transport; “this damsel has destroyed the horrible charm under which you suffered. I am sure your gratitude will induce you to marry her, as I have already promised for you.” He joyfully consented; but before they were united the damsel changed my wife into this hind, which you see here.
Since this, my son has become a widower, and is now traveling. Many years have passed since I have heard anything of him; I have, therefore, now set out with a view to find him; and as I did not like to trust my wife to the care of any one during my search, I thought proper to carry her along with me. This is the history of myself and this hind; can anything be more wonderful?
“I agree with you,” said the genie, “and in consequence, I grant to you a half of the blood of this merchant.”
As soon as the first old man had finished, the second, who led the two black dogs, made the same request to the genie for a half of the merchant’s blood, on the condition that his tale exceeded in interest the one that had just been related. On the genie signifying his assent, the old man began.
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