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His nephew at once set to work making a stall for his new possession, which enjoyed now an abundance of food and carcful tending. Meanwhile, the poor old miser, homeward-bound, had been attacked, plun- dered, and slain by highway robbers.

When the news reached the ears of kind-hearted Rajeb,

he shed a tear over his uncle’s sad fate, and set off again for Tantah. He was next- of-kin to the dead man, but svith the re- membrance of his recent visit fresh in his mind, he did not expect to reap much benefit from his heir- ship, notwithstanding the reputation for wealth which Jousoff had acquired.

This time, Rajeb rode upon his ass. i After putting up his ~ steed 1n his old stall, he proceeded to search the housc. In that miscrable hovel, not a para, not a single thing of any value, was to be found. All the time that Rajeb was examining the premiscs, the ass whined and brayed. Thinking he needed food and drink, his master went out several times, and fetched him straw, water, and barley ; but they lay untouched, and the animal continually stamped with his foot upon the floor of the stall.

An idea occurred to Rajeb. *\Why do you do that?" said he, whereupon the ass stamped still more vigorously than before. His master, scizing a rusty iron bar which lay ncar, began to turn up the ground, the ass looking on with evident pleasure and satisfaction, his wonderfully CXpressive eyes sceming to say : “That s right | Go on; it is there.” And presently, Rajeb discovered a coffer! When he opencd it, he found, to his unspeakable delight, that 1t was filled with doubloons, scquins, and precious coins of every sort. Still the ass would not allow him to rest. Again— this time in another spot—he beat the ground with his foot. Rajeb eagerly obeyed, and his digging soon brought to light

WIPH IS oo,

CAGAIN HE BEAT THE GROUND

THE STRAND A AGAZINI

another caffer, full of rubics, pearls, eme- ralds, and other magnificent gems. The ass appeared now perfectly satisfied, and stamped no more. |

Upon the back of the willing beast, the trecasure—a heavy load—was quickly carricd to Cairo. Rajeb hastened to his Tady's house, and was just In time to prevent her marriage with an old Turk who had agrecd to give the five thou- sand pilastres de- manded by her par- cnts. Rajeb had only to exhibit to the father avery small part of his acquisition in order to induce him to break ofl the projected match, and bestow his daughter upon such a highly desirable husband as the once rejected suitor had now become.

The wedding took place immediately, and Rajeb and his wife lived most happily together for many years. The ass which

had brought such cood fortunc was treated always as a dear friend, and the only Ay N task 1mposed upon him g b was that of sometimes f");

carrying his mistress and her children. Evervone loved and petted him, and he Iived in clover until the end of his days.