Page:Arabian Nights (Sterrett).djvu/112

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ward and then fell down again into the court, where it broke into several pieces.

The wolf had in the meanwhile transformed itself into a cock, and now fell to picking up the seeds of the pomegranate one after another; but finding no more, he came toward us with his wings spread, making a great noise, as if he would ask us whether there were any more seeds. There was one lying on the brink of the fountain, which the cock perceiving as he went back, ran toward; but just as he was going to pick it up the seed rolled into the water and turned into a little fish.

The cock flying toward the fountain, turned into a pike, and pursued the small fish; they continued both under water above two hours, and we knew not what was become of them; but suddenly we heard terrible cries, which made us tremble, and a little while after we saw the genie and princess rise from the water in flames. They threw flashes of fire out of their mouths at each other, till they came to close combat; then the two fires increased, with a thick, burning smoke, which mounted so high that we had reason to apprehend it would set the palace on fire. But we very soon had a more pressing occasion of fear, for the genie having got loose from the princess, came to the gallery where we stood, and blew flames of fire upon us. We must have perished had not the princess, running to our assistance, forced him to retire, and defend himself against her; yet, notwithstanding all her

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