trust, returned to his
tent; where he found an old female slave, who waited to deliver a
message from his seraglio, which was kept in a tent adjoining to his
own.

Horam, not regarding her presence, threw himself on his sofa, and
there bemoaned his fate in being commanded to find a trusty slave.

The female slave, who saw her master's tears, cast herself at his
feet, and called Allah to witness that she had always served him
faithfully, and was ready to sacrifice her life for his pleasure.

Horam was rather more distressed than alleviated by her protestations.
"What art thou?" said he to her, sternly--"a poor decrepit woman! and
canst thou go forth and combat the enchantments of Tasnar, the enemy
of thy master's peace?"

"The locust and the worm," said the female slave, "are the instruments
of Allah's vengeance on the mighty ones of the earth; and Mahomet can
make even my weakness subservient to the cause of my lord."

"And how wilt thou prevail against Ahubal the Prince and Tasnar the
magician?" said Horam, careless of what he spoke.

"I will go," answered she, "into the camp of Ahubal, and engage to
poison my master the Vizier, and Misnar the lord of our lives, as I
stand before them to minister unto them the pleasing draught. And
while Tasnar is intently hearing my proposals, the steel of death
shall suddenly search out the vile enchanter's heart."

"But knowest thou not," said Horam, "that death will be the
consequence of this rash deed?"

"My lord," answered the slave, "I was, when young, bred up in the
caves of Denraddin, and was taught by a sage to know what should
happen to me in future times; and the sage read in the stars of
heaven, that by my means should the Sultan of India be delivered from
the enemy that oppressed him."

The Vizier rejoiced at the assurances of his female slave, and bade
her immediately prepare herself to appear before the Sultan.

The slave, having put on her veil, followed the Vizier Horam, and was
introduced to the tent of Misnar.

"What!" said the Sultan, as he saw his Vizier enter with the female
slave, "what new kind of warrior has Horam brought me?"

"Light of mine eyes!" answered the Vizier, "behold a woman who is
desirous of executing thy commands. This slave assures me that the
sages of the caves of Denraddin have read in the stars of heaven that
by her means the Sultan of India should be delivered from the enemy
that oppressed him."

"Then," said the Sultan, "le