114 HINTH EVEWIWG.

tree, and bit him in the leg. Presently the limb began
_ to swell, and the effects of the venom became visible
over Indur’s whole frame. He grew faint, sick, and
pale; and, sinking on the ground, was sensible that
his last moments were fast approaching. As thus he
lay, he was surprised to hear a human voice from the
tree; and looking up, he beheld on the bough where
he had placed the monkey, a beautiful woinan, who
thus addressed him: “ Indur, I am truly grieved, that
thy kindness to me should have been the cause of thy
destruction. Know, that in the form of the poor
monkey, it was the potent fairy Perezinda, to whom
thou gavest succour. Obliged to pass a certain number
of days every year under the shape of an animal, I had
chosen this form; and though not mortal, I should
nave suffered extreme agonies from the bite of the
serpent, hadst thou not so humanely assisted me. It
is not in my power to prevent the fatal effect of the
poison ; but I am able to grant thee any wish thou
shalt form respecting the future state of existence to
which thou art now hastening. Speak, then, before it
be too late, and let me show my gratitude.’”—* Great
Perezinda!” replied Indur, “ since you deign so boun-
teously to return my service, this is the request that
I make: In all my transmigrations may I retain a
rational soul, with the memory of the adventures I
have gone through ; and when death sets me free from
one body, may I instantly animate another in the
prime of its powers and faculties, without passing
throvgh thehelpless state of infancy.” —“It is eranted,”’
answered the Fairy ; and immediately breaking a small
branch irom the tree, and breathing on it, she threw it
down to Indur, and bade him hold it fast in his hand.
He did so, and presently expired.

Instantly he found himself in a green valley, by the
side of a clear stream, grazing amidst a herd’ of ante-
lopes. Hi; admired his elegant shape, sleek, spotted
skin, and polished spiral horns; and drank with delighs
of the coel rivulet, cropped the juicy herb, and sported