the entrance to the cave,
said, "Open, Sesame." The door opened at once, and from the appearance
of everything within the cavern, he judged that nobody had been there
since the captain had fetched the goods for his shop. From this time
forth, he took as much of the treasure as his needs demanded. Some
years later he carried his son to the cave, and taught him the secret,
which he handed down in his family, who used their good fortune
wisely, and lived in great honor and splendor.

THE STORY OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR

In the reign of the same Caliph, Haroun Al-Raschid, of whom we have
already heard, there lived at Bagdad a poor porter called Hindbad. One
day, when the weather was very hot, he was employed to carry a heavy
burden from one end of the town to the other. Being much fatigued, he
took off his load, and sat upon it, near a large mansion.

He was much pleased that he stopped at this place, for the air was
completely filled with the pleasant scent of wood of aloes and
rose-water, wafted from the house. Besides, he heard from within a
concert of sweet music, mixed with the notes of nightingales and other
birds. There was also the smell of several sorts of savory dishes, and
Hindbad was sure there must be a great feast within. He knew not to
whom the mansion belonged, and asked one of the servants standing by
the gate in rich apparel.

"How," replied the servant, "do you live in Bagdad, and know not that
this is the house of Sindbad the Sailor, the famous voyager who has
sailed around the world?"

The porter lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, loud enough to be
heard,--

"Almighty Creator of all things, consider the difference between
Sindbad and me! Every day I suffer fatigue and distress, and can
scarce get coarse barley bread for myself and my family, whilst happy
Sindbad freely spends vast riches, and leads a life of unbroken
pleasure. What has he done to obtain from thee a lot so agreeable? And
what have I done to deserve one so wretched?"

While the porter was speaking thus, a servant came out of the house,
and, taking him by the arm, made him enter, for Sindbad, his master,
wanted to speak to him. He was led into a great hall, where many
people sat round a table covered with all sorts of savory dishes. At
the upper end sat a comely, venerable gentleman, with a long white
beard, and behind him stood a number of officers and servants, all
ready to attend his pleasure. This