AHMED AND PARI-BANOU. 471

large, so level, and so unencumbered as that in which the horses
are exercised, to find the arrow I had shot. I searched for it in
every spot I could think of, to the right, and the places where
those of Prince Houssain and Ali had been found, and where I
thought it most likely that mine had fallen also; but all my
endeavours were useless. I did not, however, give over, but pur-
sued my inquiries, continuing to proceed straight forward in the
line I thought it was likely to fal. I had already proceeded
more than a league, looking on both sides as I went along, and
sometimes even going out of the road, if anything appeared at
all like an arrow, to examine it ; when I began to reflect that it
was not possible for mine to have gone so far. I stopped, and
asked myself whether I was not insane to think that I could
have strength enough to shoot an arrow to so great a distance,
when not one of the most ancient heroes, who had been most
famous for their strength, had ever done so. I thus reasoned
with myself, and was about to abandon my enterprise; but
when I was going to put my resolution into execution, I felt my-
self led on, as it were, against my will; and after walking four
leagues, and till the plain was terminated by some steep rocks,
I perceived an arrow. I ran and took it, and knew it to be the
very same I had shot, but which had not been found either
within the space-or at the time it was necessary. Beyond this
there is a mystery concerning which I entreat your majesty not
to take it ill if I remain silent, and I request you to be satisfied
with knowing from my own lips that 1 am happy and contented
with my lot.”

“ My son,” replied the sultan, “I cannot possibly refuse the
permission you request ; I should, nevertheless, have preferred
that you had determined to come and live near me. Tell me at
least by what means I can learn any intelligence of you when-
ever you should fail to come here yourself, or whenever your
presence might be necessary.” “Sire,” replied Prince Ahmed,
“what your majesty demands of me forms a part of the mystery
I have mentioned ; I entreat you then to suffer me to be silent
on this point. I will so frequently return to pay my respects,
that I only fear you will think me too importunate, rather than
accuse me of negligence in not coming when my presence might

be necessary.”
The sultan of India did not press Prince Ahmed any more