hundred and forty years; after which it fell into the
power of the ancient Greeks, who enjoyed it for the space of one
hundred and sixty-nine years longer. When the time of the repose of
the Seven Sleepers was accomplished, that which was written happened
unto them. One of the seven awakened at that instant; and the dawn
beginning to appear, he raised himself up, and said within himself, "I
seem to have slept at least twenty-four hours;" and by degrees the
others awakened, struck with the same idea.

Jemlikha, always more lively than the rest, leapt up immediately, and
was extremely surprised to find, at the opening of the cavern, a wall
erected of large square stones, which entirely enclosed it. He
returned to his companions and told them the occasion of his
astonishment. Notwithstanding this inconvenience, they agreed that
they must absolutely send one of their number to the city to buy
provisions; and casting their eyes upon the shepherd, Jemlikha gave
him money, telling him that he ran no hazard by going. The shepherd
rising to do them that service, at that moment Catnier[5] awakened,
perfectly cured of his broken legs, and ran to caress them. The
shepherd strove in vain to get out of the cavern, for the passage that
Dakianos had reserved to himself was fallen down; and examining the
wall carefully, he remarked the enormous bigness of the stones that
composed it; and through the chinks that time had made between them,
he saw with astonishment that part of the trees were dead, others were
fallen, and that the water of the springs was differently placed; in
one word, he was so confounded at the uncommon change that he
perceived, that he returned into the cavern to inform his companions
of this surprising event. They immediately arose and went to the
entrance to judge of it themselves; but every fresh object redoubled
their amazement.

[Footnote 5: There are ten animals which, according to Mahommedans,
must enter into Paradise: the whale that swallowed Jonas; the ant of
Solomon; the ram of Ismael; the cuckoo of Belkis; the camel of the
Prophet of God; the ass of Aazis, Queen of Saba; the calf of Abraham;
the camel of the Prophet Saleb; the ox of Moses; and the dog that
accompanied the Seven Sleepers.]

Jemlikha then said to the shepherd, "Give me thy habit; I will go
myself to the city and fetch what is necessary for us, and endeavour
to find out what we cannot now comprehend."

The shepherd gave him his habit, an