Page:Swahili tales.djvu/235

Rh beginning to ripen." And he said, "Now then, my son, go to the garden to-morrow; my son, you shall give me some dates to eat." And he said, "Father, to-morrow when seven o'clock strikes you will feel the dates in your mouth, eating them." And he said, "I pray my son that to-morrow I may eat these dates." And he said, "You shall eat them then, father, and, for myself, I am starting; good-bye."

And he arose and set out. When he came into the garden he told the people who were there, "Let every one sleep in his own house, let him not come out." "How shall we leave you, master, by yourself?" And he said, "It does not matter, leave me, it is my own wish." The slaves went and slept. And he ate, and after that lay down and slept soundly, and when he awoke it was twelve o'clock, and he sat under the date-tree playing at cards, he by himself, till when it was near the time of early prayers, a pleasant breeze struck him, and he made as though to sleep, and sleep took him. Immediately the bird came and ate all the dates, without leaving so much as one, and he was asleep under the tree with his cards in his hand.

Then when it was light, the head-man came and found his master asleep, and he cast his eyes up and sees there are no dates. And he called him, "Master! Master!" And he answered, "Yes." And he said, "You are asleep, master, and there are no dates on the tree, not even one. If you do not believe, cast your eyes up and look."

And when the lad cast his eyes up, he fell down. The slave was astounded when he saw his master fallen down. And he took hold of him, and asked him, "Master, what is the matter with you?" And he said, "I am a dead man." "What sort of death is yours, master?" "On my coming here to the plantation I told my father, when