Tarapajan.

During this time he daily examined the tablets which the Vizier Horam
had given him; but was very uneasy at finding the leaves always fair.
"Alas!" said he to himself, "I have trusted to a base man, who perhaps
has taken this advantage of my credulity, and intends to set the crown
of India on my brother's head! There needed not the powers of
enchantment to overthrow me, since I have betrayed at once my folly
and my cause."

Misnar, therefore, resolved to travel back to Delhi, and learn the
cause of Horam's silence; but as he neglected not to look on the
tablets every day, he at length found the following inscription
therein:

"Horam, the faithful slave of the Sultan of the East, to Misnar, the
lord of his heart.

"Some time after I left my royal Sultan in the forest, while my heart
was sad within me, came a hasty messenger from the outskirts of the
rebel army, and declared their approach, and that the southern
provinces had revolted, and were added to the opposers of the Sultan
of the East. When thy slave was certain of this intelligence from the
mouths of many, who hastened to the camp with these bad tidings, I
commanded the armies of India to be increased, and a more exact
discipline to be observed in my master's camp; and, perceiving that
the enemy hastened to meet the forces, I shortened the march of my
slaves, that the fatigues of the deserts might not prevail more
against them than the face and the sword of their enemies. Moreover, I
led thy troops through the most cultivated countries, that the
necessaries of life might with the greater ease be procured for the
multitudes that followed thy tent. But, alas! the presence of my lord
is not with his people, and the army murmur that they are led by a
Sultan who cheers not their labours by the light of his person; so
that the hearts of thy people are withdrawn from Horam thy slave, and
the captains of thousands demand admittance to thy tent, and accuse
thy Vizier of evil devices against thee, my lord the Sultan."

As the Sultan read this intelligence in the tablet of Horam, his heart
failed within him, and the sight of his eyes was as a mist before him.

"O Misnar! Misnar!" said he, falling to the ground, "the fiend of
darkness is let loose upon thee! and the powers of enchantment still
prevail!"

"Yes," said Ulin the enchantress, who immediately appeared, "the
powers of enchantment shall prevail! Misnar, the faithful servant of
Mahomet, hath at l