’"In my dream this appeared too slender a benefit to draw forth the slightest remission of the punishments awarded to his deserts.  ’Away with him!’ was heard.—­’Oh!’ cried the Banker’s soul, ’draw near to me, thou good, virtuous, and humble Woodman, that the reflected light of thy virtues may give one instant’s ease to my present torture.  Let me but touch the righteous Harshim, and I will depart to my just punishment with submission!’

’"I was permitted to gratify the unhappy spirit, wondering at the same time what benefit he could derive from touching me.  Advancing near the tortured soul he stretched forth his hand and touched me on the knee; it was like a firebrand; I drew back hastily and found my knee was scorched.  ‘Return to men with warnings,’ said the wretched spirit.  ’Tell them of my unhappy state; tell them what are the tortures of the wicked; that touch you have received on your knee, is of the same nature my whole body suffers in eternal flames.’—­The pain I suffered in my knee disordered my sleep; I awoke in agony, and here it is to this day,” said the Woodman, untying a bandage from his knee.  “Examine the place, and be warned, O Kauzy, by the terrible certainty I have brought from that Banker whom you knew, and who is now suffering for his injustice on earth.  I have been lame from that night of my dream,” continued Syaad Harshim, “but I shall rejoice in the pain, if the example influence one hardened sinner to repent, whilst repentance may avail.”

’During the recital of the dream, Syaad Harshim watched the countenance of the Kauzy, who tried in vain to hide the guilty changes of his face.  The Syaad at last fixed his keen eyes on him, “Now, friend,” said he, “it would be great folly to add guilt to guilt by farther subterfuge.  I know the day, the hour, you ingeniously substituted a false key to this man’s chest; I could tell you what you wickedly took out; the place where it is secreted, even, is not hidden from my knowledge; go, bring it from your wife’s apartment; a little labour will remove it from the corner near the bedstead.”

’The Kauzy was now subdued by the commanding truths of the Syaad, and his heart being softened by the fearful relation of the Banker’s torment, he sank to the earth with shame and remorse,—­“I acknowledge my sin, thou holy man of truth;—­forgive me!” he cried, “forgive me, oh my God!  I am indeed repentant, and by this holy man’s means I am brought to a sense of my guilt!” He then went to the women’s apartment, brought out the chest and delivered it to the owner, entreating Syaad Harshim to forgive him.

’The Syaad replied, “I have nothing to forgive, nor power to remit; my advice you have freely, and may it serve you!  Seek pardon from God who loves to be sought, and whose mercy never faileth.  He is not the God of revenge, where repentance is sincere; but He is the God of mercy to all who seek Him faithfully.  His mercy is already extended to you, for He has given you time to repent:—­but for His mercy, you had been taken to your punishment, whilst you had no thoughts of repentance in your guilty heart.  Farewell! let me know by your future life, that Syaad Harshim’s lost labour in the jungle of this day, has produced something to the better harvest—­awakening one sinner to a sense of his danger."’