caliph clattered, +and bowed, and cried out, too long, then the Vizier would threaten him +that he would disclose to his spouse what had been proposed outside +the door of the Princess Screech-owl! + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +When Selim Baruch had finished his story, the merchants declared +themselves delighted therewith. "Verily, the afternoon has passed away +from us without our having observed it!" exclaimed one of them, +throwing back the covering of the tent: "the evening wind blows cool, +we can still make a good distance on our journey." To this his +companions agreed; the tents were struck, and the Caravan proceeded on +its way in the same order in which it had come up. + +They rode almost all the night long, for it was refreshing and +starry, whereas the day was sultry. At last they arrived at a +convenient stopping-place; here they pitched their tents, and composed +themselves to rest. To the stranger the merchants attended, as a most +valued guest. One gave him cushions, a second covering, a third +slaves; in a word, he was as well provided for as if he had been at +home. The hottest hours of the day had already arrived, when they +awoke again, and they unanimously determined to wait for evening in +this place. After they had eaten together, they moved more closely to +each other, and the young merchant, turning to the oldest, addressed +him: "Selim Baruch yesterday made a pleasant afternoon for us; suppose +Achmet, that you also tell us something, be it either from your long +life, which has known so many adventures, or even a pretty Maerchen." + +Upon these words Achmet was silent some time, as if he were in doubt +whether to tell this or that; at last he began to speak: "Dear +friends, on this our journey you have proved yourselves faithful +companions, and Selim also deserves my confidence; I will therefore +impart to you something of my life, of which, under other +circumstances, I would speak reluctantly, and, indeed, not to any one: +THE HISTORY OF THE SPECTRE SHIP." + + + + +THE HISTORY OF THE SPECTRE SHIP. + +[Illustration] + + +My father had a little shop in Balsora; he was neither rich, nor poor, +but one of those who do not like to risk any thing, through fear of +losing the little that they have. He brought me up plainly, but +virtuously, and soon I advanced so far, that I was able to make +valuable suggestions to him in his business. When I reached my +eighteenth year, in the midst of his first speculation of any +importance, he died; probably through anxiety at having intrusted a +thousand gold pieces to the sea. I was obliged, soon after, to deem +him happy in his fortunate death, for in a few weeks the intelligence +reached us, that the vessel, to which my father had committed his +goods, had been wrecked. This misfortune, however, could not depress +my youthful spirits. I converted all that my father had left into +money, and set out to try my fortune in foreign lands, accompanied +only by an old servant of the family, who, on account of ancient +attachment, would not part from me and my destiny. + +In the harbor of Balsora we embarked, with a favorable wind. The ship, +in which I had taken passage, was bound to India. We had now for +fifteen days sailed in the usual track, when the Captain predicted to +us a storm. He wore a thoughtful look, for it seemed he knew that, in +this place, there was not sufficient depth of water to encounter a +storm with safety. He ordered them to take in all sail, and we moved +along quite slowly. The night set in clear and cold, and the Captain +began to think that he had been mistaken in his forebodings. All at +once there floated close by ours, a ship which none of us had +observed before. A wild shout and cry ascended from the deck, at +which, occurring at this anxious season, before a storm, I wondered +not a little. But the Captain by my side was deadly pale: "My ship is +lost," cried he; "there sails Death!" Before I could demand an +explanation of these singular words, the sailors rushed in, weeping +and wailing. "Have you seen it?" they exclaimed: "all is now over with +us!" + +But the Captain had words of consolation read to them out of the +Koran, and seated himself at the helm. But in vain! The tempest began +visibly to rise with a roaring noise, and, before an hour passed by, +the ship struck and remained aground. The boats were lowered, and +scarcely had the last sailors saved themselves, when the vessel went +down before our eyes, and I was launched, a beggar, upon the sea. But +our misfortune had still no end. Frightfully roared the tempest, the +boat could no longer be governed. I fastened myself firmly to my old +servant, and we mutually promised not to be separated from each other. +At last the day broke, but, with the first glance of the morning-red, +the wind struck and upset the boat in which we were seated. After that +I saw my shipmates no more. The shock deprived me of consciousness, +and when I returned to my senses, I found myself in the arms of my old +faithful attendant, who had saved himself on the boat which had been +upturned, and had come in search of me. The storm had abated; of our +vessel there was nothing any more to be seen, but we plainly descried, +at no great distance from us, another ship, towards which the waves +were driving us. As we approached, I recognised the vessel as the same +which had passed by us in the night, and which had thrown the Captain +into such consternation. I felt a strange horror of this ship; the +intimation of the Captain, which had been so fearfully corroborated, +the desolate appearance of the ship, on which, although as we drew +near we uttered loud cries, no one was visible, alarmed me. +Nevertheless this was our only expedient; accordingly, we praised the +Prophet, who had so miraculously preserved us. + +From the fore-part of the ship hung down a long cable; for the purpose +of laying hold of this, we paddled with our hands and feet. At last +we were successful. Loudly I raised my voice, but all remained quiet +as ever, on board the vessel. Then we climbed up by the rope, I, as +the youngest, taking the lead. But horror! what a spectacle was there +presented to my eye, as I stepped upon the deck! The floor was red +with blood; upon it lay twenty or thirty corpses in Turkish costume; +by the middle-mast stood a man richly attired, with sabre in hand--but +his face was wan and distorted; through his forehead passed a large +spike which fastened him to the mast--he was dead! Terror chained my +feet; I dared hardly to breathe. At last my companion stood by my +side; he, too, was overpowered at sight of the deck which exhibited no +living thing, but only so many frightful corpses. After having, in the +anguish of our souls, supplicated the Prophet, we ventured to move +forward. At every step we looked around to see if something new, +something still more horrible, would not present itself. But all +remained as it was--far and wide, no living thing but ourselves, and +the ocean-world. Not once did we dare to speak aloud, through fear +that the dead Captain there nailed to the mast would bend his rigid +eyes upon us, or lest one of the corpses should turn his head. At last +we arrived at a staircase, which led into the hold. There +involuntarily we came to a halt, and looked at each other, for neither +of us exactly ventured to express his thoughts. + +"Master," said my faithful servant, "something awful has happened +here. Nevertheless, even if the ship down there below is full of +murderers, still would I rather submit myself to their mercy or +cruelty, than spend a longer time among these dead bodies." I agreed +with him, and so we took heart, and descended, full of apprehension. +But the stillness of death prevailed here also, and there was no sound +save that of our steps upon the stairs. We stood before the door of +the cabin; I applied my ear, and listened--there was nothing to be +heard. I opened it. The room presented a confused appearance; clothes, +weapons, and other articles, lay disordered together. The crew, or at +least the Captain, must shortly before have been carousing, for the +remains of a banquet lay scattered around. We went on from room to +room, from chamber to chamber finding, in all, royal stores of silk, +pearls, and other costly articles. I was beside myself with joy at the +sight, for as there was no one on the ship, I thought I could +appropriate all to myself; but Ibrahim thereupon called to my notice +that we were still far from land, at which we could not arrive, alone +and without human help. + +We refreshed ourselves with the meats and drink, which we found in +rich profusion, and at last ascended upon deck. But here again we +shivered at the awful sight of the bodies. We determined to free +ourselves therefrom, by throwing them overboard; but how were we +startled to find, that no one could move them from their places! So +firmly were they fastened to the floor, that to remove them one would +have had to take up the planks of the deck, for which tools were +wanting to us. The Captain, moreover, could not be loosened from the +mast, nor could we even wrest the sabre from his rigid hand. We passed +the day in sorrowful reflection on our condition; and, when night +began to draw near, I gave permission to the old Ibrahim to lie down +to sleep, while I would watch upon the deck, to look out for means of +deliverance. When, however, the moon shone forth, and by the stars I +calculated that it was about the eleventh hour, sleep so irresistibly +overpowered me that I fell back, involuntarily, behind a cask which +stood upon the deck. It was rather lethargy than sleep, for I plainly +heard the sea beat against the side of the vessel, and the sails creak +and whistle in the wind. All at once I thought I heard voices, and the +steps of men upon the deck. I wished to arise and see what it was, but +a strange power fettered my limbs, and I could not once open my eyes. +But still more distinct became the voices; it appeared to me as if a +merry crew were moving around upon the deck. In the midst of this I +thought I distinguished the powerful voice of a commander, followed by +the noise of ropes and sails. Gradually my senses left me; I fell into +a deep slumber, in which I still seemed to hear the din of weapons, +and awoke only when the sun was high in the heavens, and sent down his +burning rays upon my face. Full of wonder, I gazed about me; storm, +ship, the bodies, and all that I had heard in the night, recurred to +me as a dream; but when I looked around, I found all as it had been +the day before. Immoveable lay the bodies, immoveably was the Captain +fastened to the mast; I laughed at my dream, and proceeded in search +of my old companion. + +The latter was seated in sorrowful meditation in the cabin. "O +master," he exclaimed as I entered, "rather would I lie in the deepest +bottom of the sea, than pass another night in this enchanted ship." I +asked him the reason of his grief, and thus he answered me:-- + +"When I had slept an hour, I awoke, and heard the noise of walking to +and fro over my head. I thought at first that it was you, but there +were at least twenty running around; I also heard conversation and +cries. At length came heavy steps upon the stairs. After this I was no +longer conscious; but at times my recollection returned for a moment, +and then I saw the same man who is nailed to the mast, sit down at +that table, singing and drinking; and he who lies not far from him on +the floor, in a scarlet cloak, sat near him, and helped him to drink." +Thus spoke my old servant to me. + +You may believe me, my friends, that all was not right to my mind; +for there was no delusion--I too had plainly heard the dead. To sail +in such company was to me horrible; my Ibrahim, however, was again +absorbed in deep reflection. "I have it now!" he exclaimed at length; +there occurred to him, namely, a little verse, which his grandfather, +a man of experience and travel, had taught him, and which could give +assistance against every ghost and spectre. He also maintained that we +could, the next night, prevent the unnatural sleep which had come upon +us, by repeating right fervently sentences out of the Koran. + +The proposition of the old man pleased me well. In anxious expectation +we saw the night set in. Near the cabin was a little room, to which we +determined to retire. We bored several holes in the door, large enough +to give us a view of the whole cabin; then we shut it as firmly as we +could from within, and Ibrahim wrote the name of the Prophet in all +four corners of the room. Thus we awaited the terrors of the night. + +It might again have been about the eleventh hour, when a strong +inclination for sleep began to overpower me. My companion, thereupon, +advised me to repeat some sentences from the Koran, which assisted me +to retain my consciousness. All at once it seemed to become lively +overhead; the ropes creaked, there were steps upon the deck, and +several voices were plainly distinguishable. We remained, a few +moments, in intense anxiety; then we heard something descending the +cabin stairs. When the old man became aware of this, he began to +repeat the words which his grandfather had taught him to use against +spirits and witchcraft: + + "Come you, from the air descending, + Rise you from the deep sea-cave, + Spring you forth where flames are blending, + Glide you in the dismal grave: + Allah reigns, let all adore him! + Own him, spirits--bow before him!" + +I must confess I did not put much faith in this verse, and my hair +stood on end when the door flew open. The same large, stately man +entered, whom I had seen nailed to the mast. The spike still passed +through the middle of his brain, but he had sheathed his sword. Behind +him entered another, attired with less magnificence, whom also I had +seen lying on the deck. The Captain, for he was unquestionably of this +rank, had a pale countenance, a large black beard, and wildly-rolling +eyes, with which he surveyed the whole apartment. I could see him +distinctly, for he moved over opposite to us; but he appeared not to +observe the door which concealed us. The two seated themselves at the +table, which stood in the centre of the cabin, and spoke loud and +fast, shouting together in an unknown tongue. They continually became +more noisy and earnest, until at length, with doubled fist, the +Captain brought the table a blow which shook the whole apartment. With +wild laughter the other sprang up, and beckoned to the Captain to +follow him. The latter rose, drew his sabre, and then both left the +apartment. We breathed more freely when they were away; but our +anxiety had still for a long time no end. Louder and louder became the +noise upon deck; we heard hasty running to and fro, shouting, +laughing, and howling. At length there came an actually hellish sound, +so that we thought the deck and all the sails would fall down upon us, +the clash of arms, and shrieks--of a sudden all was deep silence. +When, after many hours, we ventured to go forth, we found every thing +as before; not one lay differently--all were as stiff as wooden +figures. + +[Illustration] + +Thus passed we several days on the vessel; it moved continually +towards the East, in which direction, according to my calculation, lay +the land; but if by day it made many miles, by night it appeared to go +back again, for we always found ourselves in the same spot when the +sun went down. We could explain this in no other way, than that the +dead men every night sailed back again with a full breeze. In order to +prevent this, we took in all the sail before it became night, and +employed the same means as at the door in the cabin; we wrote on +parchment the name of the Prophet, and also, in addition, the little +stanza of the grandfather, and bound them upon the furled sail. +Anxiously we awaited the result in our chamber. The ghosts appeared +this time not to rage so wickedly; and, mark, the next morning the +sails were still rolled up as we had left them. During the day we +extended only as much as was necessary to bear the ship gently along, +and so in five days we made considerable headway. + +At last, on the morning of the sixth day, we espied land at a short +distance, and thanked Allah and his Prophet for our wonderful +deliverance. This day and the following night we sailed along the +coast, and on the seventh morning thought we discovered a city at no +great distance: with a good deal of trouble we cast an anchor into the +sea, which soon reached the bottom; then launching a boat which stood +upon the deck, we rowed with all our might towards the city. After +half an hour we ran into a river that emptied into the sea, and +stepped ashore. At the gate we inquired what the place was called, and +learned that it was an Indian city, not far from the region to which +at first I had intended to sail. We repaired to a Caravansery, and +refreshed ourselves after our adventurous sail. I there inquired for a +wise and intelligent man, at the same time giving the landlord to +understand that I would like to have one tolerably conversant with +magic. He conducted me to an unsightly house in a remote street, +knocked thereat, and one let me in with the injunction that I should +ask only for Muley. + +In the house, came to me a little old man with grizzled beard and a +long nose, to demand my business. I told him I was in search of the +wise Muley; he answered me that he was the man. I then asked his +advice as to what I should do to the dead bodies, and how I must +handle them in order to remove them from the ship. + +He answered me that the people of the ship were probably enchanted on +account of a crime somewhere upon the sea: he thought the spell would +be dissolved by bringing them to land, but this could be done only by +taking up the planks on which they lay. In the sight of God and +justice, he said that the ship, together with all the goods, belonged +to me, since I had, as it were, found it; and, if I would keep it very +secret, and make him a small present out of my abundance, he would +assist me with his slaves to remove the bodies. I promised to reward +him richly, and we set out on our expedition with five slaves, who +were supplied with saws and hatchets. On the way, the magician Muley +could not sufficiently praise our happy expedient of binding the +sails around with the sentences from the Koran. He said this was the +only means, by which we could have saved ourselves. + +It was still pretty early in the day when we reached the ship. We +immediately set to work, and in an hour placed four in the boat. Some +of the slaves were then obliged to row to land to bury them there. +They told us, when they returned, that the bodies had spared them the +trouble of burying, since, the moment they laid them on the earth, +they had fallen to dust. We diligently set to work to saw off the +bodies, and before evening all were brought to land. There were, at +last, no more on board than the one that was nailed to the mast. +Vainly sought we to draw the nail out of the wood, no strength was +able to start it even a hair's-breadth. I knew not what next to do, +for we could not hew down the mast in order to bring him to land; but +in this dilemma Muley came to my assistance. He quickly ordered a +slave to row to land and bring a pot of earth. When he had arrived +with it, the magician pronounced over it some mysterious words, and +cast it on the dead man's head. Immediately the latter opened his +eyes, drew a deep breath, and the wound of the nail in his forehead +began to bleed. We now drew it lightly forth, and the wounded man fell +into the arms of one of the slaves. + +"Who bore me hither?" he exclaimed, after he seemed to have recovered +himself a little. Muley made signs to me, and I stepped up to him. + +"Thank thee, unknown stranger; thou hast freed me from long torment. +For fifty years has my body been sailing through these waves, and my +spirit was condemned to return to it every night. But now my head has +come in contact with the earth, and, my crime expiated, I can go to my +fathers!" + +I entreated him, thereupon, to tell how he had been brought to this +horrible state, and he began-- + +"Fifty years ago, I was an influential, distinguished man, and resided +in Algiers: a passion for gain urged me on to fit out a ship, and turn +pirate. I had already followed this business some time, when once, at +Zante, I took on board a Dervise, who wished to travel for nothing. I +and my companions were impious men, and paid no respect to the +holiness of the man; I, in particular, made sport of him. When, +however, on one occasion he upbraided me with holy zeal for my wicked +course of life, that same evening, after I had been drinking to excess +with my pilot in the cabin, anger overpowered me. Reflecting on what +the Dervise had said to me, which I would not have borne from a +Sultan, I rushed upon deck, and plunged my dagger into his breast. +Dying, he cursed me and my crew, and doomed us not to die and not to +live, until we should lay our heads upon the earth. + +"The Dervise expired, and we cast him overboard, laughing at his +menaces; that same night, however, were his words fulfilled. One +portion of my crew rose against me; with terrible courage the struggle +continued, until my supporters fell, and I myself was nailed to the +mast. The mutineers, however, also sank under their wounds, and soon +my ship was but one vast grave. My eyes also closed, my breath +stopped--I thought I was dying. But it was only a torpor which held me +chained: the following night, at the same hour in which we had cast +the Dervise into the sea, I awoke, together with all my comrades; +life returned, but we could do and say nothing but what had been done +and said on that fatal night. Thus we sailed for fifty years, neither +living nor dying, for how could we reach the land? With mad joy we +ever dashed along, with full sails, before the storm, for we hoped at +last to be wrecked upon some cliff, and to compose our weary heads to +rest upon the bottom of the sea; but in this we never succeeded. Now I +shall die! Once again, unknown preserver, accept my thanks, and if +treasures can reward thee, then take my ship in token of my +gratitude." + +With these words the Captain let his head drop, and expired. Like his +companions, he immediately fell to dust. We collected this in a little +vessel, and buried it on the shore: and I took workmen from the city +to put the ship in good condition. After I had exchanged, with great +advantage, the wares I had on board for others, I hired a crew, richly +rewarded my friend Muley, and set sail for my fatherland. I took a +circuitous route, in the course of which I landed at several islands +and countries, to bring my goods to market. The Prophet blessed my +undertaking. After several years I ran into Balsora, twice as rich as +the dying Captain had made me. My fellow-citizens were amazed at my +wealth and good fortune, and would believe nothing else but that I had +found the diamond-valley of the far-famed traveller Sinbad. I left +them to their belief; henceforth must the young folks of Balsora, when +they have scarcely arrived at their eighteenth year, go forth into the +world, like me, to seek their fortunes. I, however, live in peace and +tranquillity, and every five years make a journey to Mecca, to thank +the Lord for his protection, in that holy place, and to entreat for +the Captain and his crew, that He will admit them into Paradise. