in vain to shun the stroke that threatens him. The history of the
Sultan Hebraim and of his son is a proof of this."

Bohetzad, struck with astonishment at the intrepid firmness of Aladin
and the united rage of his ministers, wished to hear the adventures of
Hebraim; and the Superintendent, having obtained permission to relate
them, thus began:

HISTORY OF THE SULTAN HEBRAIM AND HIS SONS, OR THE PREDESTINATED.

[Illustration]

The Sultan Hebraim, called by his birth to the government of extensive
dominions, had enlarged them considerably by the success of his arms.
But the want of an heir disturbed the enjoyment of his glory. At
length, however, a son was born, whose birth was celebrated by public
rejoicings and feasts, which, during forty days, announced to the
people the happiness of the Sovereign.

This time was employed in a very different manner by the astrologers
who were employed to cast the infant's nativity. They could not
conceal from the Sultan that an evil star had presided at the birth of
his son. The orbit of his planet, black and stained with blood,
announced misfortunes, which it would be difficult to resist. They
unanimously declared that before he was seven years old, the infant
would be exposed to the devouring jaws of a tiger; and that if he
could escape the fury of that animal during this determinate space of
time, his hand would become fatal to the author of his existence; and
that there was no other way by which he could escape the evils that
threatened him but by becoming, from the effects of education, an
enlightened, wise, and virtuous Prince.

The annunciation of so mournful a prediction dissipated the joy of
Hebraim, and the days of public happiness were spent by him in tears
and in grief. Nevertheless, as hope never forsakes the unfortunate, he
flattered himself, and was happy to think, that it was possible to
screen the heir of his power from the decrees of fate. It did not
appear to him impossible to protect his son from the attacks of the
tiger during the appointed term of seven years; and after having
snatched him from the first decree of destiny, he might, by carefully
watching over his education, beget in him sentiments of wisdom and the
love of virtue, and thus disprove the prediction of the astrologers.

After these reflections, the Sultan prepared a retreat on the summit
of a mountain, in which he hoped that his son would be safe from the
attacks of the tiger for the sev