overcame my resolution. When, however, the time
arrived that we were to make preparations for our voyage, to buy
the goods necessary to the undertaking, I found they had spent
all, and had not one dirhem left of the thousand sequins I had
given to each of them. I did not, on this account, upbraid them.
On the contrary, my stock being still six thousand sequins, I
shared the half of it with them, telling them, "My brothers, we
must venture these three thousand sequins, and hide the rest in
some secure place: that in case our voyage be not more successful
than yours was formerly, we may have wherewith to assist us, and
to enable us to follow our ancient way of living." I gave each of
them a thousand sequins, and keeping as much for myself, I buried
the other three thousand in a corner of my house. We purchased
goods, and having embarked them on board a vessel, which we
freighted betwixt us, we put to sea with a favourable wind.

After two months sail, we arrived happily at port, where we
landed, and had a very good market for our goods. I, especially,
sold mine so well, that I gained ten to one. With the produce we
bought commodities of that country, to carry back with us for
sale.

When we were ready to embark on our return, I met on the sea-shore a
lady, handsome enough, but poorly clad. She walked up to me
gracefully, kissed my hand, besought me with the greatest earnestness
imaginable to marry her, and take her along with me. I made some
difficulty to agree to this proposal; but she urged so many things to
persuade me that I ought not to object to her on account of her
poverty, and that I should have all the reason in the world to be
satisfied with her conduct, that at last I yielded. I ordered proper
apparel to be made for her; and after having married her, according to
form, I took her on board, and we set sail. I found my wife possessed
so many good qualities, that my love to her every day increased. In
the mean time my two brothers, who had not managed their affairs as
successfully as I had mine, envied my prosperity; and suffered their
feelings to carry them so far, that they conspired against my life;
and one night, when my wife and I were asleep, threw us both into the
sea.

My wife proved to be a fairy, and, by consequence, a genie, so
that she could not be drowned; but for me, it is certain I must
have perished, without her help. I had scarcely fallen into the
water, when she took me up, and carried me t