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THE COUNTRY OF SWINDLERS
THERE was a certain Sadágar[1] who on his death-bed said to his son, "My son, I am in a short time to leave the world. The riches I have gained will enable you to sit with one leg over the other and eat. There will be no need for you to visit foreign countries. If you take a fancy, however, to do so, I adjure you never to think of going to the country in the far east known as the 'Country of Swindlers.'"
Several years followed the merchant's death, and his son, stepping into his shoes, maintained the credit of the family. But it was impossible for the young man to fight against the decrees of fate. A good many of his speculations failed, and there was a considerable strain upon his purse, so that, to retrieve his fortune by foreign trade, he fitted out four ships laden with merchandise, and bade farewell to his country, at least for a time.
At first the voyage was prosperous, but one day the sea through which the ships were passing became unusually rough. Waves rose mountains high while the sky became so overcast that it was almost pitch dark. The crew, even experienced as they were, lost their way, and called on the gods for help. For three days the elements remained furious without intermission, and the ships were sent adrift. At length, however, it cleared up, and the merchant and his men found themselves near the shore of a country which, though unknown to the former, was well known to the latter. It was
- ↑ Merchant.
