Aladdin, having thus loaded himself with riches of which he knew not the value, returned through the three halls with the utmost precaution, and soon arrived at the mouth of the cave, where the African magician awaited him with the utmost impatience.  As soon as Aladdin saw him, he cried out, “Pray, uncle, lend me your hand, to help me out.”  “Give me the lamp first,” replied the magician; “it will be troublesome to you,” “Indeed, uncle,” answered Aladdin, “I cannot now, but I will as soon as I am up.”  The African magician was determined that he would have the lamp before he would help him up; and Aladdin, who had encumbered himself so much with his fruit that he could not well get at it, refused to give it to him till he was out of the cave.  The African magician, provoked at this obstinate refusal, flew into a passion, threw a little of his incense into the fire, and pronounced two magical words, when the stone which had closed the mouth of the staircase moved into its place, with the earth over it in the same manner as it lay at the arrival of the magician and Aladdin.

This action of the magician plainly revealed to Aladdin that he was no uncle of his, but one who designed him evil.  The truth was that he had learnt from his magic books the secret and the value of this wonderful lamp, the owner of which would be made richer than any earthly ruler, and hence his journey to China.  His art had also told him that he was not permitted to take it himself, but must receive it as a voluntary gift from the hands of another person.  Hence he employed young Aladdin, and hoped by a mixture of kindness and authority to make him obedient to his word and will.  When he found that his attempt had failed, he set out to return to Africa, but avoided the town, lest any person who had seen him leave in company with Aladdin should make inquiries after the youth.  Aladdin being suddenly enveloped in darkness, cried, and called out to his uncle to tell him he was ready to give him the lamp; but in vain, since his cries could not be heard.  He descended to the bottom of the steps, with a design to get into the palace, but the door, which was opened before by enchantment, was now shut by the same means.  He then redoubled his cries and tears, sat down on the steps without any hopes of ever seeing light again, and in an expectation of passing from the present darkness to a speedy death.  In this great emergency he said, “There is no strength or power but in the great and high God”; and in joining his hands to pray he rubbed the ring which the magician had put on his finger.  Immediately a genie of frightful aspect appeared, and said, “What wouldst thou have?  I am ready to obey thee.  I serve him who possesses the ring on thy finger; I, and the other slaves of that ring.”