at length yielded, though he swore, should the mad
tailor make his caftan ever so beautiful, he would never acknowledge
him as his son.

The sultan thereupon went to his son, and entreated him to submit to
the caprices of his mother, who now positively wished to see a caftan
from his hands. The heart of the good Labakan laughed with delight; if
that be all that is wanting, thought he to himself, then shall the
lady sultana soon behold me with joy. Two rooms had been fitted up,
one for the prince, the other for the tailor; there were they to try
their skill, and each was furnished with shears, needles, thread, and
a sufficient quantity of silk.

The sultan was very eager to see what sort of a caftan his son would
bring to light, but the heart of the sultana beat unquietly, from
apprehension lest her stratagem might be unsuccessful. Two days had
they been confined to their work; on the third, the sultan sent for
his wife, and when she appeared, dispatched her to the apartments to
bring the two caftans and their makers. With triumphant air Labakan
walked in, and extended his garment before the astonished eyes of the
sultan.

"Behold, father," said he, "look, mother! see if this be not a
masterpiece of a caftan. I will leave it to the most skilful
court-tailor, upon a wager, whether he can produce such another."

The sultana, smiling, turned to Omar:-- "And thou, my son, what hast
thou brought?"

Indignantly he cast the silk and shears upon the floor.

"They have taught me to tame horses, and to swing my sabre; and my
lance will strike you a mark at sixty paces. But the art of the needle
is unknown to me; it were unworthy a pupil of Elfi Bey, the lord of
Cairo!"

"Oh, thou true son of my heart!" exclaimed the sultana. "Ah, that I
might embrace thee, and call thee, son! Forgive me, husband and
master," she continued, turning to the sultan, "for having set on foot
this stratagem against you. See you not now who is prince, and who
tailor? Of a truth the caftan which your lord son has made, is
magnificent, and I would fain ask with what master he has learned!"

The sultan was lost in deep reflection, looking with distrust, now on
his wife, now on Labakan, who vainly sought to conceal his blushes and
consternation at having so stupidly betrayed himself. "This proof
pleases me not," said he; "but, Allah be praised! I know a means of
learning whether I am deceived." He commanded them to bring his
swiftest horse, mounte