grandfather’s table where I dined. In the afternoon I went to visit
some friends, both because such visits were due, and because I wished
to show myself in my new clothes, with my hat under my arm and my sword
by my side. Finding no one at home, and hearing that they were all
gone to the gardens, I resolved to follow them, intending to pass a
pleasant evening. My way led me along the town wall, and I soon came
to the spot which is called the “evil wall,” and rightly enough, for
there is reason to believe it is always haunted. Walking slowly along,
I thought of my three goddesses, and still more of the little nymph,
and often held my fingers up in the air in the hope that she would be
kind enough to balance herself upon them once more. As I proceeded,
occupied with these thoughts, I discerned in the wall, on my left hand,
a little wicket which I did not remember to have perceived before. It
appeared low, but the pointed arch was such as to afford room for the
tallest man to enter. The arch and the wall on either side had been
most richly carved by the mason and the sculptor, but my attention was
most attracted by the door itself. The old brown wood of which it was
made had been but little ornamented, but broad bands of brass were
attached to it, worked both in relief and in _intaglio_. The foliage
which was represented on this brass, and on which the most natural
birds were sitting, I could not sufficiently admire. I was, however,
most surprised at seeing no keyhole, no latch, no knocker, and from the
absence of these I surmised that the door only opened from within. I
was not mistaken, for when I went close to it, to feel the carved work,
it opened inwards, and a man, whose dress was somewhat long, wide, and
altogether singular, appeared before me. A venerable beard flowed
about his chin, and I was, therefore, inclined to take him for a Jew.
As if he had divined my thoughts he made the sign of the holy cross,
thereby giving me to understand that he was a good Catholic Christian.
“Young gentleman, how did you come here, and what are you doing?” said
he, with friendly voice and gesture. “I am admiring the work of this
door,” I replied, “for I have never seen any thing like it, except,
perhaps, in small pieces, in the collection of amateurs.” “I am
delighted,” said he, “that you take pleasure in such work. The door is
still more beautiful on the inner side, pray walk in if you choose.”
This affair made me feel somewhat uncomfortable. I felt embarrassed by
the strange dress of the porter, by the retired situation of the place,
and a certain indescribable something in the air. I paused, therefore,
under the pretext of looking longer at the outside, and at the same
time cast furtive glances at the garden--for a garden it was which had
just been opened to me. Immediately behind the gate I saw a space
completely shaded by the closely entwined branches of some old linden
trees, which had been planted at regular intervals, so that the most
numerous assembly might have rested there during the most intense heat
of the day. I had already set my foot on the threshold, and the old
man was well able to lure me on a step further. Indeed I made no
resistance, for I had always heard that a prince or sultan, in such
cases, must never ask whether there is any danger. Had I not my sword
by my side, and could I not soon get the better of the old man if he
took a hostile position? I therefore walked in with confidence, and
the porter shut the gate so softly that I could hardly hear the sound.
He then showed the work on the inside, which was certainly much
superior to that without, and explained it, giving indications of the
greatest kindness towards me. My mind being completely set at rest I
allowed myself to be led further along the shady space by the wall
which circled the garden, and found much to admire. Niches,
artificially adorned with shells, coral, and pieces of ore, poured from
Tritons’ mouths copious streams of water into marble basins. Between
them were aviaries and other pieces of lattice-work, in which there
were squirrels hopping about, guinea-pigs running backwards and
forwards, and, in short, all the pretty little creatures that one could
desire. The birds cried and sung to us as we went along; the
starlings, in particular, prated after us the most absurd stuff, one
always calling out “Paris, Paris,” and the other “Narcissus,
Narcissus,” as plain as any schoolboy. The old man seemed to look at
me more seriously whenever the birds uttered this, but I pretended not
to mind it, and indeed had no time to attend to him, for I could
clearly perceive that we were walking round and that this shady place
was in fact a large circle, which inclosed another of far more
importance. We had again come to the little door, and it seemed to me
as if the old man wished to dismiss me; but my eyes remained fixed on a
golden railing which seemed to inclose the middle of this wonderful
garden, and which in my walk I had found an opportunity of observing
sufficiently, although the old man always contrived to keep me close to
the wall, and, therefore, pretty far from the centre. As he was going
up to the gate I said to him, with a bow: “You have been so exceedingly
civil to me that I can venture to make another request before I leave
you. May I not look closer at that golden railing, which seems to
encircle the inner part of the garden?” “Certainly,” said he, “but
then you must submit to certain conditions.” “In what do they
consist?” I asked, quickly. “You must leave your hat and sword here,
and must not quit my hand as I accompany you.” “To that I consent
readily enough,” said I, and I laid my hat and sword on the first stone
bench that came in my way. Upon this he at once seized my left hand in
