t battle to fight, in which I may be conquered, and I must
rid this country of the magicians with whom it is encumbered. But be
sure that, when all is done, I will not fail of the promises which I
have made."

So Rustem returned to King Kaoues, and, dropping the blood of the White
Genius into his eyes, gave him back his sight. Seven days the King
and his nobles feasted together, Rustem having the chief place. On the
eighth day they set out to clear the country of the accursed race of
magicians. When they had done this, the King said, "The guilty have
now been punished. Let no others suffer. And now I will send a letter
to the King of Mazanderan."

So the King wrote a letter in these words: "You see how God has
punished the wrong-doers--how he has brought to naught the Genii and
the magicians. Quit then your town, and come here to pay homage and
tribute to me. If you will not, then your life shall be as the life of
Arzeng and the White Genius."

This letter was carried to the King by a certain chief named Ferbad.
When the King had read it, he was greatly troubled. Three days he kept
Ferbad as his guest, and then sent back by him this answer: "Shall the
water of the sea be equal to wine? Am I one to whom you can say, 'Come
down from your throne, and present yourself before me?' Make ready
to do battle with me, for verily I will bring upon the land of Persia
such destruction that no man shall be able to say what is high and
what is low."

Ferbad hastened back to the King of Persia. "The man," he said, "is
resolved not to yield." Then the King sent to Rustem. And Rustem said,
"Send me with a letter that shall be as keen as a sword and a message
like a thunder-cloud." So the King sent for a scribe, who, making
the point of his reed as fine as an arrowhead, wrote thus: "These
are foolish words, and do not become a man of sense. Put away your
arrogance, and be obedient to my words. If you refuse, I will bring
such an army against you as shall cover your land from one sea to the
other; and the ghost of the White Genius shall call the vultures to
feast on your brains."

The King set his seal to this letter, and Rustem departed with it,
with his club hanging to his saddlebow. When the King of Mazanderan
heard of his coming, he sent some of his nobles to meet him. When
Rustem saw them, he caught a huge tree that was by the wayside in his
hands, twisted it with all his might, and tore it up, roots and all.
Then he poised it