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +The march of the Caravan proceeded the next day without hinderance, +and when they halted, Selim the Stranger began thus to speak to Muley, +the youngest of the merchants: + +"You are, indeed, the youngest of us, nevertheless you are always in +fine spirits, and, to a certainty, know for us, some right merry +story. Out with it then, that it may refresh us after the heat of the +day." + +"I might easily tell you something," answered Muley, "which would +amuse you, nevertheless modesty becomes youth in all things; therefore +must my older companions have the precedence. Zaleukos is ever so +grave and reserved; should not he tell us what has made his life so +serious? Perhaps we could assuage his grief, if such he have; for +gladly would we serve a brother, even if he belong to another creed." + +The person alluded to was a Grecian merchant of middle age, handsome +and strongly built, but very serious. Although he was an unbeliever, +(that is, no Mussulman,) still his companions were much attached to +him, for his whole conduct had inspired them with respect and +confidence. He had only one hand, and some of his companions +conjectured that, perhaps, this loss gave so grave a tone to his +character. Zaleukos thus answered Muley's friendly request: + +"I am much honored by your confidence: grief have I none, at least +none from which, even with your best wishes, you can relieve me. +Nevertheless, since Muley appears to blame me for my seriousness, I +will relate to you something which will justify me when I am more +grave than others. You see that I have lost my left hand; this came +not to me at my birth, but I lost it in the most unhappy days of my +life. Whether I bear the fault thereof, whether I am wrong to be more +serious than my condition in life would seem to make me, you must +decide, when I have told you the STORY OF THE HEWN-OFF HAND." + + + + +[Illustration] + +THE STORY OF THE HEWN OFF HAND. + + +I was born in Constantinople; my father was a Dragoman of the Ottoman +Porte, and carried on, besides, a tolerably lucrative trade in +essences and silk goods. He gave me a good education, since he partly +superintended it himself, and partly had me instructed by one of our +priests. At first, he intended that I should one day take charge of +his business: but since I displayed greater capacity than he expected, +with the advice of his friends, he resolved that I should study +medicine; for a physician, if he only knows more than a common quack, +can make his fortune in Constantinople. + +Many Frenchmen were in the habit of coming to our house, and one of +them prevailed upon my father to let me go to the city of Paris, in +his fatherland, where one could learn the profession gratuitously, and +with the best advantages: he himself would take me with him, at his +own expense, when he returned. My father, who in his youth had also +been a traveller, consented, and the Frenchman told me to hold myself +in readiness in three months. I was beside myself with delight to see +foreign lands, and could not wait for the moment in which we should +embark. At last the stranger had finished his business, and was ready +to start. + +On the evening preceding our voyage, my father conducted me into his +sleeping apartment; there I saw fine garments and weapons lying on the +table; but what most attracted my eye was a large pile of gold, for I +had never before seen so much together. My father embraced me, and +said, + +"See, my son, I have provided thee with garments for thy journey. +These weapons are thine; they are those which thy grandfather hung +upon me, when I went forth into foreign lands. I know thou canst wield +them; but use them not, unless thou art attacked; then, however, lay +on with right good-will. My wealth is not great; see! I have divided +it into three parts: one is thine; one shall be for my support, and +spare money in case of necessity; the third shall be sacred and +untouched by me, it may serve thee in the hour of need." Thus spoke my +old father, while tears hung in his eyes, perhaps from a presentiment, +for I have never seen him since. + +Our voyage was favorable; we soon reached the land of the Franks, and +six days' journey brought us to the large city, Paris. Here my French +friend hired me a room, and advised me to be prudent in spending my +money, which amounted to two thousand thalers. In this city I lived +three years, and learned all that a well-educated physician should +know. I would be speaking falsely, however, if I said that I was very +happy, for the customs of the people pleased me not; moreover, I had +but few good friends among them, but these were young men of +nobility. + +The longing after my native land at length became irresistible; during +the whole time I had heard nothing from my father, and I therefore +seized a favorable opportunity to return home. There was going an +embassy from France to the Supreme Porte: I agreed to join the train +of the ambassador as surgeon, and soon arrived once more at Stamboul. + +My father's dwelling, however, I found closed, and the neighbors, +astonished at seeing me, said that my father had been dead for two +months. The priest, who had instructed me in youth, brought me the +key. Alone and forsaken, I entered the desolate house. I found all as +my father had left it; but the gold which he promised to leave to me, +was missing. I inquired of the priest respecting it, and he bowed and +said: + +"Your father died like a holy man, for he left his gold to the +Church!" + +This was incomprehensible to me; nevertheless, what could I do? I had +no proofs against the priest, and could only congratulate myself that +he had not also looked upon the house, and wares of my father, in the +light of a legacy. This was the first misfortune that met me; but after +this came one upon another. My reputation as a physician would not +extend itself, because I was ashamed to play the quack; above all, I +missed the recommendation of my father, who had introduced me to the +richest and most respectable families; but now they thought no more of +the poor Zaleukos. Moreover, the wares of my father found no sale, for +his customers had been scattered at his death, and new ones came only +after a long time. One day, as I was reflecting sorrowfully upon my +situation, it occurred to me that in France I had often seen countrymen +of mine, who travelled through the land, and exposed their goods at the +market-places of the cities: I recollected that people gladly purchased +of them, because they came from foreign lands; and that by such a +trade, one could make a hundred-fold. My resolution was forthwith +taken; I sold my paternal dwelling, gave a portion of the money +obtained thereby to a tried friend to preserve for me, and with the +remainder purchased such articles as were rare in France,--shawls, +silken goods, ointments, and oils; for these I hired a place upon a +vessel, and thus began my second voyage to France. It appeared as if +fortune became favorable to me, the moment I had the Straits of the +Dardanelles upon my back. Our voyage was short and prosperous. I +travelled through the cities of France, large and small, and found, in +all, ready purchasers for my goods. My friend in Stamboul continually +sent me fresh supplies, and I became richer from day to day. At last +when I had husbanded so well, that I believed myself able to venture on +some more extensive undertaking, I went with my wares into Italy. I +must, however, mention something that brought me in no little money; I +called my profession also to my assistance. As soon as I arrived in a +city I announced, by means of bills, that a Grecian physician was +there, who had already cured many; and, truly, my balsam, and my +medicines, had brought me in many a zechin. + +Thus at last I reached the city of Florence, in Italy. I proposed to +myself to remain longer than usual in this place, partly because it +pleased me so well, partly, moreover, that I might recover from the +fatigues of my journey. I hired myself a shop in the quarter of the +city called St. Croce, and in a tavern not far therefrom, took a +couple of fine rooms which led out upon a balcony. Immediately I had +my bills carried around, which announced me as a physician and +merchant. I had no sooner opened my shop than buyers streamed in upon +me, and although I asked a tolerably high price, still I sold more +than others, because I was attentive and friendly to my customers. + +Well satisfied, I had spent four days in Florence, when one evening, +after I had shut my shop, and according to custom was examining my +stock of ointment-boxes, I found, in one of the smaller ones, a letter +which I did not remember to have put in. I opened it and found therein +an invitation to repair that night, punctually at twelve, to the +bridge called the Ponte Vecchio. For some time I reflected upon this, +as to who it could be that had thus invited me; as, however, I knew +not a soul in Florence, I thought, as had often happened already, that +one wished to lead me privately to some sick person. Accordingly I +resolved to go; nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, I put on +the sabre which my father had given me. As it was fast approaching +midnight, I set out upon my way, and soon arrived at the Ponte +Vecchio; I found the bridge forsaken and desolate, and resolved to +wait until it should appear who had addressed me. + +It was a cold night; the moon shone clear as I looked down upon the +waters of the Arno, which sparkled in her light. On the church of the +city the twelfth hour was sounding, when I looked up, and before me +stood a tall man, entirely covered with a red cloak, a corner of which +he held before his face. At this sudden apparition I was at first +somewhat startled, but I soon recovered myself and said-- + +"If you have summoned me hither, tell me, what is your pleasure?" + +The Red-mantle turned, and solemnly ejaculated, "Follow!" + +My mind was nevertheless somewhat uneasy at the idea of going alone +with this Unknown; I stood still and said, "Not so, dear sir; you will +first tell me whither; moreover, you may show me your face a little, +that I may see whether you have good intentions towards me." + +The Stranger, however, appeared not to be concerned thereat. "If thou +wishest it not, Zaleukos, then remain!" answered he, moving away. At +this my anger burned. + +"Think you," I cried, "that I will suffer a man to play the fool with +me, and wait here this cold night for nothing?" In three bounds I +reached him; crying still louder, I seized him by the cloak, laying +the other hand upon my sabre; but the mantle remained in my hand, and +the Unknown vanished around the nearest corner. My anger gradually +cooled; I still had the cloak, and this should furnish the key to this +strange adventure. I put it on, and moved towards home. Before I had +taken a hundred steps, somebody passed very near, and whispered in the +French tongue, "Observe, Count, to-night, we can do nothing." Before I +could look around, this somebody had passed, and I saw only a shadow +hovering near the houses. That this exclamation was addressed to the +mantle, and not to me, I plainly perceived; nevertheless, this threw +no light upon the matter. Next morning I considered what was best to +be done. At first I thought of having proclamation made respecting +the cloak, that I had found it; but in that case the Unknown could +send for it by a third person, and I would have no explanation of the +matter. While thus meditating I took a nearer view of the garment. It +was of heavy Genoese velvet, of dark red color, bordered with fur from +Astrachan, and richly embroidered with gold. The gorgeousness of the +cloak suggested to me a plan, which I resolved to put in execution. I +carried it to my shop and offered it for sale, taking care, however, +to set so high a price upon it, that I would be certain to find no +purchaser. My object in this was to fix my eye keenly upon every one +who should come to inquire after it; for the figure of the Unknown, +which, after the loss of the mantle, had been exposed to me distinctly +though transiently, I could recognise out of thousands. Many merchants +came after the cloak, the extraordinary beauty of which drew all eyes +upon it; but none bore the slightest resemblance to the Unknown, none +would give for it the high price of two hundred zechins. It was +surprising to me, that when I asked one and another whether there was +a similar mantle in Florence, all answered in the negative, and +protested that they had never seen such costly and elegant +workmanship. + +It was just becoming evening, when at last there came a young man who +had often been in there, and had also that very day bid high for the +mantle; he threw upon the table a bag of zechins, exclaiming-- + +"By Heaven! Zaleukos, I must have your mantle, should I be made a +beggar by it." Immediately he began to count out his gold pieces. I +was in a great dilemma; I had exposed the mantle, in order thereby to +get a sight of my unknown friend, and now came a young simpleton to +give the unheard-of price. Nevertheless, what remained for me? I +complied, for on the other hand the reflection consoled me, that my +night adventure would be so well rewarded. The young man put on the +cloak and departed; he turned, however, upon the threshold, while he +loosened a paper which was attached to the collar, and threw it +towards me, saying, "Here, Zaleukos, hangs something, that does not +properly belong to my purchase." Indifferently, I received the note; +but lo! these were the contents:-- + +"This night, at the hour thou knowest, bring the mantle to the Ponte +Vecchio; four hundred zechins await thee!" + +I stood as one thunder-struck: thus had I trifled with fortune, and +entirely missed my aim. Nevertheless, I reflected not long; catching +up the two hundred zechins, I bounded to the side of the young man and +said, "Take your zechins again, my good friend, and leave me the +cloak; I cannot possibly part with it." + +At first he treated the thing as a jest, but when he saw it was +earnest, he fell in a passion at my presumption, and called me a fool; +and thus at last we came to blows. I was fortunate enough to seize the +mantle in the scuffle, and was already making off with it, when the +young man called the police to his assistance, and had both of us +carried before a court of justice. The magistrate was much astonished +at the accusation, and adjudged the cloak to my opponent. I however, +offered the young man twenty, fifty, eighty, at last a hundred, +zechins, in addition to his two hundred, if he would surrender it to +me. What my entreaties could not accomplish, my gold did. He took my +good zechins, while I went off in triumph with the mantle, obliged to +be satisfied with being taken for a madman by every one in Florence. +Nevertheless, the opinion of the people was a matter of indifference +to me, for I knew better than they, that I would still gain by the +bargain. + +With impatience I awaited the night; at the same hour as the preceding +day, I proceeded to the Ponte Vecchio, the mantle under my arm. With +the last stroke of the clock, came the figure out of darkness to my +side: beyond a doubt it was the man of the night before. + +"Hast thou the cloak?" I was asked. + +"Yes, sir," I replied, "but it cost me a hundred zechins cash." + +"I know it," rejoined he; "look, here are four hundred." He moved with +me to the broad railing of the bridge and counted out the gold pieces; +brightly they glimmered in the moonshine, their lustre delighted my +heart--ah! it did not foresee that this was to be its last joy. I put +the money in my pocket, and then wished to get a good view of the +generous stranger, but he had a mask before his face, through which +two dark eyes frightfully beamed upon me. + +"I thank you, sir, for your kindness," said I to him; "what further +desire you of me? I told you before, however, that it must be nothing +evil." + +"Unnecessary trouble," answered he, throwing the cloak over his +shoulders; "I needed your assistance as a physician, nevertheless not +for a living, but for a dead person." + +"How can that be?" exclaimed I in amazement. + +"I came with my sister from a distant land," rejoined he, at the same +time motioning me to follow him, "and took up my abode with a friend +of our family. A sudden disease carried off my sister yesterday, and +our relations wished to bury her this morning. According to an old +usage of our family, however, all are to repose in the sepulchre of +our fathers; many who have died in foreign lands, nevertheless sleep +there embalmed. To my relations now I grant the body, but to my father +must I bring at least the head of his daughter, that he may see it +once again." + +In this custom of severing the head from near relatives there was to +me, indeed, something awful; nevertheless, I ventured to say nothing +against it, through fear of offending the Unknown. I told him, +therefore, that I was well acquainted with the art of embalming the +dead, and asked him to lead me to the body. Notwithstanding, I could +not keep myself from inquiring why all this must be done so secretly +in the night. He answered me that his relations, who considered his +purpose inhuman, would prevent him from accomplishing it by day; but +only let the head once be cut off, and they could say little more +about it: he could, indeed, have brought the head to me, but a natural +feeling prevented him from cutting it off himself. + +These words brought us to a large splendid house; my companion pointed +it out to me as the termination of our nocturnal walk. We passed the +principal door, and entering a small gate, which the stranger +carefully closed after him, ascended, in the dark, a narrow, winding +staircase. This brought us to a dimly-lighted corridor, from which we +entered an apartment; a lamp, suspended from the ceiling, shed its +brilliant rays around. + +In this chamber stood a bed, on which lay the corpse; the Unknown +turned away his face, as if wishing to conceal his tears. He beckoned +me to the bed, and bidding me set about my business speedily yet +carefully, went out by the door. + +I seized my knives, which, as a physician, I constantly carried with +me, and approached the bed. Only the head of the corpse was visible, +but that was so beautiful that the deepest compassion involuntarily +came over me. In long braids the dark hair hung down; the face was +pale, the eyes closed. At first, I made an incision in the skin, +according to the practice of surgeons when they remove a limb. Then I +took my sharpest knife and cut entirely through the throat. But, +horror! the dead opened her eyes--shut them again--and in a deep sigh +seemed now, for the first time, to breathe forth her life! Straightway +a stream of hot blood sprang forth from the wound. I was convinced +that I had killed the poor girl; for that she was dead there could be +no doubt--from such a wound there was no chance of recovering. I stood +some moments in anxious wo, thinking on what had happened. Had the +Red-mantle deceived me, or was his sister, perhaps, only apparently +dead? The latter appeared to me more probable. Yet I dared not tell +the brother of the deceased, that, perhaps, a less rash blow would +have aroused, without having killed her; therefore I began to sever +the head entirely--but once again the dying one groaned, stretched +herself out in a convulsion of pain, and breathed her last. Then +terror overpowered me, and I rushed shivering out of the apartment. + +But outside in the corridor it was dark, for the lamp had died out; no +trace of my companion was perceptible, and I was obliged to move along +by the wall, at hazard in the dark, in order to reach the +winding-stairs. I found them at last, and descended, half falling, +half gliding. There was no one below; the door was only latched, and I +breathed more freely when I was in the street, out of the uneasy +atmosphere of the house. Spurred on by fear, I ran to my dwelling, and +buried myself in the pillow of my bed, in order to forget the horrid +crime I had committed. But sleep fled my eyelids, and soon morning +admonished me again to collect myself. It seemed probable to me, that +the man who had led me to this villainous deed, as it now appeared to +me, would not denounce me. I immediately resolved to attend to my +business in my shop, and to put on as careless an air as possible. +But, alas! a new misfortune, which I now for the first time observed, +augmented my sorrow. My cap and girdle, as also my knives, were +missing; and I knew not whether they had been left in the chamber of +the dead, or lost during my flight. Alas! the former seemed more +probable, and they could discover in me the murderer. + +I opened my shop at the usual time; a neighbor stepped in, as was his +custom, being a communicative man. "Ah! what say you to the horrid +deed," he cried, "that was committed last night?" I started as if I +knew nothing. "How! know you not that with which the whole city is +filled? Know you not that last night, the fairest flower in Florence, +Bianca, the daughter of the Governor, was murdered? Ah! only yesterday +I saw her walking happily through the streets with her bridegroom, for +to-day she would have had her nuptial festival!" + +Every word of my neighbor was a dagger to my heart; and how often +returned my torments! for each of my customers told me the story, one +more frightfully than another; yet not one could tell it half so +horribly as it had seemed to me. About mid-day, an officer of justice +unexpectedly walked into my shop, and asked me to clear it of the +bystanders. + +"Signor Zaleukos," said he, showing me the articles I had lost, +"belong these things to you?" I reflected whether I should not +entirely disown them; but when I saw through the half-opened door, my +landlord and several acquaintances, who could readily testify against +me, I determined not to make the matter worse by a falsehood, and +acknowledged the articles exhibited as my own. The officer told me to +follow him, and conducted me to a spacious building, which I soon +recognised as the prison. Then, a little farther on, he showed me into +an apartment. + +My situation was terrible, as I reflected on it in my solitude. The +thought of having committed a murder, even against my wish, returned +again and again. Moreover, I could not conceal from myself that the +glance of the gold had dazzled my senses; otherwise I would not have +fallen so blindly into the snare. + +Two hours after my arrest, I was led from my chamber, and after +descending several flights of stairs, entered a spacious saloon. +Around a long table hung with black, were seated twelve men, mostly +gray with age. Along the side of the room, benches were arranged, on +which were seated the first people of Florence. In the gallery, which +was built quite high, stood the spectators, closely crowded together. +As soon as I reached the black table, a man with a gloomy, sorrowful +air arose--it was the Governor. He told the audience that, as a +father, he could not judge