HD WIDENER HW SPCI 3 Lucu COLL: NGLO CHRISTO CCLESIAE HARVA NOVA TARD:CA igvINV 734 Exchange of Tuhlicates THE GIFT OF JOHN G. PALFREY, D.D , LL.D., OF BOSTON, (Class of 1815.) March 7, 1865. KARUM WATCH W HI URITIAN HONA www WWW LINU low WIUNI MUMMOTION ܂ ܃ ܃ ܃ ܃ ܃ ܃ ܃ ܃ : ; . . _ ;:" : . . .: ift. * * ' : ; ': 1 ix. 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, 846 & 348 BROADWAY. 1855. 17:4517.12 > 1865, clari, Banco Cochr ici BUURT NOV 16 1911 TO THE REV. W. C. DUNCAN, A. M., 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. 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 abun- dance of her blessings among her subjects, and was beloved and respected by all who knew her. The heart of the Queen, how- ever, 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 INTRODUCTION. 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*, 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 * Märchen represents the fairy or legendary tales, of which the Germans were at one time so fond. INTRODUCTION. 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 after- wards, when I went away, smiling and con- tented; 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. Wherev- er 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 sta- tioned vigilant watchmen, who inspect and examine all that comes from thy kingdom, 10 INTRODUCTION. 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 to- wards me! They called me an old maid, and threatened the next time not to admit me!" “How, my daughter ?-not to admit thee INTRODUCTION. 11 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 Mär- chen ; "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 12 INTRODUCTION. 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 be- come 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 Mär- chen, 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* 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 attend- * The German “ Almanach” corresponds in a measure with the English “ Annual." INTRODUCTION. 13 ants 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 satisfac- tion, 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 genera- tions, more true to nature, may again incline to thee their hearts.” Thus spoke Queen Phantasie, while Mär- chen went down upon the earth. With beat- ing 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 Alma- nach !" Märchen trembled as she heard this; many old men, with gloomy countenances, rushed 14 INTRODUCTION. 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, laugh- ing 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 Mär- chen. “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 non- sense to our children.” INTRODUCTION. 15 “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 de- scribed 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 wander- ing 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 16 INTRODUCTION. 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 en- deavor 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 sleep- ing men. Märchen, when she had got safely across, looked around smilingly, and then slipped quickly through the gate. THE CARAVAN. NCE upon a time, there march ed 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 2* 18 THE CARAVAN. 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 tur- ban 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, ap- prehending an attack, put their lances in rest. “What mean you ?” exclaimed the horse- man, 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. THE CARAVAN. 19 "It belongs to no single lord," answered the interrogated one; “but to several merchants, who march from Mecca to their native coun- try, and whom we escort through the desert; for oftentimes scoundrels of every kind alarm those who travel here." “ Then lead me to the merchants,” respond- ed 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 be- hind; 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 20 THE CARAVAN. 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 se- rious 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 cush- ions; 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 22 THE CARAVAN. time. I feel this tediousness much, for I am ac. customed 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,” answer- ed Selim ; " and, in order that you may see that I desire nothing unreasonable, I will my- self 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 His- TORY OF CALIPH STORK.” TOURISC CHAPTER I NCE upon a time, on a fine afternoon, the Caliph Cha- sid was seated on his sofa in Bagdad : he had slept a little, (for it was a hot day,) and now, after his nap, uuess looked quite happy. He smoked a long pipe of rose- wood, 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 no 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- 24 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 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, “ Where- fore, 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 himseli and Mansor, and a comb for the Vizier's HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 25 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 ser- vice 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, how- ever, 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 ac- quainted with these mysterious characters.” The learned Selim was soon brought in. “Selim," said the Caliph to him, “Selim, they HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 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 twen- ty 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 trans- late: “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 re- turn 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 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 27 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 dis- charged 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 to- gether 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.” 