addin was rescued; to prevent which, according to the different extent
of the streets, they took care to cover the ground by extending or
closing. In this manner they with much difficulty arrived at the palace
square, and there drew up in a line, till their officer and troopers
with Aladdin had got within the gates, which were immediately shut.

Aladdin was carried before the sultan, who waited for him, attended by
the grand vizier; and as soon as he saw him he ordered the executioner,
who waited there for the purpose, to strike off his head without hearing
him, or giving him leave to clear himself. As soon as the executioner
had taken off the chain that was fastened about Aladdin's neck and body,
he made the supposed criminal kneel down, and tied a bandage over his
eyes. Then drawing his sabre, he took his aim by flourishing it three
times in the air, waiting for the sultan's giving the signal to strike.

At that instant the grand vizier perceiving that the populace had
crowded the great square before the palace, and were scaling the walls
in several places, said to the sultan, before he gave the signal: "I beg
of your majesty to consider what you are going to do, since you will
hazard your palace being destroyed; and who knows what fatal consequence
may follow?" "My palace forced!" replied the sultan; "who can have that
audacity?" "Sir," answered the grand vizier, "if your majesty will but
cast your eyes toward the great square, and on the palace walls, you
will perceive the truth of what I say."

The sultan was so much alarmed when he saw so great a crowd, and how
enraged they were, that he ordered the executioner to put his sabre
immediately into the scabbard, to unbind Aladdin, and at the same time
commanded the porters to declare to the people that the sultan had
pardoned him, and that they might retire. Those who had already got upon
the walls abandoned their design and got quickly down, overjoyed that
they had saved the life of a man they dearly loved, and published the
news amongst the rest, which was presently confirmed by the mace-bearers
from the top of the terraces. The justice which the sultan had done to
Aladdin soon disarmed the populace of their rage; the tumult abated and
the mob dispersed.

When Aladdin found himself at liberty, he turned toward the balcony, and
perceiving the sultan, raised his voice, and said to him in a moving
manner: "I beg of your majesty to add one favour more to that which I