and found that it covered the head of a flight of stairs, which were also of stone.  I descended, and at the bottom found myself in a large room, furnished with a carpet, a couch covered with tapestry, and cushions of rich stuff, upon which the young man sat, with a fan in his hand.  These things, together with fruits and flower-pot standing about him, I saw by the light of two wax tapers.  The young man, when he perceived me was considerably alarmed; but to quiet his apprehensions, I said to him as I entered, “Whoever you are, Sir, do not fear; a sultan, and the son of a sultan, as I am, is not capable of doing you any injury:  on the contrary, it is probable that your good destiny may have brought me hither to deliver you out of this tomb, where it seems you have been buried alive, for reasons to me unknown.  But what surprises me (for you must know that I have been witness to all that hath passed since your coming into this island), is, that you suffered yourself to be entombed in this place without any resistance.”

The young man felt assured at these words, and with a smiling countenance requested me to take a seat by him.  When I had complied, he said “Prince, I am to acquaint you with what will surprise you by its singularity.

“My father is a merchant jeweller, who, by his industry and professional skill, has acquired considerable property.  He has many slaves, and also agents, whom he employs as supercargoes in his own ships, to maintain his correspondence at the several courts, which he furnishes with precious stones.

“He had been long married without having issue, when it was intimated to him in a dream that he should have a son, though his life would be but short; at which he was much concerned when he awoke.  Some days after, my mother acquainted him that she was with child, and what she supposed to be the time of her conception agreed exactly with the day of his dream.  At the end of nine months she was brought to bed of me; which occasioned great joy in the family.

“My father, who had observed the very moment of my birth, consulted astrologers about my nativity; and was answered, ‘Your son shall live happily till the age of fifteen, when his life will be exposed to a danger which he will hardly be able to escape.  But if his good destiny preserve him beyond that time, he will live to a great age.  It will be’ (said they) ‘when the statue of brass, that stands upon the summit of the mountain of adamant, shall be thrown into the sea by prince Agib, son of king Cassib; and, as the stars prognosticate, your son will be killed fifty days afterwards by that prince.’

“My father took all imaginable care of my education until this year, which is the fifteenth of my age.  He had notice given him yesterday, that the statue of brass had been thrown into the sea about ten days ago.  This news alarmed him much.