28 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. CHAPTER II. EUROVERTURE LO UN UILO T V OJA BISTEM CARCELY, on the next morn- ing, had the Caliph Chasid breakfasted and dressed him- self, 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 com- manded his train to remain behind, set out, all alone with Mansor, upon their expedition. They went at first through the extensive gar- dens of the Caliph, but looked around in vain for some living thing, in order to make their strange experiment. · The Vizier finally pro- posed to go farther on, to a pond, where he had often before seen many storks, which, by their grave behavior and clattering, had al- ways excited his attention. The Caliph ap- proved 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 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 29 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 con- versation 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 !” Immediate. ly their legs shrivelled away and became slen- der and red; the handsome yellow slippers of the Caliph and his companion became mis- shapen stork's feet; their arms turned to wings; the neck extended up from the shoulders, and 3* 30 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 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 aston- ishment. “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?” HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 31 “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 be- fore 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." 32 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. “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 him- self 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. HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 33 CHAPTER III. HE enchanted ones wandered sorrowfully through the fields, not knowing, in their calami- ty, what they should first set about. To the city they could not return, for the purpose of discovering themselves, for who would have believed å 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, support- ing 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 ac- cordingly they often winged their way to the roofs of Bagdad, to see what was going on therein. 34 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. On the first day they observed great com- motion and mourning in the streets; but on the fourth after their transformation, they light- ed by chance upon the royal palace, from which they saw, in the street beneath, a splen- did procession. Drums and fifes sounded; on a richly-caparisoned steed was seated a man, in a scarlet mantle embroidered with gold, sur- rounded 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 mis- ery; 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 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 35 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 long- er; you fly so rapidly! Besides, it is already evening, and we would do well to seek a shel ter for the night.” Chasid gave ear to the request of his attend- ant, 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 dis- tinctly heard a low moaning, which seemed to HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 37 “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 amaze- ment, 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 mis- fortune. 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, re- lated what we already know. 38 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. CHAPTER IV. 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 thy- self. My father is the king of India; I, his only, unfortunate daughter, am called Lusa. That same sorcerer Kaschnur, who transform- ed 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 de- testable figure. He brought me hither, swoon- ing 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 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 39 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 abomi- nation 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 Prin- cess. “If I am not altogether deceived,” said he, “ you will find that between our misfor- tunes 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 in. quired in what way she meant. 40 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. “ 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 con- federates, 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 Ca- liph: “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 propo- sition 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.” 42 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 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 Ca- liph and his Vizier. “What did you give them for a word ?" in- quired of him one of the other magicians. “A right ponderous Latin one-MUTABOR." HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 43 CHAPTER V. HEN the storks heard this through their chasm in the wall, they became almost be- side 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. There- upon 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 twink- ling 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 44 HISTORY OF CALIPH STORK. 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 pleasant- ness, as to cry out, that it was the most fortu- . nate moment in his life, when he became a stork. The three now proceeded together to Bag- dad. 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 as- tonishment. 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 Ca- liph sent to the same chamber in the ruin, which the princess, as a screech-owl, had HISTORY OF CALIPH STORE. 45 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 him- self 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 amuse- ment: when, however, the Caliph clattered, and bowed, and cried out, too long, then the Vizier would threaten him that he would 46 THE CARAVAN. disclose to his spouse what had been pro- posed outside the door of the Princess Screech- owl! WUN ORBS 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 Cara- van proceeded on its way in the same order in which it had come up. THE CARAVAN. 