The merchant felt handsomely repaid for his trouble , and wondered greatly how the matter would turn out . So he made no difficulty about it ; and as soon as he could get things ready , he set out for Nekabad with this new and princely gift . This time the prince , too , was embarrassed , and questioned the merchant closely . The merchant felt that his credit was at stake , and whilst inwardly determining that he would not carry the joke any further , could not help describing Wali Dad in such glowing terms that the old man would never have known himself had he heard them . The prince , like the king of Khaistan , determined that he would send in return a gift that would be truly royal , and which would perhaps prevent the unknown giver sending him anything more . So he made up a caravan on twenty splendid horses caparisoned in gold embroidered cloths , with fine morocco saddles and silver bridles and stirrups , also twenty camels of the best breed , which had the speed of race-horses , and could swing along at a trot all day without getting tired ; and , lastly , twenty elephants , with magnificent silver howdahs and coverings of silk embroidered with pearls . To take care of these animals the merchant hired a little army of men ; and the troop made a great show as they travelled along . When Wali Dad from a distance saw the cloud of dust which the caravan made , and the glitter of its appointments , he said to himself : ` By Allah ! here 's a grand crowd coming ! Elephants , too ! Grass will be selling well to-day ! ' And with that he hurried off to the jungle and cut grass as fast as he could . As soon as he got back he found the caravan had stopped at his door , and the merchant was waiting , a little anxiously , to tell him the news and to congratulate him upon his riches . ` Riches ! ' cried Wali Dad , ` what has an old man like me with one foot in the grave to do with riches ? That beautiful young princess , now ! She 'd be the one to enjoy all these fine things ! Do you take for yourself two horses , two camels , and two elephants , with all their trappings , and present the rest to her . ' The merchant at first objected to these remarks , and pointed out to Wali Dad that he was beginning to feel these embassies a little awkward . Of course he was himself richly repaid , so far as expenses went ; but still he did not like going so often , and he was getting nervous .
At length , however he consented XXXXX go once more , but he promised himself never to embark on another such enterprise .
By Of So from on to upon whilst with without