Once upon a time there was a Sultan named Deuteronomy who had three sons and a niece. The eldest of the Princes was called Tugger, the second Mungojerrie, and the youngest Mistoffelees, and the Princess, his niece, Jellylorum.

The Princess Jellylorum was the daughter of the Sultan's younger brother, Asparagus, who had died when the Princess was very young. The Sultan took upon himself the care of his niece's education and brought her up in his palace with the three Princes.

To his dismay, he discovered one day that each of his sons loved the Princess passionately. He was very much concerned and devised a plan to settle the predicament.

The next day he sent for all three of his sons together and said to them, "I think it would be advisable for each of you to travel separately into different countries. As you know, I have great curiosity and delight in everything that is unusual. I therefore promise my niece in marriage to him who shall bring me the most extraordinary rarity. For the purchase of the rarity and the expense of traveling I will give each of you a sum of money."

As the three Princes were always submissive and obedient to the Sultan's will and flattered themselves that Fortune might prove favorable to them, they consented. The Sultan gave them the money he had promised them; and that very day they gave orders for the preparations for their travels and took leave of their father.

Accordingly, they set out the next morning from the same gate of the city, each outfitted like a merchant, attended by and aide dressed like a slave, and all well mounted and equipped.

They went the first day's journey together and stopped at and inn where the road divided into three different directions. That night when they were at supper, they agreed to travel for one year and meet in the Inn at the end of that time. The first one who came should wait for the rest; since they had all taken their leave of the Sultan together, they would return together. The next morning, just as the sun was rising after they had embraced and wished one another success, each mounted his horse and started off on a different road.

Prince Tugger, the eldest brother, and his servant, Pouncival, arrived at Bisangar, the capital of the kingdom of that name and the residence of its king. He lodged at an Inn patronized by foreign merchants. Having learned that there were four principal sections in the city where merchants sold their various commodities, he went to one of these the next day.

After Prince Tugger had gone through the first section street by street, he was very tired, and a merchant, noticing this, invited him to sit down in his shop. He accepted and had not been there long before he saw a peddler passing with a piece of carpet, about six feet in length, on his arm proclaiming his price at forty purses of gold.

The Prince called to the peddler and asked to see the carpet, which seemed to him to be valued at and exorbitant price not only for its size but for its inferior quality. When he had examined it well he told the peddler he could not comprehend how he could expect to sell so small and mediocre a piece of carpet at so high a price.

The peddler, who took Prince Tugger for a merchant, replied, "If this price seems so extravagant to you, your amazement will be greater when I tell you I have strict orders not to bargain and not to part with the carpet for anything less than forty purses."

"Certainly," answered Prince Tugger, "it must have something very extraordinary in it, which I am not aware of."

"You have guessed it, sir," replied the peddler, "and you will admit its value when you come to know that whoever sits on this piece of carpet may be transported in an instant to wherever he desires to be, without being stopped by an obstacle."

When he heard this, Prince Tugger, considering that the principal motive of his travel was to bring to the Sultan, his father, some rarity, thought he would never find anything in the world which would give him more satisfaction.

"If the carpet," said the Prince to the peddler, "has the quality you assign it, I shall not think forty purses of gold much for its price and I shall make you a present besides."

"Sir," replied the peddler, "I have told you the truth, and it is an easy matter to convince you of it. With the permission of the owner of the shop we will go into the back and I will spread the carpet. When we have both sat down, you will form the wish to be transported to your room at the inn--if we are not transported to it there will be no sale and you are released from our bargain. As to your present though I am paid for my trouble by the seller, I shall receive it as a favor and be very much obliged to you."

The Prince accepted the peddler's conditions and they concluded the bargain. Having the owner's leave, they went into the back of his shop, where they both sat down on the carpet.

As soon as Prince Tugger had formed his wish to be transported to his room at the inn, he presently found himself and the peddler there. He needed no more proof of the value of the carpet and counted out forty purses of gold for the peddler, giving him twenty pieces for himself.

In this manner Prince Tugger became the possessor of the magic carpet and was overjoyed that he had found so rare a piece, which he never doubted would give him the hand of Jellylorum. In short, to him it appeared impossible for his younger brothers to find anything to compare with it. It was in his power, by sitting on the carpet, to be at the place of meeting that very day. But as he was obliged to wait there at the inn for his brothers and, being curious to see the King of Bisnagar and to inform himself of the strength, laws, customs, and religion of the kingdom, he chose instead to spend some months satisfying his curiosity. After traveling around Bisnagar for a time he transported himself and Pouncival to the inn where he and his brothers were to meet and where he passed for a merchant till they came.

Prince Mungojerrie, the middle brother, and his servant, Munkustrap, had decided to travel into Persia and joined a caravan three days after he parted from his brothers. After four days' travel he arrived at Shiraz, which was the capitol of the kingdom of Persia. Here he decided to pass for a jeweler.

The morning after his arrival, Prince Mungojerrie, who had brought nothing but necessities along with him, took a walk into that part of town which the natives called the bazaar.

