, he removed his false
garments, and cast them into the water, where they floated merrily
around; concealing himself, however, in a thicket, he awaited the
night, and then stole softly to the burying-place of Thiuli's castle.

Hardly an hour had Mustapha been absent, when they brought Thiuli the
intelligence that his slave Fatima was in the agonies of death. He
sent them to the sea-coast to bring the physician back with all speed,
but his messengers returned alone, with the news that the poor
physician had fallen into the water, and was drowned; that they had
espied his black gown floating upon the surface, and that now and then
his large beard peeped forth from amid the billows. Thiuli seeing now
no help, cursed himself and the whole world; plucked his beard, and
dashed his head against the wall. But all this was of no use, for soon
Fatima gave up the ghost, in the arms of her companions. When the
unfortunate man heard the news of her death, he commanded them quickly
to make a coffin, for he could not tolerate a dead person in his
house; and bade them bear forth the corpse to the place of burial. The
carriers brought in the coffin, but quickly set it down and fled, for
they heard sighs and sobs among the other piles.

Mustapha, who, concealed behind the coffins, had inspired the
attendants with such terror, came forth and lighted a lamp, which he
had brought for that purpose. Then he drew out a vial which contained
the life-restoring medicine, and lifted the lid of Fatima's coffin.
But what amazement seized him, when by the light of the lamp, strange
features met his gaze! Neither my sister, nor Zoraida, but an entire
stranger, lay in the coffin! It was some time before he could recover
from this new stroke of destiny; at last, however, compassion
triumphed over anger. He opened the vial, and administered the liquid.
She breathed--she opened her eyes--and seemed for some time to be
reflecting where she was. At length, recalling all that had happened,
she rose from the coffin, and threw herself, sobbing, at Mustapha's
feet.

"How may I thank thee, excellent being," she exclaimed, "for having
freed me from my frightful prison?" Mustapha interrupted her
expressions of gratitude by inquiring, how it happened that she, and
not his sister Fatima, had been preserved. The maiden looked in
amazement.

"Now is my deliverance explained, which was before incomprehensible,"
answered she. "Know that in this castle I am called F