47 7 pro reech They rode almost all the night long, for it was refreshing and starry, whereas the day was sultry. At last they arrived at a con- venient 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 sec- ond 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 al- ready arrived, when they awoke again, and they unanimously determined to wait for even- ing in this place. After they had eaten to- gether, they moved more closely to each other, and the young merchant, turning to the oldest, addressed him: “ Selim Baruch yester- day 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 im- 48 THE CARAVAN. part to you something of my life, of which, under other circumstances, I would speak re- luctantly, and, indeed, not to any one: The HISTORY OF THE SPECTRE SHIP. THE HISTORY OF THE SPECTRE SHIP. T J.MORA SC Initialini meses os 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 50 THE SPECTRE SHIP. through anxiety at having intrusted a thou- sand gold pieces to the sea. I was obliged, soon after, to deem him happy in his for- tunate death, for in a few weeks the intelli- gence 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, accom- panied 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 wiih 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 fore- bodings. All at once there floated close by THE SPECTRE SHIP. 51 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 explana- tion 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 tem- pest began visibly to rise with a roaring noise, and, before an hour passed by, the ship struck and remained aground. The boats were low- ered, 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 52 HISTORY OF 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 de- prived me of consciousness, and when I re- turned to my senses, I found myself in the arms of my old faithful attendant, who had saved himself on the boat which had been up- turned, 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 ves- sel 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 deso- late 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 prais- ed the Prophet, who had so miraculously pre- served us. From the fore-part of the ship hung down a long cable; for the purpose of laying hold of 54 HISTORY OF Captain there nailed to the mast would bend his rigid eyes upon us, or lest one of the corp- ses 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, “some- thing 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 be- fore have been carousing, for the remains of a banquet lay scattered around. We went on from room to room, from chamber to chamber THE SPECTRE SHIP. 55 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; ana, 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 56 HISTORY OF look out for means of deliverance. When, however, the moon shone forth, and by the stars I calculated that it was about the elev- enth hour, sleep so irresistibly overpowered me that I fell back, involuntarily, behind a cask which stood upon the deck. It was rath- er 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 mov. ing 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 THE SPECTRE SHIP. 59 to overpower me. My companion, thereupon, advised me to repeat some sentences from the Koran, which assisted me to retain my con- sciousness. 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 witch- craft: “ 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 mid- dle of his brain, but he had sheathed his sword. Behind him entered another, attired SA De THE SPECTRE SHIP. 61 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. 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 ex- plain 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 62 HISTORY OF necessary to bear the ship gently along, and so in five days we made considerable head- way. 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 de- liverance. 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 inqui- red 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 our- selves after our adventurous sail. I there in- quired for a wise and intelligent man, at the same time giving the landlord to understand that I would like to have one tolerably conver- sant with magic. He conducted me to an unsightly house in a remote street, knocked THE SPECTRE SHIP. 63 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, to- gether 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 64 HISTORY OF 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 Mu- ley came to my assistance. He quickly or- dered 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. THE SPECTRE SHIP. 65 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, dis- tinguished man, and resided in Algiers : a pas- sion for gain urged me on to fit out a ship, and turn pirate. I had already followed this busi- ness some time, when once, at Zante, I took on board a Dervise, who wished to travel for nothing. I and my companions were impious 6* 66 HISTORY OF 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. Dy- ing, 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 ter- rible courage the struggle continued, until my supporters fell, and I myself was nailed to the mast. The mutineers, however, also sank un- der 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, THE SPECTRE SHIP. 67 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 dy- ing, 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 grati- tude.” 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 68 THE SPECTRE SHIP. 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. 70 THE CARAVAN. his whole conduct had inspired them with re- spect 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 seri- ous 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.” HEWN OFF HAND WAS born in Constantino- ple ; my father was a Drag- oman of the Ottoman Porte, and carried on, besides, a tolerably lucrative trade in cu essences and silk goods. He gave me a good education, CSA since he partly superintended it A himself, and partly had me in- b structed by one of our priests. At first, he intended that I should one day take charge of his business : but since I displayed greater capa- city than he expected, with the ad- U 72 THE STORY OF vice 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 com- ing 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 apart- ment; 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 nev- er before seen so much together. My father embraced me, and said. THE HEWN-OFF HAND. 73 * See, my son, I nave 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, how- ever, 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 sup- port, 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 reach- ed the land of the Franks, and six days' jour- ney brought us to the large city, Paris. Here my French friend