"Mercy," cried the doctor, "what have I done to deserve so terrible a chastisement?"
"Do you dare to ask me?" cried Abdallah. "Do you not recognize this unfortunate child?"
"Have mercy! take pity on me!" cried the physician.
"You did not take pity on others," said Abdallah, "and I shall be inexorable toward you. Beat him, stick!"
The wicked physician howled with pain and fear, until finally Abdallah said:
"I implore your mercy," cried the physician.
"Will you give me your word to take care of this poor boy's father if I release you?"
"I will do whatever you say," said the unfortunate doctor! "He shall lack for nothing."
"Then come out of the sack," said Abdallah.
The doctor came out, and he was so badly bruised that he could scarcely stand on his feet, but Abdallah made him walk.
Returning to the village, the doctor was so attentive to the poor sick man that there could be no doubt of his recovery, and Abdallah went on his way, anxious to see his father.
After several days of travelling he came to a dense forest, through which he was compelled to pass. Looking closely, he saw a pathway, which was scarcely discernible, and it was bordered on each side by thorns and brambles. This path led to a castle belonging to a terrible and cruel giant. The sun had gone down and night had set in, and Abdallah knocked at the door of the castle.
"I receive no one unless it is giants who desire to have a tilt with me. We feast at night, and in the morning I hang them to a tree in the forest."
"Well," said Abdallah, "I will have a tilt with you in the morning. Open the door and let me come in."
"Poor fool," said the giant, "will you dare to contend with me?"
"I will do my best," said Abdallah. "Open the door, I beg you."
"Go away," said the giant, "I do not wish to crush you."
"Oh, Mr. Giant! would you be afraid to-day, and have I the power to make you tremble?"
"Poor creature, your impudence shall have its punishment. Come in! but to-morrow you shall be hanged."
"While I am waiting to balance myself on a limb," said Abdallah, cheerfully, "have my supper prepared. My appetite is large."
The cruel giant smiled at Abdallah's pretensions, and as he was a charming man himself, he took occasion to divert Abdallah. The supper was fine, and the evening was very pleasant. The giant related his exploits. He had fought a lion, and he had vanquished a sea-serpent with seven heads which had attacked him. One day, when an army came to attack him, he had the soldiers hung to the trees that surrounded his castle.