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182 they had anything better to propose; and finding them all silent, determined to follow her advice.

The next day, when the prince came into his father's presence, the sultan thus addressed him, "My son, I congratulate you on your marriage with a fairy, who I hear is worthy of your love. It is my earnest wish that you would use your influence with your wife to obtain her assistance to do me a great service. You know to what a great expense I am put, every time I engage in war, to provide mules, camels, and other beasts of burden to carry the tents of myself and of my army. Now I am persuaded you could easily procure from the fairy, your wife, a tent that might be carried in a man's hand, and which would protect my whole army. Pray oblige me in this matter."

Prince Ahmed, hearing this request, was in the greatest trouble what answer to make. At last he replied, "Though I know not how this mystery has been revealed to you, I cannot deny that your information is correct. I have married the fairy you speak of. But I can say nothing as to the influence I have