hired me a room, and ad- vised 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 174 THE STORY OF 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 there- fore 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 see- ing 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 in- quired 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; never- theless, what could I do? I had no proofs against the priest, and could only congratulate myself that he had not also looked upon the THE HEWN-OFF HAND. 75 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 an- other. My reputation as a physician would not extend itself, because I was ashamed to play the quack; above all, I missed the recom- mendation of my father, who had introduced me to the richest and most respectable fami- lies; 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 recol- lected that people gladly purchased of them, because they came from foreign lands; and that by such a trade, one could make a hun- dred-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, THE HEWN-OFF HAND. 77 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 examin- ing 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 Flo- rence, I thought, as had often happened al- ready, that one wished to lead me privately to some sick person. Accordingly I resolved to go; nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, 7* 78 THE STORY OF 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, en- tirely 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 ejacu- lated, “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." 80 THE STORY OF ing 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 em- broidered 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 hun- dred zechins. It was surprising to me, that when I asked one and another whether there was a similar mantle in Florence, all answered THE HEWN-OFF HAND. 81 in the negative, and protested that they had never seen such costly and elegant workman- ship. 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 ex- posed 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 com- plied, for on the other hand the reflection con- soled 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 to- wards 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 :- 82 THE STORY OF “ 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; catch- ing 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 pas- sion 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 hun- dred, zechins, in addition to his two hundred, if he would surrender it to me. What my en- treaties could not accomplish, my gold did. He took my good zechins, while I went off in 86 THE STORY OF 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 deep- est 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 mo- ments in anxious wo, thinking on what had happened. Had the Red-mantle deceived me, or was his sister, perhaps, only apparently 88 THE STORY OF 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 miss- ing; 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 neigh- bor stepped in, as was his custom, being a communicative man. “Ah! what say you to the horrid deed,” he cried, “that was commit- ted last night ?” I started as if I knew noth- ing. “How! know you not that with which the whole city is filled ? Know you not that last night, the fairest flower in Florence, Bian- ca, the daughter of the Governor, was murder- ed? Ah! only yesterday I saw her walking happily through the streets with her bride- groom, for to-day she would have had her nup- tial festival!" Every word of my neighbor was a dagger to my heart; and how often returned my tor- THE HEWN-OFF HAND. 89 ments! 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 en- tirely 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 com- mitted a murder, even against my wish, re- turned 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. 8* 90 THE STORY OF 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 ar- ranged, on which were seated the first people of Florence. In the gallery, which was built quite high, stood the spectators, closely crowd- ed 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 atten- tion, and with dauntless, distinct voice, related what I had done and all that I knew. I ob- served that the Governor during my recital turned first pale, then red, and when I conclu- THE HEWN-OFF HAND. 91 ded, 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 interrup- tion, 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. Immedi- ately 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 de- ceased 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 92 THE STORY OF both the letters that I had received. This I disclosed to the Senator; but he seemed 10 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 men- aces against. the deceased, and warnings against the marriage which she was on the point of consummating. The Governor seem- ed to have imparted something strange and untrue, with respect to my person ; for I was treated this day with more suspicion and se- verity. 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 judg. ment 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 THE HEWN-OFF HAND. 93 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, Zaleu- kos ?” 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 improba- bility of the Stranger's story. “ Then did you not know Bianca ?” asked he. I assured him that I had never seen her. Valetty thereupon 94 THE STORY OF 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 mur- dered her out of revenge for her intended mar- riage 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, it nothing more. I had not much hope ; never- theless, 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 inex- orable, and would not once look into the mat- ter: 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 96 THE HEWN-OFF HAND. 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, re- turn. 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 neces- THE CARAVAN. 97 sary, 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! Thus ended the story of Zaleukos, the Grecian merchant. With great interest had the others listened; the stranger, in particu- far, seemed to be wrapt up in it: more than 98 · THE CARAVAN. 