ointed to the hour of eight.

"Proceed, then, and acquit thee well, else thou shalt come to know them
still better ere long."

Thus admonished, the story-teller cleared his throat, wished intensely
for a draught of water, and taxed his fertile brain to the uttermost.
At last under a feeling of absolute desperation, he began--

"Once upon a time--"

The Dey nodded, as though he thought that not a bad beginning.

"Once upon a time," continued Baba, and then, checking himself--"Your
highness wishes a _very_ marvellous story, I believe?"

"Yes, _very_ marvellous," said the Dey, not quite pleased with the
interruption.

"Your highness shall have it--a very marvellous story, and, what is
more, it shall be a true story."

Hadji Baba said this with so much energy and fire that the Dey again
nodded his approval, and sent two thin clouds of tobacco-smoke through
his nostrils, as he patted the gazelle which crouched at his feet,
resting its head on his knee, and gazing affectionately at the tyrant
with its magnificent eyes.

"Once upon a time," resumed the story-teller with sustained vigour and
fluency, as he glanced at the clock, "there was a poor shoemaker who
dwelt in a certain town, and was noted among his friends for his powers
of song. One day the Sultan of the country chanced to hear of this
man's talent, and sent for him to the palace. He was so pleased with
him that he made him his chief musician. This shoemaker possessed
magical gifts."

"Villain!" exclaimed the Dey, "didst thou not say that the story should
be a true one? How can that be, when thou speakest of gifts which do
not and never did exist?"

"Your highness's slave," replied Baba, "refers to those powers of
_legerdemain_, or pretended magic, with which some men are gifted."

"Go on," returned the Dey.

"Well, one day the shoemaker offered to amuse the Sultan by mesmerising
his guards."

"Mesmerising!" interrupted the Dey, "what is that?"

"Throwing them into a sleep, your highness, against their will."

"Well?"

"Well, the Sultan did not believe him, so he said, `If thou shalt put
these guards into sleep against their wills, I will give thee my
daughter in marriage.' The shoemaker was well pleased to hear this, for
the Sultan's daughter was virtuous and very beautiful. So he begged the
Sultan to order in his guards, which he did. Drawing them up in a line,
the man began at the first, and made the passes or signs which are
necessary