this damsel be covered, and we are more worthy of the things than
she." Then he drew near to the steps, and ascended them until he reached
the spot between the two slaves, when, lo, one of these two smote him
upon his back, and the other smote him with the sword that was in his
hand, and struck off his head, and he fell down dead. So the Emeer Moosa
said: "May God not regard with mercy thy resting-place! There was, in
these riches, a sufficiency; and covetousness doth dishonour the person
in whom it existeth!" He thereupon gave orders for the entry of the
troops, who accordingly entered, and they loaded the camels with part of
those riches and minerals; after which the Emeer Moosa commanded them to
close the gate as it was before.

They then proceeded along the sea-coast until they came in sight of a
high mountain overlooking the sea. In it were many caves, and, lo, in
these was a people of the blacks, clad in hides, and with burnouses of
hides upon their heads, whose language was not known. And when they saw
the troops, they ran away from them, and fled, while their women and
their children stood at the entrances of the caves. So the Emeer Moosa
said: "O Sheikh Abd-Es-Samad, what are these people?" And he answered:
"These are the objects of the inquiry of the Prince of the Faithful."
They therefore alighted, and the tents were pitched, and the riches were
put down; and they had not rested when the king of the blacks came down
from the mountain, and drew near to the troops. He was acquainted with
the Arabic language; wherefore, when he came to the Emeer Moosa, he
saluted him; and the emeer returned his salutation, and treated him with
honour. Then the king of the blacks said to the emeer: "Are ye of
mankind, or of the genies?" The emeer answered: "As to us, we are of
mankind; and as to you, there is no doubt but that ye are of the
genies, because of your seclusion in this mountain that is separated
from the world, and because of the greatness of your make." But the king
of the blacks replied: "Nay, we are a people of the race of Adam, of the
sons of Ham, the son of Noah, on whom be peace! And as to this sea, it
is known by the name of El-Karkar."

The Emeer Moosa then said to him: "We are the associates of the King of
El-Islam, Abd-El-Melik the son of Marwan; and we have come on account of
the bottles of brass that are here in your sea, and wherein are the
devils imprisoned from the time of Solomon, the son of David. He