his right, held it fast, and, with some degree of force, led me
straight on. When we came to the railing, my surprise was increased to
overwhelming astonishment; any thing like it I had never seen. On a
high socle of marble countless spears and partisans stood in a row, and
were joined together by their upper ends, which were singularly
ornamented. Peeping through the interstices I saw behind this railing
a piece of water which flowed gently along, with marble on each side of
it, and in the clear depths of which a great number of gold and silver
fish might be discovered, which now slowly, now swiftly, now singly,
now in shoals, were swimming to and fro. I wished much to see the
other side of the canal that I might learn how the interior part of the
garden was fashioned; but, to my great annoyance, on the other side of
the water stood a similar railing, which was so skilfully arranged
that, opposite to every space on the side where I stood was placed a
spear or a partisan on the other, and thus, with the additional
impediment of the other ornaments, it was impossible for one to look
through, whatever position one took. Besides, the old man, who kept a
fast hold of me, hindered me from moving freely. My curiosity--after
all that I had seen--increased more and more, and I plucked up courage
to ask the old man whether it was not possible to cross over. “Why
not?” said he, “only you must conform to new conditions.” When I asked
him what these were, he told me that I must change my dress. I readily
consented; he led me back towards the outer wall and into a neat little
room, against the walls of which hung dresses of several kinds which
seemed to approach the oriental style of costume. I changed my dress
quickly, and he put my powdered locks into a many-coloured net, after
finally dusting out the powder, to my great horror. Standing before a
large mirror I thought I looked prettily enough in my disguise, and
liked myself better than in my stiff Sunday clothes. I made gestures
and leaps, in imitation of the dancers I had seen on the stage erected
at the fair, and while I was doing this I perceived, by chance, the
reflection in the glass of a niche that stood behind me. Against its
white ground hung three green cords, each twined in a manner which was
not very clear to me in the distance. I therefore turned round
somewhat hastily and asked the old man about the niche and these cords
also. Civilly enough he took one down and showed it to me. It was a
cord of green silk of moderate thickness, the ends of which, fastened
together by a piece of green leather, cut through in two places, gave
it the appearance of being an instrument for no very agreeable purpose.
The affair seemed to me somewhat equivocal, and I asked the old man for
an explanation. He answered, very quietly and mildly, that the cord
was intended for those who abused the confidence which was here readily
placed in them. He hung the cord in its place again, and asked me to
follow him at once. This time he did not take hold of me, but I walked
freely by his side.
My greatest curiosity now was to know where the door could be to pass
through the railing, and where the bridge could be to cross the canal,
for I had been able to discern nothing of the sort hitherto. I
therefore looked at the golden rails very closely, as we hastened close
up to them,--when all of a sudden my sight failed me; for the spears,
pikes, halberds, and partisans, began quite unexpectedly to rattle and
to shake, and this curious movement ended with the points of all being
inclined towards each other, just as if two ancient armies, armed with
pikes, were preparing for the attack. The confusion before my eyes,
the clatter in my ears, was almost insupportable; but the sight became
infinitely astonishing, when the spears, laying themselves quite down,
covered the whole circle of the canal, and formed the noblest bridge
that one can imagine, while the most variegated garden was revealed to
my view. It was divided into beds, which wound about one another, and,
seen at once, formed a labyrinth of an ornament. All of these were
encompassed by a green border, formed of a short woolly-looking plant,
which I had never seen; all were adorned with flowers, every division
being of a different colour, and as these likewise grew short, the
ground plan was easily traced. This beautiful sight, which I enjoyed
in the full sunshine, completely riveted my eyes; but I scarcely knew
where I could set my foot, for the winding paths were neatly covered
with a blue sand, which seemed to form upon earth a darker sky, or a
sky in the water. Therefore, with my eyes fixed upon the ground, I
went on for some time by the side of my conductor, until I at length
perceived, that in the midst of the circle of beds and flowers, stood
another large circle of cypresses, or trees of the poplar kind, through
which it was impossible to see, as the lowest boughs seemed to be
shooting up from the earth. My conductor, without forcing me straight
into the nearest way, nevertheless led me immediately towards that
centre; and how was I surprised, when entering the circle of the tall
trees, I saw before me the portico of a magnificent summer-house, which
seemed to have similar openings and entrances on every side! A
heavenly music, which issued from the building, charmed me even more
than this perfect specimen of architecture. Now I thought I heard a
lute, now a harp, now a guitar, and now a tinkling sound, which was not
like that of any of the three instruments. The door which we
approached opened at a light touch from the old man, and my amazement
was great, when the female porter, who came out, appeared exactly like
the little maiden who had danced upon my fingers in my dream. She
greeted me as if we were old acquaintances, and asked me to walk in.
