“We will go no farther,” said the false uncle.  “I will show you something wonderful; only do you gather up sticks while I kindle a fire.”

When it was lit the magician threw on it a powder he had about him, at the same time saying some magical words.  The earth trembled a little and opened in front of them, disclosing a square flat stone with a brass ring in the middle to raise it by.  Aladdin tried to run away, but the magician caught him and gave him a blow that knocked him down.

“What have I done, uncle?” he said piteously; whereupon the magician said more kindly:  “Fear nothing, but obey me.  Beneath this stone lies a treasure which is to be yours, and no one else may touch it, so you must do exactly as I tell you.”

At the word treasure, Aladdin forgot his fears, and grasped the ring as he was told, saying the names of his father and grandfather.  The stone came up quite easily and some steps appeared.

“Go down,” said the magician; “at the foot of those steps you will find an open door leading into three large halls.  Tuck up your gown and go through them without touching anything, or you will die instantly.  These halls lead into a garden of fine fruit-trees.  Walk on till you come to a niche in a terrace where stands a lighted lamp.  Pour out the oil it contains and bring it to me.”

He drew a ring from his finger and gave it to Aladdin, bidding him prosper.

Aladdin found everything as the magician had said, gathered some fruit off the trees, and, having got the lamp, arrived at the mouth of the cave.  The magician cried out in a great hurry:—­

“Make haste and give me the lamp.”  This Aladdin refused to do until he was out of the cave.  The magician flew into a terrible passion, and throwing some more powder on the fire, he said something, and the stone rolled back into its place.

The magician left Persia forever, which plainly showed that he was no uncle of Aladdin’s, but a cunning magician who had read in his magic books of a wonderful lamp, which would make him the most powerful man in the world.  Though he alone knew where to find it, he could only receive it from the hand of another.  He had picked out the foolish Aladdin for this purpose, intending to get the lamp and kill him afterwards.

For two days Aladdin remained in the dark, crying and lamenting.  At last he clasped his hands in prayer, and in so doing rubbed the ring, which the magician had forgotten to take from him.  Immediately an enormous and frightful genie rose out of the earth, saying:—­

“What wouldst thou with me?  I am the Slave of the Ring, and will obey thee in all things.”

Aladdin fearlessly replied:  “Deliver me from this place!” whereupon the earth opened, and he found himself outside.  As soon as his eyes could bear the light he went home, but fainted on the threshold.  When he came to himself he told his mother what had passed, and showed her the lamp and the fruits he had gathered in the garden, which were in reality precious stones.  He then asked for some food.