Among all the peddlers who passed back and forth with various sorts of goods, he was surprised to see one who held in his hand and ivory telescope with black binding, about a foot in length and the thickness of a man's thumb, for sale at thirty purses of gold.

At first Prince Mungojerrie thought the peddler mad. To inform himself, he went to a shop and said to the merchant who stood at the door:

"Pray, sir, is not that man who hawks the ivory telescope at thirty purses of gold? If he is not, then I do not understand."

"Indeed, sir," answered the merchant, "he was in his right senses yesterday. I can assure you he is one of the ablest peddlers we have and the one most often employed when anything valuable is to be sold. If he asks thirty purses of gold for the ivory telescope it must be worth at least that much or more. He is sure to come by presently; we will call him and you shall be satisfied. But in the meantime sit down and rest yourself."

Prince Mungojerrie accepted the merchant's offer, and presently the peddler passed by. The merchant called him by name and, pointing to the Prince, said, "This gentlecat asked me if you were in your right senses. Tell him what you mean by selling an ivory telescope, which seems not to be worth much, at thirty purses of gold. I should be very much amazed myself if I did not know you."

The peddler, addressing himself to Prince Mungojerrie, said "Sir, you are not the only cat that takes me for a madcat on account of this glass. You shall judge yourself whether I am or not. When I have told you its merits I hope you will value it as do those to whom I have shown it already, who had a worse opinion of me than you do.

"First, sir," pursued the peddler, presenting the telescope to the Prince, "observe that this pipe is furnished with a glass at both ends and consider that by looking through one of them you see whatever object you wish to behold."

"

I am," replied Prince Mungojerrie, "ready to make you profound apologies if you will demonstrate the truth of what you said." The Prince glanced at both ends of the ivory telescope and added, "Show me through which of these ends I must look that I may be satisfied."

The peddler presently showed him, and he peered through, wishing at the same time to see the Sultan, his father, whom he immediately beheld in perfect health on his throne in the midst of his council. And since there was nothing in the world more dear to him after his father as the Princess Jellylorum, he wished to see her also, and beheld her seated at her dressing table, smiling, with her ladies-in-waiting grouped about her.

Prince Mungojerrie needed no other proof to be persuaded that this telescope was the most valuable thing in the world and believed that if he did not purchase it he would never meet again with such a rarity. He therefore took the peddler with him to the inn where he was lodging, paid him the money and received the telescope.

The Prince was overjoyed at his bargain. He persuaded himself that his brothers would not be able to meet with anything so rare and admirable, and therefore the Princess Jellylorum would be his. So he visited the Court of Persia, incognito, seeing whatever was curious in Shiraz and thereabouts till he rejoined the caravan which was then returning to the Indies. Prince Mungojerrie arrived happily without accident or trouble at the place of rendezvous, where he found Prince Tugger, and both prepared to wait for Prince Mistoffelees.

When the three brothers had parted, Prince Mistoffelees and his servant, Macavity, took the road to Samarkand. The day after his arrival there, he went, as his brothers had done, into the great bazaar. He had not walked long before he heard a peddler, who had an artificial apple in his hand, offer it for sale at thirty-five purses of gold.

Upon hearing this, Mistoffelees stopped the man and said to him, "Let me see that apple and pray tell me what extraordinary properties it has to be valued at so high a price."

"Sir," said the peddler, putting it into his hand, "if you look at the outside of this apple it seems worthless, but if you consider the great use and benefit it is to catkind, you will say thirty-five purses of gold is no price for it and that he who possesses it is master of a great treasure. In short, it cures all sick cats of the most mortal diseases; if the patient is dying it will cause him to recover immediately and restore him to perfect health. And this is done in the easiest manner in the world--simply through the patient's smelling the apple."

"If I may believe you," replied Prince Mistoffelees, "the virtues of this apple are wonderful, and it is invaluable. But what ground have I, for all you tell me, to be persuaded of the truth of this matter?"

"Sir," replied the peddler, "the truth is known by the whole city Samarkand. Without going farther just ask all these merchants you see here and listen to what they say. You will find several who will tell you they would not be alive this day if they had not made use of this excellent remedy.

"And, that you may better comprehend what it is, I must tell you that this apple is the fruit of the experiments of a celebrated philosopher of this city, who applied himself during his entire lifetime to the study and knowledge of plants and minerals and at last attained this fruit, by which he performed such surprising cures in this town as will never be forgotten. However, he died suddenly, before he could apply his own remedy, and left his wife and young children in difficult circumstances. She, to support her family and provide for her children, has resolved to sell the apple."

While the peddler informed Prince Mistoffelees of the virtues of the artificial apple, a great many cats surrounded them and confirmed what he said. One gentlecat said he had a friend, dangerously ill, who was sure to die.

Here, the tom suggested, was a favorable opportunity to show Prince Mistoffelees the experiment; upon which the Prince told the peddler that he would give him forty purses of gold for the apple if he cured the sick cat.

The peddler, who was delighted at this generous price, said to Prince Mistoffelees, "Come, sir, let us go and make experiment, and the apple shall become yours. I can assure you that it will always have the desired effect."

