sure of taking these slaves, camels, and all the treasures which
are contained in each bale of goods, and travel with them as if they
were thine own property. If I return happily, and thou art willing,
should I be in need, to let me have part back again, I will accept it
from thee as a free-will present; should I not return, I shall have no
more need of them."

After a short conversation, Hassan consented, and immediately ordered
his camels to be laden to return to Shiraz. Jussuf took some of the
boxes of precious stones, a good number of purses with sequins, and,
above all, the box with the talisman Ketlafgat, loaded his horse with
them, took leave of Hassan with heartfelt thankfulness, commanded his
slaves to obey their new master, mounted his horse, and rode at the
dawn of morning towards the rising of the sun.

Jussuf had proceeded ten days in this direction without anything
remarkable happening to him. On the evening of the eleventh day he
arrived at a high hill, which appeared fruitless, not a tree or a bush
to be seen. There was not a village, a hut, or a tent within his sight
all round. He was obliged to resolve to pass the night under the open
sky, and looked about to see to what he could fasten his horse; for,
although it was a tame, trusty animal, yet he was afraid that it might
run away in the night. At last, finding nothing, he unbuckled the
pack-saddle, and let his steed pasture on the half-withered grass,
which was the only thing there. Then he lay down on the ground, and
soon fell asleep; but he suddenly awoke again, and, looking for his
horse, found it had vanished; he looked towards the place where the
saddle was laid--that was not there either. It was clear to him that a
robber had taken his horse. He peered round in the deceptive
moonlight, but could perceive nothing. He was much grieved, and said
to himself, "It is quite just: I had a company of true servants, and
have sent them away in a frivolous manner; I had immense riches, and
have given them into the hands of a stranger without surety, who may
live happily in their possession whilst I must starve." But he soon
continued, with collected courage, "Yet of what use are all the goods
of the earth to me? What help would a whole army of the most faithful
and the boldest companions be to me? I seek a gift with which I shall
ever be on the right road, as the dervish said, and I always carry the
box and the golden key with me. Everything may go if the