THE ENCHANTED HORSE. 447

cess for a few minutes, whilst he’ retired into the wood to find
some fruit to appease his hunger and that of the princess,
During the absence of the Indian the sultan of Cashmire and
his attendants who were returning from hunting passed that way,
and seeing a handsome young lady, the sultan asked her who she
was, and why she was alone in the wood. At this instant the
Indian returned. “She is my wife,” said he, “and no one hag
any right to interfere between us.” The princess who was igno-
rant of the rank and quality of the person who so opportunely
presented himself for her deliverance, contradicted the Indian’s
assertion. “ Sir,’ said she, “‘ whoever you may be, whom Heaven
sends to my relief, have pity on a princess, and do not give
credit to the words of an impostor. He is a wicked magician,
who has this day forcibly carried me away from the prince of
Persia, to whom | was betrothed, and has brought me hither on
this enchanted horse.”

The princess of Bengal had no occasion to use any longer
arguments to convince the sultan of Cashmire that she spoke
truth. Her beauty, her majestic demeanour, and her tears
were powerful advocates in her favour ; she was going te pro-
ceed, but instead of listening to her, the sultan, ordered his
attendants to surround the Indian, and to cut off his head with-
out delay, which was immediately done.

The princess being thus delivered from the persecution of her
cruel enemy, was destined to undergo another, not less afflicting
to her feelings. The sultan, having ordered her a horse, con-
ducted her to his palace, where he allotted for her use the most
magnificent apartment it contained, and gave her a number of
female slaves to attend upon and serve her, and some slaves as
her guard. He led her himself to this apartment, and said to
her,—“ Princess, I doubt not that you must be in want of rest,
I therefore leave you to repose; to-morrow you will be better
able to relate to me the circumstances of the singular adventure
that has befallen you.” As he spoke these words he retired.

The princess of Bengal felt inexpressible satisfaction at find-
ing herself delivered from the power of a man whom she could
not regard but with horror and disgust ; and she flattered her-
self that the sultan of Cashmire would send her back to the
prince of Persia, after she had informed him in what manner
she was affianced to him. But she was very far from experi-