Soon they perceived coming toward the plain a thick vapor or smoke, like a column of dust raised by the wind. This vapor approached them, and then suddenly disappearing, they saw the genie, who, without noticing the newcomers, went toward the merchant, with his scimitar in his hand; and taking him by the arm, “Get up,” said he, “That I may kill thee, as thou hast slain my son.” Both the merchant and the two old men, struck with terror, began to weep and fill the air with their lamentations. When the old man who conducted the hind saw the genie lay hold of the merchant, and about to murder him without mercy, he threw himself at the monster’s feet, and, kissing them, said, “Lord Genie, I humbly entreat you to suspend your rage, and hear my history, and that of the hind, which you see; and if you find it more wonderful and surprising than the adventure of this merchant, whose life you wish to take, may I not hope that you will at least grant me one half of the blood of this unfortunate man?” After meditating some time, the genie answered, “Very well, I agree.”
