vant of
cruelty and oppression. Choose, therefore, for yourself: if injured
innocence can move thee, boldly suffer in the cause of truth, and take
this book in thy bosom, which shall at all times admit thee to a sight
of the Princess; if not, be still the slave of the enemy of thy
Prophet."

After this, I looked again on the book, but found I could read no
more; however, I hesitated not to engage in the service of the
Princess; and therefore, taking the book in my bosom, and the lamp in
my hand, I went toward the saloon, supposing that Bennaskar was
asleep. I searched for the rooms through which I had passed before,
and soon perceived the vaulted apartment at the end of them.

I hastened to take up the trap-door, and touching the Princess
Hemjunah with the book, essayed to deliver her from her miserable
confinement. The Princess awoke at the touch of the book; but, at the
sight of me, shrieked aloud, and I feared her cries would awaken
Bennaskar. I assured her that I was sent by the genius Macoma to
effect her deliverance, and that I abhorred every kind of cruelty
which I had practised upon her.

"Alas!" said she, still shrieking at intervals, "your story betrays
your wickedness. I never before saw you, unless you are, as I suspect,
the magician Bennaskar under some feigned appearance; but rest
assured, vile man! that no deceit or cruelty shall ever make me the
creature of Bennaskar. I will ever persist in my hatred of you; and I
am assured that you cannot injure or destroy me."

"Most gracious Princess Hemjunah!" said I, prostrating myself before
her, "let me beseech you to hear me: I am not Bennaskar, nor a
creature of Bennaskar's, but the servant of the genius Macoma, who has
instructed me, by means of this holy book (which I then pulled out),
to attempt your rescue, and I am willing to lay down my life for your
safety. You have not indeed seen me in my present character, but this
very night was I brought hither by Bennaskar, under the similitude of
a slave, and forced, through a most accursed oath, to inflict the
severest tortures on the most delicate of her sex."

"Wretch!" said the Princess, "I am now convinced of thy perfidy,
allowing thine own account to be true; for what promise could bind
thee to a cruel action? and why not rather be thyself a sufferer than
make an innocent virgin the subject of thy cruelties? But if thou art
truly the servant of Macoma, and ashamed of thy late inhuman deeds,
quit the h