how is that beautiful animal I used to ride with so
much pleasure?"

"He is well," answered the other, "and it would please me much if you
could remain and ride him again; but I feel that it would be wrong to
interrupt you in such a pious journey as you now undertake. Go on,
then, my son: may Heaven prosper you in your good resolutions, and
peace be with you."

So saying, he bade the Prince farewell, and the latter, having
returned his salutation, rode off.

He pursued his course rapidly, and in a day or two arrived at the
abode of Oaxus, whom he found in the courtyard, busily engaged in
tending his sheep and goats. The old man was delighted to see him, and
begged him to dismount; but the Prince declined doing so, and went on
to explain who he was in the same words he had used to the Sheik
Hajaar. Oaxus was much astonished when he heard the account, and
congratulated the young man on the happy change that had come over
him.

"Go on, my friend," continued he: "may Heaven prosper you, and give
you strength to carry out your wise designs."

"Farewell," replied Azgid, "and tell young Asdril that if fortune
favours me, I hope one day to be back, and listen to his sweet music
again in spite of the lions."

With these words he rode away, and travelling on, in due time reached
his own city. He proceeded at once to the palace, and sought out the
old Vizier, to whom he related all that had happened to him, and all
that he intended to do, without concealing anything.

"And now," said he, "lead me at once to the lion, and let me fight him
and fulfil the law, as all my ancestors have done before me."

The old man heard this speech with great pleasure, and almost wept for
joy: he tenderly embraced his young friend, and, smiling, told him not
to run into extremes nor to be in too great a hurry; for that his
trial with the lion had better be put off for a week at least, and
that in the meantime he needed rest and refreshment. To this
suggestion Azgid acceded, and waited till the day his friend had fixed
upon.

It at length arrived, and very early in the morning the Prince arose
and prepared for the combat. He clad himself in a light garment, tying
a sash around it, in which he stuck a sharp dagger, took a spear in
his hand, and, accompanied by the Vizier, left the palace and
proceeded to the mountain. They climbed up the high steps and reached
the top, whereupon the slave met them, and, going before, unlocked the
gate. The