The old man remained behind, and I went with her along a short passage,
which was arched over and beautifully ornamented, till I came to the
central hall; the majestic and cathedral-seeming height of which
arrested my sight and surprised me, immediately on my entrance.
However, my eye could not long remain fixed upwards, as it was soon
lured down by a most charming spectacle. On the carpet, immediately
beneath the centre of the cupola, sat three ladies, each one forming
the corner of a triangle, and each dressed in a different colour. One
was in red, another in yellow, the third in green. Their seats were
gilded, and the carpet was a perfect bed of flowers. In their arms lay
the three instruments, the sounds of which I had distinguished from
without, for they had left off playing, being disturbed by my entrance.
“Welcome!” said the middle one, who sat with her face towards the door,
was dressed in red, and had the harp. “Sit down by Alerte, and listen,
if you are fond of music.” I now saw, for the first time, that a
tolerably long bench, placed across, with a mandoline upon it, lay
before me. The pretty little girl took up the mandoline, seated
herself, and drew me to her side. Now I looked at the second lady, who
was on my right. She wore the yellow dress, and had a guitar in her
hand; and if the harp-player was imposing in her form, grand in her
features, and majestic in her deportment, the guitar-player was
distinguished by every grace and cheerfulness. She was a slender
_blonde_, while the other was adorned with hair of a dark brown. The
variety and accordance of their music did not prevent me from observing
the third beauty in the green dress, the tones of whose lute were to me
somewhat touching, and at the same time remarkably striking. She it
was who seemed to take the greatest notice of me, and to direct her
playing towards me. At the same time, I could not tell what to make of
her, for she was now tender, now odd, now frank, now capricious, as she
altered her gestures and the style of her playing. Sometimes she
seemed anxious to move me, and sometimes anxious to tease me. No
matter, however, what she did, she gained no advantage over me, for I
was quite taken up by my little neighbour, to whom I sat close; and
when I perceived plainly enough that the three ladies were the
sylphides of my dream, and recognised the colours of the apples, I well
understood that I had no reason to secure them. The pretty little
creature I would much sooner have seized, had not the box on the ear
which she gave me in my dream remained still fresh in my memory.
Hitherto she had kept quiet with her mandoline; but when her mistresses
had ceased, they ordered her to treat us with a few lively airs.
Scarcely had she struck off some dancing melodies in a very exciting
style, than she jumped up, and I did the same. She played and danced;
I was forced to follow her steps, and we went through a kind of little
ballet, at which the ladies seemed to be well pleased, for no sooner
had we finished it, than they ordered the little girl to refresh me
with something nice before supper. In truth, I had forgotten that
there was any thing else in the world beyond this Paradise. Alerte led
me back into the passage by which I had entered. On one side, she had
two well-furnished apartments, in one of which--the one in which she
lived--she served before me oranges, figs, peaches, and grapes, and I
tasted the fruits both of foreign lands and of early months, with great
appetite. Confectionary was in abundance, and she filled a goblet of
polished crystal with sparkling wine; but I had no need of drinking, as
I sufficiently refreshed myself with the fruits. “Now we will play,”
said she, and took me into the other room. This had the appearance of
a Christmas fair, except that such fine, precious things are never to
be seen in a booth. There were all sorts of dolls, and dolls’ clothes,
and utensils; little kitchens, parlours, and shops; besides single toys
in abundance. She led me all round to the glass cases, in which these
precious articles were preserved. The first case she soon closed
again, saying: “There is nothing for you, I am sure, there,” added she,
“we can find building materials, walls, and towers, houses, palaces,
and churches to put together a large town. That, however, would be no
amusement for me, so we will take something else, that may be equally
amusing for both of us.” She then brought out some boxes, in which I
saw some little soldiers placed in layers one over the other, and with
respect to which I was forced to confess that I had never seen any
thing so pretty in my life. She did not leave me time to look closer
into particulars, but took one of the boxes under her arm, while I
caught up the other. “We will go to the golden bridge,” said she, “for
that’s the best place to play at soldiers. The spears point out the
direction in which the armies should be placed.” We had now reached
the shaking, golden bridge, and I could hear the water ripple, and the
fish splash beneath me, as I knelt down to set up my rows of soldiers,
which, as I now saw, were all on horseback. She gloried in being the
queen of the Amazons, as the leader of her host; while I, on the other
hand, found Achilles, and a very fine set of Greek cavalry. The armies
stood face to face, and nothing prettier can be conceived. They were
not flat leaden horsemen like ours, but man and horse were round and
full-bodied, and very finely worked. It was difficult to see how they
were able to balance themselves, for they kept up without having a
stand.
