276 APPENDIX

and we prepared his body for the grave, and buried him,
and I put my hand upon his property: all his young
men became mine, and under my authority in my ser-
vice, and the merchants instated me in his office; for he
was their chief, and none of them purchased aught but
with his knowledge and by his permission, he being their
sheykh; and I became in his place.

Now when I mixed with the people of that city I
found that their state became changed every month, and
there appeared upon them wings, wherewith they flew
to the upper region of the sky, and there remained not
behind in the city any but the children and the women.
So I said within myself, “When the first day of the
month cometh, I will ask one of them, and perhaps they
will convey me with them whither they go.” And when
the first day of that month came, their appearances be-
came altered, and their forms became changed, and I
went in to one of them, and said to him, “I conjure thee
by Allah that thou convey me with thee, in order that I
may divert myself and return with you.” He replied,
“This is a thing that cannot be.” But I ceased not to
solicit him until he granted that favour. I agreed with
them, and caught hold of that man, and he soared with
me in the air; but I informed not any one of my family,
nor any of my young men, nor any of my companions;
and that man continued to fly, with me upon his
shoulders, until he rose so high with me into the sky
that I heard the praises of the angels in the vault of the
heavens. So I wondered at that, and said, “Extolled
be the perfection of God! and praise be to God!” And
I had not finished the words of praise when there came