and, the forces of
the Sultan surrounding them, they were quickly destroyed.

The Sultan Misnar saw, by the confusion of his army in the centre,
that the discovery was made, and sent Horam, with some chosen troops,
to inquire into the cause of their disorder.

The Vizier had no sooner arrived than he perceived several soldiers
bringing along the body of the magician Happuck, which appeared
undisguised after death.

"Bid the two archers," said the Vizier, "who destroyed the monster
come forward."

When the archers came, Horam applauded their skill and their
obedience, and advised them to take the body between them, and carry
it before the Sultan.

The archers obeyed, and, the ranks opening as they passed, they soon
arrived at the feet of Misnar.

The Sultan, seeing his enemy thus destroyed, ordered the two archers
ten purses, containing each one hundred pieces of gold; and to every
other archer one purse containing one hundred pieces of gold. To him
who brought the head of Ibrac also he gave five purses of like value;
and then again issued his commands that the whole army should fall
prostrate and adore the mercy of Allah, who had so soon delivered into
their hands the chief of their enemies.

In the meantime, two only of the troops of Ibrac and Happuck escaped;
and, returning to Ahubal, they acquainted him with their defeat.

Ahubal fled at the news, and hid himself in the mountains; for he
feared lest his soldiers should betray him, and deliver him up to his
brother.

But Ollomand, the enchanter, who first counselled the Sultan of India
to secure his throne by spilling the innocent blood of his brother,
now resolved to revenge the common cause. He therefore directed the
steps of Ahubal toward a cave in the mountains, where, fatigued with
flight and fearful of pursuit, the royal rebel arrived in the heat of
the day.

The cave was, for the most part, surrounded by steep mountains, at a
great distance from any track or path, and was situated at the
entrance of a long valley which led among the mountains.

Ahubal, having slept and refreshed himself in the cave, pursued his
journey through the valley, till he found his path stopped by
inaccessible rocks, on the top of which he perceived a magnificent
castle, whose walls reflected the rays of the sun like burnished gold.

The brother of Misnar fixed his eye for some time on that part of the
castle which was shaded by the rest, for the front was too dazzling t