Page:Swahili tales.djvu/367

Rh "And the prophet Solomon was waited upon by genii. And they too drew near, and heard some one speaking. And the prophet Solomon slept, and his hand was laid on his chest, and the ring on his finger. The being spoke to them, and called to Bolukia, 'Wither are you going?' And he said, 'I have come with Alfan, he is going to take that ring.' And it said to him, 'Go back, this man will die.'

"And Alfan said to Bolukia, 'Wait for me here.' And he went on, and drew near, wanting to take hold of the ring, and a cry was made at him, and he was thrown from hence yonder. And he returned, not consenting, and went the second time and wanted to take hold of the ring, and he was breathed upon and burnt up like ashes.

"And Bolukia was looking on at all this, and he heard some one say to him, 'Go back, go on your way, this wretch is already dead.'

"And Bolukia went back, and came until in his way he found the sea, and he anointed his feet with his ointment and passed over, and went to another island, and then he put on the medicine again and passed over. And this was his employment very many days, and many months, and many years were ended upon him in his journey.

"And he went until one morning he came upon a man, and saw him sitting down, and saluted him, and he replied. And he asked him, 'Who are you?' And he said. 'My name is Jan Shah, who are you?' And he said, 'I am Bolukia,' and he asked him, 'What are you doing here?'

"There were two graves, and the man was sitting between the graves, and wept much, and then he smiled and was comforted. And he asked him, 'Give me your story?' And he said, 'My story is a long one, but give me your story first. Whence did you come, and whither are you going?'