Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 5.djvu/10
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Treat, ſays to him, Brother, it’s too late for you to go Home, you had beſt ſtay here all Night; and then carry’d him to a Place in the Mill, where there was a Bed; there he left him, and went to Bed with his Wife. About the Middle of the Night, the Miller comes to my Brother, and ſays, Neighbour are you aſleep? My Mule is ill, and I have a great deal of Corn to grind, you will do me a mighty Kindneſs if you will turn the Mill in her Stead. Bacbouc to ſhow his Good Nature, told him, he was ready to do him that Piece of Service, if he would ſhow him how. Then the Miller ty’d him by the Middle to the Mule’s Place, and whipping him over the Back, bid him go, Neighbour. Ho! ſays my Brother, why do you beat me? It’s to make you brisk, ſays the Miller, for without a Whip my Mule won’t go. Bacbouc was amazed at this ſort of Treatment, but he durft not complain. When he had gone five or ſix Rounds, he would fain have reſted, but the Miller gave him a dozen of ſound Laſhes, ſaying, Courage Neighbour, don’t ſtop pray: you muſt go on without taking your Breath, otherwiſe you will ſpoil my Meal.
Scheherazade ſtopp’d here, becauſe ſhe ſaw Day, and next Morning continu’d the Story thus.
The Hundred and Seventieth Night.
THE Miller obliged my Brother (ſays the Barber) to turn the Mill thus all Night. About break of Day he left him without untying him, and went to his Wife’s Chamber. Bacbouc continued there for ſome time, and at laſt the young Slave came and unty’d him. Ah, on the treacherous Wretch, how my Miſtreſs and I bemoan’d you: We had no Hand in this wicked Trick which her Husband has put upon you. Unhappy Bacbouc anſwer’d her never a Word, he was ſo much Fatigu’d with Work and Blows, but crept home to his Houſe, reſolving never to think more on the Miller’s Wife.
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