ed two sofas of the richest workmanship.

The Sultan, though much averse to such pageantry, was yet persuaded by
his Vizier to sleep in his new pavilion; and the glorious appearance
which it made brought thousands to view the magnificent abode of their
Sultan.

The account of this splendid tent soon reached Ahubal's army, and
every one extolled the glorious pavilion: so that Ahubal's tent seemed
as nothing in comparison with the Sultan's.

Ahaback and Desra, who were in the Prince's pavilion, hearing the
account, resolved to go invisibly and examine it; and leaving the
Prince, and putting each a ring on his fingers, they passed the
sentinels and watches of both armies.

But if the sight of the pavilion filled them with malice and envy, the
histories of their brethren's deaths increased that malice, and urged
them to revenge. They returned hastily to Ahubal's pavilion, and
related to him what they had seen.

Ahubal's heart rankled at their account, and his visage fell, to hear
how much his brother had outdone him in magnificence.

"Get me a tent more splendid than the Sultan's," said he to the
enchanters, "or disband your armies, and leave me to my fate."

"My Prince," answered Ahaback, "let not such a trifle discompose you.
It is true, we could in a moment erect a pavilion more magnificent
than the Sultan's; but it will be more glorious to dispossess him of
that which he has built, and to set my Prince upon the throne of his
father: for which purpose let the trumpet sound on the morrow,--the
truce is at an end, and if it were not, we mean not to keep faith with
an usurper,--and ere the Sultan be prepared, let us fall upon him. Who
knows but we may sleep to-morrow night in this pavilion which now
causes uneasiness?"

The counsel of Ahaback pleased both Desra and Ahubal; and they gave
orders for the troops to march in the morning, and attack the army of
the Sultan.

The forces of Misnar were sleeping in their tents when the alarm was
spread that the enemy was upon them. The Vizier Horam arose in haste,
and put himself at the head of the army; but, instead of leading them
towards their enemies, he fled off to the right with the choicest of
the troops, and taking possession of a pass in the mountains behind
the pavilion, sent a messenger to inform the Sultan that he had
secured him a retreat, in case the armies of Ahubal should conquer.

The Sultan, being at the extremity of his army, knew not of the
confused a