NOT A PIN TO CHOOSE

the city a magnificent palace, such as man never looked
upon before, and let it be full from top to bottom with
rich stuffs and treasures of all sorts. And let it have
gardens and fountains and terraces fitting for such a place,
and let it be meetly served with slaves, both men and
women, the most beautiful that are to be found in all of
the world.”

“Is there aught else that thou wouldst have ?” asked
the Genie.

The fagot-maker meditated a long time. “1 can be-
think myself of nothing more just now,” said he.

The Genie turned to the captain of the troop and said
some words to him in a strange tongue, and then in a
moment was gone. ‘The captain gave the order to march,
and away they all rode with Abdallah in the midst.
“Who would have thought,” said he, looking around him,
with the heart within him swelling with pride as though it
would burst—“ who would have thought that only this
morning I was a poor fagot-maker, lost in the woods and
half starved to death? Surely there is nothing left for me
to wish for in this world!”

Abdallah was talking of something he knew nothing
of.

Never before was such a sight seen in that country, as
Abdallah and his troop rode through the gates and into
the streets of the city. But dazzling and beautiful as were
those who rode attendant upon him, Abdallah the fagot-
maker surpassed them all as the moon dims the lustre of
the stars. The people crowded around shouting with
wonder, and Abdallah, in the fulness of his delight, gave
orders to the slaves who bore the caskets of money to

241 Q