it; and ere day began to rise, their guards were surprised by
the fall, and ran to release their masters from the stone; but, alas!
their bodies were crushed to atoms, and still remain buried under the
pavilion, as fifty of the strongest of thy troops were unable to
remove the stone from the ground."

At these words the countenance and the heart of Ahubal sank; and ere
he could recover, word was brought him that the Sultan's troops were
in the midst of his army, and that none dared stand against them
unless he approached to encourage them.

Ahubal was so overwhelmed with fear and grief, that, instead of
leading his troops, he prepared himself for flight; and Misnar,
pursuing his good fortune, was in a few hours in possession, not only
of his own tents, but also of those of the enemy.

Having gained a complete victory, and sent part of his troops after
those that were fled, the Sultan commanded his Vizier to be brought
before him, and, in the sight of his army, asked him what merit he
could challenge in the success of that day.

"The contrivances of thy slave had been useless," Horam replied, "if a
less than my Sultan had afterwards led his troops to the battle.
Therefore thine only be the glory and the honour of the day; but my
lord must know, that some time since we were informed that the
enchanters Ahaback and Desra were preparing to uphold thy rebellious
brother; and well I knew that prudence, and not force, must prevail
against them. I therefore besought my lord to grant me the chief
command for forty days, and neglected to take such advantages over
Ahubal's troops as the captains of thy armies advised.

"This I did, knowing that any victory would be vain and fruitless, if
the enchanters were not involved in the ruin; and that, while they
were safe, a second army would spring up as soon as the first was
destroyed. For these reasons, I endeavoured to strengthen my Sultan's
army, that when the reinforcements of Ahaback and Desra should arrive,
their numbers might not prevail against us.

"In the meantime, the sumptuous pavilion which was built for Ahubal
inspired me with a device, which I hoped would put the enchanters in
my power.

"Studious that no one might interrupt or betray my designs, I enclosed
a place near the mountains, surrounded with trees, where I began to
build a pavilion, which I gave out was erected in honour of my lord
the Sultan: within this pavilion I concealed a massy stone, which was
saw