he object of their affection, having first
watered it with their tears.

"Great Allah!" said the afflicted mother, "Thou who formerly watched
over the young Ishmael, take care of this innocent creature. Send the
preserving angel to him. We have no hope but in Thy succour."

Sighs prevented her from saying more. They both tore themselves away
from this dreadful sacrifice, and committed this sacred deposit into
the hands of its Creator.

The noise they had made in coming thither had frightened away from the
brink a hind, who, along with her fawns, was refreshing herself at
this exuberant fountain. As soon as they were gone, she returned, and
approached the languishing creature, which seemed about to lose for
ever the little strength which remained. A powerful instinct led this
animal to give the child that nourishment which was reserved only for
her young ones. She fed quietly around her nursling, and left the
place no more. The wild beasts of the forest, it appeared, had
abandoned to her the enjoyment of this happy spot, although so
necessary to the supply of their wants, amid the burning sands and
parched deserts with which they were surrounded. Nevertheless, men
came to disturb their repose.

It was a band of robbers, whom thirst had brought into these places.
They saw a child wrapped in rich swaddling-clothes, but still more
remarkable for the beauty of its features. The leader of the banditti
approached it, took it up, and sent it straightway to his wife, that
she might pay it the necessary attentions, and educate it as if it had
been their own son. When the wife saw it she was moved with its
innocent beauty, entered into the benevolent views of her husband, and
immediately procured for their adopted son the best nurse in the
horde.

Having seen the son of Bohetzad in safe hands, let us now follow the
steps of those illustrious travellers.

Full of grief for the sacrifice which they had been forced to make,
the King and Queen continued their journey in sadness till they
reached the capital of Persia, where Kassera then reigned.

This powerful monarch received the fugitive Prince and his charming
spouse with the respect which was due from a crowned head to a great
Sovereign, his ally, whose rebellious subjects had revolted under the
standard of a criminal usurper. To Bohetzad he allotted an apartment
in his palace as magnificent as his own, and to Baherjoa one equal to
that of his favourite Sultana. Such were