NOT A PIN TO CHOOSE

knew very well where he was, and that he was upon the
road that led to the city. At the sight his heart grew
light within him, and off he stepped briskly for home
again.

But the sun shone hot and the way was warm and
dusty, and before Abdallah had gone very far the sweat
was running down his face in streams. After a while he
met a rich husbandman riding easily along on an ambling
nag, and when Abdallah saw him he rapped his head
with his knuckles. ‘ Why did I not think to ask the
Genie for a horse?” said he. “I might just as well have
ridden as to have walked, and that upon a horse a hun-
dred times more beautiful than the one that that fellow
rides.”

He stepped into the thicket beside the way, where he
might be out of sight, and there pressed the stone in his
ring, and at his bidding the Genie stood before him.

“What are my lord’s commands ?” said he.

“T would like to have a noble horse to ride upon,”
said Abdallah—“ a horse such as a king might use.”

“To hear is to obey,” said the Genie ; and, stretching
out his hand, there stood before. Abdallah a magnificent
Arab horse, with a saddle and bridle studded with precious
stones, and with housings of gold. ‘Can I do aught to
serve my lord further ?” said the Genie.

“ Not just now,” said Abdallah; “if I have further use
for you I will call you.”

The Genie bowed his head and was gone like a flash,
and Abdallah mounted his horse and rode off upon his
way. But he had not gone far before he drew rein sud-
denly. ‘‘ How foolish must I look,” said he, “to be thus
riding along the high-road upon this noble steed, and I

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