the signet of
Mahomet and the girdle of Opakka;' therefore it is expedient that I
first go to Mecca to obtain this valuable gift of the Prophet. My
purpose this morning was to go surrounded by the nobles of my Court;
but while rebellion stalketh abroad, pageants are idle, and the parade
of a Sultan's pilgrimage will give my enemies time to increase in
their numbers and strength. No, Horam; I myself will in secret
approach the tomb of my Prophet, for Allah requireth the service of
the heart, and searcheth out the purity of his servants' intentions: I
shall go with greater humility as a peasant than as a prince. In the
meantime my royal tent shall be pitched, and Horam only shall be
suffered to approach it. So shall my slaves imagine their Sultan goeth
forth with them to the field, and their hearts shall be strengthened."

"Be the desires of the Sultan fulfilled," said Horam, with reverence;
"but will not my lord take with him a guard in his pilgrimage?--for
the dangers of the journey are great over the mountains and deserts,
and the voyage by the seas is perilous."

"No," answered the Sultan; "those who are my slaves _here_, may at a
distance become my masters, and sell me to my foes: where the trust is
great, great is the danger also. Shall I set guards over my person in
the heart of my kingdom amidst my faithful subjects, and trust my life
in a slave's hand where I am neither known nor respected?"

The Vizier Horam was struck with the prudence of his youthful Sultan,
and bowed in assent to his words.

In a few days the armies of India assembled; the royal tent was
pitched, and the Vizier was declared the leader of his Sultan's
forces. Misnar entered his tent in great state, and Horam alone
followed the Sultan into the retirements of the movable pavilion.

The Vizier had, according to the Sultan's instructions, prepared a
disguise for his master; and at midnight led him, like a peasant,
through the encampment into a wood, where, falling at his feet, he
besought him to consider well the dangers he was about to encounter.

"Horam," answered the Sultan, "I well know the goodness of thy heart,
and that thy fears arise from thy love. Sensible am I that the dangers
of my pilgrimage are great; but what resource have I left? More than
man is risen up against me, and more than man must assist me, or I
perish. To whom, then, can I fly, but to the Prophet of the Faithful?
For I am well assured that no enchantment shall preva