Page:The book of wonder voyages (1919).djvu/196

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174
The Book of Wonder Voyages

and when the possessor thereof smiteth therewith on the ground their kings come to do him homage, and all the Jinn are at his service." Then Hasan said to the two boys: "If ye would have me decide the case, I will take a stone and throw it, and he who first catcheth the stone shall have the rod, while the cap remaineth for the one who faileth." And they said: "We consent and accept this, thy proposal." Then Hasan threw a stone with all his might, so that it disappeared from sight. The boys ran after it, and when they were at a distance he donned the cap to prove the truth of what they had said. When they returned they found him not, and the rod and cap, too, were both gone. And they began to abuse one another and retrace their steps, but as for Hasan, he entered the city wearing the cap and bearing the rod, and none saw him. And he entered the lodging of Shawahi and shook a shelf filled with glass and china over her head. And seeing no one, she called out: "Huda hath sent a Satan to torment me, and hath tricked me this trick." Upon which Hasan replied: "I am no Satan, but Hasan the afflicted." And he raised his cap from his head, and appeared to the old woman. And she told him all that had befallen his wife, and said: "The Queen repenteth of having let thee go, and hath sent one after thee, promising him gold and honor if he bring thee back. "Then Hasan showed her the rod and cap, whereat she rejoiced exceedingly, and said: "O my son, don the cap and take the rod in hand and enter where thy wife and children are. Smite the earth with