mortification of the peerless damsel, he did not
express any curiosity to behold her, but commenced a rapid retreat, and,
in a few days, arrived at the confines of the celestial territory, which
was separated from the Tartar dominions by an impetuous river. As soon
as he had forded the river, he encamped on the other side, and sat down
with his generals to a sumptuous feast of horseflesh and quass. When
the liquor had mounted into his brain, he desired that the litter of the
pearl beyond price should be brought nigh to his tent, that he might
send for her, if so inclined. And the peerless Chaoukeun peeped out of
the litter, and beheld the great khan as he caroused; and when she
beheld his hairy form, his gleaming eyes, his pug-nose, and his
tremendously wide mouth--when she perceived that he had the form and
features of a ghoul, or evil spirit, she wrung her hands, and wept
bitterly, and all her love returned for the magnificent Youantee.

Now the great khan was drunk with quass, and he ordered the pearl beyond
price to be brought to him, and she replied, trembling, saying, "Tell
your lord that I am not fit to appear in his sublime presence until I
have washed myself in the river." And those who had charge of her took
back her message to the great khan, who replied, "Let her wash, since
she is so dirty."

Then was the litter of the peerless Chaoukeun taken down to the banks of
the river, and she stood upon a rock which overhung the black waters.
"How callest thou this river?" said she to her attendants.

And they replied, "This river, O princess, divides the territory of
Tartary from China, and it is called the river of the Black Dragon."

"Then is the prophecy fulfilled," cried the pearl beyond price. "It is
my destiny; and destiny who shall resist?"

She raised up her arms to heaven, and uttering a loud shriek at her
unhappy fate, she plunged headlong into the boiling waters and
disappeared for ever.

Thus was the prophecy fulfilled. The brother of the sun and moon had
wed--beauty had been laid at the golden feet--the pearl beyond price had
been found and lost. There had been joy and there had been sorrow in
life--and sorrow in death. The Black Dragon had proved the foe to the
celestial empire, for it had swallowed up the pearl beyond all price.

Ti-tum, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.

The twang of the rude instrument awoke the pacha, who had been fast
asleep for some time.

"Is it fin