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,” an- swered the Greek, “in which my heart ac- cused 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 ene- mies. 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 in- terrupted 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 in. telligence. Selim, the stranger, however, ex- THE CARAVAN. 101 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 horse- men 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 ex- claimed," 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 thus much I know, 9* THE CARAVAN. 103 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. BUSSLNKY A.N.ORA SC. ILX FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. VIII Y brother Mustapha and my sister Fatima were al- most of the same age; the former was at most but two years older. They loved o each other fervently, and ou 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 com. panions, and set before them a choice banquet in the gardens of FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. 105 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. Mus- tapha, however, yielded reluctantly, because a Corsair had been seen, for several days back, in that vicinity. Not far from the city, a promontory project- ed 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 106 FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. up with cries and lamentations : in vain Mus- tapha 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 approach- ed 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 an. swer to Mustapha's threats, he confessed that he belonged to the hostile ship, which was ly- ing at anchor two miles to the eastward, and that his companions had left him behind in 108 FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. 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 con- summation 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 pre- pare 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 di- rect 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 110 FATIMA’S DELIVERANCE. distinctly sounded the melody of a guitar, blended with two fine manly voices. It seem- ed to my brother as if people who had chosen so blithesome a resting-place, could have no evil intentions towards himself; and according- ly, without apprehension, he obeyed the sum- mons 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 ren- der 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 conver- sation of his conductors seemed to confirm him in his opinion. FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. 111 “Where is the Mighty ?” inquired they of the little man. “He is out upon a short hunt,” was the an- swer; "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 de- termined whether this dog is to die or be ran- somed, 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 ap- 112 FATIMAS DELIVERANCE. pearance, 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 cap- tured Mustapha, related to him how it had be- gun. 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 ac- cents, to the little man. The latter, in his fear, shrunk until he seemed even smaller than be- fore, 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 vanish- ed, the three led Mustapha before the master of the tent, who had meanwhile reclined upon the cushion. “Here bring we thee him, whom thou com- mandedst us to take.” He regarded the pris- oner for some time, and then said, “Bashaw of Sulieika, thine own conscience will tell thee why thou standest before Orbasan.” When 116 FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. Upon awaking, he found himself all alone in the tent, but, before the entrance, heard several voices in conversation, which seemed to be- long 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 immedi- ately perceived that the little man hated him, for having been the cause of his rough treat- ment 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: more- over, he does not look like one that would be- tray 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 for- FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. 117 est. The Mighty informed my brother, that this Bashaw whom they had captured in the chase, had promised them that they should re- main 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, 118 FATIMA’S DELIVERANCE. 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,” ex- claimed 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 wonder. ful adventures." FATIMA’S DELIVERANCE. 119 ABOUT the middle of the seventh day after his departure, Mustapha entered the gate of Balsora. As soon as he had arrived at a ca- ravansery, he inquired whether the slave-mar- ket, which was held here every year, had opened; but received the startling answer, that he had come two days too late. His in- former 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 re- mounting his horse with all possible speed, in order to overtake Thiuli-Kos, who could 120 FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. 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 Su- lieika, which had almost been fatal to him, sug- gested 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 as- sistance, furnished himself and his servants with splendid garments, and set out in the di- rection 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 over- topped by the structure itself. When Musta- pha 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 lodg. FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. 123 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 frus- trate 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 immedi- ately 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 aban- don, and attend only to his own safety: ac- cordingly, he approached the window, to see if he could not spring from it. It was a toler- able 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 ap- proaching 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 FATIMA’S DELIVERANCE. 125 being recognised, for the beard disfigured him so that he scarcely knew himself. Arrived in the vicinity of the castle, he an- nounced himself as the physician Chakamanka- budibaba, 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 re- solved that all his female slaves should sub- mit 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 Thi- uli, who conducted him to his seraglio. They reached an unoccupied room, which was beau- tifully 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 ; never- 11* FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. 