We had both surveyed our armies with great complacency, when she
announced the attack. Besides the soldiers, we had found artillery in
our chests--namely, boxes filled with little balls of polished agate.
With these we were to shoot at each other’s forces from a certain
distance, on the express condition, however, that we were not to throw
with greater force than was required to upset the figures, as they were
on no account to be injured. The cannonading began from each side,
and, at first, to the great delight of both of us. But when my
adversary remarked that I took a better aim than she, and that I might
end by winning the game, which depended on having the greatest number
of men upright, she stepped closer, and her girlish manner of throwing
proved successful. A number of my best troops were laid low, and the
more I protested, with the greater zeal did she go on throwing. At
last I became vexed, and told her that I would do the same.
Accordingly, I not only came closer, but in my passion, I threw much
harder, so that, in a short time, a couple of her little female
centaurs were broken to pieces. Her zeal prevented her from noticing
this at once, but I stood petrified with astonishment when the broken
figures joined themselves together again, and the Amazon and her horse
again became entire; nay, became perfectly alive at the same time, for
they galloped from the bridge up to the linden-trees, and after running
backwards and forwards, were lost--how I cannot tell--in the direction
of the wall. My fair adversary had scarcely perceived this, than she
sobbed aloud, and exclaimed that I had caused her an irreparable loss,
which was far greater than words could express. I, who had grown
enraged, was pleased at doing her an injury, and with blind fury, threw
the few agate-balls I still had, among her forces. Unfortunately, I
struck the queen, who had been excepted, as long as our game had
proceeded in the regular way. She flew to pieces, and her nearest
adjutants were shattered at the same time. Soon, however, they joined
themselves together again, took their flight like the first, galloped
merrily under the lindens, and were lost near the wall.
My adversary reproached and scolded me, but I, having once begun the
work of destruction, stooped down to pick up some of the agate balls,
which were rolling about the golden spears. My savage wish was to
destroy her whole army; while she did not remain inactive, but darting
at me gave me a box on the ear, that set my very head ringing. I, who
had always heard that a hearty kiss is the proper return for a blow
given by a girl, caught her by her ears and kissed her several times.
At this she uttered such a piercing cry that I was absolutely
terrified. I let her go, and it was fortunate that I did so, for at
that moment I did not know what befel me. The ground beneath me began
to shake and rattle, the rails, as I now observed, put themselves in
motion, but I had no time for consideration, nor was I sufficient
master of my feet to fly. Every moment I was afraid of being impaled,
for the lances and partisans which began to stand upright, tore my
clothes. Suffice it to say,--I do not know how it was,--that my sight
and hearing failed me, and that I recovered from my terror and the
stupor into which I had been thrown, at the foot of a linden tree,
against which the railing, while raising itself, had thrown me. My
malice returned with my senses, and increased still more, when from the
other side I heard the jeers and laughter of my adversary, who had
probably come to the ground somewhat more softly than myself. I
therefore got up, and as saw scattered around me, my own little army
with its leaden Achilles, which the rising rails had thrown off
together with myself, I began by catching hold of the hero, and dashing
him against a tree. His resuscitation and flight gave me double
pleasure, for the prettiest sight in the world was associated with all
the delight of gratified malice, and I was on the point of sending the
rest of the Greeks after him, when all of a sudden water came hissing
from every side, from the stones and walls, from the ground and
branches; and wherever I turned it pelted me furiously. My light dress
was soon completely wet through, and as it had been already torn, I
lost no time in flinging it off altogether. My slippers I threw aside,
and then one covering after the other, finding it very pleasant in the
sultry day to take such a shower-bath. Stark naked, I walked gravely
along between the welcome waters, and I thought I might thus go on
pleasantly for some time. My rage had cooled, and I now desired
nothing more than a reconciliation with my little adversary. All of a
sudden the water stopped, and I now stood completely wet on ground that
was soaked through. The presence of the old man, who unexpectedly came
before me, was any thing but welcome. I should have wished, if not to
hide myself, at any rate to put on some covering. Shame, cold, and an
endeavour to cover myself in some measure, made me cut a very miserable
figure, and the old man lost no time in loading me with the bitterest
reproaches. “What hinders me,” he cried, “from taking one of the green
cords, and fitting it to your back at any rate, if not to your neck!”