The experiment succeeded, and the Prince, after he had counted out to the peddler forty purses of gold and had received the apple, waited patiently for the first caravan that was returning to the Indies, and arrived in perfect health at the inn where the Princes Tugger and Mungojerrie waited for him.

When the Princes met, they showed each other their treasures. While peering through Prince Mungojerrie's telescope, they saw that the Princess was dying. They all immediately sat down on the magic carpet, wished themselves with her and were there in a moment.

Prince Mistoffelees no sooner perceived himself in Jellylorum's chamber than he rose from the carpet, as his brothers did also, went to the bedside and put the apple under the Princess' nose. Some moments afterward she opened her eyes and turned her head from side to side, looking at the cats who stood around her. She then rose from the bed and asked to be dressed, just as if she had waked out of a sound sleep. He ladies-in-waiting joyfully informed her that she was obliged to the Princes for the sudden recovery of her health, especially to Prince Mistoffelees. Thereupon she immediately expressed her joy at seeing them and thanked them, and afterward thanked Prince Mistoffelees in particular.

While Princess Jellylorum was dressing, the Princes went to throw themselves at the feet of the Sultan, their father, and to pay their respects to him. When they came before him they found he had already been informed by the chief of the Princess' eunuchs of their arrival and by what means the Princess had been perfectly cured. Sultan Deuteronomy embraced them with the greatest joy, both for their return and the recovery of his niece, who had been given up by the physicians.

After the usual ceremonies and compliments, each of the Princes presented his rarity: Prince Tugger his magic carpet, Prince Mungojerrie his ivory telescope, and Prince Mistoffelees his artificial apple. And after each had extolled his present when he put it into the Sultan's hands, they begged him to pronounce their fate and declare to which of them he would give the Princess Jellylorum as his wife.

Sultan Deuteronomy of the Indies, having heard without interrupting all that the Princes had to report about their rarities, remained silent for some time as if he were thinking of what answer he should make.

At last he broke the silence and said to them, "I would declare for one of you children with a great deal of pleasure if I could do it with justice, but consider whether I can do it or not. 'Tis true, Prince Mistoffelees, the Princess is obliged to your artificial apple for her cure, but I must ask you whether or not you could have been so useful to her if you had not known by Prince Mungojerrie's telescope the danger she was in and if Prince Tugger 's carpet had not brought you so soon. Your telescope, Prince Mungojerrie, informed you and your brothers that you were about to lose your cousin, and so you are owed a great obligation. You must also grant that the knowledge would have been of no service without the artificial apple and the magic carpet.

"And lastly, Prince Tugger, the Princess would be very ungrateful if she did not show her appreciation for your carpet, which was a necessary means toward her cure. But consider, it would have been of little use if you had not learned of her illness through Prince Mungojerrie's glass and if Prince Mistoffelees had not applied his apple. Therefore, magic carpet, ivory telescope, and artificial apple have not the least preference one before the other. In fact, there's a perfect equality, and I cannot grant the Princess to any one of you. All you have reaped from your travels is the glory of having equally contributed to restoring her health.

"If this be true," added Sultan Deuteronomy, "you see that I must recourse to other means to determine the choice I ought to make among you. As there is time enough before nightfall, I'll do it today. Each of you is to get a bow and arrow and go out to the great plain where they exercise horses. I'll soon join you and I will give Princess Jellylorum to him who shoots the farthest.

The three Princes had nothing to say against the Sultan's decision. When they had provided themselves with bows and arrows, they went to the plain, followed by a great number of cats.

Sultan Deuteronomy did not make them wait long for him. As soon as he arrived, Prince Tugger, as the eldest, took his bow and arrow and shot first; Prince Mungojerrie was next and shot much farther than his brother; and Prince Mistoffelees shot last of all. It so happened that nobody could see where Prince Mistoffelees' arrow fell; notwithstanding all the diligence used by himself and everybody else, it was not to be found far or near. And though it was believed that he had shot the farthest and therefore deserved the Princess Jellylorum, it was, however, necessary that his arrow should be found to make this certain. And, despite Prince Mistoffelees' strong protests, the Sultan judged in favor of Prince Mungojerrie and ordered preparations to be made for the wedding, which was celebrated a few days later.

Prince Tugger would not honor the feast with his presence. In short, his grief was so violent and insupportable that he left the court and renouncing all right of succession to the crown, became a hermit.

Prince Mistoffelees, also did not go to the wedding of Prince Mungojerrie and the Princess Jellylorum, but he did not renounce the world as Prince Tugger had done. He still could not imagine what had become of his arrow and he stole away from his attendants one night, resolved to search for it, that he might not have anything to reproach himself with. He went to the place where his brothers' arrows had been gathered up and, going straight forward from there, searched carefully on both sides of him. He went so far that at last he began to think his labor was all in vain. Yet he continued till he came to some steep craggy rocks which cut off his progress and were situated in barren country about four leagues from where he had set out.

When Prince Mistoffelees came close to these rocks he saw and arrow, which he picked up. After examining it carefully he was astonished to find that it was the same one he had shot off.

