exclaimed the pacha in a rage to Mustapha, "what does this
man deserve?"

"The punishment due to those who dare to disobey your highness's
commands."

"And he shall have it; take him out; give him one hundred blows of the
bastinado; put him on an ass, with his face turned towards the tail; and
let the officer who conducts him through the town proclaim, `Such is the
punishment awarded by the pacha to him who presumes to say that his
highness knows, when in fact, he knows nothing.'"

The guards seized upon the unfortunate Ali, to put in execution the will
of the pacha; and as he was dragged away, Hussan cried out, "I told you
so; but you would not believe me."

"Well," replied Ali, "I've one comfort, your story's not told yet. His
highness has yet to decide which is the best."

After a few minutes' pause, to recover himself from the ruffling of his
temper, the pacha addressed the other man--"Now, Hussan, you will begin
your story; and observe that I am rather in an ill-humour."

"How can your highness be otherwise, after the annoyance of that bore
Ali? I said so; `Ali,' _says I_--"

"Go on with your story," repeated the pacha angrily.

"It was about two years ago, your highness, when I was sitting at the
door of the fruit-shop, which your highness might have observed when you
saw us last night, that a young female, who seemed above the common
class, came in, followed by a porter. `I want some melons,' says she.
`I have very fine ones, so walk in,' _says I_, and I handed down from
the upper shelf, where they were placed, four or five musk, and four or
five water-melons.

"`Now,' _says I_, `young woman, you'll observe that these are much finer
melons,' _says I_, `than you usually can procure; therefore the lowest
price that I can take,' _says I_, `is--'"

"Why your _says I's_ are much worse than Ali's _you knows_; leave them
out, if you please, and proceed with your story," cried the pacha, with
increased ill-humour.

"I will obey, your highness, if possible. I stated the lowest price,
and she lifted up her veil--`I have an idea,' said she, as she allowed
me to look upon one of the prettiest faces in the world, `that they are
to be had cheaper.'

"I was so struck with her beauty that I was quite speechless. `Am I not
right?' said she, smiling. `From you, madam,' _says I_, `I can take
nothing; put as many in the basket of your porter as you please.' She
thanked me, and put into the basket all that I ha