TALE IV

A gang of Arabian robbers had assembled on the top of a mountain, and blocked up the road of the caravan. The inhabitants were distressed by their stratagems, and the troops of the Sultan overpowered; because the thieves, having possessed themselves of a fortress on the summit of the mountain, made this stronghold their fixed residence. The counsellors of the King's party consulted together how to remove this grievance; because if they were suffered to continue any time in this state, they would become too powerful to be subbued.

The tree that has only just taken root, may be pulled up by the strength of a man; but should it continue some time in that state, it could not be eradicated even by a windlass. It is possible to stop the course of a spring with a bodkin, which, when formed into a full stream, cannot be forded by an elephant. They came to the determination to send one as a spy, to watch the opportunity when tbe thieves should be gone to attack a tribe, and the place evacuated. They detached a party of approved mm who concealed themselves in the pass of the mountains. In the evening, when the robbers returned from their expedition with their plunder, they laid aside their weapons, and deposited their spoil. The first enemy who attacked them was asleep, abotfi the end of the first watch of the night.

The sun's disk passed into shadow; Jonas entered into the whale's belly; the gallant men sprang out of the ambush, and pinioned the robbers one after another. In the morning they were brought to the palace, when the King gave orders for them all to be put to death. There happened to be amongst them a lad, the first fruits of whose youth were yet immature; the freshness of his cheeks resembled a rose-bud in early spring. One of the Viziers kissed the foot of the King's throne and bowed his head to the earth in intercession, saying, "This boy hath not, like the rest, tasted the fruit of the garden of life, nor ever enjoyed the harvest of the season of youth; I therefore venture to hope from your majesty's known clemency, that you will oblige your servant, by sparing the lad's blood."

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