Page:The lives of celebrated travellers (Volume 1).djvu/152

 round to the ass, and muttering certain words, the animal fell to the ground, turning up his feet, swelling and closing his eyes as if at the last gasp. When he appeared to be completely dead, his master, turning round to the multitude, lamented the loss of his beast, and hoped they would have pity upon his misfortune. When he had collected what money he could,—"You suppose," says he, "that my ass is dead. Not at all. The poor fellow, well knowing the poverty of his master, has merely been feigning all this while, that I might acquire wherewith to provide provender for him." Then approaching the ass, he ordered him to rise, but not being obeyed, he seized a stick, and belaboured the poor creature most unmercifully. Still no signs of life appeared. "Well," said the man, once more addressing the people, "you must know, that the sultan has issued an order that to-morrow by break of day the whole population of Cairo are to march out of the city to behold a grand triumph, the most beautiful women being mounted upon asses, for whom the best oats and Nile water will be provided." At these words the ass sprang upon his feet with a bound, and exhibiting tokens of extreme joy. "Ah, ha!" continued the mountebank; "I have succeeded, have I? Well, I was about to say that I had hired this delicate animal of mine to the principal magistrate of the city for his little ugly old wife." The ass, as if possessed of human feelings, now hung his ears, and began to limp about as if lame of one foot. Then the man said, "You imagine, I suppose, that the young women will laugh at you." The ass bent down his head, as if nodding assent. "Come, cheer up," exclaimed his master, "and tell me which of all the pretty women now present you like best!" The animal, casting his eyes round the circle, and selecting one of the prettiest, walked up to her, and touched her with his head; at which the delighted multitude with roars of laughter exclaimed, "Behold the ass's wife!"