THE VIZIER WHO WAS PUNISHED. 31

prince set off in pursuit, thinking that the vizier was following
him. He galloped so long and his eagerness carried him so far,
that he at last found himself quite alone. He immediately
stopped, and observing that he had lost his way, he endeavoured
to return back by the same, in order to join the vizier, who had
not been sufficiently attentive in following him. He was, how-
ever, unable to find it; and riding about on all sides, without
getting into the right track, he by chance met a lady, not ill
made, who was weeping most bitterly. The prince immediately
checked his horse, and inquired of her who she was, what she
did alone in that place, and whether he could assist her. sal
am,” she answered, “the daughter of an Indian king. In riding
out into the country, I was overcome with sleep, and fell from
my horse. He has run away, and | know not what has become
of him.” The young prince was sorry for her misfortune, and
proposed to take her up behind him, which she accepted.

As they passed by an old ruined building, the lady made some
excuse to alight; the prince therefore stopped, and suffered her
to get down. He also alighted, and walked towards the building,
holding his horse by the bridle. Imagine then what was his
astonishment, when he heard the female pronounce these words
from within the walls: “ Rejoice, my children, I have brought
you a very nice fat youth.” And directly afterwards other voices
answered, “ Where is he, mamma? Let us eat him instantly,
for we are very hungry”

The prince had heard enough to convince him of the danger
he was in: he plainly perceived that she, who represented her-
self as the daughter of an Indian king, was no other than the
wife of one of those savage demons called Ogres, who live in
desert places, and make use of a thousand wiles to surprise and
devour the unfortunate passengers. He trembled with fear, and
instantly mounted his horse.

The pretended princess at that moment made her appearance,
and finding she had failed in her scheme, “Do not be afraid,”
she cried, “but tell me who you are, and what you are looking
for? “IT have lost my way,” he replied, “ and am endeavouring
to find it”? “If you are lost,” she said, “ recommend yourself to
the Prophet, and he will deliver you from your difficulty.”

The young prince could not believe that she spoke sincerely,
but that she considered him as already within her power; he