through at the waist.

[Illustration: CHIL-MAQ CARRIES OFF ALMAS]

When news of his champion's death reached Taram-taq he put himself at
the head of an army of his negroes and led them forth. Many fell
before the magic sword, and the prince laboured on in spite of
weakness and fatigue till he was almost worn out. In a moment of
respite from attack he struck his fire-steel and burned a hair of the
king-lion; and he had just succeeded in this when the negroes charged
again and all but took him prisoner. Suddenly from behind the distant
veil of the desert appeared an army of lions led by their king. 'What
brings these scourges of heaven here?' cried the negroes. They came
roaring up, and put fresh life into the prince. He fought on, and when
he struck on a belt the wearer fell in two, and when on a head he
cleft to the waist. Then the ten thousand mighty lions joined the fray
and tore in pieces man and horse.

Taram-taq was left alone; he would have retired into his fort, but the
prince shouted: 'Whither away, accursed one? Are you fleeing before
me?' At these defiant words the chief shouted back, 'Welcome, man!
Come here and I will soften you to wax beneath my club.' Then he
hurled his club at the prince's head, but it fell harmless because the
prince had quickly spurred his horse forward. The chief, believing he
had hit him, was looking down for him, when all at once he came up
behind and cleft him to the waist and sent him straight to hell.

The king-lion greatly praised the dashing courage of Prince Almas.
They went together into the Castle of Clashing Swords and found it
adorned and fitted in princely fashion. In it was a daughter of
Taram-taq, still a child. She sent a message to Prince Almas saying,
'O king of the world! choose this slave to be your handmaid. Keep her
with you; where you go, there she will go!' He sent for her and she
kissed his feet and received the Mussulman faith at his hands. He told
her he was going a long journey on important business, and that when
he came back he would take her and her possessions to his own country,
but that for the present she must stay in the castle. Then he made
over the fort and all that was in it to the care of the lion, saying:
'Guard them, brother! let no one lay a hand on them.' He said
good-bye, chose a fresh horse from the chief's stable and once again
took the road.

After travelling many stages and for many days, he reached a plain of
marvellous beauty