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YEZID, THE WOODMAN OF THE EAST.

CHAPTER I.

"Gracious Allah! whatever pleases your majesty is best. Your humble servant will gladly take upon himself any office to which SOME eight or nine hundred years ago, an your imperial pleasures may appoint my unemperor named Soliman ruled over a large dis-worthiness. And if I do not act faithfully and trict in central Asia. He was gallant and brave justly as vizier of Castolada, I pray your main war, and in peace a munificent patron of the jesty to take away the life which I hold only by liberal arts; he was also hospitable to his no- your imperial permission." bles, kind and generous to the lower orders, fair And he ended and impartial in the administration of justice, and as such was deservedly beloved by all his people. But the best kings and emperors are not always the best served by their officials; and (as our story will show) we must not be too ready to believe the old proverb which says, "Like master, like man."

his speech with another prostration as low as before.

out in due form, the signet-ring was brought That same evening the imperial mandate went forth, and Haroun Osman, who got up that day in rags and poverty, went to bed vizier of Castolada.

The emperor had been seated on his throne But no sooner was Haroun raised to his high about four years, when, as he was riding one made of, by oppressing the poor, defrauding post than he began to show the stuff he was morning, attended by his suite, near a forest the weak and resistless, preventing justice, and which lay along the banks of the river Ultza, selling his decisions. His insolence, too, to

he met a poor man whose face was wan and wards his inferior officers and the captains of hollow, while his threadbare and tattered his guard knew no bounds, so that it soon came clothes, and his shrunk limbs which protruded to be said in his own city (and it was whispered here and there from beneath them, showed too, by a little bird into the ears of the emperor clearly that, however just and good the Em- himself) that the vizier, Haroun Osman, though peror Soliman might be, still one of his people the lowest in birth, was far the proudest and somehow or other, had not shared in the gene- most odious of all the viziers in the emperor's ral prosperity. The emperor observed the man, dominions. and, touched with pity, stopped him just as he was about to fall down and do him homage in the true Eastern fashion, and asked him his name and occupation, and from what part of the country he had come. The poor man replied that his name was Haroun Osman, that he had seen better days, having formerly been clerk to a merchant at Bagdad; but that illness and misfortune had combined to render him penniless and homeless.

"Well, my friend," said the emperor, with a smile, "do you think that you could repair your broken fortunes, if I were to give you some

work?"

servants."

One day, not long after his promotion, he was riding through the adjoining forest, when a sudden freak took him, and he ordered his foresters to dig a number of deep pits in the long glades of the wood, and to cover them over with green leaves and herbs, so that the wild beasts, as they prowled about at night, might fall into them and be captured to fill the menagery which he had ordered to be added to the stables of the vizier's residence.

But the story of Phalaris the Agrigentine, in ancient times, is not wholly false (our fair readers will find it at full length in their Lem"Merciful Allah!" cried the poor man, mak- prières); and in modern days the inventor of ing another low prostration as he spoke, "your the guillotine we know was the first to suffer imperial majesty is too good to your servant of by his invention. And so it was with our "If I thought that I could trust you, I weeks later he was riding in a remote part of this friend, the vizier Haroun Osman; for a few would at once make you vizier over the district same forest, and was indulging in the thoughts of Castolada, for news has just reached me that of his proud position as vizier of so fair a disthe viziership is vacant, and I am anxious as trict, his horse accidentally trod upon the edge the people of the town are almost all poor, to of one of these pitfalls, and stumbling down set over them a man who knows what poverty is, as such a one, I think, could relieve them most effectually. Do you understand me?"

threw his rider. In a moment the grand vizier had tumbled through the covering of loose leaves and herbs which was strewed lightly on

the surface, and found himself safely landed, with these savage creatures, who sit eyeing me without a bone broken, at the bottom of a pit as if they would eat me up. Pray get a rope about twelve feet in depth. The vizier's horse, and let it down, my good friend, as quick as by some accident or other, had saved himself possible. from tumbling into the hole along with his mas"But I am so poor that I have not got a rope, ter, and ran off neighing and snorting in the direction of the city; but before he had gone and I cannot leave my work for such as you, and my wife and children are hungry at home, far, he was seen by a woodman, who, conjecturing that some accident had befallen the grand vizier, went into the forest to look for his dis-poor man left to die in a pit with a lion and sermounted rider, and to assist in case of any acpent. But it won't be the first poor man that's cident having occurred. But for many hours died by unfair means, I guess, since our new vizier came to us, by a good many," he added, his search was all in vain. pretending not to know who the individual might be.