127 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 ac- cents : “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 consola- tion! she has a slow fever, which may, per- haps, 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 as- sistance. “Put forth all thy skill, Chakamdababelda, 128 FATI DELIVERANO FATIMA’S DELIVERANCE. 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 neces- sary 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 cas- tle, he removed his false garments, and cast them into the water, where they floated mer- rily 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 messen- gers returned alone, with the news that the FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. 133 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 re- strain 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 remain- ed that night again in the robber's tent, and with the first morning-red they set out, Orba- san 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 12 134 FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. they rode on with her unto the forest, from which, at a little distance, they could see Thiu- li'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 serv- ant 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 vigor- ously 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 FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE.. FAT DELIVERANCE. 135 soon made a breach sufficiently large to allow them to slip through without difficulty. Orba- san 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 cal- culation. 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 be- hind his back ; then he turned to the slaves, 136 FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. some of whom were already half bound by Mustapha and the two others, and assisted in completely overpowering them. They pre- sented their daggers to the breasts of the slaves, and asked where Nourmahal 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 Or- basan 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 im- mediately. 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 FATIMA'S DELIVERANCE. 137 followed Mustapha. With tears the two maid- ens 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 12* 138 THE CARAVAN. may there never be wanting to our city, men who, in brotherly love, in prudence, and bra- very, may be thy equals !" 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 caravan- sery, which they selected as their resting-place for the night; and though it offered but limited accommodations and refreshment, still was the THE CARAVAN. 139 whole company more happy and sociable than ever: for the thought of having passed through the dangers and hardships, with which a jour- ney 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. LITTLE MUCK. 141 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; accord- ingly, 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 open- ed, 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, 142 THE STORY OF 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 Aling 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 LITTLE MUCK. 143 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 conceal- ed myself near the door, and saw Muck come forth again, escorted by my father, who re- spectfully shook his hand, and with many bows parted with him at the door. My mind was uneasy, and I remained some time in my con- cealment; 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 se- verely 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. LITTLE MUCK. 145 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 glitter- ing like a mirror, he would hasten up, fully persuaded that he had arrived at fairy-land. But ah! these phantoms vanished as he ap- proached, 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 146 THE STORY OF his bed. On the morning of the third day, he espied a large city upon an eminence. Brightly shone the crescent upon her pinnacles, varie- gated 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 to- wards the city. But although the latter seem- ed 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 ob- liquely: 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 antici. LITTLE MUCK. 149 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 chil- dren. As for the rest, Muck led as retired a life as in his father's house, for with the ex- ception of the Frau, he saw every day only dogs and cats. For a long time it went very well with Lit- tle Muck; he had enough to eat, and but little to do; and the old woman seemed to be per- fectly 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 crock- ery, which stood in their way. When, how- ever, they heard their mistress coming up the steps, they would creep to their cushions, and wag their tails, when they saw her, as if noth- ing had happened. The Frau Ahavzi always 13* · 154 THE STORY OF awoke, he reflected on the singular vision, and resolved to make the experiment immediately. He put on the slippers, lifted one foot, and be- gan to turn around upon his heel. But who- ever has attempted to perform this manœuvre in an enormously wide slipper, will not won- der 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 vio- lently 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 re- tire 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 LITTLE MUCK. 155 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 ex- hibited 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 de- termined to hire himself out as a courier. He ventured to hope that the king of the city re- warded 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 en- treated 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 LITTLE MUCK. 157 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 sove- reign 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 laugh- ter. He proudly walked forward, supported by his cane, and awaited his opponent. At Muck's own desire, the overseer of the slaves had se- lected 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, 