THE ENCHANTED HORSE. 437

sented himself at the foot of the throne, leading a horse saddlec
and bridled, and most richly caparisoned and so skilfully repre-
sented, that at first sight every one supposed it to be a real
horse.

The Indian prostrated himself before the throne; when he
had risen, he shewed the horse to the king, and thus addressed
him :—“ Sire, although I am the last to present myself before
your majesty as a candidate for your favour, I can nevertheless
assure you that, in this day of feasting and rejoicing, you have
not seen anything so wonderful and astonishing as this horse,
which I entreat you to condescend to look at. When I mount
him, in whatever region of the earth I may be, and at whatever
distance, if I wish to transport myself through the air to any
particular spot, 1 can accomplish it in a marvellously short space
of time, and I am ready to give your majesty immediate proof
of this.”

The king of Persia, who was extremely curious in everything
that appeared of a scientific construction, had never met with
or heard of anything at all resembling this horse, told the Indian
that nothing except the proof he had proposed to shew him
could convince him of the superiority of his horse, and that
therefore he was ready to witness the truth of his assertion.

The Indian instantly set his foot into the stirrup, and lightly
threw himself on the horse; when he had got. his foot in the
opposite stirrup, and was seated firm in his saddle, he asked the
king of Persia where he would wish to send him.

At a distance of about three leagues from Schiraz, there was
a high mountain, which was easily discernible from the large
square before the royal palace, where the king and all his court
and people were assembled. “Do you see that mountain ae
said the king, shewing it to the Indian; “it is thither that I
wish you to go; the distance is not very great, but it is sufficient
to judge by it of your diligence in going thither and returning.
And as it is not possible for my sight to extend so far, as a
certain proof of your having been there, I propose that you
should bring me a branch from a palm-tree which grows at the
foot of the mountain.”

The king of Persia had scarcely declared his wishes by these
words, than the Indian turned a little peg which was placed a
little above the pummel of the saddle, on the horse’s neck. At