In the meantime, it so happened that, to add to the vizier's troubles, a young lion came near the pit, and missing his footing, tumbled in. A few minutes later an ape came rolling down into the pit in like manner, and last of all came a large fierce-looking serpent, and each of these unwelcome visitors, finding that all attempts to escape were useless, amused himself with fixing his glaring eyes on the unhappy vizier, as he sat shivering with fear in one corner of the pit, expecting every minute to be eaten up for their dinner.

But it was not the will of Allah that it should be so. The Grand Vizier of Castolada was not destined by him to end his life in a forest pit, by the sting of a serpent or the jaws of a lion. He was preserved to give a lesson to posterity, as our readers will see.

though, by Allah, it goes to my heart to see a

"O, my good friend, I am the Vizier of Castolada, and I swear by Allah and by the beard of his Most Sacred Majesty the Emperor of all the Asias (emperors even then had rather extensive titles), that if you will only get a rope and lift me out of this horrible pit, I will give you half the treasures in my coffer for your pains before the sun sets to-morrow."

The woodman ran off and soon returned with a rope in his hand, and let down one end of it into the pit.

"Now, then, your highness, make one end fast round your middle, and I'll pull as hard as I can at the other. Now then, is all right?" "Yes, all right," said the lion, springing forward and seizing the rope in his claws, and he It so happened that when some four or five allowed himself to be drawn gently up. No hours of the afternoon were gone by, the wood- sooner, however, had he reached (we were goman of whom we have already spoken, came ing to say terra firma, but we will content ournear to the spot on his way home to his humble selves with a more humble phrase) the surface cottage in the forest, having given up all seri- of the ground, than he turned to the frightened ous thought of finding the vizier after so many woodman, and thanking him for his politeness hours had elapsed. No sooner, however, did with a most royal bow, begged him to make the vizier hear him come whistling along, than himself quite easy, for that neither he, nor the he began to cry out lustily for help, and fortunately his cries were heard.

The woodman lost not a moment in running in the direction from which the cries seemed to come, and quick as thought was at the mouth of the pit.

ape, nor the serpent would injure one hair of his head and implored him to let down the rope again.

When the rope was lowered a second time, the ape came forward, and said,-"Pardon me, Mr. Vizier, I must go up first," and seizing the

"Help, help! whoever you are," cried the rope, was drawn up by the side of the lion,

vizier.

when he immediately began to address the "Who is that crying out for help ?" he said. woodman in terms of gratitude. A third time "It is I who have fallen into this pit by acci- the rope was lowered, when the serpent coiled dent this morning, and there is a lion down his slimy folds around it and was landed on the here, too, and an ape, and a serpent, and I only grass, and outdid the lion and ape in profeswonder than I am now alive. Pray lend me a helping hand, throw down a rope, do something, The fourth time that the rope was lowered, do anything, pray, rather than leave me here the vizier ascended, and as he had heard the ad

sions of the same kind.

dresses of the lion and his other acquaintances, proceeded, without delay, to unload the camels he felt he could not do less than tell the poor and unpack the bales with the assistance of his woodman to call next morning at the palace, wife. On opening them, he was astonished to when he should be richly rewarded for his see the richness and variety of the shawls, trouble. And so saying, the grand vizier set off satins, and velvets which they contained; then, on foot for the city.

"Mark my word," said the lion, solemnly, "he will not keep his promise; and if he does not, both you and he shall see me again."

"And me, too," added the ape.

"And me, too," said the serpent, as with another bow they each took their leave of the woodman and retreated into the wood.

CHAPTER II.

after publishing a notice to the effect that if any one had lost such property he might claim it within a reasonable time, and finding that no one came forward to own it, he sold it in open bazaar in the neighbouring city, and realizel by it a handsome competency.

The next day, he went, as usual, to his work in the forest again, for he was resolved not to part with his habits of industry on account of THE next morning, at an early hour, the poor any sudden accession of good fortune; when woodman repaird to the residence of the vizier, he had no sooner set to work than the ape which he had liberated suddenly leaped out and, presenting himself to the porter at the gate, told him his business with the vizier, and from among the trees, and placing in his hands begged that he would ask him to grant him an a purse full of gold, said, "Sir, I thank you interview. The porter took his message in, but for your kindness, and am sorry that I have the vizier pretended to know nothing of the af- nothing better to offer you!" and immediately fair, and told his porter to send the idle fellow disappeared in the forest.

away, for that he was only a beggar, and had Again, the following morning, he was early come to get assistance under false pretences. at his work, when another old acquaintance, So the woodman returned home; but resolving the serpent, came to him, bringing in his mouth to persevere in his suit until he obtained from a brilliant stone of three colours, which he laid the vizier the performance of his promise, he at the woodman's feet, and saying, See, I do went, a few weeks afterwards to the Grand not forget," glided gracefully away beneath Palace again, and repeated his request. But the long grass.

this time the vizier was so angry that he came The woodman, overcome with his run of good out himself to the woodman in the greatest luck, told the whole story to his wife that fury, knocked him down at the gate, and beat him in a truly Oriental fashion, until he had scarcely a limb in his whole body which was not black with bruises.

evening as they sat at supper in their little cottage. By her advice, next morning, he took the stone to the emperor's jeweller, who as soon as he saw it, told him that the three colors of the stone had each a separate meaning.

