AlISTORY OF COGIA HASSAN ALHABBAL. 235

 

the end of the grove, which was very long and broad, where I showed
them a wood of large trees, which terminated my garden.

Two of my boys, whom I had sent into the country, with a tutor, for
the air, had gone just then into the wood; and seeing a nest, which
was built in the branches of a lofty tree, they bade a slave climb the
tree for it. The slave, when he came to it, was much surprised to find
it composed of a turban. He took it, brought it down, and as he
thought that I might like to see a nest that was so uncommon, he gave
it to the eldest boy to bring to me.

The two friends and I were very much surprised at the novelty; but
I much more, when I recognised the turban to be that which the
vulture had flown away with. After I had examined it well, and
turned it about, I said to my guests, ‘Gentlemen, can you remember
the turban I had on the day you did me the honour first to speak to
me?’ ‘Ido not think,’ said Saad, ‘that either my friend or I gave any
attention to it; but if the hundred and ninety pieces of gold are in it,
we cannot doubt of it.’

‘Sir,’ replied I, ‘there is no doubt but it is the same turban; for,
besides that I know it perfectly well, I feel by the weight it is too
heavy to be any other, and you will perceive this if you will give your-
self the trouble to take it in-your hand.’ Then, after taking out the
young birds, I put it into his hands, and he gave it to Saadi.

‘Now, sir,’ added I, taking the turban again, ‘ observe well befcre I
unwrap it, that it is of no very fresh date in the tree; and the state in
which you see it, and the nest so neatly made in it, are sufficient
proofs that the vulture dropped or laid it in the tree upon the day it
was seized.’

While I was speaking, I pulled off the linen cloth which was wrapped
about the cap of the turban, and took out the purse, which Saadi knew
to be the same he had given me. I emptied it before them, and said,
‘There, gentlemen, there is the money, count it, and see if it be right ;’
which Saad did, and found it to be one hundred and ninety pieces of
gold. Then Saadi, who could not deny so manifest a truth, addressing
himself to me, said, ‘TI agree, Cogia Hassan, that this money could not
serve to enrich you, but the other hundred and ninety pieces, which

“you would make me believe you hid in a pot of bran, might.’ < Sir,’
answered I, ‘TI have told you the truth in regard to both sums, and I
shall hope yet to prove it to your satisfaction.’

After this we returned, and entered the house, just as dinner was
being served. After dinner, I left my guests to take their siesta during
the heat of the day, while I went to give orders to my gardener.
Afterwards I returned to them again, and we talked of indifferent
matters till it grew a little cooler; when we returned into the garden
for fresh air, and stayed till sunset. We then mounted our horses, and
after a ride of two hours reached Bagdad by moonlight.

It happened, by some negligence of my grooms, that we were then
out of grain for the horses, and the storehouses were all shut up; when