Page:Arabian Nights (Sterrett).djvu/236

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nor cried any more, “New lamps for old,” but made the best of his way to his khan.

As soon as he was out of sight of the two palaces, he hastened down the least-frequented streets; and having no more occasion for his lamps or basket, set all down in a spot where nobody saw him and pursuing his way at length reached a lonely spot, where he stopped till the night.

When it became quite dark, he pulled the lamp out of his breast and rubbed it. At that summons the genie appeared, and said, “What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their hands; both I and the other slaves of the lamp.” “I command thee,” replied the magician, “to transport me immediately, and the palace which thou and the other slaves of the lamp have built in this city, with all the people in it, to Africa.” The genie made no reply, but with the assistance of the other genii, the slaves of the lamp, immediately transported the magician and the palace, entire, to a spot in Africa.

Early the next morning, when the sultan, according to custom, went to contemplate and admire Aladdin’s palace, his amazement was unbounded to find that it could nowhere be seen. He could not understand how a palace which he had seen plainly every day for some years, could vanish so soon, and not leave the least trace behind. In his perplexity he ordered the grand vizier to be sent for with haste.

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