e had seen them. "Sir,"
answered Codadad, after making a profound reverence, "they have been
hunting these three days, but they promised me they would return
sooner." The sultan grew uneasy, and his uneasiness increased when he
perceived the princes did not return the next day. He could not check
his anger: "Indiscreet stranger," said he to Codadad, "why did you let
my sons go without bearing them company? Go, seek them immediately, and
bring them to me, or your life shall be forfeited."

These words chilled with alarm Pirouze's unfortunate son. He armed
himself, departed from the city, and like a shepherd who had lost his
flock, searched the country for his brothers, inquiring at every village
whether they had been seen; but hearing no news of them, abandoned
himself to the most lively grief. He was inconsolable for having given
the princes permission to hunt, or for not having borne them company.

After some days spent in fruitless search, he came to a plain of
prodigious extent, in the midst whereof was a palace built of black
marble. He drew near, and at one of the windows beheld a most beautiful
lady; but set off with no other ornament than her own charms; for her
hair was dishevelled, her garments torn, and on her countenance appeared
all the marks of affliction. As soon as she saw Codadad, and judged he
might hear her, she directed her discourse to him, saying: "Young man,
depart from this fatal place, or you will soon fall into the hands of
the monster that inhabits it: a black, who feeds only on human blood,
resides in this palace; he seizes all persons whom their ill fate
conducts to this plain, and shuts them up in his dungeons, whence they
are never released, but to be devoured by him."

"Madam," answered Codadad, "tell me who you are, and be not concerned
for myself." "I am a lady of quality of Grand Cairo," replied the
captive; "I was passing by this castle yesterday, on my way to Bagdad,
and met with the black, who killed all my attendants, and brought me
hither. I beg of you," she cried, "to make your escape: the black will
soon return; he is gone out to pursue some travellers he espied at a
distance on the plain. Lose no time, but fly."

She had scarcely done speaking before the black appeared. He was of
monstrous bulk, and of a dreadful aspect, mounted on a large Tartar
horse, and bore a heavy cimeter, that none but himself could wield. The
prince seeing him, was amazed at his gigantic stature, dire