Bright-Wits, Prince of Mogadore | Page 6

exclaimed Doola, with a look
of mock admiration. But a glance from Bright-Wits caused him to
shrink back in alarm.
Now Bright-Wits ordered the slaves to set the spindles and shields
before him; and with a smile to Azalia, he proceeded to repeat his task
before their astonished eyes.
When the last move was made, Garrofat gasped with amazement. None
had ever accomplished that feat save the Rajah Onalba himself. A
hurried consultation with Doola, however, restored his courage, and,
rising, he said, "Praise be to Allah, but thou art a youth of wondrous
wisdom, and I would be false to my trust as the Regent of this kingdom
if I failed to submit to you a question which has for the space of a
whole year puzzled the wisest wits in the realm." Then bidding
Bright-Wits to follow, he led the way to a balcony from which the
surrounding country could be overlooked.
[Illustration: THE ZOLTAN'S ORCHARD.]
[Illustration: THE ZOLTAN'S ORCHARD.]
[Illustration: THE ZOLTAN'S ORCHARD.]
"There," said Garrofat, pointing in the direction of a large orchard, "is a
plot of land which Zoltan, the Aga, willed to his four sons. As you can
see, twelve trees grow upon it, and the whole is surrounded by a deep
ditch. Now, according to the will of Zoltan, that plot of land is to be
divided equally into four parts, each to be of the same size and shape,
and each to contain three of the twelve trees; the trees to be located in
the same position in each piece."
Now Bright-Wits had been warned by Ablano against the folly of
losing his temper when fresh tasks were imposed upon him. "It suits
my purpose," Ablano had said, "that we test their villainy to the
bottom." Remembering this warning, Bright-Wits replied with a smile,
"Let the sons of Zoltan cease from quarrelling. I will divide the land
between them according to the will of their father."

"Do this," said Doola, with a bow and smirk, "and I could die from
admiration of your cleverness."
Whereon, Bright-Wits, casting on him a look of scorn, made answer,
"On the occasion of your death the only one present to merit admiration
will be the public executioner who will officiate." So saying, he turned
and descended to the palace accompanied by Azalia and the Holy
Brahman, Ablano.
When, seven days later, Bright-Wits appeared before Garrofat, he
found him in an ugly mood. Nor did the cheerful air of the prince as he
entered his presence tend to help matters. Fortunate was it for
Bright-Wits that he was under the protection of Ablano, the Brahman,
otherwise his instant execution might have been ordered. But to anger
or offend a Brahman was considered the unpardonable sin; so
Bright-Wits was spared to continue his adventures.
Subduing his rage, Garrofat asked in harsh tones, "How now? Thou
meddling busybody! Hast thou solved the will of Zoltan?"
"Calm thyself, O Garrofat," begged the prince with pretended concern.
"Know you not that he who submits to anger but shortens his own life?
Be happy then, for I have solved the will of Zoltan. Here is a plan of
the orchard properly divided. Are you now satisfied, or have you been
able to concoct new schemes to postpone my marriage with Azalia?"
"Speak not to me of schemes, thou possessed of the Djinns," roared
Garrofat. "It is but for the good of the kingdom that I act. Your task
will be as long as I wish to make it. You have succeeded so far, by
sorcery; but beware of your failure on this next test of your vaunted
brightness."
_If the reader would learn whether Bright-Wits is apt to succeed in his
latest task, he may try to divide the orchard himself._
CHAPTER V
BRIGHT-WITS GROWS JEALOUS. ABLANO COUNSELS THE

PRINCE TO BE PATIENT
Now, on a signal, four slaves rolled into the Audience Chamber what
appeared to be a huge table set up endwise between two posts. On it
were inscribed three circles in heavy lines, one within the other.
Connecting the circles were thinner lines; and at the points where they
met there were round spots numbered from one to nine. Another spot,
numbered ten, stood outside the circle, but was connected thereto by a
thin curved line.
"Behold, thou bright-witted one, another of the games with which the
great Onalba was wont to amuse himself. Here in the frame at the steps
of the throne you will see nine disks, three gray, three white, and three
black. On the face of each you can see a square, a triangle, or a circle.
You are to take these disks and place them on the numbered spots on
the table beside you--number ten to be left vacant. The disks must then
be moved along