It was several days-perhaps a week or more -before the woodman was able to go out again "The purple," he said, "signifies that the to his work in the forest, so severe were his con- fortunate possessor of this stone shall have joy tusions. But it so happened on the very first without grief; the green, that he shall be rich day that he went out, while he was loading his and never want again; while the yellow denotes donkey with wood, in a very retired part of the that he will have perfect health of mind and forest, he looked up and saw coming towards body as long as he lives. I will also give you him a lion, followed by ten camels laden with another secret," he added. "If you sell it for merchandize. In fear and trembling, he led less than its real value, it will deceive the his donkey homewards, but the lion and the purchaser, and came back into your own hands camels still followed him till they came up to as often as you part with it."

the door of his cottage. The lion then advanced The woodman soon grew very rich; indeed, a few steps, and, with a graceful bow, ex-so much so, that his good-luck became the claimed, as he pointed to the treasures, "Sir, common talk of all the city and country round, these are all yours!" and then withdrew in a most gracious and royal manner.

and reached the ears even of the emperor. It was not long before Soliman resolved to send The woodman immediately perceived that his for the poor woodman to his court, and to bid visitor was the same lion which he had drawn him bring with him the wonderful stone, to up out of the pit a few weeks previously, and which such extraordinary virtue was attached.

No sooner did Yezid appear in the presence the serpent had rewarded their benefactor, of the emperor, than he was questioned as to though bound by no promises so to do, and the virtues of the wonderful stone; and when he lastly the injuries which he had inflicted on the had recounted them at length, the emperor of- poor defenceless woodman when he came to fered to give him 10,000 pagodas in gold for it. claim his promised reward, were listened to by It was in vain that he pointed out to the em- the emperor and his court and the whole body peror that, unless the sum paid was a full of nobles present with breathless attention, and equivalent, the stone would not stay a single there was not a voice that refused its applause night in the imperial coffers, but would travel when the emperor spoke as follows: "Haroun back to him at his cottage in the forest. The Osman, vizier of Castolada, I raised you from a emperor, however, was resolved to have it, humble state and made you what you are, bewhatever it might cost, so he placed it securely cause I thought that having tasted the bitters of in his strongest jewel-box, paid the woodman poverty you would be able to take better care his 10,000 pagodas, and sent him home.

colours gone.

of my poorer subjects in the province of Castolada; but you are proved to be worse than the Next day what was the astonishment of the emperor and empress on opening the royal very beasts of the field in selfishness, ingratijewel-box to find the precious stone of three tude, and tyranny; you are reported on every side to be the oppressor of the poor and friendA messenger was about to be immediately despatched in search of the wood-less, and to be ungovernable in your fury and man, when the latter was announced to be in rage; the story of Yezid proves this to be true. Now therefore, proud man, I strip you of all waiting at the palace gates, and desirous of your rank, wealth, and honours; I degrade you seeing the emperor forthwith. On being ushered into the imperial presence he made the again to be what you were before I raised you to the viziership, and your office and place I usual prostrations, and after many protestanow confer upon Yezid the woodman, and your tions of innocence, related that on waking riches I entrust to the new vizier to distribute early in the morning he and his wife had found in charity among the poor of Castolada." the same three-coloured stone lying on the table in their chamber, which the woodman had seen his majesty lock carefully away yesterday shouted every one that was present, till there among the imperial treasures. Having said was scarcely a dry eye to be seen; and there thus much, he produced the stone and placed it was not a voice in the hall that did not congraonce more in the emperor's hands, and prayed tulate the humble woodman on his high prohis mercy and forgiveness.

"Allah be praised!" "Allah is good!"

motion.