"Certainly," said he to himself, "neither I nor any cat living could shoot an arrow so far." Having found it lying flat, not sticking into the ground, he judged that it had rebounded against the rock. There must be some mystery in this, he thought. Perhaps Fortune, to make amends for my loss of Jellylorum, may have reserved a greater happiness for me.

The rocks were full of caves, some of them deep, and Prince Mistoffelees entered one. Looking about, he cast his eyes on an iron door which seemed to have no lock, but he feared it was fastened. When he thrust against it, the door opened and revealed and easy descent along an incline, down which he walked, carrying his arrow in his paw. At first it was very dark and difficult going, but presently a quite different light succeeded that out of which he came. Advancing into a spacious area he perceived a magnificent palace, which he had not then time enough to look at, for at that same moment a lady of majestic bearing appeared at the entrance, attended by a group of ladies so finely dressed and beautiful that it was difficult to distinguish which was the mistress.

The moment Prince Mistoffelees noticed the lady, he hastened to pay his respects. She, seeing him, said, "Come nearer, Prince Mistoffelees, you are welcome.

It was no small surprise to the Prince to hear himself named in a place he had never heard of and by a lady who was a stranger to him. At last he returned the lady's compliment by throwing himself at her feet and, rising again, said to her, "Madam, a thousand thanks for the assurance you give me of a welcome to a place where I believe my curiosity had made me penetrate to far. But, madam, may I, without being guilty of ill manners, dare ask you by what chance you know me? And how you, who live in the same neighborhood with me should be a stranger to me?"

"Prince," said the lady, "let us go inside. There I will gratify you in your request."

After these words the lady led Prince Mistoffelees into the great hall of the palace. Then she sat down on a sofa, and when the Prince, with her permission had done the same, she said, "You are surprised you say, that I should know you and not be known by you, but you will no longer be surprised when I inform you who I am.

"You are undoubtedly aware that the world is inhabited by genies as well as by cats. I am the daughter of one of the most powerful and distinguished of genies. My name is Tantomile. You seemed worthy of a happier fate than that of marrying the Princess Jellylorum. In order that you might attain it, I was present when you drew your arrow. I seized it in the air and gave it the necessary motion to strike against the rocks near which you found it. Now it lies in your power to make use of the favorable opportunity which presents itself to make you happy."

The fairy Tantomile pronounced these last words with a different tone and looked tenderly upon Prince Mistoffelees. It was therefore no hard matter for the Prince to comprehend what happiness she meant. He realized also that the Princess Jellylorum could never be his, and that the fairy Tantomile excelled her in beauty, wit, and, as much as he could conjecture by the magnificence of the palace, in immense riches. He blessed the moment that he thought of seeking his arrow a second time and yielded to his love.

"Madam," replied he, "if all my life I should have the happiness of being you slave and the admirer of the many charms which ravish my soul, I should think myself the most blessed of cats. Pardon the boldness which inspires me to ask you to admit into your court a Prince who is entirely devoted to you."

"Prince," answered the fairy, "will you not pledge your faith to me as I give mine to you?"

"Yes, madam," replied Prince Mistoffelees, ecstatically, "what can I do better and with greater pleasure? Yes, I'll give you my heart without the least reserve."

"Then," answered the fairy, "you are my husband and I am you wife. But I suppose you have eaten nothing today; a slight repast shall be served up for you while preparations are being made for our wedding feast tonight, and then I will show you the apartments of my palace and you shall judge if this hall is not the meanest part of it."

Some of the fairy's ladies-in-waiting who had come into the hall with them went out immediately, returning presently with some excellent meats and wines. When Prince Mistoffelees had eaten and drunk, Tantomile took him through all the apartments, where he saw diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires intermixed with pearls, agate jasper, and jade, together with precious marbles. There was such rich profusion throughout that the Prince said that he could not have imagined there was anything in the world that could come up to it.

"Prince," said Tantomile, "if you admire my palace so much--it is very beautiful, indeed--I could also charm you with my gardens, but we will let that alone till another day. Night draws near, and it will soon be time to go to supper."

The next hall into which Tantomile led Mistoffelees and where the table had been arranged for the wedding feast, was the only apartment he had not yet seen. He admired the infinite number of sconces of wax candles perfumed with ambergris, the multitude of which were placed with a symmetry that formed an agreeable and pleasant sight. A large side table was set out with all sorts of gold plates so finely wrought that the workmanship was much more valuable than the weight of the gold. When they were eating the fairy Tantomile took care to serve Prince Mistoffelees with the most delicate meats, which the Prince found to be delicious. He found the same excellence in the wines, which neither he nor Tantomile tasted till the dessert, consisting of the choicest sweets and fruits, was served.

The wedding feast was continued the next day, and the days following the celebration were a continual round of feasts.

At the end of six months Prince Mistoffelees, who had always loved and honored his father, conceived a great desire to know how he was. He told Tantomile of it and asked if she would give him leave to visit his father, saying that he would return in a short time.

"Mistoffelees," she said, "go when you wish. But please don't take it amiss that I give you some advice. First, I don't think it proper for you to tell the Sultan, your father, of our marriage, nor of my quality, not the place where you have been. Beg of him to be satisfied in knowing simply that you are happy, and let him understand that the sole purpose of your visit is to assure him of this."