14 158 THE STORY OF overtook him, passed him, and had been stand- ing for some time at the goal, when his oppo- nent, 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; al- low them, I pray thee, to give me a place : among thy couriers.” The king answer- ed: “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 LITTLE MUCK. 159 performed with the greatest care, and with in- conceivable 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 confi- dence 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 re- venge ; 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 im- parting the secret to his son. From this time 160 THE STORY OF 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 in. dicated; 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 com- pletely full of gold pieces. His feeble wisdom, however, did not teach him to lift up the pot; 162 THE STORY OF treasurer, his most wicked enemy, who him- self, 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 other- wise have willingly submitted his accounts to examination. The king thereupon command- LITTLE MUCK. 163 ed that they should secretly watch all the niovements 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 ves- sel 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, an- 164 THE STORY OF swered 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 de- gree by the supposed impudence of the dwarf, exclaimed, “How, wretch! wilt thou so stu- pidly 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 treas- ures; and he could take his oath that this was the stolen money. Then the king command- ed them to place Little Muck in galling chains, and convey him to prison : to Archaz, how- ever, 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 pur- port:- 166 THE STORY OF 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 re- lation exists between it and thy rapid run- ning." Little Muck, whom one night in his dun- geon had deprived of all desire for further con- finement, 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 ex- periment, and ran, like mad, through the gar- den; 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 re- LITTLE MUCK. 169 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 pur- chased by the kitchen-master for the royal table. Muck had not long been seated, when he saw that dignitary walking across the court- 170 THE STORY OF Bait ? yard. He examined the articles of the tra- ders who had placed themselves at the pal- ace-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 LITTLE MUCK. 171 “Ah!" escaped the lips of those who were present. “How ripe! how delicate!". ex- claimed 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 spa- ring, 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 look- est 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 head- dress. The horror of the court may be imagined. All the physicians in the city were imme- diately sent for; they came with a bluster- ing air, prescribed pills and mixtures, but 172 THE STORY OF 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 rep- resent 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 incredu- lous; 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 LITTLE MUCK. 173 ears of Little Muck: at the moment of enter- ing 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. “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 15* 174 THE CARAVAN. Muck.” Having thus spoken, he turned quick- ly 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 to- wards the good little man, and he remitted the other half of the punishment which he had in- tended for me. To my comrades I told the wonderful history of the dwarf, and we con- ceived 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 them- selves and their beasts for the rest of their THE CARAVAN. 175 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.” THE FALSE, PRINCE, URR SC MW 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 La- bakan 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 to- THE FALSE PRINCE. 181 childhood ; the young man had never known his parents. But shortly before, Elfi Bey, hav- ing been attacked by his enemies, and, after three disastrous engagements, mortally wound- ed, 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 re- pair 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 16 182 THE FALSE PRINCE. 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 exter- nal 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 near- est night-lodgings; but when he awoke in the morning, and his eye rested upon Omar sleep- ing near him, who was reposing so quietly, and could dream of his now certain fortune, then arose in him the thought of gaining, by THE FALSE PRINCE. 183 stratagem or violence, what unpropitious des- tiny had denied him. The dagger, the return- ing 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. Never- theless, the peaceable soul of the journeyman recoiled before thoughts of murder ; he con- tented 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 com- panion was several miles upon his way. The day on which Labakan robbed the prince was the first of the holy month Rama. dan, 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 184 THE FALSE PRINCE. 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 uninhab- ited and desert, and the new prince would have experienced some difficulty in finding susten- ance, 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 cross- ing 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 • THE FALSE PRINCE. 185 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 un- done, 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 pre- 16* 186 THE FALSE PRINCE. · cious stones, pointed him out as a man of opulence and nobility. To him Labakan pro- ceeded, 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, em- brace 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 pre- sented a strange appearance; the animal, either from obstinacy or fatigue, seemed un- willing 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 false- hood once more prevailed within him, and he 188 THE FALSE PRINCE. have sprung upon Labakan, but the bystand- ers, 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 mem- ory of my mother, I conjure you-hear me!" “Alas! God guard us!" answered he: “al- ready 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 cour- sers, 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 watch- ful eye upon his every movement. The old prince was Saaud, sultan of the Wechabites. For some time had he lived without children ; at last a prince, for whom THE FALSE PRINCE. 