16 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

astonishing than that which you have heard. But when I have
told it, will you grant to this merchant another third of his
pardon?” “Yes,” answered the Genius, “ provided your history
surpasses that of the hind.” This being settled, the second old
man began as follows :—

THE HISTORY OF THE SECOND OLD MAN AND
THE TWO BLACK DOGS.

Z)REAT Prince of the Genii, you must know, that these
two black dogs, which you see here, and myself are
three brothers. Our father left us, when he died,
one thousand sequins each. With this sum we all
embarked in the same profession, namely, as merchants. Soon
after we had opened our warehouse, my eldest brother, who is
now one of these dogs, resolved to travel, and carry on his busi-
ness in foreign countries. With this view he sold all his goods,
and bought such other sorts of merchandise as were adapted to
the different countries he proposed visiting.

He set out, and was absent a whole year. At the end of this
time, a poor man, who seemed to me to be asking charity, pre
sented himself at my warehouse. “ Heaven help you,” said I.
“ And you also,” answered he: “is it possible you do not know
me?” On looking attentively at him, I recognised his person.
“ Ah, my brother,” I cried, embracing him, “how should I pos-
sibly know you in this state?” I made him come in directly,
and inquired both after his health and the success of his voyage.
“Do not ask me,” he replied; “in beholding me you see the
whole. ‘To enter into a detail of all the misfortunes that I have
suffered in the last year, and which have reduced me to the state
you see, would only be to renew my affliction.”

I instantly shut up my shop, and neglecting everything else,
I took him to the bath, and dressed him in the best apparel my
wardrobe afforded. I examined the state of my business, and
finding by my accounts that I had just doubled my capital,
that is, that I was now worth two thousand sequins, I presented