the Cadi,
crying out with an enthusiasm that convulsed everybody, "Behold!
behold! See here the fatal cause of all the sufferings of Casem! these
pantofles, which have at length brought ruin upon his head. My Lord
Cadi, be so merciful, I pray you, as to give an edict that may free me
from all imputation of accident which these slippers henceforth may
occasion, as they certainly will to anybody who ventures into their
accursed leather!"

The Cadi could not refuse this request, and the miser learned to his
cost the ill effects of not buying a new pair of shoes.

[Illustration]

Story of the Prince and the Lions.

[Illustration]

In a great city of the East lived Prince Azgid, who grew up to manhood
beloved by every one, for he was virtuous, intelligent, and
accomplished, though somewhat of a timorous disposition, and this was
indeed his chief fault. His father had died, and he had reached now
the proper age to mount the throne, a time having been already fixed
for the ceremony, to which the young man was looking forward with
great interest.

A few days previous to the event the old Vizier called upon the
Prince, and telling him he wished to take a walk with him, led him out
of the town to a mountain, on one side of which was a wide staircase
of white marble, with a handsome balustrade on each side. It had three
broad landings, and on these the Vizier and Prince rested as they
ascended the stairs, for it was of great height, and they were both
sorely tired before they reached the top. There was a small house on
the summit, out of which came a black slave, who made a profound
obeisance to the visitors, and, leading the way, took them a short
distance to a kind of arena dug in the ground, and faced also with
white marble. He then took out a key and opened a brazen door,
whereupon the Prince drew near, and, looking down, saw a red lion of
fierce aspect and tremendous size. He wondered what it all meant, and
gazed with a look of inquiry into the face of the Vizier, who, having
ordered the servant to retire, thus spoke:

"My son," said he, "the day is now very near on which you are to
ascend the throne; but before you can do so you must fulfil a custom
which has been established for many ages, and which your father and
all your ancestors submitted to; in short, you must descend into this
den with a dagger, and fight yonder lion. This will test your courage
and fortitude, and show whether you are really worthy