She then appointed twenty gentlecats, well mounted and equipped, to attend him. When all was ready, Prince Mistoffelees took his leave of Tantomile, embraced her and renewed his promise to return soon. Then his horse, which was as beautiful a creature as any in the Sultan of the Indies' stables was led to him, and he mounted it with extraordinary grace. After bidding Tantomile a last adieu he set forth on his journey.

It was not a great distance to his father's capitol and Prince Mistoffelees soon arrived there. The people, glad to see him again, received him in large crowds to the Sultan's palace. Sultan Deuteronomy received and embraced him with great rejoicing, complaining at the same time with a fatherly tenderness of the sadness Mistoffelees' long absence had caused him, for he had feared that the Prince might have committed some rash action.

Prince Mistoffelees told the story of his adventures, but without speaking of the fairy Tantomile, and added, "The only favor I ask of Your Majesty is to give me leave to come often in order to pay my respects and to know how you are."

"Son," answered the Sultan of the Indies, "I cannot refuse what you ask of me, but I should much rather you resolve to stay with me. At least tell me where I may send for you if you should fail to come or when I may think your presence necessary."

"Sir," replied Prince Mistoffelees, "what Your Majesty asks of me is part of the mystery I spoke of. I beg of you to give me leave to remain silent on this point, for I shall come so frequently that I am afraid I shall sooner be thought troublesome than be accused of negligence in my duty."

Sultan Deuteronomy pressed Prince Mistoffelees no more but said to him, "Son, I penetrate no further into your secrets. However, I can tell you that your presence restores to me the joy I have not felt this long time. You shall always be welcome when you come, without interrupting your business or pleasure."

Prince Mistoffelees stayed three days at his father's court and on the fourth returned to the fairy Tantomile, who did not expect him so soon.

A month after Prince Mistoffelees' return from his visit to his father, Tantomile observed that the Prince, since the time he gave her an account of his journey, never talked of the Sultan, as if there were no such person in the world, whereas before he was always speaking of him. She thought his silence was on her account; therefore she took an opportunity to say to him one day: "Mistoffelees, don't you remember the promise you made to go and see the Sultan your father? I have not forgotten what you told me on your return and so I am reminding you not to delay too long in fulfilling your vow."

So Prince Mistoffelees went the next morning with the same attendants as before, but he himself was more magnificently mounted and dressed, and he was received by Sultan Deuteronomy with the same joy and satisfaction. For several months he constantly paid his visits, each time looking richer and finer.

At last some Viziers, the Sultan's favorites, who judged Prince Mistoffelees grandeur and power by the figure the cut, made Sultan Deuteronomy jealous of his son, saying it was to be feared he might inveigle himself into the people's favor and dethrone him.

The Sultan of the Indies refused to believe Prince Mistoffelees capable of so evil a design as his favorites would make him believe, and so he said to the Viziers, "You are mistaken. My son loves me, and I am certain of his tenderness and fidelity because I have given him no reason to be otherwise."

But the favorites went of defaming Prince Mistoffelees till Sultan Deuteronomy said, "Be it as it may, I don't believe my son Mistoffelees is as wicked as you would persuade me he is. However, I am obliged to you for your good advice and don't doubt that it proceeds from your good intentions."

The Sultan of the Indies said this in order that his favorites might not know the impression their charges had made on his mind. They had so alarmed him that he resolved to have Prince Mistoffelees watched, unknown to his Grand Vizier, Skimbleshanks. He sent for a noted sorceress, named Victoria, and said, "Go immediately. Follow my son and watch him so well that you find out where he retires. Then return and bring me word."

Victoria left Sultan Deuteronomy and, knowing the place where Prince Mistoffelees had found his arrow, when there immediately and hid herself near the rocks in order not to be seen.

The next morning Prince Mistoffelees left at daybreak to return to the fairy palace, without taking leave of the Sultan or any of his court, according to the established custom.

The sorceress, seeing him coming, followed him with her eyes till suddenly she lost sight of him and his attendants. The rocks were steep and craggy, making and insurmountable barrier, and she judged that the Prince either retired into some cavern or an abode of genies and fairies.

Thereupon, Victoria left the place where she had been hiding and looked carefully about on all sides. But she could detect no opening, certainly not the iron door that Prince Mistoffelees had discovered, which was to be seen and opened by none but toms and only by those whose presence was agreeable to the fairy Tantomile.

The sorceress, who saw it was in vain for her to search any further, had to be satisfied with the discovery she had made and returned to give the Sultan an account.

Sultan Deuteronomy was well pleased with Victoria's conduct and said to her, "Do as you think fit. I'll await the outcome patiently." And to encourage her he gave her a diamond of great value.

As Prince Mistoffelees had obtained the fairy Tantomile's leave to visit the Sultan of the Indies once a month, he never failed, and Victoria, knowing the time of his visits, went a day or two before to the foot of the rock where she had lost sight of the Prince and his attendants, and waited there.