impartially in this matter, and that he, +for this occasion, would surrender his seat to the oldest of the +senators. The latter was a gray-headed man, of at least ninety years. +He arose, stooping beneath the weight of age; his temples were covered +with thin white hair, but his eyes still burned brightly, and his +voice was strong and steady. He began by asking me whether I confessed +the murder. I entreated his attention, and with dauntless, distinct +voice, related what I had done and all that I knew. I observed that +the Governor during my recital turned first pale, then red, and when I +concluded, became furious. "How, wretch!" he cried out to me, +"wishest thou thus to lay upon another, the crime thy avarice has +committed?" + +The Senator rebuked him for his interruption, after having of his own +free will resigned his right; moreover, that it was not so clear, that +I had done the deed through avarice, for according to his own +testimony, nothing had been taken from the corpse. Yes, he went still +further; he told the Governor that he must give an account of his +daughter's early life, for in this way only could one conclude whether +I had told the truth or not. Immediately he closed the court for that +day, for the purpose, as he said, of consulting the papers of the +deceased, which the Governor was to give him. I was carried back to my +prison, where I passed a sorrowful day, constantly occupied with the +ardent hope, that they would in some way discover the connection +between the deceased and the Red-mantle. + +Full of hope, I proceeded the next day to the justice-hall. Several +letters lay upon the table; the old Senator asked whether they were of +my writing. I looked at them, and found that they were by the same +hand as both the letters that I had received. This I disclosed to the +Senator; but he seemed to give but little weight to it, answering that +I must have written both, for the name subscribed was unquestionably a +Z, the initial of my name. The letters, however, contained menaces +against the deceased, and warnings against the marriage which she was +on the point of consummating. The Governor seemed to have imparted +something strange and untrue, with respect to my person; for I was +treated this day with more suspicion and severity. For my +justification, I appealed to the papers, which would be found in my +room, but I was informed that search had been made and nothing found. +Thus, at the close of the court, vanished all my hope; and when, on +the third day, I was led again to the hall, the judgment was read +aloud, that I was convicted of a premeditated murder, and sentenced to +death. To such extremity had I come; forsaken by all that was dear to +me on earth, far from my native land, innocent and in the bloom of my +years, I was to die by the axe! + +On the evening of this terrible day which had decided my fate, I was +seated in my lonely dungeon, my hopes past, my thoughts seriously +turned upon death, when the door of my prison opened, and a man +entered who regarded me long in silence. + +"Do I see you again, in this situation, Zaleukos?" he began. By the +dim light of my lamp I had not recognised him, but the sound of his +voice awoke within me old recollections. It was Valetty, one of the +few friends I had made during my studies at Paris. He said that he had +casually come to Florence, where his father, a distinguished man, +resided; he had heard of my story, and come to see me once more, to +inquire with his own lips, how I could have been guilty of such an +awful crime. I told him the whole history: he seemed lost in wonder, +and conjured me to tell him, my only friend, all the truth, and not to +depart with a lie upon my tongue. I swore to him with the most solemn +oath, that I had spoken the truth; and that no other guilt could be +attached to me, than that, having been blinded by the glance of the +gold, I had not seen the improbability of the Stranger's story. "Then +did you not know Bianca?" asked he. I assured him that I had never +seen her. Valetty thereupon told me that there was a deep mystery in +the matter; that the Governor in great haste had urged my +condemnation, and that a report was current among the people, that I +had known Bianca for a long time, and had murdered her out of revenge +for her intended marriage with another. I informed him that all this +was probably true of the Red-mantle, but that I could not prove his +participation in the deed. Valetty embraced me, weeping, and promised +me to do all that he could; to save my life, if nothing more. I had +not much hope; nevertheless, I knew that my friend was a wise man, and +well acquainted with the laws, and that he would do all in his power +to preserve me. + +Two long days was I in suspense; at length Valetty appeared. "I bring +consolation, though even that is attended with sorrow. You shall live +and be free, but with the loss of a hand!" + +Overjoyed, I thanked my friend for my life. He told me that the +Governor had been inexorable, and would not once look into the matter: +that at length, however, rather than appear unjust, he had agreed, if +a similar case could be found in the annals of Florentine history, +that my penalty should be regulated by the punishment that was then +inflicted. He and his father had searched, day and night, in the old +books, and had at length found a case similar in every respect to +mine; the sentence there ran thus:-- + +"He shall have his left hand cut off; his goods shall be confiscated, +and he himself banished forever!" + +Such now was my sentence, also, and I was to prepare for the painful +hour that awaited me. I will not bring before your eyes the frightful +moment, in which, at the open market-place, I laid my hand upon the +block; in which my own blood in thick streams flowed over me! + +Valetty took me to his house until I had recovered, and then +generously supplied me with money for my journey, for all that I had +so laboriously acquired was confiscated to Justice. I went from +Florence to Sicily, and thence, by the first ship I could find, to +Constantinople. My hopes, which rested on the sum of money I had left +with my friend, were not disappointed. I proposed that I should live +with him--how astonished was I, when he asked why I occupied not my +own house! He told me that a strange man had, in my name, bought a +house in the quarter of the Greeks, and told the neighbors that I +would soon, myself, return. I immediately proceeded to it with my +friend, and was joyfully received by all my old acquaintances. An aged +merchant handed me a letter which the man who purchased for me had +left. I read:-- + +"Zaleukos! two hands stand ready to work unceasingly, that thou mayest +not feel the loss of one. That house which thou seest and all therein +are thine, and every year shalt thou receive so much, that thou shalt +be among the rich of thy nation. Mayest thou forgive one who is more +unhappy than thyself!" + +I could guess who was the writer, and the merchant told me, in answer +to my inquiry that it was a man covered with a red cloak, whom he had +taken for a Frenchman. I knew enough to convince me that the Unknown +was not entirely devoid of generous feeling. In my new house I found +all arranged in the best style; a shop, moreover, full of wares, finer +than any I had ever had. Ten years have elapsed since then; more in +compliance with ancient custom, than because it is necessary, do I +continue to travel in foreign lands for purposes of trade, but the +land which was so fatal to me I have never seen since. Every year I +receive a thousand pieces of gold; but although it rejoices me to know +that this Unfortunate is so noble, still can his money never remove wo +from my soul, for there lives forever the heart-rending image of the +murdered Bianca! + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +Thus ended the story of Zaleukos, the Grecian merchant. With great +interest had the others listened; the stranger, in particular, seemed +to be wrapt up in it: more than once he had drawn a deep sigh, and +Muley looked as if he had had tears in his eyes. No one spoke for some +time after the recital. + +"And hate you not the Unknown, who so basely cost you a noble member +of your body, and even put your life in danger?" inquired Selim. + +"Perhaps there were hours at first," answered the Greek, "in which my +heart accused him before God, of having brought this misfortune upon +me, and embittered my life; but I found consolation in the religion of +my fathers, which commanded me to love my enemies. Moreover, he +probably is more unhappy than myself." + +"You are a noble man!" exclaimed Selim, cordially pressing the hand of +the Greek. + +The leader of the escort, however, here interrupted their +conversation. He came with a troubled air into the tent, and told them +that they could not give themselves up to repose, for this was the +place in which Caravans were usually attacked, and his guards imagined +they had seen several horsemen in the distance. + +The merchants were confounded at this intelligence. Selim, the +stranger, however, expressed wonder at their alarm, saying they were +so well escorted they need not fear a troop of Arabian robbers. + +"Yes, sir," rejoined to him the leader of the guard; "were he only a +common outlaw, we could compose ourselves to rest without anxiety; but +for some time back, the frightful Orbasan has shown himself again, and +it is well to be upon our guard." + +The stranger inquired who this Orbasan was, and Achmet, the old +merchant, answered him:-- + +"Various rumors are current among the people with respect to this +wonderful man. Some hold him to be a supernatural being, because, with +only five or six men, he has frequently fallen upon a whole +encampment; others regard him as a bold Frenchman, whom misfortune has +driven into this region: out of all this, however, thus much alone is +certain, that he is an abandoned robber and highwayman." + +"That can you not prove," answered Lezah, one of the merchants. +"Robber as he is, he is still a noble man, and such has he shown +himself to my brother, as I can relate to you. He has formed his +whole band of well-disciplined men, and as long as he marches through +the desert, no other band ventures to show itself. Moreover, he robs +not as others, but only exacts a tribute from the caravans; whoever +willingly pays this, proceeds without further danger, for Orbasan is +lord of the wilderness!" + +Thus did the travellers converse together in the tent; the guards, +however, who were stationed around the resting-place, began to become +uneasy. A tolerably large band of armed horsemen showed themselves at +the distance of half a league. They appeared to be riding straight to +the encampment; one of the guard came into the tent, to inform them +that they would probably be attacked. + +[Illustration] + +The merchants consulted among themselves as to what they should do, +whether to march against them, or await the attack. Achmet and the two +elder merchants inclined to the latter course; the fiery Muley, +however, and Zaleukos desired the former, and summoned the stranger to +their assistance. He, however, quietly drew forth from his girdle a +little blue cloth spangled with red stars, bound it upon a lance, +and commanded one of the slaves to plant it in front of the tent: he +would venture his life upon it, he said, that the horsemen, when they +saw this signal, would quietly march back again. Muley trusted not the +result; still the slave put out the lance in front of the tent. +Meanwhile all in the camp had seized their weapons, and were looking +upon the horsemen in eager expectation. The latter, however, appeared +to have espied the signal; they suddenly swerved from their direct +course towards the encampment, and, in a large circle, moved off to +the side. + +Struck with wonder, the travellers stood some moments, gazing +alternately at the horsemen and the stranger. The latter stood in +front of the tent quite indifferently, as though nothing had happened, +looking upon the plain before him. At last Muley broke the silence. + +"Who art thou, mighty stranger," he exclaimed, "that restrainest with +a glance the wild hordes of the desert?" + +"You rate my art higher than it deserves," answered Selim Baruch. "I +observed this signal when I fled from captivity; what it means, I know +not--only this much I know, that whoever travels with this sign, is +under great protection." + +The merchants thanked the stranger, and called him their preserver; +indeed, the number of the robbers was so great, that the Caravan could +not, probably, for any length of time, have offered an effectual +resistance. + +With lighter hearts they now gave themselves to sleep; and when the +sun began to sink, and the evening wind to pass over the sand-plain, +they struck their tents, and marched on. The next day they halted +safely, only one day's journey from the entrance of the desert. When +the travellers had once more collected in the large tent, Lezah, the +merchant, took up the discourse. + +"I told you, yesterday, that the dreaded Orbasan was a noble man; +permit me to prove it to you, to-day, by the relation of my brother's +adventure. My father was Cadi of Acara. He had three children; I was +the eldest, my brother and sister being much younger than myself. When +I was twenty years old, a brother of my father took me under his +protection; he made me heir to his property, on condition that I +should remain with him until his death. He however had reached an old +age, so that before two years I returned to my native land, having +known nothing, before, of the misfortune which had meanwhile fallen +upon my family, and how Allah had turned it to advantage." + + + + +[Illustration] + +FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. + + +My brother Mustapha and my sister Fatima were almost of the same age; +the former was at most but two years older. They loved each other +fervently, and did in concert, all that could lighten, for our +suffering father, the burden of his old age. On Fatima's seventeenth +birthday, my brother prepared a festival. He invited all her +companions, and set before them a choice banquet in the gardens of +our father, and, towards evening, proposed to them to take a little +sail upon the sea, in a boat which he had hired, and adorned in grand +style. Fatima and her companions agreed with joy, for the evening was +fine, and the city, particularly when viewed by evening from the sea, +promised a magnificent prospect. The girls, however, were so well +pleased upon the bark, that they continually entreated my brother to +go farther out upon the sea. Mustapha, however, yielded reluctantly, +because a Corsair had been seen, for several days back, in that +vicinity. + +Not far from the city, a promontory projected into the sea; thither +the maidens were anxious to go, in order to see the sun sink into the +water. Having rowed thither, they beheld a boat occupied by armed men. +Anticipating no good, my brother commanded the oarsmen to turn the +vessel, and make for land. His apprehensions seemed, indeed, to be +confirmed, for the boat quickly approached that of my brother, and +getting ahead of it, (for it had more rowers,) ran between it and the +land. The young girls, moreover, when they knew the danger to which +they were exposed, sprang up with cries and lamentations: in vain +Mustapha sought to quiet them, in vain enjoined upon them to be still, +lest their running to and fro should upset the vessel. It was of no +avail; and when, in consequence of the proximity of the other boat, +all ran upon the further side, it was upset. + +Meanwhile, they had observed from the land the approach of the strange +boat, and, inasmuch as, for some time back, they had been in anxiety +on account of Corsairs, their suspicions were excited, and several +boats put off from the land to their assistance: but they only came in +time to pick up the drowning. In the confusion, the hostile boat +escaped. In both barks, however, which had taken in those who were +preserved, they were uncertain whether all had been saved. They +approached each other, and, alas! found that my sister and one of her +companions were missing; at the same time, in their number a stranger +was discovered, who was known to none. In answer to Mustapha's +threats, he confessed that he belonged to the hostile ship, which was +lying at anchor two miles to the eastward, and that his companions had +left him behind in their hasty flight, while he was engaged in +assisting to pick up the maidens; moreover, he said he had seen two +taken on board their boat. + +The grief of my old father was without bounds, but Mustapha also was +afflicted unto death, for not only had his beloved sister been lost, +and did he accuse himself of having been the cause of her misfortune, +but, also, her companion who had shared it with her, had been promised +to him by her parents as his wife; still had he not dared to avow it +to our father, because her family was poor, and of low descent. My +father, however, was a stern man; as soon as his sorrow had subsided a +little, he called Mustapha before him, and thus spake to him:-- + +"Thy folly has deprived me of the consolation of my old age, and the +joy of my eyes. Go! I banish thee forever from my sight! I curse thee +and thine offspring--and only when thou shalt restore to me my Fatima, +shall thy head be entirely free from a father's execrations!" + +This my poor brother had not expected; already, before this, he had +determined to go in search of his sister and her friend, after having +asked the blessing of his father upon his efforts, and now that father +had sent him forth into the world, laden with his curse. As, however, +his former grief had bowed him down, so this consummation of +misfortune, which he had not deserved, tended to steel his mind. He +went to the imprisoned pirate, and, demanding whither the ship was +bound, learned that she carried on a trade in slaves, and usually had +a great sale thereof in Balsora. + +On his return to the house, in order to prepare for his journey, the +anger of his father seemed to have subsided a little, for he sent him +a purse full of gold, to support him during his travels. Mustapha, +thereupon, in tears took leave of the parents of Zoraida, (for so his +affianced was called,) and set out upon the route to Balsora. + +Mustapha travelled by land, because from our little city there was no +ship that went direct to Balsora. He was obliged, therefore, to use +all expedition, in order not to arrive too long after the sea-robbers. +Having a good horse and no luggage, he hoped to reach this city by the +end of the sixth day. On the evening of the fourth, however, as he +was riding all alone upon his way, three men came suddenly upon him. +Having observed that they were well-armed and powerful men, and sought +his money and his horse, rather than his life, he cried out that he +would yield himself to them. They dismounted, and tied his feet +together under his horse; then they placed him in their midst, and, +without a word spoken, trotted quickly away with him; one of them +having seized his bridle. + +Mustapha gave himself up to a feeling of gloomy despair; the curse of +his father seemed already to be undergoing its accomplishment on the +unfortunate one, and how could he hope to save his sister and Zoraida, +should he, robbed of all his means, even be able to devote his poor +life to their deliverance? Mustapha and his silent companions might +have ridden about an hour, when they entered a little valley. The vale +was enclosed by lofty trees; a soft, dark-green turf, and a stream +which ran swiftly through its midst, invited to repose. In this place +were pitched from fifteen to twenty tents, to the stakes of which were +fastened camels and fine horses: from one of these tents distinctly +sounded the melody of a guitar, blended with two fine manly voices. It +seemed to my brother as if people who had chosen so blithesome a +resting-place, could have no evil intentions towards himself; and +accordingly, without apprehension, he obeyed the summons of his +conductors, who had unbound his feet, and made signs to him to follow. +They led him into a tent which was larger than the rest, and on the +inside was magnificently fitted up. Splendid cushions embroidered with +gold, woven carpets, gilded censers, would elsewhere have bespoken +opulence and respectability, but here seemed only the booty of a +robber band. Upon one of the cushions an old and small-sized man was +reclining: his countenance was ugly; a dark-brown and shining skin, a +disgusting expression around his eyes, and a mouth of malicious +cunning, combined to render his whole appearance odious. Although this +man sought to put on a commanding air, still Mustapha soon perceived +that not for him was the tent so richly adorned, and the conversation +of his conductors seemed to confirm him in his opinion. + +"Where is the Mighty?" inquired they of the little man. + +"He is out upon a short hunt," was the answer; "but he has +commissioned me to attend to his affairs." + +"That has he not wisely done," rejoined one of the robbers; "for it +must soon be determined whether this dog is to die or be ransomed, and +that the Mighty knows better than thou." + +Being very sensitive in all that related to his usurped dignity, the +little man, raising himself, stretched forward in order to reach the +other's ear with the extremity of his hand, for he seemed desirous of +revenging himself by a blow; but when he saw that his attempt was +fruitless, he set about abusing him (and indeed the others did not +remain much in his debt) to such a degree, that the tent resounded +with their strife. Thereupon, of a sudden, the tent-door opened, and +in walked a tall, stately man, young and handsome as a Persian prince. +His garments and weapons, with the exception of a richly-mounted +poniard and gleaming sabre, were plain and simple; his serious eye, +however, and his whole appearance, demanded respect without exciting +fear. + +"Who is it that dares to engage in strife within my tent?" exclaimed +he, as they started back aghast. For a long time deep stillness +prevailed, till at last one of those who had captured Mustapha, +related to him how it had begun. Thereupon the countenance of "the +Mighty," as they had called him, seemed to grow red with passion. + +"When would I have placed thee, Hassan, over my concerns?" he cried, +in frightful accents, to the little man. The latter, in his fear, +shrunk until he seemed even smaller than before, and crept towards the +door of the tent. One step of the Mighty was sufficient to send him +through the entrance with a long singular bound. As soon as the little +man had vanished, the three led Mustapha before the master of the +tent, who had meanwhile reclined upon the cushion. + +"Here bring we thee him, whom thou commandedst us to take." He +regarded the prisoner for some time, and then said, "Bashaw of +Sulieika, thine own conscience will tell thee why thou standest before +Orbasan." When my brother heard this, he bowed low and answered:-- + +"My lord, you appear to labor under a mistake; I am a poor +unfortunate, not the Bashaw, whom you seek." At this all were amazed; +the master of the tent, however, said:-- + +"Dissimulation can help you