s; and my trade was more profitable and my wines in
greater repute than ever.

But one day the cadi, who had heard my wine extolled, came privately to
my house; I bowed to the ground at the honour conferred, for I had long
wished to have him as a customer. I drew some of my best--"This,
honourable sir," said I, presenting the glass, "is what I call my aga
wine: the late aga was so fond of it, he used to order a whole cask at
once to his house, and had it taken there in a litter."

"A good plan," replied the cadi, "much better than sending a slave with
a pitcher, which gives occasion for remarks: I will do the same; but,
first, let me taste all you have."

He tasted several casks, but none pleased him so much as the first which
I had recommended. At last he cast his eyes upon the three casks raised
above the others.

"And what are those?" inquired he.

"Empty casks, sir," replied I; but he had his stick in his hand, and he
struck one.

"Greek, thou tellest me these casks are empty, but they do not sound so;
I suspect that thou hast better wine than I have tasted: draw me off
from these immediately."

I was obliged to comply--he tasted them--vowed that the wine was
exquisite, and that he would purchase the whole. I stated to him that
the wine in those casks was used for flavouring the rest; and that the
price was enormous, hoping that he would not pay it. He inquired how
much--I asked him four times the price of the other wines.

"Agreed," said the cadi; "it is dear--but one cannot have good wine
without paying for it:--it is a bargain."

I was very much alarmed; and stated that I could not part with those
casks, as I should not be able to carry on my business with reputation,
if I lost the means of flavouring my wines, but all in vain; he said
that I had asked a price and he had agreed to give it. Ordering his
slaves to bring a litter, he would not leave the store until the whole
of the casks were carried away, and thus did I lose my Ethiopian, my
Jew, and my aga.

As I knew that the secret would soon be discovered, the very next day I
prepared for my departure. I received my money from the cadi, to whom I
stated my intention to leave, as he had obliged me to sell him those
wines, and I had no longer hopes of carrying on my business with
success. I again begged him to allow me to have them back, offering him
three pipes of wine as a present if he would consent, but it was of no
use. I chartered a ves