instant a huge figure rose out of the earth and stood before
him.

"What is thy will, my master?" it said. "I am the Slave of the Ring,
and must obey him who wears the ring."

"Whoever or whatever you are," cried Aladdin, "take me out of this
dreadful place."

Scarcely had he said these words when the earth opened, and the next
moment Aladdin found himself lying at his mother's door. He was so
weak for want of food, and his joy at seeing his mother was so great,
that he fainted away, but when he came to himself he promised to tell
her all that had happened.

"But first give me something to eat," he cried, "for I am dying of
hunger."

"Alas!" said his mother, "I have nothing in the house except a little
cotton, which I will go out and sell."

"Stop a moment," cried Aladdin, "rather let us sell this old lamp
which I have brought back with me."

Now the lamp looked so old and dirty that Aladdin's mother began to
rub it, wishing to brighten it a little that it might fetch a higher
price.

But no sooner had she given it the first rub than a huge dark figure
slowly rose from the floor like a wreath of smoke until it reached the
ceiling, towering above them.

"What is thy will?" it asked. "I am the Slave of the Lamp, and must do
the bidding of him who holds the Lamp."

The moment the figure began to rise from the ground Aladdin's mother
was so terrified that she fainted away, but Aladdin managed to snatch
the lamp from her, although he could scarcely hold it in his own
shaking hand.

"Fetch me something to eat," he said in a trembling voice, for the
terrible Genie was glaring down upon him.

The Slave of the Lamp disappeared in a cloud of smoke, but in an
instant he was back again, bringing with him a most delicious
breakfast, served upon plates and dishes of pure gold.

By this time Aladdin's mother had recovered, but she was almost too
frightened to eat, and begged Aladdin to sell the lamp at once, for
she was sure it had something to do with evil spirits. But Aladdin
only laughed at her fears, and said he meant to make use of the magic
lamp and wonderful ring, now that he knew their worth.

As soon as they again wanted money they sold the golden plates and
dishes, and when these were all gone Aladdin ordered the Genie to
bring more, and so they lived in comfort for several years.

Now Aladdin had heard a great deal about the beauty of the Sultan's
daughter, and he began to long so greatly to see her th