Page:Three crump twin brothers of Damascus (3).pdf/18

 would keep him from getting out again. I went back to the cutler woman, and told her how I met the crump alive, and in what manner I got rid of him: but inſtead of paying me the two ſequins I expected, ſhe pretended to tear he hair in grief, and threatened to carry me before the Cady, for having drowned her huſband. I never minded her tears; but ſwore I would have my money. I made a bloody noiſe about it; the neighbours ran in at her cries, I took to my heels. I was going home, grumbling in the gizard very much, when you, ſir, forced me to take up this ſack upon my head and bring it hither.

Now, ſir, continued the porter, yeu may eaſily gueſs the cauſe of my fright, when at my arrival here, I found myſelf laden with the ſame man that I had three times flung into the Tygris, and behold alſo two others to like him, that it is impoſſible to diſtinguiſh between them, but by their clothes,

Though the Caliph could not ſee into the bottom of the adventure, he took abundance of pleaſure in hearing the porter's ſtory. Then having viewed the three brothers a little more narrowly, he thought he perceived in them ſome ſigns of life and ſent immediately for a phyſician: he came ſoon afterwards, and finding that Ibad and Syahook threw up with the water they had ſwallowed a great deal of brandy, he did not doubt, as indeed it was true, but that their drunkennefs was the occaſion of their beiug thought dead. As for Babeken, nothing but want of air had almoſt ſuffucated him; but as ſoon as his head was out of the ſack, he recovered by degrees, ſo that in half an hour's time his brothers and he were entirely out of danger.