Then said Shibli Bagarag, ’For this I praise Noorna bin Noorka, daughter of Feshnavat, Vizier of the King that ruleth in the city of Shagpat!  She saw me, that I was marked for greatness.  Wullahy, the eagle knoweth me from afar, and proclaimeth me; the antelope of the hills scenteth the coming of one not as other men, and telleth his tidings; the wind of the desert shapeth its gust to a meaning, so that the stranger may wot Shibli Bagarag is at hand!’

He puffed his chest, and straightened his legs like the cock, and was as a man upon whom the Sultan has bestowed a dress of honour, even as the plumed peacock.  Then the other said: 

’Know that I am captain of yonder vessel, that stands farthest out from the harbour with her sails slackened; and she is laden with figs and fruits which I exchange for silks, spices, and other merchandise, with the people of Oolb.  Now, what says the poet?—­

       “Delay in thine undertaking
        Is disaster of thy own making”;

and he says also: 

     “Greatness is solely for them that succeed;
     ’Tis a rotten applause that gives earlier meed.”

Therefore it is advisable for thee to follow me on board without loss of time, and we will sail this very night for the City of Oolb.’

Now, Shibli Bagarag was ruled by the words of the captain albeit he desired to stay awhile and receive the homage of the people of that city.  So he followed him into a boat that was by, and the twain were rowed by sailors to the ship.  Then, when they were aboard the captain set sail, and they were soon in the hollows of deep waters.  There was a berth in the ship set apart for Shibli Bagarag, and one for the captain.  Shibli Bagarag, when he entered his berth, beheld at the head of his couch a hawk; its eyes red as rubies, its beak sharp as the curve of a scimitar.  So he called out to the captain, and the captain came to him; but when he saw the hawk, he plucked his turban from his head, and dashed it at the hawk, and afterward ran to it, trying to catch it; and the hawk flitted from corner to corner of the berth, he after it with open arms.  Then he took a sword, but the hawk flew past him, and fixed on the back part of his head, tearing up his hair by the talons, and pecking over his forehead at his eyes.  And Shibli Bagarag heard the hawk scream the name ‘Karaz,’ and he looked closely at the Captain of the vessel, and knew him for the Genie Karaz.  Then trembled he with exceeding terror, cursing his credulities, for he saw himself in the hands of the Genie, and nothing but this hawk friendly to him on the fearful waters.  When the hawk had torn up a certain hair, the Genie stiffened, and glowed like copper in the furnace, the whole length of him; and he descended heavily through the bottom of the ship, and sank into the waters beneath, which hissed and smoked as at a bar of heated iron.  Then Shibli Bagarag gave thanks to the Prophet, and