little, for I will summon the people who +know you well." He commanded them to bring in Zuleima. An old woman +was led into the tent, who, on being asked whether in my brother she +recognised the Bashaw of Sulieika, answered:-- + +"Yes, verily! And I swear by the grave of the Prophet, it is the +Bashaw, and no other!" + +"Seest thou, wretch, that thy dissimulation has become as water?" +cried out the Mighty in a furious tone. "Thou art too pitiful for me +to stain my good dagger with thy blood, but to-morrow, when the sun is +up, will I bind thee to the tail of my horse, and gallop with thee +through the woods, until they separate behind the hills of Sulieika!" +Then sank my poor brother's courage within him. + +"It is my cruel father's curse, that urges me to an ignominious +death," exclaimed he, weeping; "and thou, too, art lost, sweet +sister, and thou, Zoraida!" + +"Thy dissimulation helps thee not," said one of the robbers, as he +bound his hands behind his back. "Come, out of the tent with thee! for +the Mighty is biting his lips, and feeling for his dagger. If thou +wouldst live another night, bestir thyself!" + +Just as the robbers were leading my brother from the tent, they met +three of their companions, who were also pushing a captive before +them. They entered with him. "Here bring we the Bashaw, as thou hast +commanded," said they, conducting the prisoner before the cushion of +the Mighty. While they were so doing, my brother had an opportunity of +examining him, and was struck with surprise at the remarkable +resemblance which this man bore to himself; the only difference being, +that he was of more gloomy aspect, and had a black beard. The Mighty +seemed much astonished at the resemblance of the two captives. + +"Which of you is the right one?" he asked, looking alternately at +Mustapha and the other. + +"If thou meanest the Bashaw of Sulieika," answered the latter in a +haughty tone, "I am he!" + +The Mighty regarded him for a long time with his grave, terrible eye, +and then silently motioned to them to lead him off. This having been +done, he approached my brother, severed his bonds with his dagger, and +invited him by signs to sit upon the cushion beside him. "It grieves +me, stranger," he said, "that I took you for this villain. It has +happened, however, by some mysterious interposition of Providence, +which placed you in the hands of my companions, at the very hour in +which the destruction of this wretch was ordained." + +Mustapha, thereupon, entreated him only for permission to pursue his +journey immediately, for this delay might cost him much. The Mighty +asked what business it could be that required such haste, and, when +Mustapha had told him all, he persuaded him to spend that night in his +tent, and allow his horse some rest; and promised the next morning to +show him a route which would bring him to Balsora in a day and a half. +My brother consented, was sumptuously entertained, and slept soundly +till morning in the robber's tent. + +Upon awaking, he found himself all alone in the tent, but, before the +entrance, heard several voices in conversation, which seemed to belong +to the swarthy little man and the bandit-chief. He listened awhile, +and to his horror heard the little man eagerly urging the other to +slay the stranger, since, if he were let go, he could betray them all. +Mustapha immediately perceived that the little man hated him, for +having been the cause of his rough treatment the day before. The +Mighty seemed to be reflecting a moment. + +"No," said he; "he is my guest, and the laws of hospitality are with +me sacred: moreover, he does not look like one that would betray us." + +Having thus spoken, he threw back the tent-cover, and walked in. +"Peace be with thee, Mustapha!" he said: "let us taste the +morning-drink, and then prepare thyself for thy journey." He offered +my brother a cup of sherbet, and after they had drunk, they saddled +their horses, and Mustapha mounted, with a lighter heart, indeed, than +when he entered the vale. They had soon turned their backs upon the +tents, and took a broad path, which led into the forest. The Mighty +informed my brother, that this Bashaw whom they had captured in the +chase, had promised them that they should remain undisturbed within +his jurisdiction; but some weeks before, he had taken one of their +bravest men, and had him hung, after the most terrible tortures. He +had waited for him a long time, and to-day he must die. Mustapha +ventured not to say a word in opposition, for he was glad to have +escaped himself with a whole skin. + +At the entrance of the forest, the Mighty checked his horse, showed +Mustapha the way, and gave him his hand with these words: "Mustapha, +thou becamest in a strange way the guest of the robber Orbasan. I will +not ask thee not to betray what thou hast seen and heard. Thou hast +unjustly endured the pains of death, and I owe thee a recompense. Take +this dagger as a remembrance, and when thou hast need of help, send it +to me, and I will hasten to thy assistance. This purse thou wilt +perhaps need upon thy journey." + +My brother thanked him for his generosity; he took the dagger, but +refused the purse. Orbasan, however, pressed once again his hand, let +the money fall to the ground, and galloped with the speed of the wind +into the forest. Mustapha, seeing that he could not overtake him, +dismounted to secure the purse, and was astonished at the great +magnanimity of his host, for it contained a large sum of gold. He +thanked Allah for his deliverance, commended the generous robber to +his mercy, and again started, with fresh courage, upon the route to +Balsora. + + * * * * * + +Lezah paused, and looked inquiringly at Achmet, the old merchant. + +"No! if it be so," said the latter, "then will I gladly correct my +opinion of Orbasan; for indeed he acted nobly towards thy brother." + +"He behaved like a brave Mussulman," exclaimed Muley; "but I hope thou +hast not here finished thy story, for, as it seems to me, we are all +eager to hear still further, how it went with thy brother, and whether +he succeeded in rescuing thy sister and the fair Zoraida." + +"I will willingly proceed," rejoined Lezah, "if it be not tiresome to +you; for my brother's history is, throughout, full of the most +wonderful adventures." + + * * * * * + +About the middle of the seventh day after his departure, Mustapha +entered the gate of Balsora. As soon as he had arrived at a +caravansery, he inquired whether the slave-market, which was held here +every year, had opened; but received the startling answer, that he had +come two days too late. His informer deplored his tardiness, telling +him that on the last day of the market, two female slaves had arrived, +of such great beauty as to attract to themselves the eyes of all the +merchants. + +He inquired more particularly as to their appearance, and there was no +doubt in his mind, that they were the unfortunate ones of whom he was +in search. Moreover, he learned that the man who had purchased them +both, was called Thiuli-Kos, and lived forty leagues from Balsora, an +illustrious and wealthy, but quite old man, who had been in his early +years Capudan-Bashaw of the Sultan, but had now settled down into +private life with the riches he had acquired. + +Mustapha was, at first, on the point of remounting his horse with all +possible speed, in order to overtake Thiuli-Kos, who could scarcely +have had a day's start; but when he reflected that, as a single man, +he could not prevail against the powerful traveller, could still less +rescue from him his prey, he set about reflecting for another plan, +and soon hit upon one. His resemblance to the Bashaw of Sulieika, +which had almost been fatal to him, suggested to him the thought of +going to the house of Thiuli-Kos under this name, and, in that way, +making an attempt for the deliverance of the two unfortunate maidens. +Accordingly he hired attendants and horses, in which the money of +Orbasan opportunely came to his assistance, furnished himself and his +servants with splendid garments, and set out in the direction of +Thiuli's castle. After five days he arrived in its vicinity. It was +situated in a beautiful plain, and was surrounded on all sides by +lofty walls, which were but slightly overtopped by the structure +itself. When Mustapha had arrived quite near, he dyed his hair and +beard black, and stained his face with the juice of a plant, which +gave it a brownish color, exactly similar to that of the Bashaw. From +this place he sent forward one of his attendants to the castle, and +bade him ask a night's lodging, in the name of the Bashaw of +Sulieika. The servant soon returned in company with four +finely-attired slaves, who took Mustapha's horse by the bridle, and +led him into the court-yard. There they assisted him to dismount, and +four others escorted him up a wide marble staircase, into the presence +of Thiuli. + +The latter personage, an old, robust man, received my brother +respectfully, and had set before him the best that his castle could +afford. After the meal, Mustapha gradually turned the conversation +upon the new slaves; whereupon, Thiuli praised their beauty, but +expressed regret because they were so sorrowful; nevertheless he +believed that would go over after a time. My brother was much +delighted at his reception, and, with hope beating high in his bosom, +lay down to rest. + +He might, perhaps, have been sleeping an hour, when he was awakened by +the rays of a lamp, which fell dazzlingly upon his eyes. When he had +raised himself up, he believed himself dreaming, for there before him +stood the very same little, swarthy fellow of Orbasan's tent, a lamp +in his hand, his wide mouth distended with a disgusting laugh. +Mustapha pinched himself in the arm, and pulled his nose, in order to +see if he were really awake, but the figure remained as before. + +"What wishest thou by my bed?" exclaimed Mustapha, recovering from his +amazement. + +"Do not disquiet yourself so much, my friend," answered the little +man. "I made a good guess as to the motive that brought you hither. +Although your worthy countenance was still well remembered by me, +nevertheless, had I not with my own hand assisted to hang the Bashaw, +you might, perhaps, have deceived even me. Now, however, I am here to +propose a question." + +"First of all, tell me why you came hither," interrupted Mustapha, +full of resentment at finding himself detected. + +"That I will explain to you," rejoined the other: "I could not put up +with the Mighty any longer, and therefore ran away; but you, Mustapha, +were properly the cause of our quarrel, and so you must give me your +sister to wife, and I will help you in your flight; give her not, and +I will go to my new master, and tell him something of our new Bashaw." + +Mustapha was beside himself with fear and anger; at the very moment +when he thought he had arrived at the happy accomplishment of his +wishes, must this wretch come, and frustrate them all! It was the only +way to carry his plan into execution--he must slay the little monster: +with one bound, he sprang from the bed upon him; but the other, who +might perhaps have anticipated something of the kind, let the lamp +fall, which was immediately extinguished, and rushed forth in the +dark, crying vehemently for help. + +Now was the time for decisive action; the maids he was obliged, for +the moment, to abandon, and attend only to his own safety: +accordingly, he approached the window, to see if he could not spring +from it. It was a tolerable distance from the ground, and on the other +side stood a lofty wall, which he would have to surmount. Reflecting, +he stood by the window until he heard many voices approaching his +chamber: already were they at the door, when seizing desperately his +dagger, and garments, he let himself down from the window. The fall +was hard, but he felt that no bone was broken; immediately he sprang +up, and ran to the wall which surrounded the court. This, to the +astonishment of his pursuers, he mounted, and soon found himself at +liberty. He ran on until he came to a little forest, where he sank +down exhausted. Here he reflected on what was to be done; his horses +and attendants he was obliged to leave behind, but the money, which he +had placed in his girdle, he had saved. + +His inventive genius, however, soon pointed him to another means of +deliverance. He walked through the wood until he arrived at a village, +where for a small sum he purchased a horse, with the help of which, in +a short time, he reached a city. There he inquired for a physician, +and was directed to an old experienced man. On this one he prevailed, +by a few gold pieces, to furnish him with a medicine to produce a +death-like sleep, which, by means of another, might be instantaneously +removed. Having obtained this, he purchased a long false beard, a +black gown, and various boxes and retorts, so that he could readily +pass for a travelling physician; these articles he placed upon an ass, +and rode back to the castle of Thiuli-Kos. He was certain, this time, +of not being recognised, for the beard disfigured him so that he +scarcely knew himself. + +Arrived in the vicinity of the castle, he announced himself as the +physician Chakamankabudibaba, and matters turned out as he had +expected. The splendor of the name procured him extraordinary favor +with the old fool, who invited him to table. Chakamankabudibaba +appeared before Thiuli, and, having conversed with him scarcely an +hour, the old man resolved that all his female slaves should submit to +the examination of the wise physician. The latter could scarcely +conceal his joy at the idea of once more beholding his beloved sister, +and with palpitating heart followed Thiuli, who conducted him to his +seraglio. They reached an unoccupied room, which was beautifully +furnished. + +"Chambaba, or whatever thou mayest be called, my good physician," said +Thiuli-Kos, "look once at that hole in the wall; thence shall each of +my slaves stretch forth her arm, and thou canst feel whether the pulse +betoken sickness or health." + +Answer as he might, Mustapha could not arrange it so that he might see +them; nevertheless, Thiuli agreed to tell him, each time, the usual +health of the one he was examining. Thiuli drew forth a long list from +his girdle, and began, with loud voice, to call out, one by one, the +names of his slaves; whereupon, each time, a hand came forth from the +wall, and the physician felt the pulse. Six had been read off, and +declared entirely well, when Thiuli, for the seventh called Fatima, +and a small white hand slipped forth from the wall. Trembling with +joy, Mustapha grasped it, and with an important air pronounced her +seriously ill. Thiuli became very anxious, and commanded his wise +Chakamankabudibaba straightway to prescribe some medicine for her. The +physician left the room, and wrote a little scroll: + +"Fatima, I will preserve thee, if thou canst make up thy mind to take +a draught, which for two days will make thee dead; nevertheless, I +possess the means of restoring thee to life. If thou wilt, then only +return answer, that this liquid has been of no assistance, and it will +be to me a token that thou agreest." + +In a moment he returned to the room, where Thiuli had remained. He +brought with him an innocent drink, felt the pulse of the sick Fatima +once more, pushed the note beneath her bracelet, and then handed her +the liquid through the opening in the wall. Thiuli seemed to be in +great anxiety on Fatima's account, and postponed the examination of +the rest to a more fitting opportunity. As he left the room with +Mustapha, he addressed him in sorrowful accents: + +"Chadibaba, tell me plainly, what thinkest thou of Fatima's illness?" + +My brother answered with a deep sigh: "Ah, sir, may the Prophet give +you consolation! she has a slow fever, which may, perhaps, cost her +life!" + +Then burned Thiuli's anger: "What sayest thou, cursed dog of a +physician? She, for whom I gave two thousand gold pieces--shall she +die like a cow? Know, if thou preservest her not, I will chop off +thine head!" + +My brother immediately saw that he had made a misstep, and again +inspired Thiuli with hope. While they were yet conversing, a black +slave came from the seraglio to tell the physician, that the drink had +been of no assistance. + +"Put forth all thy skill, Chakamdababelda, or whatever thy name may +be; I will pay thee what thou askest!" cried out Thiuli-Kos, well-nigh +howling with sorrow, at the idea of losing so much gold. + +"I will give her a potion, which will put her out of all danger," +answered the physician. + +"Yes, yes!--give it her," sobbed the old Thiuli. + +With joyful heart Mustapha went to bring his soporific, and having +given it to the black slave, and shown him how much it was necessary +to take for a dose, he went to Thiuli, and, telling him he must +procure some medicinal herbs from the sea, hastened through the gate. +On the shore, which was not far from the castle, he removed his false +garments, and cast them into the water, where they floated merrily +around; concealing himself, however, in a thicket, he awaited the +night, and then stole softly to the burying-place of Thiuli's castle. + +Hardly an hour had Mustapha been absent, when they brought Thiuli the +intelligence that his slave Fatima was in the agonies of death. He +sent them to the sea-coast to bring the physician back with all speed, +but his messengers returned alone, with the news that the poor +physician had fallen into the water, and was drowned; that they had +espied his black gown floating upon the surface, and that now and then +his large beard peeped forth from amid the billows. Thiuli seeing now +no help, cursed himself and the whole world; plucked his beard, and +dashed his head against the wall. But all this was of no use, for soon +Fatima gave up the ghost, in the arms of her companions. When the +unfortunate man heard the news of her death, he commanded them quickly +to make a coffin, for he could not tolerate a dead person in his +house; and bade them bear forth the corpse to the place of burial. The +carriers brought in the coffin, but quickly set it down and fled, for +they heard sighs and sobs among the other piles. + +Mustapha, who, concealed behind the coffins, had inspired the +attendants with such terror, came forth and lighted a lamp, which he +had brought for that purpose. Then he drew out a vial which contained +the life-restoring medicine, and lifted the lid of Fatima's coffin. +But what amazement seized him, when by the light of the lamp, strange +features met his gaze! Neither my sister, nor Zoraida, but an entire +stranger, lay in the coffin! It was some time before he could recover +from this new stroke of destiny; at last, however, compassion +triumphed over anger. He opened the vial, and administered the liquid. +She breathed--she opened her eyes--and seemed for some time to be +reflecting where she was. At length, recalling all that had happened, +she rose from the coffin, and threw herself, sobbing, at Mustapha's +feet. + +"How may I thank thee, excellent being," she exclaimed, "for having +freed me from my frightful prison?" Mustapha interrupted her +expressions of gratitude by inquiring, how it happened that she, and +not his sister Fatima, had been preserved. The maiden looked in +amazement. + +"Now is my deliverance explained, which was before incomprehensible," +answered she. "Know that in this castle I am called Fatima, and it was +to me thou gavest thy note, and the preserving-drink." + +My brother entreated her to give him intelligence of his sister and +Zoraida, and learned that they were both in the castle, but, according +to Thiuli's custom, had received different names; they were now +called Mirza and Nurmahal. When Fatima, the rescued slave, saw that my +brother was so cast down by this failure of his enterprise, she bade +him take courage, and promised to show him means whereby he could +still deliver both the maidens. Aroused by this thought, Mustapha was +filled with new hope, and besought her to point out to him the way. + +"Only five months," said she, "have I been Thiuli's slave; +nevertheless, from the first, I have been continually meditating an +escape; but for myself alone it was too difficult. In the inner court +of the castle, you may have observed a fountain, which pours forth +water from ten tubes; this fountain riveted my attention. I remembered +in my father's house to have seen a similar one, the water of which +was led up through a spacious aqueduct. In order to learn whether this +fountain was constructed in the same manner, I one day praised its +magnificence to Thiuli, and inquired after its architect. 