The Prince made his accustomed speech, avowing his rank, but concealing his name. He added also his customary request, that he might be allowed to remain for a time in the house of his present entertainer.
The Emir replied politely that the prince was heartily welcome to remain until the end of his life, if he chose to do so. Then he begged his guest to excuse him for a few minutes, as he was expecting some friends, and wished to make preparations for their reception.
Thus Azgid was left alone with Perizide, with whom he was already in love. She took him into the garden, after exploring the beauties of which the pair returned to the house.
The palace, now illuminated from top to bottom, was full of company.
The evening pa.s.sed merrily. Observing a lute which lay upon a couch, the music-loving young Prince begged Perizide to play to him. In the midst of his enjoyment, however, he was startled by a strange, loud sound, and asked his fair companion what it might be.
"Oh!" replied she, with a laugh, "that is only Boulak, our black porter, indulging in a yawn."
"Good gracious!" exclaimed Azgid; "what uncommonly good lungs he must have!"
After the other guests had left, and Perizide had gone to bed, the Emir and the Prince chatted and smoked together for some time. By-and-by, the former offered to conduct the latter to his sleeping apartment. When they came to the foot of the grand staircase, which was of white marble, Azgid, looking up, was horrified to behold an enormous black lion stretched upon the topmost landing.
"What is that?" faltered he.
"That," returned his host, "is Boulak, our black porter. He is a tame lion, and will not harm you, if you are not afraid of him. He knows when any one fears him and then becomes ferocious."
"I fear him greatly!" whispered the Prince.
As he could not be persuaded to mount the stairs, he had to return to the saloon, and repose upon one of the divans.
After the Emir had left him, Azgid carefully locked the door and fastened the windows. Then he lay down, but not to sleep. For he could hear the lion walking about, and once the beast actually came to the door, and uttering a terrific roar, sprang against it with his forepaws.
The poor Prince made sure that the door would burst open, and that he should be devoured. Nothing of the kind happened, however. In a few moments Boulak went upstairs, and came down no more that night.
Azgid lay thinking. Evidently he had flown in the face of Providence when he had fled from the lion at home. Since then, lions had met him at every turn. He resolved to submit to what was so clearly his destined duty--to return home and fulfil the condition required.
In the morning, therefore, he told the Emir the whole truth. The kind old man had been acquainted with Azgid"s father, the King Almamoun. He highly approved of the young man"s resolution, and, with a parting blessing, sped him on his way. But the Prince had no opportunity of making his adieux to the fair Perizide.
Then Azgid rode back to the Arab camp, and confessed all to the good Sheik Hajaar. He also inquired after the beautiful horse.
"He is well," replied the other, "and I should be gratified if you could stay with us and use him again But it would be wrong to hinder you from your pious, undertaking. Return to your home, and do your duty like a man."
Azgid next visited Oaxus, to whom, as to the others, he revealed his name and parentage, confessed his fault, and expressed his repentance.
[Ill.u.s.tration: "I FEAR HIM GREATLY!" (_p._ 305).]
"Go, my friend!" said the kindly shepherd, "and may Heaven give you strength to persevere in your laudable resolution!"
"Farewell!" answered Azgid; "greet Isdril from me, and tell him that I hope some day to return and listen to his sweet music in spite of the lions."
Without further interruption, the Prince rode straight home, and announced to the old Vizier his intention to fight the lion.
The old man wept tears of joy at his Prince"s return, and it was arranged that the combat should take place in a week"s time.
When the hour came, and the Prince entered the arena, the lion gave a loud roar, and approached his opponent slowly, with fierce looks. Azgid did not quail. With steady gaze he advanced, spear in hand. Suddenly the lion bounded forward, and, with another roar, sprang clean over the Prince"s head. Then he ran joyously up to him, and began licking his hands with every demonstration of affection.
The Vizier called out to the Prince that he had conquered, and bade him leave the arena. The lion followed like a dog.
"As you now see, Prince Azgid," said the old Minister, "the lion is a tame one, and would injure no one. You, however, were ignorant of this fact, and have satisfactorily proved your courage and valour by your readiness to fight him. Now all will know that you are worthy to ascend the throne of your heroic ancestors."
Two men--one old, the other very young--came forward to congratulate the Prince. They were Oaxus and Isdril.
[Ill.u.s.tration: "With steady gaze he advanced, spear in hand." _page 308_]
"Prince Azgid," said the old shepherd, "as a memento of this happy day, allow me to make you a present." So saying, he pushed forward his slave, Isdril.
[Ill.u.s.tration: "THE LION SPRANG CLEAN OVER THE PRINCE"S HEAD" (_p._ 308).]
"I heartily thank you, Oaxus!" said the Prince, "and you, Isdril, are no longer a slave. From this moment you are free; but you shall be my companion, and delight me with your skill upon the flute."
Presently another little group presented itself. It was composed of Sheik Hajaar, some of his Arabs, and the horse which the Prince had learned to love.
"Azgid!" said the Sheik, "I congratulate you heartily, and beg your acceptance of this steed."
The Prince thanked and embraced the Sheik, and kissed the beautiful creature, who returned his caresses.
The Emir was the next person to appear upon the scene. He was surrounded by a brilliant retinue, with music and banners.
"I have come to congratulate you," said he to the Prince. "I have brought you no present, but I and all my belongings are yours."
"I am rejoiced to see you, n.o.ble Emir!" replied Azgid. "And how is your lovely daughter? As soon as I am crowned, I intend to set off at lightning speed to visit her!"
"That will be needless," said the Emir; "come with me." And he led the young man to a veiled lady, who sat upon a white horse. It was Perizide!
Then, by order of the Vizier, the whole procession wended its way towards the palace.
Many thoughts and emotions stirred within the breast of the young Prince. "When I fled from duty," reflected he, "everything went against me; now that I have fulfilled it, fresh happiness meets me at every step."
The coronation--and also a wedding--took place on the same day. Azgid and Perizide reigned long and happily. By the King"s command, his adventures were recorded in the annals of the kingdom. And over the door of his palace were inscribed, in golden letters, these words: "_Never run from the lion._"