B04 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

down, and would have fallen into the river if he had not been
stopped by a piece of stone or rock that projected about two
feet from the surface. Happy was it for him too that he still
had with him the ring which the African magician had put upon
his finger when he made him go down into the subterraneous
cavern, to bring away the precious lamp, which was so near
remaining buried with him. In holding against the piece of
rock, he rubbed the ring so strongly, that the same genius in-
stantly appeared whom he had before seen in the subterraneous
cavern, “What do you wish?” cried the genius; “I am ready
to obey you as your slave.”

Aladdin was most agreeably surprised by a sight he ‘so little
expected in the despair he was in; and directly replied, “ Save
my life, genius, a second time, by informing me where the palace
is which I have built, or in procuring it to be again placed
where it was.’ “ What you require of me,” answered the genius,
“is beyond my ability: I am only the slave of the ring; you
must address yourself to the slave of the lamp.” “If that be
the case, then,” replied Aladdin, “at least transport me to the
spot where my palace is, let it be in what part of the world it
will ; and place me under the window of the Princess Badroul-
boudour.”” He had barely said this, before the genius took and
transported him to Africa, near a large city, and in the midst of a
large meadow, in which the palace stood, and set him down
directly under the windows of the apartment of the princess, and
there left him. All this was the work of an instant.

The Princess Badroulboudour rose this morning much earlier
than she had yet done since she had been transported into
Africa by the artifice of the magician, whose sight she was com-
pelled to endure every day, as he was master of the palace ; but
she constantly treated him with contempt. When she was
dressed, one of her women, looking through the lattice, perceived
Aladdin, and instantly ran and informed her mistress. The
princess, who could scarcely believe the fact, immediately went
to the window and saw him herself. She opened the lattice, the
noise of which made Aladdin raise his head. He instantly re-
cognised her, and saluted her in a manner highly expressive of
his joy. “Lose not a moment,” cried the princess ; “they are
gone to open the secret door—ascend this instant.” She then
shut the lattice.