the Princess of China | 145

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much exercise at first might impair his health, and a too long absence
create his majesty uneasiness. He then ordered him to choose the
best horses in his stable, and himself took particular care that nothing
should be wanting. When all was ready, his majesty embraced the
prince, and having recommended the care of him to Marzavan, he
let him go. Prince Camaralzaman and Marzavan were soon mounted,
when, to amuse the two grooms that led the fresh horses, they made
as if they would hunt, and so got as far off the city and out of the
road as was possible. When night began to approach, they alighted
at a caravansera or inn, where they.supped, and slept till about
midnight; then Marzavan awakened the' prince without awakening
-the grooms, and desired his highness to let him have his suit, and to
take another for himself, which was brought in his baggage. Thus
equipped, they mounted the fresh horses, and after Marzavan had
taken. one of the groom’s horses by the bridle, they set out as hard
as their horses could go.

At daybreak they were in a forest, where, coming to the meet-
ing of four roads, Marzavan desired the prince to wait for him a
little, and went into the forest. He then killed the groom’s horse,
and after having torn the prince’s suit, which he had put off,
he besmeared it with blood and threw it into the highway.

The prince demanded his reason for what he had done. He
told his highness he was sure the king his father would no sooner »
find that he did not return, and come to know that he had departed
without the grooms, than he would suspect something, and imme-
diately send people in quest of them. ‘They that come to this
place, said he, ‘and find these blood-stained clothes, will conclude
you are devoured by wild beasts, and that I have escaped to avoid
the king’s anger. The king, persuading himself that you are dead
will stop further pursuit, and we may have leisure to continue our
journey without fear of being followed. I must confess,’ continued
Marzavan, ‘that this is a violent way of proceeding, to alarm an old

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