well received in the town, he must begin by making a
handsome present to the Sultan. 'That is easily done,' said Fortunatus,
and went into a goldsmith's shop, where he bought a large gold cup,
which cost five thousand pounds. This gift so pleased the Sultan that he
ordered a hundred casks of spices to be given to Fortunatus; Fortunatus
put them on board his ship, and commanded the captain to return to
Cyprus and deliver them to his wife, Cassandra. He next obtained an
audience of the Sultan, and begged permission to travel through the
country, which the Sultan readily gave him, adding some letters to the
rulers of other lands which Fortunatus might wish to visit.

Filled with delight at feeling himself free to roam through the world
once more, Fortunatus set out on his journey without losing a day. From
court to court he went, astonishing everyone by the magnificence of his
dress and the splendour of his presents. At length he grew as tired of
wandering as he had been of staying at home, and returned to Alexandria,
where he found the same ship that had brought him from Cyprus lying in
the harbour. Of course the first thing he did was to pay his respects to
the Sultan, who was eager to hear about his adventures.

When Fortunatus had told them all, the Sultan observed: 'Well, you have
seen many wonderful things, but I have something to show you more
wonderful still;' and he led him into a room where precious stones lay
heaped against the walls. Fortunatus' eyes were quite dazzled, but the
Sultan went on without pausing and opened a door at the farther end. As
far as Fortunatus could see, the cupboard was quite bare, except for a
little red cap, such as soldiers wear in Turkey.

'Look at this,' said the Sultan.

'But there is nothing very valuable about it,' answered Fortunatus.
'I've seen a dozen better caps than that, this very day.'

'Ah,' said the Sultan, 'you do not know what you are talking about.
Whoever puts this cap on his head and wishes himself in any place, will
find himself there in a moment.'

'But who made it?' asked Fortunatus.

'That I cannot tell you,' replied the Sultan.

'Is it very heavy to wear?' asked Fortunatus.

'No, quite light,' replied the Sultan, 'just feel it.'

Fortunatus took the cap and put it on his head, and then, without
thinking, wished himself back in the ship that was starting for
Famagosta. In a second he was standing at the prow, while the anchor was
being weighed, and w