The birds ceased their warbling; the wild beasts of the forests came in herds and stood about him. He grew more earnest and the leaves of the trees paused in their fluttering; the winds sunk into silence; the blades of grass stretched their necks; the flowers quit distilling perfume, and the bees were mute. [Illustration] Then it was that my father formed his hands into a horn and sang into this with such sweetness and power of tone the mountain began to tremble in ecstasy; its sides opened and streams of molten gold and silver, carrying a covering of all manner of precious gems, flowed to his feet, and the jewels formed themselves into piles at his side, and the gold and silver became blocks and arranged themselves into pyramids several feet high. Thereupon the gems filled up the triangle of each step of each pyramid in this order, diamonds first, emeralds next, then pearls, then rubies, then sapphires, and so on until every precious stone was represented by a band, and upon the apex there was fitted in a diamond of such rarity it vied with the sun in luster. Then a very strange thing happened. The wagons were silently arranged in such manner the pyramids were made to rest upon them so they might be hauled away, which my father then commanded be done. When this gorgeous display was brought before the king he was so filled with joy he drew my father to his breast, saying he would share his kingdom with him. To which my ancestor would not consent until the king had promised to banish all lenders of money from the kingdom and to behead whoever should thereafter lend money at usury or whoever should refuse to lend money at a reasonable interest. And thus it was that that kingdom never more knew troublous times. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ XV _Being the eighth and last item of this document containing some very interesting exploits of my father, which I know the reader will enjoy and profit by._ THIRD DOCUMENT—CONTINUED _Item Eighth_ AND now I am in duty bound to add a bit of personal history that it may descend with the above historic accounts of the doings and sayings of my ancestry, in order that future generations may not become conceited in the contemplation of their achievements, as they must be of a less wonderful quality each succeeding year, for the great men are rapidly becoming fewer and fewer and the earth at length will not possess a single one whose deeds will be worthy of recording. So, out of pride for the past and passing grandeur of my ancestors and their descendants, I yield to my sense of responsibility and pen a sketch or two which should inspire my children and their children with gratitude that they should have been my children and therefore the children of my forefathers.