and he saw at the junction a huge rock whereon were written three lines.  Now the first read, “This is the road of safe chance,” and the second, “This is the way of repentance;” and the third, “This is the path whereon whoso paceth shall return nevermore.”  When the Prince perused these inscriptions he said to himself, “I will tread the path whereon whoso paceth shall nevermore return.”  Then he put his trust in Allah, and he travelled over that way for a space of days a score, when suddenly he came upon a city deserted and desolate, nor was there a single created thing therein and it was utterly in ruins.  So he alighted beside it and, as a flock of sheep accompanied his suite, he bade slaughter five lambs and commanded the cooks to prepare of them delicate dishes and to roast one of them whole and entire.  They did his bidding, and when the meats were cooked he ordered the trays be spread in that site and, as soon as all was done to his satisfaction, he purposed sitting down to food, he and his host, when suddenly an ’Aun[FN#361] appeared coming from the ruined city.  But when Prince Mohammed beheld him he rose to him in honour saying, “Welcome and fair welcome to him who of ’Auns is the head, and to the brethren friend true-bred,[FN#362] and the Haunter of this stead;” and he satisfied him with the eloquence of his tongue and the elegance of his speech.  Now this ’Aun had hair that overhung either eye and fell upon his shoulders, so the Prince brought out his scissors[FN#363] and trimmed his locks clearing them away from his face, and he pared his nails which were like talons, and finally let bathe his body with warm water.  Then he served up to him the barbecue of lamb which he caused to be roasted whole for the use of the Jinni and bade place it upon the tray, so the Haunter ate with the travellers and was cheered by the Prince’s kindness and said to him, “By Allah, O my lord Mohammed, O thou Son of the Sultan, I was predestined to meet thee in this place but now let me know what may be thy need.”  Accordingly the youth informed him of the city of the Camphor Islands and of the garden containing the fowls which he fared to seek, and of his design in wayfaring thither to bring some of them away with him.  But when the ’Aun heard from him these words, he said to him, “O thou Son of the Sultan, that site is a far cry for thee, nor canst thou ever arrive thereat unless assisted, seeing that its distance from this place be a march of two hundred years for a diligent traveller.  How then canst thou reach it and return from it?  However, the old saw saith, O my son, ’Good for good and the beginner is worthier, and ill for ill and the beginner is unworthier.’[FN#364] Now thou hast done to me a kindly deed and I (Inshallah!) will requite thee with its match and will reward thee with its mate; but let whatso is with thee of companions and slaves and beasts and provisions abide in this site and we will go together, I and thou, and I will win for thee thy wish even as thou hast wrought by