The next morning Prince Mistoffelees went out of the iron door, as usual, with the same attendants as before, and passed by Victoria. Seeing her lying with her head against the rock, complaining as if she were in great pain, he took pity, turned his horse about and went to her. He asked what was the matter and what he could do to ease her pain.

The artful sorceress looked at the Prince in a pathetic manner, without ever lifting her head, and answered in broken words and sighs. She told him that she was on her way to the capitol city, but had been taken by so violent a fever that her strength failed her and she was forced to lie down where he saw her, far from any habitation and without hopes of assistance.

"Good lady," replied Prince Mistoffelees, "you are not so far from help as you imagine. I am ready to assist you and convey you to where you will meet with a speedy cure; only get up and let one of my attendants support you."

At these words Victoria, who pretended sickness only to know where the Prince lived and what accepted the charitable off he made her. Two of the Prince's attendants, alighting from their horses, helped her up, set her behind another horsecat and remounted, following Prince Mistoffelees, who turned back to the iron door, which was opened by one of his retinue who rode in front. And when the Prince came into the fairy's outer court, without dismounting himself, he sent one of his attendants to tell her he wanted to speak with her.

The fairy Tantomile came with all imaginable haste, not knowing what made Mistoffelees return so soon.

Without giving her time to ask the reason, he said, pointing to Victoria, "Tantomile, I desire you would have compassion on this good lady. I found her in the condition you see her in and promised her assistance. I know that you, out of your goodness, as well as upon my entreaty, will not abandon her."

Tantomile, who had her eyes fixed upon Victoria all the time the Prince was talking to her, ordered two of her ladies-in-waiting to carry her into an apartment of the palace and take as much care of the lady as they would of herself.

While the two ladies executed Tantomile's commands she went up to Prince Mistoffelees and whispered in his ear, "Mistoffelees, this lady is not as sick as she pretends to be. I am very much mistaken if she is not an impostor who will be the cause of great trouble to you. But don't be concerned; be assured that I will deliver you out of all the snares that shall be laid for you. Go and pursue your journey."

The discourse of the fairy's did not in the least frighten Prince Mistoffelees. "My love," said he, "I do not remember ever doing anybody an injury and I cannot believe that anybody can have a thought of doing me harm. But if someone should, I shall nevertheless not forbear doing good whenever I have an opportunity." Then he started out again for his father's palace.

In the meantime, the two ladies-in-waiting had carried Victoria into a richly furnished apartment. First they sat her down upon a sofa with her back supported by a cushion of gold brocade, while they made a bed for her; the quilt was finely embroidered with silk, the sheets were of the finest linen, and the coverlet cloth of gold. When they had put her into bed--for Victoria pretended that her fever was so violent she could not help herself in the least--one of the ladies went out and returned soon again with a china dish in her hand, full of a certain liquor, which she presented to the sorceress while the other helped her to sit up.

"Drink this," she said. "It is the Water of the Fountain of Lions and a certain remedy against fevers whatsoever. You will feel the effect of it in less than an hour's time."

Victoria to dissemble the better, refused it despite a great deal of entreaty, but at last, holding back her head, swallowed down the medicine. When she was lad down again the ladies covered her up. "Lie quiet and get a little sleep if you can," they said. "We'll leave you and hope to find you perfectly cured when we come again an hour from now."

When the two ladies returned they found Victoria up and dressed, sitting upon a sofa. "O admirable potion!" she said. "It wrought its cure much sooner than you told me. I shall be able to continue my journey. " The two fairies then conducted her through several apartments and into a large hall, the most elaborate and magnificently furnished of all the rooms in the palace.

Tantomile sat in this hall on a throne of massive gold, enriched with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires of extraordinary size attended on each paw by a great number of beautiful fairies, all richly clothed. At the sight of so much majesty, Victoria was not only dazzled but was so amazed that after she had prostrated herself before the throne she could not open her lips to thank the fairy as she proposed.

However, Tantomile saved her the trouble, and said to her, "Good lady, I am glad I had an opportunity to oblige you and to see you are able to continue your journey. I won't detain you, but perhaps it would please you to see my palace; follow my attendants and they will show it to you."

Then Victoria went back and related to the Sultan of the Indies all that had happened and how very rich Prince Mistoffelees was since his marriage with the fairy, richer than all the kings in the world, and how there was danger that he might come and take the throne from his father.

Though Sultan Deuteronomy knew very well that Prince Mistoffelees' natural disposition was good, yet her could no help being concerned by the report made by the sorceress. When she was taking her leave, he said, "I thank you for the pains you have taken and for your wholesome advice. I am so aware of its great importance that I shall deliberate upon it in council."

Now, the favorite Viziers warned that the Prince should be killed, but Victoria advised differently. "Make him give you all kinds of wonderful things with the fairy's help," she said, "till she tires of him and sends him away. For example, every time Your Majesty goes into the field you are at great expense, not only in tents for your army but in mules and camels to carry their baggage. Now persuade Prince Mistoffelees to use his influence with the fairy to procure you a tent which might be carried in a cat's hand and would be large enough to shelter your whole army against bad weather."

