the
command of his army for forty days, in which time I propose to build
thee such a pavilion as shall far outshine in splendour every glory
upon earth."

"Horam," answered the Sultan, "I have put all things into thine hands;
but let me beseech thee to be careful of thy master."

The Vizier Horam, leaving the Sultan, sent to Delhi for workmen and
artificers; and, ordering a large spot to be enclosed, that none might
behold his pavilion till it was completed, he proceeded with the work
with great care and assiduity.

While these works of peace, rather than of war, were carrying on in
the two armies of Misnar and Ahubal, the reinforcements of Ahaback and
Desra arrived; and the captains in the Sultan's army, hearing of the
great addition which was made to the rebel army, while the Vizier was
spending his time with his curious workmen, petitioned the Sultan that
one might be put over them who loved war rather than the amusements of
females and children.

The Sultan, who thought, with his captains, that Horam was rather
betraying than forwarding his cause, commanded the Vizier to be
brought before him, and, in the presence of the captains, asked him
why he delayed to lead his troops against the rebel army.

The Vizier Horam made no answer to the Sultan's question, but desired
his lord to bring the captains towards the pavilion which he had
erected.

As soon as the Sultan appeared before the enclosure, several slaves
behind were employed to remove it, so that in an instant Misnar and
his captains beheld the most magnificent spectacle that art could
achieve.

The sight of the pavilion was highly acceptable to the army of the
Sultan; but the captains justly condemned a performance which had,
without cause, wasted the greatest part of the coffers of India.

The pavilion was situated at one extremity of the Sultan's army, at a
small distance from a rocky mountain, and surrounded by a grove of
palm-trees, part of which had been cut down by the Vizier's order, to
admit the air and light among the rest. It was composed of crimson
velvet, embroidered round with flowers and festoons of silver and
gold; and in the body was worked, in golden tissue, the deaths of the
enchanters Ulin, Happuck, Ollomand, and Tasnar.

The pavilion stood upon a carpet or cloth of gold, and within was
supported by four massive pillars of burnished gold; the ceiling of
the canopy within was studded with jewels and diamonds, and under it
were plac