THE stranger had advanced thus far in his narrative, when suddenly two wild cats, clasping each other with fury, dropped from the balustrade of the house into the midst of the company, who were sitting heedless of the fox-like deceit of fortune, listening, all ear, to the adven­tures of the intruder. Alarmed at this occurrence, they were startled like so many birds at the mewing of a cat, and the stranger unperceived vanished from among them.

When Yezzeez had recovered him­self, he became so much distressed at the disappearance of the traveller, and the non-conclusion of his story, that anxiety took possession of his mind; and though persons ran on every quarter to seek him, it was in vain, for, like the phoenix, he had vanished, nor could they find any trace of him. Such was the curiosity of Yezzeez to know the remainder of his adventures as to exceed all bounds, and restlessness took such hold of his mind, that, departing from the confines of repose, he became enchained in disquiet, and resolved on a journey to Kinnouje.

Tho’ his friends and relations made offerings of the terms of remonstrance, their brilliancy appeared unworthy the examination of acceptance. Giving to them the present of dismission, and hav­ing prepared a small cargo, he with a few beloved companions and confidential slaves advanced his foot in the path of travel. Passing the numerous stages with impatient haste, he in a short time reached Kinnouje, and explored every part of the city, but found no intelligence of the young man. Day by day the fire of curiosity became more glowing in the grate of his heart, till at length the flames of madness seized him, and he was by degrees wasted to a melancholy cinder. When all his substance was expended, his followers, withdrawing their minds from his company, departed their own ways, and the kaujeh sunk from the seat of affluence on the dust of beggary, and from the gracer of assemblies shrunk into solitude. He had no ability to seek a cure for misfortune, nor strength to reach his own country.

Much against his will, he submitted to poverty, and advancing alone in the road of search, day and night, like the disordered in mind, sometimes he would dive into the forest, and sometimes wind the desart. In this manner he explored many countries, but without success; and uselessly wasted life in looking for enjoyment. Sometimes, on remem­brance of his friends, the fire of despair consumed the stores of hope; and some­times his heart would flow in drops from his eyes in the agony of disappointment. Incessant fatigue reduced his body to a skeleton, and the storm of travel often drove him, like a blade of grass, over the desart of inability.

At length one day, as with a thou­sand heart-wasting sighs and soul-rending complaints he was passing over a desart, and, notwithstanding all his endeavours, could not reach a place of shelter, he met a compassionate looking youth, on whose aspect beamed the rays of kindness, and from whose forehead glanced the light of tenderness, who enquired of him the cause of his distress. Yezzeez having related his adventures, requested his assistance to heal his sorrows. The youth replied, “Ah! thou injured in understanding, what miseries hast thou brought upon thyself by thy folly! Merely upon hearing a tale from an unknown person, without examination into the truth or proba­bility of it, to commit thyself a wan­derer in the desart, and foolishly to measure the wind with thy hand, was not wise. Thy difficulties are impossible to be resolved, so hasten away, and follow thy own policy.”

Yezzeez replied, “O generous youth, since, having absented myself from my family, I am involved in a bewildering path, how can my spirit allow me to return back when advanced half way, without having attained my object? For God’s sake, exert thy liberality, and as far as in thy power lend me assistance.” The youth rejoined, “Imprudent man, though the whole of life be expended in search, it is not any way possible for the explorer to find the pearl of being in the ocean of non-existence. How then canst thou by my help arrive at the city of Laabutbauz, which which has no site upon the surface of the earth! Though thou hast struck the mattock into thy foot, yet permit not the wound to become a gan­grene; but, whilst a way of escape from this blood-devouring wild is in thy power, hasten, that thou mayest convey thyself to a place of safety. Take this ivory sabre, and whenever thou findest thyself fatigued and inclined to rest, draw it from the silken scabbard, and lay it carefully by thee. When thou continuest thy journey, sheath it, and be cautious not to lose it.” Having said this, the young man vanished from sight.