ouse of the vile Bennaskar, and inform the Cadi of his
cruelties and sorceries."

"Rather," said I, "let me dig around you, and release you from this
miserable confinement."

"That," said the Princess, "you cannot do, unless you are indeed, as I
suspect, the wretch Bennaskar; for by his command alone can I be
released. Oh, fool that I was," continued she, with tears, "to listen
for a moment to the falsehood of man!"

"If my information," said I, "O lovely Hemjunah, will avail, this
moment will I fly to the Cadi, and acquaint him with your distress."

I then hastened to go; but oh, imagine my terror and amazement when I
saw Bennaskar moving through the apartments which led to the vaulted
chamber!

As he advanced, Hemjunah shrieked, and I was ready to sink: though my
intentions were just and good, yet was I terrified by his appearance,
so much was I sunk by the rash promise which I had made; and I every
moment expected the dreadful effects of his powerful malice.

As Bennaskar entered the vaulted chamber, I shrank back with fear, and
dared not lift up my eyes; but my terror was soon quieted, when I saw
him fall prostrate at my feet. I then no longer doubted that the
genius Macoma supported me, and attributed his behaviour to her
supernatural power.

"O Mahoud," said Bennaskar, "the friend of my bosom, the partner of my
secrets; although the power of love has not the rule in thine heart,
yet pity those who are the slaves of its dominion; if the lovely
Princess of Cassimir did but know the purity of my heart, the----"

"Hear not the villain," said Hemjunah, "O servant of Macoma, unless he
release me from this detested place: me he hath already deceived; and
you will be subjected likewise to his power, unless the prudent spirit
of Macoma direct thee."

"Then," said Bennaskar, rising up, and laying bare his bosom, "here,
Mahoud, strike, and end my miseries, and the miseries of Hemjunah; but
never will Bennaskar consent to lose the treasure of his heart."

"I will not," answered I, "lift up my private arm against thy life,
but I shall deliver thee to the power of the Cadi, who is the deputy
of the great Allah's vicegerent."

"Give me, then," said the Princess of Cassimir, "the book of the
genius Macoma, that I may be defended from the insults and
contrivances of the base Bennaskar."

The request of the Princess appeared to be so reasonable, that I
obeyed her, and put the book into her hands.

Bennaskar, when I