respect, and made him my salam, and joining both my hands together, I stood in silence.  That person being a judge of respectful behaviour [restraining his blow], said to me.  “O pilgrim, thou wouldest have been killed for nothing, but thou hast escaped—­thy life is prolonged; get away.  Where art thou going?” He then drew a jewelled dagger, having a tassel set with pearls, from his waist, and threw it towards me, and added, “At this moment I have no money about me to give thee; carry this [dagger] to the king, and thou wilt get whatever thou askest.”  To such a degree did my fear and dread of him prevail, that I had not power to speak or ability to move; my voice was choked, and my feet became heavy.

After saying this, the brave young man, roaring aloud, went on.  I said to myself, “let what will happen, to remain behind now is, in thy case, folly thou wilt never again get such an opportunity [to execute thy project].  Regardless, therefore, of my life, [235] I also went on.  He again turned round and forbade me in great wrath [to follow him], and seemed determined to put me to death.  I stretched forth my neck, and conjuring him [by all that was sacred], I said, “O Rustam [236] of these days, strike such a blow that I may be cut clean in two; let not a fibre remain together, and let me be released from this wandering and wretched state; I pardon you my blood.”  He replied, “O demon-faced! why dost thou for nothing bring thy blood on my head, and makest me criminal; go thy own way; what! is thy life become a burden to thee?” I did not mind what he said, but advanced; then he knowingly appeared not to regard me, and I followed him.  Proceeding on about two kos, we passed the wood, and came to a square building; the young man went up to the door and gave a frightful scream; the door opened of itself; he entered, and I remained altogether outside.  O God, [said I] what shall I now do?  I was perplexed; at last, after a short delay, a slave came out and brought a message, saying, “Come in, he has called you to his presence; perhaps the angel of death hovers over your head; what evil fortune has befallen you?” I replied, “Verily it is good fortune;” and without fear, I entered along with him into the garden.

At last, he led me to a place where [the young man was sitting]; on seeing him, I made him a very low [237] salam; he beckoned me to sit down; I sat down with respect.  What do I see but the young man sitting alone on a masnad, with the tools of a goldsmith lying before him; and he had just finished a branch of emeralds.  When the time came for him to rise up, all the slaves that were around the place concealed themselves in [different] rooms; I also from fear hid myself in a small closet.  The young man rose up, and having fastened the chains of all the apartments, he went towards the corner of the garden, and began to beat the bull he usually rode.  The noise of the animal’s roaring reached my ear, and my heart quaked [with fear]; but