hold of him, and gave him such a box on the ear, that he knocked him down. Poor Aladdin got up again trembling, and with tears in his eyes, said, What have done, uncle, to be treated after this severe manner? I have my reasons for it, replied the magician: I am your uncle, and you you ought to make no reply; but obey me punctually, if you would reap the advantages which I intend you should.— These fair promises calmed Aladdin’s fears and resentment; and when the magician saw that he was come to himself, he said to him: Know then, that under this stone there is hid a treasure, which will make you richer than the greatest monarch in the world: this is so true, that no other person but yourself is permitted to touch this stone, and to pull it up and go in; for I am forbid ever to touch it, or set foot in this treasure when it is opened; so you must without fail punctually execute what I tell you, for it is a matter of great consequence both to you and me.
Aladdin, amazed at all he saw and heard the magician say of the treasure, which was to make him happy for ever, forgot what was past, said to the magician, Well, uncle, what is to be done? command me, I am ready to obey you. Come, said the magician, take hold of the ring, and lift up that stone, pronounce the names of your father and grandfather, then lift it tip, and you will find it will come easily. Aladdin did as the magician bade him, and raised the stone with a great deal of ease, and laid it on one side.
When the stone was pulled up, there appeared a cavity of about three or four feet deep, with a little door, and steps to go down lower. Observe, my son, said the African magician, what I am going to say to you: go down into that cave, and when you are at the bottom of those steps, you will find a door open, which will lead you into a large vaulted place, divided into three great halls, in each of which you will see four large brass vessels placed on each side, full of gold and silver, but take care you do not meddle with them. Before you go into the first hall, be sure to tuck up your gown, and wrap it well about you, and then go through the second into the third without stopping. Above all things, have a care that you do not touch the walls, so much as with your clothes; for if you do, you will die instantly. At the end of the third hall, you will find a door which leads into a garden planted with fine trees loaded with fruit; walk directly across the garden by a path which will lead you to five steps that will bring you upon a terrace, where you will see a niche before you, and in that niche a lighted lamp. Take the lamp down, and put it out; when you have thrown away the wick, and poured out the liquor, put it in your breast, and bring it to me. Do not be afraid that the liquor will spoil your clothes, for it is not oil, and the lamp will be dry as soon as it is thrown out.
After these words, the magician drew a ring off his finger, and put it upon one of Aladdin’s, telling him that it was a preservative against all evil, while he observed what he had prescribed to him. After this instruction ho said, Go down boldly, child, and we shall both be rich all our lives.
Aladdin jumped into the cave, went down the steps, and found the three halls just as the African magician had described them.—He went