'I myself +built it,' answered he, 'and what thou seest here is still the +smallest part; for the water comes hither into it from a brook at +least a thousand paces off, flowing through a vaulted aqueduct, which +is as high as a man. And all this have I myself planned.' After +hearing this, I often wished only for a moment to have a man's +strength, in order to roll away the stone from the side of the +fountain; then could I have fled whither I would. The aqueduct now +will I show to you; through it you can enter the castle by night, and +set them free. Only you must have at least two men with you, in order +to overpower the slaves which, by night, guard the seraglio." + +Thus she spoke, and my brother Mustapha, although twice disappointed +already in his expectations, once again took courage, and hoped with +Allah's assistance to carry out the plan of the slave. He promised to +conduct her in safety to her native land, if she would assist him in +entering the castle. But one thought still troubled him, namely, where +he could find two or three faithful assistants. Thereupon the dagger +of Orbasan occurred to him, and the promise of the robber to hasten to +his assistance, when he should stand in need of help, and he therefore +started with Fatima from the burying-ground, to seek the chieftain. + +In the same city where he had converted himself into a physician, +with his last money he purchased a horse, and procured lodgings for +Fatima, with a poor woman in the suburbs. He, however, hastened +towards the mountain where he had first met Orbasan, and reached it in +three days. He soon found the tent, and unexpectedly walked in before +the chieftain, who welcomed him with friendly courtesy. He related to +him his unsuccessful attempts, whereupon the grave Orbasan could not +restrain himself from laughing a little now and then, particularly +when he announced himself as the physician Chakamankabudibaba. At the +treachery of the little man, however, he was furious; and swore, if he +could find him, to hang him with his own hand. He assured my brother +that he was ready to assist him the moment he should be sufficiently +recovered from his ride. Accordingly, Mustapha remained that night +again in the robber's tent, and with the first morning-red they set +out, Orbasan taking with him three of his bravest men, well mounted +and armed. They rode rapidly, and in two days arrived at the little +city, where Mustapha had left the rescued Fatima. Thence they rode on +with her unto the forest, from which, at a little distance, they could +see Thiuli's castle; there they concealed themselves, to await the +night. As soon as it was dark, guided by Fatima, they proceeded softly +to the brook, where the aqueduct commenced, and soon found it. There +they left Fatima and a servant with the horses, and prepared +themselves for the descent: before they started, however, Fatima once +more repeated, with precision, the directions she had given; namely, +that, on emerging from the fountain into the inner court-yard, they +would find a tower in each corner on the right and left; that inside +the sixth gate from the right tower, they would find Fatima and +Zoraida, guarded by two black slaves. Well provided with weapons and +iron implements for forcing the doors, Mustapha, Orbasan, and the two +other men, descended through the aqueduct; they sank, indeed, in +water, up to the middle, but not the less vigorously on that account +did they press forward. + +In a half hour they arrived at the fountain, and immediately began to +ply their tools. The wall was thick and firm, but could not long +resist the united strength of the four men; they soon made a breach +sufficiently large to allow them to slip through without difficulty. +Orbasan was the first to emerge, and then assisted the others. Being +now all in the court-yard, they examined the side of the castle which +lay before them, in order to find the door which had been described. +But they could not agree as to which it was, for on counting from the +right tower to the left, they found one door which had been walled up, +and they knew not whether Fatima had included this in her calculation. +But Orbasan was not long in making up his mind: "My good sword will +open to me this gate," he exclaimed, advancing to the sixth, while the +others followed him. They opened it, and found six black slaves lying +asleep upon the floor; imagining that they had missed the object of +their search, they were already softly drawing back, when a figure +raised itself in the corner, and in well-known accents called for +help. It was the little man of the robber-encampment. But ere the +slaves knew what had taken place, Orbasan sprang upon the little man, +tore his girdle in two, stopped his mouth, and bound his hands behind +his back; then he turned to the slaves, some of whom were already +half bound by Mustapha and the two others, and assisted in completely +overpowering them. They presented their daggers to the breasts of the +slaves, and asked where Nurmahal and Mirza were: they confessed that +they were in the next chamber. Mustapha rushed into the room, and +found Fatima and Zoraida awakened by the noise. They were not long in +collecting their jewels and garments, and following my brother. + +Meanwhile the two robbers proposed to Orbasan to carry off what they +could find, but he forbade them, saying: "It shall never be told of +Orbasan, that he enters houses by night, to steal gold." Mustapha, and +those he had preserved, quickly stepped into the aqueduct, whither +Orbasan promised to follow them immediately. As soon as they had +departed, the chieftain and one of the robbers led forth the little +man into the court-yard; there, having fastened around his neck a +silken cord, which they had brought for that purpose, they hung him on +the highest point of the fountain. After having thus punished the +treachery of the wretch, they also entered the aqueduct, and followed +Mustapha. With tears the two maidens thanked their brave preserver, +Orbasan; but he urged them in haste to their flight, for it was very +probable that Thiuli-Kos would seek them in every direction. + +With deep emotion, on the next day, did Mustapha and the rescued +maidens part with Orbasan. Indeed, they never will forget him! Fatima, +the freed slave, left us in disguise for Balsora, in order to take +passage thence to her native land. + +After a short and agreeable journey, my brother and his companions +reached home. Delight at seeing them once more, almost killed my old +father; the next day after their arrival, he gave a great festival, to +which all the city was invited. Before a large assemblage of relations +and friends, my brother had to relate his story, and with one voice +they praised him and the noble robber. + +When, however, Mustapha had finished, my father arose and led Zoraida +to him. "Thus remove I," said he with solemn voice, "the curse from +thy head; take this maiden as the reward which thy unwearied courage +has merited. Receive my fatherly blessing: and may there never be +wanting to our city, men who, in brotherly love, in prudence, and +bravery, may be thy equals!" + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +The Caravan had reached the end of the desert, and gladly did the +travellers salute the green meadows, and thickly-leaved trees, of +whose charms they had been deprived for so many days. In a lovely +valley lay a caravansery, which they selected as their resting-place +for the night; and though it offered but limited accommodations and +refreshment, still was the whole company more happy and sociable than +ever: for the thought of having passed through the dangers and +hardships, with which a journey through the desert is ever +accompanied, had opened every heart, and attuned their minds to jest +and gayety. Muley, the young and merry merchant, went through a comic +dance, and sang songs thereto, which elicited a laugh, even from +Zaleukos, the serious Greek. But not content with having raised the +spirits of his comrades by dance and merriment, he also gave them, in +the best style, the story he had promised, and, as soon as he could +recover breath from his gambols, began the following tale. + + + + +[Illustration] + +LITTLE MUCK. + + +In Nicea, my beloved father-city, lived a man, whom people called +"Little Muck." Though at that time I was quite young, I can recollect +him very well, particularly since, on one occasion, I was flogged +almost to death, by my father, on his account. The Little Muck, even +then, when I knew him, an old man, was nevertheless but three or four +feet high: he had a singular figure, for his body, little and smart +as it was, carried a head much larger and thicker than that of others. +He lived all alone in a large house, and even cooked for himself; +moreover, it would not have been known in the city whether he was +alive or dead, (for he went forth but once in four weeks,) had not +every day, about the hour of noon, strong fumes come forth from the +house. Nevertheless, in the evening he was often to be seen walking to +and fro upon his roof; although, from the street, it seemed as if it +were his head alone that was running around there. + +I and my comrades were wicked fellows, who teased and ridiculed every +one; accordingly, to us it was a holiday when the Little Muck went +forth: on the appointed day we would assemble before his house, and +wait for him to come out. When, then, the door opened, and at first +the immense head and still larger turban peered forth, when the rest +of the body followed covered with a small cloak which had been +irregularly curtailed, with wide pantaloons, and a broad girdle in +which hung a long dagger, so long that one could not tell whether Muck +was fastened to the dagger, or the dagger to Muck--when in this guise +he came forth, then would the air resound with our cries of joy; then +would we fling our caps aloft, and dance round him, like mad. Little +Muck, however, would salute us with a serious bow, and walk with long +strides through the street, shuffling now and then his feet, for he +wore large wide slippers, such as I have never elsewhere seen. We boys +would run behind him, crying continually, "Little Muck! Little Muck!" +We also had a droll little verse, which we would now and then sing in +his honor; it ran thus:-- + + "Little Muck, oh Little Muck! + What a fine, brave dwarf art thou! + Livest in a house so tall; + Goest forth but once a month, + Mountain-headed, though so small. + Turn thyself but once, and look! + Run, and catch us, Little Muck." + +In this way had we often carried on our sport, and, to my shame, I +must confess that I took the most wicked part in it, for I often +plucked him by the mantle, and once trod from behind on his large +slippers, so that he fell down. This was, at first, a source of the +greatest amusement to me, but my laughter soon ceased when I saw the +Little Muck go up to my father's house; he walked straight in, and +remained there some time. I concealed myself near the door, and saw +Muck come forth again, escorted by my father, who respectfully shook +his hand, and with many bows parted with him at the door. My mind was +uneasy, and I remained some time in my concealment; at length, +however, hunger, which I feared more than blows, drove me in, and +ashamed and with downcast head, I walked in before my father. + +"Thou hast, as I hear, insulted the good Muck," said he with a very +serious tone. "I will tell thee the history of this Muck, and then I +am sure thou wilt ridicule him no more. But first, thou shalt receive +thy allowance." The allowance was five-and-twenty lashes, which he +took care to count only too honestly. He thereupon took a long +pipe-stem, unscrewed the amber mouthpiece, and beat me more severely +than he had ever done before. + +When the five-and-twenty were all made up, he commanded me to attend, +and told me the following story of Little Muck. + + * * * * * + +The father of Little Muck, who is properly called Mukrah, lived here +in Nicea, a respectable, but poor man. He kept himself almost as +retired as his son does now. The latter he could not endure, because +he was ashamed of his dwarfish figure, and let him therefore grow up +in perfect ignorance. When the Little Muck was still in his +seventeenth year, a merry child, his father, a grave man, kept +continually reproaching him, that he, who ought long before to have +trodden down the shoes of infancy, was still so stupid and childish. + +The old man, however, one day had a bad fall, from the effects of +which he died, and Little Muck was left behind, poor and ignorant. His +cruel relations, to whom the deceased owed more than he could pay, +turned the poor fellow out of the house, and advised him to go forth +into the world, and seek his fortune. Muck answered that he was all +ready, only asking them for his father's dress, which they willingly +granted him. His father had been a large, portly man, and the garments +on that account did not fit him. Muck, however, soon hit upon an +expedient; he cut off what was too long, and then put them on. He +seemed, however, to have forgotten that he must also take from their +width; hence the strange dress that he wears at the present day; the +huge turban, the broad girdle, the wide breeches, the blue cloak, all +these he has inherited from his father, and worn ever since. The long +Damascus dagger of his father, too, he attached to his girdle, and +seizing a little staff, set out from the door. + +Gayly he wandered, the whole day, for he had set out to seek his +fortune: if he saw upon the ground a potsherd shining in the sunlight, +he took care to pick it up, in the belief that he could change it into +a diamond of the first water; if he saw in the distance the cupola of +a Mosque sparkling like fire, or the sea glittering like a mirror, he +would hasten up, fully persuaded that he had arrived at fairy-land. +But ah! these phantoms vanished as he approached, and too soon +fatigue, and his stomach gnawed by hunger, convinced him that he was +still in the land of mortals. In this way he travelled two days, in +hunger and grief, and despaired of finding his fortune; the produce of +the field was his only support, the hard earth his bed. On the +morning of the third day, he espied a large city upon an eminence. +Brightly shone the crescent upon her pinnacles, variegated flags waved +over the roofs, and seemed to be beckoning Little Muck to themselves. +In surprise he stood still, contemplating the city and the surrounding +country. + +"There at length will Klein-Muck find his fortune," said he to +himself, and in spite of his fatigue bounded in the air; "there or +nowhere!" He collected all his strength, and walked towards the city. +But although the latter seemed quite near, he could not reach it until +mid-day, for his little limbs almost entirely refused him their +assistance, and he was obliged to sit down to rest in the shade of a +palm-tree. At last he reached the gate; he fixed the mantle jauntily, +wound the turban still more tastily around his head, made the girdle +broader, and arranged the dagger so as to fall still more obliquely: +then, wiping the dust from his shoes, and seizing his cane, he marched +bravely through the gate. + +He had already wandered through a few streets, but nowhere did any +door open to him, nowhere did any one exclaim, as he had anticipated: +"Little Muck, come in and eat and drink, and rest thy little feet." + +He was looking very wistfully straight at a large fine house, when a +window opened, and an old woman, putting out her head, exclaimed in a +singing tone-- + + "Hither, come hither! + The porridge is here; + The table I've spread, + Come taste of my cheer. + Hither, come hither! + The porridge is hot; + Your neighbors bring with you, + To dip in the pot!" + +The door opened, and Muck saw many dogs and cats walking in. For a +moment he stood in doubt whether he should accept the invitation; at +last, however, he took heart and entered the mansion. Before him +proceeded a couple of genteel kittens, and he resolved to follow them, +since they, perhaps, knew the way to the kitchen better than himself. + +When Muck had ascended the steps, he met the same old woman who had +looked forth from the window. With frowning air she asked what he +wanted. + +"Thou hast invited every one to thy porridge," answered Little Muck, +"and as I was very hungry, I came too." + +The old woman laughed, saying, "Whence come you then, strange fellow? +The whole city knows that I cook for no one but my dear cats, and now +and then, as you see, I invite their companions from the +neighborhood." Little Muck told her how hard it had gone with him +since his father's death, and entreated her to let him dine, that day, +with her cats. The old woman, on whom the frank relation of the little +fellow made quite an impression, permitted him to become her guest, +and gave him abundance to eat and drink. When he was satisfied and +refreshed, she looked at him for some time, and then said:-- + +"Little Muck, remain with me in my service; you will have little to +do, and shall be well taken care of." Muck, who had relished the +cat-porridge, agreed, and thus became the servant of the Frau Ahavzi. +His duties were light but singular: Frau Ahavzi had two male, and four +female cats; every morning Little Muck had to comb their hair, and +anoint them with costly ointment. When the Frau went out, he had to +give them all his attention; when they ate, he placed their bowls +before them; and, at night, he had to lay them on silken cushions, and +wrap them up in velvet coverings. There were, moreover, a few little +dogs in the house, on which he was obliged to wait; but there were not +so many ceremonies gone through with these as with the cats, whom Frau +Ahavzi treated as her own children. As for the rest, Muck led as +retired a life as in his father's house, for with the exception of the +Frau, he saw every day only dogs and cats. + +For a long time it went very well with Little Muck; he had enough to +eat, and but little to do; and the old woman seemed to be perfectly +satisfied with him. But, by-and-by, the cats began to behave very +badly; the moment the Frau went out, they ran around the rooms as if +possessed, threw down every thing in confusion, and broke considerable +fine crockery, which stood in their way. When, however, they heard +their mistress coming up the steps, they would creep to their +cushions, and wag their tails, when they saw her, as if nothing had +happened. The Frau Ahavzi always fell in a passion when she saw her +rooms so disordered, and attributed all to Muck; assert his innocence +as he might, she believed her cats who looked so demure, in preference +to her servant. + +Little Muck was very sorry that here also he had been disappointed in +finding his fortune, and determined in his own mind to leave the +service of the Frau Ahavzi. As, however, on his first journey, he had +learned how badly one lives without money, he resolved to procure, in +some way, for himself the wages which his mistress had once promised +him, but had never paid. In the house of the Frau Ahavzi was a room, +which was always closed, and the inside of which he had never seen. +Nevertheless, he had often heard the Frau making a noise therein, and +he would have willingly risked his life to know what was there +concealed. Reflecting upon his travelling-money, it occurred to him +that there his mistress might conceal her treasures. But the door was +always tightly closed, and therefore he could not get at them. + +One morning, after the Frau Ahavzi had gone out, one of the little +dogs who was treated by her in a very stepmother-like manner, but +whose favor he had in a great degree gained by various acts of +kindness, pulled him by his wide pantaloons, and acted as if he wanted +Muck to follow him. Muck, who always gladly played with him, did so, +and perceived that the dog was leading him to the sleeping apartment +of his mistress; he stopped before a door, which the little fellow had +never before observed, and which was now wide open. The dog entered, +and Muck, following, was overjoyed at finding himself in the very +chamber, which had so long been the object of his curiosity. He looked +all around for money, but could find none: old garments only, and +strangely-fashioned vases were scattered around. One of the latter, in +particular, attracted his attention; it was of crystal, and fine +figures were cut thereon. He lifted it up and turned it on all sides; +but, oh horror! he had not observed that it had a lid, which was but +insecurely fastened on: it fell to the floor, and broke into a +thousand pieces. + +For a long time stood Little Muck motionless through terror; now was +his fate decided, now must he fly, or be killed by the old woman. His +departure was immediately resolved on; he only looked around, to see +if he could not use some of the goods of the Frau Ahavzi upon his +journey. Thereupon, a formidable pair of huge slippers met his eye; +they were not, it is true, beautiful, but his own could hold out no +longer; moreover their size was an inducement, for when he had these +upon his feet, people would see, he hoped, that he had cast off the +shoes of childhood. He quickly took off his own slippers, and put on +the others. A walking-stick, also, with a fine lion's head cut upon +the handle, seemed to be standing too idly in the corner; so he seized +it, and hurried from the apartment. He hastened to his own room, put +on his cloak, arranged his paternal turban, placed the dagger in his +girdle, and ran as fast as his feet would carry him, out of the house, +and out of the city. Fear of his old mistress drove him farther and +still farther, until, from fatigue, he could scarcely run any more. He +had never gone so quickly in his life; nay, it appeared to him as if +he could not cease running, for an invisible power seemed propelling +him on. At last he observed that this must be connected with the +slippers, for they would continually shoot forward and bear him along +with them. He endeavored in various ways, to stand still, but could +not succeed; at last, in the greatest distress, he cried out to +himself, as a man calls to his horse, "Wo--wo!" Then the slippers +stopped, and Muck fell exhausted upon the earth. + +The slippers were a source of great joy to him. Thus had he, by his +services, gained something that would help him on his way through the +world to seek his fortune. In spite of his joy, he fell asleep through +fatigue; for the body of Little Muck, which had to carry so heavy a +head, could not hold out long. In his dream the little dog appeared to +him, which had assisted him to the slippers in the house of the Frau +Ahavzi, and thus spoke:-- + +"Dear Muck, thou dost not still rightly understand the use of the +slippers: know that if, in them, thou turnest thyself three times +around upon the heel, thou canst fly wherever thou wilt; and with the +staff thou canst find treasures, for, wherever gold is buried, it will +beat three times upon the earth; where silver, twice." + +Thus dreamed Little Muck. When he awoke, he reflected on the singular +vision, and resolved to make the experiment immediately. He put on the +slippers, lifted one foot, and began to turn around upon his heel. But +whoever has attempted to perform this manoeuvre in an enormously wide +slipper, will not wonder that the Little Muck could not succeed, +particularly when he remembers that his heavy head kept falling on +this side and on that. + +The poor little fellow fell several times violently upon his nose; +nevertheless, that did not deter him from making the trial again, and +at last he succeeded. Like a wheel he went around upon his heel, +wishing himself in the nearest large city, and--the slippers mounted +into the air, ran with the speed of the wind through the clouds, and +before Little Muck knew what to make of it, he found himself in a +large market-place, where many stalls were erected, and innumerable +men were busily running to and fro. He moved among the people, but +considered it more prudent to retire into a less frequented street, +for near the market one of the slippers bore him along so rapidly, +that he almost fell down, or else ran against one and another with +his projecting dagger, so that it was with difficulty he avoided their +blows. + +Little Muck now seriously reflected what he should set about, in order +to earn a piece of money. He had, it is true, a staff which would show +him concealed treasures, but how could he find a place where gold or +silver was buried. He could, indeed, in this emergency, have exhibited +himself for money, but for this he was too proud. At last the +quickness of his gait occurred to him. Perhaps, thought he, my +slippers can procure me support, and he determined to hire himself out +as a courier. He ventured to hope that the king of the city rewarded +such service well, so he inquired for the palace. Before the door of +the palace stood a guard, who asked him what he sought there. On +answering that he was in search of service, they led him to the +overseer of the slaves. Before this one he laid his request, and +entreated that he might be admitted among the royal couriers. The +overseer measured him with his eyes from head to foot, and said: "How! +with thy little feet, which are scarcely a span long, wishest thou to +become a royal messenger? Away with thee! I cannot play with every +fool." + +Little Muck assured him, however, that his proposal was made in +perfect seriousness, and that he would let it come to a trial with the +swiftest, upon a wager. The matter seemed very ludicrous to the +overseer. He commanded him to hold himself in readiness for a race in +the afternoon, and leading him into the kitchen, saw that he was +furnished with proper meat and drink. He himself, however, repaired +unto the king, and told him of the little man and his proposal. The +king was a merry lord, and therefore it pleased him well that the +overseer had kept the little man for their amusement. He directed him +to make preparations in a large meadow behind the castle, that the +race might be conveniently beheld by his whole court, and once more +commanded him to take great care of the dwarf. The king told his +princes, and princesses, what a pastime they were to enjoy that +afternoon; these told it again to their attendants, and when the time +arrived all were in great expectation; and as many as had feet poured +into the meadow, where a scaffolding had been erected, in order to +see the boastful dwarf run. + +As soon as the king and his sons and daughters had taken their places +upon the platform, the Little Muck walked forth upon the meadow, and +made before the noble sovereign a very elegant bow. A universal cry of +joy arose, the moment they beheld the little fellow; such a figure had +they never seen. The small body with the mighty head, the little +cloak, and the wide pantaloons, the long dagger in the broad girdle, +the tiny feet in the immense slippers--no! it was so droll a sight +they could not keep from laughing aloud. Little Muck, however, was not +disconcerted by their laughter. He proudly walked forward, supported +by his cane, and awaited his opponent. At Muck's own desire, the +overseer of the slaves had selected the best runner. Walking in, he +placed himself near the dwarf, and both looked for the signal. +Thereupon the Princess Amarza made a sign with her veil as had been +preconcerted, and, like two arrows shot from the same bow, the racers +flew over the meadow. + +At first the courier took a tremendous bound, but Muck pursued him in +his slipper carriage, overtook him, passed him, and had been standing +for some time at the goal, when his opponent, gasping for breath, ran +up. Amazement for a few moments enchained the spectators: the king was +the first to clap his hands; then shouted the crowd for joy, all +exclaiming, "Long live the Little Muck, the victor in the race!" + +Meanwhile they had brought up the little man; he prostrated himself +before the king, saying, "Most mighty King, I have here given thee but +a small proof of my powers; allow them, I pray thee, to give me a +place among thy couriers." The king answered:-- + +"Nay, dear Muck, thou shalt be my favorite messenger, and shalt remain +about my person; every year shalt thou have a hundred gold pieces as +thy wages, and thou shalt sup at the table of my first attendant." + +Then Muck thought he had at last found the fortune, of which he had so +long been in search, and was merry and light-hearted. Moreover, he +rejoiced in the peculiar favor of the king, for the latter employed +him on his quickest and most secret errands, which he performed with +the greatest care, and with inconceivable rapidity. + +But the other attendants of the king were not well affected towards +him, because they reluctantly saw themselves displaced from their +lord's favor by a dwarf, who knew how to do nothing, but to run fast. +They set on foot many a conspiracy against him in order to work his +destruction, but all failed, through the confidence which the king +placed in his private Oberleiblaeufer, (for to this dignity had he in +so short a time arrived.) + +Muck, upon whom these movements against himself produced no effect, +thought not of revenge; for that he had too good a heart: no, he +reflected upon the means of making himself necessary to his enemies, +and beloved by them. Thereupon the staff, which in his good fortune he +had forgotten, occurred to him; if he could find treasures, he thought +the lords would be more favorably disposed towards him. He had before +this often heard that the father of the present king had buried much +of his gold, when the enemy had invaded the land; they said, moreover, +that he had died without imparting the secret to his son. From this +time Muck always carried his cane, in the hope that he would some +time pass over the place where the money of the old king was buried. + +One evening, chance led him into a remote portion of the +castle-garden, which he seldom visited, when suddenly he felt the +staff move in his hand, and three times it beat upon the ground. He +knew in an instant what this indicated; accordingly he drew forth his +dagger, made marks on the surrounding trees, and then slipped back +into the castle. Then he procured a spade, and awaited night for his +undertaking. + +Treasure-digging, however, gave Muck more trouble than he had +anticipated. His arms were very feeble, his spade large and heavy; he +might perhaps have been laboring a couple of hours, without getting +any farther down than as many feet. At length he hit upon something +hard, which sounded like iron: he then set to work still more +diligently, and soon brought up a large cover; he then descended into +the hole, in order to examine what the cover concealed, and found a +large pot completely full of gold pieces. His feeble wisdom, however, +did not teach him to lift up the pot; but he put in his pantaloons +and girdle as much as he could carry, filled his cloak, and then +carefully covering up the rest, placed the load upon his back. But, +indeed, if he had not had the slippers on his feet, he could not have +stirred, so heavily did the gold weigh him down. Then, unobserved, he +reached his room, and secured the money under the cushions of his +sofa. + +When the little man saw so much gold in his possession, he thought the +tables would now be turned, and that from among his enemies at court, +he could gain many well-wishers and warm friends. But even in this, +one could see that the good Muck had enjoyed no very careful +education; otherwise he would not have imagined that he could buy true +friends with gold. Ah! that he had then put on his slippers, and with +his mantle full of gold, scampered away! + +The gold which from this time Little Muck distributed with lavish +hand, awakened the envy of the other court-attendants. The +kitchen-master, Ahuli, said, "He is a counterfeiter." The +slave-overseer, Achmet, said, "He has cajoled the king." But Archaz, +the treasurer, his most wicked enemy, who himself, even, now and then +put his hand into his lord's coffers, exclaimed, "He is a thief." In +order to be sure of the thing, they consulted together, and the head +cup-bearer, Korchuz, placed himself one day, with a very sorrowful and +depressed air, before the eyes of the king. He made his wo so +apparent, that the king asked him what was the matter. + +"Ah!" answered he, "I am sorry that I have lost the favor of my lord!" + +"Why talkest thou idly, friend Korchuz?" rejoined the monarch. "Since +when have I veiled from thee the sun of my favor?" + +The cup-bearer answered, that he loaded his private Oberleiblaeufer +with money, but gave his poor faithful servants nothing. The king was +much astonished at this accusation, had the story of Muck's +gold-distribution told him, and the conspirators soon aroused in him +the suspicion that the dwarf had, in some way or other, stolen the +money from the treasure-chamber. Very pleasant was this turn of the +matter to the treasurer, who would not otherwise have willingly +submitted his accounts to examination. The king thereupon commanded +that they should secretly watch all the movements of the dwarf, in +order, if possible, to surprise him in the act. When, now, on the +night which followed the fatal day, seeing his funds almost exhausted +by his generosity, Muck crept forth, with his spade, into the +castle-garden, to bring new supplies from his secret treasury, the +watch followed him in the distance, led by Ahuli and Archaz; and, at +the moment when he was removing the gold from the pot to his cloak, +they fell upon him, bound him, and immediately led him before the +king. The latter, whom, independently of any thing else, this +interruption of his sleep would have enraged, received his poor dwarf +very ungraciously, and ordered an immediate trial. Meanwhile they had +dug the full pot out of the ground, and with the spade and cloak full +of gold had placed it before the king. The treasurer said that he had +surprised Muck with his guard, just as he had buried this vessel of +gold in the earth. + +The king thereupon inquired of the accused, whether it was true, and +whence the gold had come. + +Little Muck, conscious of innocence, answered that he had discovered +this pot in the garden; that he had not buried it, but had brought it +to light. + +All present laughed aloud at this defence; the king, however, provoked +in the highest degree by the supposed impudence of the dwarf, +exclaimed, "How, wretch! wilt thou so stupidly and shamelessly lie to +thy king, after having stolen from him? Treasurer Archaz, I command +thee to say whether thou knowest this sum of gold to be the same that +is missing from my treasury." + +The treasurer thereupon answered that he was sure of the thing; that +so much and even more had been missing from the royal treasures; and +he could take his oath that this was the stolen money. Then the king +commanded them to place Little Muck in galling chains, and convey him +to prison: to Archaz, however, he gave the gold, that he might restore +it to the treasury. Delighted at the fortunate issue of the matter, +the officer took it, and counted out, at home, the glittering gold +pieces; but the bad man never disclosed that down in the pot lay a +letter, to the following purport:-- + + "The enemy has overrun my land; therefore I here conceal + a portion of my treasure. Whoever may find it, the curse + of his king fall upon him, if he do not immediately + deliver it to my son! + + KING SADI." + +In his dungeon, poor Muck gave way to sorrowful reflections; he knew +that for taking royal property death was the penalty; and yet--he +could not betray the secret of his staff unto the king, because, in +that case, he justly feared being deprived of both that, and his +slippers. His slippers, alas! could render him no help, for there by +close fetters he was fastened to the wall, and, torment himself as he +might, he could not turn around upon his heel. When, however, on the +next day, sentence of death was pronounced, he thought it would be +better to live without the magic staff, than to die with it; and, +having asked a private audience with the king, disclosed to him the +secret. At first the king gave no credit to his assertions, but Little +Muck promised him a proof, if he would respite him from death. The +king gave him his word upon it, and having had some gold buried in the +earth, unseen by Muck, commanded him to find it with his cane. In a +few moments he succeeded in doing so, for the staff beat three times +distinctly upon the ground. Then the king saw that his treasurer had +betrayed him, and sent him, as is customary in the East, a silken +cord, wherewith he should strangle himself. To Little Muck, however, +he said:-- + +"I have indeed promised thee thy life, but it seems to me that this is +not the only secret thou art possessed of, connected with this staff. +Therefore thou shalt remain in everlasting captivity, if thou do not +confess what relation exists between it and thy rapid running." + +Little Muck, whom one night in his dungeon had deprived of all desire +for further confinement, acknowledged that his whole art lay in the +slippers; nevertheless, he informed not the king of the wonderful +effect of turning three times upon the heel. The king put on the +slippers, himself, in order to make the experiment, and ran, like mad, +through the garden; often did he wish to hold up, but he knew not how +to bring the slippers to a halt, and Muck, who could not deny himself +this revenge, let him run on, until he fell down exhausted. + +When the king returned to consciousness, he was terribly angry at +Little Muck, who had suffered him to run until so entirely out of +breath. "I have promised thee thy freedom and life," said he, "but +within twelve hours must thou leave my land; otherwise will I have +thee hung." The slippers and cane, however, he commanded them to bear +to his treasure-chamber. + +Thus, poor as ever, wandered the little fellow forth through the land, +cursing the folly which had led him astray, and prevented his playing +an important part at court. The land from which he was banished, was +fortunately not extensive, and accordingly eight hours brought him to +the frontier; but travelling, now that he was used to his dear +slippers, came very hard to him. Having arrived at the border, he +chose the usual road for reaching the most lonely part of the forest, +for he hated all men, and resolved to live there by himself. In a +thick portion of the wood, he lighted on a place, which seemed to him +quite suitable for the resolution he had taken. A clear brook, +surrounded by large shady fig-trees, and a soft turf, invited him: he +threw himself down, determined to taste food no more, but calmly to +await his end. Amid his sorrowful reflections on death, he fell +asleep; when he awoke, he was tormented by hunger, and began to think +that starving to death was rather an unpleasant affair; so he looked +around to find something to eat. + +Fine ripe figs hung upon the tree beneath which he had slept; he +stretched forth his hand to pluck some; their taste was delicious, and +then he descended into the brook to slake his thirst. But what was his +horror, when the water showed his head adorned with two immense ears, +and a long thick nose! Amazed, he clapped his hands upon his ears, and +they were really more than half an ell long. + +"I deserve ass's ears!" he exclaimed; "for, like an ass, have I +trodden Fortune under my feet." He wandered around among the trees, +and feeling hunger again, was obliged to have recourse once more to +the fig-tree, for he could find nothing else that was eatable. After +the second portion of figs, it struck him that if his ears could find +room beneath his large turban, he would not look so ridiculous, and, +on trying it, he found that his ears had vanished. He ran straight +back to the stream, in order to convince himself thereof; it was +actually so; his ears had resumed their original figure, his long +misshapen nose was no more! He soon perceived how all this had +happened; from the first fig-tree he had received the long nose and +ears, the second had relieved him of them: he saw with joy that kind +destiny yet again placed in his hands the means of becoming fortunate. +He plucked, therefore, from each tree as many figs as he could carry, +and went back to the land which shortly before he had left. There, in +the first town, he disguised himself by means of different garments; +then, turning again to the city inhabited by the king, he soon arrived +at it. + +For about a year ripe fruit had been quite scarce; Little Muck, +therefore, placed himself before the gate of the palace, for from his +former residence there, it was well known to him, that here such +rareties would be purchased by the kitchen-master for the royal table. +Muck had not long been seated, when he saw that dignitary walking +across the court-yard. He examined the articles of the traders who +had placed themselves at the palace-gate; at length his eye fell upon +Muck's little basket. + +"Ah! a dainty morsel!" said he, "which will certainly please his +majesty: what wish you for the whole basket?" Muck set a high price +upon them, and the bargain was soon struck. The kitchen-master gave +the basket to his slave, and went his way: meantime Little Muck stole +away, for he feared, when the change should show itself on the heads +of the court, that he, as the one who sold them, would be sought for +punishment. + +At table the king was well pleased, and praised his kitchen-master +more than ever, on account of his good kitchen, and the care with +which he always sought the rarest morsels for his table; the officer, +however, who well knew what dainties he had in the back-ground, smiled +pleasantly, and let fall but few words: "The day is not all past till +evening," or "End good, all good;" so that the princesses were very +curious to know what he would still bring on. The moment, however, he +had the fine, inviting figs set upon the table, a universal "Ah!" +escaped the lips of those who were present. "How ripe! how delicate!" +exclaimed the king; "kitchen-master, thou art a whole-souled man, and +deservest our peculiar favor!" Thus speaking, the king, who with such +choice dishes took care to be very sparing, with his own hands +distributed the figs around the table. Each prince and princess +received two; the ladies of the court, the Viziers and Agas, each one; +the rest he placed before himself, and began to swallow them with +great delight. + +"In the name of heaven, father, why lookest thou so strange?" suddenly +exclaimed the Princess Amarza. All gazed in astonishment upon the +king; vast ears hung down from his head, a long nose stretched itself +bridge-like, over above his chin; upon themselves also they looked, +one upon another, with amazement and horror; all, more or less, were +adorned with the same strange headdress. + +The horror of the court may be imagined. All the physicians in the +city were immediately sent for; they came with a blustering air, +prescribed pills and mixtures, but ears and noses remained. They +operated on one of the princes, but the ears grew out again. + +From the place of concealment into which he had withdrawn, Muck had +heard the whole story, and perceived that it was now time for him to +commence operations. He had already, with the money obtained by the +sale of his figs, procured a dress which would represent him as a +learned man; a long beard of goat's hair completed the illusion. With +a small sack full of figs he repaired to the royal palace, and offered +his assistance as a foreign physician. At first they were quite +incredulous; but when Little Muck gave a fig to one of the princes, +and thereby restored ears and nose to their original shape, then were +all eager to be cured by the stranger. But the king took him silently +by the hand, and led him to his apartment; then, opening a door that +led into the treasure-chamber, he made signs to Muck to follow. + +"Here are my treasures," said the king; "choose for thyself: whatever +it may be, it shall be thine, if thou wilt free me from this shameful +evil." This was sweet music in the ears of Little Muck: at the moment +of entering he had seen his slippers standing upon the floor, and hard +by lay his little staff. He moved around the room, as if in wonder at +the royal treasures; but no sooner had he reached his beloved shoes, +than he hastily slipped into them, and seizing the little cane, tore +off his false beard, and displayed to the astonished king the +well-known countenance of his exiled Muck. + +[Illustration] + +"False king!" said he, "who rewardest faithful service with +ingratitude, take, as well-deserved punishment, the deformity which +thou now hast. The ears I leave thee, that, each day they may remind +thee of Little Muck." Having thus spoken, he turned quickly around +upon his heel, wished himself far away, and before the king could call +for help Little Muck had vanished. Ever since, he has lived here in +great affluence, but alone, for men he despises. Experience has made +him a wise man--one who, though there is something offensive in his +exterior, deserves rather your admiration than your ridicule. + + * * * * * + +Such was my father's story. I assured him that I sincerely repented of +my behavior towards the good little man, and he remitted the other +half of the punishment which he had intended for me. To my comrades I +told the wonderful history of the dwarf, and we conceived such an +affection for him, that no one insulted him any more. On the contrary, +we honored him as long as he lived, and bowed as low to him as to Cadi +or Mufti. + + * * * * * + +The travellers determined to rest a day in this caravansery, in order +to refresh themselves and their beasts for the rest of their journey. +The gayety of the day before again prevailed, and they diverted +themselves with various sports. After the meal, however, they called +upon the fifth merchant, Ali Sizah, to perform his duty to the rest, +and give them a story. He answered, that his life was too poor in +remarkable adventures for him to relate one connected therewith, but +he would tell them something which had no relation to it: "The story +of the False Prince." + + + + +[Illustration] + +THE FALSE PRINCE. + + +There was once an honest journeyman tailor, by name Labakan, who +learned his trade with an excellent master in Alexandria. It could not +be said that Labakan was unhandy with the needle; on the contrary, he +could make excellent work: moreover, one would have done him injustice +to have called him lazy. Nevertheless, his companions knew not what to +make of him, for he would often sew for hours together so rapidly +that the needle would glow in his hand, and the thread smoke, and that +none could equal him. At another time, however, (and this, alas! +happened more frequently,) he would sit in deep meditation, looking +with his staring eyes straight before him, and with a countenance and +air so peculiar, that his master and fellow-journeymen could say of +his appearance nothing else than, "Labakan has on again, his +aristocratic face." + +On Friday, however, when others quietly returned home from prayers to +their labor, Labakan would come forth from the mosque in a fine +garment which with great pains he had made for himself, and walk with +slow and haughty steps through the squares and streets of the city. At +such times, if one of his companions cried, "Joy be with thee!" or, +"How goes it, friend Labakan?" he would patronizingly give a token of +recognition with his hand, or, if he felt called upon to be very +polite, would bow genteelly with the head. Whenever his master said to +him in jest, "Labakan, in thee a prince is lost," he would be +rejoiced, and answer, "Have you too observed it?" or, "I have already +long thought it." + +In this manner did the honest journeyman tailor conduct himself for a +long time, while his master tolerated his folly, because, in other +respects, he was a good man and an excellent workman. But one day, +Selim, the sultan's brother, who was travelling through Alexandria, +sent a festival-garment to his master to have some change made in it, +and the master gave it to Labakan, because he did the finest work. In +the evening, when the apprentices had all gone forth to refresh +themselves after the labor of the day, an irresistible desire drove +Labakan back into the workshop, where the garment of the sultan's +brother was hanging. He stood some time, in reflection, before it, +admiring now the splendor of the embroidery, now the varied colors of +the velvet and silk. He cannot help it, he must put it on; and, lo! it +fits him as handsomely as if it were made for him. "Am not I as good a +prince as any?" asked he of himself, as he strutted up and down the +room. "Has not my master himself said, that I was born for a prince?" +With the garments, the apprentice seemed to have assumed quite a +kingly carriage; he could believe nothing else, than that he was a +king's son in obscurity, and as such he resolved to travel forth into +the world, leaving a city where the people hitherto had been