ss, snatched from
the arms of death by the chief of the robbers, and educated by his
wife with all the care of the most tender mother, grew in strength and
beauty. The leisure of his early youth was filled up by reading and
study. He was soon able to engage in those exercises which strengthen
the body; he outstripped all the children of the horde by abilities,
address, strength, and intrepidity, very surprising at his years. He
was also distinguished by an application to study, from which he
derived the greatest advantages, and by punctuality in those duties
which were required of him by a society little suited to him, but of
which chance had made him a member. The chief of these vagabonds,
seeing him so expert in the use of arms and in riding, soon associated
him with himself in his expeditions against the travellers whom
business led into the countries infested by their depredations; and
the young Aladin (for this was his name) showed himself as brave as he
was expert.

One day the troop attacked a caravan returning from India, and which,
as it was loaded with goods of the most valuable kind, a formidable
guard defended from danger. The desire of booty prevented the
vagabonds from thinking of the danger to which they were exposing
themselves. They attacked this convoy with an unusual degree of
boldness, but were soon repulsed. Two-thirds of the troop remained on
the field of battle, and the rest fled. Aladin, as yet young and
inexperienced, drawn on by his valour, was soon surrounded and made
prisoner.

When a robber is taken with arms in his hand he ought to be beheaded.
But the engaging air, the elegance, and beauty of this young Prince,
interested the whole caravan in his favour, and saved him from the
common fate. They did not believe the ingenuous replies which he made.
When questioned about his birth and profession, he declared himself
the son of the chief of the robbers. They could not imagine how this
youth should unite so many natural advantages with an air so
remarkable. He was carried along with the caravan, which soon arrived
at Issessara, where his father Bohetzad held his Court.

The arrival of the caravan afforded a new opportunity of diverting the
attention of the Queen, as yet afflicted with the loss of a son, whom
she could not banish from her memory. The Sovereign sent the chief of
the eunuchs to make choice of such stuffs and valuable articles as
might be most agreeable to Baherjoa. The merchan