THE MISERLY CALIPH. 243

gious vanity and of the most sordid avarice, neither
believed in his danger, nor had the heart to expend
money to provide the means of defence, but devoted
to the hoarding of the jewels, gold, and treasures
with which his palace abounded, the whole time that
should have been employed in mustering armies and
preparing for war.

However, when the caliph learned that Oulagon
was approaching to attack Bagdad, he partially
awoke from his dream, and sent offers to treat.
Oulagon, who either suspected, or pretended to sus-
pect, a snare, thereupon proposed that a marriage
should take place between the children of the caliph
and the great khan, as the best way of preserving
peace; and Musteazem expressed his entire satisfac-
tion with the proposal.

The Tartar then requested the caliph to send sixty
of his chief men to treat of the marriage; and, when
this was complied with, he demanded sixty more,
that he might have full security for the fulfilment of
the treaty. Not doubting Oulagon’s good faith, Mus-
teazem did as he was asked to do; and the royal
Mogul smiled grimly.

‘Now,’ said Oulagon to his Tartars, ‘seeing that
we have in our hands six score of the caliph’s
chief counsellors and most wealthy subjects, I
cannot doubt that the remainder are very com-
mon sort of people, and not likely to offer much
resistance. My plans have been laid with such
secrecy and caution, that nothing is suspected.
I have only to appear before Bagdad, and take
possession.’ 3