When Victoria had finished her speech Sultan Deuteronomy asked his favorites if they had anything better to propose. Finding them all silent, he determined to follow the sorceress' advice as the most reasonable and agreeable to him.

Next day the Sultan did as the sorceress had told him and asked his son for the tent. Prince Mistoffelees realized then that the old lady had informed his father of his marriage to the fairy Tantomile. And, although he didn't know how great the power of genies and fairies was, he doubted whether it extended so far as to produce a tent such as his father desired.

At last he replied, "Though it is with the greatest reluctance imaginable, I will not fail to ask my wife the favor Your Majesty desires but will not promise you to obtain it. If I should not have the honor to come again to pay you my respects, that shall be the sign I have not had success. But first, I desire you to forgive me and remember that you yourself have reduced me to this extremity."

"Son," replied Sultan Deuteronomy, "I would be very sorry if what I ask of you should cause me the displeasure of never seeing you again. I find you don't know the power a husband has over a wife. Yours would prove that her love for you was very indifferent if she, with the power of a fairy, would refuse you so trifling a request. I desire you to ask this for my sake."

Prince Mistoffelees went back and was very sad for fear of offending Tantomile. She kept pressing him to tell her what was the matter, and at last he said, "Tantomile, you may have observed that hitherto I have been content with your love and have never asked you any favor. Consider, then, that it is not I but the Sultan, my father, who unwisely, or at least so it seems to me, begs of you a tent large enough to shelter him, his court, and his army from the violence of the weather, but which a cat may carry in his hand. Remember it is my father who asks this favor."

"Mistoffelees," replied Tantomile, smiling, "I am sorry that so small a matter should disturb you and make you as uneasy as you appear to be."

Then she sent for her treasurer, to who she said, "Rumpleteazer, bring me the largest tent in my treasury. " Bustopher returned presently with the tent, which she could hold in the palm of her paw when she shut her fingers, and presented it to her mistress, who gave it to Prince Mistoffelees to look at.

When Prince Mistoffelees saw the tent that Tantomile said was the largest in her treasury, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

Tantomile burst out laughing. "Mistoffelees," she said, "do you think I jest with you? You'll see presently that I am in earnest. Rumpleteazer, she said to her treasurer, taking the tent out of Prince Mistoffelees' paws, "go and set it up, that my husband may judge whether it is large enough for the Sultan, his father."

Rumpleteazer immediately went out of the palace and carried the tent a great way off. When she had set it up, one end reached all the way to the palace. Prince Mistoffelees, after investigating it, found the tent was large enough to shelter two armies greater than his father's. He the said to Tantomile: "I ask my love a thousand pardons for my incredulity. After what I have seen I believe there is nothing impossible to you."

"You see," said the fairy, "that tent id larger than your father may have occasion for, but you must know that it has one property--it is larger or smaller according to the army it has to cover."

Rumpleteazer took down the tent and brought it to the Prince. Without staying any longer than the next day, he mounted his horse and went with the same attendants to visit his father.

Sultan Deuteronomy, who was persuaded there could not be any such tent as he asked for, was greatly surprised at the Prince's diligence. He took the tent and admired its smallness. His amazement was boundless when it was set up in a great plain and he found it big enough to shelter and army twice as large as he could bring into the field. By now the Sultan's jealousy of his son knew no bounds.

Sultan Deuteronomy asked the sorceress Victoria to prepare an infallible means to destroy Prince Mistoffelees. Victoria came up with a plan, which she communicated, to the Sultan. The next day the Sultan, in the presence of all his courtiers, said to the Prince: "Son, I have one other thing to ask you, after this I shall expect nothing further. This request is that you bring me a tom not above a foot-and-a-half high, whose whiskers are thirty feet long, who carries a bar of iron upon his shoulders weighing five hundred pounds, which he uses as a weapon."

Prince Mistoffelees, who did not believe there was such a tom in all the world as his father described, would gladly have excused himself. But Sultan Deuteronomy persisted in his demand and told him the fairy could do more incredible things.

The next day the Prince returned to his dear Tantomile, to whom he told his father's new demand, which he looked upon as more impossible than the first one. "For," he added, "I cannot imagine there is such a tom in the would. Without doubt, my father has mind to see whether or not I am so silly as to go about it, or he has a scheme for my ruin. How does he suppose I can lay hold of such a tom? If there are any means, I beg you will tell me them and let me come off with honor."

"Do not alarm yourself, Mistoffelees," replied Tantomile. "I know this tom very well. He is my brother Coricopat. However he is far from being like me though we both had the same father. He is of so violent a nature that nothing can prevent his showing cruelty for a slight offense; yet, on the other paw, he is so good as to oblige everyone in whatever they desire. He is made exactly as your father has described him and has no other weapon than a bar of iron of five hundred pounds' weight, without which he never stirs and which makes him respected. I'll send for him, and you shall judge the truth of what I am telling you. But be sure to prepare yourself against being frightened at his extraordinary figure when you see him."

"What, my love!" replied Prince Mistoffelees. "Do you say Coricopat is your brother? Let him be ever so ugly or deformed, I shall never be frightened at the sight of him, and as your brother I shall honor and love him."

