Sindokht complied. Rudabeh disdained to take off her ornaments to
appear as an offender and a supplicant, but, proud of her choice, went
into her father's presence, gayly adorned with jewels, and in splendid
apparel. Mihrab received her with surprise.

"Why all this glittering finery? Is the devil
United to an angel? When a snake
Is met with in Arabia, it is killed!"

But Rudabeh answered not a word, and was permitted to retire with her
mother.

When Minuchihr was apprised of the proceedings between Zal and Rudabeh,
he was deeply concerned, anticipating nothing but confusion and ruin to
Persia from the united influence of Zal and Mihrab. Feridun had purified
the world from the abominations of Zohak, and as Mihrab was a descendant
of that merciless tyrant, he feared that some attempt would be made to
resume the enormities of former times; Sam was therefore required to
give his advice on the occasion.

The conqueror of Karugsar and Mazinderan was received on his return with
cordial rejoicings, and he charmed the king with the story of his
triumphant success. The monarch against whom he had fought was
descended, on the mother's side, from Zohak, and his Demon army was more
numerous than ants, or clouds of locusts, covering mountain and plain.
Sam thus proceeded in his description of the conflict.

"And when he heard my voice, and saw what deeds
I had performed, approaching me, he threw
His noose; but downward bending I escaped,
And with my bow I showered upon his head
Steel-pointed arrows, piercing through the brain;
Then did I grasp his loins, and from his horse
Cast him upon the ground, deprived of life.
At this, the demons terrified and pale,
Shrunk back, some flying to the mountain wilds,
And others, taken on the battle-field,
Became obedient to the Persian king."

Minuchihr, gratified by this result of the expedition, appointed Sam to
a new enterprise, which was to destroy Kabul by fire and sword,
especially the house of Mihrab; and that ruler, of the serpent-race, and
all his adherents were to be put to death. Sam, before he took leave to
return to his own government at Zabul, tried to dissuade him from this
violent exercise of revenge, but without making any sensible impression
upon him.

Meanwhile the vindictive intentions of Minuchihr, which were soon known
at Kabul, produced the greatest alarm and consternation in the family of
Mihrab. Zal now returned to his father, and S