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And having called to his wife for his bow and arrows, the Khoja took aim and pierced his gown through the middle. Then without waiting to see the result he hastened into his house, secured the door with much care, and retired to rest.

Next morning the Khoja could not for the life of him remember which was his own horse, and he was much afraid of being cheated if he confessed this to the rest. So, as they were all coming out, he seized his bow and arrow, and aimed among the horses at random. "Don't shoot!" cried the men; "what is the matter?"

"Most exemplary Cadi," replied the Khoja, "I went out yesterday for a short time before sunset, and as I walked I perceived a disreputable-looking fellow lying shamefully drunk, and exposed to the derision of passers-by in the public gardens.

The Khoja, having gone out for a walk, passed by the spot and saw the Cadi lying dead drunk and senseless, with his ferejeh or overcoat half off his back. It was a very valuable ferejeh, of rich material, and the Khoja took it and went home remarkably well dressed. When the Cadi recovered his senses he found that his ferejeh was gone.

If he foresees good luck for this journey all will be well, and you could not have a better beast. But if he foresees evil he will be of no use, and I should be ashamed to offer him to you." "Be good enough to inquire of him," said the borrower. Thereupon the Khoja departed on pretence of taking counsel with his donkey.

"It is just as I thought," said he; but as he spoke the cow got up, and tossed the Khoja violently to the ground. The Khoja was stunned, and when his wife hastened to the spot she found him lying senseless. After some time he opened his eyes, and perceived his wife weeping near him. "O wife!" said the Khoja, "weep not; I am not less fortunate than other men.

'Hot, your Holiness, says I. So on that he steps down to the kitchen for the boiling water, but, bedad, before he came back, I woke straight up; and now it's distressing me that I didn't take it cold!" We have somewhat of a parallel to this in a Turkish jest: The Khoja dreamt that some one gave him nine pieces of money, but he was not content, and said, "Make it ten."

But the horsemen pursued after him, and by and by they came into the cemetery, and one of them peeped into the tomb and saw the Khoja. "Here is the man we saw!" cried the horseman; and he said to the Khoja, "What are you lying there for, and where are your clothes?" "The dead have no possessions, O Bedawee!" replied the Khoja. "I am buried here.

"Then I am dead, lo I am dead!" said the Khoja, and he lay down, and stiffened himself, and did not move. By and by his neighbours came and stood at his head, and having observed him, they brought a bier and laid him on it, saying, "Let us take him to his own house."

He took them into his own hands, opened them and looked at them, and delivered them back to the khoja, who descended from the throne, and sat down on a seat at the foot of the steps.