, stranger," he said, "that I took you for this villain. It has
happened, however, by some mysterious interposition of Providence,
which placed you in the hands of my companions, at the very hour in
which the destruction of this wretch was ordained."

Mustapha, thereupon, entreated him only for permission to pursue his
journey immediately, for this delay might cost him much. The Mighty
asked what business it could be that required such haste, and, when
Mustapha had told him all, he persuaded him to spend that night in his
tent, and allow his horse some rest; and promised the next morning to
show him a route which would bring him to Balsora in a day and a half.
My brother consented, was sumptuously entertained, and slept soundly
till morning in the robber's tent.

Upon awaking, he found himself all alone in the tent, but, before the
entrance, heard several voices in conversation, which seemed to belong
to the swarthy little man and the bandit-chief. He listened awhile,
and to his horror heard the little man eagerly urging the other to
slay the stranger, since, if he were let go, he could betray them all.
Mustapha immediately perceived that the little man hated him, for
having been the cause of his rough treatment the day before. The
Mighty seemed to be reflecting a moment.

"No," said he; "he is my guest, and the laws of hospitality are with
me sacred: moreover, he does not look like one that would betray us."

Having thus spoken, he threw back the tent-cover, and walked in.
"Peace be with thee, Mustapha!" he said: "let us taste the
morning-drink, and then prepare thyself for thy journey." He offered
my brother a cup of sherbet, and after they had drunk, they saddled
their horses, and Mustapha mounted, with a lighter heart, indeed, than
when he entered the vale. They had soon turned their backs upon the
tents, and took a broad path, which led into the forest. The Mighty
informed my brother, that this Bashaw whom they had captured in the
chase, had promised them that they should remain undisturbed within
his jurisdiction; but some weeks before, he had taken one of their
bravest men, and had him hung, after the most terrible tortures. He
had waited for him a long time, and to-day he must die. Mustapha
ventured not to say a word in opposition, for he was glad to have
escaped himself with a whole skin.

At the entrance of the forest, the Mighty checked his horse, showed
Mustapha the way, and gave him his hand with these