demonstrate my gratitude by suitable acknowledgments.”
These words encouraged the jeweler’s son, and inspired him with confidence. I took care not to inform him I was the very Agib whom he dreaded, lest I should awaken his fears. I found the young man of ready wit, and partook with him of his provisions, of which he had enough to have lasted beyond the forty days, though he had had more guests than myself. In short, madam, we spent, thirty-nine days in the pleasantest manner possible, in this subterranean abode.
The fortieth day appeared; and in the morning, when the young man awoke, he said to me, with a joy that he could not restrain, “Prince, this is the fortieth day, and I am not dead, thanks to God and your good company. My father will not fail to make you, very shortly, every acknowledgment of his gratitude for your attentions, and will furnish you with every necessity for your return to your kingdom. But,” continued he, “while we are waiting his arrival, dear prince, let us refresh ourselves with a melon.”
Out of the several melons that remained he took the best, and laid it on a plate; and as I could not find a knife to cut it with, I asked the young man if he knew where there was one. “There is one,” said he, “upon the cornice over my head.” I accordingly saw it there, and made so much haste to reach it, that, while I had it in my hand, my foot being entangled in the carpet, I fell most unhappily upon the young man, and the knife pierced his heart.
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