when he arrived they embraced him and welcomed him gladly, saying how they had not seen him for more than a twelvemonth. They then recalled to his memory how Hasan had slain Barham the Magian, and proceeded to relate the story of his love for, and marriage of, the Supreme King's daughter, with all the painful results that followed.
When Abd al-Kaddus heard this he shook his head and bit his forefinger, and began to make marks on the earth with his finger-tips, after which he looked right and left, and shook his head a third time, whilst Hasan watched him from where he was hidden. Then said the Princesses, "Return us some answer, for our hearts are rent in sunder." And when he saw them in this transport of grief and trouble and mourning, he was moved with compassion and said, "Be ye silent!" Then turning to Hasan: "O my son, hearten thy heart and rejoice in the winning of thy wish: take courage and follow me." So Hasan took leave of the Princesses, and followed him rejoicing. Then Abd al-Kaddus took Hasan up behind him on the elephant, and they journeyed three days and three nights till they came to a vast blue mountain, the stones of which were blue and in the midst of which was a cavern with a door of Chinese iron. Here they dismounted and dismissed the elephant. Then Abd al-Kaddus went to the door and knocked, whereupon it opened and there came out to him a black slave, hairless, with brand in right hand, and targe of steel in left. When he saw Abd al-Kaddus he threw
