curry-stuffs that have grown where the old was picked: — where there is no water these others will dig and get supplies, whilst we shall drink from the wells that they have dug: — and haggling about prices too is killing work; whereas by going afterwards, I shall sell my goods at the prices they have established." So seeing all these advantages, he said, "Well, friend, you may go on first."
The foolish merchant said, "Very well, then!" yoked his waggons and started; and in due course passed beyond the inhabited country, and came to the border of the wilderness.
Now there are five kinds of wildernesses, those that have become so by reason of thieves, of wild beasts, of the want of water, of the presence of demons, and of insufficiency of food; and of these this wilderness was demon-haunted and waterless.[1] So the merchant placed great water-pots on his carts, and filled them with water, and then entered the desert, which was sixty leagues across.
But, when he had reached the middle of the desert, the demon who dwelt there thought, "I will make these fellows throw away the water they have brought; and having thus destroyed their power of resistance, I will eat them every one!"
So he created a beautiful carriage drawn by milk-white bulls; and attended by ten or twelve demons with bows and arrows, and swords and shields, in their hands, he went to meet the merchant, seated like a lord in his carriage, — but adorned with a garland of water-lilies, with his hair and clothes all wet, and his carriage wheels begrimed with mud. His attendants too went before
- ↑ A gloss repeats these descriptions at somewhat greater length.
