TWILIGHT LAND

and by-and-by to an iron gate. The old man rapped
upon the gate three times with his knuckles, and cried
in a loud voice, ‘Open to Selim, who wears the Ring of
Luck !”

Then instantly the gate swung open, and Selim the
Baker followed the old man into the garden.

Bang! shut the gate behind him, and there he
was.

There he was! And such a place he had never seen
before. Such fruit! such flowers! such fountains! such
summer-houses !

“ This is nothing,” said the old man; “this is only the
beginning of wonder. Come with me.”

He led the way down a long pathway between the trees,
and Selim followed. By-and-by, far away, they saw the
light of torches ; and when they came to what they saw,
lo and behold! there was the sea-shore, and a boat with
four-and-twenty oarsmen, each dressed in cloth of gold
and silver more splendidly than a prince. And there
were four-and-twenty black slaves, carrying each a torch
of spice-wood ; so that all the air was filled with sweet
smells. The old man led the way, and Selim, following,
entered the boat ; and there was a seat for him made soft
with satin cushions embroidered with gold and precious
stones and stuffed with down, and Selim wondered
whether he was not dreaming.

The oarsmen pushed off from the shore and away they
rowed. :

On they rowed and on they rowed for all that livelong
night.

At last morning broke, and then as the sun rose Selim
saw such a sight as never mortal eyes beheld before or

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