agician say of the treasure
which was to make him happy forevermore, forgot what was past, and
rising, said: "Well, uncle, what is to be done? Command me, I am ready
to obey." "I am overjoyed, child," said the African magician, embracing
him; "take hold of the ring, and lift up that stone." "Indeed, uncle,"
replied Aladdin, "I am not strong enough; you must help me." "You have
no occasion for my assistance," answered the magician; "if I help you,
we shall be able to do nothing; take hold of the ring, pronounce
the names of your father and grandfather, then lift it up, and you will
find it will come easily." Aladdin did as the magician bade him, raised
the stone with ease, and laid it on one side.

[Illustration]

_At the same time the earth, trembling, opened just before the magician,
and uncovered a stone, laid horizontally, with a brass ring fixed into
the middle._

When the stone was pulled up, there appeared a cavity of about three or
four feet deep, with a little door, and steps to go down lower.
"Observe, my son," said the African magician, "what I direct. Descend
into the cave, and when you are at the bottom of those steps you will
find a door which will lead you into a spacious vault, divided into
three great halls, in each of which you will see four large brass
cisterns placed on each side, full of gold and silver; but take care you
do not meddle with them. Before you enter the first hall, be sure to
tuck up your vest, wrap it about you, and then pass through the second
into the third without stopping. Above all, have a care that you do not
touch the walls; for if you do, you will die instantly. At the end of
the third hall, you will find a door which opens into a garden planted
with fine trees loaded with fruit; walk directly across the garden by a
path which will lead you to five steps that will bring you upon a
terrace, where you will see a niche before you, and in that niche a
lighted lamp. Take the lamp down, and extinguish it: when you have
thrown away the wick, and poured out the liquor, put it in your vestband
and bring it to me. Do not be afraid that the liquor will spoil your
clothes, for it is not oil; and the lamp will be dry as soon as it is
thrown out. If you should wish for any of the fruit of the garden, you
may gather as much as you please."

After these words, the magician drew a ring off his finger, and put it
on one of Aladdin's, telling him that it was a preservative against all
evil,