y on the eleventh day; and, next, that I shall not be
bound to perform aught contrary to the law of Mahomet."

"Stranger," replied the chief, "when we are at liberty to depart, thou
shalt depart likewise; but during this festival, which is held in
honour of our noble ancestor, who remained fourteen days in this
forest till he had subdued a ravenous race of tigers, no man that has
entered here may stir hence till the fires be extinguished: for by
the fire did our ancestor drive away and destroy the tigers and beasts
of the forest, and by fire do we commemorate his mighty deeds.
Neither," continued the chief, "may we reveal these rites to any one
but those who by accident espy them; for such as are present with us
we are bound to receive into our society; wherefore we compel those
who come among us to keep in silence the knowledge of our rites."

"If such is your custom," answered Misnar, "I shall willingly comply,
and swear to you, that 'As the starless night is dark, as the cave of
death is dark, so shall my words and thoughts continue in darkness
concerning the festival of tigers.'"

As he uttered these words, the whole assembly again danced around him,
till the hollow brazen instruments were ordered to sound, and all the
inhabitants of the forest were commanded to receive the disguised
Sultan as their brother.

Then the men, one by one, passed by Misnar, each as he passed laying
the hand of the Sultan on his breast. After they were passed by, came
the females also, who embraced their new brother. These Misnar
suffered to pass on without much reflection, till, among the youngest,
who last approached, he beheld a beautiful virgin, with downcast
looks, drawing near him, and who seemed ashamed of that freedom the
custom of the place obliged her to use.

At sight of this lovely figure, Misnar at once forgot his purpose and
his crown, and was impatient till the ceremony brought her near to
him. The other females perceived his emotion; and the chief of the
festival approaching her, asked the lovely Noradin "whether she would
at length fix her choice? for in this place," continued the chief,
addressing himself to Misnar, "every sex hath freedom, and none are
compelled to take the hand they do not love. Noradin hath for these
three days been courted by all our tribe, but she has refused every
advance: if she refuse not you, our joy will be complete, and then
none of our company will be without his companion."

Misnar, f