Haroun Osman

The good news very soon spread to the city This the emperor cheerfully accorded to his request upon condition that the woodman re- of Castolada, where Yezid was already well lated to him how he had become possessed of known; and our readers may feel sure that the the wondrous treasure. Yezid at once told the tidings caused universal joy. whole story before the Emperor Soliman and spent the remainder of his days in poverty withall the court, who where struck with no less in-out a friend and without a home; and probably dignation as they listened to his account of the he would have been left without food to supvizier Haroun Osman's base ingratitude than port existence, if it had not been for the new they were astonished at the grateful behaviour vizier, who sent him food daily from his palace of the wild animals towards the woodman. A to keep him from starvation. But the city proclamation was immediately made that the prospered, and the people were happy and convizier of Castolada, Haroun Osman, should ap- tented; and whenever the new vizier appeared Long live the pear before his majesty in his imperial court, in public, the people cried out, and have an opportunity of making answer to mighty and good Yezid, vizier of Castolada !” the story of the fortunate woodman. The next We had almost forgotten to add, that as the day but one the vizier came, and when he was ex-vizier and Yezid left the emperor's palace, confronted with the woodman he could not the first object that met their eyes were the speak. The story of the pitfalls and of the lion, the ape, and the serpent, and that the lion, vizier's own detention in the pit, of the promises as spokesman for the rest, said slowly, in a which he had made in distress but had after- very solemn tone, “Yezid and Haroun, we have wards forgotton, while the lion, the ape, and kept our word: you will remember us!"

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TURE.

EXTRAORDINARY ANGLING ADVEN- I was prepared for this; and, after a few wild and unruly runs, he became much more tractable. It was out of my power to come

ously at his new acquaintance. Here com

A few summers ago, I was pursuing my favourite amusement, when I met with the to terms so long as old horney stood sentry following ludicrous incident, over the recital below; so I sat very comfortably playing my of which I have since had many a hearty fish. At this part of the lake the water laugh, in which, I have no doubt, my readers covers a shallow bank to the depth of a few inches. It was here, after in vain seeking to will join. The scene of my adventure was a small lake in Perthshire, beautifully situated ease himself of my steel, he made his last at the head of a richly wooded glen, and the and grand struggle for liberty. He took a undulating hills, which slope down to the furious dash, sprung and rolled about, and, water's edge, are clothed with noble speci- at length, run himself aground, producing mens of the Scotch fir; the reflection of the an infernal commotion in the water, which he lashed into foam around him. It was not lofty trees, the grey rock, and the purple heather, upon the quiet deep water, gives the long before the bull's fancy was tickled; and, picture the cast of the most intense solitude, possibly, reasoning from my earnest attenand the spirits gradually sink into a state of tion to the motion of the pike, that there exmelancholy pleasure. It is the recollection isted some connection between us, made furiof wandering amid such scenes as this which menced one of the rarest combats that was produces a sort of mania for fishing which we often see in some anglers, and surely it is an ever fought, but the knight of the water excusable one where the imagination can proved himself more than a match for his revel on the wonderful and stupendous works more lordly antagonist. However skilful I of our Creator. I was diligently working may be in playing my fish, I could not prethe little silvery trout, with which my hook tend to have any power over the motions of was baited, when my reflections were dis- the assailants, but sat, almost splitting with turbed by a low muttering from the wood laughter, whilst my line, which was immedibehind me. I had not listened long before ately broken, was twisted round the horns a loud crashing among the branches warned and legs of the bull, who was goring right me that it was time to cut; and, as a bull is and left into the stranded fish, who was, notan ugly customer at all times, I seized my withstanding, scarcely hurt, as nothing very rod, and dashed for the nearest tree, but a effectual could be done against his shiny pike at this moment, not aware of my alarm, sides, whilst every now and then he would followed my example in dashing after my would turn to pin his enemy. An opportu bait! There was no time to spare; so letting nity was not long in occurring, and his long my reel run, with the aid of a little gymnas- jaws and hooked teeth were firmly fixed in tics, I established myself firmly on the first the nether lip of the enraged and terrified stock of a stout pine, and viewed, with great animal, who, bounding along the shore, tosssatisfaction, my savage, blear-eyed foe just ing his head, and using every effort to get in time to be too late; he seemed determined, rid of his tormentor; but it was all in vain, however, on a blockade, and kept tearing up his roaring and his rage were equally useless. the turf, and butting his broad forehead I was quickly on terra firma; leaving my against my house of refuge, giving me a rod, dashed on in pursuit, in which I was good sample of his bloody intentions. My joined by two herdsmen, with their dogs, attention was quickly recalled to my aquatic who had come up on hearing the noise. friend, who was making most woeful depre- What is coursing, what is fox-hunting, what dations on my line, which, fortunately, could is any chase that can be named, in comboast of nearly three score yards and ten; he parison with the sport we were now engaged had nearly run it out, and it was with joy in? There was the bull tearing on, tail that I saw him throw his huge carcase a erect, and bellowing with pain, and three couple of feet out of water, with the view of dogs keeping up with him, and every now and breaking his bonds by the weight of his fall. then venturing a spring at his nostrils, or at

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