id. Bazmant went to it,
and demanded an asylum in the hospital destined for the reception of
poor strangers. He learned that King Abadid resided in Medinet-Ilahid,
the capital of the kingdom. He took the road to it, arrived there, and
demanded an audience of the Sovereign, which was immediately granted.
His external appearance prejudiced the monarch in his favour, and he
asked him concerning his rank, his country, and the motives which had
brought him to Medinet-Ilahid.

"I was," replied he, "a distinguished officer in the Court of King
Bazmant, to whom I was much attached. This unfortunate Prince has been
driven from his kingdom, and as it became necessary for me to choose a
master, I am come to make a voluntary offer of my person and services
to your Majesty."

Abadid, full of prudence and penetration, conceived a favourable
opinion of the stranger. He loaded him with presents, and assigned him
a distinguished rank among his officers. Bazmant might have been proud
of his new situation could he have banished from his memory the
fortune he had once enjoyed, and had he not been still wholly occupied
with the loss of his kingdom.

A neighbouring power at that time threatened Abadid with an invasion
of his dominions. The Sovereign put himself in a posture of defence,
and took every necessary precaution to repel his enemy. He himself
took arms, and left his capital at the head of a formidable army.
Bazmant had the chief command of the van.

The battle was soon begun, during which Abadid and Bazmant conducted
themselves like experienced chiefs, and were distinguished by
remarkable feats of courage and intrepidity. The enemy was entirely
defeated and repulsed. Bazmant extolled to the skies the mighty deeds
and wise plans of Abadid.

"Sire," said he to him, "with an army so well disciplined and so much
good conduct you might easily humble the most formidable nations."

"You are mistaken," replied the wise monarch; "without the assistance
of Allah I could not resist the most feeble atoms in the creation. It
is by trusting in Him alone that we have the power of posting our
troops to advantage, of directing our plans with wisdom, and of
preserving that presence of mind which is the guide of all our
operations. If I had not had recourse to Him, the greatest force would
have vanished in my hands."

"I am convinced of it," replied Bazmant, "and the misfortunes which I
have experienced are a proof of it. A false prudence ind