THE HISTORY OF THE THIRD CALENDER. 69

 

has many slaves, and also agents at the several courts, which he
furnishes with precious stones. He had been long married without
having issue, when he dreamt that he should have a son, though his
life would be but short. Some time after, I was born, which occasioned
great joy in the family. My father, who had observed the very moment
of my birth, consulted astrologers about my nativity, and was answered,
“Your son shall live happily till the age of fifteen, when his life will be
exposed to a danger which he will hardly be able to escape ; but if his
good destiny preserve him beyond that time, he will live to a great age
Tt will be,” said they, ‘‘ when the statue of brass, that stands upon the
summit of the mountain of adamant, shall be thrown into the sea by
Prince Agib, and, as the stars prognosticate, your son will be killed fifty
days afterwards by that prince.”

‘My father took all imaginable care of my education until this year,
which is the fifteenth of my age. He had notice given him yesterday
that the statue of brass had been thrown into the sea about ten days
ago. This news alarmed him much; and, in consequence of the pre-
diction of the astrologers, he took the precaution to form this subterra-
nean habitation to hide me in during the fifty days after the throwing
down of the statue; and, therefore, as it is ten days since this happened,
he came hastily hither to conceal me, and promised at the end of forty
days to return and fetch me away. For my own part, I am sanguine
in my hopes, and cannot believe that Prince Agib will seek for me in a
place underground, in the midst of a desert island.’

He had scarcely done speaking when I told him, with great joy:
‘Dear sir, trust in the goodness of God, and fear nothing. I will not
leave you till the forty days have expired of which the foolish astro-
logers have made you apprehensive; and in the meanwhile I will do
you all the service in my power ; after which, with leave of your father
and yourself, I shall have the benefit of getting to the mainland in your
vessel; and when I am returned into my kingdom I will remember the
obligations I owe you, and endeavour to demonstrate my gratitude by
suitable acknowledgments.’

This discourse encouraged the jeweller’s son, and inspired him with
confidence. I took care not to inform him I was the very Agib whom
he dreaded, lest I should alarm his fears. I found the young man of
ready wit, and partook with him of his provisions, of which he had
enough to have lasted beyond the forty days, though he had had more
guests than myself. In short, madam, we spent thirty-nine days in
the pleasantest manner possible in this subterranean abode.

The fortieth day appeared; and in the morning, when the young
man awoke, he said to me, with a transport of joy that he could not
restrain: ‘ Prince, this is the fortieth day and I am not dead, thanks to
God and your good company. My father will not fail to make you,
very shortly, every acknowledgment of his gratitude for your attentions,
and will furnish you with every necessary for your return to your king-
dom. But,’ continued he, ‘while we are waiting his arrival, dear