This threat I took very ill. “Hark ye,” said I, “you had better take
care of such words, or even such thoughts, or you and your mistresses
will be lost!” “Who are you?” said he, in a tone of defiance, “that
dare to talk in this way?” “A favourite of the gods,” I replied, “on
whom it depends whether those ladies will find good husbands and live
happily, or pine and grow old in their magic cloister.” The old man
retreated some steps. “Who revealed that to you?” he asked with doubt
and astonishment. “Three apples,” said I, “three jewels.” “And what
reward do you desire?” he exclaimed. “Above all things,” I replied,
“the little creature who brought me into this cursed condition.” The
old man threw himself at my feet, without heeding the dampness and
muddiness of the ground. He then arose, not in the least wetted, took
me kindly by the hand, led me into the room, where I had been before,
dressed me again quickly, and I soon found myself with my hair curled
and my Sunday clothes on, as at first. The porter did not utter
another word, but before he allowed me to cross the threshold, he
detained me, and showed to me certain objects that were near the wall,
and on the other side of the way, while at the same time he pointed to
the door backwards. I understood him well. He wished me to impress
the objects on my mind, that I might more readily find the door again,
which unexpectedly closed behind me. I observed already what was
opposite to me. The boughs of seven old nut-trees projected over a
high wall, and partly covered the moulding with which it terminated.
The branches reached to a stone tablet, the decorated border of which I
could easily recognise, but the inscription on which I could not read.
It rested on the jutting stone of a niche, in which a fountain
artificially constructed, was throwing water from cup to cup into a
large basin, which formed a kind of little pond, and was lost in the
ground. Fountain, inscription, nut-trees, all stood, one directly over
the other, and I could have painted it as I saw it.
It may be easily conceived how I passed the evening, and many a day
afterwards, and how often I repeated these adventures, which I could
hardly believe myself. As soon as I could, I went again to the “evil
wall,” that I might at least refresh my memory by the sight of the
objects, and look at the beautiful door. To my great astonishment all
was changed. Nut-trees were, indeed, hanging over the wall, but they
were not close together. A tablet was inserted, but it stood at some
distance to the right of the trees, was without carving, and had a
legible inscription. A niche with a fountain stood far to the left,
and was not to be compared to the one I had before seen. Of the door
not a trace was to be found, and I was, therefore, almost compelled to
believe that my second adventure was a dream, as well as my first. My
only consolation is, that the three objects always seem to change their
situation, for, after repeated visits to the spot, I think I have
observed, that the nut-trees are running towards each other, and that
the tablet and fountain are approaching. Probably, when all has come
together again, the door will once more be visible, and I will do all I
can to fit on a sequel to the adventure. Whether I shall be able to
tell what befalls me in future, or whether it will be expressly
forbidden me, I cannot say.
J. O.
ALI AND GULHYNDI.
BY ADAM OEHLENSCHLAGER.
