The damsel then took a vessel full of water, pronounced over it words that I did not understand, and addressing herself to the calf, “O calf, if thou west created by the almighty and sovereign master of the world such as thou appearest at this time, continue in that form; but if thou be a man, and art changed into a calf by enchantment, return to thy natural shape, by the permission of the sovereign Creator.”  As she spoke, she threw water upon him, and in an instant he recovered his natural form.

“My son, my dear son,” cried I, immediately embracing him with such a transport of joy that I knew not what I was doing, “it is heaven that hath sent us this young maid, to remove the horrible charm by which you were enchanted, and to avenge the injury done to you and your mother.  I doubt not but in acknowledgment you will make your deliverer your wife, as I have promised.”  He joyfully consented; but before they married, she changed my wife into a hind; and this is she whom you see here.  I desired she might have this shape, rather than another less agreeable, that we might see her in the family without horror.

Since that time, my son is become a widower, and gone to travel.  It being now several years since I heard of him, I am come abroad to inquire after him; and not being willing to trust anybody with my wife, till I should return home, I thought fit to take her everywhere with me.

“This is the history of myself and this hind:  is it not one of the most wonderful and surprising?” “I admit it is,” said the genie, “and on that account forgive the merchant one third of his crime.”

When the first old man had finished his story, the second, who led the two black dogs, addressed the genie, and said:  “I am going to tell you what happened to me, and these two black dogs you see by me; and I am certain you will say, that my story is yet more surprising than that which you have just heard.  But when I have done this, I hope you will be pleased to pardon the merchant another third of his offence.”  “I will,” replied the genie, “provided your story surpass that of the hind.”  Then the second old man began in this manner—­

    The Story of the Second old Man and the Two Black Dogs.

Great prince of genies, you must know that we are three brothers, the two black dogs and myself.  Our father, when he died, left each of us one thousand sequins.  With that sum, we all became merchants.  A little time after we had opened shop, my eldest brother, one of these two dogs, resolved to travel and trade in foreign countries.  With this view, he sold his estate, and bought goods suited to the trade intended to follow.