self from the cliff. Gouloucou
explained that he had been picked up by a dervish who had cured his
wounds, and had then given him as slave to the two young ladies now
before the company, and in their service he had remained ever since.

'But,' said the Bassa, 'where is the little black pig of which the voice
spoke just now?'

'My lord,' answered one of the ladies, 'when at your command the wall
was thrown down, the man whom you heard speaking was so frightened at
the noise that he caught up the pig and ran away.'

'Let him be pursued instantly,' cried the Bassa; but the ladies smiled.

'Do not be alarmed, my lord,' said one, 'he is sure to return. Only give
orders that the entrance to the cave shall be guarded, so that when he
is once in he shall not get out again.'

By this time night was falling and they all went back to the palace,
where coffee and fruits were served in a splendid gallery, near the
women's apartments. The Bassa then ordered the three Jews to be brought
before him, so that he might see whether these were the two damsels who
had forced them to dance at the inn, but to his great vexation it was
found that when their guards had gone to knock down the wall the Jews
had escaped.

At this news the Jewess Sumi turned pale, but glancing at the Book of
Spells her face brightened, and she said half aloud, 'There is no cause
for disquiet; they will capture the dervish,' while Hassan lamented
loudly that as soon as fortune appeared on one side she fled on the
other!

On hearing this reflection one of the Bassa's pages broke into a laugh.
'This fortune comes to us dancing, my lord,' said he, 'and the other
leaves us on crutches. Do not be afraid. She will not go very far.'

The Bassa, shocked at his impertinent interference, desired him to leave
the room and not to come back till he was sent for.

'My lord shall be obeyed,' said the page, 'but when I return, it shall
be in such good company that you will welcome me gladly.' So saying, he
went out.

When they were alone, Neangir turned to the fair strangers and implored
their help. 'My brothers and myself,' he cried, 'are filled with love
for three peerless maidens, two of whom are under a cruel spell. If
their fate happened to be in your hands, would you not do all in your
power to restore them to happiness and liberty?'

But the young man's appeal only stirred the two ladies to anger. 'What,'
exclaimed one, 'are the sorrows of lovers to us? Fate has