gain!" "Never fear, nephew," said the false uncle; "I will
shew you another garden which surpasses all we have yet seen; and when
we come there, you will say that you would have been sorry to have been
so nigh, and not seen it." Aladdin was soon persuaded; and the magician,
to make the way seem shorter and less fatiguing, told him a great many
stories.

At last they arrived between two mountains of moderate height, and equal
size, divided by a narrow valley, which was the place where the magician
intended to execute the design that had brought him from Africa to
China. "We will go no farther now," said he to Aladdin: "I will shew you
here some extraordinary things, which, when you have seen, you will
thank me for: but while I strike a light, gather up all the loose dry
sticks you can see, to kindle a fire with."

Aladdin collected a great heap and the magician presently set them on
fire, and when they were in a blaze, threw in some incense which raised
a cloud of smoke. This he dispersed on each side, by pronouncing several
magical words which the lad did not understand.

At the same time the earth, trembling, opened just before the magician,
and uncovered a stone, laid horizontally, with a brass ring fixed into
the middle. Aladdin was so frightened at what he saw, that he would have
run away; but the magician caught hold of him, abused him, and gave him
such a box on the ear that he knocked him down. Aladdin got up
trembling, and with tears in his eyes, said to the magician: "What have
I done, uncle, to be treated in this severe manner?" "I have my
reasons," answered the magician; "I am your uncle, I supply the place of
your father, and you ought to make no reply. But, child," added he,
softening, "do not be afraid; for I shall not ask anything of you, but
that you obey me punctually, if you would reap the advantages which I
intend you." These fair promises calmed Aladdin's fears and resentment;
and when the magician saw that he was appeased, he said to him: "You see
what I have done by virtue of my incense, and the words I pronounced.
Know then, that under this stone there is hidden a treasure, destined to
be yours, and which will make you richer than the greatest monarch in
the world: no person but yourself is permitted to lift this stone, or
enter the cave; so you must punctually execute what I may command, for
it is a matter of great consequence both to you and me."

Aladdin, amazed at all he saw and heard the m