again broken silence on the homeward way, I will leave him to meditate upon the story, his own lack of wisdom, or whatever he likes. As for me, I will hie me back to my mango tree in the cool grove beside the garden of ghost children!"
So the Siddhi-kur, with a joyful shout, leaped from the Prince's back and sped away again to the northward.
The Khan's son neither sighed nor lamented, but, setting his teeth grimly, he turned about and started forth once more after the magic creature, eating his cake which grew not less as he trudged along.
When the long journey to the north had been completed, and the Siddhi-kur had been called again from his mango tree and settled upon the back of the Prince, he began at once:
"I have a story in mind which is perhaps more strange and interesting than any I have yet told you. Listen, my friend, and I will begin it."
