dear Hassan , ' said Zelida , ` our happiness will be increased tenfold when my sisters have regained their proper shapes . And here is the elixir which I have brought with me , so that their joy may equal ours . ' And she held out the flask to the Bassa , who had it closed in his presence . Zambac was filled with joy at the sight of Zelida , and embraced her with delight . Then she led the way into the garden , and invited all her friends to seat themselves under the thick overhanging branches of a splendid jessamine tree . No sooner , however , were they comfortably settled , than they were astonished to hear a man 's voice , speaking angrily on the other side of the wall . ` Ungrateful girls ! ' it said , ` is this the way you treat me ? Let me hide myself for ever ! This cave is no longer dark enough or deep enough for me . ' A burst of laughter was the only answer , and the voice continued , ` What have I done to earn such contempt ? Was this what you promised me when I managed to get for you the talismans of beauty ? Is this the reward I have a right to expect when I have bestowed on you the little black pig , who is certain to bring you good luck ? ' At these words the curiosity of the listeners passed all bounds , and the Bassa commanded his slaves instantly to tear down the wall . It was done , but the man was nowhere to be seen , and there were only two girls of extraordinary beauty , who seemed quite at their ease , and came dancing gaily on to the terrace . With them was an old slave in whom the Bassa recognised Gouloucou , the former guardian of Neangir . -LSB- Illustration : THE CIRCASSIANS DANCE INTO THE BASSA 'S GARDEN -RSB- Gouloucou shrank with fear when he saw the Bassa , as he expected nothing less than death at his hands for allowing Neangir to be snatched away . But the Bassa made him signs of forgiveness , and asked him how he had escaped death when he had thrown himself from the cliff . Gouloucou explained that he had been picked up by a dervish who had cured his wounds , and had then given him as slave to the two young ladies now before the company , and in their service he had remained ever since . ` But , ' said the Bassa , ` where is the little black pig of which the voice spoke just now ? '
` My lord , ' answered one of the ladies , ` when at your command the wall was thrown down , the man whom you heard speaking was so frightened XXXXX the noise that he caught up the pig and ran away . '
INTO With at by for from on than that to