Radawan lost all presence of mind, and
thought of nothing but flight; by no means
an absurd expedient; for in the East, the fact
of a dead body being found in the house, would
infallibly condemn him, especially as so many
criminals had lately escaped with impunity.
Hurriedly embracing his wife, Radawan rushed
up to the roof of his house, expecting to be able
to pass along to that of a neighbour, and
through that to make his way to the street. In
his hurry, he had forgotten that he had
himself caused a lofty strong paling to be erected,
in order to prevent people from stealing
his fowls. After vainly endeavouring to
break through this, he returned, scarcely
knowing what he did; and, happening to
glance over the parapet, saw that the street
was filled with soldiers, and that the Head of
the Police himself was there. This sight gave
him the courage of despair. A narrow street
separated him from a house somewhat less
lofty than his own. He cleared it at a bound;
and, as he alighted in safety, heard the crash
of his own door; it was at length burst in.
Fear winged him. He ran along the roofs
like a cat, reached a ruin through which he
scrambled down into the street; and hastening
through several narrow dark lanes, reached
the city wall. With wonderful energy for him,
he untwisted the linen of his turban, tied it
fast to a projecting stone, let himself
half-way down, then dropped; felt a little stunned;
but, recovering, took to his heels, and found
himself in the city of tombs.

The Arab Story-Tellers say, perhaps in their
love for the marvellous and the supernatural,
that Radawan fell asleep in one of the ruined
tombs, and was found by the genius of the
place, an ugly whimsical monster, by whom
he was transported in a second to the gates
of Damascus. Perhaps it was so; perhaps
Radawan joined a caravan he observed next
morning starting for Syria; any how, at the
chief city of Syria, he arrived, without
encountering any particular adventures.

It happened that the saddler's entire stock
of cash consisted of the proceeds of his
day's sales. When this was exhausted, he
took, with the resignation peculiar to the
East, to begging, and might have remained
a beggar all his life, had he not one day
entered a spacious mansion situated in the
suburbs of the city. He cried out as he
advanced, "I am hungry, O Lord!" but
seeing no living soul to interrupt him,
continued to penetrate into the house. At length
he came to a retired apartment, where he
saw an old man absorbed in meditation,
surrounded with ancient books and strange
instruments. Two or three times Radawan
repeated his cry, each time in a louder key,
before his presence was noticed. The old man
at last looked up and said:—

"My son, who art thou?"

Radawan explained that lie was a beggar,
and had found the house deserted.

"Thus it is," said the old man. "Whilst
I meditate, my servants, knowing that I shall
not watch their movements, either go forth to
amuse themselves or sleep."

"O master!" quoth Radawan, boldly,
"may I suggest to thee a remedy?"

"You may."

"Appoint, then, a wise, prudent, honest,
stern man to be the supervisor of thy servants—
one who uniteth benevolence with fierceness
of disposition; one who will be generous to
reward, but swift to punish; and by the
terror of whose looks alone obedience may
be enforced."

"Where, O stranger, may I find such a
treasure?" asked the sage.

"Lo!" cried the saddler, with
astonishing courage, "such a man standeth before
thee!"

The old man laughed much at these words;
for Radawan had grown so humble-looking
and meek in adversity, that a turtle-dove
would scarcely have been alarmed at his
aspect. The old man replied:—

"Thou art a strange fellow. Sit down, and
tell me thy story."

Radawan did as he was desired; and the
host, having listened attentively, said, "It
is well. I will appoint thee supervisor of my
servants; but I pray thee," he continued,
smiling, "endeavour to moderate the ferocity
of thy appearance; for my servants have
been accustomed to gentle treatment, and the
severity, pride, and majesty of thy looks
might too much appal them."

Radawan was delighted at the success of
this interview, and promised to manifest his
native fierceness as little as possible. He
succeeded so well, that the servants, who had
first been disgusted with the appointment,
soon found that they led an easier life than
ever; for the venerable Abou Kasim, relying,
or pretending to rely, on the vigilance of the
supervisor, shut himself up for whole weeks
in his room to meditate alone.

A year passed. What with presents and
salary and some little speculations he had
made, Radawan found himself master of
six thousand pieces of gold. He now began
to think of his plump little wife and his
chubby little baby, and longed to return, even
at the risk of his life. One day, therefore,
he broke the subject to his master, who
replied:—

"My son, I have conceived a great affection
for thee, although I do not find thy ferocity
of the avail that I anticipated. I would
willingly keep thee with me; but thy reasons
for returning are strong, and I do not think
thou hast now much to fear."

So Radawan determined to return to Cairo;
but before he went, he desired to satisfy
his curiosity about his master; for he had
never been able to learn who he was, or
whence he derived his wealth. With an
assurance, therefore, derived from his simplicity,
he stated vhat he desired to know. Abou
Kasim was not offended, but replied:—