so +foolish as not to discover his innate dignity beneath the veil of his +inferior station. The splendid garment seemed sent to him by a good +fairy; resolving therefore not to slight so precious a gift, he put +his little stock of money in his pocket, and, favored by the darkness +of the night, wandered forth from Alexandria's gates. + +The new prince excited admiration everywhere upon his route, for the +splendid garment, and his serious majestic air, would not allow him to +pass for a common pedestrian. If one inquired of him about it, he took +care to answer, with a mysterious look, that he had his reasons for +it. Perceiving, however, that he rendered himself an object of +ridicule by travelling on foot, he purchased for a small sum an old +horse, which suited him very well, for it never brought his habitual +quiet and mildness into difficulty, by compelling him to show himself +off as an excellent rider, a thing which in reality he was not. + +One day, as he was proceeding on his way, step by step, upon his +Murva, (thus had he named his horse,) a stranger joined him, and asked +permission to travel in his company, since to him the distance would +seem much shorter, in conversation with another. The rider was a gay +young man, elegant and genteel in manners. He soon knit up a +conversation with Labakan, with respect to his whence and whither, and +it turned out that he also, like the journeyman tailor, was travelling +without purpose, in the world. He said his name was Omar, that he was +the nephew of Elfi Bey, the unfortunate bashaw of Cairo, and was now +on his way to execute a commission which his uncle had delivered to +him upon his dying-bed. Labakan was not so frank with respect to his +circumstances; he gave him to understand that he was of lofty descent, +and was travelling for pleasure. + +The two young men were pleased with each other, and rode on in +company. On the second day, Labakan interrogated his companion Omar, +respecting the commission with which he was charged, and to his +astonishment learned the following. Elfi Bey, the bashaw of Cairo, had +brought up Omar from his earliest childhood; the young man had never +known his parents. But shortly before, Elfi Bey, having been attacked +by his enemies, and, after three disastrous engagements, mortally +wounded, was obliged to flee, and disclosed to his charge that he was +not his nephew, but the son of a powerful lord, who, inspired with +fear by the prophecy of his astrologer, had sent the young prince away +from his court, with an oath never to see him again until his +twenty-second birthday. Elfi Bey had not told him his father's name, +but had enjoined upon him with the greatest precision, on the fourth +day of the coming month Ramadan, on which day he would be +two-and-twenty years old, to repair to the celebrated pillar +El-Serujah, four days' journey east of Alexandria: there he should +offer to the men who would be standing by the pillar, a dagger which +he gave him, with these words, "Here am I, whom ye seek!" If they +answered, "Blessed be the Prophet, who has preserved thee!" then he +was to follow them--they would lead him to his father. + +The journeyman tailor, Labakan, was much astonished at this +information; from this time he looked upon Prince Omar with envious +eyes, irritated because fortune conferred upon him, though already he +passed for the nephew of a mighty bashaw, the dignity of a king's son; +but on him, whom she had endowed with all things necessary for a +prince, bestowed in ridicule, an obscure lineage, and an every-day +vocation. He instituted a comparison between himself and the prince. +He was obliged to confess that the latter was a man of very lively +aspect; that fine sparkling eyes belonged to him, a boldly-arched +nose, a gentlemanly, complaisant demeanor, in a word, all the external +accomplishments, which every one is wont to commend. But numerous as +were the charms he found in his companion, still he was compelled to +acknowledge to himself, that a Labakan would be no less acceptable to +the royal father than the genuine prince. + +These thoughts pursued Labakan the whole day; with them he went to +sleep in the nearest night-lodgings; but when he awoke in the morning, +and his eye rested upon Omar sleeping near him, who was reposing so +quietly, and could dream of his now certain fortune, then arose in him +the thought of gaining, by stratagem or violence, what unpropitious +destiny had denied him. The dagger, the returning prince's token of +recognition, hung in the sleeper's girdle; he softly drew it forth, to +plunge it in the breast of its owner. Nevertheless, the peaceable soul +of the journeyman recoiled before thoughts of murder; he contented +himself with appropriating the dagger, and bridling for himself the +faster horse of the prince; and, ere Omar awoke to see himself +despoiled of all his hopes, his perfidious companion was several miles +upon his way. + +The day on which Labakan robbed the prince was the first of the holy +month Ramadan, and he had therefore four days to reach the pillar +El-Serujah, the locality of which was well known to him. Although the +region wherein it was situated could at farthest be at a distance of +but four days' journey, still he hastened to reach it, through a +constant fear of being overtaken by the real prince. + +By the end of the second day, he came in sight of the pillar +El-Serujah. It stood upon a little elevation, in the midst of an +extensive plain, and could be seen at a distance of two or three +leagues. Labakan's heart beat high at the sight: though he had had +time enough on horseback, for the last two days, to think of the part +he was to play, still a consciousness of guilt made him anxious; the +thought that he was born for a prince, however, encouraged him again, +and he advanced towards the mark with renewed confidence. + +The country around the pillar was uninhabited and desert, and the new +prince would have experienced some difficulty in finding sustenance, +if he had not previously supplied himself for several days. He lay +down beside his horse beneath some palm-trees, and there awaited his +distant destiny. + +Towards the middle of the next day, he saw a large procession of +horses and camels crossing the plain in the direction of the pillar +El-Serujah. It reached the foot of the hill, on which the pillar +stood; there they pitched splendid tents, and the whole looked like +the travelling-suite of some rich bashaw or sheik. Labakan perceived +that the numerous train which met his eye, had taken the pains to come +hither on his account, and gladly would he that moment have shown them +their future lord; but he mastered his eager desire to walk as +prince; for, indeed, the next morning would consummate his boldest +wishes. + +The morning sun awoke the too happy tailor to the most important +moment of his life, which would elevate him from an inferior +situation, to the side of a royal father. As he was bridling his horse +to ride to the pillar, the injustice of his course, indeed, occurred +to him; his thoughts pictured to him the anguish of the true prince, +betrayed in his fine hopes; but the die was cast: what was done could +not be undone, and self-love whispered to him that he looked stately +enough to pass for the son of the mightiest king. Inspirited by these +reflections, he sprang upon his horse, and collecting all his courage +to bring him to an ordinary gallop, in less than a quarter of an hour, +reached the foot of the hill. He dismounted from his horse, and +fastened it to one of the shrubs that were growing near; then he drew +the dagger of Prince Omar, and proceeded up the hill. At the base of +the pillar six persons were standing around an old gray-haired man, of +lofty king-like aspect. A splendid caftan of gold cloth surrounded by +a white Cashmere shawl, a snowy turban spangled with glittering +precious stones, pointed him out as a man of opulence and nobility. To +him Labakan proceeded, and bowing low before him, said, as he extended +the dagger-- + +"Here am I, whom you seek." + +"Praise to the Prophet who has preserved thee!" answered the +gray-haired one, with tears of joy. "Omar, my beloved son, embrace +thine old father!" The good tailor was deeply affected by these solemn +words, and sank, with mingled emotions of joy and shame, into the arms +of the old noble. + +But only for a moment was he to enjoy the unclouded delight of his new +rank; raising himself from the arms of the king, he saw a rider +hastening over the plain in the direction of the hill. The traveller +and his horse presented a strange appearance; the animal, either from +obstinacy or fatigue, seemed unwilling to proceed. He went along with +a stumbling gait, which was neither a pace nor a trot; but the rider +urged him on, with hands and feet, to a faster run. Only too soon did +Labakan recognise his horse Murva, and the real Prince Omar. But the +evil spirit of falsehood once more prevailed within him, and he +resolved, come what might, with unmoved front to support the rights he +had usurped. Already, in the distance, had they observed the horseman +making signs; at length, in spite of Murva's slow gait, having reached +the bottom of the hill, he threw himself from his horse, and began +rapidly to ascend. + +"Hold!" cried he. "Hold! whoever you may be, and suffer not yourselves +to be deceived by a most infamous impostor! I am called Omar, and let +no mortal venture to misuse my name!" + +Great astonishment was depicted on the countenances of the bystanders +at this turn of the affair; the old man, in particular, seemed to be +much amazed, as he looked inquiringly on one and another. Thereupon +Labakan spoke, with a composure gained only by the most powerful +effort. + +"Most gracious lord and father, be not led astray by this man. He is, +as far as I know, a mad journeyman tailor of Alexandria, by name +Labakan, who deserves rather our pity than our anger." + +These words excited the prince almost to phrensy. Foaming with +passion, he would have sprung upon Labakan, but the bystanders, +throwing themselves between, secured him, while the old man said: +"Truly, my beloved son, the poor man is crazed. Let them bind him and +place him on one of our dromedaries; perhaps we may be of some +assistance to the unfortunate." + +The anger of the prince had abated; in tears, he cried out to the old +man, "My heart tells me that you are my father; by the memory of my +mother, I conjure you--hear me!" + +"Alas! God guard us!" answered he: "already he again begins to talk +wildly. How can the man come by such crazy thoughts?" Thereupon, +seizing Labakan's arm, he made him accompany him down the hill. They +both mounted fine and richly-caparisoned coursers, and rode at the +head of the procession, across the plain. They tied the hands of the +unfortunate prince, however, and bound him securely upon a dromedary. +Two horsemen rode constantly by his side, who kept a watchful eye upon +his every movement. + +The old prince was Saoud, sultan of the Wechabites. For some time had +he lived without children; at last a prince, for whom he had so +ardently longed, was born to him. But the astrologer, whom he +consulted respecting the destiny of his son, told him that, until his +twenty-second year, he would be in danger of being supplanted by an +enemy. On that account, in order that he might be perfectly safe, had +the sultan given him, to be brought up, to his old and tried friend, +Elfi Bey; and twenty-two sad years had lived without looking upon him. + +This did the sultan impart to his supposed son, and seemed delighted +beyond measure with his figure and dignified demeanor. + +When they reached the sultan's dominions, they were everywhere +received by the inhabitants with shouts of joy; for the rumor of the +prince's arrival had spread like wildfire through the cities and +towns. In the streets through which they proceeded, arches of flowers +and branches were erected; bright carpets of all colors adorned the +houses; and the people loudly praised God and his prophet, who had +discovered to them so noble a prince. All this filled the proud heart +of the tailor with delight: so much the more unhappy did it make the +real Omar, who, still bound, followed the procession in silent +despair. In this universal jubilee, though it was all in his honor, no +one paid him any attention. A thousand, and again a thousand, voices +shouted the name of Omar; but of him who really bore this name, of him +none took notice: at most, only one or two inquired whom they were +carrying with them, so tightly bound, and frightfully in the ears of +the prince sounded the answer of his guards, "It is a mad tailor." + +The procession at last reached the capital of the sultan, where all +was prepared for their reception with still more brilliancy than in +the other cities. The sultana, an elderly woman of majestic +appearance, awaited them, with her whole court, in the most splendid +saloon of the castle. The floor of this room was covered with a large +carpet; the walls were adorned with bright blue tapestry, which was +suspended from massive silver hooks, by cords and tassels of gold. + +[Illustration] + +It was dark by the time the procession came up, and accordingly many +globular colored lamps were lighted in the saloon, which made night +brilliant as day; but with the clearest brilliancy and most varied +colors, shone those in the farthest part of the saloon, where the +sultana was seated upon a throne. The throne stood upon four steps, +and was of pure gold, inlaid with amethysts. The four most illustrious +emirs held a canopy of crimson silk over the head of their mistress; +and the sheik of Medina cooled her with a fan of peacock feathers. +Thus awaited the sultana her husband and son; the latter she had never +looked on since his birth, but significant dreams had so plainly shown +her the object of her longings, that she would know him out of +thousands. + +Now they heard the noise of the approaching troop; trumpets and drums +mingled with the huzzas of the populace; the hoofs of the horses +sounded on the court of the palace; steps came nearer and nearer; the +doors of the room flew open, and, through rows of prostrate +attendants, hastened the sultan, holding his son by the hand, towards +the mother's throne. + +"Here," said he, "do I bring to thee, him for whom thou hast so often +longed." + +The sultana, however, interrupted him, crying: "This is not my son! +These are not the features which the Prophet has shown me in my +dreams!" + +Just as the sultan was about to rebuke her superstition, the door of +the saloon sprang open, and Prince Omar rushed in, followed by his +guards, whom an exertion of his whole strength had enabled him to +escape. Breathless, he threw himself before the throne, exclaiming:-- + +"Here will I die! Kill me, cruel father, for this disgrace I can +endure no longer!" + +All were confounded at these words; they pressed around the +unfortunate one, and already were the guards, who had hurried up, on +the point of seizing him and replacing his fetters, when the sultana, +who had thus far looked on in mute astonishment, sprang from the +throne. + +"Hold!" she cried; "this, and no other, is my son! This is he, who, +though my eyes have never seen him, is well known to my heart!" The +guards had involuntarily fallen back from Omar, but the sultan, +foaming with rage, commanded them to bind the madman. + +"It is mine to decide," he cried with commanding tone; "and here we +will judge, not by a woman's dreams, but by sure and infallible +signs. This," pointing to Labakan, "is my son, for he has brought me +the dagger, the real token of my friend Elfi." + +"He stole it," cried Omar; "my unsuspicious confidence has he +treacherously abused!" But the sultan hearkened not to the voice of +his son, for he was wont in all things obstinately to follow his own +judgment. He bade them forcibly drag the unfortunate Omar from the +saloon, and himself retired with Labakan to his chamber, filled with +anger at his wife, with whom, nevertheless, he had lived in happiness +for five-and-twenty years. The sultana was full of grief at this +affair; she was perfectly convinced that an impostor had taken +possession of the sultan's heart, so numerous and distinct had been +the dreams which pointed out the unhappy Omar as her son. When her +sorrow had a little abated, she reflected on the means of convincing +her husband of his mistake. This was indeed difficult, for he who had +passed himself off as her son, had presented the dagger, the token of +recognition, and had, moreover, as she learned, become acquainted with +so much of Omar's early life from the lips of the prince himself, as +to be able to play his part without betraying himself. + +She called to her the men who had attended the sultan to the pillar +El-Serujah, in order to have the whole matter exactly laid before her, +and then took counsel with her most trusty female slaves. She chose, +and in a moment rejected, this means and that; at length, Melechsalah, +an old and cunning Circassian, spoke. + +"If I have heard rightly, honored mistress, the one who bore this +dagger called him whom thou holdest to be thy son, a crazy tailor, +Labakan?" + +"Yes, it is so," answered the sultana; "but what wilt thou make of +that?" + +"What think you," proceeded the slave, "of this impostor's having +stitched his own name upon your son? If this be so, we have an +excellent way of catching the deceiver, which I will impart to you in +private." + +The sultana gave ear to her slave, and the latter whispered to her a +plan which seemed to please her, for she immediately got ready to go +to the sultan. The sultana was a sensible woman, and knew not only +the weak side of her husband, but also the way to take advantage of +it. She seemed therefore to give up, and to be willing to acknowledge +her son, only offering one condition: the sultan, whom the outbreak +between himself and his wife had grieved, agreed thereto, and she +said:-- + +"I would fain have from each a proof of his skill; another, perhaps, +would have them contend in riding, in single conflict, or in hurling +spears: but these are things which every one can do; I will give them +something which will require both knowledge and dexterity. It shall be +this; each shall make a caftan, and a pair of pantaloons, and then +will we see at once who can make the finest ones." + +The sultan laughingly answered, "Ah! thou hast hit on a fine +expedient! Shall my son contend with a mad tailor, to see who can make +the best caftan? No! that cannot be." The sultana, however, cried out, +that he had already agreed to the condition, and her husband, who was +a man of his word, at length yielded, though he swore, should the mad +tailor make his caftan ever so beautiful, he would never acknowledge +him as his son. + +The sultan thereupon went to his son, and entreated him to submit to +the caprices of his mother, who now positively wished to see a caftan +from his hands. The heart of the good Labakan laughed with delight; if +that be all that is wanting, thought he to himself, then shall the +lady sultana soon behold me with joy. Two rooms had been fitted up, +one for the prince, the other for the tailor; there were they to try +their skill, and each was furnished with shears, needles, thread, and +a sufficient quantity of silk. + +The sultan was very eager to see what sort of a caftan his son would +bring to light, but the heart of the sultana beat unquietly, from +apprehension lest her stratagem might be unsuccessful. Two days had +they been confined to their work; on the third, the sultan sent for +his wife, and when she appeared, dispatched her to the apartments to +bring the two caftans and their makers. With triumphant air Labakan +walked in, and extended his garment before the astonished eyes of the +sultan. + +"Behold, father," said he, "look, mother! see if this be not a +masterpiece of a caftan. I will leave it to the most skilful +court-tailor, upon a wager, whether he can produce such another." + +The sultana, smiling, turned to Omar:-- "And thou, my son, what hast +thou brought?" + +Indignantly he cast the silk and shears upon the floor. + +"They have taught me to tame horses, and to swing my sabre; and my +lance will strike you a mark at sixty paces. But the art of the needle +is unknown to me; it were unworthy a pupil of Elfi Bey, the lord of +Cairo!" + +"Oh, thou true son of my heart!" exclaimed the sultana. "Ah, that I +might embrace thee, and call thee, son! Forgive me, husband and +master," she continued, turning to the sultan, "for having set on foot +this stratagem against you. See you not now who is prince, and who +tailor? Of a truth the caftan which your lord son has made, is +magnificent, and I would fain ask with what master he has learned!" + +The sultan was lost in deep reflection, looking with distrust, now on +his wife, now on Labakan, who vainly sought to conceal his blushes and +consternation at having so stupidly betrayed himself. "This proof +pleases me not," said he; "but, Allah be praised! I know a means of +learning whether I am deceived." He commanded them to bring his +swiftest horse, mounted, and rode to a forest, which commenced not far +from the city. There, according to an old tradition, lived a good +fairy, named Adolzaide, who had often before this assisted with her +advice the monarchs of his family, in the hour of need: thither +hastened the sultan. + +In the middle of the wood was an open place, surrounded by lofty +cedars. There, the story said, lived the fairy; and seldom did a +mortal visit this spot, for a certain awe connected with it had, from +olden time, descended from father to son. When the sultan had drawn +near he dismounted, tied his horse to a tree, and placing himself in +the middle of the open space, cried with loud voice:-- + +"If it be true that thou hast given good counsel to my fathers, in the +hour of need, then disdain not the request of their descendant, and +advise me in a case where human understanding is too short-sighted." + +Hardly had he uttered the last word, when one of the cedars opened, +and a veiled lady, in long white garments, stepped forth. + +"I know, Sultan Saoud, why thou comest to me; thy wish is fair, +therefore shall my assistance be thine. Take these two chests; let +each of the two who claim to be thy son, choose; I know that he who is +the real one, will not make a wrong selection." Thus speaking, the +veiled lady extended to him two little caskets of ivory, richly +adorned with gold and pearls: upon the lids, which he vainly sought to +open, were inscriptions formed by inlaid diamonds. + +As he was riding home, the sultan tormented himself with various +conjectures, as to what might be the contents of the caskets, which, +do his best, he could not open. The words on the outside threw no +light upon the matter; for on one was inscribed, HONOR AND FAME; upon +the other, FORTUNE AND WEALTH. Saoud thought it would be difficult to +make choice between these two, which seemed equally attractive, +equally alluring. When he reached the palace, he sent for his wife, +and told her the answer of the fairy: it filled her with an eager +hope, that he to whom her heart clung, might select the casket which +would indicate his royal origin. + +Two tables were brought in before