followed. He soon rejoined his little caravan, and went on his way
toward happiness.

He had not marched more than four miles, when he was stopped by a
torrent, wide, deep and impetuous, tumbling over rocks all white with
foam. On each shore rose precipitous cliffs, which bewildered the eyes
and chilled the heart of man. There was no way of getting across, of
turning to the right hand or to the left.

"I am beginning to fear," said Rustem, "that Topaz may have been right
to reprehend me for this journey, and I very wrong to undertake it. If
he were but here he might give me some good advice, and if I had
Ebony, he at any rate would comfort me, and suggest some expedient. As
it is I have no one left to help me."

His dismay was increased by that of his followers. The night was very
dark, and they spent it in lamentations. At last fatigue and
dejection brought sleep to the love-sick traveller. He awoke, however,
at daybreak, and saw a fine marble bridge built across the torrent
from shore to shore.

Then what exclamations, what cries of astonishment and delight! "Is it
possible? Is it a dream? What a marvel! It is magic! Dare we cross
it?" All the Mirza's train fell on their knees, got up again, went to
the bridge, kissed the ground, looked up to heaven, lifted their
hands; then tremulously set foot on it, went over, and came back in
perfect ecstasy, and Rustem said, "Heaven is on my side this time.
Topaz did not know what he was saying. The oracles were in my favour.
Ebony was right; but why is he not here?"

Hardly had the caravan crossed in safety, when the bridge fell into
the torrent with an appalling crash.

"So much the better!" cried Rustem. "God be praised! He does not
intend me to return to my own country, where I should be only a
private gentleman. He means me to marry the Princess. I shall be
Prince of Cashmere. In that way, when I possess my Princess, I shall
not possess my humble rank in Candahar; I shall be Rustem, and I shall
not, since I shall be a great prince. There is a great deal of the
oracle interpreted in my favour. The rest will be explained in the
same way. I am too happy! But why is not Ebony at my side? I regret
him a thousand times more than Topaz!"

He rode a few miles farther in great glee; but as evening fell, a
chain of mountains, steeper than a rampart, and higher than the Tower
of Babel would have been when finished, entirely closed the road
against the travellers, who were fi