There once lived in Bagdad a wealthy merchant named Ibrahim. His only
son, Ali, a young man of eminent talent, though but little resembling
his father, was his pride and delight. The father’s notion of
happiness consisted in the enjoyment of life and in the industry
requisite to procure the key to all earthly enjoyments--wealth; the
son’s mind, on the contrary, was devoted to contemplation and the
pursuit of knowledge. He but rarely quitted his room, and was only
wont to walk in the cool of the evening along the banks of the Tigris
outside the city, to the tomb of Iman Izaser, a Mahommedan saint, which
stood in a circular temple surrounded by date trees, about a league
distant. Here he usually seated himself in the shade, and his delight
consisted in observing those who passed by on their way to the temple
to perform their devotions. He had, above all, observed, as well as
the close veil would permit, the slight and charming form of a female
who went almost daily to the mosque, accompanied by an attendant, who
appeared somewhat older than herself. His eyes followed with delight
the muffled form as she gracefully moved along; he had often witnessed
her kneeling in the temple, and praying fervently, and he imagined that
he in his turn was not unnoticed by the stranger. Thus without having
ever spoken to each other they had formed a kind of acquaintance,
which, however, did not disturb Ali in his contemplations. As soon as
the shadows of evening appeared, he rose and walked silently homewards,
while his eyes gazed on the moonlit waves of the Tigris, or the fresh
verdure of its banks.
“How is it possible, my son,” once said his father, on his return from
a long journey, after his camels were unladen, “that you, so young in
years, can totally renounce the world? I esteem your application; but
you should not forget that next to our holy Koran, nature herself is
the wisest book, and contains the most sublime doctrines on every page.
What is knowledge without experience? Has not one of our wise men
himself said, that a journey is a fire, around which the raw meat must
be turned in order to become eatable and savoury.”
“Dear father,” answered Ali, “leave me but a few years longer to
myself, and then on entering the world I shall work with much more
energy. You were right in saying that nature is the wisest book; yet
it is often written in so indistinct a style that it requires strong
eyes to see and read it correctly. What we cannot do for ourselves we
must leave to others to do for us; and thus I travel perhaps as much in
my own room as you do upon your camel through the desert. All cannot
travel. If I in conformity to the duty of a good Mussulman make a
single journey in my life to Mecca, I shall perhaps have travelled
enough.”
Though Ibrahim was not satisfied altogether by this contradiction of
his favourite opinions, he could not help commending the singular
industry of his son; moreover, it was not displeasing to his paternal
vanity to hear all who knew Ali call him the pattern of a young man.
The words of the father were not, however, uttered without making some
impression upon the son. He began to perceive the difference between
mere ideas and actual enjoyments, and when he read of any thing grand,
beautiful, or wonderful, he was no longer in such raptures at the mere
reading. He now wished to experience the things themselves. When in
this mood, he often ascended the balcony of the house, where he had a
clear view of the Tigris and the sandy desert, and of the distant
mountains, and where, in serene weather, he could descry the ruins of
ancient Babylon on the banks of the Euphrates. For whole hours he
would stand and dream himself into the most wonderful and adventurous
situations. When, as usual, he went in the evening to Izaser’s temple
under the date trees, it seemed to him monotonous and insignificant.
He fancied he felt contempt for himself in contemplating the rapidly
flowing waves of the Tigris, which had made such enormous journeys from
the highland of Asia through caverns and rocks never yet seen. When
thus sitting in the dusk of evening, it appeared as if the foaming
waves which rushed over the pebbles, told him tales of events of which
it had been an eye-witness on distant shores.
Now he resolved again to wander to the ruins of Babylon, where he had
once been in his childhood. His father, who was delighted with his
plan, hoped that he discerned in it the beginning of a new career of
life, and readily gave Ali permission to spend several days on the
pilgrimage.
“My son,” said he, “here in miniature you will find a picture of the
Great, for short as the way is, it is not without variety. In the
immediate neighbourhood it is as much cultivated as the broad valley,
further on it is barren and waste, indeed it is like a desert till the
green carpet of the mountains again meets the sandy plains, and invites
you to the most beautiful woody regions. I should consider it
superfluous to give you any admonitions for the way, did I not know
that young people like yourself, often load their imaginations with old
and remote things, without thinking of what takes place immediately
around them. Take care, then, that you do not pass the desert between
Babylon and Bagdad at night time; and rather arrange your journey so as
to start in the morning or evening. There is a general report that
Zelulu, an evil spirit, has selected that desert for his abode; and
that he hovers over the desert at night, and delights in destroying
those men who disturb his nocturnal flights by their presence.”
The son promised to do so, and strapping his knapsack on his back,
commenced his journey early the next morning with staff in hand.