Princess, ask her first if she be
willing to wed thee."

So this was the manner in which the Prince of Persia carried off the
Princess of Bengal for the second time. The Enchanted Horse never
stopped until it had carried them safely back to Persia, and there
they were married amid great rejoicings.

But what became of the Enchanted Horse? Ah! that is a question which
no one can answer.

III

SINDBAD THE SAILOR

In the city of Bagdad, far away in Persia, there lived a poor man
called Hindbad. He was a porter, and one hot afternoon, as he was
carrying a very heavy load, he stopped to rest in a quiet street near
a beautiful house which he had never seen before. The pavement outside
was sprinkled with rose-water, which felt very cool and pleasant to
his hot, weary feet, and from the open windows came the most delicious
scents which perfumed all the air.

Hindbad wondered who lived in this beautiful house, and presently he
went up to one of the splendidly dressed servants, who was standing at
the door, and asked to whom it belonged. The servant stared in
amazement.

"Dost thou indeed live in Bagdad and knowest not my master's name?" he
said. "He is the great Sindbad the Sailor, the man who has sailed all
round the world, and who has had the most wonderful adventures under
the sun."

Now Hindbad had often heard of this wonderful man and of his great
riches, and as he looked at the beautiful palace and saw the
splendidly dressed servants it made him feel sad and envious. As he
turned away sighing, to take up his load again, he looked up into the
blue sky, and said aloud:

"What a difference there is between this man's lot and mine. He has
all that he wants, and nothing to do but to spend money and enjoy a
pleasant life, while I have to work hard to get dry bread enough to
keep myself and my children alive. What has he done that he should be
so lucky, and what have I done that I should be so miserable?"

Just then one of the servants touched him on the shoulder, and said to
him: "My noble master wishes to see thee, and has bidden me fetch thee
to him."

The poor porter was frightened at first, for he thought some one might
have overheard what he had been saying, but the servant took his arm
and led him into the great dining-hall. There were many guests seated
round the table, on which was spread a most delicious feast, and at
the head of the table sat a grave, stately old man with a long white
beard. Th