:—The Caliph, King of mankind, hath
commanded me to leave beating them and hath written me this letter for
thee; and he saluteth thee with the salam. Then give her the warrant and
fear no harm.” After which he exacted of him an oath and a solemn pledge
that he would not beat them. So Abdullah took the dogs and carried them
to his lodging, saying to himself, “I wonder what the Caliph will do
with the daughter of the Sovran of the Jinn, if she cross him and
trounce me to-night! But I will bear with a bout of beating for once and
leave my brothers at rest this night, though for their sake I suffer
torture.” Then he bethought himself awhile, and his reason said to him,
“Did not the Caliph rely on some great support, he had never forbidden
me from beating them.” So he entered his lodging and doffed the collars
from the dogs’ necks, saying, “I put my trust in Allah,” and fell to
comforting them and saying, “No harm shall befal you; for the Caliph,
fifth[537] of the sons of Al-Abbas, hath pledged himself for your
deliverance and I have forgiven you. An it please Allah the Most High,
the time is come and ye shall be delivered this blessed night; so
rejoice ye in the prospect of peace and gladness.” When they heard these
words, they fell to whining with the whining of dogs,——And Shahrazad
perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

[Illustration]


        Now when it was the Nine Hundred and Eighty-sixth Night,

She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Abdullah bin
Fazil said to his brothers, “Rejoice ye in the prospect of comfort and
gladness.” And when they heard his words they fell to whining with the
whining of dogs, and rubbed their jowls against his feet, as if blessing
him and humbling themselves before him. He mourned over them and took to
stroking their backs till supper time; and when they set on the trays he
bade the dogs sit. So they sat down and ate with him from the tray,
whilst his officers stood gaping and marvelling at his eating with dogs