189 he had so ardently longed, was born to him. But the astrologer, whom he consulted respect- ing 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 look- ing 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 inhab- itants 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 pro- 190 THE FALSE PRINCE. cession 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 cover- ed 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. 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 VANUINNVANA 2011:13 HORN TURVALOSTIVAL EN MUTTA TOUR 20 OD THE FALSE PRINCE. 191 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 illustri- ous 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 hus- band and son; the latter she had never looked on since his birth, but significant dreams had so plainly shown her the object of her long- ings, that she would know him out of thou- sands. Now they heard the noise of the ap- proaching 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, hold- ing 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, cry- ing: “This is not my son! These are not the 194 THE FALSE PRINCE. from the lips of the prince himself, as to be able to play his part without betraying him- self. 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, La- bakan ?” “ 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 ex- cellent 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 THE FALSE PRINCE. 195 woman, and knew not only the weak side of her husband, but also the way to take advan- tage 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 con- tend 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 hus- band, who was a man of his word, at length yielded, though he swore, should the mad tai- lor make his caftan ever so beautiful, he would never acknowledge him as his son. 196 THE FALSE PRINCE. 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 ap- prehension lest her stratagem might be unsuc- cessful. 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, THE FALSE PRINCE. 197 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, look- Ang 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 17* THE FALSE PRINCE. 201 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 Medi- na,” said the sultan, again motioning to his slaves. Omar was led in; his eye was mournful, his air dejected, and his appearance excited uni- versal 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 destroy- ed, 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 com- THE FALSE PRINCE. 203 and a little linen thread. The sultan com- manded 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 Laba- kan, 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 suppli- cated 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 206 THE FALSE PRINCE. 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 industri- ous 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, un- til 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 THE FALSE PRINCE. 207 accomplishment. Fortune AND Wealth ac- companied, 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 enernies; 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. L ED LORIDAS SNORR S 208 THE CARAVAN. Ar sundown the Caravan set out, and soon reached Birket-el-had, or “the Pilgrims' Foun- tain,” whence the distance to Cairo was three leagues. The Caravan had been expected at this time, and the merchants soon had the pleas- ure 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 him- self had passed through it. At the market-place the four Turkish mer- chants took leave of the stranger and the Greek Zaleukos, and went home with their friends. Zaleukos, however, showed his com- panion 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 THE CARAVAN. 211 may fully understand my story. I was born in Alexandria, of Christian parents. My fa- ther, 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 father- land 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 eager- ly, 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 212 THE CARAVAN. 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 Nea- politan, with whom she had become acquaint- ed in her father's house. My brother, who was exceedingly affected by this step, employed every means to bring the guilty one to punish- ment; but in vain : his attempts, which in Naples and Florence had excited wonder, served only to complete his and our misfor- tune. 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 frus- trated all those examinations which my brother had set on foot, and knew how to use his influ- ence, 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 exe- cutioner. My poor mother lost her mind; THE CARAVAN. 213 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 isulated 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 her- self, 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 214 THE CARAVAN. 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 dif- ficult 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 destroy- ing me, should he entertain the slightest suspi- cion. An accident came to my assistance. One evening I saw a man in well-known liv- ery, 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 re- solved to turn his humor to my advantage. He appeared much surprised to see me there, told me his grievances, that he could do noth- ing 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 216 THE CARAVAN. my undertaking seemed, at one time, to be tot- tering; 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 spec- tacle, which, through the crack of the door, presented itself to our eyes. Pursued by ter- ror 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, al- lowed 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 THE CARAVAN. 217 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 re- mains to tell you, why I have travelled with you. As the thought that you had never yet forgiven me, pressed heavily upon me, I deter- mined 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?” 19