the sultan's throne; on these, with +his own hand, Saoud placed the two boxes; then, ascending to his seat, +he gave the signal to one of his slaves to open the door of the +saloon. A brilliant throng of bashaws and emirs of the realm poured +through the open door: they seated themselves on the splendid +cushions, which were arranged around the walls. When they had done +this, Saoud gave a second signal, and Labakan was introduced; with +haughty step he walked through the apartment, and prostrated himself +before the throne with these words:-- + +"What is the command of my lord and father?" The sultan raised himself +in his throne, and said:-- + +"My son, doubts are entertained as to the genuineness of thy claims to +this name; one of these chests contains the confirmation of thy real +birth. Choose! I doubt not thou wilt select the right one!" Labakan +raised himself, and advanced towards the boxes; for a long time he +reflected as to which he should choose, at last he said:-- + +"Honored father, what can be loftier than the fortune of being thy +son? What more noble than the wealth of thy favor? I choose the chest +which bears the inscription, FORTUNE AND WEALTH." + +"We will soon learn whether thou hast made the right choice; meanwhile +sit down upon that cushion, near the bashaw of Medina," said the +sultan, again motioning to his slaves. + +Omar was led in; his eye was mournful, his air dejected, and his +appearance excited universal sympathy among the spectators. He threw +himself before the throne, and inquired after the sultan's pleasure. +Saoud informed him that he was to choose one of the chests: he arose, +and approached the table. He read attentively both inscriptions, and +said:-- + +"The few last days have informed me how insecure is fortune, how +transient is wealth; but they have also taught me that, in the breast +of the brave, lives what can never be destroyed, HONOR, and that the +bright star of RENOWN sets not with fortune. The die is cast! should I +resign a crown, Honor and Fame, you are my choice!" He placed his hand +upon the casket that he had chosen, but the sultan commanded him not +to unclose it, while he motioned to Labakan to advance, in like +manner, before his table. He did so, and at the same time grasped his +box. The sultan, however, had a chalice brought in, with water from +Zemzem, the holy fountain of Mecca, washed his hands for supplication, +and, turning his face to the East, prostrated himself in prayer: + +"God of my fathers! Thou, who for centuries hast established our +family, pure and unadulterated, grant that no unworthy one disgrace +the name of the Abassidae; be with thy protection near my real son, in +this hour of trial." The sultan arose, and reascended his throne. +Universal expectation enchained all present; they scarcely breathed; +one could have heard a mouse crawl over the hall, so mute and +attentive were all. The hindmost extended their necks, in order to get +a view of the chests, over the heads of those in front. The sultan +spoke: "Open the chests;" and they, which before no violence could +force, now sprang open of their own accord. + +In the one which Omar had chosen, lay upon a velvet cushion, a small +golden crown, and a sceptre: in Labakan's, a large needle, and a +little linen thread. The sultan commanded both to bring their caskets +before him: he took the little crown from the cushion in his hand, +and, wonderful to see! it became larger and larger, until it reached +the size of a real crown. Placing it on his son Omar, who kneeled +before him, he kissed his forehead, and bade him sit upon his right +hand. To Labakan, however, he turned and said:-- + +"There is an old proverb, 'Shoemaker, stick to thy last;' it seems +that thou shouldst stick to thy needle. Thou hast not, indeed, merited +much mercy at my hands, but one has supplicated for thee, whom this +day I can refuse nothing; therefore give I thee thy paltry life; but, +if I may advise, haste thee to leave my land." + +Ashamed, ruined as he was, the poor tailor could answer nothing: he +threw himself before the prince, and tears came into his eyes. + +"Can you forgive me, prince?" he said. + +"To be true to a friend, magnanimous to a foe, is the pride of the +Abassidae!" answered the prince, raising him. "Go in peace!" + +"My true son!" cried the old sultan, deeply affected, and sinking upon +Omar's breast. The emirs and bashaws, and all the nobles of the +realm, arose from their seats, to welcome the new prince, and amid +this universal jubilee, Labakan, his chest under his arm, crept out of +the saloon. + +He went down into the sultan's stable, bridled his horse Murva, and +rode forth from the gate towards Alexandria. His whole career as +prince recurred to him as a dream, and the splendid chest, richly +adorned with pearls and diamonds, alone convinced him that it was not +all an idle vision. Having at last reached Alexandria, he rode to the +house of his old master, dismounted, and fastening his horse to the +door, walked into the workshop. The master, who did not even know him, +made a low bow and asked what was his pleasure: when, however, he had +a nearer view of his guest, and recognised his old Labakan, he called +to his journeymen and apprentices, and all precipitated themselves, +like mad, upon poor Labakan, who expected no such reception; they +bruised and beat him with smoothing-irons and yard-sticks, pricked him +with needles, and pinched him with sharp shears, until he sank down, +exhausted, on a heap of old clothes. As he lay there, the master +ceased, for a moment, from his blows, to ask after the stolen +garments: in vain Labakan assured him that he had come back on that +account alone, to set all right; in vain offered him threefold +compensation for his loss; the master and his journeymen fell upon him +again, beat him terribly, and turned him out of doors. Sore and +bruised, he mounted Murva, and rode to a caravansery. There he laid +down his weary lacerated head, reflecting on the sorrows of earth, on +merit so often unrewarded, and on the nothingness and transientness of +all human blessings. He went to sleep with the determination to give +up all hopes of greatness, and to become an honest burgher. Nor on the +following day did he repent of his resolution, for the heavy hands of +his master, and the journeymen, had cudgelled out of him all thoughts +of nobility. + +He sold his box to a jeweller for a high price, and fitted up a +workshop for his business. When he had arranged all, and had hung out, +before his window, a sign with the inscription, LABAKAN, MERCHANT +TAILOR, he sat down and began with the needle and thread he had found +in the chest, to mend the coat which his master had so shockingly +torn. He was called off from his work, but on returning to it, what a +wonderful sight met his eyes! The needle was sewing industriously +away, without being touched by any one; it took fine, elegant +stitches, such as Labakan himself had never made even in his most +skilful moments. + +Truly the smallest present of a kind fairy is useful, and of great +value! Still another good quality had the gift; be the needle as +industrious as it might, the little stock of thread never gave out. + +Labakan obtained many customers, and was soon the most famous tailor +for miles around. He cut out the garments, and took the first stitch +therein with the needle, and immediately the latter worked away, +without cessation, until the whole was completed. Master Labakan soon +had the whole city for customers, for his work was beautiful, and his +charges low; and only one thing troubled the brains of the people of +Alexandria, namely, how he finished his work entirely without +journeymen, and with closed doors. + +Thus was the motto of the chest which promised fortune and wealth +undergoing its accomplishment. FORTUNE AND WEALTH accompanied, with +gradual increase, the steps of the good tailor, and when he listened +to the praises of the young sultan Omar, who lived in every mouth; +when he heard that this brave man was the object of his people's pride +and love, the terror of his enemies; then would the quondam prince say +to himself, "Still is it better that I remained a tailor, for HONOR +AND FAME are ever accompanied by danger." + +Thus lived Labakan, contented with himself, respected by his +fellow-burghers; and if the needle, meanwhile, has not lost her +cunning, she is still sewing with the everlasting thread of the good +Fairy Adolzaide. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +At sundown the Caravan set out, and soon reached Birket-el-had, or +"the Pilgrims' Fountain," whence the distance to Cairo was three +leagues. The Caravan had been expected at this time, and the merchants +soon had the pleasure of seeing their friends coming forth from the +city to meet them. They entered through the gate Bebel-Falch, for it +was considered a good omen for those who came from Mecca to enter by +this gate, because the Prophet himself had passed through it. + +At the market-place the four Turkish merchants took leave of the +stranger and the Greek Zaleukos, and went home with their friends. +Zaleukos, however, showed his companion a good caravansery, and +invited him to dine with him. The stranger agreed, and promised to +make his appearance as soon as he should have changed his dress. The +Greek made every arrangement for giving a fine entertainment to the +stranger, for whom, upon the journey, he had conceived a deep feeling +of esteem; and when the meats and drink had been brought in in proper +order, he seated himself, waiting for his guest. + +He heard slow and heavy steps approaching through the gallery which +led to their apartment. He arose in order to meet him as a friend, and +welcome him upon the threshold; but, full of horror, he started back +as the door opened--the same frightful Red-mantle walked in before +him! His eyes were still turned upon him; it was no illusion: the same +lofty, commanding figure, the mask, from beneath which shone forth the +dark eyes, the red cloak with embroidery of gold--all were but too +well known to him, impressed upon his mind as they had been during the +most awful moments of his life. + +The breast of Zaleukos heaved with contending emotions; he had long +since felt reconciled towards this too-well-remembered apparition, and +forgiven him; nevertheless his sudden appearance opened every wound +afresh. All those torturing hours of anguish, that wo which had +envenomed the bloom of his life, rushed back for a moment, crowding +upon his soul. + +"What wishest thou, terrible one?" cried the Greek, as the apparition +still stood motionless upon the threshold. "Away with thee, that I may +curse thee not!" + +"Zaleukos!" said a well-known voice from under the mask: "Zaleukos! is +it thus that you receive your guest?" The speaker removed the mask, +and threw back his cloak: it was Selim Baruch, the stranger! But still +Zaleukos seemed not at ease, for he too plainly recognised in him the +Unknown of the Ponte Vecchio: nevertheless, old habits of hospitality +conquered; he silently motioned to the stranger to seat himself at the +table. + +"I can guess your thoughts," commenced the latter, when they had taken +their places: "your eyes look inquiringly upon me. I might have been +silent, and your gaze would never more have beheld me; but I owe you +an explanation, and therefore did I venture to appear before you in my +former guise, even at the risk of receiving your curse. You once said +to me, 'The faith of my fathers bids me love him; and he is probably +more unhappy than myself:' be assured of this, my friend, and listen +to my justification. + +"I must begin far back, in order that you may fully understand my +story. I was born in Alexandria, of Christian parents. My father, the +youngest son of an ancient illustrious French family, was consul for +his native land in the city I have just mentioned. From my tenth year +I was brought up in France, by one of my mother's brothers, and left +my fatherland for the first time a few years after the revolution +broke out there, in company with my uncle, who was no longer safe in +the land of his ancestors, in order to seek refuge with my parents +beyond the sea. We landed eagerly, hoping to find in my father's house +the rest and quiet of which the troubles of France had deprived us. +But ah! in my father's house I found not all as it should be: the +external storms of these stirring times had not, it is true, reached +it; but the more unexpectedly had misfortune made her home in the +inmost hearts of my family. My brother, a promising young man, first +secretary of my father, had shortly before married a young lady, the +daughter of a Florentine noble who lived in our vicinity: two days +before our arrival she had suddenly disappeared, and neither our +family nor her own father could discern the slightest trace of her. +At last they came to the conclusion that she had ventured too far in a +walk, and had fallen into the hands of robbers. Almost agreeable was +this thought to my poor brother, when compared to the truth, which +only too soon became known. The perfidious one had eloped with a young +Neapolitan, with whom she had become acquainted in her father's house. +My brother, who was exceedingly affected by this step, employed every +means to bring the guilty one to punishment; but in vain: his +attempts, which in Naples and Florence had excited wonder, served only +to complete his and our misfortune. The Florentine nobleman returned +to his native land, under the pretence of seeing justice done to my +brother, but with the real determination of destroying us all. He +frustrated all those examinations which my brother had set on foot, +and knew how to use his influence, which he had obtained in various +ways, so well, that my father and brother fell under suspicion of +their government, were seized in the most shameful manner, carried to +France, and there suffered death by the axe of the executioner. My +poor mother lost her mind; and not until ten long months had passed, +did death release her from her awful situation, though for the few +last days she was possessed of perfect consciousness. Thus did I now +stand isolated in the world: one thought alone occupied my whole soul, +one thought alone bade me forget my sorrows; it was the mighty flame +which my mother in her last moments had kindled within me. + +"In her last moments, as I said, recollection returned; she had me +summoned, and spoke with composure of our fate, and her own death. +Then she sent all out of the room, raised herself, with a solemn air, +from her miserable bed, and said that I should receive her blessing, +if I would swear to accomplish something with which she would charge +me. Amazed at the words of my dying mother, I promised with an oath to +do whatever she should tell me. She thereupon broke forth in +imprecations against the Florentine and his daughter, and charged me, +with the most frightful threats of her curse, to avenge upon him the +misfortunes of my house. She died in my arms. This thought of +vengeance had long slumbered in my soul; it now awoke in all its +might. I collected what remained of my paternal property, and bound +myself by an oath to stake it all upon revenge, and, rather than be +unsuccessful, to perish in the attempt. + +"I soon arrived in Florence, where I kept myself as private as +possible; it was very difficult to put my plan in execution on account +of the situation which my enemy occupied. The old Florentine had +become governor, and thus had in his hand all the means of destroying +me, should he entertain the slightest suspicion. An accident came to +my assistance. One evening I saw a man in well-known livery, walking +through the streets: his uncertain gait, his gloomy appearance, and +the muttered 'Santo sacramento,' and 'Maledetto diavolo,' soon made me +recognise old Pietro, a servant of the Florentine, whom I had formerly +known in Alexandria. There was no doubt but that he was in a passion +with his master, and I resolved to turn his humor to my advantage. He +appeared much surprised to see me there, told me his grievances, that +he could do nothing aright for his master since he had become +governor, and my gold supported by his anger soon brought him over to +my side. Most of the difficulty was now removed: I had a man in my +pay, who would open to me at any hour the doors of my enemy, and from +this time my plan of vengeance advanced to maturity with still greater +rapidity. The life of the old Florentine seemed to me too pitiful a +thing, to be put into the balance with that of my whole family. +Murdered before him, he must see the dearest object of his love, and +this was his daughter Bianca. It was she that had so shamefully +wronged my brother, it was she that had been the author of our +misfortunes. My heart, thirsting for revenge, eagerly drank in the +intelligence, that Bianca was on the point of being married a second +time; it was settled--she must die. But as my soul recoiled at the +deed, and I attributed too little nerve to Pietro, we looked around +for a man to accomplish our fell design. I could hire no Florentine, +for there was none that would have undertaken such a thing against the +governor. Thereupon Pietro hit upon a plan, which I afterwards +adopted, and he thereupon proposed you, being a foreigner and a +physician, as the proper person. The result you know: only, through +your excessive foresight and honesty, my undertaking seemed, at one +time, to be tottering; hence the scene with the mantle. + +"Pietro opened for us the little gate in the governor's palace; he +would have let us out, also, in the same secret manner, if we had not +fled, overcome by horror at the frightful spectacle, which, through +the crack of the door, presented itself to our eyes. Pursued by terror +and remorse, I ran on about two hundred paces, until I sank down upon +the steps of a church. There I collected myself again, and my first +thought was of you, and your awful fate, if found within the house. + +"I crept back to the palace, but neither of Pietro nor yourself could +I discover a single trace. The door, however, was open, and I could at +least hope that you had not neglected this opportunity of flight. + +"But when the day broke, fear of detection, and an unconquerable +feeling of remorse, allowed me to remain no longer within the walls of +Florence. I hastened to Rome. Imagine my consternation, when, after a +few days, the story was everywhere told, with the addition that, in a +Grecian physician, they had detected the murderer. In anxious fear, I +returned to Florence; my vengeance now seemed too great: I cursed it +again and again, for with your life it was purchased all too dearly. I +arrived on the same day which cost you a hand. I will not tell you +what I felt, when I saw you ascend the scaffold, and bear all with +such heroism. But when the blood gushed forth in streams, then was my +resolution taken, to sweeten the rest of your days. What has since +happened you know; it only now remains to tell you, why I have +travelled with you. As the thought that you had never yet forgiven me, +pressed heavily upon me, I determined to spend some days with you, and +at last to give you an explanation of what I had done." + +Silently had the Greek listened to his guest; with a kind look, as he +finished, he offered him his right hand. + +"I knew very well that you must be more unhappy than I, for that awful +deed will, like a thick cloud, forever darken your days. From my heart +I forgive you. But answer me yet one question: how came you under this +form, in the wilderness? What did you set about, after purchasing my +house in Constantinople?" + +"I returned to Alexandria," answered the guest. "Hate against all +mankind raged in my bosom; burning hate, in particular, against that +people, whom they call 'the polished nation.' Believe me, my Moslem +friends pleased me better. Scarcely a month had I been in Alexandria, +when the invasion of my countrymen took place. I saw in them only the +executioners of my father and brother; I, therefore, collected some +young people of my acquaintance, who were of the same mind as myself, +and joined those brave Mamelukes, who were so often the terror of the +French host. When the campaign was finished, I could not make up my +mind to return to the peaceful arts. With my little band of congenial +friends, I led a restless, careless life, devoted to the field and the +chase. I live contented among this people, who honor me as their +chief; for though my Asiatics are not quite so refined as your +Europeans, yet are they far removed from envy and slander, from +selfishness and ambition." + +Zaleukos thanked the stranger for his relation, but did not conceal +from him, that he would find things better suited to his rank and +education, if he would live and work in Christian, in European lands. +With delight his companion looked upon him. + +"I know by this," said he, "that you have entirely forgiven me, that +you love me: receive, in return, my heartfelt thanks." He sprang up, +and stood in full height before the Greek, whom the warlike air, the +dark sparkling eyes, the deep mysterious voice of his guest, almost +inspired with fear. "Thy proposal is intended kindly," continued he; +"for another it might have charms; but I--I cannot accept it. Already +stands my horse saddled: already do my attendants await me. Farewell, +Zaleukos!" + +The friends whom destiny had so strangely thrown together, embraced at +parting. "And how may I call thee? What is the name of my guest, who +will forever live in my remembrance?" exclaimed the Greek. + +The stranger gazed at him some time, and said, as he pressed his hand +once more: "They call me 'the lord of the wilderness;' I am THE ROBBER +ORBASAN!" + +THE END. + + + + +Miscellaneous Juvenile Works, + +BY THE MOST EMINENT AUTHORS. + + _AMERICAN HISTORICAL TALES FOR YOUTH._ 1 vol. 18mo., + cloth. 75 cts. + + _AUNT FANNY'S CHRISTMAS STORIES._ Illustrated. Boards, + 31 cts.; cloth, 38 cts. + + _AUNT FANNY'S STORY BOOK FOR LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS._ + 18mo. Illustrated. Boards, 31 cts.; cloth, 50 cts. + + _AUNT KITTY'S TALES._ By MARIA J. MCINTOSH. A new + edition, complete in one volume, 12mo., cloth, 75 cts. + + _BABES IN THE WOOD._ A New Story for the Young. + Illustrated with six designs. 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There is +some archaic spelling in this text, which has been retained as printed, +for example, pedler, phrensy, wo, etc. The single oe ligature has not +been retained. + +The author dedication at the beginning of the book appears exactly as +printed in the original, although it appears that there is some text +missing from the start of it. + +The following amendments have been made: + + Page 101--thus amended to this--"... only this much I + know, that whoever ..." + + Page 136--Nourmahal amended to Nurmahal--"... and asked + where Nurmahal and Mirza were." + + Page 188--Saaud amended to Saoud--"The old prince was + Saoud, sultan of the Wechabites." + + Page 204--sheers amended to shears--"... and pinched him + with sharp shears, until he sank down, ..." + +Illustrations have been moved slightly where they were previously +located in the middle of a paragraph. 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