nd him with our lives. Thy
slaves would willingly have chosen the latter fate. Yet, alas! what
were four hundred guards and twenty mutes to the army that opposed us?
But our consultation was vain; for while we debated how to defend
ourselves, the Prince drew his sabre, and, killing three of our
number, cut his way through the guards to his friends. The horsemen
then would have set upon us and hewed us in pieces; but their chief
forbade them, saying, 'No, let them live, and be the messengers of the
Prince's escape. Go,' continued he, 'dastard slaves! and let your
Sultan know, that Ahubal has friends who will shortly punish him for
his designs on the Prince.'"

At these words of the guards Misnar gave a deep sigh, and said, "Human
prudence alone is far too weak to fight against the wiles of the
deceitful; but Allah is more powerful than man. I will therefore send
for the prophets, and inquire of them where I may seek for the
assistance of Mahomet."

The Sultan then commanded Zeuramaund and his tribe, and Mangelo the
prophet, from the hollow rocks of Caxol, to be brought before him; and
when they were come into his presence, he demanded of them, where he
might seek for the assistance of Mahomet, and the countenance of
Allah.

Then Zeuramaund answered the Sultan in these words:

"In the tomb of the Prophet of Mecca is the signet of Mahomet, which
no human power may remove; but if the Prophet will hear the prayer of
the Sultan, it may easily be taken thence."

"Yes," replied Mangelo, "the seal of Mahomet will indeed preserve the
Prince from enchantment; but it is also necessary that he put on the
girdle of Opakka, which is worn by the giant Kifri, the sworn enemy of
the Eastern throne. For although the signet of Mahomet will preserve
the Sultan from evil, yet will the girdle of Opakka only save him from
deceit."

The Sultan Misnar was moved at the discourse of his prophets, and
spent the night in thought and perplexity. He had little hope that the
signet of Mahomet, which had for ages remained immovable, should
yield to him; or that, with all his numerous armies, he should be able
to force the girdle of Opakka from the loins of an enchanter, who
could in a moment overwhelm his troops by the power of his art.
However, he determined the next morning to go with his Court on a
public pilgrimage to Mecca, and to offer up the most solemn petitions
to the Prophet of his faith.

Early in the morning the Sultan arose from h