TWILIGHT LAND

since. It was the wonder of wonders—a great city built
on anisland. The island was all one mountain; and on
it, one above another and another above that again, stood
palaces that glistened like snow, and orchards of fruit,
and gardens of flowers and green trees.

And as the boat came nearer and nearer to the city,
Selim could see that all around on the house-tops and
down to the water’s edge were crowds and crowds of
people. All were looking out towards the sea, and when
they saw the boat and Selim in it, a great shout went up
like the roaring of rushing waters.

“Tt is the King!” they cried—‘it is the King! It is
Selim the King!”

Then the boat landed, and there stood dozens and
scores of great princes and nobles to welcome Selim when
he came ashore. And there was a white horse waiting
for him to ride, and its saddle and bridle were studded
with diamonds and rubies and emeralds that sparkled and
glistened like the stars in heaven, and Selim thought for
sure he must be dreaming with his eyes open.

But he was not dreaming, for it was all as true as that
eggs are eggs. Soup the hill herode, and to the grandest
and the most splendid of all the splendid palaces, the
princes and noblemen riding with him, and the crowd
shouting as though to split their throats.

And what a palace it was!—as white’ as snow and
painted all inside with gold and blue. All around it were
gardens blooming with fruit and flowers, and the like of
it mortal man never saw in the world before.

There they made a king of Selim, and put a golden
crown on his head ; and that is what the Ring of Good
Luck can do for a baker.

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