The fairy ordered that a fire be set in a gold chafing dish placed in the courtyard of her palace. From a metal box she took a perfume and, after throwing it into the fire, there arose a thick cloud of smoke.

Some moments afterward Tantomile said to Prince Mistoffelees, "There comes my brother." The Prince immediately saw Coricopat approaching gravely, with his heavy bar on his shoulder and his long whiskers which he held up before him. His eyes were very small and set deep in his head, which was far from being of the smallest size, and on his head he wore a grenadier's cap. Besides all this, he was very humpbacked.

I

f Prince Mistoffelees had not know that Coricopat was his beloved Tantomile's brother, he would not have been able to look at him without fear but, knowing first who he was, he stood by the fairy without the least concern.

Coricopat, as he came forward, looked at the Prince frightfully enough to have chilled the blood in his veins and asked Tantomile, when he first addressed her, who that tom was.

To which she replied, "He is my husband, brother. His name is Mistoffelees. He is the son of the Sultan of the Indies. The reason I did not invite you to my wedding was because I was unwilling to divert you from an expedition you where engaged in and from which, I heard with pleasure, you returned victorious; so I took the liberty now to call for you."

At these words, Coricopat, looking on Prince Mistoffelees favorably, said, is there any thing, sister, wherein I can serve him? It is enough for me that he is your husband to do for him whatever he desires."

"The Sultan, his father," replied Tantomile, "is curious to see you, and I desire Mistoffelees may be your guide to the Sultan's court."

"He needs but lead the way: I'll follow him."

"Brother," replied Tantomile, "it is too late to go today, therefore stay till tomorrow morning. In the meantime, I will inform you of all that has passed between the Sultan of the Indies and Prince Mistoffelees since our marriage."

The next morning, after Coricopat had been informed of the affair, he and Prince Mistoffelees set out for Sultan Deuteronomy's court. When they arrived at the gates of the capital the cats no sooner saw Coricopat than they ran and hid themselves; some shut up their shops and locked themselves in their houses, while others, fleeing, communicated their fear to all they met, who stayed not to look behind them but ran too. So that as Coricopat and Prince Mistoffelees went along they found the streets deserted till they came to the palace, where the porters instead of minding the gates, also ran away. Prince Mistoffelees and Coricopat advanced without any obstacle to the council hall, where Sultan Deuteronomy was seated on his throne, giving audience. Here, likewise the ushers at the approach of Coricopat abandoned their posts and gave them free admittance.

Coricopat went boldly and fiercely up to the throne without waiting to be presented by Prince Mistoffelees, and accosted the Sultan of the Indies with these words: "You have asked for me. See, here I am. What would you have with me?"

Sultan Deuteronomy, instead of answering him, clapped his paws before his eyes to avoid the sight of so terrible an object. At this uncivil and rude reception Coricopat was so much provoked, after the Sultan had given him the trouble of coming this far, that he instantly raised the iron bar and killed the Sultan before Prince Mistoffelees could intercede in his behalf. All that he could do was to prevent Coricopat's killing the Grand Vizier Skimbleshanks, who sat not far from him, insisting that he had always given the Sultan, his father, good advice.

"These are the ones, then," said Coricopat, "who gave him bad advice," and as he pronounced these words he killed the other Viziers and favorites of the Sultan who were Prince Mistoffelees' enemies. Every time he struck he killed someone or other, and none escaped but those who were not so frightened as to stand staring and gaping and who saved themselves by flight.

When this terrible execution was over, Coricopat came out of the council hall into the middle of the courtyard with the iron bar upon his shoulder and, looking hard at Skimbleshanks who owed his life to Prince Mistoffelees, he said, "I know there is a certain sorceress who is a greater enemy of my brother-in-law than these base favorites I have chastised. Let the sorceress be brought to me."

Skimbleshanks immediately dragged Victoria forward, and Coricopat struck her with his iron bar, saying, "Take the reward of your pernicious counsel and learn not to feign sickness again."

After that he said, "This in not yet enough; I will use the whole town after the same manner if it does not immediately acknowledge Prince Mistoffelees, my brother-in-law, as its Sultan and the Sultan of the Indies." Then all who were present made the air echo with the repeated acclamations of "Long life to Sultan Mistoffelees!" and, immediately after, he was proclaimed through the whole town.

Coricopat had him clothed in the royal vestments, installed him on the throne and, after he had caused everyone to swear homage and fidelity to Mistoffelees, went and brought his sister, Tantomile, with great pomp and grandeur, and made her be acknowledged Sultana of the Indies.

As for Prince Mungojerrie and Princess Jellylorum, since they had had no hand in the conspiracy against Prince Mistoffelees and knew nothing of it, they were assigned a large province with a capital, where they spent the rest of their lives. The new Sultan sent an officer to Prince Tugger to acquaint him with the change and make him an offer of which province he liked best. But Prince Tugger thought himself so happy in his solitude that he bade the officer give his brother thanks for the kindness he offered him, assuring the new Sultan of his submission and that the only favor he desired was to be given leave to live in retirement in the place he had chosen for his retreat.