and it is better you should go."

The four _Darweshes_ then recollected that what _Maula Murtaza_
[256] had said to them, that same had now come to pass; they were
pleased at the recollection], and went along with the messenger. When
they reached the fort and went before the king, the four _Kalandars_
gave a benediction, saying, "Son, may it be well with thee." The king
then retired to the _Diwani khass_, and having called two or three
of his confidential nobles near him, he ordered the four _Darweshes_
to be brought in. When they went there [before his majesty], he
commanded them to sit down, and asked them their adventures, saying,
"From whence come you, where do you intend to go, and where is the
residence of your worships?"

"They replied, "May the king's age and wealth be always on the
increase! we are _Darweshes_, and have in this very manner for
a long while wandered and roamed about; we bear our homes on our
shoulders. There is a saying, that 'a pilgrim's home is where the
evening overtakes him;' and all we have seen in this versatile world
is too long a tale to relate."

_Azad Bakht_ gave them every confidence and encouragement, and
having sent for refreshment, he made them breakfast before him. When
they finished [their meal] the king said to them, "Relate all your
adventures to me, without the least reserve; whatever services I can
render you, I will not fail to do." The _Darweshes_ replied that,
"whatever has happened to us, we have not the strength to relate,
nor will any pleasure result to the king from hearing it; therefore
pardon us." The king then smiled, and said, "Where you were sitting
on your couches last night and relating each his own adventures,
there I was likewise present; moreover, I have heard the adventures
of two of you; I now wish that the two who remain would also relate
theirs; and stay with me a few days in perfect confidence, for 'the
footsteps of the _Darwesh_ scare away evil.'" [257] On hearing these
words from the king, they began to tremble in consequence of their
fear; and having hung down their heads, they remained silent--they
had not the power to speak.

When _Azad Bakht_ perceived that now through fear their senses no
longer remained with them, so as to enable them to tell anything,
he said [to revive their spirits] "There is no person in this world
to whom rare and strange incidents have not occurred; although I am
a king, yet I have even seen strange scenes, which I wil